by MCLS Engagement Strategist Laura Warren-Gross

If you have not visited an academic library recently, you are missing out. They serve students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community. I visited library director Jen Fiero at the William Atkinson Library at Jackson College and was treated to a tour of the remodeled facility that offers a variety of study spaces, along with learning about the breadth of services she and her staff provide.

The library was an early adopter of a Library of Things in an academic setting, and it is immediately noticeable in their space. The windows and walls are covered with branded “Your Library More Than Books” artwork to let students know that they can borrow chargers, calculators, laptops, and headphones to help them complete their assignments. The Library of Things also includes fun items like art supplies and games. In addition to the Library of Things, the staff has added a makerspace to their facility that includes a tool changer 3D printer and a button maker.

In a unique partnership, the library serves incarcerated students at seven facilities throughout Michigan. Jen Mikesell, the corrections liaison librarian, provides library instruction to the students. The team at the library curates resources for the students via a reference by correspondence service. Both Jen Fiero and Jen Mikesell are a part of the Michigan Consortium for Highter Education in Prison (MiCHEP) that is working to establish standards for prison higher education and advocating for library resources for incarcerated higher education students throughout the country.

Offering books and technology, a safe place to study, and a team of dedicated staff members to support learning needs, the Atkinson Library exemplifies how vital an academic library is to a college community.

What makes your library unique? Engagement, Consulting, and Training team members would love to hear about your library and share your story! Interested? Contact us at engagement@mcls.org.