Observations and Reflections

Assessment has always been important to research libraries and today’s educational climate demands even more data for determining student needs, research trends, and budget allocations.  We have been very fortunate here in UK Libraries that Judy Wiza has led the development of an excellent culture of assessment.  As we prepared for the upcoming SACS review, UK Libraries was able to provide large amounts of detailed information about our work and how our users value access to information and the support they receive.

After a recent meeting with the UK Libraries Assessment Committee (Stephanie Aken Gail Kennedy, Beth Kraemer, Jo Staggs-Neel, Kelly Vickery, Judy Wiza, chair), I am even more convinced that our faculty and staff are prepared to continue a critical look at what we do, how we do it, and how our work impacts students, faculty, and researchers.  As we enter an incentive based funding model, this type of information will be more important than ever to the success of UK Libraries.

Last week the Dean’s Council (UK Deans) met with UK faculty and staff who are leading Student Success efforts at UK.  We heard short presentations regarding student recruitment, living learning spaces, undergraduate education, UK International Center, and the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT).  All of these areas now report to Dr. Dan O’Hair, Dean of the College of Communication and Information (CI) and Interim Senior Vice-Provost for Student Success.

A number of new initiatives are underway to recruit better students to UK and to provide the support they need to graduate and go on to successful careers.  UK Libraries plays an important role in that success and over the next several months we will be working with these offices to explore avenues for even greater UK Libraries participation in their efforts.

I am serving on the UK Campus Master Plan Advisory Committee.  At a meeting this week representatives from Sasaki Associates reviewed preliminary ideas for transforming the UK campus.  As might be expected, the William T. Young Library plays a prominent role in any approach to campus planning. 

However, the space surrounding Young Library is quickly being transformed with the construction of new living leaning spaces.  One plan also calls for a second student center/dining facility to be built on the corner of University Drive and Hilltop Avenue.  Regardless of which plans go forward, Young Library will be at the center of university student life.

Another concept being explored is to transform the original Margaret I. King Building into a Student Learning and Services complex.  For this to happen, an off-site storage facility would need to be constructed and major renovations to the fifth floor of Young Library made to accommodate the Special Collections Library and Research Room. 

Interesting reading:  Hiring the Next Wave of Multicultural Librarians  http://www.nationaljournal.com/thenextamerica/workforce/hiring-the-next-wave-of-multicultural-librarians-20130131#.URURzuJnWmY.facebook