Library Visibility and Outreach Undergraduate Task Force

A key Smathers Libraries goal is increasing use of the libraries by our primary clientele. In order for use to increase, we must ensure that faculty, students and staff are aware of what the libraries offer and they must find using them a pleasant and rewarding experience. Many of our primary clientele don’t use or even think about the libraries unless they have a specific assignment that brings them to our doors. With the closing of Library West, library visibility on the campus is less than before. Yet, we have a lot to offer and many students would benefit by knowing what the libraries can provide for them. How can we reach undergraduates in a way that is meaningful and useful to them?

This task force is being asked to address library visibility and outreach, specifically as they relate to undergraduate students. It will be necessary to gather some information and to check hypotheses with UF students, but the main thrust of this assignment is to develop straightforward plans that can be implemented by fall semester.

1. Assess how UF’s undergraduates are using the libraries. What do they use? What do they not use? How satisfied are they? June 1

2. Identify non-library strategies they using to get the information they need? What do these strategies offer that the libraries apparently do not? June 1

3. What are the key library resources and services that could be effectively used by UF’s undergraduates (no more than 5 or 6 – what will they use, not what would we like them to use)? June 1

4. Define and develop methods and tools (ads, web pages, handouts, kits, scripts, videos, etc.) for promoting the items identified above. July 15

5. Identify venues where this promotion could be done effectively. July 15

6. Develop an implementation plan with an evaluation component and a timeline. July 15

Members

• Gary Cornwell
• Jana Ronan
• Tom Caswell
• Joe Aufmuth

Minutes

2005 | 2004 |