Poster presented at the 2012 Joint Conference of Librarians of Color

1. Get out! Research Relief Where They Least Expect It
Laksamee Putnam • Sara Arnold-Garza • Shannon Simpson • Towson University, Albert S. Cook Library Baltimore, MD
Introduction CSD & TOPS Program Justification Brand Development Challenges
As roving reference becomes a mainstay activity on campuses across the country, the • Garnering motivation for rebranding
practice presents a unique opportunity to collaborate with multiple university depart-
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ments in order to reach students from diverse backgrounds. However, it is not always
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enough to create a miniature library station outside the physical building. Adapting
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• Time required by librarians
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to the target environments’ demeanor and practices helps alleviate library anxiety for
students, staff and faculty. Research and Instruction librarians at Towson University are
integrating this adaptive practice as a new approach to reaching diverse populations
across campus. Once a week librarians blend into these casual environments in order WC Moving Forward
to provide research relief. The librarians have found this to be a mutually rewarding
endeavor they plan to expand and encourage you to replicate! • Increase marketing to build
Towso
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Blvd. student awareness
• “Research Relief” phrase originally coined by Shannon and used for the roving
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Diversity at Towson University LA
reference at the CSD • Video advertising
• Better signage
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• Expanded outreach to TOPS and retained the name however we wanted to re-
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“ Towson University values diversity and fosters a climate that is
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brand to make the service more visible
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Center for Student Diversity (CSD)
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urn Dr
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grounded in respect and inclusion, enriches the educational experi- CA
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• Decided to unify all the other roving reference done by librarians to other de-
The CSD was “established to aid the institution in its efforts to foster inclusion, col- • Track interactions through the off
ence of students, supports positive workplace environments, promotes partments
laboration, and relationship building. The center provides academic, social, and transi- desk statistics tracker
excellence, and cultivates the intellectual and personal growth of the
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tion support for underserved students and promotes exchange and dialogue between CK
• Voted on names and tagline
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entire university community. ”
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individuals of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles.”
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Populations CSD serves: C
Names Taglines
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The Numbers Cook Library Center for the Arts Tow
son
Towson University. (2012). Towson opportunities in STEM. Retrieved from http://
• African American Student Development www.towson.edu/tops/
Smith Hall (TOPS) University Union (CSD) Research Relief We bring the research help to you
Despite a prevalent nationwide “graduation Towson University. (2012). Center for student diversity. Retrieved from http://www.
• Asian Pacific Islander/Latino Student Development Hawkins Hall (Education) West Commons
gap” between minority and non-minority Cook Library Across Campus Fast research help where you need it most towson.edu/diversity/
graduates, Towson was singled out in 2010 College of Liberal Arts
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Student Development Library Quick Clinics Library help for your research
by the Washington Post for being one of Towson University. (2012). Office of diversity and equal opportunity. Retrieved from
the few institutions of higher education • Student Success Programs - SAGE and CEEP http://www.towson.edu/odeo/diversity_resources/diversity%20action%20plan.
• Originated from a separate project with Shannon cataloging the small library in Ask a Librarian Helping you research everything
in the country by which minority stu- asp
• Women’s Resources the Center for Student Diversity and students occasionally dropping by to ask
dents either meet or exceed the
questions Towson University. (2012). Commitment to diversity. Retrieved from http://www.
graduation rate of non-minority
• Campus Ministries • New official logo designed by the Center for Instructional Advancement & Tech- towson.edu/main/abouttu/comdiv/
students. • Towson student population: Over 21,000
• Jewish Cultural Center - Hillel nology office.
Towson University. (2012). Center for student diversity - Diversity profile. Retrieved
• Average daily library traffic during term: 3,000
• Posters/handouts created to indicate schedule and the current presence of an from http://www.towson.edu/diversity/profile.asp
• 1960’s designed library for much smaller population. available librarian
Groups that identify, measure, facilitate and assess Towson Opportunities in Science, Technology, Vise, D. (2010). Md’s Towson University conquers ‘graduation gap’. The Washington
Engineering and Math (TOPS) • Growing campus Post. Sunday, December 12. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
diversity issues on campus dyn/content/article/2010/12/11/AR2010121103752.html?sid=ST2010121200488
• The Diversity Advancement Committee, • The mission of the program is “to recruit and retain students from underserved • Make a personal connection, so the librarian becomes a familiar face Positive Outcomes
made up of University leadership including and underrepresented communities in the Baltimore Metropolitan area who are
• Smaller, “safe” place for students to be themselves
the President interested in pursuing careers in all STEM disciplines” • Presence at familiar location provides ease for students, staff and faculty Additional Reading
• Attempting to reach students during point-of-need moments
• National Science Foundation • New, more positive perceptions of librarians To view links to the references listed above, addi-
• Diversity Action Committee, composed of
a cross section of members of the academic (NSF) funded tional resources about the topic of this poster, and
• Opportunities presented through collaboration with other university
and administrative divisions of the university Reasons students voice for not going to the library a copy of the poster itself please use the QR code
• Significant increase in student departments
and representatives of the student body or go to this URL: http://bit.ly/jclcresearchrelief
retention/matriculation
• Busy space and busy librarians • Engages librarians with diversity initiatives on campus
• The Center for Student Diversity (CSD) is • Transferable classes from Baltimore
the coordinating resource for students and • Too far • Student workers this fall semester will have added task of helping catalog
County Community College
student groups to engage with diversity is- CSD library
sues on campus. • Study space not what students prefer
• Learning Commons space for
• Library information session integrated into TOPS student orientation
TOPS students • Unfamiliar territory