ACRL College & Researc Libraries News

College & Research Libraries News

CE at Case Western Reserve

Continuing Education

On May 27-29, Case Western Reserve University Libraries will celebrate their 10th Annual Seminar, an educational retreat that has become a tradition at Case. It is always held at the same time of year in a state lodge two hours away from the libraries in Cleveland, Ohio.

This year’s seminar will take a look at what the Case Western Reserve University Libraries will be like in the next 10-15 years—how the communications revolution will affect the library, the economics of information delivery, the obsolescence of the book, and similar topics. Edward T. O’Neill, dean of the School of Library Science, will coordinate the program.

The two and a half day event is planned as a learning experience and as an opportunity for those working in two libraries, physically separate on campus but belonging to one system, to get to know one another in a setting that encourages friendship and learning away from work. Only professional staff and those among the support staff who have been employed at Case for at least two years are eligible to attend.

James V. Jones, who has been director of the University Libraries for over ten years, was concerned about staff development long before it had the strong focus in librarianship that it does today. Over the years the number of committees and meetings at work have been kept to a minimum, while the summer seminars have provided the opportunity for staff to examine a variety of library trends together. They come away from the retreat better informed, having had the opportunity to participate in decision-making, and are more knowledgeable about the focus of an academic library.

Jones also felt the seminars would create a cohesive “family feeling” among staff. Merging of the two libraries into one system occurred in 1967 as a result of the federation of Case Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University. At the seminar, barriers among those on different levels are eased, and communication among all is easy and informal.

About fifty staff members usually attend the seminars (at no cost to themselves) and representatives from each of the other campus libraries are invited. Staff see it as a privilege, not a duty, and the cooperative spirit is extended beyond library walls for smoother university relations.

Each annual seminar has a special theme. If there is a Case faculty member whose area of expertise fits the subject matter, one of them is invited to speak. At least one outside speaker is invited to attend and address the group or to lead the educational program. Outside speakers feel a comfortable part of the group throughout the seminar and their impressions of the university library system are warm and positive.

One year the library staff was exposed to information retrieval systems: now an accepted reference tool, at that time they were something very new and the staff received a complete orientation from three major vendors. Another year the topic, “Care and Control of Library Materials: Conservation for Librarians,” made staff aware of the types of papers used in book publishing, the enemies of library materials, bookbinding materials, and repair and restoration of books.

Although the suggestion for a theme usually comes from the director, a committee of six different staff members is appointed each year. Representing each segment of the library, the committee works out the plans, chooses a speaker, and plans the details of the program.

The summer seminar is especially beneficial to new librarians, who become acquainted quickly with their colleagues and familiar with their respective roles in the library.

Funding for the annual event originally came from a grant, but when that grant was no longer available it became a budgeted item for educational training.

Continuing education at Case Western is not limited to the annual summer event. In February an all-day Saturday program is held for all staff who wish to come. The staff are also encouraged to take advantage of higher education by taking courses in any subject on campus—tuition free, with time off arranged.

From library director to student shelver, all staff at the library have a fine opportunity for continued learning and a good sense of “belonging. ” The “no one told me” syndrome is almost non-existent. In the outside world our staff are good ambassadors for the library, because the exposure they receive to library trends and innovations is strong. Individual areas of daily work cease to be confining and become a challenge.—Sally Brickman.

Editors Note: Sally Brickman is library editor! publicist at the Case Western Reserve University Libraries, Cleveland, Ohio.

COLLEGE STANDARDS SURVEY

The ACRL College Libraries Section’s ad hoc Committee on Standards and Guidelines for the College Library has conducted a survey among college library directors to determine if ACRL’s 1975 Standards for College Libraries (C&RL News, October 1975) are used and whether they are considered effective.

The results show that the standards have indeed been used by many directors of college libraries, most frequently to upgrade the collection, to improve services, to justify improvement in the physical plant, and to expand the staff. The survey also pointed out areas for further refinement and changes in the standards, including library effectiveness and non-print resources.

For an interesting analysis of whether college libraries actually meet the standards, see Ray L. Carpenter, “College Libraries: A Comparative Analysis in Terms of the ACRL Standards,” C&RL 42 (January 1981):7-18.

WELCH JOINS ACRL HQ STAFF

C. Brigid Welch has been named program officer for bibliographic instruction and continuing education programs at ACRL headquarters in Chicago, effective April 1. Welch leaves her position as social sciences editor for Choice, ACRL’s book review journal for college libraries published in Middletown, Connecticut.

C. Brigid Welch

Welch has held positions with the Undergraduate Library of the University of Texas at Austin and the Phoenix Public Library. A graduate of Arizona State University, she holds an MLS from the University of Texas at Austin. She brings to her new position varied experience in undergraduate library work, reference services, collection development, and professional publishing.

At ACRL Welch will be responsible for planning and implementing a continuing education program for ACRL members; providing information relative to academic librarianship to organizations and individuals concerned with higher education; and developing channels of communication with, and providing programming for, professional and higher education associations.