Library Retreat

This year we head once again to the Meridian Center to regroup and see where we are and where we need to go. We have new people this year, and a resolve to focus on learning to listen - really listen - to others. Listen to each other. Listen to our student workers. Listen to our patrons. Listen to our faculty and administrators. Listen to our community members and alumni. And in our listening, to learn how we can help.

Because that is what librarians do. We help connect people with the information they need. Our efforts are aimed at making that process seamless and invisible. If we could, we would make it happen that as soon as someone thinks of their topic, they are immediately presented with a plethora of resources that are exactly what will help them. Think of the research progress that could be made if we eliminated all the time spent searching so it could be used in creating new and improved processes and equipment and information.

Well, that is why we step aside several times a year to see how we are doing. This one was especially helpful. And next year, we have decided to hold our retreat in a different off campus facility. Or maybe even in a different on campus building. That way we get to explore a new area of our institution and learn about our colleagues' worlds.