ACRL College & Research Libraries News

Association of College & Research Libraries

News from the Field

Mary Ellen Davis

ACRL announces information literacy consultants

ACRL has appointed a team of librarians from California State University (CSU)-San Marcos to serve as ACRL Information Literacy Consultants. ACRL has defined the role of the consultants as one of providing infrastructure to leverage librarians, faculty, and others in higher education efforts to advance the information literacy agenda.

The consultants will work with existing ACRL information literacy projects, develop a framework for expanding programs in response to needs, and create a core of baseline information. The ACRL Board has appointed an Information Literacy Advisory Committee that will work closely with the consultants to set priorities and identify needs.

The ACRL Information Literacy Consultants will also serve as project leaders for the two-year grant ACRL received from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The grant will fund a pilot study addressing the assessment of student learning outcomes using ACRL’s “Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education.”

“ACRL is committed to being the leader in providing information literacy resources and programs that will help students become discerning, thoughtful, and productive information consumers,” said Althea Jenkins, ACRL executive director. “The work of the ACRL Information Literacy Consultants will help us reach that goal.”

The consultant team is composed of Gabriela Sonntag, coordinator of the Information Literacy Program; Ann Fiegen, business librarian; Judith Downie, adjunct librarian; and Marion Reid, dean of Library and Information Services at CSU.

University of Illinois joins Digital Library Federation

The University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign (UIUC) joined the Digital Library Federation (DLF), a consortium of research libraries that facilitates the development and dissemination of information about digital library tools, methods, practices, trends, and strategies. University Librarian Paula Kaufman believes that UIUC is well positioned to enhance DLF’s activities in architectural work, the development of digital collections, the assessment of online collections and services, and international collaboration. “As the third largest academic library in North America, we are committed to increasing access to our extensive collections. Our expertise in digital technology will support this effort and further the goals of DLF,” she explained.

University of Pittsburgh endows chair

The University of Pittsburgh has established an endowed chair for the university librarian and director of the university library, thanks to a $2.5 million grant from the Hillman Foundation, Inc. Rush Miller, head of the University of Pittsburgh’s University Library System, will be the first incumbent of the Hillman Chair. “World class universities have worldclass libraries, and we have been impressed with the steps that the University of Pittsburgh has taken to respond with innovative technological solutions to the changing and increasing needs of library patrons,” said Ronald Wertz, president of the Hillman Foundation. “We have confidence in Rush Miller and the University and their ability to respond positively to the increasing demands in higher education and in library services, and we are pleased to help support those important efforts.”

California National Guard Lt. Colonel Terry Knight, University Library Dean Susan Curzon, Associated Students President Robert Hanff, Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, and CSU, Northridge President Jolene Koester cut the ribbon at the rededication of the California State University Northridge’s Oviatt Library. Major portions of the library were destroyed in the January 17, 1994, Northridge earthquake.

Penn State University dedicated its new Paterno Library this fall. The fully wired facility features 2,000 data ports, nearly 500 computer workstations, and a 134-seat auditorium with data ports in every chair.

Penn State opens wired Paterno Library

The new Paterno Library at Penn Sate University Park opened this fall, providing users with improved access to collections, additional space for private and group study, and sophisticated digital resources.

Named for Penn State Head Football Coach Joseph V. Paterno, his wife Suzanne P. Paterno, and their family, the new building is connected to the renovated Pattee Library, creating a 490,000 square foot complex. The new complex seats approximately 2,000 users and includes 139,000 square feet of new space and 250,000 square feet of renovated space.

Designed by Celli-Flynn and Associates, Architects and Planners of Pittsburgh, the facility features 2,000 data ports for computer hook-ups, almost 500 computer workstations, wired seminar and instruction rooms, and a 134-seat auditorium with data ports in every chair. The Gateway Commons, a fully electronic library, has staff ready to help students start their research in any subject. A cafe with indoor and outdoor seating provides space for a study break.

The Paterno family has long supported the libraries and they led the Campaign for the Library, which raised $13-75 million in private funds to build a new library.

The final $34.4 million project included a combination of private, state, and university funds.