Don’t let the 70s vibe fool you. TLU’s Blumberg Memorial Library—which has sustained Texas Lutheran students through untold hours of study, research, fact-checking, and late-night cramming since it opened in 1970—is all caught up to the twenty-first century, and is as much the heart of campus today as it has been for generations of Bulldogs long-since graduated.
Under the leadership of Director Mark Dibble and Assistant Director Amelia Koford, who took the reins last year, the library is staying true to its mission while evolving to meet the needs of students, faculty, and community members.
Dibble hired on as the Instruction and Public Services Librarian in 2004, while Koford came in 2012, fresh out of grad school—so both have seen the library through several seasons and plenty of changes. “The biggest change is that we're now supporting academic programs not only in Seguin, but also in Houston, New Braunfels, and online,” Koford said. “We support those programs by providing remote access to databases and e-books, virtual meetings with classes and with individuals, and online guides and tutorials.”
But no matter how the library changes, some things stay the same—and always will. “It has long been the mission of the library to provide support for the students, faculty, and staff of the university. We will continue to fulfill that mission,” said Dibble. “That being said, there continue to be changes that affect how the library carries out its mission.”
For one thing, there are new issues surrounding how students approach research. “The rise in misinformation and AI have posed challenges to the library world,” said Dibble. “We have to make sure that students understand the world of information so they can make smart choices about the information they see and use. The librarians will continue to work with the faculty and students, teaching them about the best ways to conduct research and use information. The library wants to make sure that students use information smartly with a critical eye.”
And that information needs to be readily available. “Part of the way we can battle misinformation is to make sure that we not only teach students how to use information, but also provide access to reliable resources,” said Dibble. “We need to ensure that we have access to books, journals, databases, and other resources that are needed to answer any research question to make sure students are prepared to make an impact on the world.”
The collection consists of over 200,000 volumes, but it's important for students to be aware that there’s more on offer at Blumberg. “We have poster printers and a 3-D printer. We are also continually exploring additional services that might be needed to meet student needs. To do this we often work with others around campus, like the faculty, IT, and the BUENOS Center,” said Dibble.
“A lot of students don't know that we have laptops available for one-month checkout,” added Koford. “And a lot of students are unsure about contacting a librarian, so we want to encourage them to reach out. We love helping students with research!”
Check out the library’s new website, right here: Home - Home - TLU Library at Texas Lutheran University. And if you have a question for a librarian, get in touch via email (librarian@tlu.edu) or stop by the library during business hours.