Tim Lentz, Library Director, and Dave Millar, IT Program Manager, Midland University, Fremont, NE (FTE: 1400) Big Talk From Small Libraries 2018 February 23, 2018 http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk

1. At Your Service:
THE LIBRARY AS A COMMUNITY HUB

2. At Your Service: the Library as a Community Hub
• What it is, in a nutshell
• How did we get here? (This is not my beautiful library!)
• But, what does it mean? Benefits and Implications
• Practical considerations and applications

3. What it is, in a nutshell
CAMPUS HUB, DESTINATION, ONE-STOP SHOPPING, HOMEGROWN
LEARNING COMMONS

4. What it is, inside and out
• Physical space has
been effectively
weeded, thanks to
one of my
predecessors
• Approximately 15000
square feet
• White noise
generators
(https://www.softdb.
com/sound-
masking/) limit
background noise
and offer relative
privacy

5. What it is, inside and out
• Popular for group
projects and
socialization
• Remaining stacks
area is very quiet, for
solitary, focused
studying
• Students drive these
norms (I never have
to shush…)

6. What it is, inside and out
• Popular for group
projects and
socialization
• Remaining stacks
area is very quiet, for
solitary, focused
studying
• Students drive these
norms (I never have
to shush…)

7. What it is, and what it does
• Houses IT, Quiz Lab,
Tutoring Center,
Math Lab, Writing
Center and Archives
• Service Desk model
provides services for
a wide variety of
needs: maintenance,
IT, financial aid, and
library tasks,
naturally

8. How did we get here?
HISTORY, NECESSITY, INGENUITY AND A LITTLE LUCK AND HARD WORK

9. How did we get here? (Not) letting the days go by
• IT has partnered
with the library for
several years, and
even kept the library
running at various
points between
librarians
• They added IT tasks
to the student
workers’ portfolio, to
good effect for all
involved

10. How did we get here?
• Brief History and Outline of our Help Desk
Model from David Millar
• When was it established?
• Why was it established?
• What significant changes have occurred?
• “Everyone on campus is now far more likely to
utilize the Help Desk than they would have 5
years ago. We are constantly looking for ways
to improve our service to the Midland
Community.”

11. But, what does it mean? Benefits
and Implications
NOT ALL DOUBLE RAINBOWS, BUT STILL PRETTY GOOD: DESTINATION,
SHARED STAFFING, PARTNERSHIPS, VALUE PROPOSITION, (HOPEFULLY)
STABLE FUNDING

12. But, what does it mean? Benefits and Implications
• Shared spaces,
shared staffing
• Partnerships with
faculty
• Destination for many
reasons
• Strong value
proposition
• (Hopefully) stable
funding

13. But, what does it mean? Benefits and Implications
• Shared spaces,
shared staffing
• Partnerships with
faculty
• Destination for many
reasons
• Strong value
proposition
• (Hopefully) stable
funding

14. But, what does it mean? Benefits and Implications
• Very high gate counts, but not reflective of
library traffic per se
• Shared space means shared responsibilities –
this is a benefit and a challenge
• Currently working to drive circulation
numbers up
• Doesn’t reflect online usage
• Doesn’t reflect classroom instruction

15. Practical considerations and
applications
COLLABORATION AND BUY-IN, SHARED SYSTEMS, SUPPORT FROM ALL
STAKEHOLDERS

16. Practical considerations and applications
• Buy-in from stakeholders (this was essentially
built in for me, but I did choose to embrace it)
• Ticketing system is shared, as Dave discussed
• IT is close by (this is actually pretty wonderful,
though that may not always be the norm)
• Does require support and advocacy up the
hierarchy as well
• Requires cross-training of frontline staff

17. At Your Service:
TIM LENTZ LENTZ@MIDLANDU.EDU
DAVID MILLAR MILLAR@MIDLANDU.EDU