Library Info by Type

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Academic Libraries

Academic libraries have many things in common with other types of libraries but also have issues that are specific to them. Included below are resources provided by NSLS, as well as links to outside organizations that are geared to the academic library community.

 

Articles On Our Site NSLS Offers New Return on Investment Calculator for Libraries by Anna Yackle, NSLS Digitization: The Future is Now by Kay Schlumpf, NSLS Creating a Third Place from a Diverse Academic Community by Betsy Larson, University Center of Lake County It's Time To Re-Imagine Libraries by Sarah Ann Long, NSLS Why Illinois Library Day is Important For Academic Librarians by Larry C. Wild, Judson College Marketing Your Academic Library by Connie Bakker and Jo Beckwith, College of Lake County

In this Section

Behind the Scenes @ NSLS Blog

Written by various NSLS staff members, this blog covers a broad range of topics focusing on a behind the scenes look at projects, staff, and programs at NSLS.

Communities of Practice (CoPs)
If you would like to get to know your colleagues and share best practices with them consider joining a CoP. Each CoP provides several areas for sharing, including a discussion forum to exchange and achieve threaded conversations, a directory of members with hyperlinks to their personal email, a calendar of events of all meetings, a files area allowing members to download posted papers or handouts, and a links area providing a list of professional Web sites useful to the new or more experienced academic librarian. Visit the Academic CoP.

Networking Groups
Meeting with your colleagues face-to-face and discussing issues that pertain to your library is invaluable. NSLS offers many networking opportunities throughout the year for your convenience. Academic library staff can often be found at the Technical Services group discussing OCLC Connexion or at the Interlibrary loan group discussing ILL workflow issues.

Delivery
Academic libraries receive van delivery service as part of their membership. Depending on your library's volume you might have a set delivery schedule or for low-volume libraries, you might have next-day delivery. This is a great way to efficiently move materials around the state and get hard to find resources in your patron's hands.

Digital Past
Does your library or institution have an archive of old photographs and assorted historical documents? Why not make it accessible to students, faculty, and staff? Digital Past is the local digitization project of NSLS and academic libraries are encouraged to join. You might find that faculty will use Digital Past as a teaching tool.

Special and Academic Marketing Initiative (SAMI)

This is a newly formed group that meets in the Chicagoland area to discuss marketing issues that are pertinent to academic and special libraries. For more information on this group, please contact Debbie Taylor.

Sarah Long's Daily Herald Column

Sarah loves to write about academic libraries and what they are doing. Have a great idea for a topic? Suggest it to Sarah.

Professional Development
NSLS offers a great many learning opportunities for academic members including traditional classroom workshops, online classes, and panel discussions. Find the latest technologies, including how to support distance learners in our continuing education calendar.

WebJunction Illinois

Focuses on supporting Illinois library staff through online resources, community, and continuing education.