{"id":1687,"date":"2014-03-18T13:55:06","date_gmt":"2014-03-18T17:55:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.acohen.com\/blog\/?p=1687"},"modified":"2023-11-10T16:35:46","modified_gmt":"2023-11-10T20:35:46","slug":"planning-the-academic-library","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.acohen.com\/blog\/planning-the-academic-library\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning the Academic Library"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our<\/span> library consultants<\/a> are focused on the development of the academic library. We believe the academic library is a place for peer and collaborative exchanges. We believe that hybrid and online learning platforms offer a space for embedded librarians to improve student learning outcomes and contribute to the overall instructional efficacy of teachers.\u00a0 We believe that online discussion boards, a staple of assessment for online learning, require libraries and librarians to enhance support, for both students and instructors. We believe that the academic library can enhance graduation rates. Our strategies reflect the need to make libraries and librarians more effective in the struggle to improve student success.<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>2013 Ithaka S+R Library Survey<\/a>\u00a0outlines how academic libraries can develop new priorities for the 21st century. \u00a0For example, the survey states that libraries were more interested in discovery systems in 2010. \u00a0Today, most library directors are interested in information literacy and strategies to enhance academic support services. \u00a0The report stated that 2\/3’s of library directors are moving toward digital resources; something not surprising. The report stated that funding is the largest problem for academic libraries, requiring justifications for investment(s).<\/span><\/p>\n

Arne Duncan, U.S. secretary of Education, stated:\u00a0 \u201cEveryone deserves access to high-quality learning opportunities, from preschool to middle school and all the way through college. In order to achieve Pres. Obama’s goal to lead the world in college graduates by 2020, we must work to ensure that everyone has a chance to enroll and complete post secondary education.\u201d As colleges, and community colleges in particular, are the cornerstone of this presidential goal, we\u00a0 have identified the academic library as being an integral part of the process.\u00a0 We believe the best strategy to accomplish these goals is to invest in collaborative spaces with professional and peer learning activities. \u00a0The library can play a role as a physical space and online by providing embedded librarians to support student success.<\/p>\n

According to the American Institute for Research, graduation rates in the United States are not inspiring.\u00a0 Less than one-third of entering community college students and less than one-half of entering four-year college students ever graduate. Dropouts from college impact the economy in terms of lost earnings and taxes to the tune of about $4.5 billion a year.<\/p>\n

The NEW YORK DAILY NEWS headline dated November 26, 2011 declared: CUNY Dropout Rate Shows Public Schools Aren’t Preparing Kids<\/a>.\u00a0 The article went on to state: \u201cFour out of five students attending CUNY community colleges need to remedial class work in math, reading and writing.\u201d Within six years 51% have dropped out and, of the rest, only 28% graduate.<\/p>\n

As for the graduation rate at CUNY\u2019S four-year colleges, the following was obtained from their individual websites:<\/p>\n