Robin Havens Tate, Leigh Tinik, Steve Borrelli, Lana Munip and Sarah Carey
This case study presents the results of a collaborative effort of Library Assessment, Libraries Development and Alumni Relations and their Alumni Donor Board to increase donor…
Abstract
Purpose
This case study presents the results of a collaborative effort of Library Assessment, Libraries Development and Alumni Relations and their Alumni Donor Board to increase donor engagement by utilizing board member professional expertise and tacit knowledge in refining “Donor Community Meetings.”
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed focus groups to solicit input from Development and Alumni Relations personnel, members of the Alumni Donor Board, library personnel and donors. Researchers leveraged a values-driven participatory design methodology and employed a data analytic guided by appreciative inquiry.
Findings
Focus group discussions identified strengths of the Donor Community Meetings including the ability to connect with experts and learn new things in addition to areas for improvement including selling the event and sharpening the process. Based on the findings, recommendations were proposed to improve and sustain interest in four key areas: Communications and Planning, Meeting Structure, Content and Sustainability.
Originality/value
This study adds to the limited body of evidence supporting donor engagement collaborations between academic libraries, their development offices and alumni development boards illustrating the value of leveraging the expertise and tacit knowledge of Alumni Donor Board members.
Details
Keywords
Lana Munip, Leigh Tinik, Steve Borrelli, Gabriella Reese Randone and Eun Jung Paik
The purpose of this study is to investigate the evolving ways library users engaged with services and resources and how library services adapted to meet their needs, in order to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the evolving ways library users engaged with services and resources and how library services adapted to meet their needs, in order to improve practice post-pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
During Fall 2020 and Spring 2021, nine studies were conducted which examined the usage of space, services and resources; and employee and student perspectives. Findings from these studies were synthesized for this investigation through a process of qualitative meta-synthesis.
Findings
The themes from this meta-synthesis point to an ongoing need for streamlining services and processes, to improve efficiency as well as enable the Libraries to be prepared for the next crisis.
Originality/value
While change takes time for large organizations, the existence of system-wide processes and services enabled library employees to continue assisting users across all Penn State campuses, demonstrating that the University Libraries could be considered a model for the “One Penn State” vision that the university strives to achieve by 2025.
Details
Keywords
Steve Borrelli, Chao Su, Shenetta Selden and Lana Munip
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceived role of library personnel in supporting first-generation students at Penn State University Libraries, and also how…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceived role of library personnel in supporting first-generation students at Penn State University Libraries, and also how students’ perceptions of library personnel change over time, and the various experiences that influenced their changes in perception.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed focus groups to solicit input from first-generation students. A four-step team-based approach to qualitative coding process was developed including the development of a codebook informed by common themes and concepts drawn from the literature.
Findings
Findings indicate that operating from a deficit of library cultural capital often results in low awareness of available services and changes in perception are more influenced by personal exploration than limited interactions with personnel. Further, while currently employed interventions are well targeted, opportunities exist for enhancing efforts.
Research limitations/implications
As this is a case study, the findings are not generalizable. Per conducting only four focus groups, the experiences of participants may not represent the typical scope of personnel-related interactions.
Originality/value
This study adds to the limited body of evidence that first-generation students’ struggle from a deficit of library-related cultural capital.