Congratulations to our Library of the Month, Samford University!

Each month we select a Library of the Month to honor libraries who have been using our library technologies in interesting and innovative ways, from creating well-curated reading lists with Talis Aspire to encouraging uptake of the Lean Library browser extension amongst their students. We’re also appreciating the intensive work of librarians in curating these technologies and improving learning outcomes for their students.

The winning library will be awarded a prize to share amongst their team or a donation to a charity of their choice as a way for us to say thank you.

This month’s winner is: Samford University

Samford University, located in Birmingham, Alabama, is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools.

We’ve awarded them our Library of the Month Award for December, as the library team are incredibly passionate about student success and user needs and are strong advocates of Lean Library. Since rolling out Lean Library to students in August 2024, they have highlighted library-purchased content and enhanced resource discoverability by meeting users where they search, increasing the value of their digital collections.

We asked Carla Waddell, M.L.I.S., Chair, Reference and Research Services, Government Documents Librarian and Jennifer Taylor, Chair of Special Collection and University Archives at Samford University to tell us more about the university library and what winning Library of the Month meant to them:

“Samford University is a private, Christian institution with a 183-year history of excellence rooted in its mission and in efforts to continually expand educational opportunities and experiences for its students. Samford University Library serves both the undergraduate and graduate populations as well as all faculty and staff at Samford. Recognized for our outstanding customer service, the University Library proactively supports our stakeholders and collaborators by providing resources and services in a welcoming physical and online environment.

As part of these goals, Samford University Library implemented Lean Library in August 2024, to highlight purchased content and enhance resource discoverability by meeting users where they search. This tool empowers us to serve our community more effectively while promoting responsible stewardship of library and university resources. Being Technology from Sage’s Library of the Month recognizes our efforts to match our resources with our users’ needs and our commitment to constantly improving our services. We are honored to be Technology from Sage’s Library of the Month!“