Outreach and Engagement Committee
Charge
- Develop clear definitions of outreach and engagement to be adopted by the Library in order to better assess individual and collective efforts in these areas
- Promote intentional implementation of activities that balance outreach and engagement goals and in particular increase engagement outputs in order to fulfill a land grant mission
- Provide leadership about best practices in outreach and engagement and communicate these to the Library
- Manage a library-funded grant program to allocate funds for outreach and engagement activities
- Provide support, consultation, and information resources for outreach and engagement activities such as training opportunities, and a central hub for information about relevant policies and best practices in outreach and engagement based on committee availability
- Facilitate regular assessment of outreach and engagement activities in the Library
Membership Details
The Outreach and Engagement Committee is composed of individuals (including faculty, academic professionals (APs), civil service professionals, and civil service staff) from each Library Division. Members of the OEC should be individuals who are actively involved in outreach and engagement activities. Additional members may be appointed to represent special concerns. Members are appointed by EC and serve two-year staggered terms with possible reappointment for an additional term. The chair will be elected by the committee from its membership, and serves a one-year term with the possibility of reelection for one additional one-year term.
Additional Committee Information
OEC Outreach and Engagement Grant
Through the Library’s Outreach and Engagement funding opportunity, the Library embodies the University’s land grant values and strengthens its commitment to Strategic Direction No. 3: Societal and global impact. Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and provide funding for up to $500 per event, up to a maximum of $500 per person per fiscal year to be used for outreach and engagement activities. Matching funds from the applicant’s unit or other sources are strongly encouraged. The Outreach and Engagement Committee (OEC) will review proposals based on the OEC Grant Funding Rubric until all allocated funds have been awarded and advance recommendations to the University Librarian. All fulltime Library employees are eligible to apply.
Purpose of OEC Funding
- To allow for more outreach and engagement activities per year, and to provide for the possibility of larger or more costly events.
- To foster the development of collaborative, change-oriented projects that advance community research, learning experiences, and societal well-being.
- To advance the Library as a place of convergence and inclusivity for programs that illuminate and address real world issues.
Application Information
- Complete eligibility requirements and application details: OEC Grant Program Request for Proposals (pdf)
- Application review criteria: OEC Grant Funding Rubric (pdf)
- Review process and timeline: OEC Grant Review Timeline (pdf)
- Apply now: OEC Grant Funding Application Form (employee login required)
Per the committee’s grant eligibility requirements, a brief report must be received by the Committee within 90 working days of project completion. Project contacts who do not submit a report may not be eligible for future grant awards.
- Complete and submit grant report: OEC Grant Report Template (pdf)
Toolkit
This toolkit provides information about resources in the Library, the campus, and the community for those who are organizing outreach and engagement events and initiatives.
The OEC MediaSpace channel features recordings of past Skill Up Sessions.
OEC Skill Ups provide a platform for library experts to discuss best practices, innovative ideas, and other elements related to outreach and engagement.
Strategic Communications and Marketing Grant
Campus Research Funding and Support Resources
For additional information over funding and business logistics, visit the Business Services Forms page or contact the Business Office at BHRSC@library.illinois.edu
Experts
Heather Murphy, Chief Communications Officer: 217.333.3758 | hmurphy@illinois.edu
Marisa Modugno, Marketing Associate: 217-244-0570 | mmodugno@illinois.edu
Giveaways or Promotional Items
Please inquire with the Chief Communications Officer to order Library-branded products for your unit or event. You can visit the following vendor’s website for ideas: 4imprint.com.
Digital Signs
Listservs
UIUC Calendars
- Library Events Calendar
- Office of Inclusion & Intercultural Relations – Diversity Calendar
- The Daily Illini Events Calendar:
Send the event name, event location, start date, end date, and contact info to calendar@readbuzz.com. - UIAA’s Online Calendar:
https://illinoisalumni.org/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.illinoisalumni.org%2Fwp-admin%2F&reauth=1
Hold cursor over the Events icon on the left-hand navigation bar. Click Add New Event.
Local Community Calendars
- The News-Gazette:
http://www.news-gazette.com/calendar
Scroll down and click Submit (on the right-hand side). Then click Create an event.
- WCIA-TV Hometown Calendar:
https://www.wcia.com/community/calendar/#/
Click on “+ Add Event”, which takes you to CitySpark.
- WAND-TV Community Calendar:
https://www.wandtv.com/community/community-calendar/#!/
Click on “+ Add Event”, which takes you to CitySpark. You don’t need to submit again if you did this for WCIA-TV. It should add the event to both calendars.
- WICD-TV Community Calendar:
Sent the event name, event location, start date, end date, and contact info to events@wics.com. Make sure to include the event date in the subject line. I also like to include a short event description as well. - 40 North | 88 West Calendar:
http://www.40north.org/user/login?destination=node/add/event - WDWS/WHMS:
Send the event name, event location, start date, end date, and contact info to aaspenson@whms.com. - Champaign County Convention & Visitors Bureau:
https://www.visitchampaigncounty.org/events/submit-an-event - Illini Radio Group Community Calendar:
http://wixy.com/submit-a-community-calendar-event/
Library Style Guide 2024 (PDF)
The Communications page on the Library Staff website provides a variety of resources, including the Library Style Guide 2024 (PDF) and Library-branded templates.
Studio 2D – (to utilize Studio 2D, please contact Chief Communications Officer to make arrangements)
The following are options on and off campus. The Chief Communications Officer can assist in selecting a printer and making printing arrangements.
Document Services (UIUC)
The Library has five central accounts (below). Many Library units have their own separately run accounts (see https://www.library.illinois.edu/geninfo/blog/).
- Twitter: Social Media Team
- Instagram: Social Media Team
- Facebook: Social Media Team
- TikTok: Social Media Team
- Reddit: Social Media Team
To submit your content to be posted in these accounts, please fill out this form:
https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/2049983549
Sara Berthier, Events Administration Associate: 217.333.2615 | berthier@illinois.edu The Communications Office holds a stock of various branded promotional items/loanable items available for University Library events: Additionally, there are also University Library retractable banner stands, a tent, feather signs, portable tour microphones and tablecloths (6 and 8-feet) available to borrow for events your unit may have. Please send requests for items to events@library.illinois.edu at least one week before your event in order to ensure availability and coordinate pick-up. Requests for items are on a first-come, first-served basis. Items can be picked up in the Main Library Advancement Office (Room 227). https://chancellor.illinois.edu/land_acknowledgement.html While a Library location is preferred (and almost always free to use), there may be a non-Library location that best lends itself to your event. Beware of any associated costs with using a non-Library location and be sure that fits within budget. Locations off campus are discouraged unless you partner with an off-campus partner. Parking around Library locations during the day during the week is a challenge for those attending events on campus. It’s much easier for attendees to find parking after 5pm (Monday through Friday) or on weekends.Expert
Vendors for Food/Catering
Location and Venues
Land Acknowledgment Statement for on-campus events
On Campus Location
Off Campus Location
Location Parking
Experts
Jen-chien Yu, Director, Library Assessment: 217.300.0400 | jyu@illinois.edu
Belinda Bolivar, Assessment Specialist: 217-333-0929 | bolivar3@illinois.edu
WHY Assess?
Assessment for Accountability
- Desk Tracker Public Engagement Events form
- Instruction Statistics Database (Illinois login)
- Illinois Extension and PEARS (non-library example, program evaluation approach)
pears.oeie.org/accounts/signin/?next=/ (University Library doesn’t have access) - Strategic plan goals and metrics (e.g. number of public engagement activities)
Assessment for Improvement
- Illinois Student Learning Outcomes [provost.illinois.edu/assessment/learning-outcomes-assessment/illinois-student-learning-outcomes/] and Library Student Learning Outcomes Assessment [www.library.illinois.edu/staff/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2018/02/Assessment-Process-Template-updated-4-20-2019.pdf]
- Project Outcome for Academic Libraries acrl.projectoutcome.org/ (Contact Jen Yu, jyu@illinois.edu, for more information)
Focus on 4 outcomes: Increased Knowledge, Increased Confidence, Application New Skills and Awareness of Resources.
Sample programs/events survey: https://acrl.projectoutcome.org/en/33390
The Exhibitions Committee supports University Library exhibits and provides information over funding, best practices (e.g., Exhibits 101 PPT), and news over upcoming exhibits.
Meetings
Looking for older meeting documents? Check the Committee meetings archive on Box.