February 7, 2023. Two major transformation decisions have been made regarding athletics and our libraries. In making these decisions, our goal is to strengthen and expand access to our athletics offerings and provide greater equity of access to our library services.
Benefits include:
- Access to professional librarians via 24/7 chat coverage. Librarians will also be embedded at Vermont State campuses to provide students and faculty with assistance and co-creation of knowledge.
- Unlimited user access. The same resources may be used at the same time by unlimited users.
- Free access to paid resources. Access to databases, scholarly articles, and articles behind paywalls.
- Access to more information. Digital libraries can store significantly more information than physical libraries, which are limited by storage space.
This was a data-driven decision in response to student feedback collected via student surveys and meetings with the Student Advisory Board. The libraries of Vermont State University have seen year-over-year declines in circulation of physical materials.
What we heard was that students need and want access to library resources where they are, whether on or off campus.
Library spaces will be transformed to meet student and university needs. Students want to see physical libraries repurposed to better suit their needs. In response to this, we will transform the physical libraries located on the Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon, Randolph, and Williston campuses to respond to what works for students today and best supports them on their educational journey.
We recognize that some programs have special library collections that rely upon physical resources. We will engage with faculty to identify those resources and explore mechanisms for their maintenance whether with the program or in other venues. We will also communicate with donors of collections, objects, and spaces. Interlibrary loans will still exist, but with a shift to e-books and digital articles and other materials.
With the new digital academic library, Vermont State will deliver on its promise to become the first statewide hybrid university.
LibraryFAQ
When will the new digital academic library be launched?
Our new digital academic library will launch on July 1, 2023.
What will happen to library staff at the campus libraries?
Most staff will be able to work in new roles. We will work with each impacted individual to discuss their professional opportunities and work with the union to identify the plan that best meets each person's professional interests and needs. We have redefined library roles to include electronic resources librarian, interlibrary loan librarian, liaison librarian, and web services librarian.
Why did Vermont State University make this decision?
This was a data-driven decision in response to student feedback collected via student surveys and meetings with the Student Advisory Council. The libraries of Vermont State University have seen year-over-year declines in circulation of physical materials, a trend that hasn't reversed since a return to pre-pandemic enrollment levels.
What we heard was that students need and want access to library resources where they are, whether that is their dorm room, or locations off campus.
Students want to see physical libraries repurposed to better suit their needs. In response to this, we will transform the physical libraries located on the Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon, Randolph, and Williston campuses to respond to what works for students today and best supports them on their educational journey.
How did Vermont State University make this decision?
We made this decision in response to data collected over the years. The libraries of Vermont State University have seen year-over-year declines in circulation of physical materials, a trend that hasn't reversed since a return to pre-pandemic enrollment levels.
Student survey responses and feedback from the Transformation Student Advisory Council point to the value students place on study and small-group meeting spaces, and access to services like printers. The change in approach will enable Vermont State University to make better use of its campus facilities resources to support these needs.
What will happen to the existing campus libraries? Will they close?
No, these spaces will not close. We understand the important role libraries play in the fabric of Vermont life as well as within our campus communities. We want to re-imagine the use of the library spaces to provide resources such as community commons, enhanced study spaces, student services, and access to other innovations and tools. We will engage with our campuses and larger communities to re-imagine the spaces.
As of July 1, 2023, these spaces will no longer provide services including circulation and physical materials (these materials will be available digitally). Interlibrary loans will still exist, but with a shift to e-books and digital articles and other materials.
We plan to launch a request-for-proposal process to engage architectural resources for this purpose. In the short term, we will make some changes to these spaces in the lead up to the Fall 2023 semester.
What digital library models did Vermont State look at as it designed its own?
Vermont State looked to several best-in-class digital libraries as it designed its own, including SUNY Empire State College, American Public University, Coastline College, Cornell University, University of Texas: San Antonio, and Florida Polytechnic University.
What will happen to library collections, offices, and equipment?
The physical library collections will be offered first to the VSCS community. We are developing plans for other items, which will be part of our re-imagining of the spaces in collaboration with our community.