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Andrea Dixon
This month’s feature on Oberlin College Libraries is a special traveling, two-part series. Please join us on October 17th when we explore the libraries further, particularly the Oberlin College Conservatory Library.
Oberlin College, located in northern Ohio, celebrates a rich history of providing excellent equality in education. The college, founded in 1833, was the first college in America to adopt a policy to admit African American students and the first to grant bachelor’s degrees to women in a coeducational program. The city of Oberlin has a long history of supporting racial justice, including when the town banded together with neighboring Wellington to keep runaway slave, John Price, free. In addition to providing exceptional service to students, the Oberlin College Library helps to preserve the college’s history and educate students on the history of the institution through their amazing collections. As a result of their shared history with the city, the college maintains an impressive collection of abolitionist materials and original records.
“From it’s inception, the school represents education and social justice. The library is the steward of that concept” – Alexia Hudson-Ward.
Hudson-Ward joined Oberlin College as the Azariah Smith Root Director of Libraries in July of 2016 and oversees the college’s four libraries – the main Mudd Center library and the arts, science and conservatory libraries. The library’s founding director, Azariah Smith Root, was a visionary and thought leader behind the concept of bibliographic instruction who also held leadership roles with the American Library Association.
Hudson-Ward explained that the college’s 3,000 students have access to all of the libraries and visit them depending on which unique atmosphere suits their needs. The Mudd Center library serves as a meeting place and student union, the art library provides hands on learning opportunities, the conservatory library is musical and often students are found singing in the stacks and the science library is a silent study space.
Head of Special Collections Ed Vermue discussed the power of physical objects in the library collection. Library staff are working to increase the use of haptic learning by delivering physical objects from their archives into the hands of students. These experiences engage students in learning and often lead them to explore other materials including documents and manuscripts. Oberlin is exploring methods to capture the essence of what is lost in the digitization process and to display materials while making them part of a readily available collection.
The library has also been tasked with documenting the biography of President Marvin Krislov, who will depart the college at the end of the academic year. As the first “digital president,” the library will explore methods for capturing his presence on the campus through his social media and other digital communications.
Hudson-Ward is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. As someone new to the campus, she enjoys seeing the greatness of the college and its libraries through fresh eyes and sharing her enthusiasm with her team, students and library visitors.
The Grant Morrow III, MD Medical Library is an essential resource for Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH). Located on the second floor of the hospital’s education building, the library provides research and reference services for the hospital staff, including nurses, physicians and allied health personnel. Additionally, the library locates and delivers resources, provides workspaces, manages materials, partners in interlibrary loan services and proctors tests for hospital employees.
Established in 1953, the library has a tremendous archive dating back to when the hospital was founded in 1892. Ohio State University librarian and consultant, Kristin Rodgers, is assisting with archiving the preservation of historic documents, including the hospital’s first patients’ records.
The library is actually a branch of The Ohio State University Health Sciences Library, which provides access to a wide variety of publications and shared resources. NCH’s collection includes an impressive 16,000 volumes and 260 subscriptions.
Active partners in the hospital’s work, librarians provide important research assistance, validating sources and finding answers to unusual questions like “what are the risks to a child who has drunk citronella oil?” Librarians equip hospital staff with research and technology training and assist with processing a monthly “Ask a Specialist” email, which informs Columbus pediatrics about a variety of health care questions. These services produce an extended value and help the hospital achieve its strategic plan of finding journeys to best outcomes. Library Director Linda DeMuro noted the library has received years of positive feedback, further illustrating their value within the system.
In addition to information services, the library serves as a workspace and informal gathering area for hospital employees. Meeting rooms can be reserved via the hospital’s central scheduling program, and the library features a patio overlooking the hospital’s park where employers can work, eat lunch or just enjoy the view.
On the first floor of the education building, the library maintains the Family Health Information Center (FHIC). Open to the public from noon to 5 p.m. each weekday, the information center gives families access to health information. There are also children’s books, magazines and a quiet space for families to spend time. The FHIC also partners with the Blue Jackets Family Resource Center to provide a variety of services to promote “family centered care”.
The secret is out – Linda DeMuro, Director
The library’s services continue to gain popularity as the hospital staff learn about their offerings, as DeMuro put it, “the secret is out.” The Grant Morrow III, MD Medical Library is an important and respected partner of Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Pickerington Public Library kicks off it’s summer reading program this month and on June 11 will host the third annual Teen Book Fest, an opportunity for readers to meet award-winning authors, like Gene Luen Yang, participate in workshops and enjoy a day of reading celebration. These events follow on the heels of the library’s Big Comic Show in May and are just a few of examples of the exciting services the library offers to create valuable experiences and opportunities for their customers.
Librarian and Adult Services Manager Donna Matturri shared some of the amazing programs and services provided by the library. The library caters to a broad audience by providing a variety of services and programs geared toward all ages.
Adult services offerings include Reader’s Advisory and Staff Picks. Customers are invited to email library staff directly and are provided with personalized reading lists, based on personal preference. The library offers an array of programs for interest groups, ranging from book clubs to crafts, financial advice and lunch and learn programs.
The Homework Help Center is not only a space for students to study and receive tutoring, the staff also offers afternoon ACT and SAT preparation programs and partners with Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical School to provide job prep and computer literacy classes.
The library features a dynamic youth services department, complete with its own mascot, Violet the Cow, designed by local artist Will Roland, who attends community events as a library ambassador. The enthusiastic group of children’s services librarians are attuned to their audience and provide programming to capture attention, including programs centered around Minecraft, Angry Birds, Lego and an annual Princess and Superhero costume party. Another popular program is Dog Tales, which, in partnership with the county animal shelter, pairs dogs with children who can practice reading aloud to a furry audience.
The passion and creativity of the library’s staff create a vibrant and welcoming environment. Staff cares about the community they serve. They pay attention and react to the interests of their customers and are rewarded with an engaged and supportive audience. Donna shared that she loves her job, thanks to a great staff who make the work easy and happy customers who make it wonderful.