Growth on the Rise at UTA Libraries

With the start of the fall semester, the staff at UTA Libraries is excited to welcome students back into a place that fosters community, creates friendships, and sparks creativity. The library's resources make that possibility a reality, with areas designated for study, imagination, and engagement.  

Gretchen Trkay, Associate University Librarian and Experiential Learning and Outreach Department Head, stated that the library had been slowly opening up from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is once again becoming a place where community thrives as more people return to the library.  

 "We went through a period when students were not in the building at all during COVID and then transitioned to having a few floors open. Then, this past fall and spring, the entire building was open. We have seen student use bounce back significantly," Gretchen said. "The reality of the libraries is that we are resources. We are technology, books, journals, and all those things, but we are also space and community. We were basically divorced from all those parts of our mission (during COVID) for a significant amount of time. It is wonderful that we are back." 

According to the Library's Office of Assessment, 87.65% of surveyed former library student workers felt very connected or moderately connected to the university. Of these surveyed, 51.22% said UTA Libraries significantly improved their ability to work independently. 

 One of the library's primary missions continues to be where student and professional success is a top priority. With that in mind, the staff at UTA Libraries are looking at the current needs and addressing them to achieve that goal. 

 "I think that institutions everywhere are (facing) staffing issues. We know that we best serve our students and faculty when we are in a state of being full staff in positions. That is going to be a significant focus," she said. "We took the opportunity during the period during the pandemic to do some renovations of space, which was when The Studios opened. We also are working to enhance our quiet study spaces." 

The quiet study spaces will have upgrades during the next academic year to make them high-quality spaces, adding electricity resources. They will add flexibility to accommodate several types of uses. The fourth and fifth floors will have furniture replaced.  

 A new motion capture studio on the first floor will open this fall for library patrons to use as a part of "The Studios." Equipment is currently being installed in the space.  

 Gretchen shared that she wants every person to feel that the library is their home away from home.  

 "My hope is that when they walk in the door, they first get a warm welcome from our guest services staff that help connect them with the resources they need to succeed," she said. "I hope we do a good job through our programming and events to help students feel connected."