The world of outreach: One art librarian's perspective

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on the outreach activities of the Fine Arts Library at Ohio State University.

Design/methodology/approach

Outreach at Ohio State is intended to have global impact, but successful outreach is often hampered by lack of partnerships, funding restrictions, and a monolithic approach to the patron. The paper reflects on each of these issues and discusses the strategies used by the Fine Arts Library to conduct outreach with user‐focus and budgets in mind.

Findings

The paper finds that there are techniques for outreach that involve small outputs of funds but have larger impacts. Moving past a “one size fits all” philosophy for outreach allows the Fine Arts Library to connect with the patrons it is best able to serve.

Originality/value

While the phrase “think globally, act locally” is well‐known, it can often be forgotten in libraries, where the goal to reach as many people as possible is very important. This paper suggests that the returns on the local investment are incredibly important to the global missions of libraries.

Citation

Gluibizzi, A.K. (2009), "The world of outreach: One art librarian's perspective", Library Review, Vol. 58 No. 2, pp. 116-123. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242530910936934