Multimedia for all: digital resources for students at University Libraries

Digitally created graphics, presentations and projects are increasingly in demand for students, and University Libraries is here to help with its Multimedia Center. Located on the second floor of Alden Library, the Multimedia Center and the Multimedia Studio offer valuable help with digital tools. Chad Boeninger, head of User Services and business and economics librarian, Suleyman Gurbanov, creative media specialist, and Aireen Maurisio, a library support specialist for User Services, discuss how they support students from every skill level and major with these tools.

The Libraries’ Multimedia Center has access to many virtual resources. The center features Apple iMac computers with Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Premiere video editing software, desktop scanners, two iMacs equipped with VCR, DVD and TV capability and one iMac equipped with a Wacom tablet. 

After attending the 12th Designing Libraries Conference at the University of Rochester River Campus, Boeninger was inspired to create more inviting spaces to meet the needs of a diverse group of learners. He outlined how Alden Library is a critical study space for students and faculty, noting the need for greater digital services to meet their needs.

“We need a space that’s flexible,” Boeninger said.

He emphasized a need to keep the barrier to entry low to ensure students from any technological background can grow their skills as creators of multimedia content— and keeps resources open to all students, regardless of what they study or what they are curious about.

“Our Multimedia Center democratizes the access to high-end computing,” Boeninger said.

Suleyman Gurbanov, who began working at the Libraries’ this year as well, brings his strategic communication and diplomacy experience to his role.

“It’s not only my work experience, but I also graduated from a master’s program that was invested [in] media production, which is a communication development at [Ohio University],” he said.

Both Gurbanov, who is also an instructor at the Scripps College of Communication, and Boeninger emphasized enriching curiosity as a precursor to learning crucial skills in low-pressure environments.

“I would say that literacy and curiosity are intertwined,” Gurbanov said. “Technical literacy comes from artistic expression and learning things in a playful way, which I think this library setting can basically leverage and help provide [for] students.”

Students looking for multimedia help can meet with any of the four multimedia peer tutors who offer online and in person meetings about working Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office applications. 

As a former multimedia peer tutor herself, Maurisio emphasized the students’ critical roles in helping other students with graphic and creative design skills.

Aireen Maurisio (left) recently started her full-time position at the Libraries after graduating this year from Ohio University. As a part of her job, Maurisio supports the multimedia resources at Alden Library.

“… not a lot of people can afford to have these things on their personal devices or have all of the subscriptions to Adobe …,” she said. “I’m really glad that within the last few years, we pushed to [have the Adobe Creative Suite] be available for all students, and not just those in the creative works…”

Additionally, the Libraries’ Multimedia Studio features Mac computers with the Adobe Suite for students who need access to those services on a high-speed operating system, a microphone, a tripod with an iPhone holder, a green screen and studio lighting. 

“…we’re intentional about getting people to use things that they may not have done,” Boeninger said.

He explained how items like virtual and extended reality build technical skills while cultivating genuine curiosity. The multimedia spaces act as the first step to building skills and playing with new ideas outside the classroom.

“This is basically like a motor that launches us into learning things, because learning is always confronting something unfamiliar,” Gurbanov said.

Gurbanov was recently added to the Libraries’ appointment system. If you need help learning new digital resources, you can book an appointment with him or read more about the multimedia peer tutors. 

Students have a cross-disciplinary necessity to learn, says Gurbanov, and the combination of fun, freedom, curiosity and creativity is a hallmark of the Libraries’ goals to enhance students’ multimedia and creative work. 

Photos by Presley Chen / Ohio University Libraries