Change is in the air as UCR Library leaders work to transform the Library into a library of the future.

Since University Librarian Steve Mandeville-Gamble started at UCR in 2013, he has focused on developing strategies to support and accelerate the research and teaching programs on campus. One of the objectives in the Library’s Strategic Plan is to develop library leaders to anticipate and meet the rapidly changing campus environment within a culture of innovative thinking and calculated risk-taking.

Starting in 2014, Deputy University Librarian Ann Frenkel (above, center) has been exploring with the librarians the best staffing structures to most effectively support teaching, learning, and research. As typical for many research institutions, the majority of librarians were grouped in parallel departments in discipline-focused libraries (Rivera or Orbach), with each librarian expected to have broad responsibilities and expertise in teaching, research support, and collection building.

After much discussion, in FY2017 the Library recruited two new leaders to work collaboratively to create two departments that would provide more focus specifically for teaching and research: Dani Brecher Cook, Director of Teaching and Learning (above, left), and Brianna Marshall, Director of Research Services (above, right).

During the summer Cook and Marshall worked together with the librarians to develop the mission, vision, and positions needed for their two new departments. “This collaborative leadership structure is not seen in a lot of other libraries,” Marshall said.

“Our administrative team is really open to new ideas and trying out things in an experimental way,” Cook said of the library’s workplace culture.

Marshall echoed her sentiment. “I’m really excited to be in this role. I was drawn to it because of the focus on creativity, innovation, and trying new things.”

Supporting new researcher workflows in the ever-evolving era of digital learning presents unique challenges, according to Marshall. “There are pressures on new faculty that weren’t on their predecessors,” she reflected.

Cook added that the library is exploring technology-enriched models. “We’ve been very empowered to think about new ways of doing teaching and learning and research services at this university that’s growing at an incredible pace.”

Cook and Marshall both came to UCR with forward-thinking ideas about doing things differently – and perhaps better – than other campuses. “What’s getting most libraries stuck is their fear of failing,” Marshall explained, adding that the culture she aspires to is one that embraces vulnerability and builds a community of practice. “We want to figure out an aspirational view of what our department can provide to the campus community.”

Another goal is breaking down silos. Cook explained the library’s approach to solving this challenge, “We’re helping faculty and instructors to support students in accomplishing research-related learning goals. There are a lot of great partners on campus that we’ve identified already. We’re looking forward to deepening and evolving those collaborations.”

“This campus has an incredible energy to it,” Marshall observed. “People are open and optimistic.”

Frenkel added, “This is very much a living process, with adjustments and refinements along the way, and we look forward to constructive conversations with faculty and researchers regarding their experience with this new model over the coming months.”