Tech wins Library of Excellence award

With the opening of the Library East Commons last semester, Tech has seen the culmination of a process that began with the opening of the West Commons five years ago. With the integration of digital technology and a renewed focus on the studying needs of students, the improvements in the library have not gone unnoticed by the academic community at large. The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) has awarded the Tech library the 2007 Excellence in Academic Libraries Award.

"Sponsored by ACRL and Blackwell's Book Services, the award recognizes the staff of a college, university, and community college library for programs that deliver exemplary services and resources to further the educational mission of the institution," according to the ACRL Award press release.

This is the first year Tech applied, winning for the university library category. It is the eighth such institution to win since the ACRL began presenting the award in 2000.

"I have seen twenty years of change in the last five years. Never have I worked where something like this has happened. In fact, this award has propelled [Tech] to the top, and our name recognition has gone skyward," said Rich Meyer, Dean and Director of Libraries.

"Tangibly, the award is really going to help us in recruitment, attracting bright, innovative and creative thinking people to come work here. It identifies us as an innovative place, where you can test out your ideas and have colleagues who will bounce their feedback to you," said Tyler Walters, Associate Director for Technology and Resource Services.

The East and West Commons were emphasized in the ACRL award notice as two areas where the library "made imaginative use of public space." Jazzman's Café, the presentations rooms and the multimedia center were also areas of interest highlighted by the ACRL.

The ACRL also made note of programs like CeLIBration, held during RATS Week, and Tuesday Talks, a showcase for faculty research, as positive efforts by the library to invite and engage the campus community. Less obvious from the physical renovations in the library were the changes that the library made to its digital services.

"Students and faculty told library staff to move swiftly to deliver digital content in evident and relevant ways. Staff responded with SMARTech and EPAGE to produce, disseminate and archive research created at Tech and are participating in national digital archive initiatives. Tech staff also created award winning software to improve access to and usability of electronic resources and web-based services," said Frances Maloy, chair of the 2007 Excellence in Academic Libraries Selection Committee and Division Leader of Access Services at Emory University.

"[The ACRL award] recognizes that Tech's library has become a model for the twenty-first century," said Andy Smith, Vice Provost of Academic Affairs. Understanding the role of the twenty-first century library has been one of the most important questions Meyer and his staff at the library have been asking.

"We think 'library' is still an important word, but we have to find a way to communicate to people that it is more than a place for books," Meyer said.

"We're very interested in how to brand the library. We think a large aspect of it has to do with communal space, blending academic and social space. We have to understand what the reality of student life is. Therefore, we provide refreshment, stimulation, study points, breakout points and an opportunity to meet your friends. Students tell us, 'I study where I'm likely to meet people, who are influential in my life,'" said Crit Stuart, Associate Director of Public Services for the Library.

According to Meyer, by attempting to comprehend the academic life of a student, the library has focused on becoming the engagement space for where learning can occur. From stationing information and technology people in the same space to reorganizing their physical layout, the library believes they have increased the success rates of the students.

"We have had between sixty to seventy visits from teams from other campuses who are planning additions or changes in their facilities," Meyer said.

"[The ACRL award] means we are going to continue to be a destination for academic libraries in North America. It puts us more squarely on their map as a library that suggests what the future needs to be," Stuart said.

The ACRL is a division of the American Library Association, representing 13,000 academic and research librarians and interested individuals. ACRL is the only individual membership organization in North America that develops programs, products and services to meet the unique needs of academic and research librarians.

Its initiatives enable the higher education community to understand the role that academic libraries play in the teaching, learning and research environments.