ONE Northwood University

Dec 18, 2009

The Libraries of Northwood University

Retention of students is a key priority in all we do at Northwood University. Every person in every department plays an important role in our students’ experiences here at Northwood so it’s imperative for students to be able to rely on quality interactions and full engagement from each of us.

The libraries of Northwood University - Cook in Florida, Strosacker in Michigan, and Hach in Texas - are critical to the academic success of our students. The librarians and their respective staffs enrich and support classroom activities by providing students with the skills and tools to thoroughly master their assignments.

In the spirit of One Northwood, a library team from the three campus facilities and system-wide research/online services has undertaken strategic planning and marketing for One Northwood. In addition to weekly ITV meetings, a discussion board on my.northwood includes Operating Unit Leaders and Academic Deans. Through this collaborative exercise, the library team has developed the library’s mission: “to enhance the learning environment by supporting instructional services, promoting information literacy, and developing leaders who are independent, life-long learners.”

The ongoing conversation among the library teams concludes they must remain relevant to the constantly changing student learning experience by demonstrating value and impact on student success and faculty productivity. This approach supports alliances with faculty that enhance teaching and course development, and makes unique contributions to learning outcomes. Hand-in-hand with teaching is the need to creatively redesign information-rich library systems for intuitive content access, point-of-use instructional support and seamless technology. To advance progress toward these goals, the library supports the adoption of information literacy standards as a strategic institutional priority on all three campuses and throughout the graduate, international and Adult Degree Programs.

Looking ahead, the library team will move forward with strategic planning in a framework driven by rapid changes in student needs, technology, and the economy. This context will distinguish the One Northwood Library vision of the future, and be a reference point for shaping the library’s short and long term strategic outcomes. As a shared academic resource, partnerships between the library and other Northwood instructional foundations are fundamental to the development of an integrated, meaningful presence in the Northwood community, and will be pursued. The library is committed to being a collective voice in raising awareness of its mission among all Northwood operating units.

An important addition to traditional library services is our online library. Under the direction of Joan Deegan on our Texas campus, My Library has been the One Northwood “anytime, anywhere” gateway to information resources. A single Blackboard login eliminates the need for entering passwords or library card numbers. My Library features academic and business databases and publications, essential “free” web links, and expert advice through “Ask a Librarian.”

As academic, business and government publishers move to the web, many resources have no print equivalents. At the same time, with non-traditional, graduate, and online enrollment growing, print-only and facility-based library services are not enough to support teaching and learning.

My Library has the familiar look and feel of a Blackboard organization, of which everyone at Northwood - students, faculty, and staff - is a member. All the communication and grouping features in Blackboard can be used to develop library services that are targeted, personal and interactive.

In November, Northwood libraries added LibGuides, a web-based template for customizing information resources at the course level. In a true instructional partnership, librarians can now send an instructor a link to the class LibGuide to place in the Blackboard course. A LibGuide might contain screenshots for step by step database navigation, information from trade and industry publications, “best of the web” links, and a link submission box for LibGuide users to share research sites and tips.

In Michigan, the Strosacker Library, under the direction of Alice Parsons, is changing from a quiet library where students come to check out books and study, to a place where they can access print and electronic resources, gather for collaborative group learning, socialize, and even bring their dinner to eat! It’s not as quiet as it used to be due to the change to more group study formats, and more and more students are using the library. From September 2008 through August 2009, Strosacker Library had over 100,000 visitors, which we view as over 100,000 opportunities to make a difference in the learning experience a student receives at Northwood. Over the past year, the library has partnered with other Northwood programs and departments in pursuit of this goal, and offered many new and exciting opportunities to our students including Student Appreciation Days; Slice-O-Poem (honoring National Poetry Month, when students were offered an opportunity to read a poem aloud in exchange for a slice of cake); a Parent Reception; and Career Expo/Professional Development Day. The library has also reached out to the Northwood community in the following ways: National Library Week (April 2009); Strosacker Library’s 40th Anniversary; Bridge Program, Mobile Librarian, and NU Kick-off; and Discover the Reader in You.

While the list above is “event” oriented, the library staff has also been working to connect with faculty on an individual basis, as well as to reach out to other Northwood academic programs, such as the DeVos Graduate School. There is a continual and concerted effort to ensure the library services, including collection development and library instruction, are driven by the curriculum and in line with student learning outcomes. It is this kind of coordinated approach that will keep library services relevant to the Northwood student experience.

The Texas Hach Library, under the direction of Kaethryn Duncan, while working in conjunction with the other campus librarians to develop a One Northwood Library Strategic Plan, has been focusing on ensuring students are aware of the resources available to them in the library and through Blackboard®. Throughout the year, numerous individual, classroom and library sessions have been offered. An instruction class was presented along with the Learning Resource Center on American Psychological Association (APA), Blackboard® and Library Research.

The Cook Library in Florida, where Sue Ann Berard is the head librarian, has recently merged with the Learning Resource Center, becoming a unified combination that supports the academic mission of enhanced support services. Library workshops outside the confines of the library have been held this school year. The “Roving Librarian” has been available in the residence halls a few hours a week for research assistance.

All this should encourage you to visit your campus and local libraries and see all the new and innovative things taking place. What a great opportunity to expand your mind and your horizons!

This concludes this week’s message. Remember there are only six more shopping days until Christmas, so enjoy the weekend!

Keith A. Pretty, J.D.
President and CEO
Northwood University
4000 Whiting Drive
Midland, MI 48640
989.837.4203 (phone)
989.832.9590 (fax)

pretty@northwood.edu

Dec 18, 2009
	The Libraries of Northwood University Retention of students is a key priority in all we do at Northwood University. Every person in every department plays an important role in our students’ experiences here at Northwood so it’s imperative for students to be able to rely on quality interactions and full engagement from each of us. The libraries of Northwood University - Cook in Florida, Strosacker in Michigan, and Hach in Texas - are critical to the academic success of our students. The librarians and their respective staffs enrich and support classroom activities by providing students with the skills and tools to thoroughly master their assignments. In the spirit of One Northwood, a library team from the three campus facilities and system-wide research/online services has undertaken strategic planning and marketing for One Northwood. In addition to weekly ITV meetings, a discussion board on my.northwood includes Operating Unit Leaders and Academic Deans. Through this collaborative exercise, the library team has developed the library’s mission: *“to enhance the learning environment by supporting instructional services, promoting information literacy, and developing leaders who are independent, life-long learners.”* The ongoing conversation among the library teams concludes they must remain relevant to the constantly changing student learning experience by demonstrating value and impact on student success and faculty productivity. This approach supports alliances with faculty that enhance teaching and course development, and makes unique contributions to learning outcomes. Hand-in-hand with teaching is the need to creatively redesign information-rich library systems for intuitive content access, point-of-use instructional support and seamless technology. To advance progress toward these goals, the library supports the adoption of information literacy standards as a strategic institutional priority on all three campuses and throughout the graduate, international and Adult Degree Programs. Looking ahead, the library team will move forward with strategic planning in a framework driven by rapid changes in student needs, technology, and the economy. This context will distinguish the One Northwood Library vision of the future, and be a reference point for shaping the library’s short and long term strategic outcomes. As a shared academic resource, partnerships between the library and other Northwood instructional foundations are fundamental to the development of an integrated, meaningful presence in the Northwood community, and will be pursued. The library is committed to being a collective voice in raising awareness of its mission among all Northwood operating units. An important addition to traditional library services is our online library. Under the direction of Joan Deegan on our Texas campus, My Library has been the One Northwood “anytime, anywhere” gateway to information resources. A single Blackboard login eliminates the need for entering passwords or library card numbers. My Library features academic and business databases and publications, essential “free” web links, and expert advice through “Ask a Librarian.” As academic, business and government publishers move to the web, many resources have no print equivalents. At the same time, with non-traditional, graduate, and online enrollment growing, print-only and facility-based library services are not enough to support teaching and learning. My Library has the familiar look and feel of a Blackboard organization, of which everyone at Northwood - students, faculty, and staff - is a member. All the communication and grouping features in Blackboard can be used to develop library services that are targeted, personal and interactive. In November, Northwood libraries added LibGuides, a web-based template for customizing information resources at the course level. In a true instructional partnership, librarians can now send an instructor a link to the class LibGuide to place in the Blackboard course. A LibGuide might contain screenshots for step by step database navigation, information from trade and industry publications, “best of the web” links, and a link submission box for LibGuide users to share research sites and tips. In Michigan, the Strosacker Library, under the direction of Alice Parsons, is changing from a quiet library where students come to check out books and study, to a place where they can access print and electronic resources, gather for collaborative group learning, socialize, and even bring their dinner to eat! It’s not as quiet as it used to be due to the change to more group study formats, and more and more students are using the library. From September 2008 through August 2009, Strosacker Library had over 100,000 visitors, which we view as over 100,000 opportunities to make a difference in the learning experience a student receives at Northwood. Over the past year, the library has partnered with other Northwood programs and departments in pursuit of this goal, and offered many new and exciting opportunities to our students including Student Appreciation Days; Slice-O-Poem (honoring National Poetry Month, when students were offered an opportunity to read a poem aloud in exchange for a slice of cake); a Parent Reception; and Career Expo/Professional Development Day. The library has also reached out to the Northwood community in the following ways: National Library Week (April 2009); Strosacker Library’s 40th Anniversary; Bridge Program, Mobile Librarian, and NU Kick-off; and Discover the Reader in You. While the list above is “event” oriented, the library staff has also been working to connect with faculty on an individual basis, as well as to reach out to other Northwood academic programs, such as the DeVos Graduate School. There is a continual and concerted effort to ensure the library services, including collection development and library instruction, are driven by the curriculum and in line with student learning outcomes. It is this kind of coordinated approach that will keep library services relevant to the Northwood student experience. The Texas Hach Library, under the direction of Kaethryn Duncan, while working in conjunction with the other campus librarians to develop a One Northwood Library Strategic Plan, has been focusing on ensuring students are aware of the resources available to them in the library and through Blackboard®. Throughout the year, numerous individual, classroom and library sessions have been offered. An instruction class was presented along with the Learning Resource Center on American Psychological Association (APA), Blackboard® and Library Research. The Cook Library in Florida, where Sue Ann Berard is the head librarian, has recently merged with the Learning Resource Center, becoming a unified combination that supports the academic mission of enhanced support services. Library workshops outside the confines of the library have been held this school year. The “Roving Librarian” has been available in the residence halls a few hours a week for research assistance. All this should encourage you to visit your campus and local libraries and see all the new and innovative things taking place. What a great opportunity to expand your mind and your horizons! This concludes this week’s message. Remember there are only six more shopping days until Christmas, so enjoy the weekend! Keith A. Pretty, J.D. President and CEO Northwood University 4000 Whiting Drive Midland, MI 48640 989.837.4203 (phone) 989.832.9590 (fax) pretty@northwood.edu