The proposed partnership that was instrumental in the development plans for a college campus in downtown Covington bore fruit on Wednesday.
Gateway Community & Technical College, in the midst of its urban metro campus expansion, made official its relationship with the Kenton County Public Library when president Dr. Ed Hughes and executive director Dave Schroeder signed a memorandum of agreement establishing an educational partnership aimed at allowing both institutions to better serve students, the college community, and the public.
“This is another exciting step forward for Gateway and the Kenton County Public Library,” Schroeder said during the signing ceremony at the Covington branch.
Among the benefits of the agreement:
- Access to a large collection of databases for Gateway students at Kenton County libraries
- Teacher cards, allowing Gateway faculty to check out larger quantities of resources to use for instruction
- Reserve shelves at Kenton County libraries where Gateway faculty may hold resources for students to access
- Collection of library usage data to better serve the community needs
- Shared facility space for programming, instruction and meetings
- Gateway internships at Kenton County libraries
Hughes referenced the Major League Baseball All-Star Game signage displayed on screens at the library and remarked, “I would say this is an All-Star day for Gateway Community & Technical College and the Kenton County Public Library.” When the urban metro campus of the young community college was being planned, it opted to utilize the existing county library instead of developing its own collection.
The library, like Gateway’s buildings, underwent a multi-million renovation. “We were very excited when Gateway moved across the street,” Schroeder said of the college’s takeover of the former Two Rivers Middle School building on Scott Boulevard. “We got more excited when they started buying everything around us.”
In addition to Two Rivers, Gateway now offers classes in two renovated former furniture stores on Madison Avenue and Scott Boulevard. Several more buildings will be renovated or constructed in the coming years.
The relationship with the library, Hughes and Schroeder said, saves money for the taxpayers. It has also left an impression upon higher education regulators and accrediting agencies who have visited the set-up, Hughes said.
“Both the Kenton County Public Library and Gateway share a common mission to enhance the quality of life and community in Northern Kentucky through access to information and education,” said Susan Mospens, chair of the library’s board. “We are proud to formalize this shared mission by signing an agreement that aligns our purpose, resources, and mutual commitment to the citizens of Northern Kentucky.”
Students, faculty and staff will have access to all resources at the libraries in Covington, Erlanger and Independence by obtaining a Kenton County library card, even if they are not Kenton County residents.
Hughes signed up for a library card on Wednesday.
“Partnerships between academic and public libraries are rare and we are fortunate to have one of the best public libraries in the Commonwealth located directly across the street from our Urban campus. Our goal is to provide students with the resources they need now and in the future. We encourage our students to become lifelong learners and library patronage doesn’t end with graduation,” said Denise Fritsch, Gateway director of library and information services.
-Written by Michael Monks, editor & publisher, with some materials from a news release
Photos by RCN
