Milne Library project team members who created the award-winning Access Opportunity Program Summer Library Research Academy Program include (l to r) Dan Ross, Sue Ann Brainard, Bonnie Swoger, Michelle Costello, and Tracy Paradis.
GENESEO, N.Y. – SUNY Geneseo’s Milne Library has been named the winner of the 2016 Innovation in Instruction Award by The American Library Association’s Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT).
The award recognizes a library that demonstrates innovation in support of information literacy and instruction. This year’s award specifically recognizes the Access Opportunity Program (AOP) Summer Library Research Academy Program, created by the library’s instruction and reference services team. The project team included Sue Ann Brainard, reference and instruction librarian; Dan Ross, academic excellence librarian; Bonnie Swoger, science librarian; Michelle Costello, education and instructional design librarian; and Tracy Paradis, reference instruction librarian. Also on the team but no longer at Geneseo were librarians Kim Hoffman and Justina Elmore.
“This is marvelous news and a well-deserved recognition to the Milne Library team members who have created this model summer program,” said SUNY Geneseo Provost Carol S. Long. “The initiative is a fine example of the work we do on our campus to ensure success of all students.”
The AOP Summer Library Research Academy is a component of Geneseo’s Access Opportunity Program, a program designed to serve student populations that include minorities, first-generation college students and individuals from low-income and/or rural communities. These populations have historically displayed lower enrollment, retainment and attainment figures in comparison to “traditional” student populations.
The Summer Library Research Academy works with AOP faculty and administrators to scaffold information literacy skills over a four-week period, culminating in the students presenting their research findings and skills to Geneseo faculty and staff via an academic poster session. The library program accomplishes a great deal in a short time frame: It familiarizes students with library services and resources; introduces students to both basic and advanced information literacy skills; challenges students to work collaboratively to solve a problem; and offers students the opportunity to present their research to peers and professors at the college.
The library will receive the award June 26 at the LIRT Annual Awards Ceremony and Reception.