jan11a.indd


January 2011 5 C&RL News

In theIn the

Welcome to the January 2011 issue of C&RL 
News. Just as ACRL has started the process of 
creating a new strategic plan (see the News 
from the Field section for details), strategic 
planning is essential for academic and research 
libraries as they strive to demonstrate their val-
ue on campus. But the process can be some-
what overwhelming and daunting at times. 
Richard Wayne unravels “The academic library 
strategic planning puzzle” in this issue.

Many libraries are including scholarly com-
munication issues, such as open access and 
institutional repository support, in their plans. 
And not just large research institutions, as 
Jonathan Miller of Rollins College notes in his 
article “Open access and liberal arts colleges.” 
Providing services to all student groups is inte-
gral to success at all types of institutions. Claire 
Walker and Amanda Click highlight “Meeting the 
reference expectations of ESL students,” as they 
adjust to new cultures and education systems.

Reaching out and relating to today’s Mil-
lennial students can be a challenge. Anne 

Pemberton discusses how she uses Facebook 
as a teaching tool in library instruction sessions 
in her article “From friending to research.” Of 
course, being a part of online social networks 
isn’t limited to students. Susanne Markgren out-
lines “Ten simple steps to create and manage 
your professional online identity,” along with 
how an online portfolio can be benefi cial to 
the promotion and tenure process.

Sometimes the usual roles are reversed, as 
Stefanie Buck discovered when “A distance 
education librarian becomes a distance educa-
tion student” and views the virtual classroom 
from the other side. 

Make sure to check out all of the other great 
features and columns, including information on 
the candidates for ACRL offi ce in the upcoming 
ALA election (make sure to vote starting March 
16, 2011), Internet Resources on alternative press 
sites, and the index for volume 71.

Thanks, as always, for reading the News.
—David Free, editor-in-chief

dfree@ala.org