Staff spotlight : Mike Persick

1. What do you want the Haverford community to know about OER (open educational resources)?

Mike received a certificate in OER librarianship in 2022, to help the Libraries in providing the Haverford community with new opportunities afforded by open educational resources. OERs give faculty the ability to customize their course materials, leading to more relevant learning experiences, because these resources aren’t static materials like traditionally published textbooks. The information within the text can be chosen by the faculty member for a more flexible approach to course materials. This flexibility ensures that supplemental materials, such as case studies or problem sets, are up to date and directly reflect the curriculum. Considering the economic hardship purchasing textbooks can have on students, Mike states, “The fact that it’s free is amazing. To think; there are students who want to study, say Biology, but they don’t because of the cost of course materials.” OERs can eliminate the economic barriers that prevent students from taking classes due to the increasingly high price of textbooks, and Mike encourages faculty to work with the library to consider these resources for their courses. 

If you are interested in discussing OERs, find your subject librarian for more information.

2.  How have the Haverford College Libraries changed since you were a student?

Mike’s first introduction to Haverford happened even before attending as a student.   At 14 he visited campus for a school track meet and wandered into Magill Library, down into what is now the staff suite in Lutnick Library where he works. Later, as an undergraduate at Haverford, Mike studied math and remembers the challenges of being a student. He remembers the coursework as academically rigorous and takes this into consideration when making decisions for the Libraries; his work supports students, eliminating barriers to access and providing resources that will help develop their scholarship. 

Although challenging coursework remains the same at Haverford, there have been dramatic changes in the library since Mike was a student. One major change was the introduction of an automated card catalog. “When I started here we didn’t have an automated catalog…it probably wasn’t even a glimmer in anyone’s eye. But when I graduated, they had started the prep work.” Mike’s first job in Haverford Libraries was barcoding the collection. This project involved applying preprinted “smart barcodes” to all the books in the collection. 

Want to learn more about the history of Haverford College and the Libraries? Reach out to the College Archivist.

3. What do you want students and faculty to know about e-resources?

Haverford College’s catalog of e-resources is steadily growing. When purchasing course reserves to provide students with access to course materials, the Libraries privilege e-resources for their greater accessibility. E-resources free patrons from the traditional limitations of print materials, enabling access in real time–no longer limited by the library’s schedule–and many e-resources supporting multiple users at once. The increased accessibility can also come with a higher price tag; Mike believes that the Libraries shouldn’t burden the user with the cost of e-resources, and he works closely with his TriCo colleagues reviewing new titles weekly to evenly spread the cost of resources among TriCo Libraries while still providing patrons with access to new publications. 

Click here to explore TriCo resources through Tripod.

Can’t find a resource through Tripod? Click here to borrow beyond the TriCo.

4. Tell me about your work with HOTS and COLDS (Heads of Technical Services and Collection Development)?

This TriCo working group consists of heads of acquisitions, and associate librarians and directors of the three libraries. Their work focuses on collections related issues in addition to technical services, such as cataloging. Mike explains that the group “balances what is best for each school, and what is best for the TriCo.” HOTS and COLDS reviews collections and provides selectors with in-depth knowledge of how new publications are going to be released, and how they should be purchased. This information allows the Libraries to negotiate more effectively with vendors and publishers to the benefit of the College and the health of the collection. HOTS and COLDS has also spearheaded an effort at Haverford to negotiate lending of ebooks within the TriCo, continuing to expand access beyond the Haverford community. 

Want to see the latest additions to the Libraries’ collections? Find new publications and other news here.

5. What are you learning about?

Mike is interested in learning more about collection diversity.  He wants to encourage libraries to collect not only more broadly, in terms of authors and subject areas, but also to include more voices and perspectives in the collection. One of the ways Mike and his colleagues are doing this is by exploring publications from smaller presses. This work supports the Libraries’ collection goals, building collections that broaden students’ perspectives while providing opportunities for personal growth. 

6. What are you reading?

Mike is reading 33 and 1/3 Revolutions Per Minute by Segretto, a critique of rock albums spanning 1953 to 1999.  

Want to read this book too? Request it through Tripod.