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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The FY2001 year at the Hilton C. Buley Library focused on reinforcing the infrastructure of library resources and services.  The library staff continued to use five broad goals for library collections, services, personnel, facilities, and communication as a framework for short- and long-term planning:

• Develop and maintain a quality collection of library materials reflecting the needs of the academic community.

• Provide services designed to support the University’s mission, to facilitate the use of library resources, and to promote information literacy.

• Staff, organize, and develop human resources to encourage optimal performance and to enhance effective communication.

• Maintain facilities and equipment to provide an efficient, comfortable, accessible, and safe environment.

• Promote effective library communications throughout the university community.

Collections

In FY 2001, the Library continued to build core collections in all formats.  Nearly 25,000 volumes were added, bringing the total collection to 575,947 volumes as of June 30, 2001.  The monograph collection increased by 20,356 volumes.  A journal use study formed the basis of a comprehensive assessment of the periodicals collections, and the Library began making adjustments to the periodical title holdings to more closely align with the curriculum.   By the end of FY01 the Library held 2,857 print journal titles ‑ fifteen print subscriptions were cancelled and sixty-nine titles were added.  We expect to continue this process, making significant adjustments in the next year.   Considerable resources were devoted to building core collections of media – the nonprint collection increased by 717 (more than 15%), to a total of 5,405 media items.  Despite these additions, the media collection is not yet adequate to support the curriculum – continued rapid growth is planned.  The array of electronic resources was expanded and upgraded – seven new databases were added, five were upgraded, and four were converted from CDROM to web access.   This collection growth has brought the Hilton C. Buley Library much closer to fully meeting the American Library Association’s A-level quantitative standards for collections.  The introduction of the Ed.D. program will increase the target volume count by 25,000 – special funding will be required to support this initiative.

Services

FY2001 was a year of maintaining and strengthening existing services, while coping with several full-time professional vacancies.  A thirteen percent increase in circulation can be attributed to the purchase of many more new materials meeting current needs.  A total of 2,250 items were placed on reserve, utilizing a new automated process.  Two Hoot Loot debit card machines were placed in the library, and students are now able to pay library fines and fees with their ID cards.  Interlibrary loan transactions increased slightly, while ILL turnaround time decreased by nearly 30%.  Library instruction, through a total of 191 classes, orientations, tours, and individualized sessions reached 3,545 students.  The Graduate Research Fellow mentorship program begun in FY2000 continued to provide the new research fellows with the individual assistance of professional librarians.  Access to the expanded array of electronic resources nearly tripled, from 71,244 in FY00 to 199,325 in FY01.  A Spring 2001 survey of reference services revealed a remarkably high level of user satisfaction. 

Personnel

There were several staff changes in FY2001.  Cindy Schofield-Bodt was promoted to Librarian and Susan Miller was granted tenure and promoted to Associate Librarian in Fall 2000.  Denise Marks assumed expanded responsibilities in Technical Services and was upgraded to Office Assistant.  Kim Wilk was upgraded to Library Technical Assistant to reflect a higher level of responsibility.  Librarian Ali Zamouri increased his hours from 17.5/week to full-time, effective February 23, and expanded his role to manage the Curriculum Laboratory.  Frances Hughes retired in July, then returned as an adjunct librarian in the fall to manage the gift books.  Charles Stoddard retired in September; Susan Miller resigned in November and David Bretthauer resigned in April to pursue new professional opportunities at other universities.  Two librarian vacancies were filled – Hing Wu as Technical Services Librarian on February 23 and June Cheng as Education Reference Librarian on June 29.  Two newly created Library Technical Assistant positions were filled – Beth Paris, Access Services Assistant, in September and Margaret Weiler, Technical Services Assistant, in June.  As of June 30, 2001, the Library still had one clerk and five professional librarian vacancies.

Facilities

Considerable efforts were focused on short- and long-term facilities improvements in FY2001.   The first phase of the refurbishment of the Library’s public spaces was completed in August 2000, and the improvements immediately resulted in a significant increase in student use of the facility for research and study.  The funds also enabled the creation of an electronic classroom in BU017 to support hands-on library instruction.  Library hours were expanded during the Wintersession, and positive feedback prompted a similar increase in the Summer 2001 session hours.  Adaptive technology workstations were installed on the ground, first, and second floors, thanks to the efforts of Jan Hecht from the Adaptive Computer Technology Lab.  The VT terminals located in the stack areas were replaced with PCs to enable access to web resources.  Working with Carol Wallace, Director of Administrative Support Services, a new copy service vendor was contracted and all public copy machines were replaced.  Program planning for the library addition was re-started in April 2001, with the ambitious goal of completing the library program specifications by August.  All library staff participated in the process, focusing on the long-term needs for collections, staff, and services.

Communication

The University Library Committee continues to provide invaluable faculty input and support of library initiatives.  Many faculty have individually provided constructive suggestions for improvements in library services and resources.  Results of a brief faculty survey distributed in May 2000 supported the directions taken by the Library.  The survey was distributed again in May 2001 – analysis of the comparative data should provide valuable insights for assessing the Library’s progress.  The Library hosted a Faculty Open House in April, highlighting the broad array of services and resources.  The FY2000 annual report was distributed to several key members of the faculty and administration, and the library staff continue to establish written policies and to upgrade the web pages to enhance communication.

Assessment

Ongoing collection assessment was supported by the journal use study data, comparisons with notable library collections in specific target areas, and use of established review sources.  The faculty survey distributed in May 2000, and again in May 2001, forms the basis of ongoing improvements in all areas of library operation.  The most recent quantitative standards established by the American Library Association are used as an annual assessment of the Library’s progress in fully meeting A-level standards.  The Library’s broad-based approach to assessment in FY2001 included a reference satisfaction survey, a study of interlibrary loan turnaround time, an assessment of acquisitions and cataloging turnaround times, and a pilot test of instruction outcomes.  These reports will form the basis of the formal University Assessment process to be completed in FY2002.  The Library’s assessment process will be integrated into ongoing efforts to continually improve the library program and to develop a strategic plan.  Those evaluative tools that have proved helpful will be utilized on a regular basis to assess trends.  New methods of targeting other areas of resources and services will be explored.

The Library’s many accomplishments in the past year are the result of the hard work of a very dedicated staff, and the support of many members of the academic community.  The library staff continued to demonstrate their commitment to the University through a willingness to assume new responsibilities, to participate in new initiatives, and to adapt to major organizational and cultural changes.  Their efforts in FY2001 have strengthened basic library resources and services.  In FY2002, the focus will be on expanding and improving on those resources and services.