Alkek One opened its doors just last year, but it’s already expanding. The library’s technology engagement hub is sharing some of its equipment and workshops to the Texas State University Round Rock Campus. It’s part of a pilot program that will last at least through the Spring 2022 semester.
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The Alkek One and Round Rock Campus Library teams worked together to select the equipment they believed would benefit Round Rock’s students the most. Now the Round Rock Campus Library has a RodeCaster Pro mixer with a microphone for recording podcasts, virtual reality headsets, Microsoft Surface Pro computers, and iMacs.
The Round Rock Campus Library’s Head Librarian, Anthony Guardado, says he couldn’t be more excited to have some of Alkek One’s resources. “This pilot is going to allow the Round Rock community to use some of Alkek One’s elements to improve their teaching, their education, and maybe even have a little fun along the way,” Guadado said.
The group isn’t just sharing its technology; it’s sharing its expertise, too. Each Alkek One expert is teaching in-person workshops in Round Rock this semester, which are open to all students, faculty, and staff. Patrons will have the opportunity to learn about audio editing, Geographic Information Systems, 3D design, and more. Plus, they will have the opportunity to book consultations with the Alkek One experts.
“We’re extremely excited about the energy of the Alkek One experts,” Guardado said. “This was not something they were forced to do. They have a strong desire to reach all Texas State University patrons.”
Alkek One’s Director of Technology Engagement, Andrew Rechnitz, Ph.D., believes this generosity and excitement for expanding comes from his team’s successful first year.
“We’ve seen students at the Alkek Library come in to Alkek One, take our workshops, and successfully use our cutting-edge technologies to create amazing projects for their courses and personal endeavors,” Rechnitz said. “We are confident that Round Rock students will be similarly inspired to not only use these technologies but also leverage what our specialists bring to the table.”
For some, it may seem like it is early for such a young program to be expanding. But for those involved, this move was simply a matter of time.
“The timing of this could not have been better,” said Round Rock Librarian Lynn Bostwick. “I actually had a faculty member reach out to me about podcasting equipment right before this pilot’s proposal was submitted. Faculty are aware of technology that’s out there now, and they’re ready to incorporate it into their curriculum.”
The Alkek One equipment is available to use at the Round Rock Campus Library now. The first Alkek One workshop in Round Rock will be held on September 7th. You can sign up here.
Kira Wright is YouStar Studios supervisor for University Libraries.
