Reflection from the Dean
Julie Garrison, Dean of University Libraries
Dean Julie Garrison highlights the creative and adaptive accomplishments of the University Libraries' staff and faculty in 2021.
As a social worker, I feel I have an ethical obligation to make education as accessible to as many types of students as possible. OER was a simple way to move in that direction.
—Jennifer Klauth, instructor for the School of Social Work and Open Textbook Grant recipient
Student success
Savings add up for students under grants for free online textbooks
WMU students have saved an estimated $1.1 million on the cost of textbooks as a result of the University Libraries' open textbook grant program.
Librarians revamp first-year programming
To help meet the emerging needs of first-year students, librarians Juliana Espinosa and Kate Langan brought two high-impact instructional experiences together and revamped the programming to better connect with students.
I think reviewing the decisions that were made, and the information that was released at a given time, could be very valuable for future planning.
— Daria Orlowska, data librarian
Research
WMU librarian preserves COVID-19 data for future researchers
Daria Orlowska, data librarian, looked at the growing number of COVID-19 webpages and data dashboards and figured out a way to preserve this historically relevant information.
Capturing community: The Detroit Muslim Storytelling Project digital archive
Community stories are being shared and preserved in a new online video archive thanks to an inspiring community-driven initiative in west Detroit and two WMU professors, Dr. Alisa Perkins and Amy Bocko.
Creators often don't understand the value of their drafts and personal papers for teaching and as a tool for future researchers and artists to understand how ideas evolve.
—Dr. Sue Steuer, special collections librarian
Community
Engaging the community in the world of David Small and Sarah Stewart
With the debut of the David Small and Sarah Stewart Archive this fall, fans and new admirers got a glimpse into the art and writings of these award-winning, local authors.
Influenza at the Normal: WMU and the 1918 Pandemic
Dr. Sharon Carlson and Lynn Houghton shared a presentation on the 1918 pandemic and its impact at WMU during an event hosted by University Libraries in March 2021.
Q&A with Author Jerjuan Howard
We invited author and WMU alumnus Jerjuan Howard to Waldo Library to speak about his new book, "A Message to Black College Students," in October 2021.
It's really incredible to be able to work with people with so many insights and stories and just learn from all of them and coexist with everyone.
—Jacob Remington, student employee
Our library
Customer service training
University Libraries introduced a new customer service training program aimed at orienting and training employees on the Libraries’ customer service standards and values.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
University Libraries is committed to moving our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts forward. We recognize this work is challenging and requires ongoing learning, listening, reflection and action.
Student scholarships
University Libraries awarded $1,000 scholarships to three Libraries' student employees in 2021. Scholarship recipients can put the money they receive toward their University expenses.
Staff and faculty highlights
From making a difference and engaging students to adapting during a pandemic, 2021 was full of examples of our staff and faculty meeting our community's needs and supporting our mission.