Send This to Your Admissions Office Now | From The Bell Tower
By Steven Bell, Associate University Librarian, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA Jun 24, 2010The library matters when students choose schools, and libraries can be better at helping them discover what's there.
From the perspective of the admissions office the academic library is a five-minute stop on the campus tour. Bring 'em in, spout off some big numbers about books and databases, point to those nice, friendly librarians behind the desk, and then whisk them off to the rock climbing wall in the student center.
But if our colleagues in admissions really want to sell students on the institution, it just might be far more advantageous to have touring students spend more time in the library and less time admiring the fancy amenities. Chief academic officers recognize the academic library is a critical asset, and now a mainstream media publication suggests that those visiting students should feel the same way when contemplating their academic future.
If U.S. News says so, it must be true
If the folks in admissions are hesitant to take your word for it, show them this recent article from U.S. News & World Report. If they treat U.S. News as the gospel when it comes to college rankings, maybe they'll take their word for it on this topic.
In the article titled "Four Reasons Why the Library Should Affect Your College Choice" author Jeff Greer explains why college-bound students would be wise to factor the quality of the library, its staff, and its resources into one of the most important decisions they'll ever make. And he's not just fabricating this stuff. Greer actually interviewed academic librarians to learn more about how the academic library is contributing to a quality student educational experience.
Not the first time
No one seems to think that students pay much attention to the library when they contemplate their college choice. That's why a report that came out in 2006 generated so much surprise when it identified the library as second on a list of 16 facilities ranked by how important they were in the college decision and selection process. Additionally, the library is prominent on a list of facilities that, if in need of maintenance or repair, usually result in rejection by the student.
As I wrote in ACRLog when I first reacted to the report, "I hope that some of our colleagues will be able to use this new information to convince academic administrators that an investment in a great library facility is just as important?if not even more important?than those buildings with social or recreational amenities that are often thought to be the ones that encourage students to enroll." Despite all the questioning about the need for brick-and-mortar libraries, colleges and universities continue to invest in them?for good reason as the report showed.
Thoughts on those four factors
Greer's four reasons are all good ones, but allow me to add a few thoughts from the academic librarian's perspective. Talking to a reference librarian and asking a few questions is a great suggestion and a good way for a prospective student to get a sense of the friendliness factor. Library workers at all service points need to keep this in mind. That student who seems to know little and is asking lots of questions may actually be someone who is trying to decide whether or not to attend your institution. I'm sure most library workers do their best to always deliver great service, but perhaps it's a good idea to treat everyone like he or she is a mystery shopper.
Here's a news bulletin for academic librarians. When reporters from mass media publications come calling to interview you for articles that might turn out really important when read by laypersons, please use language that is simple and memorable. Consider this quote from one of the librarians: "Try to get a sense of the fluidity of organization, the transparency of people and tools and access."
What the heck would a prospective 18-year old student do with that advice? Even put into the context of Greer's second reason?the connection between the library and faculty?it offers little help. It might be better for prospective students to seek some concrete evidence. Do your librarians create course specific subject guides designed to assist students with unique instructor assignments? If so, make sure prospective students can find them as evidence of collaboration with faculty to help students have every opportunity for academic success.
A matter of pride
Of course every student should visit the physical facility and get a sense of the atmosphere?that's why the standard tour stops there. But I really like the suggestion to go beyond the tour, really check out the spaces, and try to get a sense of the "can I see myself hanging out here" factor. I always regret that my institution's student tour never goes anywhere except 50 feet from the main door. I want to tell the tour guides to take their group to the cozy lounges on the upper levels or down to the cool media area. They're missing so much.
It also reminds us that on any given day our spaces matter?and we have to act like they do. That means each of us academic library workers should take pride in our facilities and personal responsibility for keeping them first rate no matter how old the building is. So, the next time you see something that needs fixing, from that trash on the floor to that broken bookshelf?do something about it.
Space does not allow me to pontificate on Greer's final point about the importance of checking out the library website and digital resources. Let it suffice to say that while 24/7 access to the electronic resources is critical these days, it's still important to have a website that focuses more on the people and spaces than the content. You did notice that the majority of Greer's reasons are about people and space?not our technology baubles.
More beyond four
I suspect that most academic librarians could come up with a few more reasons. Anyone want to put together "The Top Ten Reasons to Base Your College Decision on the Library" to add to Greer's four? That actually sounds like a pretty good idea?especially if that list is posted on a page we establish on our own site to advertise it?and make sure the admissions folks are linking to it.
If we know prospective students are getting a message to check out the library, then we better be prepared to answer their questions. Being proactive and developing information and resources to help them learn about the academic library and why it should be a factor in their decision process is even better. I think I just came up with a new summer project for our librarians.
Steven Bell is Associate University Librarian, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. For more from Steven visit his blogs, Kept-Up Academic Librarian, ACRLog and Designing Better Libraries or visit his website.<
