[LIBRARYDIR] Seeking a Consultant for a Fall 2018 Library Audit: Clover Park

Wed Aug 22 16:55:11 PDT 2018

Thanks for that context, Sally - very helpful and clears up my concerns!

Candice

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From: LIBRARYDIR <librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu> on behalf of Heilstedt, Sally <Sally.Heilstedt at lwtech.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2018 4:19:28 PM
To: WACTC Library Directors
Subject: Re: [LIBRARYDIR] Seeking a Consultant for a Fall 2018 Library Audit: Clover Park

Hello All!

It has been a while since my last contribution to our discussions, and I would like to express my gratitude for allowing me to "listen" and learn without being a regular contributor.

I had the opportunity to meet with Judy today at an SBCTC event. She shared more about her request for an audit. I shared about the concerns that have been expressed in this thread. It was a very productive conversation. Here are the highlights that add clarity to the request. 😊

  *   The goal of the audit, which is admittedly not the best word, is to have a neutral third party help Judy and the Learning Resources Center team identify areas of strength and areas for improvement. The process will also include reviewing institutional support so that Judy can better achieve the second intended outcome: advocating for additional resources for her teams.
  *   The Learning Resources Center includes more than the Library. Other services in this area, and housed in the same space, include eLearning, tutoring, the computer lab, and professional development.
  *   My lens/thoughts after our conversation: Judy is a new dean who is committed to supporting her teams and to ensuring students are able to access the services they need. She wants to learn more about the work being done and the needs being unmet as objectively as possible, with support from peers who have experience leading these areas.

I would like to revise the initial request after talking with Judy. Would anyone with experience

  *   leading the areas (all or some combination) in the Learning Resources Center and/or
  *   working in a technical college setting

be willing to join me in helping Judy with her request?

If you are interested or have a colleague to refer, please let me know asap. I will schedule an initial conference call or google hangout/skype call to discuss the request further and identify how we might help in a super constructive way. 😊

Thank you!

Sally

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From: LIBRARYDIR <librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu> on behalf of Vivienne Mcclendon <vivienne.mcclendon at bellevuecollege.edu>
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2018 4:48 PM
To: WACTC Library Directors
Subject: Re: [LIBRARYDIR] Seeking a Consultant for a Fall 2018 Library Audit: Clover Park

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and your feedback and concerns.

I agree, Candice, that it does seem a bit odd but as I mentioned before, by hiring a retired dean from our system, I would hope any audit would rest on their broad and experienced shoulders. I know if I were doing this audit, I would give voice to the current library faculty and staff and do my best to support their needs and concerns.

I will let Judy know that her request is out of the ordinary for our group and one wonders why the audit is needed and what the results may be used for.

Thank you!

Vivienne

From: LIBRARYDIR <librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu> on behalf of "Watkins, Candice" <cwatkins at tacomacc.edu>
Reply-To: WACTC Library Directors <librarydir at lists.ctc.edu>
Date: Monday, August 20, 2018 at 4:12 PM
To: WACTC Library Directors <librarydir at lists.ctc.edu>
Subject: Re: [LIBRARYDIR] Seeking a Consultant for a Fall 2018 Library Audit: Clover Park

I realize now that I replied only Vivenne my concerns about this this morning when I meant to reply to the group. My first reply was that I thought this request was highly unusual and it seems like this type of vetting is something that accreditation is supposed to accomplish. I wasn't able to articulate my concerns more fully until this afternoon, and now I'll throw them out to you as I try to articulate this better. There are ethical concerns with this... Imagine your supervisor hiring a private consultant to assess your library. This disregards the accredited/vetted and public system of assessment that we have in place with NWCCU. There is something strangely subjective about it that dismisses the undergirdings of the public system in which we operate. Although I cannot fully articulate my concerns, my 'spidey-senses' that are strongly guided by academic librarian values are a bit alarmed by this.

Also, it may potentially undermine the place that the library holds in the accreditation report - Standard 2.E. There has, over the years, been conversation about removing this standard from the overall report. Of course, libraries have fought this and hopefully it won't happen here in the NW. That said, what precedent would a private evaluation set in this type of conversation? When college administrators start seeking private consultants to evaluate library programs, this seems to undermine the public process.

Merely my thoughts and concerns. Thanks!

Candice

________________________________

From: LIBRARYDIR <librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu> on behalf of Vivienne Mcclendon <vivienne.mcclendon at bellevuecollege.edu>
Sent: Saturday, August 18, 2018 11:11:57 PM
To: an open discussion list for WA CTC Library Directors
Subject: [LIBRARYDIR] Seeking a Consultant for a Fall 2018 Library Audit: Clover Park

Deans,

Dr. Loveless-Morris at Clover Park is seeking an SBCTC experienced library director/dean to perform an audit of the CP library early in the Fall 2018 quarter. This would be an intensive job for a month-long review. The timing and intensity leave out most of us. I asked Mindy if she had any suggestions and she had these names to suggest:

Sharon Simes

Wai Fong Lee

Paula Doherty

As well as suggesting that perhaps Judy Loveless-Morris might have a chat with Deb Gilchrist for some direction and a greater sense of scope.

Do you all agree, have other names to suggest, know if these ladies would even be willing or available? And if yes, perhaps you could share with me their contact info?  Or, it would be fine if you wanted to send this message on to any one of them you might know personally.

Thanks for your ideas! Hope summer is treating you well,

Vivienne

Dr. Vivienne McClendon

Dean, Library & eLearning

Bellevue College  |  425-564-3056<tel:425-564-3056>  | vivienne.mcclendon at bellevuecollege.edu <http://vivienne.mcclendon@bellevuecollege.edu>

________________________________

From: Loveless-Morris, Judy <Judy.Loveless-Morris at cptc.edu>
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2018 7:37 PM
To: Vivienne Mcclendon
Subject: Can you help with auditing CPTC's library?

Greetings Vivienne.
My name is Judy Loveless-Morris, and I am the new academic dean for Clover Park Technical College.  As the dean for this area, oversight for the library is one of my responsibilities.  Our library is designed to be a comprehensive learning resource center, and includes an open computer lab, elearning, tutoring services for students, and professional development for faculty (Teaching & Learning).  Our institution will embark on its first year of Guided Pathways, with an intentional focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion.  This has presented a great opportunity for CPTC to assess the library and its respective services.
I am writing to see if you, or anyone on the Library Leadership Council might be able to assist me in identifying an external body/group that could perform an audit.  Ideally, I would like the audit to cover the first 28 days of Fall quarter, to be completed before the end of October.  I apologize for the short notice, but I just started on July 23rd.  Ultimately, I would like to use the audit to inform our Guided Pathways plan, due January 2019.
The goal of the library audit is to identify strengths of the library (and its related services), as well as, uncover deficiencies.  Specifically, the objectives of the audit would include:

  *   Identifying potential shortcomings in our collection.  Possibly identifying (1) factors that drive demand for library services, and the (2) effectiveness of purchase decisions.

  *   Examining the effectiveness of the resources offered through the library, including, professional development, tutoring, open labs, and elearning, and respective areas, and their  alignment to the college’s mission through (1) observing resources/services offered to students and faculty, (2) interviewing the faculty and staff that administer these services, (3) collecting data related to attendance and use of resources (4) comparing these student/faculty resources with similar resources offered by peer colleges.

  *   Conducting surveys or focus groups to identify ways to improve the library, so that we can better serve students and faculty, and increase demand of the library and its related services.

  *   Observing every hour of library operations for the full, specified time period, recording (1) patron interaction with staff and faculty (2) headcount of visitors that enter and exit the facility, and (3) how students and faculty utilize the facility and its related services (the timing--Fall quarter would be taken into context, and how the data from this audit may compare to other quarters).

  *   Interviewing and observing library employees to identify potential improvements to the library’s operation and services.

  *   Observing processes or duties performed by librarians, clerks, faculty, and staff, as well as, reviewing documented policies and procedures and operations manuals to identify opportunities to increase efficiency or operational effectiveness.

  *   Examining applicable financial aid and performance reports and data.

I realize these are lofty goals, but would really like to see the library become a hub for students and faculty, and also be thoughtful in implementing change (where necessary) so that the library/resource center can be an integral part of student success.  Please let me know if you might be able offer any assistance/guidance.

Thank you,

Judy

Dr, Judy Loveless-Morris (pronouns: she/her)

Dean for Academic Instruction

Clover Park Technical College: Educating tomorrow's workforce.

Bldg. 19, Rm. 105E • 4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW • Lakewood, WA 98499 • T: 253-589-6004

[cid:77c944f5-b80f-466f-9dd0-befc74f5cd0b]

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