WT’s Cornette Library Well Represented at TAMUS Libraries Virtual Conference

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University’s Cornette Library figured strongly in a first-ever virtual conference with fellow Texas A&M University System libraries.

Six Cornette librarians presented during the July 27-28 conference, which was open to all employees of TAMUS libraries and addressed a wide range of library issues.

“The TAMUS Libraries Virtual Conference served to strengthen bonds between the libraries of the TAMU System by providing an opportunity for employees to share expertise, create new connections, grow professionally and solve problems collaboratively,” said Kelly M. Hoppe, Cornette’s head of outreach and instruction.

“While our campuses may be farther apart than many states are wide, libraries across the System share common challenges and opportunities but may have different solutions,” said Bob Smith, head of research and access services, who presented at and participated in the virtual conference.

“Going forward, I hope that all the presenters and participants will remain connected and continue to share and develop ideas,” Smith said.

The inaugural conference was planned over the course of nine months, and System library staff competed among each other to present topics to their peers. Many panels were presented by teams of librarians from different campuses in the System.

“All proposals were not accepted, so the fact that Cornette was so well represented speaks well of our library and librarians,” Hoppe said.

Presenters and panelists included:

• “Envisioning the Future: Seeing Yourself in a Leadership Role” co-presented by Shawna Kennedy-Witthar, director of information and library resources;
• “Collection Reviews and Assessments: Processes and Practices” co-presented by Mary Rausch, cataloguing and periodicals librarian;
• “Utilizing Bootstrap to Improve Your LibGuides: A Workshop” presented by Smith;
• “Learning to Pivot: The Trials and Tribulations of Renovating During a Pandemic” presented by Beth Vizzini, library facilities manager; Kennedy-Whittar; Smith; Janie Archer, SSC construction project manager; and Tadhi Hayes, SSC / WT unit director;
• “A Journey of Two Librarians: A Quest to Combine Outreach, Collaboration, Literacy and College Success” co-presented by Hoppe;
• and “Digital Accessibility Is Not Just Databases: A Request for Accommodation Involving eReserves” presented by Kennedy-Witthar, Smith and Raimey Doggett, emerging technologies librarian

Dr. James Hallmark, vice chancellor for academic affairs for the Texas A&M University System and former WT provost, provided the keynote address, “Networking, Connecting and Collaborating: Towards Full Partnership in Crafting the Future of Learning.”

Cornette Library will sponsor the 2021 conference. The library’s involvement in the virtual conference is an example of how WT faculty and staff are fulfilling the generational plan WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. With enrollment of more than 10,000, WT offers 60 undergraduate degree programs, 38 master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 15 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

—WTAMU—