In the article, Engaging a Wider Community: The Academic Library as a
Center
for Creativity, Discovery, and Collaboration by
Steven D. Shapiro of
Montclair State University (Montclair,
New Jersey), he delves into the whats and hows of specific ideas from the
Public as well as Academic Libraries that are garnering success through
outreach, listening to their patrons and coming up with creative ideas to make
the library a destination that is enjoyable and relevant to its communities.
“In stark contrast to academic
libraries, public library usage, based on several indi-
cators (e.g., circulation, program
attendance, and visitation), has been trending
upward over the past decade
according to a report issued by the federal govern-
ments Institute of Museum and Library
Services (IMLS) in 2014 (Shapiro, 2014).”
The author mentions the New York, Brooklyn and Queens Public Libraries as innovative examples of utilizing technology such as lending e-readers and one on one training as well as library to increase circulation. Additionally recreating the library as a true source for information that is relevant and useful to its patrons through programs like NYStartup, an entrepreneurial business plan contest as well as utilizing cutting edge media software labs and makerspaces.
The author mentions the New York, Brooklyn and Queens Public Libraries as innovative examples of utilizing technology such as lending e-readers and one on one training as well as library to increase circulation. Additionally recreating the library as a true source for information that is relevant and useful to its patrons through programs like NYStartup, an entrepreneurial business plan contest as well as utilizing cutting edge media software labs and makerspaces.
The academic libraries have taken a
cue from the public libraries successes and incorporated interesting academic
and cultural lectures that feature faculty book authors that are open to the
public as well. This has helped to connect the communities to the university in
a positive manner. Many academic libraries are finding that incorporating the
arts is a fantastic way to revive the library by hosting art openings or
concerts. Outreach is also a large part of successfully partnering with and
engaging the wider community.
Reference:
Steven
D. Shapiro (2016) Engaging a Wider Community: The Academic Library as a Center
for Creativity, Discovery, and Collaboration, New Review of Academic Librarianship,
22:1, 24-42, DOI: 10.1080/13614533.2015.1087412
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