I grew up on the campus of a small liberal arts college where my father worked, and the institution’s academic library was within walking distance of my house.  I decided to revisit the space for this assignment.  It was very interesting to observe what has changed over the years!

The Pew Learning Center and Ellison Library has a welcoming entrance with bike racks and a handicap ramp in addition to a set of steps. There is parking nearby, with handicap spaces close to the front.  The library was updated in 2010 and still looks and feels new and inviting.  Signage is in English, and indicates where services are available within the building and where staff help can be found.  An online catalog is obvious just inside the entrance (replacing the physical card catalog from my youth), and is near the main service desk.  This college has a student work program, and the student Library Crew serves in addition to professional staff librarians.  There are informal study areas, one being open 24/7, with access to WiFi throughout the building. There is comfortable seating, in addition to tables and chairs for studying.  Meeting space is available upon request, but must be booked in advance.  Public computers, printing, and a 3D printer are available and there are two classroom spaces.  Nonfiction collections are arranged by the Dewey system, and all other areas are alphabetical by author.  A separate archives area requires staff assistance to access, and contains items pertaining to the history of the college and local area.  An archived Mountain Music Collection is also available, composed of recordings gathered mainly by Grammy Award winning local artist David Holt, who used to work for the college.  The library has revolving displays connected to campus events or college history around the building, some of which feature current student research projects and presentations.  Artwork purchased from students is displayed throughout the common areas.  The lower level includes a children’s section with appropriate furniture, and is occasionally used by local high school students.  I frequented this section while growing up, and enjoyed the quiet privacy of it.   

The main service this academic library provides is support for studying and research being conducted by students and faculty.  To assist with this while going beyond traditional library services, there is a Sound Lab, a Creative Technologies Lab (makerspace), a Media Lab, and a Writing Studio which are all staffed by Library Crew members (who were observed helping other students with 3D printing jobs during the visit).  The labs are each part of a “grant-funded project made possible by funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)” according to the library’s webpage (https://www.warren-wilson.edu/academics/library/sound-lab/).   Our textbook addresses the changing role of academic libraries, stating that “the emphasis on multimedia and collaborative learning spaces provide increased evidence that the library is integrating its activities into the critical pedagogical processes of the university and is a necessary component for learning” (Rubin & Rubin, 2020, p. 172).  This emphasis on the creative side of learning is well supported by research, and I am glad to see it being included in more libraries across the board. 

The student body of this liberal arts college is very diverse, due to an emphasis on diversity when recruiting and a focus on recruiting from foreign countries.  However, there were no staff members of color on this particular visit.  The Ellison library shares the national problem of recruiting staff of diverse backgrounds, which is exacerbated by the institution’s location in a rural area that lacks diversity overall.  

The website for the college has a page dedicated to the library, with many useful links and information (https://www.warren-wilson.edu/academics/library/).  In addition to the usual services such as searchable databases, e-resources, and electronic journals and magazines, the webpage has links to a Digital Repository of student and faculty publications and works, which “serves as a showcase for the community and facilitates digital preservation and the sharing of scholarly work” (https://www.warren-wilson.edu/academics/library/repository/).  Many of the links are inaccessible without a college ID, but there is enough open access information to serve members of the general public (or college alumni) who might be interested.  While the website is easy to navigate, it would prove impossible for those with visual impairments or non-English speakers.  There is an option to connect with a librarian using Live Chat, Hangouts virtual meet session, email, phone, or appointment.  Apparently on campus database access is more comprehensive, but I did not attempt to log in since I am not a student.  For being a webpage which is only one component of an institution’s website, the breadth of services available was impressive.

I really enjoyed revisiting a library from my past that helped instill both a love of books and libraries during my formative years.  The ways the Ellison Library has moved forward are a testament to how libraries must change and transform with the times.  Although it is not a cutting edge library full of the latest and greatest, it serves the small liberal arts college well, and reflects both the community and institution that it is a part of.     

Resources

Rubin, R. E. & Rubin, R. G. (2020). Foundations of library and information science (5th ed.). ALA Neal-Schuman.

Warren Wilson College (n.d.).  Website.  https://www.warren-wilson.edu/academics/library/