Outreach and Engagement Committee

“In academic librarianship, outreach is work carried out by library employees at institutions of higher education who design and implement a variety of methods of intervention to advance awareness, positive perceptions, and use of library services, spaces, collections, and issues (e.g. various literacies, scholarly communication, etc.). Implemented in and outside of the library, outreach efforts are typically implemented periodically throughout the year or as a single event. Methods are primarily targeted to current students and faculty, however, subsets of these groups, potential students, alumni, surrounding community members, and staff can be additional target audiences.” (Diaz, 2019, p. 191)

Outreach activities are typically one-way communications that build awareness and facilitate the use of the Library’s collections and services, encourage life-long learning, and the creation and strengthening of relationships between the University and the communities that it serves. Some examples of library outreach activities include exhibits, presentations about the Library’s resources, and tours.

Public Engagement

The Office of the Provost uses the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement to define community/public engagement. The definition reads:

“Community engagement describes collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity. The purpose of community engagement is the partnership of college and university knowledge and resources with those of the public and private sectors to enrich scholarship, research and creative activity; enhance curriculum, teaching and learning; prepare educated, engaged citizens; strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility; address critical societal issues; and contribute to the public good.” (Public Purpose Institute, 2020)

In the library context, this entails programs and activities that draw on the Library’s professional expertise, collections, and resources in a collaborative partnership with diverse user communities to explicitly include people not affiliated with the university to contribute to the public good. Some examples of library engagement activities include Small Press Fest, Chai Wai series, workshops held in collaboration with local public libraries, and many more.

Sources

Public Purpose Institute. (n.d.). Community Engagement Classification (U.S.). The Public Purpose Institute in Partnership with the Carnegie Foundation. https://publicpurpose.org/initiatives/carnegie-elective-classifications/community-engagement-classificationu-s/ Diaz, S. A. (2019).

Outreach in academic librarianship: A concept analysis and definition. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 45(3), 184-194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2019.02.012

Expert: Sara Berthier, Events Administration Associate: 217.333.2615 

Experts: Heather Murphy, Chief Communications Officer: 217.333.3758 | hmurphy@illinois.edu 

Digital Signs 

• Library Digital Signage Policy 
• Campus Digital Signage 

Listservs

• Library 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/

Campus Research Funding and Support Resources 

Outreach and Engagement Grant 

Innovation and Seed Funds 

Strategic Communications and Marketing Grant 

Illinois rules and regulations:  

UIUC Approved Vendors  

Business Services Forms

Photographic, Video and Audio Recording Inside Library Facilities Guidelines 

          –Talent Release Forms 

Food in the Library Policy 

Protection of Minors  

Experts:  

Jen-chien Yu, Director, Library Assessment: 217.300.0400 | jyu@illinois.edu

John Laskowski, User Experience Coordinator: 217.300.6703 | jdlasko@illinois.edu

 Library Assessment Committee 

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  

Library Style Guide 

You can find the Library Style Guide and Library-branded templates to use on the Communications page on the Library Staff website. 

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) 

Dixon Graphics 

Martin One Source 

Premier Print Group

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

Skill-up Session Recordings (located on the Outreach and Engagement Committee page on Media Space)

Exhibitions Committee (e.g., Exhibits 101 PPT)

Land Acknowledgment Statement for on-campus events: 

https://chancellor.illinois.edu/land_acknowledgement.html   

On Campus Location:
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.  

Off Campus Location: 
Locations off campus are discouraged unless you partner with an off-campus partner. 

Location Parking:
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.

OBFS Catering page 

University Catering 

University Catering Menu 

County Market (flowers and cakes) 

Michael’s Catering 

Jimmy John’s 

Panera 

Rick’s Bakery (work with Rick directly) 

Manolo’s Pizza and Empanadas 

Strawberry Fields 

Einstein Bagels 

Piato Catering 

The Bread Company 

Red Herring 

Art Mart 

Advancement has banners and tablecloths: http://publish.illinois.edu/libraryofficenotes/files/2016/08/Library-Advancement-Checkout-Items.docx  

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