Cathy's magic wand
10:15-10:30 am Keynote “The Organic Library: Is it Sustainable?”
Katie Clark, Associate Dean for Public Services & Collection Development
John Henderson, Jenny Strickland and I got lost in downtown Rochester and arrived about 10:15 am. Clark described how the library researched student habits and feedback in designing the Gleason Library which opened in fall 2007. They conducted an intricate study on how students walked, studied, ate, and the things they carried. For instance, they did not carry their laptops; they used public computing facilities; there was too much else in their back packs that they lugged about including phones, books, ids. Methods of research included asking student participants to map their walking paths in a given day; they were provided cameras to take photos of their dorm room work areas as well as the contents of their sacs. Students even sketched designs of what they wanted: a quiet study area with white noise, sunny, with food, lots of outlets, 24/7 access, and plenty of seating. Librarians enjoyed the student collaboration. They learned never to assume to know what they needed. Success entailed listening and responding to them. One thing that was not included was a librarian or a barrista (or a librarian-barrista, aka librarista). Instead the space belongs to the undergrads; it is unsupervised. Online, usability tests were conducted. Students clearly intertwined their social and work life; personalization of the desktop was considered. Other bits noted include: that students thought positively about the Writing Center; that students came to the library from faculty referrals; that their main source of feedback on papers was their parents. One adjustment to the parent-student relationship was to host an orientation session for parents in the library; feedback was positive but effects on student usage of the library was hard to gauge. In sum, the library design in Gleason suits the students’ needs and is a useful space for their research and study.
DOCUMENT: Studying Students: The Undergraduate Research Project at the University of Rochester
We did a warm up exercise where we took a body part (arm, leg, feet, torso) from our program & teamed up with others to create a body. Then, using markers and note pads, we brain-stormed on synonyms, metaphors, analogies, and even drawings that would work in explaining the concept to undergraduate students. My group worked on the words “periodicals” and “primary sources.” We taped our frankenbody to the bottom of the sheet. Each group presented its results and its favorite terms.
10:45-Noon, “Teaching Millennial Students: The Real Dirt”
Susan Bell, Reference Librarian and author of Librarian’s Guide to Online Searching, 2006.
Susan did a slide show presentation entitled, “Teaching Millennials…the real dirt.” She cited research that promoted active learning, co-teaching, and critical thinking. She reviewed the research that noted “library anxiety” and the barriers it caused with staff, equipment usage, and knowledge of the library. Research showed that those who were critical thinkers exhibited more self-confidence and positive feelings about the library. In sum, she encouraged us to develop CT skills in library sessions.
12:45-1:30 Library Tours
I was glad to finally see the media center (aka “Blockbuster”!) that Nora Dimmock manages. Overall, the library is quite beautiful; the older areas are full of classic architectural details; the new Gleason Library has a modern appeal. The Rossell Hope Robins Library of medieval studies was unique; I got a grizzly graphic of Cain & Abel, a detail from a manuscript; what an odd souvenir, eh?
1:30-2:30 “Great Collections Grow Great Programs: Primary Sources in Teaching and Learning”
A number of librarians from the Rare Books, Special Collections & Preservation department presented on the rich collections at the library & how they integrated those special resources in undergraduate courses. The current exhibit, “Pages as Stages,” featured a collection of artist books made by Keith Smith. I especially enjoyed looking at the Frederick Douglass Project that can be used for teaching (presented by Melissa Mead, Digital/Visual Resources Librarian for RB & SC). Director of SC&P Richard Peek noted how digitization entails not duplicating work from other libraries with similar archives or projects. I wondered how the libraries communicated about their new collections and projects to one another? RLIN records would indicate collections being filmed in the past to reduce duplicate records; this practice may have died in with digitization. Nancy Martin worked with a professor who assigned his class manuscripts to transcribe. Many students have difficulty, initially, reading hands of prior centuries. She also showed local archives, such as newspapers and leaflets from 1960s campus protests. Pablo Alvarez, Curator of Rare Books, showed some of the highlights of the collection and their features (how the leaves were assembled, for instance).
2:45-3:30 “How Does your garden grow? Create a Magic Wand”
Dr. Nancy Fried Foster, Lead Anthropologist
The Dr. found that in studies, permitting creative thinking, and not just saying “no” to ideas, fosters creativity that is beneficial to the group. When we returned from the archives, there were rods, beads, wire and ribbons awaiting us. The Dr. gave us an overview of the wand making process and its effects. We busied ourselves with cutting, winding, snipping and taping. Next, we grouped up and went around the table; we could wish anything, no boundaries. We could make all information free; we could revive the library of Alexandria, or, we could wish for practical things such as more money, more resources, & a happier workforce. The Dr. explained how the fantastic wishes inspired the more practical ones. I’ll need a pair of red shoes to overcome space and a Hermione Granger time turner to go with my wand.
Thanks to the organizers and presenters at the River Campus; it was a fun and interesting day. Otherwise I’d be in front of my computer typing, right? And thanks to Jenny & John for going with me. We got lost but we got there ok. Even the thunder and rain could not stop us.
