Podcast Summary:

New Books Network – New Books in Library Science
Episode: Terra Jacobson and Spencer Brayton, "Valuing the Community College Library: Impactful Practices for Institutional Success" (ACRL, 2025)
Release Date: January 7, 2026
Host: Michael Lamagna
Guests: Terra Jacobson (Dean of Learning Resource Center, Moraine Valley Community College), Spencer Brayton (Director of Library Services, Waubonsie Community College)

Overview of the Episode

This insightful episode explores the recently published edited volume Valuing the Community College Library: Impactful Practices for Institutional Success (ACRL, 2025), with its editors, Terra Jacobson and Spencer Brayton. The discussion covers the unique value of community college libraries, challenges in the current higher education climate, editorial approaches, impactful practices, and the future of library work—especially as it relates to innovation, equity, and technology.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins and Motivation for the Book

• Both editors have strong backgrounds in history and archival work, transitioning into academic librarianship (02:12–04:29).
• The idea stemmed from recurring conversations within Illinois library consortia (NILRC) and national networks (CJCLS), noting persistent challenges in communicating library value and sharing best practices (04:36–06:41).
• Community college librarians rarely have incentives or structures for scholarly publication, so their stories and strategies are often undocumented (06:41–07:43).

Quote:
"We don't have those external motivators that help us do research... That does also keep us from getting the word out about the work we're doing."
—Tara Jacobson (06:41)

2. Editorial Vision & Book Structure

• The editors were intentional about supporting first-time authors, offering robust guidance, peer support meetings, and flexibility tailored to contributors’ busy schedules (07:51–10:51).
• The book is structured to provide a foundation (historical context), document current state and practices, and look forward to future opportunities. It also includes perspectives from non-librarian stakeholders (e.g., college presidents, faculty members) (11:12–13:16).

Quote:
"We wanted to create space for first-time authors ... to make the book accessible because we thought if there's a gap in the literature... how are we going to get folks to feel comfortable and supported?"
—Spencer Brayton (08:26)

3. Current Challenges in Community College Libraries

• Enrollment and funding declines ("demographic cliff") put pressure on libraries, often seen by administration as cost centers. Measuring return on investment remains difficult (15:13–16:13).
• Libraries struggle to quantify their value in business terms, even though they support academic and socio-emotional success in unique ways.

Quote:
"We're cost centers for campuses ... And we don't often offer like a really good way to demonstrate dollars in and dollars out."
—Tara Jacobson (15:13)

4. Supporting Student Success and Special Populations

• Libraries play a vital role as social and educational hubs, especially at non-residential campuses (16:31–17:22).
• Highlights on supporting nontraditional students, part-timers, parents, and addressing library anxiety (Chapters referenced: "Caring for Caregivers" and library anxiety research, 16:31–19:26).

Quote:
"We are a place where students can come together and spend time ... being a social and educational hub on our campus... is a really good way that we can prepare those students for that next step."
—Tara Jacobson (17:22)

5. Effective Strategies for Student Engagement

• Personalized approaches such as "personal librarians," creating inclusive and updated spaces, and fostering meaningful connections with both students and faculty (20:57–22:46).
• Faculty engagement is crucial: "If you don't get the faculty ... you have a hard time getting students" (22:46).

Quote:
"Personal librarians ... really deep connections with our students to connect with them in a meaningful and sustained way."
—Tara Jacobson (21:55)

6. Staffing Models and Organizational Structures

• Reference and instructional staffing models must fit local institutional needs. The value of MLS librarians at service points is emphasized, but peer-to-peer (student-to-student) service is also valuable (23:59–26:21).
• Reducing professional staff can "reduce that potential view of what the library offers the campus" (25:55).

7. Adapting Instructional Modalities and Technology

• Post-pandemic shifts prompted experimentation with instructional spaces, including active learning classrooms and high-flex setups; willingness to take pedagogical risks is encouraged (26:44–30:43).
• Efforts to integrate OER, AI, and adaptive teaching methods, with acknowledgment that instructional needs are evolving quickly.

8. Libraries’ Role in Campus Support Ecosystem

• Libraries often collaborate closely with academic support services (tutoring, coaching, testing). Co-location and team approaches enhance faculty and student support (31:05–33:11).
• The invisible breadth of library work often goes unrecognized by campus leadership.

9. Equity, Access, and Institutional Value

• Institutional leaders need to understand libraries' critical role in equity and access—not just resource provision, but fostering student success (33:25–36:44).
• Advocacy is needed with institutional executives and accrediting bodies to sustain and recognize library contributions.

Quote:
"We need to talk about maybe and understand better that libraries provide equity through access to resources ... Access isn't free; it's not equitable on its own. You have to actually put work into it to make it equitable."
—Tara Jacobson (33:25, 35:11)

10. Looking Ahead: Accreditation, Perceptions, and AI

• Accreditation changes and outdated views of libraries as "warehouses for books" pose ongoing risks (36:44–38:24).
• Libraries must proactively demonstrate contemporary value and advocate for their place in accreditation standards.
• The conversation turns to AI: Libraries are uniquely positioned to provide direct instruction in AI literacy, helping students use AI tools ethically and critically (38:48–41:18).

Quote:
"I think librarians ... can really fit into that spot ... This is a good opportunity for us ... to teach people about how to use [AI] differently and how to use it appropriately."
—Terra Jacobson (40:45)

11. Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

• Spencer: conference panels, library renovation projects (41:25).
• Tara: new research with Kara Malenfant, ongoing studies about statewide needs, and translating dissertation work into practical tools (41:45–43:07).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On supporting first-time authors:
  "We wanted to make the book accessible ... [and] offer support and guidance to first-time authors."
  —Spencer Brayton (08:26)

• On the unique role of community college libraries:
  "We're really academic libraries, we're community libraries. So we're kind of a little bit public library, a little bit academic library, which I think is really unique and really special about us."
  —Tara Jacobson (33:34)

• On the evolving perception of libraries:
  "We have to break through that kind of thinking, that we're just a warehouse for books, because that's not what we are anymore."
  —Host, Michael Lamagna (38:48)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:12 – 04:29: Genesis of the book, editor backgrounds
• 04:36 – 07:43: Motivations, need for documenting community college library value
• 07:51 – 10:51: Editorial vision; supporting first-time authors
• 11:12 – 13:16: Book structure and inclusion of institutional leaders’ voices
• 15:13 – 16:13: Fiscal challenges faced by community college libraries
• 16:31 – 19:26: Supporting student parents, library as social/educational hub, library anxiety
• 20:57 – 22:46: Engagement strategies: personal librarians, updating spaces, peer support
• 23:59 – 26:21: Staffing models and implications for reference/instruction
• 26:44 – 30:43: Adapting instruction post-pandemic, active learning, flexible modalities
• 31:05 – 33:11: Libraries in the broader academic support ecosystem
• 33:25 – 36:44: Libraries’ impact on equity, access, advocacy with leadership and accreditors
• 38:48 – 41:18: AI’s role in libraries and future directions
• 41:25 – 43:07: Upcoming work, research initiatives, and closing remarks

Tone and Takeaways

The conversation is passionate, collaborative, and practical, reflecting editors deeply invested in broadening both scholarly and local understanding of what community college libraries can—and should—be. Listeners will gain an appreciation for the complex, evolving role libraries play in supporting students, faculty, and institutional goals in the face of significant challenges.