Academic Libraries: Building Campus
Partnerships
Jeffrey Trzeciak, University Librarian
Washington University in St. Louis
Day 1 and 2 of institute
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Circulation Trends
Collection Trends
Space
Partnerships
The end of circulation
(ACRL TechConnect)
The end of circulation
(ACRL TechConnect)
The end of circulation
(ACRL TechConnect)
The end of circulation
(ACRL TechConnect)
Unless current patterns change, by 2020 university
libraries will no longer have circulation desks.
The end of circulation
(ACRL TechConnect)
“Ebook Adoption Reaching a Tipping Point”
600000
550000
500000
450000
400000
350000
300000
250000
200000
150000
100000
50000
0
Total Ebooks Accessible
FY07
334206
FY08
338556
FY09
415289
FY10
518815
FY11
566006
The end of circulation
(ACRL TechConnect)
In the end, the greatest question is how will academic
libraries adapt?
To survive, librarians must find the answer before we have
enough data to prove these predictions.
EAB report, 2011
“Redefining the Academic Library”
2011, Education Advisory Board
“confluence of shifts in technology, changing
user demands, and increasing budget pressures
are now forcing academic libraries to either
adapt or risk obsolescence”
“Redefining the Academic Library”
2011, Education Advisory Board
“library’s traditional role as a repository for
physical books and periodicals is quickly fading,
with important implications for space utilization,
resource acquisition, and staffing”
Six Key Findings
• Collection Size is Rapidly Losing Importance
• Traditional Library Metrics Fail to Capture Value
• Rising Journal Costs Inspiring Calls for Alternative Publishing
Models
• Viable Alternatives to the Library Now Boast Fastest Growth
and Easiest Access
• Demand Declining for Traditional Library Services
• New Patron Demands Stretch Budget and Organizational
Culture
SPACE CAN IMPACT RECRUITMENT
WHAT DO STUDENTS WANT?
SPACE: NEW PARTNERS
SPACE: MORE THAN COMPUTERS
LINKING LIBRARIES TO LEARNING:
BUILDING CAMPUS PARTNERSHIPS
Writing Center @ WUSTL
• About
– “The Writing Center staff are writers helping
writers through the process of revision. We are
undergraduate students, graduate students and
faculty members who love to write and to help
others clarify their thoughts and ideas.”
http://writingcenter.wustl.edu/about/
Writing Center @ WUSTL
• 2 FTE
• Tutors, including peer tutors
• Traditionally well-aligned with the libraries
Writing Center @ WUSTL
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Offer free services
Main resource on campus
Only service open to all students
Undergraduate and graduate students alike
One-on-one writing tutorials
Writing workshops
Writing Center @ WUSTL
• One-on-one writing tutorials
– Walk-ins welcome
– By appointment
– One-hour long sessions
– Will work on essays, senior theses and other
writing projects
– Will read and assist with drafts
– Language assistance
Writing Center @ WUSTL
• Writing workshops
– Small and informal
– Discuss different topics:
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Critical analysis
Research papers
Essay Exams
Resumes
Personal Statements
Writing Center @ WUSTL
• “The Speaking Studio”
– The Basics of Excellent Public Speaking
– Using Powerpoint as an Effective Public Speaking
Tool
The opportunity (2013)
• Plans for renovation of main library
• Fewer print collections on first floor
– 95% of journals now electronic
– Shrinking reference collection
• Increased space on first floor
The opportunity (2013)
• Writing Center
– Located in older building adjacent to main library
– Increased need for space
– Currently occupying small office suite
The opportunity (2013)
• Proposal to Provost’s Office
– Relocate Writing Center to main floor of main
library
– Develop plans for joint programming
• Library focused on Research Help
• Writing Center focused on Writing Help
The Result (2014)
• Increased collaboration
– Writing Center Staff participate in
• library staff meetings and
• Events (holiday party, etc)
– Write-In
The Result (2014)
• Write-In
– Joint program
– Scheduled around time of paper due dates
– Librarians and Tutors available 8pm-Midnight
– Students receive assistance from both
– Increasing awareness
• Fall 2013 – 65 students
• Spring 2014 – 75 students
Measuring Impact
ACRL Assessment in Action
• GOAL 1: Develop the professional competencies of librarians to document
and communicate the value of their academic libraries primarily in
relation to their institution’s goals for student learning and success.
• GOAL 2: Build and strengthen collaborative relationships with higher
education stakeholders around the issue of library value.
• GOAL 3: Contribute to higher education assessment work by creating
approaches, strategies, and practices that document the contribution of
academic libraries to the overall goals and missions of their institutions.
Measuring Impact
• Libraries, The Writing Center, and Cornerstone
• Assess the impact on student success.
• Focus on the nearly 1600 first-year students enrolled in Writing 1, a
required course for all undergraduates.
• Track students who use our services in order to compare their final Writing
1 grades with those of students who did not use any of our resources.
• Identify areas for future collaboration
• Serve as a model for other campus units on effective evidence-based
practices
Questions
• Discuss
– What trends are you seeing (increased enrollment, more e-books,
decreased circulation) that could impact space and services?
– What are your current space plans to address these changes? Are
What services exist on your campus that could be moved into your
library as part of your plans?
– Which departments would make the most ideal partner based on
student/faculty needs?
– How might you build a case study and support for moving partners
into your library?
– How might you determine success?