The Modern Repository: Aligning the Library with the University Mission Greg Seymour

Digital Commons Community

What we’ve seen Even during times of financial upheaval, campuses continue to need IR services Recognition that IR services are important outside of the library Successful IR initiatives throughout the spectrum of higher education

But the following questions still linger: Is the library being recognized as a central player in the institution’s strategic initiatives? Is it part of the conversation about the future of the institution? Is it considered a necessary partner in meeting the institution’s mission?

What is the modern repository?

The modern repository is a tool that helps the library re-assert itself as an important campus partner at the highest levels. "...this is a monumental step for Winthrop, a great addition to intellectual content, and one more way that the university contributes to the community, the state, and ultimately the world." -Mark Herring, Winthrop University

The modern repository is a tool that helps the library re-assert itself as an important campus partner at the highest levels. The transformative experience of building Brockport’s online repository continues to energize the campus in new and creative ways. -Mary Jo Orzech, The College at Brockport

The modern repository is a tool that helps the library re-assert itself as an important campus partner at the highest levels. “Our job is not to build a better library—it’s to figure out how best to use our skills and talents to advance the goals of our communities… And sometimes it means we’ll be doing things that nobody ever associated with a library before.” -T. Scott Plutchak, University of Alabama

How? Align your repository initiative with the missions and strategic goals of your institution.

Supporting and encouraging faculty research Engaging with local and global communities to improve quality of life

recruit and retain students, faculty, and staff; “Institutions of higher education want to recruit and retain students, faculty, and staff; support teaching and learning that results in high levels of student engagement, graduation rates, test scores, and job placement rates; encourage research of high value, utility, and citation; earn awards, prestige, honors, and grant funding; and contribute through service to their communities.” The Value of Academic Libraries: A Comprehensive Research Review and Report, p. 29, Megan Oakleaf, Syracuse University, 2010

Repository initiatives can meet these in a variety of ways.

“…recruit and retain students, faculty, and staff…”

SLIDE 15:

“…support teaching and learning that results in high levels of student engagement, graduation rates, test scores, and job placement rates…”

Students – “Published articles will be tangible evidence of achievement, valuable for their future careers.” Faculty – “Working toward an end goal of publication, whether it is in JPUR or the journal of a disciplinary society, provides teaching moments to develop information literacy knowledge.” Administration – “the journal will provide an undergraduate recruiting and retention device, K-12 outreach material, and a fund raising tool. JPUR will advertise Purdue as a place where undergraduates are involved with innovative research early and often”

“…encourage research of high value, utility, and citation

“…earn awards, prestige, honors, and grant funding…”

“This has been an incredibly valuable tool for communicating to our sponsors the impact their funded research is having.” - Darcy Bullock, Director of JTRP

“…contribute through service to their communities.”

Make your efforts visible!! Make sure your Deans, your Provost, your President, know the benefits!

Show them directly.

Put reports on their desks Put reports on their desks. Make sure your activities are tied to strategic initiatives. SLIDE 35:

Collaborate with offices that may have never worked with the library before.

Capture collections of interest to them.

What can you do? Identify the strategic goals of your institution. Identify specific projects across campus that contribute to these strategic goals that are made possible by an IR initiative Think of at least two means by which you can make the connection for your administration.

Our job is not to build a better library—it’s to figure out how best to use our skills and talents to advance the goals of our communities.  Sometimes that means we’ll be doing things that nobody ever associated with a library before. T. Scott Plutchak, Director, Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Journal of Medical Library Association

Greg Seymour gseymour@bepress.com 510-665-1200 ext.159 Questions? Greg Seymour gseymour@bepress.com 510-665-1200 ext.159