WPL@HCC and CFPL@UNI: Partnering to Advocate for Lifelong Reading

Linda McLaury (University of Northern Iowa), Sheryl Groskurth (Waterloo and Cedar Falls Public Libraries), Jan Dellinger (Hawkeye Community College) (left to right)

This presentation described the partnerships been the Waterloo Public Library and Hawkeye Community College, on the one hand, and Cedar Falls Public Library and the University of Northern Iowa on the other to expand recreational reading among college and university students.

The authors began the presentation with a review of research on declining reading proficiency in the general population and more surprisingly the college student population. More unexpected correlations were revealed in these studies between lower levels of reading and lower participation in cultural activities, volunteer work and even sports.  These unfortunate trends are obviously ones that should be reversed. The second set of facts concerned the decline in use of existing recreational collections in the two academic institutions.

The projects described were intended to combat the decline in recreational reading in the academic student population by, in effect, opening public library branches inside the academic libraries. The speakers outlined the negotiations involved. Some of the predicted roadblocks, like possible labor relations difficulties between union and non-union shops, did not prove to be a major issue; nor, because of common library systems, did many of the technical difficulties that might ensue if the technical systems were vastly different. The process was carefully thought out so that it would evolve smoothly (down to the provisions for ending the partnerships amicably if that should prove necessary). 

Collection development was one of the more trying experiences, as could be expected, but a common view of the purposes of recreational reading collections, the experience of the public libraries in developing such collections, and sources of donated materials (the latter requiring some tactful negotiation with library friends groups) made it possible to overcome the difficulties. One of the failings of the earlier academic recreational reading collections was its lack of currency, so it was decided at an early stage that there should be a steady influx of new material in the satellite collections.

Circulation was another issue that required cooperation at a very detailed level.  It is unusual (outside interlibrary loan) for one library to circulate materials for another. The staffs of the four institutions worked together to solve the routine problems of circulation and even some of the potentially unpleasant problems like library fines and return of materials to the "wrong" library.

One of the collections that had been targeted to open with 300 volumes is now pushing 500. The work of the respective staffs and use of donated materials made it possible to create the two new branches at a stunningly low cost. The prognosis for success in the partnerships is very good. The aim of encouraging lifelong reading has been fostered, and the missions of all four institutions have been supported. One can only say "bravo!"

Powerpoint available

Submitted by Jeff Dodd