This research explores the application of Social Exchange Theory (SET) in enhancing outreach practices at the University of Malta Library. SET, which examines the dynamics of social interactions based on the perceived costs and benefits, provides a robust framework for understanding and improving library services. The study highlights several initiatives undertaken by the Library, such as training workshops, personalised one-to-one sessions, the "Feel Good Campaign," and various charity events, all of which embody the principles of SET. These initiatives foster reciprocal relationships between the Library and its users, enhancing engagement, satisfaction, and community building. Training workshops and personalised sessions, for instance, offer significant benefits to users while reinforcing their commitment to the Library. Charity campaigns like the Bake/Plant Sale and the Reverse Advent Calendar exemplify the mutual benefits of social exchanges, fostering stronger community ties. The "Chat with a Librarian" event and a robust online presence further illustrate the Library's commitment to maintaining continuous, reciprocal engagement. This research underscores the importance of SET in creating effective outreach strategies that meet the evolving needs of the academic community, ultimately enhancing the overall efficacy of library services.
Among the fields where Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are having an impact is the legal profession, and law librarians are among those positioned to help law students understand, assess, and make use of relevant AI tools during their time as law students and to develop skills in, and recognize the implications of, using AI options that will be part of their new work environments once they formally begin their legal careers. One way of capturing law student attention and emphasizing key features of generative AI tools while also highlighting some key implications of using such tools in the legal profession is through a case exhibit. Exhibits can provide a simple and effective way to engage audiences and convey information. This study describes the creation and implementation of an exhibit titled Lawyering and AI that was displayed in the entry area of the MacMillan Law Library at Emory University’s School of Law between fall 2023 and January 2024. This is a chronological account of the stages and steps involved in creating the exhibit. The exhibit benefitted the Law School community – and law students in particular – by conveying information about some of the ways in which AI is impacting and will continue to impact the practice of law. The author describes the process of creating a display case exhibit that combined images and text, including topical examples from legal news and law firm reports. Primary goals of the project, tools used to create the display, and key takeaways are presented.
Find the Time is a campus history card game designed to engage students, alumni, and university employees. Inspired by a similar game developed at McGill University Libraries, Find the Time challenges players to arrange cards in the correct chronological order. It can be played as a traditional sit-down card game or (using oversize cards) as a walk-up activity at events such as homecoming festivals. The cards feature images from [University] Libraries Special Collections, including the digital archives of the campus newspaper and yearbook. Find the Time is intended to promote these collections and spark conversations among players about their own experiences and how the campus has changed over time. This article describes the development and implementation of the game and provides practical advice to help other institutions create similar games to celebrate their own history and collections.
For children who are too young to attend school, public libraries can be a site for identification of disabilities or developmental delays, as well as demonstrating interventions and building empathy. However, librarians are seldom trained in early childhood special education or counseling strategies; hence, they rely on partnerships and collaborations with other service providers. [Blinded] researchers conducted interviews at ten library sites across three states to learn about successful partnerships and collaborations that help libraries serve young children with disabilities and/or developmental delays. Successful partnerships are maintained with a variety of organizations, from preschools to social service agencies. New partnerships are often developed by librarians’ engagement in the community. Library administrators can promote these partnerships by providing time and encouraging relationships across agencies, allowing their libraries and librarians to leverage their strengths in serving the community.
This article highlights a series of civic literacy and engagement initiatives developed through government information services at a large public research university library. Through Constitution Day programming, hands-on tabling events, workshops, and campus partnerships, these efforts have connected students and library users with government information in ways that support civic participation, critical inquiry, and awareness of their rights in a democratic society. Programs have ranged from interactive activities such as pocket Constitution giveaways and civic-themed trivia to in-depth workshops on voting rights and digital misinformation. A growing focus has also been placed on emerging issues such as the role of generative AI in civic discourse, helping participants build the digital literacy skills needed to evaluate information in today’s media environment. Collaborations with campus units and local community groups, including a public advocacy panel and voter registration efforts, further emphasize the importance of place-based civic engagement. While rooted in a specific institutional context, the strategies described in this article may serve as adaptable models for other libraries aiming to integrate civic learning and government information into outreach and instruction. By fostering engagement with foundational civic concepts and evolving policy issues, these programs underscore the enduring relevance of libraries in supporting informed, active, and critically literate communities.
Orientations are a common practice across academic libraries. While assessment is often part of the literature about this type of programming, longitudinal assessment is often lacking. This study provides an examination of the annual library orientation at a private, four-year university and its evolution as a goal-oriented program over the course of twelve years. It details how the authors coded responses from the program’s participant registration form to conduct longitudinal analysis of the program. The authors use this analysis for a greater understanding of the program’s successes and to improve the event. The article concludes with a review of the authors’ findings and opportunities for further study.
This Idea Lab piece explores how library services in three South African Metropolitan libraries support authors and writing using different technologies, with insights on the use of AI in libraries from Mr Scott Hanselman, who is an AI industry expert and Microsoft AI Development Community president. The article offers a glimpse into how public libraries in these metros use technology in various ways to introduce writing and publishing to local communities through competitions, workshops, and other programs
Zine-making offers an accessible, creative scholarship option for students in undergraduate humanities classes. This article describes an academic library’s support for zine-making in a history class focused on the Chicano Movement. The library was integrated into this class from start to finish, showcasing zines and artist books as samples, providing research support, and offering Makerspace resources. At the end of the course, students were invited to donate their zines to the library collection. Throughout the semester, this collaboration between the library and professor facilitated these students’ exploration of both Chicano history and their creative talents.
Programming and community engagement has always been a core tenet of librarianship. The COVID-19 pandemic radically disrupted how libraries were able to engage their patrons, and librarians are still seeking to understand its lasting impacts on library programming and community building. This study aims to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted community engagement with library programming, identify common challenges for academic and public library programming, and pinpoint common approaches for successfully engaging communities following the height of the pandemic by administering a survey to academic and public library workers involved in organizing and/or facilitating library programming. From the survey, we found that while some academic and public library program offerings have returned to pre-pandemic engagement levels, others are still seeing a noticeable drop off. Both groups have experimented with different programming and marketing strategies to combat this issue. Multiple academic and public library workers noted that registration numbers were not indicative of attendance and drop-in hands-on programming tended to be more successful.
This research explores the application of Social Exchange Theory (SET) in enhancing outreach practices at the University of Malta Library. SET, which examines the dynamics of social interactions based on the perceived costs and benefits, provides a robust framework for understanding and improving library services. The study highlights several initiatives undertaken by the Library, such as training workshops, personalised one-to-one sessions, the "Feel Good Campaign," and various charity events, all of which embody the principles of SET. These initiatives foster reciprocal relationships between the Library and its users, enhancing engagement, satisfaction, and community building. Training workshops and personalised sessions, for instance, offer significant benefits to users while reinforcing their commitment to the Library. Charity campaigns like the Bake/Plant Sale and the Reverse Advent Calendar exemplify the mutual benefits of social exchanges, fostering stronger community ties. The "Chat with a Librarian" event and a robust online presence further illustrate the Library's commitment to maintaining continuous, reciprocal engagement. This research underscores the importance of SET in creating effective outreach strategies that meet the evolving needs of the academic community, ultimately enhancing the overall efficacy of library services.
This pilot study examined perceived science learning and attitudes of school children participating (n=100) in a 4-lesson nutrition-based STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education backpack program offered at a public library in the rural, Appalachian, Southern United States (Appalachian Mississippi). Using a constructivist theoretical framework, a 4-lesson take-home, backpack program (Growing Peanuts and Beans; Making Butter; Popping Corn; Sprouting Spuds) was developed in collaboration with public library staff and implemented in an informal learning environment (rural community library) for youth in kindergarten through eighth grade. Prior to implementation, lessons were piloted, evaluated, and revised using youth feedback. A drive-through distribution was utilized. Backpack science kits included all STEM materials/supplies/books, postage-paid evaluation postcards, and shelf-stable lunches and snacks meeting USDA summer feeding guidelines. Twenty-three of 100 youth participants (23% response rate) returned at least one evaluation postcard. Participants were primarily female (65%), Non-Hispanic (90%), White (90%), and in kindergarten through second grade (54.5%). Overall, the program significantly improved (p<.05) attitudes toward science (e.g., science is cool, science is fun) and toward doing science experiments. While perception of the library being “a good place to find science information and activities” did not significantly improve from pre- to post-program, ratings were high at both pre- and post-program, with over 85% “agreeing” or “super-agreeing.” The majority of youth “agreed or super-agreed” that they: 1) learned about science from the activities (94.2%); 2) liked doing the science activities (94.3%) and reading the related books (90.4%); 3) had fun completing the activities (98.1%); 4) would recommend the activities to others (94.2%); and 5) would do the activities again (93.3%). Nutrition-based STEM education promotes perceived science-learning and attitudes, warranting further development and implementation of nutrition-based science kits for public libraries across Mississippi to promote both science-learning and pursuit of science and health careers.
This article will detail the two-year-long process of working with undocumented student fellows at the University of California, Irvine, how they grew professionally, and what the libraries can learn from this unique experience.
College of Saint Mary Library has collaborated to bring Holocaust and genocide education to the library and wider campus. While being a small Catholic institution, there has been strong campus-wide involvement and alignment of values with the project. Library staff have been an integral part of the planning process for programming and funding, while also hosting exhibits within the library and working on collection development. Given the overall success of the exhibits and related programming, along with the high levels of community engagement, there are plans to continue building future initiatives.
While the library literature shows that librarians work to address information needs about end-of-life issues, no systematic research on library involvement in programming about these issues yet exists. A preliminary study was conducted of library staff whose libraries have been involved in end-of-life programming or had considered this programming between 2018 and 2023. The study consisted of an online survey, followed by an interview with respondents whose libraries had been involved in this programming. The study sample (N=13) included public and academic libraries around the United States and in communities of various sizes. Reported activities included speaker series, Death Cafes, instruction on obituary writing, support for palliative and pastoral care groups by creating information resources, and a virtual training for public library staff about meeting patrons’ needs for end-of-life health information. Topics covered medical, financial, legal, emotional, and spiritual questions related to death and dying. Respondents described a variety of partners as valuable contributors to programs’ success. Some programs incorporated methods to help manage program participants’ anxieties about the subject matter. Respondents reported positive experiences with these programs and positive feedback from participants, but possible effects of volunteer bias and the small sample size prevent conclusions about how typical this is. More research is necessary to understand patterns among these programs, ways to protect the emotional well-being of those involved, and strategies to tailor programs to best meet library patrons’ needs for information on end-of-life issues.
Academic libraries can serve as critical campus and community connectors, developing sustainable collaborative models and lasting partnerships by responding to community information needs with library and university resources. Librarians can help break down silos and address systemic injustice in local communities through innovative outreach, community engagement, and curricular integration of critical information literacy. In this case study, a Business & Entrepreneurship Librarian and an Assistant Professor of Business Communication will detail a class project they developed in partnership with a local entrepreneur to support the success of a local Black-owned business, help address the racial wealth gap, and provide a valuable engaged learning experience for undergraduate students.
In 2023, the student outreach team at Georgia Southern University Libraries capitalized on the rising challenges against books in the U.S. by organizing Banned Books Week programming on two of their campuses. The initiative, funded by the Judith F. Krug Memorial Fund, aimed to enhance students' understanding of censorship and intellectual freedom through interactive displays, a scavenger hunt, and an open mic night. Feedback for the events highlighted its effectiveness in engaging students with the principles of the First Amendment and fostering information literacy. Programming not only engaged students in evaluating controversial literature, but also in discussing the broader implications of book bans. Partnerships with campus departments like the Office of Multicultural Affairs amplified the reach and impact of the events. The success of the 2023 initiative encourages future annual repeats, with plans to involve more academic departments and address censorship across various disciplines. This article underscores the continuing relevance of Banned Books Week as a vital educational tool in academic environments challenged by increasing censorship efforts.
Artifacts created by artists working in varied genres of media pose unique opportunities and challenges to archives holding them. The distinctive character and content of a range of artworks (while posing standard questions of preservation and collection development) can also serve as the basis for effective strategies of community and professional outreach, public education, and research. This article will provide a case study of the work done in these areas by Chicago’s Leather Archives & Museum since its creation.
Equity in student learning experiences is a key concern in academic libraries, yet there is a striking lack of literature and frameworks addressing equitable academic library outreach. This gap exists despite the important intersection of library outreach with student learning, success, and wellness across multiple university units. This paper addresses this challenge by examining Universal Design for Learning (UDL)—a standard increasingly accepted in academic libraries for promoting equity in information literacy instruction and pedagogy—for its potential applicability in the domain of library outreach. Although originally intended for instructional contexts, the UDL principles are shown in this paper to be relevant to, and practicable in, library outreach initiatives. The paper reviews a selection of the literature on academic library outreach, accessibility, and equity, highlighting the need for more structured consideration of these critical areas. It also presents a detailed examination of UDL guidelines and checkpoints, providing outreach-related examples and short case studies from the author's own programming and outreach experiences that exemplify the effective application of UDL principles in library outreach. This exploration not only extends the potential use of UDL beyond traditional instructional settings but also serves as a foundation for academic librarians and researchers to further develop and refine practices promoting equity, accessibility, and inclusivity in library outreach efforts.
The specific needs of veterans on college campuses necessitates a tailored approach to introducing libraries services and resources. This article describes the development and challenges of “Libraries Mission Brief for UMN Veterans,” a library orientation workshop for student veterans at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. This workshop was influenced by a review of existing orientation models for student veterans and the multimodal needs of the veteran population at the University of Minnesota. Despite positive feedback initially, the first attempts to offer the workshop faced low enrollment, inspiring an evaluation of outreach strategies. Workshop instructors pivoted to change promotion practices and continue building relationships with veterans on campus, including collaborating with the Student Veterans Association of Minnesota. The “Libraries Mission Brief for UMN Veterans” workshop will continue to provide a welcoming space for veterans to network with each other, learn about library services, and collaborate with other veteran-friendly departments to continue growing efforts to support the student veteran population at the University of Minnesota.
Yale Library launched a collaborative program to publish a suite of video tutorials on YouTube to market centralized library services and collections. This article describes how a library committee came together to design, produce, distribute, and maintain a suite of video tutorials in a large library system in a short time frame with a limited budget. The program’s success enabled the development of an internal immersion program to train library staff to create videos to use in asynchronous and course-integrated instruction.
