Education
Open Educational Resources (OER) Learning Circles
The high cost of textbooks can pose a serious barrier to accessing course-required resources for many students. Recognizing this problem, the University Libraries proposed the creation of Open Education Resources (OER) learning circles for select Texas A&M University faculty. OER is a low- to no-cost alternative to textbooks and allows for the revision or remixing of content to better suit the instructor’s teaching objectives. Librarians participated in integrating information literacy concepts by being key members of the learning circles. The Friends provided funding to support three project teams, participation incentives, student worker support for the OER creation, and publication costs. OERs were developed for three courses. After using the OERs in 25 course sections across three semesters, over $70,000 of textbook savings was realized by 420 students.
Early Modern Period Scribe Desks
When the world-renown Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC closed for major renovations in 2020, they continued offering their seminars and programs at a variety of venues across the country. One of the institutions selected to host a Folger Institute event was the University Libraries and Department of English with their seminar and lab proposal focused on hands-on basic paleography and book production. After this immersive experience of manuscript production program was selected by the Folger Executive Committee, the Friends were approached for support. The Friends funded the production of period-appropriate scribe desks, or writing slopes, to be used when writing with a goose quill and iron gall ink. The writing slopes supported the attendees at the Folger program and will be available for continued use with A&M students.
Hispanic-Serving Institution Initiative
Texas A&M University was designated as an eligible institution for U.S. Department of Education’s Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) status in March 2022. As A&M began to focus efforts on retaining the HSI status, it also began looking to ensure that students were being supported in such a way as expected of an HSI-granted university. In 2023, the Friends was pleased to support the Libraries efforts in their outreach to the McAllen Higher Education Center (MHEC), which currently does not have a library. TAMU Library staff created resource awareness opportunities through regular visits to the HEC, and by providing a Spanish-language library brochure and orientation presentation for students and their families, and the HEC faculty and staff.
George R.R. Martin “Deeper Than Swords” Exhibit
As the repository of the papers and artifacts of George R.R. Martin, the Cushing Memorial Library & Archives produced the “Deeper Than Swords” exhibit in 2013. Martin’s collection of materials includes volumes of his work in different languages, artifacts, artwork, and notes on his work as well as on the topic of fantasy literature. Martin attended an exhibition preview and dinner event, held a book signing, and gave a presentation in Rudder Auditorium. The Friends supported this exhibition by sponsoring the exhibit catalog.
“Mapping Historic Aggieland” Interactive Maps
Through the creative use of maps, aerial photos, and historic building photos and the creativity applied by staff of the Map & GIS Library and Cushing Memorial Library & Archives, “Mapping Historic Aggieland” was a project to develop an on-line interactive mapping system showing the development of the A&M campus. Using geographic information system (GIS) software, the project team converted historic maps and a number of aerial photos into geographically correct digital formats. These efforts were recognized with an ERSI Special Achievement in GIS Award in 2014. The Friends supported the funding of a student worker assigned to this project from 2011 – 2015.
Irene B. Hoadley Professorship in Academic Librarianship
Dr. Irene B. Hoadley began serving as the Director of Libraries at Texas A&M University in 1974. She was named Academic/Research Librarian of the Year in 1994 by the Association of College and Research Libraries. The Hoadley Professorship was established by the Friends in 1991 as an on-going faculty award to be given to a librarian at the Evans Library. The scope was broadened to include librarians at all University Libraries in 2012, and, at the suggestion of the Dean of University Libraries, the Friends began awarding the Hoadley Professorship at the end of the recipient’s accomplishment rather than at the beginning of the research project.
“Intended for All” Exhibit Catalog
In 2002, the Cushing Memorial Library & Archives produced an exhibit which chronicled the history, struggles, and contributions of women at Texas A&M from its beginnings in 1876 through 2002. The exhibit highlighted the different roles of students, staff, faculty, family, and University supporters that women had played throughout the University’s history. The “Intended for All: 125 Years of Women at Texas A&M" exhibit catalog was published with support from the Friends.
Student Study Pod Pilot
The University Libraries offers learning spaces that foster creativity, scholarship, and collaboration and provides access to enclosed study rooms across several facilities on campus, however student demand exceeds the capacity. Most of these study rooms were designed and constructed prior to the advent of personal computers and mobile devices. Student feedback highlights that the rooms are cramped and outdated, lack adequate lighting and power supply, and are not conducive to extended study sessions, laptop use, and other technological tools. In 2024, the Friends funded a pilot project for the Libraries to add some new, mobile study room pods in the West Campus facilities. The Business Library & Collaboration Commons and Medical Sciences Library have far fewer rooms for both individual and group study use as compared to the main campus facilities. Usage data and feedback from placing an individual study room pod and a group meeting room pod will help the Libraries make informed decisions should this unique study room alternative prove to be a viable option for a modern study space.