If you’ve ever been interested in going beyond the traditional survey, and really getting to know why and how students use your libraries, register now for the VLACRL spring program, Studying Students: Inviting a Fresh Perspective on Your Library, to be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 19 at Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Va.
Our keynote speaker, Susan Gibbons, will present in the morning on the groundbreaking anthropological work conducted at the University of Rochester in an attempt to answer the question we have all pondered: “What do students really do when they write their research papers?”
The project helped the River Campus Libraries at Rochester implement changes in three major areas: reference outreach, facilities, and Web services. You can read about their experiences in the 2007 ACRL publication, Studying Students: The Undergraduate Research Project at the University of Rochester, co-edited by Gibbons, the libraries’ associate dean of public services and collection development. You may download a PDF copy of the book for free at: http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlpubs/downloadables/downloads.cfm.
In the afternoon, Mary Ellen Spencer of Virginia Commonwealth University and Matt Ball of the University of Virginia will speak about their libraries’ student advisory committees. Their experiences in working with these groups will help inspire you to connect with students on your campus.
Registration is $30 for VLACRL members (you qualify for the member rate if you are a member of ACRL or a member of VLA) and $40 for non-members. Lunch is included in the cost.
Registration is now open. To register, contact VLACRL Secretary/Treasurer, Candice Benjes-Small, at cbsmall@radford.edu. She will add your name to the registration list and provide details on payment options. Space is limited, so register early!