From the Library Director, November 2025
Posted: November 4, 2025
The A.T. Still Memorial Library is embarking on several key initiatives for 2025-2026, and we wanted to share more detail about what these goals mean for you. Each one is a deliberate step in our strategic plan, designed to directly support the university’s core themes of “Innovative Education” and “Mission-Focused Scholarship.”
A New Front Door: Website Redesign
Our priority is a complete redesign of the library’s homepage. This project goes far beyond a new look; it’s a functional overhaul focused on task-based navigation and universal accessibility. The goal is to reduce the number of clicks it takes to find a database, request an article, or contact your liaison. This supports “Innovative Education” by ensuring all users, regardless of ability or device, have an equitable and efficient path to information. There is still time to fill out our Library Website Use Survey by the end of November and receive our new Bucky Library sticker!
Enhancing Our Tech: New Tools for You
You will soon see new tools integrated into our services, including but not limited to LibAnswers and LibWizard. For you and your students, this means immediate access to help via a 24/7 searchable FAQ database (LibAnswers) for common questions and easier-to-use forms and tutorials (LibWizard). This investment supports “Agile Resource Management” by allowing us to answer your questions more efficiently and at your point of need.
Growing Engagement: A Two-Way Conversation
We are making a concerted effort to grow our library engagement and awareness. This means using our newsletter and social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, and Threads) to not only share library news but also to spotlight publications, research, and departmental events. We will also be gathering more direct feedback through targeted surveys and listening sessions to ensure our services, spaces, and collections are truly aligned with your evolving needs, fostering an “Engaged, diverse University community.”
Deepening Partnerships: Your Embedded Liaison
We are formalizing our commitment to “Beneficial Partnerships” by having each library liaison develop specific, measurable goals for their assigned schools and programs. In practice, this could look like a liaison partnering with a department to co-design a research assignment, attending faculty meetings to provide targeted resource updates, or developing a custom resource guide for a new program. Our goal is to be a proactive and integrated member of your academic team.
Fostering Research: A Seamless Support System
To advance “Mission-Focused Scholarship,” we are creating an internal library research group. This team will map out the entire research lifecycle at ATSU—from initial idea to final publication—to identify gaps and streamline support. The goal is to create a “no-wrong-door” service model, making it easier for faculty and students to navigate everything from complex literature reviews and data management plans to author rights and publishing support.
Integrating AI: Navigating the Future Together
The library is committed to being a key partner in the university-wide conversation on AI use. Our staff will be actively involved in initiatives and engagements to explore this technology. For you, this will translate into practical support, such as workshops on using AI tools for literature discovery, guidance on the ethical use of AI in scholarly writing, and contributing to policies that uphold academic integrity.
We are excited to work with faculty, students, and staff on these initiatives. These goals are not just a library checklist; they are a renewal of our commitment to supporting your work and ensuring the library is an essential partner in the success of A.T. Still University.
Hal Bright, MIRLS
University Library Director