BIG CHALLENGES (

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BIG CHALLENGES ( OPPORTUNITIES) FOR ACADEMIC
LIBRARIESTEXAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION CE
INITIATIVE FOR ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

• Gillian McCombs Southern Methodist University

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Communications

• Image
• How do we interact/communicate?
• Cultural intelligence
• Future oriented

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Topic A How are/can librarians be deemed
fundamental to achieving broad institutional
goals?

• Is the library central or peripheral?
• Are you considered a change agent?

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Some examples from SMUs Central University
Libraries

• Created the 24/7 experience
• Developed specific and unique connections with
  student life
• Seen as innovative technology leaders e.g.
  Information Commons, Student Multimedia Center
• Early leader in campus digitization efforts

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Examples, cont.

• Strong faculty support
• Close relationship with central technology
  support services successful partnerships
• Special Collections involved with faculty for
  both programming and research support
• Connections within the administrative community
  e.g. partnering with Human Resources, News
  Information

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CULs Strategic Plan

• Title is a riff on SMUs new capital campaign
  theme SMU Unbridled the Second Century
  Campaign
• Opportunity to demonstrate how the libraries are
  in sync with both higher education and the
  University

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Topic B How do librarians gain credibility
within the institution?

• Image look the part gauge your culture
• Positional status Deanship essential
• Partnerships with other Deans

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Strategies

• Do not shy away from the big assignments e.g.
  chairing search committees or taking on
  university-wide responsibilities, such as
  accreditation
• Volunteer do not wait to be asked!
• Create networks of advocacy e.g. faculty,
  students, parents, board of advisors
• Be available to represent the University in any
  number of forums

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Strategies, cont.

• Seed your able, inspiring young librarians into
  university-wide committees
• Use objective data sources/consultants when
  documenting needs
• Support the Institution
• DO NOT WHINE
• Combine patience with speed at taking
  opportunities when presented
• SHOW UP

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Develop a philosophy or vision that is short,
identifiable, clear, and congruent with the
Universitys mission/vision/culture your
elevator speech e.g. for the next 5 years, CUL
will be focusing on customer service that is
a mantra of two words!
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The Starbucks Experience 5 principles for
Turning Ordinary into Extraordinary Joseph A.
Michelli, McGraw Hill, 2007.  

• Principles
• Make it your own
• Everything matters
• Surprise and delight
• Embrace Resistance
• Leave your mark

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Some CUL Examples

• Patron-directed acquisition as part of the
• overall collection development policy
• Shopping baskets
• Accompanying patrons to the stacks when lost
• Custom delivery of some materials
• Transforming the reference desk experience

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Conclusion

• Envision
• Energize
• Enable
• Educate
• Embrace change

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Thank You!

• Big Challenges ( Opportunities) for Academic
  Libraries
• Texas Library Association CE Initiative for
  Academic Libraries
• Gillian McCombs Southern Methodist University