Loreen Phillips Eugene McDermott Library University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, Texas ACRL 2005 Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus

Who we are The Campus The Collection Librarians Outreach Conclusions Tom KochRick Biddenstadt

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus Tom Koch Who we are The University of Texas at Dallas is one of the campuses of the UT System. UT-Dallas, located in the suburbs of North Dallas and along the Telecom Corridor ®, offers over 115 academic programs within its seven schools.

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus Who We Are: The Eugene McDermott Library, as part of the University of Texas at Dallas campus, serves a diverse community. The student population totals over 14,000. There are 516 faculty and over 1100 staff. Source: Source:

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus The Collection Since August 2004 the McDermott Library’s holdings have increased. The collection now includes over 200 databases, 40,000 electronic books, and approximately 15,000 electronic journals. Source:

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus The Collection In September 2004 the library achieved 1 million volumes in its collection. Source: Tom Koch

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus Librarians Professionals 12.5 Other Professional Staff 7.0 Paraprofessionals and staff 44.0 Source: Tom KochRick Biddenstadt

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus McDermott Library had a lot to offer: a great, comprehensive collection that supported the curriculum; knowledgeable librarians; and up-to-date technology resources such as laptops for loan, an Information Commons, and wired/wireless access. The problem: how to create campus wide awareness of all that the library had to offer thereby creating an informed and research savvy campus community with an end result of improved information literacy and an increase in library statistics? The answer: boost visibility through outreach.

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus Outreach Why not go out and find the student? The librarians at McDermott Library thought just that. With this in mind, several outreach efforts were initiated by the Head of Information Literacy. From Fall 2002 through Spring 2005 a wide range of outreach ideas was attempted. Chu-Hua Mou Susie Kutchi

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus Outreach Among the outreach efforts created were “Librarians On The Loose”, the creation of 2 satellites offices, participation in student fairs, offering workshops and tours, virtual chat, an “Ask A Librarian” service, and advertising in the campus newspaper. Tom Koch Carol Oshel Graphics by Microsoft

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus “Librarians on the Loose” The librarians took laptops all around campus, anywhere and everywhere students could be found and created a unique awareness of the library’s services. Imagine running into a librarian in the student cafeteria! Tom Koch

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus With little graphic arts skills, the librarians created exciting, eye catching posters, advertisements, bookmarks, stickers, and magnets. The use of color, humor, and brevity were key to the success of these creations. Susie Kutchi Graphics by Microsoft Carol Oshel Graphics by Microsoft

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus Susie Kutchi Graphics by Microsoft Stephanie Isham Carol Oshel Graphics by Microsoft Posters

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus Posters Carol Oshel Graphics by Microsoft Stephanie Isham Graphics by Microsoft

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus Carol Oshel Graphics by Microsoft Matt Makowka Graphics by Microsoft Stephanie Isham Graphics by Microsoft

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus Carol Oshel Graphics by Microsoft Carol Oshel Advertisements IEEE

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus Bookmarks Susie Kutchi Graphics by Microsoft Stephanie Isham Graphics by Microsoft

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus Magnets and stickers Hillary Campbell Stephanie Isham Graphics by Microsoft

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus Advertisements Carol Oshel Graphics by Microsoft Carol Oshel Graphics by Microsoft

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus Advertisements Susie Kutchi Carol Oshel

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus Conclusion The outcome was that students, faculty and staff became aware of the library, librarians, and resources. A great deal of effort, ingenuity, and creativity had been rewarded. Tom Koch

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus Conclusion Library statistics showed an increase in the library’s website usage. Reference statistics showed an increase in usage especially with in-depth queries of 15 minutes or more. Overall, library usage improved. Source: Library Annual Report Source: Quarterly Library Newsletter

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus Conclusion Librarians found that students, having encountered the librarians in less traditional settings, were more willing to seek research guidance. Another end result was that they were becoming more knowledgeable in electronic database and resource selection.

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus Conclusion The librarians continue many of the outreach efforts using trial and error. As students become more information literate, it is easier to introduce new search strategies and research skills during class sessions. It is hoped that the continued outreach efforts will positively influence future initiatives such as a one-credit library class.

Reaching Out: Teaching/Reaching Students Across Campus An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action University P. O. Box Richardson, TX