Matt Barter

A recently obtained ATIPP through Memorial University of Newfoundland reveals a document titled Memorial University Libraries Fact Sheet – April 30th Final Version.docx. It was prepared by Descanal Assistant to the University Librarian Jackie Pitcher-March for President Vianne Timmons’s meet/greet with the University Librarian on May 4th, 2020.

See document below:

MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES’ FACT SHEET

(April 30th, 2020)

INTRODUCTION:

Memorial University Libraries is one of Atlantic Canada’s largest libraries with eight branches on each of Memorial’s campuses. In addition to providing access to millions of physical book and digital access to e-books, journals, and other resources, the libraries house several specialized archives and collections, including the largest collection of published materials about Newfoundland and Labrador in the world in the Centre for Newfoundland Studies. The Libraries encourage innovation and excellence in Memorial’s teaching and learning, research, scholarship, creative activity, service and public engagement. Our website and strategic plan are located here: website; Re.Imagine_Strategic_Plan_2018-2023.

HIGHLIGHTS:

SUPPORTING TEACHING AND LEARNING:

• We place student experience and development at the core of what we do:

Memorial University Libraries is a key contributor to student learning and success. From library instruction, to providing quiet and collaborative spaces, to programs and services such as research support, Libraries have a positive impact on student retention and add value to their overall academic experience.

In 2018/19:

• Libraries provided access to 2.5 print and 1.97 ebooks
• Answered over 13,000 reference questions
• Received over 1 million visitors
• Over 45,000 items loaned
• Over 2,600 comfy seats in a variety of collaborative and quiet study space
• Over 20,000 social media interactions about our 24/7 during exams

We create environments that foster excellence, unrestrained inquiry, critical thinking, creativity, and innovation. Information discovery, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information to create new knowledge and engage in scholarly conversations is based in librarian expertise:

Librarians design and deliver and promote information literacy and the effective use of library collections. The Libraries lead institutional initiatives regarding copyright and academic integrity.

We provide critical access to technology and emerging trends in the digital environment:

The Libraries’ Commons spaces (in partnership between CITL and ITS) provide key support to students such as tutoring, a Writing Centre, Digital Media, assistive technology resources, and printing. The Libraries also provide key access to emerging technologies such as area for maker culture where students explore and discover new ideas to create and invent by using tools and materials, soldering kits, electronics, and 3D printers.

SUPPORTING RESEARCH:

Our librarians and information specialists empower the research process and support academic success. Librarians are key to the research cycle, navigating through multidisciplinary research platforms, analytics, data curation and sharing, digitization, as well as metadata services:

• 34 Librarians
• 87 Staff
• Online e-reserves system that integrates with Brightspace and include copyright clearance
• Administers of Academic integrity 100A/B, a two-part, fully online course

The Libraries have identified research visibility and research data management as strategic projects of pan-university importance to increase the global visibility of Memorial’s research and strengthen its research data management best practices:

• $120,000 in Open Access funding for Memorial’s academic community
• 129,449 downloads from the Research Repository
• 1,759,622 Objects on the Digital Archive Initiative
• Hosting 18 E-journals

SUPPORTING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT:

We are key to fulfilling Memorial University’s special obligation to the people of the province.

Memorial University Libraries is uniquely positioned to support the university’s core priority of Public Engagement. We promote and preserve invaluable cultural and historical resources and provide access to outstanding and unique collections, particularly from the Archives and Special Collections Division and the Centre for Newfoundland Studies.

• 24/7 global access to our online resources
• Over 100 collections on the Digital Initiative (DAL), with 672,000 downloads yearly from the Digital Archive Initiative
• Over 1,100 alumni with active library cards

CURRENT CONTEXT:

COVID – 19 pandemic response (since March 19th)

• All employees working remotely.
• 1230 questions from users via chat and email.
• 29 chat monitors covering 81 hours of coverage seven days per week.
• Added over 240,000 e-resources to our catalogue temporarily available to the Libraries.
• Added 5435 items (like articles or book chapters) in our eReserves system.
• 82 per cent increase in virtual reference questions when physical buildings closed.
• 25 per cent increase in Libraries’ instructional YouTube videos.

Image format:

Matt Barter is a fourth-year student in the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.