SPEC Kit 312: Public Engagement · 69
choice to create public engagement activities has been based on opportunity, immediate priorities, and personal
inclination. It is an optional part of my responsibilities and not regarded, supported, or rewarded any more than
any other responsibility, assigned or assumed. I have no budget for such activities and no internal support from
faculty/staff. Our Libraries dean and director personally supports such efforts and attends events to make welcoming
remarks whenever possible.
The Agricultural/Veterinary Library has a robust program of direct outreach to veterinarians. Pendergrass Library
provides direct contact to the Herb Society, East Tennessee Bird Club, does outreach to children of migrant workers.
The library is also very active with the extension services. During Black History Month several of our librarians
presented an interactive program for the Tennessee School for the Deaf. Librarians also participated in the Annual
African-American Read to Promote Literacy. This involves going to schools to read to elementary school children.
We have a film series every semester that is promoted not only to the campus community but also to the public at
large. Writers-in-the Library recognizes local authors. Every month we have an evening in the library with the author
reading from selected works. It is one of our most popular and well-attended events attracting people from our
local community.
The jewel in UIC’s public engagement activities is the Great Cities program that the entire campus supports and
participates in at some level or other.
The Office of Outreach, Office of Research, and Faculty Senate University Service, Public Service and Outreach
Council have been working together for the past year or more getting the successful application for the elective
Carnegie Classification Community-Engaged University compiled and projects defined for that application which
are subsequently being deposited into scholarworks. The Scholarly Communication Librarian worked closely with
these groups during that time, subsequently securing funding for the 2-year term position to envision, organize, and
manage the Engagement section of the digital repository.
The UBC Library is a highly decentralized library system in many respects. The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre
building houses some library collections and services, but the IKBLC has a broader mandate than ‘library,’ including
facilities and environments to support lifelong learning by people ‘throughout BC and the world.’ The IKBLC also
houses the Centre for Teaching and Academic Growth and other academic units. UBC Vancouver has 4 off-site
libraries, Robson Square Library, and 3 libraries at hospital sites in the city. UBC Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, offers its
own unique services to the Okanagan community. UBC Vancouver offers a number of programs through its UBC
Learning Exchange, a community engagement initiative based in the Downtown Eastside area of Vancouver. The
Learning Exchange brings volunteers form the UBC community to inner city schools and non-profit organizations
where they contribute to community programs while learning about inner city issues. (Community Service-Learning).
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