ALA Annual - News for Community College Librarians

Contributed by Elizabeth Bowman, Library Director, Santa Barbara City College

At ALA Annual 2016, Orlando FL, there were some awesome presentations and rich conversations for and by community college librarians, and at least one major change effecting how all of us might teach and assess student learning.

1.  OER PROGRAM PRESENTED BY CJCLS

The Community and Junior College Library Section (CJCLS) of ACRL sponsored an excellent and well-attended program at the 2016 ALA Annual Conference in Orlando, FL  titled "Academic Libraries Open Educational Resources: Developing Partnerships."

Moderated by Robert Kelly, Coordinator of Library Services, Hutchinson Community College, the panelists included Heather Blicher, Online Learning Librarian, Northern Virginia Community College Extended Learning Institute, Jeremy Smith, Digital Projects Manager in Scholarly Communication, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and John Shoppert, Director of Library Services, Columbia Gorge Community College (OR)

Starting with an overview about Open Educational Resources, the presentations covered the development of OER materials, challenges, opportunities, assessment methods, as well as providing many examples of state, regional, and national initiatives.

A similar program has been proposed for ACRL 2017 in Baltimore so stay posted for that

2.  'HOT TOPICS' FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE LIBRARIES

CJCLS also offered a "Hot Topics" Discussion which involved 20 librarians from 10 states.  The range of topics discussed were credit-bearing information literacy courses, showing the value of libraries within our institutions (tracking students use of services, forming committees, information literacy courses requested by faculty (but not supportable by small staffs). Key issues for librarians were retention and completion rates for students and the library's role in this, the role and value of librarians to faculty, the new Framework for Information Literacy.

3.  MT. SAC LIBRARIAN PRESENTS!

A presentation titles "Collections at the Crossroads: Revising and Re-Envisioning the Core Subject Collection" featured Chisato Uyeki, Collection Development Librarian, Mt. San Antonio College, who offered strategies for effective collection development in any college, as well as specific criteria and tools that are valuable to community colleges collection management and planning.  One excellent take-away: the annual University Press Books for Public and Secondary School Libraries list - despite its title - is an excellent resource for community college libraries, particularly those using Dewey classification.

4. SCHOLARSHIP FOR ATTENDANCE AT ACRL 2017 OFFERED TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE LIBRARI

Various committees of CJCLS met during the conference. Among the decisions made, a scholarship for attendance at ACRL 2017 will be offered to a CJCLS member.  Watch the social media outlets and CJCLS listserv for more.

5. COMMUNITY COLLEGE SOCIAL MEDIA

Speaking of national community college social media, if you don't already, follow and contribute to:

Community & Junior College Libraries blog

CJCLS Facebook page

6. STANDARDS AND FRAMEWORK

During conference, ACRL announced the rescinding of the Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education (2000).  Much discussion ensued in listservs -- particularly over the role of the Standards within institutional outcomes and accreditation -- and more is anticipated. Community college librarians have a significant role to play in this discussion.

A Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education Sandbox is being developed for a Fall 2016 launch, intended as an open access database for librarians and other academic partners to share, organize, and archive educational resources related to the use of the Framework in practice and professional development. More information about the Sandbox can be learned by contacting Sharon Mader, Visiting Program Officer for Information Literacy, smader@ala.org800-545-2433 x5241.

7. TASK FORCE ON COMMUNITY COLLEGE ENGAGEMENT IN ACRL

A task force has been established by the ACRL board to discern the needs of community college libraries within the national organization, and how ACRL can support those needs. The Community College Engagement Task Force met for the first time at ALA Annual 2016 and plans to survey community college librarians across the nation.  Please watch your email for that survey this fall and offer your opinions.