Gateway Hybrid Library Receives Innovation Award
, - June 03, 2009
Gateway Community and Technical College has been recognized by the League for Innovation as a 2009 Innovation of the Year Award winner for its pioneering “hybrid library” that provides students with print and electronic resources through onsite, virtual and regional partner libraries.
The Innovation of the Year Award recognizes faculty, staff and administrators at League member colleges who have designed and implemented significant innovations reflecting the spirit of innovation and experimentation at the nation’s community colleges. Gateway is one of only 59 community colleges nationwide to receive the honor. The League has more than 900 member institutions in 11 countries.
“Because of the rich array of regional partner libraries, including the Steely Library at Northern Kentucky University, the library at Thomas More College, and the Southwest Ohio and Neighboring Libraries (SWON) consortium, we have been able to create a unique partnership that enables our students to access information sources that number into the millions,” said Ed Hughes, Gateway president/CEO. “There is no way Gateway could have ever provided that amount of information if we had built a traditional stand-alone library. Scarce resources would have prevented it.
“Under our agreements with NKU and Thomas More, Gateway students may use their libraries in the same way as their own students,” Hughes noted. “In addition, the excellent librarians and library staff members at our campuses provide personalized service that enables our students to tap into these vast resources easily and efficiently.”
Reference services are provided by in person and via phone, email, and Instant Messenger service at Gateway, NKU or Thomas More libraries during library hours. Reference services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via the Ask-A-Librarian link from the Gateway library homepage.
The SWON consortium includes the Kenton and Boone county public libraries and the Cincinnati Public Library as well as 80 other libraries in the region, and the partnership provides Gateway students with open access to these resources as well.
The hybrid library project was nominated by Gateway for national recognition based on quality, efficiency, cost effectiveness, creativity, learning impact and service to students. Employees involved in implementing the project include Charlene McGrath, director of library and information services; Jeremy Berberich, assistant director of information services, Ian Fry and Sheila Gray, library specialists.
“Use of the library is growing exponentially, due in part to the training we provide to faculty, staff and students on how to capitalize on the many services we offer,” McGrath said. “We try to make it as convenient for students as possible. For example, students can reserve a book from either the NKU or Thomas More libraries, and our courier service will deliver it to one of our campuses, saving the student time and transportation costs. We really appreciate the cooperation we receive from our partners in helping us serve our students.”
“The hybrid library is an another example of how the college relies on partnerships to solve problems and extend our effectiveness,” Dr. Hughes said. “The concept works because all of the partners and their employees do an excellent job of making it work. This award may recognize Gateway, but it is a tribute to our partners as well.” |
