Assignment Three: Evaluation Essay For assignment three, you will be required to evaluate the facility you observed (it is up to you whether or not you would like to volunteer to get a better understa
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OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION
Thesis:
The Odum Library Archives and Collections adopts several publicity but still lacks necessary strategies towards effective outreach.
II. BODY PARAGRAPH 1
Detail 1: The archivists work with teachers in relevant classes.
Minor Detail: Good policy as it creates students’ awareness.
Detail 2: Informative sessions may be conducted with faculty.
Minor Detail: Further interest can be spurred by so doing.
BODY PARAGRAPH II
Detail 1: The librarians make use of social media to display pictures of collections.
Minor Detail: Good policy as it is a fast method of advertising to students.
Detail 2: Documented collections may not be exhibited in form of pictures
Minor Detail: VSU students and faculty are unaware of the existence of the Archives on the social media.
IV. BODY PARAGRAPH III
Detail 1: The Archives branches out to teach in Elementary and High schools in the county.
Minor Detail: Good policy as they are contributing to the community.
Detail 2: More methods of reaching the community should be adopted.
Minor Detail: Articles and adverts on newspapers could be used.
V. BODY PARAGRAPH IV:
Detail 1: The archivist sends emails only to departments which they think need the collections.
Minor Detail: Poor policy as campus wide emails should be sent when new collections are available.
Detail 2: The archivist claims that newsletters in the library bathrooms are the most effective means of educating students on the archives.
Minor Detail: The policy is not effective enough. Orientation, seminars, and direct student involvement should be considered.
VI. CONCLUSION:
Reconfirmed Thesis: Reasonable efforts have been made by the Archives on publicity but other creative methods are lacking, and there is room for improvement.
Student Name
Jennifer Betts-Barfield
English 1102 C
26 October 2014
An Analysis of Effective Outreach as an Approach towards the Expansion of the Odum Library Archives and Collections
Out of the many sections of a university library, the Archives and Special collections is the most spectacular feature in terms of its historical, artistic, yet educational appeal. The Archives is an embodiment of culture, art, literature, and scholarly materials which are collected and carefully preserved for future referencing and studies. For a facility this astounding, one would expect that it would be well known and effectively publicized. According to the Journal of Library Administration, Special Collection departments in academic libraries fulfil their purposes by ensuring access, collecting, organizing, disseminating, and preserving rare and unique materials; supporting and collaborating with faculty in teaching, research and practice; and engaging in outreach. The Odum Library Archives and Collections adopts several publicity techniques but still lacks necessary strategies towards effective outreach.
Firstly, Valdosta State University (VSU) Odum Library Archives and Collections reaches the student body by working with teachers in the History Department and sometimes the English Department. According to them, it serves as a means of bringing students to the Archives, thereby exposing them to the facility and arousing their interest in the collections. Effective communication with faculty members is a good policy of creating awareness about the Archives and new collections. Students can volunteer and learn more about the facility even beyond the scope of their classroom assignment. Apart from merely informing professors, VSU can learn a few tips from Emporia State University (ESU), Emporia Kansas. The Special Collections and Archives of ESU conducted an open house event for faculty members where they can view archival materials, manuscripts, collections, and discussions on how to use these materials in their various disciplines and not only in history related classes. The open event further helped to spur awareness about collections.
Furthermore, technology is used in the Odum library Archives, as a means of publicity. In our modern age, word travels fastest through the internet than any other means of communication, especially when the primary audience are youths- in this case, students. Statistics from The Journal of Library Administration, shows that in February 2012, a search of “special collections” in YouTube resulted in 1,290 hits which is an impressively huge number. The archivist librarians make use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Flickr. On these platforms, collections are digitized. Pictures of new art and collections are displayed for public viewing. VSU Archives and collection can boast of thousands of uploads and an almost equivalent number of views. Digitization has proved to be an all-round effective means of outreach as affirmed by the Journal of Library Administration. However, digitization has its limitations. Though documents can be posted online, it may be difficult for users who are not deliberately looking for them to view them and learn from them.
In addition, the Odum library Archives has attempted extending knowledge about its existence beyond the campus environment. The facility branches out to teach in Elementary and High schools within the Lowndes county. The effort to educate children on special collections and rare historical pieces is a good one. Enlightening young minds on the history of their environment and the world around them can even encourage their parents to contribute to the growth of the archives through donations or financial assistance. Also, by spreading its wings beyond the VSU community, the Archives serve a purpose to the community.
In spite of educating children in the local community, the Odum library Archives and Collections can do more to reach the community. A collaboration with the Special Collections department of local libraries and libraries of sister-universities could aid in a better outreach about exhibits. Doing this could enhance bigger and better organization of events and activities that involve the community and not just the VSU campus alone. Also, the Archives could consider publishing articles and adverts about exhibits on the local newspapers. Occasional advertising on the radio and television when open house events are organized is not excessive which is why a collaboration with other libraries could cut down the cost of advertising.
More so, the Odum library Archives and collections make use of some poor outreach strategies. The archivists sends emails only to the departments which they think might need what they have, especially when new collections are available. When only specific departments are aware of new collections, other potentially interested parties are kept in the dark about this. All departments should be involves as the collections may be useful to their classes in one way or another. Apart from the faculty members, campus wide email blasts should be sent to also involve the student body and staff in the knowledge of new exhibits in the Archives. Receptions could also be held to mark the opening of new collections in the facility.
Also, the most effective means of advertising the VSU Archives to students, is through the use of newsletters in the library bathrooms. Usage of newsletters in the bathrooms is an interesting outreach technique but it is not the most innovative method available to attract the primary audience- students to the facility. Using ESU as an example, their Special Collections conducted a three day program at their Memorial Union, talking to students about the facility and encouraging individuals as well as organizations to contribute to the existing exhibits and this was a success. Not only did the Archives grow bigger, students became actively involved in the facility’s existence as the ESU Student Chapter of the Society of American Archivists was established within the same period. Therefore, seminars could be hosted by the Archives to promote the facility. The VSU Archives could conduct sessions during the orientation week for new students, publish articles about exhibits in the campus print media, and occasionally display exhibits in prominent areas on campus since the facility is virtually isolated. Exposure can also be influenced if the facility is easy to locate. The VSU Archives is located on the fourth floor of the Odum library. Many students who never go that far may be unaware of the facility’s existence. Interesting artistic images and signage directing students to the facility may help to savage this problem.
In all, as a mid-sized facility, Valdosta State University’s Odum library Archives and Collections makes an impressive effort towards outreach but other creative methods are lacking and there is room for improvement. As defined by The Journal of Library Administration, outreach is the proactive endeavors by special collections staff to increase awareness and use of their collections and the professional mission of special collections librarians and archivists, both within and outside the academy. From the above explanation, the importance of aggressive advertising by the Archives cannot be overemphasized. VSU Archives should consider sending campus wide emails on new collections, conduction seminars and orientation sessions, collaborating with sister institutions and libraries, advertising on print media, and direct student involvement. Finally, enhancing exposure about the facility is not enough. The Archives should work within itself, improve their methods of displaying exhibits, usage of space, friendliness to visitors, and creative directions to the location of the facility in order to advance its visibility.
Works Cited
Harris, Valerie A., and Ann C. Weller. "Use of Special Collections as an Opportunity for
Outreach in the Academic Library." Journal of Library Administration 52.3/4 (2012): 294-303. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
Todd-Diaz, Ashley. "Please Come In!: Transitioning From No Access to an Open Door in the
Special Collections and Archives." Kansas Library Association College & University Libraries Section Proceedings 4.2 (2014): 47. Publisher Provided Full Text Searching File. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
Davis, Deborah. Personal Interview. 19 September 2014.
Student Name
Jennifer Betts-Barfield
English 1102 C
26 October 2014
An Analysis of Effective Outreach as an Approach towards the Expansion of the Odum Library Archives and Collections
Out of the many sections of a university library, the Archives and Special collections is the most spectacular feature in terms of its historical, artistic, yet educational appeal. The Archives is an embodiment of culture, art, literature, and scholarly materials which are collected and carefully preserved for future referencing and studies. For a facility this astounding, one would expect that it would be well known and effectively publicized. According to the Journal of Library Administration, “Special Collection departments in academic libraries fulfil their purposes by ensuring access, collecting, organizing, disseminating, and preserving rare and unique materials; supporting and collaborating with faculty in teaching, research and practice; and engaging in outreach” (Harris 295). The Odum Library Archives and Collections adopts several publicity techniques but still lacks necessary strategies towards effective outreach.
Firstly, Valdosta State University (VSU) Odum Library Archives and Collections reaches the student body by working with teachers in the History Department and sometimes the English Department. According to the archivist, it serves as a means of bringing students to the Archives, thereby exposing them to the facility and arousing their interest in the collections. Effective communication with faculty members is a good policy of creating awareness about the Archives and new collections. Students can volunteer and learn more about the facility even beyond the scope of their classroom assignments. Apart from merely informing professors, VSU can learn a few tips from Emporia State University (ESU), Emporia Kansas. The Special Collections and Archives of ESU conducted an open house event for faculty members where they can view archival materials, manuscripts, collections, and engage in discussions on how to use these materials in their various disciplines and not only in history related classes. The open event further helped to spur awareness about collections.
Furthermore, technology is used in the Odum library Archives, as a means of publicity. In our modern age, word travels faster through the internet than any other means of communication. Statistics from The Journal of Library Administration, shows that in February 2012, a search of “special collections” in YouTube resulted in 1,290 hits which is an impressively huge number. The archivist librarians of VSU make use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Flickr. On these platforms, collections are digitized in pictorial forms for public viewing. VSU Archives and collection boasts of thousands of uploads and a virtually equivalent number of views. Digitization has proved to be an all-round effective means of outreach. However, most VSU library users including the students and faculty are unaware of the library’s existence on social media platforms.
In addition, the Odum library Archives has attempted extending knowledge about its existence beyond the campus environment. The facility branches out to teach in elementary and high schools within the Lowndes county. The effort to educate children on special collections and rare historical pieces is a good one. Enlightening young minds on the history of their environment and the world around them can even encourage their parents to contribute to the growth of the archives through donations or financial assistance. Also, by spreading its wings beyond the campus environment, the Archives serve a purpose to the community.
Moreover, the Odum library Archives and Collections can serve the populace beyond educating children about collections. A collaboration with the Special Collections department of local libraries and libraries of sister-universities could aid in a better outreach about exhibits. Doing this could enhance bigger and better organization of events and activities that involve the community and not just the VSU campus alone. Also, the Archives could consider publishing articles and adverts about exhibits on the local newspapers. Occasional advertising on the radio and television when open house events are organized is not excessive when an alliance with other libraries could cut down the cost of advertising.
More so, the Odum library Archives and collections make use of some poor outreach strategies. The archivists sends emails only to the departments which they think might need what they have, especially when new collections are available. When only specific departments are aware of new collections, other potentially interested parties are uninformed. All departments should be involved as the collections may be useful to their classes in one way or another. Apart from the faculty members, campus wide emails should be sent to also involve the student body and staff in the knowledge of new exhibits in the Archives. Receptions could be held to mark the opening of new collections in the facility.
Also, as stated by the VSU archivist librarian, the most effective means of promoting the facility to students, is through the use of newsletters in the library bathrooms. Usage of newsletters in the bathrooms is an interesting outreach technique but it is not the most innovative method available to attract the primary audience- students to the facility. Using ESU as an example, their Special Collections conducted a three day program at their Memorial Union, talking to students about the facility and encouraging individuals as well as organizations to contribute to the existing exhibits and this was a success. Not only did the Archives grow bigger, students became actively involved in the facility’s existence as the ESU Student Chapter of the Society of American Archivists was established within the same period. Therefore, seminars could be hosted by the Archives to promote the facility. The VSU Archives could conduct sessions during the orientation week for new students, publish articles about exhibits in the campus print media, and occasionally display exhibits in prominent areas on campus since the facility is virtually isolated. Exposure can also be influenced if the facility is easy to locate. The VSU Archives is located on the fourth floor of the Odum library. Many students who never go that far may be unaware of the facility’s existence. Interesting artistic images and signage directing students to the facility may help to solve this problem.
In all, as a mid-sized facility, Valdosta State University’s Odum library Archives and Collections makes an impressive effort towards outreach but other creative methods are lacking and there is room for improvement. The importance of aggressive advertising by the Archives cannot be overemphasized. VSU Archives should consider sending campus wide emails on new collections, conducting seminars and orientation sessions, collaborating with sister institutions and libraries, advertising on print media, and direct student involvement. Finally, enhancing exposure about the facility is not enough. The Archives should work within itself, improve their methods of displaying exhibits, usage of space, friendliness to visitors, and creative directions to the location of the facility in order to advance its visibility.
Works Cited
Harris, Valerie A., and Ann C. Weller. "Use of Special Collections as an Opportunity for
Outreach in the Academic Library." Journal of Library Administration 52.3/4 (2012): 294-303. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
Todd-Diaz, Ashley. "Please Come In!: Transitioning From No Access to an Open Door in the
Special Collections and Archives." Kansas Library Association College & University Libraries Section Proceedings 4.2 (2014): 47. Publisher Provided Full Text Searching File. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
Davis, Deborah. Personal Interview. 19 September 2014.
