Meet Chesnutt Library’s New Director: Forrest Foster
posted by Shawnsuki Brooks | November 23, 2019 | In NewsI can’t remember the last time I picked up a book that wasn’t required of me, much less going to the library to checkout one for personal preference or research. I’m not saying people don’t do such things today, but let’s face it:
We Google everything. We simply use technology for things people 10-15 years ago depended solely on the library.
When interviewing with Mr. Forrest Foster, the new Director of the Library, I learned that he also felt that books are losing the war against technology and the culture altogether.
Prior to our interview, I had stopped by Mr. Foster’s office to get an idea of what he wanted to focus on in the interview. There were two words that stuck out most: “no books.”
So, during the interview I asked him to further explain. Foster replied: “No books means times are changing. The culture is changing, in general. Libraries are more than just a storehouse for books. The past ten years have been a tech revolution for the library. Now we are looking at a way to move the books out the way and make them more digital, physically bringing more formal spaces, mobile spaces, lounge spaces, coffee shops, event spaces. It’s to engage to students in aspects to be more inclusive, for faculty as well.”
Mr. Foster is new to Bronco-ville, but is not new to the scene of HBCUs. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in communication from East Carolina University, he has left his mark at North Carolina A&T State University and Winston-Salem State University and now here at Fayetteville State University. He has always been into research, digital literacy and computer research.
When asked about his plans for the library, Foster said, “Currently still accessing things, reaching out to faculty, and students on campus and work study students to what they would like to see.”
But what he truly sees is the library becoming more student-centered for student engagement. Mr. Foster has ideas to help the library become more connected and more inviting to students and faculty as well.
Mr. Foster said the library and its staff will “become more social and communicate with them the things they need to help them be more productive from research, teaching information on digital literacy.”
I also reached out to a former colleague of Foster about how he contributed to WSSU transition of books and technology and what we Broncos can expect here at FSU.
The colleague said, “His kind of goals are to connect students with the right technology to make them successful by being very tech-driven. Whether from making e-portfolios to having comfortable places to use resources and technology within library settings.”
As we see, Mr. Foster plans to show us here at FSU that while books still matter, technology is a way to implement them in the changing times. He has ways to help both the students and faculty organize and digitize their research, and implement avenues in more cultural environments, all while in an environment we all know so well, the library.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.