The Library as Partner: Sustaining Relevance in a Collaborative, Student-Focused Technology Center Heather Lambert, Assistant Professor and Emerging Technologies Librarian, Middle Tennessee State University; Christy Groves, Assistant Professor and User Services Coordinator, Middle Tennessee State University Trends in the library profession continue to migrate toward providing collaborative work spaces for users, and MTSU’s cutting edge center, the Digital Media Studio, gives students opportunities to work with one another and Library personnel as well. This presentation showcased the project management and marketing strategies utilized to successfully implement and launch the studio and describes how the Library partners with students through service to them. The presenters described how to connect with users at their point of need, and highlighted our how our successful relevance and sustainability is due to consistent and effective feedback models.

1. The Library as Partner Sustaining Relevance in a Collaborative, Student Focused Technology Center

2. About Us

3. In the old days

5. Mission Statement The Digital Media Studio provides knowledgeable staff who offer direction to appropriate resources, train users on the use of media applications and collaborate on projects. We offer the latest digital tools and unique facilities to enable the exploration of rich digital media for learning experiences, collaboration and creative expression. The Digital Media Studio is a welcoming, collaborative space for users of all abilities, disciplines, levels and interests.

6. Mission Statement The Digital Media Studio provides knowledgeable staffwho offer direction to appropriate resources, train users on the use of media applications and collaborate on projects. We offer the latest digital tools and unique facilities to enable the exploration of rich digital media for learning experiences, collaboration and creative expression. The Digital Media Studio is a welcoming, collaborative space for users of all abilities, disciplines, levels and interests.

7. Collaborative environment Brainstorming areas Hardware options Circulating equipment Roving tech help Research help Typewriter Tech coach appointments Lamination, color printing Project finishing station

10. Break It down Movie Making DVD Creation Picture Editing Presentation Art/Drawing Web Design Screen Capture Audio Manipulation

12. integration Flickr 3.2011 used with permission by Daniel Schwen

13. Project management

14. Training toolkit

15. Marketing Strategies

16. Internal Staff Come First

17. Fall Kickoff

20. Making Faculty Feel….

22. Student Empowerment

23. Connecting with Users

24. Feedback

25. Online polls

26. Circle of life

27. Where we are today Flickr- 3.2011 used with permission by paolatraversa

28. Where we are going

29. Lessons Learned Keeping it in house has big rewards Feedback is critical to sustained relevance and success Must include users and staff in all phases of project management, launch, training and continual evolution of service Have a clear vision of what you want to offer and how it will enhance what you already do and tell anyone who will listen- early and often Don’t underestimate the power of student workers and committed library users If you say you want feedback be ready to respond to it all, good, bad and weird Don’t start a program if you don’t have time to continue it Expect constant change from the beginning

30. fin.

31. Contact Information Christy Groves – User Services SupervisorJames E. Walker Library, MTSU615-898-2652cgroves@mtsu.edu Heather Lambert -Emerging Technologies LibrarianDigital Studio ManagerJames E. Walker Library, MTSU615-494-7784hlambert@mtsu.edutwitter: heatherneptune