Personal Librarian Program

The Drexel Libraries is in its third year of offering the Personal Librarian Program.  The program is off to a successful start this quarter. Each freshman is assigned a library staff member who serves as the student's primary contact for the library during the first year. Students may call, email, or meet with their personal librarian for assistance in getting started with research and using library services and resources.

During New Student Days, each freshman received an introductory letter from his or her personal librarian. The Libraries also sponsored a jumbled word scavenger hunt, providing students an opportunity to become familiar with the library and to meet the personal librarians who helped staff the event.

A Librarian for Everyone

Drexel now has personal librarians for this year’s 2,750-plus freshmen to help connect them to the increasingly complicated information landscape. More than 20 personal librarians are charged with helping students learn about the resources and contacts they need to succeed. They are trained to understand the curriculum and information resources throughout Drexel’s many disciplines and will maintain a relationship with the students until they move deeper into research when the primary contact becomes a subject specialist.

“The program is a natural extension of what libraries have done for a long time, but now we are adding a more personal element,” said Dean of Libraries Dr. Danuta A. Nitecki, adding that every student will begin to master the identification and evaluation of resources in order to “explore diverse ideas and gain new knowledge.” Nitecki envisions the library as a learning enterprise, where librarians are integrated as educators in the academic life of the campus.

Where You Live and Work

That traditional university library at the heart of campus? Its days may be numbered, with Drexel University Libraries leading the way.

Beginning with a “Library Learning Terrace” in the heart of the University’s residential community, Drexel is exploring multiple learning spaces across campus designed to essentially bring the library to the students.

Librarians: they're like superheroes in that they save you during finals and have secret lairs.

The school library (or, if you're at a big school, libraries) are part of almost every college tour.

Personal Librarian Program at Drexel University

Drexel University, Philadelphia, has joined a small but growing group of libraries that are assigning incoming students a "personal librarian" to provide guidance and a direct link to the library.

Drexel University, Drawing on Yale Example, Implements Personal Librarian Program

Drexel University, Philadelphia, has joined the small but growing group of libraries that are assigning incoming students a "personal librarian" to provide guidance and a direct link to the library.

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