scholarly journals COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT IN THE TIME OF COVID 19: EFFORTS & APPROACHES OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

Author(s):  
Janice PEÑAFLOR ◽  
Donna Lyn LABANGON

Objective. This paper aims to investigate the types and scope of community engagement and outreach activities of academic libraries while the physical library spaces remain closed or operating on a limited capacity. It also looks at the tools and methods employed to implement such activities. The paper also attempts to uncover patterns or emerging themes as libraries explore innovative ideas and take new initiatives for the betterment of the community they serve. Methods. The study employs a website and Facebook page survey of AUN (ASEAN University Network) Inter-Library Online (AUNILO) member-libraries. The following six outreach categories will be utilized: (1) Collection-Based Outreach; (2) Instruction & Services-Based Outreach; (3) “Whole Person” Outreach; (4) Just for Fun Outreach; (5) Partnerships and Community-Focused Outreach; and (6) Multi-Pronged Themed Events and Programming. Said categories were derived from Farrell and Mastel (2016) paper entitled “Considering Outreach Assessment: Strategies, Sample Scenarios, And A Call to Action.” Results. Findings of the study will offer some insights on how libraries strengthen their roles in transforming societies as they provide opportunities to bring about positive change in their communities. Moreover, this paper will also challenge libraries to take a closer look at their own activities and consider how they can design creative and inspiring ways to connect with their communities. Conclusions. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, libraries are proactively pivoting their community engagement and outreach efforts online and are finding new ways to serve faculty, students, and partners. Libraries are committed to strengthening the resilience and recovery of the community through working collaboratively with its members and building partnerships with relevant organizations.

Author(s):  
Barbara Blummer ◽  
Jeffrey M. Kenton

This chapter presents a synthesis of the literature on academic library portals. Library portals remain a component of the modern academic library. Portal features differ, but typically contain a single authentication process and access to metadata as well as some services (Laouar, Hacken, & Miles, 2009). The authors examined 87 papers in their review. This examination revealed six themes including: developing library portals, utilizing assessment strategies, collaborating on portal projects, incorporating personalization and customization features, conducting environmental scans, and creating instructional portals. The authors assigned themes to the papers based on the primary focus of the material. The findings revealed various issues with the development of academic library portals. The content of academic library portals continues to evolve as their importance to the user increases. Ultimately, an examination of the literature illustrated academic libraries' efforts to remain relevant through the availability of new resources and services on their portals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (11) ◽  
pp. 1565-1587
Author(s):  
Caroline W. Lee

This article approaches college and university community engagement as a publicity practice responding to complex pressures in the U.S. higher education field. Democracy initiatives in American academia encompass a range of civic activities in communities near and far, but the forces driving their production are decidedly nonlocal and top-down. Good intentions are no longer enough for colleges and universities facing crises on a number of fronts. Today’s community collaborations must be intensive, reciprocal, deliberative, and appreciative. This mission of democratic transparency pursued by institutions involves extensive efforts to certify civic empowerment for public audiences and funders, trade and professional associations, state legislatures, and federal regulators. A promotional perspective on community engagement in higher education shifts attention from the authentic grassroots transformations that are its putative focus to the larger processes driving this activity and its outcomes: not least, the pursuit of legitimacy through increasingly elaborate self-assessment strategies. This endless loop—and its demands that engagement be ever more democratic and transparent, in its practice and in its evaluation—demonstrates not only the reach of promotional transparency, but its characteristic shape and reflexive organizational routines.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 22s-22s
Author(s):  
M.A. O'Brien ◽  
A. Lofters ◽  
B. Wall ◽  
A.D. Pinto ◽  
R. Elliott ◽  
...  

Background: The Building on Existing Tools to Improve Chronic Disease Prevention and Screening (BETTER) intervention has improved uptake of chronic disease prevention and screening activities in primary care. The BETTER intervention consists of 1:1 visits between prevention practitioners (PPs) and patients (40-65 years). It is unknown if an adapted BETTER could be effective in the community with public health nurses as PPs. Aim: The presentation objective is to describe community engagement strategies in a cluster RCT in low income neighborhoods with low cancer screening rates and low uptake of primary care. Methods: Principles of community-based participatory research were used to design the community engagement strategy in Durham region, Ontario. Key elements included close collaboration with public health partners to identify stakeholders and creating a community advisory committee (CAC) and a primary care engagement group to provide advice. Results: We identified 15 community stakeholder groups (∼47 subgroups) including service organizations, faith groups, and charitable organizations representing diverse constituents. Community outreach activities included in-person meetings and information displays at local events. The CAC is comprised of members of the public and representatives from primary care, social services, and community organizations. The CAC and primary care engagement groups have provided advice on trial recruitment strategies and on the design of the PP visit. Conclusion: The partnership between public health, primary care, and the study team has been crucial to connect with community stakeholders. Community engagement is essential in raising awareness about the study and will contribute to successful recruitment. Trial Registration: NCT03052959


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-17
Author(s):  
Syed M. Ahmed ◽  
Sharon Neu Young ◽  
Mia C. DeFino ◽  
Joseph E. Kerschner

AbstractBeyond medical schools’ historical focus on pillar missions including clinical care, education, and research, several medical schools now include community engagement (CE) as a mission. However, most academic health systems (AHSs) lack the tools to provide metrics, evaluation, and standardization for quantifying progress and contributions of the CE mission. Several nationwide initiatives, such as that driven by the Institute of Medicine recommending advances in CE metrics at institutions receiving Clinical and Translational Science Awards, have encouraged the research and development of systematic metrics for CE, but more progress is needed. The CE components practical model provides a foundation for analyzing and evaluating different types of CE activities at AHSs through five components: research, education, community outreach and community service, policy and advocacy, and clinical care. At the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), an annual survey administered to faculty and staff assessed the types and number of CE activities from the prior year. Survey results were combined to create a CE report for departments across the institution and inform MCW leadership. Insights gathered from the survey have contributed to next steps in CE tracking and evaluation, including the development of a CE dashboard to track CE activities in real time. The dashboard provides resources for how individuals can advance the CE mission through their work and guide CE at the institutional level.


Author(s):  
Barbara Blummer ◽  
Jeffrey M. Kenton

This chapter presents a synthesis of the literature on academic library portals. Library portals remain a component of the modern academic library. Portal features differ, but typically contain a single authentication process and access to metadata as well as some services (Laouar, Hacken, & Miles, 2009). The authors examined 87 papers in their review. This examination revealed six themes including: developing library portals, utilizing assessment strategies, collaborating on portal projects, incorporating personalization and customization features, conducting environmental scans, and creating instructional portals. The authors assigned themes to the papers based on the primary focus of the material. The findings revealed various issues with the development of academic library portals. The content of academic library portals continues to evolve as their importance to the user increases. Ultimately, an examination of the literature illustrated academic libraries' efforts to remain relevant through the availability of new resources and services on their portals.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 310-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed M. Ahmed ◽  
Sharon Neu Young ◽  
Mia C. DeFino ◽  
Zeno Franco ◽  
David A. Nelson

IntroductionCommunity engagement (CE) has become more prevalent among academic health centers (AHCs), with significant diversity in practices and language. The array of approaches to CE contributes to confusion among practitioners.MethodsWe have reviewed multiple models of CE utilized by AHCs, Clinical and Translational Science Awards, and higher education institutions overall. Taking these models into consideration, we propose a comprehensive model of CE that encompasses a broader spectrum of activities and programs.ResultsThe CE Components Practical Model includes 5 components: Community Outreach and Service, Education, Clinical Care, Research, and Policy and Advocacy. The components are supported by the foundational elements within administrative functions and infrastructure.ConclusionsThis model will accomplish the following: (1) reduce confusion about CE; (2) provide a broader understanding of CE; and (3) increase the ability of CE practitioners to interact with each other through this common reference and engage in advancing CE scholarship.


2011 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann W. Hallyburton ◽  
Heidi E. Buchanan ◽  
Timothy V. Carstens

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Maria Carolina Festa ◽  
Philip Leger ◽  
Valerie Caldas

Introduction: Whole Person Care (WPC) is a growing movement in health care recognized as an important tool for both practitioners and patient outcomes. What remains unclear is what WPC looks like in practice and how providers know they are practicing it successfully. Methods: Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 30 healthcare providers during the WPC congress in 2017. An iterative qualitative process was used to code and analyze the data using qualitative research software.The primary research question explored how practitioners know that they are practicing WPC. Results: Our analysis revealed that the practice of WPC is an individual experiential process appreciated through self-awareness and connection. Most practitioners reported the importance of i) their ability to be present in an interaction and to acknowledge their own emotions, ii) the relationship between practitioner and patient, characterized by a feeling of trust and of mutual impact, and iii) relying on external cues, such as explicit patient feedback and body language. In this workshop, attendees will be prompted to reflect on their experiences of providing WPC through individual and group exercises. Attendees will be invited to reflect on the above results and discuss emerging themes. This participatory research model creates an interactive space for workshop attendees to build on our data and guide further analysis. Conclusion: Cues to whether you are practicing WPC rely on practitioner self-awareness and perceptions of how interactions transpire. This workshop offers an opportunity to create an experiential map of the elements contributing to the growing practice of WPC. 


EDIS ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela B. Lindsey ◽  
Samantha Goldenberg ◽  
Cassie Wandersee

The HGHC series includes thirteen publications that focus on the work of the community outreach and dissemination team, including community engagement, outreach, and research result dissemination. This 3-page document focuses on developing and strengthening networks before they are challenged to promote resilience in and after a disaster. Written by Angela B. Lindsey, Samantha Goldenberg, and Cassie Wandersee, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, April 2018.  http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1477


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