Preparing the Engineering Library of the Future: Changing Services, Structures, Staffing, and Resources - A Case Study

Leena Lalwani; Nancy Allee

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Conference: 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Publication Date: August 23, 2022
Start Date: June 26, 2022
End Date: June 29, 2022
Conference Session: Engineering Libraries Technical Session 1: Library Services
Page Count: 17
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--40915
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/40915
Download Count: 387

Paper Authors

biography

Leena Lalwani University of Michigan

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Leena Lalwani is an Associate Director, HS-STEM/Engineering Librarian and Coordinator for Collections for Science and Engineering at the Art, Architecture and Engineering Library (AAEL) at the University of Michigan. She is also the liaison Librarian for Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and Entrepreneurship. Leena has been a librarian at University of Michigan since 1995 in various ranks. Leena has a M.L.S. degree from Catholic University of America and M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Mumbai.

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Nancy Allee University of Michigan

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Director, Taubman Health Sciences Library and STEM, University of Michigan

Nancy J. Allee, MLIS, MPH, AHIP, Director, Taubman Health Sciences Library and STEM, University Library and Library Faculty, Department of Learning Health Sciences, Medical School, University of Michigan. Ms. Allee provides leadership for health sciences, engineering, and science library services. She is a member of the Academy of Health Information Professionals at the Distinguished level and is the Managing Assistant Editor for the open access journal, Learning Health Systems.

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Abstract

Engineering libraries have been transforming spaces for the last 20+ years by moving collections to a digital environment, having more collaborative learning spaces and integrating innovative resources like maker spaces. This has led to changes in the long-standing interactions with the College of Engineering (CoE) and the library as more content is available online, and library users no longer have to come to the library in person to access the library collections. Librarians are engaged in new service models, and staff are no longer visible in locations like reference and information desks. The library is also adjusting to organizational changes brought about by the pandemic as well as planned transitions, such as Engineering subject liaisons becoming organizationally aligned as HS-STEM, spanning the disciplinary boundaries of Health Sciences and Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics, within the new Research Division.

Organizational changes have allowed not only the closer examination of library services and resources but also the re-envisioning of how the library engages with the campus and how collaboration works within the team of HS-STEM and the Research Division. HS-STEM has requested and acquired new positions such as the Biomedical Engineering librarian, the Council of Library and Information Resources (CLIR) Fellow, and the new management position of Associate Director, Engineering Librarian. Re-engagement was established with the Engineering Library Faculty Advisory Committee, and an engineering librarian has been appointed to the CoE Curriculum Committee. This transformation facilitated innovative, team-based collaborations at HS-STEM for Collections, Grant Funding, Research Impact, and Informatics, serving our HS-STEM clientele.

The process began with a series of questions about how to organize the library structure and services to increase their relevancy and how to engage with the user communities to maximize the impact. How are the changes affecting the library’s services and resources? What are the library’s vision and plans for the future? This case study will address these questions and talk in detail about the changes that have been implemented, how they have been accomplished, the obstacles that were faced, and how the library is moving forward.

Citation
Format

Lalwani, L., & Allee, N. (2022, August), Preparing the Engineering Library of the Future: Changing Services, Structures, Staffing, and Resources - A Case Study Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--40915

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - Engineering libraries have been transforming spaces for the last 20+ years by moving collections to a digital environment, having more collaborative learning spaces and integrating innovative resources like maker spaces. This has led to changes in the long-standing interactions with the College of Engineering (CoE) and the library as more content is available online, and library users no longer have to  come to the library in person to access the library collections. Librarians are engaged in new service models, and staff are no longer visible in locations like reference and information desks. The library is also adjusting to organizational changes brought about by the pandemic as well as planned transitions, such as Engineering subject liaisons becoming organizationally aligned as HS-STEM, spanning the disciplinary boundaries of Health Sciences and Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics, within the new Research Division.  

Organizational changes have allowed not only the closer examination of library services and resources but also the re-envisioning of how the library engages with the campus and how collaboration works within the team of HS-STEM and the Research Division. HS-STEM has requested and acquired new positions such as the Biomedical Engineering librarian, the Council of Library and Information Resources (CLIR) Fellow, and the new management position of Associate Director, Engineering Librarian. Re-engagement was established with the Engineering Library Faculty Advisory Committee, and an engineering librarian has been appointed to the CoE Curriculum Committee. This transformation facilitated innovative, team-based collaborations at HS-STEM for Collections, Grant Funding, Research Impact, and Informatics, serving our HS-STEM clientele. 

The process began with a series of questions about how to organize the library structure and services to increase their relevancy and how to engage with the user communities to maximize the impact. How are the changes affecting the library’s services and resources? What are the library’s vision and plans for the future? This case study will address these questions and talk in detail about the changes that have been implemented, how they have been accomplished, the obstacles that were faced, and how the library is moving forward.
AU  - Leena Lalwani
AU  - Nancy Allee
CY  - Minneapolis, MN
DA  - 2022/08/23
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Preparing the Engineering Library of the Future: Changing Services, Structures, Staffing, and Resources - A Case Study
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/40915
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--40915
ER  -