Carla Johnson, dean of libraries

Alfred University’s Herrick Memorial Library and Scholes Library of Ceramics have undergone significant changes in recent years. Technology is one factor which has transformed the libraries’ role and made them more attractive to students.

“Academic libraries are quickly adapting to the learning styles of a new generation of students, often called ‘Millennials,’” says Carla C. Johnson, dean of Libraries. “They have grown up surrounded by digital media and have a strong preference for information delivered electronically. Many work best in groups and prefer library environments which bring together technology, content, and services — including information experts — in one place which supports teamwork and social interaction,” she explains.

“At AU we still provide traditional study carrels and small group study rooms, but we see these being used less and our open, collaborative ‘commons’ areas used more.” In spite of these trends, Dean Johnson stresses that the AU libraries “treat students as individuals … we adapt our instruction and services to accommodate students of all ages and recognize that they have unique personalities, backgrounds, and learning styles.

“Our collections also continue to reflect the importance of materials in traditional formats, such as illustrated art books and journals, and the unique materials and manuscripts in the libraries’ Archives and Special Collections,” she notes.

Dean Johnson notes that “the libraries are the grateful beneficiaries of many gifts, from donations of books and other materials to new, student-oriented facilities. In addition to the 2007 renovation of Herrick Library, a new Learning Commons in Herrick was made possible by Alumna Judith Leondar ’52, and a Research Commons was created in Scholes, thanks to a gift from AU Trustee Frederick W. Gibbs ’54. Each is equipped with computers, scanning equipment, and comfortable furniture which can be rearranged to allow for collaborative work with peers, faculty, tutors, and other teaching/learning partners.”

The libraries’ Web pages are designed to connect students to library holdings, course reserves and other instructional materials 24/7, but Dean Johnson comments that library staff also make personal connections with students through reference consultations (in person or online), service transactions in all departments, and e-mail. Social networking tools are being tested for communicating with students.

The library faculty and staff are “our greatest strength,” Dean Johnson states. “Some are more visible to the public, providing instruction and reference assistance, Interlibrary Loan, and services in Circulation, Reserves, and Visual Resources. Others work behind the scenes in areas such as Cataloging and Acquisitions but are still accessible to AU students and faculty.” The libraries also employ approximately 100 student workers, who are “an extremely important part of library operations.”

Dean Johnson notes that the AU Libraries continuously assess their resources and services, with a particular focus on student learning outcomes in the area of Information Literacy, according to standards developed by the Association of College and Research Libraries. The professional librarians’ role in campus instruction and their collaboration with the classroom faculty in these efforts have increased dramatically in recent years. Standardized tests and surveys, and feedback from instruction sessions, assist them in assessing the effectiveness of their teaching.

According to Dean Johnson, no one is quite sure what the future holds for libraries; some writers predict that print will disappear from the scene, while others say that books will be increasingly appreciated in the coming years. In a recent interview, when the question of whether we are likely to see the ‘”bookless library” in the near future was raised, she was pleased by the response: “If there’s a librarian in it, then it’s a library!”

Tags: Alfred University, Carla Johnson, Herrick Memorial Library, Scholes Library of Ceramics

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