March 29, 2012
Think librarians are antiquated? You’re not reading in between the lines.
As Hamilton prepares to enter the age of information upheaval, it will also usher in a new College Librarian. And this year’s search is especially critical, given that the word “library” is becoming less of a physical entity and more of an abstract concept.
This week, two candidates for the position are on campus to speak on a topic of their choice. While the first lecture was on Tuesday, the second will take place on Thursday at 4:10 p.m. in the Bradford Auditorium. Their CVs can be found on the Dean of Faculty’s website; the public is welcome to submit their impressions or observations to any member of the search committee.
In addition, the candidates are meeting with various members of the campus community, including President Stewart, Dean of Faculty Patrick Reynolds, main participants in the Digital Humanities Initiative and Vice President of Information Technology Dave Smallen (who is serving as acting director of the library this year).
“This is definitely an exciting time for Burke Library and the entire library staff, as well as our ITS housemates on the third floor,” said Reference Librarian Laura Festine. “A change in senior management is always significant, and we’re hoping to find the right fit with a candidate—not just with our staff but with the entire Hamilton community.”
The College Librarian reports directly to the Dean of the Faculty and oversees a budget of $3.7 million as well as a staff of 34. Among his or her assorted responsibilities, the Couper Librarian is responsible for the leadership and management of all elements of the college library, including the Daniel Burke Library, the Media Library, the Music Library and Special Collections.
An article in the Spring 2011 issue of the Alumni Review detailed the complications that librarians face when digital modes of research and archiving becoming more commonplace. One repercussion is decreased emphasis on the pleasures of browsing; another is increased competition of virtual information spaces. In light of these revolutionary forces, the committee is making sure to keep these issues in mind during its search. In fact, the job description for the position was in large part informed by a report provided by the “Library of the Future” committee in May of last year.
According to the report, that group was designed to “explore future directions for the Hamilton College libraries in light of trends in teaching and scholarship, electronic presentation and access to information, and the costs of information resources.” Given the brisk speed at which technology is changing, the College Librarian must be able to adapt creatively and efficiently.
“To my mind, the critical question is: How do you reconcile the traditional library collection with digital information?” said Professor of Music Rob Kolb, chair of the search committee. “What’s the role of the library down the road?”
The first step was to whittle down the list of candidates to about eight, each of whom interviewed via video conference before Spring Break. The committee then decided who their top two choices were and invited them to campus.
Kolb says that the committee is looking for someone who can also allocate resources in attempt to best serve the needs of the institution. Several library staff positions have been vacant for some time due to resignations, and the College is waiting until a new director is appointed to fill them; that way, the Couper Librarian will be able to execute a “modest shifting of resources” if he or she sees fit.
“We’re also looking for someone who has good ideas but also has the capacity to articulate those ideas to students, faculty, library staff and alumni, and to encourage those people to get on board with that mission,” he said.
While librarians help faculty members discover new and innovative ways of teaching, students benefit from the library as a resource and as a study space—with mixed reviews.
“I don’t study in the library very often and I don’t really like it as it is now, so that’s why I joined the committee,” said Sam Wagner ’14, student member of the committee. “I want more out of my library as an attractive place to study.”
Broadly speaking, the Couper Librarian will ideally work toward that goal.
“Libraries are much more complicated than they used to be,” Kolb said. “The focus, though, will be on helping students understand where the great wealth of resources lie.”