1. Librarians from Columbia College, DePaul University, and Roosevelt University collaborated to offer reference services at a shared dormitory for their students, called the UCC. 2. While initially resistant, dorm management eventually allowed the librarians to use an unused office space. However, the location was not ideal and foot traffic was low. 3. Over 180 hours of librarian time only resulted in 9 reference interactions. Alternatives like virtual outreach and partnerships with other academic departments may work better.

1. A Cooperative Reference Staffing Effort by Academic Librarians in a Shared Dormitory Research Services Outpost

2. Introduction Molly Beestrum, Columbia College Brian DeHart, DePaul University Katy Hite, Roosevelt University Chicago loop universities collaborating to offer reference services in a collective dormitory

3. The UCC

4. Genesis of Off-Site Reference Off-site reference initiated at all campuses with varied successes Columbia College: Ask-a-Librarian Roadshow DePaul University: Writing Center Outpost Roosevelt University: Reference in Student Lounge

5. Collaboration Dorm management not initially receptive upon openingin 2004. In 2010, UCC initiated conversation with Columbia Library. Perfect storm of conversations between librarians at three campuses.

6. Collaboration Proposal Drafted Summer 2010 Submitted/Accepted August 2010 Cross training (Summer 2010) Shared resources Unique/popular resources in each library Authentication for each population

7. Collaboration Site to share duties & information https://sites.google.com/site/researchinformationoutpost/ Used to compose proposal, collaborate & share links

8. The UCC : Location, location, location! Original intent: Dining commons during high traffic dinner hours (6-8pm) In Practice: Unused office

9. The UCC : Location, location, location! Former RA Resource Center (crafts,etc.) Located in high traffic hallway near: Laundry room Computer Lab Fitness Center Multimedia/gaming room Not “walk-in friendly” Spring 2011: Partially Reclaimed by RAs

10. The UCC : Location, location, location!

11. The UCC : Advertisement & Promotion UCC Electronic Signboards Posters in hallways/staircases Easel stand outside office “House Calls”/Word of mouth In-Library promotion Blog Posts & Tweets

12. UCC Advertisement & Promotion

13. The UCC : Advertisement & Promotion

14. The UCC in Action Question Tracking Student population Nature of questions

15. The UCC in Action

16. Conclusions Dorm life separate from academic life, despite efforts from Residence Life Mirrors individual campus efforts in terms of challenges, disconnected from students expectations Time investment not worth payoff (about 180 hours of reference librarian presence for only 9 interactions).

17. Alternatives? Reaching out virtually within LMS to reach students. Partnerships with other academic departments (writing center, academic computing) may be better avenue to explore. What else can we do at the UCC? Participate in academic-focused activities Continue to market library services (online and physical) through print and social media

18. Literature Review Reference Outposts (on- and off-campus) Roaming reference See electronic handout

19. Questions? Contact Katy Hite khite@roosevelt.edu Brian DeHartbdehart@depaul.edu Molly Beestrummbeestrum@colum.edu