This document summarizes Dr. Galbreath's efforts to revitalize the B.D. Owens Library at Northwest Missouri State University. It describes conducting needs assessments that found the library had dated facilities, collections, policies and insufficient technology. It then details the library's multi-year transformation process, which included renovating the physical space, updating policies, expanding the digital presence, and focusing on sustainability through recycling and partnerships. The end result was a more modern and student-centered library called the iPlace that better supported learning on campus.

1. Revitalizing B.D. Owens Library:
A Study of Student Engagement in an
Academic Library
Dr. Leslie M. Galbreath
Dean, Academic & Library Services
Northwest Missouri State University

3. Northwest Missouri State
University
• 7,000 undergraduate/graduate students
• Rural, residential (Maryville pop: 12,000)
• Anchor academic programs: teacher
education, agriculture, business,
interdisciplinary studies
• High student engagement programs
(induction & academic support
programming, student employment,
placement rate: 97.4%)
• Students: 48% first generation college
students, most receive financial assistance,
extroverted, expect to be involved

4. Learning From Users
Staff as:
Cultural Anthropologists
Partners
Collaborators
Learners

5. Needs Assessment
• Informal interviews with students
• External library professionals
• Facility Services personnel
• Suggestion sources
• Marketing research study
(undergraduate students)
• Literature reviews (student
engagement, library, workplaces,
technology)

6. Needs Assessment
Outcomes
• Dated facility & furnishings
• Dated policies
• Dated collections
• Insufficient technology

11. Climate
• 18% decrease Acquisitions budget
• 41% decrease Operating budget
• Reduction in Force
• Facility Services staff unavailable

12. Where
to
Start?

13. B.D. Owens Library
“ Where
Learners
&
Resources
Meet”

15. Observe
Brainstorm
Use Decision Drivers
Pilot Responses

22. The
Transformative
Summer

39. The
iPlace

54. Revisiting
Policies

62. A New
Normal

92. Staff
Engagement

97. Marketing

102. Digital
Presence

106. Sustainability

107. Green Leaders: Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle, Responsible

108. 15 tons of books shipped
– 100% out landfill
– ¼ re-sold.
– reduced greenhouse gases by 45,000 pounds
– Saved:
• 160,000 gal of water
• 333 trees
• 45 cu yds of landfill space
• 68,000 kw of electricity
Green Leaders: Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle, Responsible
Partner with a for-profit organization that
sells, donates, or recycles used books.
% of each sale donated to literacy efforts and a small percentage returned to
B.D. Owens Library

109. • 10.5 tons obsolete bound
periodicals to Northwest
Alternative Energy Program
• Microfilm, microfiche, VHS tape
to recycling
Green Leaders:
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Responsible

110. New
Neighbors

126. The vendor’s first
100% environmentally
sustainable location in
the nation.
Sustainable
Partnerships

129. Thank you
Janice Bell &
Judith Andrews
Library & Learning Resources
Professor Stuart Brand &
Mr. Luke Millard
Centre for Enhancement of
Learning and Teaching