In my research, I’ve come across a number of libraries with centers similar to what I have in mind, though there isn’t as much consistency in approaches as one might expect. Still, it’s obvious that most libraries can read the writing on the wall: they do need to be part of the creation and production of information and not just facilities for the storage of it.
Right now, my focus on the DMC project is to cast as wide a net as possible on the research side before settling on an action plan. I am scouring the Internet for examples of other academic libraries with facilities that at least resemble what I have in mind: digital production rooms, collaborative technology work spaces, and tutoring on digital production of all kinds (video, audio, websites, ebooks, etc). Here are the key questions I am asking myself:
What percentage of libraries even offer these resources and services?
How open are these resources and services to the entire campus community?
Can I find models that I can use as a guide?
My preliminary research has turned up a couple notable examples (which I link to below), but truthfully, it does seem like a very small percentage of academic libraries offer anything close to what I have in mind. Public libraries seem a little more forward-thinking right now (this is just my gut sense), with more of them offering maker spaces and digital production facilities. Part of the reason for this might be because universities often have other units on campus that provide this kind of help (for example, a computer services division), but I also suspect that public libraries, more reliant on direct tax dollars, often need to be more responsive to their patrons or they will find themselves being de-funded.
This isn’t to say that a majority of either public or academic libraries offer anything like what I have in mind for a DMC. In both cases, it’s a very small number. This, of course, makes me nervous about offering something that might not be in demand, which is why I am also reaching out to other campus stakeholders (key faculty, other support divisions) about what they believe the campus might need out of such a center. Are there needs that are not being met? I don’t mind our library being out in front a bit; we just don’t want to be out in front of a nonexistent demand. Still, I do believe you sometimes have to offer the capacity before a response materializes. It’s always a leap of faith. You just want a good sense of what the demand might be. Anecdotally, based on my own work in the current Technology Resource Center, and the conversations I’ve had with dozens of students and faculty, I do believe digital production resources will be well-used if there is a serious effort to both provide the facilities and the training/support for them.
Centralize or Decentralize?
The other issue I’m struggling with right now is whether it truly is better to centralize digital production into a center of some sort, or to simply build it into the fabric of the library as a whole. Since we’re in the nascent stages of a “learning commons re-design” here at Hamersly Library, this is the perfect time to ask this question. There are certain resources that need to be housed somewhere, such as private video and audio recording rooms. It might also be easier to promote both the capabilities and the support that goes along with them by centralizing them into a specific, named area of the library. On the other hand, distributing digital production throughout the building really does build it into the core identity of the library, which might be better for the library and its patrons as a whole. If it’s tucked away in a corner, will people find it?
The question, then, becomes a practical one. If we take the approach of building digital production capacities into the library as a whole, rather than centralize them, will the rest of the library buy into such an approach? Will staff members agree to be cross-trained? It might be better in theory to decentralize, but will it work in actual practice? I may not know the answer to this question until my (possible) plan of action is presented to the library, but I want to keep open this possibility.
This is one of the best examples I’ve found of the kind of resources and support I imagine building here within Hamersly Library, complete with video and audio production rooms and training/support. They also have a brief commercial summarizing their services:
My first research step was to look at all the Oregon libraries in the Orbis Cascade Alliance, the consortium of 37 member libraries in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. Sadly, very few of the more than twenty I looked at offered anything even close to what I have in mind. Oregon State is one of the two that came closest. Their Student Media Services offers video recording rooms and training, among other services. The poster printing — which is something that keeps coming up — is something we used to do as part of the TRC, but in the move to the library, this function was transferred to the Print Shop. I wouldn’t mind having it back, but it turned out to be very time-consuming to support and maintain for one full-time staff person who had many other responsibilities. Still, it’s something I’m mulling. This university is close enough (about 30 mintues away) that I might see if I can schedule a tour with the director.
This center is not part of the library, but I wanted to mention it because it illustrates part of my struggle. Who, exactly, should be responsible for providing digital production and editing resources and support on a university campus? Here at WOU, we also have a TV Studio, but it is more focused on faculty and administrative support, and it does not have nearly a robust a presence as SOU’s facility (no editing lab or classroom, just a TV studio). My feeling is that the library is already uniquely positioned to be neutral territory, which might make it ideal for housing these kinds of resources, but SOU proves it can be done outside a library as well.
This should also serve as a warning to libraries who refuse to adapt. If you don’t offer these kinds of resources and services, someone else certainly will.
