Contributing to Overall Institutional Reputation or Prestige

 Posted by at 8:43 am  Institutional Reputation/Prestige, Value Report  1 Response »
Dec 102012
 

In the Value Report, the last question offered to readers asks, “How does the library contribute to overall institutional reputation or prestige?” There are several factors that are listed, but the third mentions that one of the ways libraries can contribute is through their special collections. As stated, “special collections can be the ‘differentiating characteristic of research universities, the equivalent of unique laboratory facilities that attract faculty and research projects’”. (Pritchard, Special Collections Surge to the Fore 2009.) [Value, page 137] Unique special collections are not just found in research libraries, as many smaller colleges have distinctive special collections that also provide value to their institutions. In fact, there is increasing use of institutional repositories and image collection management  services that are being used to showcase and provide access to unique materials.  One can collect usage statistics for these types of online services, but there may be additional tools you’ve found useful to promote the value to your institution.  In evaluating your impact, one resource may be a toolkit for Archives and Special collections that is available online.

The University of Michigan has put together a toolkit, Archival Metrics, http://archivalmetrics.cms.si.umich.edu/  in cooperation with the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and the University of Toronto. In addition to the toolkit, there is a list of publications and presentations, as well as a bibliography of related materials

If you have completed some independent studies of your special collections and the prestige they bring to your institution, please share and let us know the nature of your study and if any completed reports are available.

Please note the Value blog will be taking a short holiday break and be back in January.

Library Value and Accreditation

 Posted by at 8:00 am  Communicating Value, Institutional Reputation/Prestige  2 Responses »
May 142012
 

If people at your institution shudder when they hear the word “assessment,” the reaction may be even more dramatic when they hear that it’s time for “accreditation.” An accreditation visit puts pressure on a college or university to demonstrate what students are learning. Has your library participated in a self-study or a visit by an accreditation team?

Most accrediting bodies seem to place high value on information literacy outcomes, whether the phrase “information literacy” is used or not. It’s important for librarians to become familiar with accreditation guidelines and look for terms synonymous with information literacy (Value Report, page 55). Here are some terms that might be used:

  • critical and creative thinking
  • inquiry and analysis
  • evaluation and synthesis of information.

What other learning outcomes would you say are synonymous (or nearly synonymous) with information literacy?

Librarians can take the initiative to communicate the presence and importance of information literacy language in accreditation documents and then leverage accreditation guidelines to integrate information literacy skills into teaching and assessment processes throughout campus. This gives librarians the opportunity to ensure that information literacy extends beyond individual library instruction sessions and into the broader curriculum so that the institution can prove that upon graduation, students are information literate (Value Report, page 55). Participating in the accreditation process can have several positive outcomes for libraries and librarians: greater integration of information literacy learning outcomes throughout departments and programs, improving the library’s status on campus, and increasing the perceived value of the library to the mission of the institution.

My institution’s accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), has recently created new “Pathways for Reaffirmation of Accreditation.” When major changes in accreditation processes like this take place, it’s important to stay abreast of the new requirements.

What is the role of your library in the accreditation process?

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