** Ed: Here’s the fourth article contribution from libraries which delegates can choose to visit at Ohio, United States during the IFLA WLIC 2016 conference. Many a great thanks to Ms Amy B. Parsons, Metadata Librarian from Otterbein University Courtright Memorial Library for her article contribution! **
My name is Amy Parsons and I am a Metadata Librarian/Associate Professor at Courtright Memorial Library in Westerville, Ohio (USA). The Courtright Memorial Library is proud to be included as a participant in the IFLA World Library and Information Congress 2016 in Columbus, Ohio, USA. Westerville is a suburb on the Northeast side of Columbus, Ohio. Otterbein University is a private Academic library with enrollment of approximately 3,000 students hailing from all over the United States, and including students from 19 foreign countries.
Curriculum
Otterbein offers more than 70 majors and 44 minors, as well as individualized courses of study. While initially the University was a liberal arts school focused on the humanities, we have grown with changes in market demand, and now offer five graduate programs in business administration, education and nursing, including our doctor of nursing practice degree. Another unique course of study at Otterbein is the Equine Science program, among only a few equine science programs nationally to be located in an urban environment. Courtright Memorial Library is at the center of this private academic university, both literally and metaphorically, as we support the University programs with our materials, databases, programming, and study spaces.
Courtright Memorial Library in Transition
The library is 44 years old and has seen a great deal of changes in terms of enrollment, programs and majors. Courtright Memorial Library is an academic library in transition, building for the future from a history of excellence. Dedicated in 1972 to serve as the heart of campus, and named for Robert & Ada Courtright, parents of A. Monroe Courtright ‘40, the Courtright Memorial Library exists to meet the needs of over 100,000 visitors a term, with our patrons ranging from current Otterbein students, faculty, and staff, to public guests from the greater Central Ohio community, and the Alumni that have shaped our past. Our library houses over 150,000 print and non-print materials, including music, young adult books, games, CD’s and DVDs. Additionally, the Courtright offers laptop computers, data projectors, bicycles, and other equipment for checkout to the Otterbein University community. The research and scholarly output of Otterbein has a global reach through our everexpanding Digital Commons, Otterbein’s digital repository of institutional and educational works.
The first floor of the Courtright houses our Learning Commons. The American Library Association defines a Learning Commons as “a collaborative physical and virtual environment that invites and ignites participatory learning.” The Learning Commons at Otterbein facilitates a 21st Century learning environment by providing the access, technological connectivity, and collaboration our students need. Our first-floor Commons offers a warm and welcoming space for full-service learning, research, and project collaboration. The Learning Commons was completed as part of renovation in the summer of 2013. It houses 24 computers pre-loaded with a variety of apps that connect with course requirements across campus. There are two collaborative stations where users can connect their personal devices to a large monitor, creating an easy-to-use station for group projects and meetings. The Commons is one of the most highly utilized areas on campus and students can often be found working on projects, socializing, or seeking assistance from one of our highly trained staff.
Library Consortiums
As members of these two statewide library consortiums, Ohio Private Academic Libraries (OPAL) and OhioLINK, our library expands dramatically to include access to hundreds of databases and thousands of journals, eBooks, and 50+ million library items statewide, usable both on campus and off. OPAL (Ohio Private Academic Libraries) is an association of 24 libraries at independent institutions of higher education in the State of Ohio. OPAL strengthens and promotes member libraries through financially responsible collaboration and innovation; including a shared online catalog. Ohiolink is a consortium of 121 academic institutions in Ohio (including OPAL) and the State Library of Ohio. OhioLINK creates a competitive advantage for Ohio’s higher education community by cooperatively and costeffectively acquiring, providing access to, and preserving and expanding array of print and digital scholarly resources in order to advance teaching, learning, research, and the growth of Ohio’s knowledge-based economy.
Library Partners
As we continue to perfect our Learning Commons and as we move towards creating a studio learning environment, we rely on the collaboration with two key partners – Otterbein’s Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL) and the Academic Support Center (ASC). Otterbein’s Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is committed to enhancing the quality of student learning through ongoing development opportunities for all those who teach. CTL provides consulting services, workshops, and resources to help faculty enhance the learning experience for our students. As part of the CTL, the CTL Studio provides a faculty-focused, safe, and knowledge-rich space for course development and design support. The Studio features state of the art technologies that can support a wide range of learning goals and outcomes, but it’s also an open location where informal visits are welcome.
The Academic Support Center (ASC) focuses on meeting students developmental and instructional needs. Through individual instruction and collaborative learning, the Academic Support Center (ASC) helps students develop and strengthen the skills necessary to attain their academic goals. The ASC offers courses in Learning Strategies for College Success and Argumentative Writing, Content Area Tutoring, the Math Lab, the Writing Center, and Supplemental Instruction. The ASC also coordinates the University’s Disability Services program.
Materials in the Courtright Memorial Library collection are not just for adults. We also collect a fun juvenile collection, affectionately known as Sarah’s Corner. Sarah’s Corner, established in memory of Sarah Rose Gorsuch, is a space for children and educators to meet, play, relax and imagine in a friendly learning environment. The 1956 50th Reunion Committee at Otterbein University established a fund in memory of Sarah Rose Gorsuch; a fellow graduate, local middle school teacher and active church and community group member. The generous donations to this fund created and continue to allow Sarah’s Corner to flourish. It is active throughout the academic year as students use the professional curricular materials and picture books, meet in small groups, or lounge in the comfortable furniture. During the summer months, the Education Department hosts summer reading clinics in the space. Our juvenile collection includes award winning picture books for young readers, textbooks for education majors, and a young adult collection. Sarah’s Corner is a welcoming space to children of all ages.
I have worked at the Courtright Memorial Library for 12 years and I am proud to call this my home. If you are attending the IFLA Conference in August and visiting Columbus, Ohio and are planning to visit us let me be the first to say hello and welcome. Come take a look at our collaborative Learning Commons spaces, sit in our comfortable chairs in Sarah’s Corner; or visit us online to find what you need for your research through our Digital Commons. The IFLA 2016 Theme is “Connection, Collaboration and Community.” I believe after learning about The Courtright Memorial Library, and meeting our staff, you will come away with a sense of the Courtright Memorial Library’s connection to the Central Ohio Library Community, our various Collaborations and our strong service to our community.
Contributed by Ms Amy B. Parsons, Metadata Librarian at Otterbein University Courtright Memorial Library.
Posted by Justin Tan, Editor.