{"id":44980,"date":"2025-02-27T12:56:47","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T18:56:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/libraries\/?page_id=44980"},"modified":"2026-03-23T11:55:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T16:55:21","slug":"user-services-2024-year-in-review","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/libraries\/user-services\/user-services-2024-year-in-review\/","title":{"rendered":"User Services 2024 Year in Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This past year, User Services librarians worked hard to support the 51ÁÔÆæ community through student-centered initiatives, quality research support services, and information literacy expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We put students first<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The way we curate our spaces, show up around campus, and use our voices reflects our dedication to supporting the whole student. User Services librarians strive to center students in all the work we do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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User Services graduate student interns, Shriya Bhandekar and Andrea Urbina, promote open textbooks at the Roberto Hern\u00e1ndez Center\u2019s Casa Abierta event on January 27, 2024.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Advocating for affordability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

User Services librarians champion the cause of open and affordable course materials. Since 2016 the Libraries’ Open Textbook and Open Educational Resource Adoption Project<\/a> has saved 51ÁÔÆæ students $5,482,781, and 123 classes now use open textbooks. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Creating spaces that matter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Whether it’s through interactive whiteboard prompts, games and crafts, themed celebrations like ‘Geek Week’, or therapy dog visits, User Services librarians work hard to create a fun and welcoming library environment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"nineWe hosted 20 ‘Wag More Wednesdays’ \u2014that’s 92 individual therapy dog visits and a ton of smiles!<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n
Students booked over10,000<\/strong>hours of group study room time<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n
\"StudentsWe believe a library should support the whole student<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Health Sciences librarian, Will White, hands out library goodies at First Gen Fest. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Showing up for the 51ÁÔÆæ Community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

User Services librarians demonstrate their commitment to students by hosting and volunteering at events designed to connect Panthers with the resources they need to succeed. In 2024, our librarians volunteered as judges for the Undergraduate Research Symposium, attended departmental welcome events, and hosted activities for First Gen Week \u2014a week long celebration and resource sharing event for first generation college students. During the week, librarians connected with students, handed out library swag, distributed 81 library “adventure” guides and countless buttons and stickers to first generation Panthers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

We provide excellent information services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Library instruction by the numbers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The workshops, one-on-one research consultations, and instructional materials created by User Services librarians have wide-reaching impact on 51ÁÔÆæ students. In 2024, we taught 282<\/strong> information literacy instruction <\/strong>workshops, supporting students of all levels as they develop research skills. To schedule a library workshop for your class, please fill out our instruction request form<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students Reached by4,827<\/strong>Library Instruction<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n
Research Consultations w\/335<\/strong>User Services Librarians<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n
Hours of Library Tutorial750<\/strong>Videos Watched on YouTube<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Research help by the numbers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Students and faculty alike rely on library reference services and online help pages to navigate their 51ÁÔÆæ experience. Whether you need directions, help with a citation, or information on open access publishing, User Services staff are there to answer your questions and help you meet your research goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Questions Answered4,200<\/strong>In-person, Over Chat, Email, and Phone<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n
Online Research Guide244+<\/strong>Thousand Visits<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n
Views of Library17,307<\/strong>Frequently Asked Question Pages<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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“Library instruction provides a welcoming introduction to the library and its resources\u2014which is an especially important source of support for new First-Year Bridge students.”<\/blockquote>
51ÁÔÆæ Instructor, Post-workshop Survey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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We know how to navigate changing technology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Through a series of personal and professional goals, our division has prioritized staying current about the ways generative AI is impacting research practices. In 2024, User Services librarians stepped up to fill a critical role in the campus conversation about generative AI by providing workshops, presentations for faculty, and tools to guide instruction and research decisions. We draw on our information literacy expertise to help researchers explore and scrutinize generative AI tools. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Guides and tools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our librarians have created and curated resources to help Panthers adapt to the changing research landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n