Oral Roberts University (ORU) library is partnering with Technology from Sage to implement Lean Library and Sciwheel at the institution to enhance library services and support ORU’s mission of developing students holistically, through whole-person education.
ORU is dedicated to educating the whole person, preparing graduates to be professionally competent and socially adept. The introduction of Lean Library and Sciwheel aligns with these goals by providing tools that streamline access to resources, reduce time spent searching for articles, and simplify referencing, making the learning and research experience easier for all students.
Lean Library integrates library collections and services directly into patrons’ online workflows, making it easier for students to access the resources they need without leaving their current tasks. This seamless access will be particularly beneficial for first-year students, who often encounter overwhelming amounts of information and numerous tools that can hinder their productivity. Lean Library addresses this challenge by streamlining access to academic resources, allowing students to find what they need quickly and efficiently. This reduction in search time means students can focus more on their studies and less on navigating complex systems, leading to a more manageable and less stressful academic experience.
Implementing Sciwheel will also simplify the process of discovering, reading, annotating, writing and sharing research. The tool offers features such as smart citation suggestions, easy collaboration on projects, and the ability to save references directly from the web. These capabilities support ORU’s objectives of driving better student success and retention by making academic work more manageable and efficient.
Reducing stress levels is a crucial goal for ORU. Studies have shown that students with high stress levels are more likely to experience mental health issues, which can lead to lower academic performance and increased drop-out rates. By providing tools that reduce stress and improve access to resources, ORU aims to enhance student success and improve the learning experience for the whole-person student.
This partnership marks a significant step in ORU’s ongoing efforts to leverage technology to support its educational mission and improve the academic success of its students. By implementing Lean Library and Sciwheel across the campus, ORU is poised to provide a more efficient, supportive, and stress-free learning environment for its community.
Find out more about Lean Library and Sciwheel.
If you’d like to hear more or receive a product demo, get in touch.
Smoothing course resourcing: Rollins College adopts Talis Aspire to improve textbook affordability December 10, 2024Rollins College is partnering with Technology from Sage to implement Talis Aspire as their integrated resource list management solution at the institution. With this implementation, Rollins College hope to enhance the student experience by streamlining access to course materials, improve student research outcomes, and further their commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching.
Talis Aspire is an online resource list management system which connects faculty and students to library holdings directly within their course resource lists. The system offers a holistic view of course material needs, with data on student numbers and item importance to inform acquisitions, aligning with Rollins’ goals of strengthening interdepartmental collaboration leading to more informed collection development. The library can better track and estimate course reserves spending, improving availability for students and combating student spend on course resources.
Derek Malone, Library Dean at Olin Library, Rollins College was impressed by the capabilities of Talis Aspire and how it aligned with the institution’s textbook affordability initiative:
“We are thrilled to bring Talis Aspire, a transformative tool that will revolutionize how we support teaching and learning, to Olin Library at Rollins College. With Talis Aspire, we look forward to enhancing our ability to make more thoughtful and strategic decisions around textbook purchases, ensuring that we align our investments with the resources our students and faculty need.
Additionally, this platform will provide a comprehensive view of Open Educational Resources (OER) already in use across campus, giving us a full perspective of our current status and opening the door for expanded adoption of these cost-saving and impactful materials. Talis Aspire will help us identify critical opportunities to supplement traditional textbook materials with library subscription content, ensuring students have seamless access to high-quality resources.
We are excited about Talis Aspire’s possibilities to advance affordability and accessibility in education while strengthening our commitment to student success. This is an essential step for Olin Library in building a more inclusive and resource-rich learning environment.”
This partnership marks an alignment with Rollins College’s strategic goals to make course resources more accessible and affordable for both the library and students. By putting the library at the heart of learning with Talis Aspire, Rollins is positioned to ensure that students have access to the course materials they need, as and when they need them.
Find out more about Talis Aspire.
If you’d like to hear more or receive a product demo, get in touch.
Librarian Futures Newsletter November 13, 2024Please find links to previous editions below:
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Last week, we ran the first webinar in our Marketing Your Library series, focusing on how to raise the profile of the library in student workflows. The webinar brought together marketing experts and librarians to discuss innovative strategies for raising the profile of libraries and improve student uptake of library resources. The session covered the current digital landscape, student needs, and effective marketing tactics.
In case you missed the webinar, you can catch up below:
Fiona, Head of Brand Marketing at Technology from Sage, discussed the evolving role of librarians in the digital age. She highlighted key findings from the Librarian Futures reports, which reveal a disconnect between what libraries offer and what students perceive. Despite the abundance of online information, librarians remain crucial for guiding students through misinformation and digital literacy challenges. Key Findings included:
Talia, Vice President of Marketing at Springshare, provided insights into the stress levels of students, particularly the 18-34 age group. She referenced the American Psychological Association’s Stress in America report, noting that students are overwhelmed by academic and personal pressures. Talia stressed the importance of understanding students’ holistic experiences and the need for libraries to offer timely, relevant support.
Robin, Associate Professor and Associate Director at the University of Tennessee Press, shared practical examples of successful library marketing campaigns from her time as Head of Library Marketing. She emphasized the importance of meeting students where they are, whether through social media, newsletters, or campus events. Robin also highlighted creative initiatives and engaging videos that resonate with the student community.
The webinar showcased various tools and integrations that can enhance library visibility. Fiona discussed the use of Lean Library to inject library services into students’ workflows, while Talia highlighted the benefits of integrating LibGuides and LibChat with Lean Library. These tools help deliver library resources directly to students at their point of need, significantly increasing engagement. The webinar concluded with a roundtable discussion on the future of library marketing, with the panelists agreeing that libraries must focus on both content creation and effective distribution to remain relevant. By leveraging technology and understanding student needs, libraries can enhance their visibility and provide essential support in the digital age.
Understand the Digital Landscape: Librarians must adapt to the changing digital environment and address the disconnect between library services and student perceptions. Address Student Stress: Recognize the high stress levels among students and offer support that considers their holistic experiences. Innovative Marketing: Use creative and engaging marketing strategies to reach students where they are. Leverage Technology: Utilize tools like Lean Library and LibGuides to integrate library services into students’ workflows. Focus on Distribution: Ensure that library content is effectively distributed to maximize its impact.
