Shedding the Cloak of Invisibility

Glenn Johnson-Graugjohnson@lmu.edu

Head of Collection DevelopmentLoyola Marymount University

Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, California

Howdy, partner• We spend time on relationship building.• Relationships are built upon common interests.• Exhibits serve as launchpads for collaboration.

CASE STUDY

ON CAMPUSLMU Departments: Theological Studies, English, African American Studies, Campus Ministry, Center for Religion & Spirituality

OUTSIDE PARTNERSInglewood Public Library, local churches

RELATIONSHIPS BUILT ON COMMON INTERESTS SPARK NEW COLLABORATIONSHonors Program ->> Gospel performance

Partnership Breeds Partnership

Success with one exhibit leads to enthusiasm for another, even though the players are all different.

Photos: www.programminglibrarian.org/dustbowl/

Presto changoLibrary = book to library = intellectual engagement

PUB NIGHTS: Four events each semester where faculty discuss their recent scholarly or creative works over beer and pretzels.

Presto chango IIOpening the door to students and their ideas

Providing selfie opportunities in forbidden library locations

Know on which side your bread is buttered

Align unit with institution’s mission.– Reflect it in what we say and do

• Mirror language

Participate in strategic planning.– Librarians develop a reputation for good citizenship

Encourage librarians to participate in campus governance.– Librarians on Faculty Senate & committees– Develop peer relationship with faculty and

administrators – beyond “library as support”

The Vision Thing

Adopting an expansive vision of the role of the library on campus– Leadership matters– Librarian buy-in

matters– Funding really

matters

Align Incentives

Give librarians tools and reward them for outcomes.Enact a promotion plan with incentives.Provide travel/professional development funding for librarians.

Foster and Support Staff Ideas

Beyond the Walls

SCELC• Benefits member libraries and member librarians• Support for small libraries• Continuing education• Research support

– Research Day ->> IMLS Grant» Institute for Research Design in Librarianship

Catholic Research Resources Alliance (CRRA)Association of Jesuit College & Universities (AJCU)

Participation = Visibility = Impact

Be strategic

Be a partner

Be persistent

Be at the table!