The Authority File

Supporting an emerging field requires innovation, investment, and infrastructure. Leaders must focus on community-building and engagement to foster sustained interest and growth. Even further, transformation in the academy—only one part of the scholarly ecosystem—must reach beyond campus to the publishing and librarianship sectors.

In this third episode, Deanna Reder, Associate Professor of Indigenous Studies and English at Simon Fraser University and author of Autobiography as Indigenous Intellectual Tradition, discusses initiatives that she has introduced and supported in the Indigenous Studies field. In the past decade, she has worked to build a community of scholars, widen the discipline’s scope, and cultivate a new generation of Indigenous editors in publishing. Deanna walks through the conception and evolution of the Indigenous Literary Studies Association (ILSA), the professional development purpose of the Indigenous Editors Association, and publisher support for the Indigenous Voices Awards.

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For Deanna Reder, Associate Professor of Indigenous Studies and English at Simon Fraser University, the tradition of life writing extends beyond cataloging accomplishments or documenting memories. Sharing âcimisowina, or personal stories, demonstrates “the necessity of including your own experience, and through extension, your family’s experience” in the canon of Indigenous records. While traditions differ between nations, Deanna grew up with a wealth of autobiographical stories specific to her Cree-Métis family. How has this custom influenced her research? Where does Indigenous autobiography fit in the greater landscape of Indigenous Literary Studies?

In this second episode, Deanna discusses her background and dissertation that culminated in her recent book, Autobiography as Indigenous Intellectual Tradition: Cree and Métis âcimisowina. Further, Deanna refutes the incorrect assumption that autobiography is an inherently Western tradition, when, in fact, life and family stories are an important intellectual inheritance in Indigenous communities. Last, Deanna digs into the inseparability of Indigenous language and literature, and the activism of younger Indigenous generations learning their languages to not only connect with their heritage, but to “have a stronger access to ancestral knowledge.”

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During her undergraduate years, Deanna Reder, Associate Professor of Indigenous Studies and English at Simon Fraser University, struggled to find a wide range of scholarship on Indigenous literary works. However, by the time she returned for her PhD in the early 2000s, an explosion of Indigenous scholars had entered the academic scene. This expansion not only made way for Deanna’s dissertation on Indigenous autobiographical tradition, but also for the Department of Indigenous Studies at Simon Fraser University and the broader development and shaping of Indigenous Literary Studies as a discipline.

In this four-part series, Deanna chats about her work in cultivating the Indigenous Studies field, both at Simon Fraser, and within Canadian scholarship. She also digs into the research for her recent book, Autobiography as Indigenous Intellectual Tradition: Cree and Métis âcimisowina, and her time as Series Editor for the Indigenous Series at Wilfrid Laurier University Press (WLUP). We explore the importance of supporting Indigenous editors in publishing, the success of the Indigenous Voices Awards, and the impact of this latest generation of Indigenous authors.

In this first episode, Deanna offers background on her work in Indigenous literature, and her definition of Indigenous Literary Studies. In addition, she provides details on how she helped develop the Indigenous Studies curriculum at Simon Fraser, and her work in creating anthologies of foundational textbooks as Series Editor at WLUP.

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In this four-part series, we turned the spotlight on three innovative library solutions. First, Jamia Williams, Health Sciences Librarian at SUNY Brockport, dug into the development of LibVoices, an independent podcast that highlights the experiences and achievements of librarians of color. Next, we spoke to Lauren Puzier, User Experience Librarian at the University at Albany, who walked through the partnerships and brainstorming that made System Status Discovery—a dashboard of system updates to inform patrons of service interruptions—possible. Then, in our third episode, Darryl Stuhr, Director for Digitization and Digital Preservation Services at Baylor University, chatted about the serendipity and hard work that went into Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Preservation Project, which works to digitize and archive Black gospel music groups. Throughout the episodes, Martha Sedgwick, Vice President of Product Innovation at SAGE Publishing, added her unique perspective on how publishers can support library projects.

In this final episode, our guests come together to reflect on the evolution and outcomes of their library ventures. In particular, Lauren, Jamia, and Darryl offer key takeaways and guidance how to create new library innovations, in addition to thoughts on time management, burnout, and new opportunities that emerged because of their work. To close, Martha discusses the community approach of SAGE’s new division, Technology from SAGE, and how the publisher and its subsidiaries can build upon library partnerships to strengthen impact.

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This series has examined the recent transformation of academic librarianship, and how various stakeholders—vendors, librarians, and publishers—have adapted in response. Susanna Smith, Acquisitions Librarian at Georgia Highlands College, and Tracy Holtman, Associate Director of Access & Collection Services at Tarleton State University, handled the librarian perspective—collection strategies, pandemic ramifications, engagement metrics. Paige Clunie, Digital Partnerships Manager at Princeton University Press, walked through Princeton’s latest initiatives and support for libraries. Steven Rosato, General Manager at OverDrive Academic, discussed the trends he’s observed while serving a number of institutions in the past few years.

Now, in the final episode of this four-part series, our guests look ahead to future values, goals, and tactics. First, Susanna and Tracy share incoming workflows that will accommodate the changes they’ve experienced due to COVID-19, online learning, and the surge in digital. They also dig into plans for cost-saving solutions, viable investments, and alignment with institutional goals. Next, Paige discusses Princeton’s approach to open access, and how the Press is taking a closer look at backlist pricing and textbook categorization to aid libraries. Finally, Steven closes with how OverDrive hopes to empower librarians with tools that better serve patrons needs.

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Technology and librarianship go hand in hand. In fact, a strong relationship between an institution’s IT department and library can usher in innovative projects and patron-friendly solutions. At Baylor University, this interconnection allowed the library to bolster its digitization efforts, leading to new partnerships and opportunities. One such opportunity included the Black Gospel Music Preservation Project (BGMPP), which works to digitize—and therefore preserve—audio recordings of Black gospel music groups.

In this four-part series, three academic librarians join The Authority File to chat about innovations that help improve services, connect with the community, or put their library on the map. In this third episode, Darryl Stuhr, Director of Digitization and Digital Preservation Services at Baylor University, discusses the inception and development of Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Preservation Project. First, Darryl explains how an NPR Fresh Air interview, a generous donation, and the strong connection between Baylor’s libraries and IT helped get the project off the ground. He also digs into the library’s longstanding push toward digitization, and the recognition and archival opportunities that arose from BGMPP. Last, Martha Sedgwick, who heads up SAGE Publishing’s new division Technology from SAGE, chats about how SAGE’s Quartex platform and handwritten text recognition software—both developed by Adam Matthew—contribute to archival work.

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In today’s age, collection development must satisfy a number of demands. Whether keeping up with student use trends, serving institutional goals, or meeting budgetary restraints, librarians need more than one-size-fits-all options. Indeed, a flexibility and diversity of resources, content types, and access models allows librarians to pick and choose what works best for their institution. What are modern librarians’ collection development strategies or preferences? How can publishers and vendors support and accommodate challenging collection needs?

In this third episode, our guests chat about acquisition policies, access model preferences, and budget decisions. First, Susanna Smith, Acquisitions Librarian at Georgia Highlands College, and Tracy Holtman, Associate Director of Access & Collection Services at Tarleton State University, describe how COVID-19 has impacted their acquisition strategies and workflows—such as, buying textbooks, investing in Open Educational Resources (OER), and, of course, directing funds and energy toward digital content. In addition, Paige Clunie, Digital Partnerships Manager at Princeton University Press, discusses ongoing digitization efforts at Princeton and the balancing act of supporting scholarship and sustaining its publishing model. Finally, Steven Rosato, General Manager at OverDrive Academic, offers input on which lending models experience the highest demand and best serve library needs.

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In 2020, the pandemic precipitated widespread subscription cancelations and service interruptions at university libraries. For the University at Albany, it underscored the need to update its clunky and disjointed alert system. User Experience Librarian Lauren Puzier wanted to find an efficient, easy-to-use, and patron-friendly dashboard by factoring in user thought processes and search habits. Teaming up with discovery services, Lauren researched patron customs and other institution alert systems to find a straightforward and cost-saving solution—what did she and the team come up with?

In this four-part series, we’re highlighting academic library innovations that improve services, expand resources, or benefit the community. In this second episode, Lauren discusses System Status Discovery, a dashboard of system updates integrated into the library website. She digs into the development process, implementation, and measures of success—including the productive connections and technical benefits discovered along the way. In addition, Martha Sedgwick, who heads up SAGE Publishing’s new division Technology from SAGE, explains why this project won a SAGE Technology Award, proving that low-cost, seemingly small-scale solutions can have major operational benefits.

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The rise of digital is nothing new. Even pre-pandemic, online learning and e-content were rapidly growing in popularity and use in higher education. Students wanted more flexibility, accessibility, and content options—and digital delivered. But how has this call for digital impacted the greater academic librarianship ecosystem? What strategies have publishers, librarians, and vendors adopted to meet this demand? Further, how did COVID-19 accelerate the push toward digital products and services?

In this second episode, our guests examine the rise of digital and its effects on librarianship, vendor relationships, and publishing practices. In particular, Tracy Holtman, Associate Director of Access & Collection Services at Tarleton State University, and Susanna Smith, Acquisitions Librarian at Georgia Highlands College, highlight how library skills have changed to accommodate shifting needs. Further, they discuss engagement metrics that go beyond foot traffic—webpage usage, database searches, digital circulation, and more. In addition, Paige Clunie, Digital Partnerships Manager at Princeton University Press, chats about how Princeton has worked to modernize its partner strategies for digital content. Last, Steven Rosato, General Manager at OverDrive Academic, shares the trends he’s witnessed at OverDrive, including his thoughts on audio’s growth and the longevity of remote learning.

Academic librarianship demands innovation. Indeed, academic librarians must remain flexible and creative to keep up with the latest publishing trends, adjust to new mediums, and better serve the ever-changing needs of the modern patron. What initiatives have librarians introduced to better engage the community, connect with students, or advance institutional goals?

In this four-part series, we’re joined by three librarians: Jamia Williams, Health Sciences Librarian at SUNY Brockport, Lauren Puzier, User Experience Librarian at the University at Albany, and Darryl Stuhr, Director for Digitization and Digital Preservation Services at Baylor University. Each guest has introduced a fantastic initiative that falls within the broad scope of academic librarianship, therefore fulfilling a need and bettering their institution or community because of it. What new relationships, practices, or opportunities emerged in response to these projects? What guidance can they offer to help inspire others? In addition, Martha Sedgwick, Vice President of Product Innovation at SAGE Publishing who heads up their new division Technology from SAGE, shares her perspective on these exciting ventures, highlighting how publishers can aid in the evolution and success of such programs.

In this first episode, we focus on Jamia’s innovation, LibVoices, an independent podcast that spotlights the experiences, achievements, and advice of librarians of color. Jamia dives into the planning process, editorial scope, and lessons learned since its launch in March 2020, as well as its impact and measures of success. In addition, Martha offers her thoughts on the value of podcasts in academic librarianship, and SAGE’s recent investments in audio programming.