Letter from the Dean - Fall 2024

One of my favorite activities is to host visitors for tours of University Library facilities.

It’s fun to see their faces light up upon discovering a new feature or service, or as memories flood their heart while revisiting a place especially meaningful to their Iowa State experience.

This summer, our team hosted a group of Brazilian agriculturalists, government officials, and higher education leaders who were in Iowa to attend the Farm Progress Show. Meet Jofran Luiz De Oliveira, Parks Library enthusiast and dean for international affairs at Universidade Federal de Rondonópolis, on page 18 and learn more about their visit.

More recently, I spoke with a group of student affairs professionals from North Carolina A&T visiting campus to explore partnerships and exchange ideas. Upon learning about Library 1600 (formerly 160) – our core research methodologies course – they were inspired to pilot a similar course for their students. Our team looks forward to supporting their efforts and cheering their success.

“Aha! moments” happen here, and not just for our students – they’re happening all around us.

They’re happening in Central Parks – our new hub of individual-use study pods on the main floor of Parks Library. The pods are perfect for any number of things like telehealth, remote job interviews, and online course presentations.

Faculty, staff, and students record and livestream their discoveries and insights in Studio 2B on the lower level of Parks Library. It’s our go-to place for creating professional-quality videos within a one-button studio format.

University Library staff continue to explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) through scenario planning with ISU Extension and Outreach and build campus partnerships surrounding this emerging technology as many of us exclaim, “Aha!”

Amid Iowa State’s new immediate access course materials program, the University Library continues our commitment to course affordability. Our staff collaborate with the University Book Store to support instructors in choosing the best options for their courses and students. We help instructors identify and vet free course material options including open textbooks, choose materials for Course Reserves, and develop open educational resources (OERs). And, our Tech Lending program provides more than 1,100 items for student use.

Your support helps us spark “Aha! moments,” make higher education more affordable and accessible, and empower all our faculty, staff, and students for success. Thank you for your ongoing partnership!

Enjoy Bookmarks.