Holmes Community College in Goodman, MS, has been a Films On Demand customer since 2012. We recently talked with James Thompson, Librarian at Holmes Community College, about how the McMorrough Library deals with technophobes, makes the most of its budget, and encourages usage among patrons, students, and researchers.
Tell us one way you’re helping users who may be hesitant to embrace technology to take advantage of your library’s online resources.
We are very adamant about teaching users who are in front of computers along with our orientations. They have the ability to follow throughout orientations and maintain a higher grasp of navigating library resources.
What have you done that has most impacted usage at your college?
Created an aggregate search engine of our materials through a discovery service. That, coupled with access to our librarians late into the night, has produced a higher level of usage.
How do you alert faculty to the new resources that your library acquires?
We typically email faculty about new resources that can have a positive impact. I try to rope them into coming in for coffee or breakfast in the library from time to time. We then have the comfort of discussing new opportunities to help them in the classroom.
Tell us how you are making the most out of your library budget in these uncertain economic times.
I’m a bargain shopper. The trick is to treat the money like it is your own. I follow the pattern of research we conduct to help our students and staff. We read reviews, shop using comparison sites, get multiple quotes, and most importantly, have to establish a real need before deciding to spend.
What is your favorite part of being a librarian?
This is the hardest question. I’ve been asked it many times before, and I have always answered, “My favorite part of being a librarian is being a librarian.” There are so many wonderful things we have the ability to do for others, and take enjoyment in participating ourselves.
What do you think is the library’s most important responsibility to your institution?
Shelby Foote said, “A university is just a group of buildings gathered around a library.” I firmly believe our job is to hold up the college’s academic standards and provide vital resources for student success and retention.
About Films On Demand:
Films On Demand is widely regarded as a frontrunner in the educational streaming video field. Its extensive amount of video content in a wide array of subjects comes from more than 800 of the best producers around the world.
