Re-Shaping Library Service Programming: New Strategies for the New Millennium Daryl C. Youngman Kansas State University 23d Annual Conference International Association of Technological University Libraries IATUL June 4, 2002

Times are Changing- But Are Libraries Really Changing? Library Technology Has Changed Library Users Have Changed Library Changes- Are they evident and substantive from the users perspective? Librarians can choose to change, or risk becoming irrelevant.

Re-Shaping Library Services Requires Progressing on Several Fronts Change the fundamental service focus Recognize modern information-seeking habits Consider new roles for librarians Ongoing assessment of service

Changing The Service Focus- How Do Librarians View Their Mission? Librarian-centered vs. Patron-Centered Budd, 2001 Content-Centered vs. Knowledge-Centered Content Focus: how many books & books & journals? Knowledge Focus- is learning enhanced? Smith, 2000

Recognizing Modern User Habits 24 Hours/remote access Point of use/time of need Users dont know all that stuff -Weiler Need for Librarian- in person or virtually at home there is no one to help - Grodzins-Lipow

New Roles for Librarians- Enhanced Participation in Learning Course Development Phase Librarians participate on course/curriculum design team Teaching Phase 24 x 7 online reference sources integrated into course Virtual (online) reference Participate in instruction within online-delivered courses Evaluation phase- librarians and course instructors Define competencies and measures Assess effectiveness of programs & services

More New Roles Information Literacy Joint Responsibility of University and Library- ACRL Librarians have skills and partnering opportunities Content Development Digital Libraries Distance library instruction modules

Information Literacy Challenges U.S. Students have little formal, standardized training Belief that information access and use of technology is easy Popular usage vs. effective research usage Point–of-use Time-of-need instruction- Grodzins-Lipow Librarians partnering with course instructors

Service Assessment : Why? Increasing User Expectations Need for optimizing use of existing resources Staff Financial Validate enhancements gained from knowledge-based service model Remain in touch with modern users/remain relevant

A Service Assessment Outline Establish Benchmarks Adopt a Primary Survey Instrument- LibQual+, et.al. Clarification Before, During & After- Focus Groups Adopt Specialized Assessment Tools as Indicated Continue Cycle of Assessment/Improvement Communicate to Users!

A Re-Shaped Service Model Challenges existing views of the library service mission Patron centered, and knowledge centered view Recognizes information seeking habits of modern users Moves Librarians into new roles Addresses information literacy realities Is linked to ongoing assessment program

Conclusion The Future Looks Good! Users and Technology have both changed Libraries can re-shape their service mission and remain relevant Librarians can effectively move into new roles Ongoing assessment can ensure best use of resources and continuing relevance.

Selected Sources Budd, John M. Information Seeking in Theory and Practice: Rethinking Public Services in Libraries. Reference & User Services Quarterly 40 (2001): Grodzins Lipow, Anne. Who Will Give Reference Service in the Digital Environment? Reference & User Services Quarterly 37 (1997): Smith, Kenneth R. New Roles and Responsibilities for the University Library: Advancing Student Learning Through Outcomes Assessment. ARL 213 (2000): 2 5. Weiler, Angela. Two Year College Freshman and the Internet: Do They Really Know All That Stuff?. Portal: Libraries and the Academy 1.2 (2001) {July 23, 2001.} _academy/v001/1.2weiler.html

Contact Information Daryl C. Youngman Chair of Science Libraries Associate Professor Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas