L
isa Marshall, Librarian III at College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Bay St. George campus, says the library isn’t just for students – there’s something for everyone.
“While it’s true that Library Services fall under Student Support, we are also available to help employees achieve their personal and professional goals. Student success is our ultimate priority and helping employees with their information needs directly supports this goal,” she explained. “At the Bay St. George campus, we work together to help our users locate information and achieve success. Employees can access various resources through the library, including print and online materials. Whether they are working on a special project, learning a new skill, or looking for supplementary material for instruction, they are encouraged to contact us for help!”
Originally from Corner Brook, NL, Lisa has been with CNA for almost 10 years, and says the libraries are committed to being accessible spaces for both students and staff.
“Each of the library Learning Commons locations at Bay St. George campus are safe, welcoming spaces. They were (re)designed with accessibility in mind, including height adjustable tables and access to various technologies (such as desktop computers with large monitors, iPads, and laptops),” she said.
“We’ve made some great strides towards increased accessibility but there are always things we can do to continue to improve our spaces and services.”
Lisa adds that the library can be a great resource for staff and students completely free of charge.
“Each location can provide access to quiet study spaces, as well as collaborative learning environments. We help students and employees access the resources they need to complete their studies or work tasks in a timely manner and without additional costs. We collect items that complement the curriculum at the campus, and faculty can connect with us to put resources on reserve so that they are easier for students to access. Along with all campus libraries, we are members of CAUL-CBUA (Council of Atlantic University Libraries – Conseil des biblioteques universitaires de l’Atantique), which effectively expands our collections through resource sharing with other Atlantic Canadian universities and colleges.”
Lisa says the library also provides great opportunities for personal and professional development.
“Our campus has professional development/leadership and wellness materials that are available for employees to borrow. These items can be found by searching the CNA Library Services catalogue, or by dropping in to browse the shelves,” she said. “We also have access to a huge collection of eBooks via our provincial EBSCO subscription that covers a wide variety of subjects – you can find these on our Library Services secure page, or you can contact us to learn more.”
Jeff Martin, Director of Student Affairs, says the library is designed to be an inclusive space.
“Lisa has been instrumental in supporting the redesign of our library Learning Commons to create a warm, friendly welcome for our students and employees,” he said. “The redesign has incorporated so many great features that make these spaces more than just a library, but a place to work and connect with your peers!”
For more information about CNA programs and services, visit www.cna.nl.ca.
By Ryanne McIsaac
