OLA Quarterly

Volume 28 Issue 2 Table of Contents

2024-12-31T12:12:13-08:00

From the Guest Editor

2024-12-31T12:19:13-08:00

The theme of this issue of the OLA Quarterly, “Collections: New Challenges, New Solutions,” was chosen to reflect the tension between an ever-changing library landscape and the ongoing obstacles that continue to affect the ways in which library collections are built, managed, and marketed. In many ways, library work related to collections looks significantly different today than it did even in the very recent past. Whether it’s responding to record-high levels of book challenges or making collections decisions against a backdrop of rapidly evolving information needs, library workers have been presented with a number of new challenges in their efforts to connect the communities they serve with resources that inform, entertain, and inspire. In spite of these developments, there are some areas of concern related to collections that remain evergreen. These include making impactful use of limited resources, working to provide equitable access to communities that have been historically underserved, and staying up to date on trends in the publishing industry and in the broader field of librarianship. The articles in this issue address these ideas and more, and showcase the creativity and innovation of the people working in Oregon's libraries.

Supporting Student Success

2024-12-31T12:26:45-08:00

It is no secret that the costs of getting a college education are steadily increasing. At the Southern Oregon University (SOU) Hannon Library, we are seeing the way our students struggle increasingly to afford tuition in addition to rent, food, and other necessities, and the high cost of textbooks and other course materials is only exacerbating this problem for certain student demographics. Although a large portion of our students come from the immediate region, we have students attending from throughout Oregon, and many more that come from California and other western states. We serve many first-generation students as well as nontraditional students. It is common for our students to work multiple jobs to be able to afford their education, and many report that they are unable to meet college expenses with their expected resources. Understanding the ways that textbook affordability has become a real barrier to success for so many SOU students, we wanted to do our part to reduce the cost of course materials for students by focusing on providing access to currently required texts in print or digital forms and by promoting the use of open educational resources across campus.

Four Bookshelves and a Microphone

2024-12-31T12:36:44-08:00

OSU-Cascades opened a two-building campus in 2016, following several years of co-housing programs and student services (including library services) at Central Oregon Community College. Tykeson Hall was designed to be the first strictly academic building on the new site, with lab space, classrooms, and—tucked away at the end of the second-floor hallway— the library. With the main library area—containing stacks, seating, and computers—only measuring 830 square feet, it’s easy to understand why students are often surprised when first walking into the snack-sized space. With a 20-year background in public libraries, I have experience with both collection development and space management, skills which serve me well as I work on the puzzle of maximizing our limited resources.

Pop-Ups & Pictures

2024-12-31T12:41:59-08:00

There is a unique and growing population which is often ignored in public libraries: the elderly, especially those who may be suffering some cognitive decline. They need books, but not just any book. Finding appropriate materials that are easy to follow, comfortable to read, and yet still geared towards adults can be challenging, but it is possible and can really make a difference for this often-overlooked group of patrons.

Enhancing the World Languages Collection

2024-12-31T12:46:54-08:00

In 2022, the Lake Oswego Public Library adopted a new mission statement: “Together, we inspire discovery and cultivate well-being by welcoming all people to read, learn, and connect." This mission statement inspired the library to plan an expansion of its World Languages offerings. My prior success building a World Languages collection at a California boarding school with an international student body aligned well with the library’s goals. The project ultimately resulted in the creation of a World Languages collection for adults, a significant expansion and upgrade to the children’s World Languages section, and the formation of an inclusive adult World Languages Conversation Group.

Orbis Cascade Alliance

2024-12-31T12:52:06-08:00

In the face of record-breaking book challenges and loud cries for book banning and removals, primarily aimed at LGBTQ+ and BIPOC stories, voices, and books, attention to these topics is paramount. In response, this year the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Standing Group from the Orbis Cascade Alliance, a library consortium serving academic libraries in the Pacific Northwest, hosted four trainings centered on LGBTQ+ voices and representation within the academic library sphere.

Oregon Authors Project as a Collection Development Resource

2024-12-31T13:03:58-08:00

The Oregon Authors Project is an online resource that provides information and resources about authors who call or have called Oregon their home. Not only does it feature new publications by local authors, but it also highlights authors who identify as BIPOC as well as LGBTQIA+ which can be very helpful in collection development for these communities. There are shockingly few resources that highlight these communities and even fewer that are Oregon-specific. The Oregon Authors Project seeks to change this by increasing the visibility of these writers. Ultimately, the Oregon Authors Project would like to become a crucial resource for libraries across Oregon and to the general public by identifying publications of local BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ authors.

Volume 28 Issue 2 Back Matter

2024-12-31T13:08:55-08:00