University Libraries

Impact Report 2023

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Reflection from the Dean

Dean Julie Garrison reflects on the strategic planning process the University Libraries engaged in during 2023 and highlights our work to create connections, experiences and inviting environments.
Read Julie's reflection
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Building community at the library

The University Libraries fully embraced our community’s enthusiasm to connect and engage on campus by offering more events, programs and activities in 2023—and students were here for it.
Read about our community-building programs
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Uncovering untold stories, traditions through the East Campus Oral History Project

A new oral history project spearheaded by the Zhang Legacy Collections Center uncovers the untold stories of the people who lived, learned and worked on Western Michigan University's East Campus.
Read about the East Campus Oral History Project

Usage statistics

224,266

library visits

14,212

questions answered

263,945

Library Search sessions

64,212

computer log ins

890,959

student printing pages

This data is from FY 2022-2023 and was compiled from a variety of sources1.

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Evolving Waldo Library for students

From extensive expansions to more recent renovations, Waldo Library has continued to evolve to serve the needs of Western students, faculty and researchers since its original construction in 1958.
Read how Waldo Library keeps evolving
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Creating sustainable library collections in a digital world

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New Equipment Library offers items to borrow, not buy

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Story Machine opens new opportunities for student publishing

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University Libraries unveils new strategic plan

Collection statistics

2.77m+

books (print and electronic)

713

databases

5,476

ILL and document delivery requests filled

9,160

loans to other libraries

15,525

ScholarWorks items added

2.01m+

ScholarWorks downloads

This data is from FY 2022-2023 and was compiled from a variety of source3.

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Fresh approaches to instruction

To respond to increased online learning and grow the number of students receiving instruction, our librarians are taking new approaches to teaching research skills at WMU.
Read about fresh approaches to instruction

Program statistics

223

workshops and events

302

instruction sessions

346

research consultations

1,158

Tech Lab sessions

1,027

3D printing requests

This data is from FY 2022-2023 and was compiled from a variety of sources2.

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Supporting libraries through collaboration

Our faculty and staff have been working on projects that propel state and national library initiatives forward.
Read how they are innovating within the profession
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WMU faculty secure grant to create curriculum on media, news literacy for state libraries

Amy Bocko and Sue Ellen Christian's project is one of 31 selected for funding through the Institute of Museums and Library Services' Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.
Read about grant awarded to Bocko and Christian
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Inspired to give: Kerry FitzGerald

Transformative experiences in and out of the classroom at Western Michigan University led Kerry FitzGerald to embark on a 30-year career in public libraries and inspired FitzGerald to support Western's University Libraries.
Read how FitzGerald was inspired to give

University Libraries
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5353 USA
(269) 387-5059 for information
(269) 387-5155 for hours

Data in the University Libraries' 2023 Impact Report is from FY 2022-2023 unless otherwise noted and is compiled from our integrated library system and other sources.

1. Usage statistics sources

  • Library visits: Number generated by security gates at the entrances of Waldo Library and Zhang Legacy Collections Center.
  • Question answered: Reference Analytics transactions in LibAnswers, a ticketing system by Springshare; includes all question formats (in-person, email, live chat, web conference, etc.).
  • Library search sessions: Session count in Primo, the patron-facing discovery service by Ex Libris for our integrated library system.
  • Computer log ins: Login sessions count in LabStats, a computer management system that tracks software and hardware usage across campus.
  • Student printing pages: Total pages count in PaperCut, a print management tool that provides printing access to students across campus.

2. Collection statistics sources

  • Books (print and electronic): Sum of total titles count for physical and electronic items in Alma Analytics, a data analysis and reporting tool by Ex Libris for our integrated library system.
  • Databases: Electronic collections count in Alma Analytics.
  • ILL and document delivery requests filled: Borrowing and document delivery requests count from Fill Rate Statistics web report in ILLiad Client by Atlas Systems, an interlibrary loan management tool.
  • Loans to other libraries: Lending requests count from Fill Rate Statistics web report in ILLiad Client.
  • ScholarWorks items added: Works posted count in Digital Commons, an institutional repository and publishing platform for scholarly works by bepress.
  • ScholarWorks downloads (current year): Downloads in the past year count in Digital Commons.
  • ScholarWorks downloads (since 2011): Total downloads count in Digital Commons.

3. Program statistics sources

  • Workshops and events: Number of records for Events, Orientations, Workshops, Tours dataset in LibInsight, a data and usage analytics platform for libraries by Springshare.
  • Instruction sessions: Number of records for Research Instruction Analysis dataset in LibInsight.
  • Research consultations: Reference Analytics transactions in LibAnswers; includes scheduled consultation question type only.
  • Tech lab sessions: Total bookings in LibCal, a calendar and reservation system by Springshare, for the Virtual Reality Lab, Flight Simulator Lab, Learning Glass Studio and Media Studio/Respondus Testing Room. Also includes manually tabulated class visits, campus events, and offsite visits for all spaces and walk-in data for all spaces except for the Media Studio.
  • 3D printing:  Number of recorded responses for the 3D Print Request Form in Qualtrics, a platform for creating and distributing surveys. 

4. Textbook cost savings from OER grants

Savings calculated based on estimated course enrollment and textbook costs in grant applications. Enrollment and cost may vary per class.