J. Eugene Smith Library
Sixth Library Retreat
C. Abatelli, D. Barrett, M. Berlin,, J. Chang, K. Collins, J. Degon, T. Fu, W. Gamzon. M. Hebert, T. Hurt, K. Jacobi, R. Kokoska, G. Lahaie, P. Leonardi, L. Loomer, E. Luering, M. Miller, J. Murack, B. Nelson, D. Oppelt,, G. Robinson, A. Stanley, G. Shoffstall, S. Smith, B. Rumery, ,V. Wallace, D. Simpson K. VanZetten,
Tina opened the Retreat by thanking all for making it here. Tina thanked Nick and Kim for staffing the Reference Desk. The site selection committee did a wonderful job: John Degon, Tara Hurt, Phyllis Leonardi, Karen Collins. Tina introduced Carol Abatelli as the new Head of Public and Research Services.
Tina introduced Dr. Pachis. Dr. Pachis spoke about the mission of Eastern and
what Eastern is trying to accomplish.: to become a premier liberal arts university.
There has been a committee established to discuss what a liberal arts university
should be doing. To become a place that has to turn students away because there
are so many that want to come to Eastern. Academic standards have to rise; faculty
will expect more from the students. Distinctive, quality university. One negative
comment can have devastating effects. Be more positive. The library will continue
to play an important role-not just as a support service but a key role in learning
and academics. For example, educating students in information literacy. The
faculty see the library not just as a resource but as an integral part of learning.
Dr. Pachis urges the library to look at ourselves as educators, with the role
to transform learners. There will be large investments in building the library
collection and access: there will be more working together with classroom faculty,
and there will be more efforts with the Friends.
They are in the process of building the administration building which will be annexed to the student support center. That area will be more congested. They are in the process of putting in a wayfinding system with signs and a gateway. They will be building a parking garage. There will be a lot of changes on the campus. Designing the new science building. They are pushing fundraising to help fund the campus.
Dr. Pachis felt that it is an excellent idea for the library to have a retreat, since not only planning is done, but people may get to know each other. He opened up the floor for questions.
Erna questioned the parking problem with the addition of the new modular buildings. Erna asked that the loading dock are be designated as library staff only. There will be people from Shafer Hall to go into modular. They will use the space in Shafer for classrooms. Beth suggested temporarily covering the meters and using those spaces for the next two years.
Tina thanked Dr. Pachis for his opening remarks and support of the Retreat. The group moved on to the next item on the agenda: Review of Goals and Objectives set last year and consider new goals/objectives for the coming year.
Tina explained about the day. She went over how we are going to break down the goals and objectives. We will break into three groups: External and Internal Environment; User Services; Collection, Access and Research.
There are four questions to ask for each goal, which are in the handouts. Each group should elect a group leader and a recorder. The entire staff supported the "self-select" approach and formulated themselves into three groups.
Group I: External and Internal Environment. This group will look at:
Goal I: Physical Environment
Goal II: Cultural and Intellectual Environment
Goal V: Organizational Efficiency
Members are Mike Berlin, Karen Collins, Erna Luering, Maureen Miller, Jane Murack,
Barbara Nelson, Georgia Shoffstall, Anka Stanley, and Karen VanZetten.
Group II. User Services. This group will
look at:
Goal III: Quality User-centered Library Services
Goal VI: Teaching and Learning
Goal VIII: Lifelong Learning
Goal IX: University Community Services and Outreach
Members are Carol Abatelli, Jih Chih Chang, John Degon, Bill Gamzon, Guy LaHaie,
Greg Robinson, Deb Simpson, Sharon Smith, and Valeri Wallace
Group III: Collection Access and Research. This group will look at:
Goal IV: Research and Scholarship
Goal VII: Collection and Information Access
Members are Deb Barrett, Marianne Hebert, Tara Hurt, Kris Jacobi, Rich Kokoska,
Phyllis Leonardi, David Oppelt, and Beth Rumery
The groups broke out and they are expected to report in at 1:00 P.M., working
through lunch if necessary.
The four questions they are charged to consider are:
1. Do we need this major initiative, goals, and objectives underneath?
2. Have we done them? Do we need to continue?
3. Can we combine?
4. De we need new ones?
The three groups reported in at 1:15 pm. The goals as reviewed are below.
Goals and Objectives
I. PHYSICAL
ENVIRONMENT
GOALS:
1. Plan and implement a successful move to the new building. DONE and
eliminate.
Objectives:
A. Make a commitment and take action to ease transitions for users. (For example,
publications and programming, etc.) Action: fill positions. Done and eliminate.
B. Assure a smooth transition for library staff. (For example, moving consultant
and open discussions how individuals fit in the new library organization, etc.)
Done and eliminate.
For 2000/01: The group feels that we have done part of this but need to update
position descriptions for everyone and more training is needed in the various
new systems in the new building. Done and eliminate
2. Maintain clean, safe, aesthetically pleasing physical space for study and
work. Continue.
A. Since the maintenance staff plays in important part in this, we need to include
them in Sunshine activities to show our appreciation. Done and eliminate.
B. Food and drink Policy Committee needs to address problems with users. We
need to get a handle on the issue in order to maintain the Library as a clean
and vibrant place. Refine policy. Continue and reactivate with new members.
C. Improve air, temperature and humidity balance of system. New
D. Parking: Expand designated parking spots for Library Staff only and encourage
enforcement. New
E. Improve door access for ALL patrons. New
F. Fill the Buildings and Grounds officer (U.A.) position. New
G. Need additional spacing for collections: Archives, Serials, etc. New
II.
CULTURAL AND INTELLECTUAL ENVIRONMENT
GOALS:
1. Support activities, programs and exhibits that enhance the cultural life
of the university community, including those with attention to pluralistic values.
Continue
Objectives:
A. Expand electronic coverage of cultural activities on campus via the library
Web-Page, including electronic publishing of exhibits-timely, promptly, and
with staff assistance. Done and Continue
B. Re-evaluate the way the library's Web pages are set up. Web Working Group
is working on this. Done and Continue
1. Ensure an atmosphere supportive of academic freedom and expression, including
the provision of a collection representative of diverse perspectives.
Continue
2. Plan recruitment of staff that will enhance the campus cultural and intellectual
environment. Continue
Objective:
A. We will actively support candidates that come from a diverse background and
subject specialties. Continue.
III.
QUALITY USER-CENTERED LIBRARY SERVICE
GOALS:
1. Survey the needs of users as well as internal users and analyze the results
to improve service. Need to do; not done.
Objectives:
A. Gauge user needs through the continuation of trial databases and better monitoring
of usage of our Web as well as databases via CONSULS, the CD-ROM client/server
metering software, First Search, and all full-text databases. Continue
to do trials: have not brought up the CD-ROM metering software, to do.
Being resolved.
B. Work with CSU to retrieve CONSULS circulation statistics and analyze it for
appropriate use. TO DO.
C. After the move to the new library, conduct a user survey. TO DO
2. Deliver cordial and efficient service. New.
Objective:
A. Embrace flexibility and responsiveness. New.
B. Library faculty will draft wording for a bylaws change to include a library
representative in the campus Curriculum Committee. Change strategy. Work for
having an ex officio member: will try to seek signature from Library re new
majors/minors/programs: will also: Strengthen liaison program; be involved in
department meetings. Continue
C. Provide more reference training. Continue
IV.
RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP
GOALS
1. Identify research and scholarship needs of the University and build and
expand the library's collection and access accordingly.
Objectives:
Ensure appropriate access to electronic resources after testing and trial. Continue
A. Curriculum Committee presence needed. Pursue ex-officio status. Continue
B. Develop proactive liaison builder program. New
1. Blue Sky, 2001-2002
2. Freshmen mentoring
3. Target receptive departments for program
4. Get input from other campuses.
5. Possible Conversations across the Disciplines grant.
6. Expand electronic reserves. Waiting for Systems Librarian.
C. Royalty and related issues for Electronic Resources.
D. Need University Lawyer to handle legal issues, copyright, royalty, licensing;
need to be accessible. New
E. Work with faculty to handle reserve materials and copyright issues; how university
handle access. New
2. Expand and improve interlibrary loan services, including new document delivery
technologies and improvements provided by III new releases and upgrades.
Objectives:
A. Implement, pilot program and promote full-text document delivery. Outreach
Librarian with staff and support of students.
B. Purchase and implement interlibrary loan modes. Done. CISTI (Canadian), BLDS
(British), CARL (US) Look for and consider others
C. Expand from library to library end user delivery. Turn on full text delivery
to end user? SFX new technology: Link server to services to user; allow vendor
relationships; expand user access to www.sfxit.com. New
3. Participate and communicate among CONSULS Libraries. Continue.
A. Do campuses have separate agendas? How does this affect CONSULS?
B. Need Leadership in CONSULS. *need coherent methodologies
C. Share - ECSU will push to have needed leadership
D. Central Office needed alternative better reporting
E. Carefully select reps on groups
4. Provide reference services regardless of users' physical locations.
Objectives:
A. Hire User Education Librarian.
B. Promote, market and advertise reference services. Idea: reference sessions
in dorms, labs and roving librarian.
C. Explore chat reference technologies.
D. Need to prioritize types of reference services.
5. Explore and establish relationships with other academic libraries in Connecticut.
Have done so with community/tech colleges: Have begun conversations with UCONN.
HAVE HOSTED GROUP MEETING AT THE ECSU LIBRARY, E.G., GODORT, CONSULS DIRECTORS,
CCALD, ETC. Ongoing; CLN; iCONN
Objectives:
A. Maintain representation and participation with other academic libraries continue.
6. Strengthen academic partnerships with departments/programs and other support units on campus through the liaison program and other cooperative activities. Have continued participation in STEP-CAP and the departmental liaison programs: Need to do more in e-reserves and Blue Sky.
V. ORGANIZATIONAL
EFFICIENCY
GOALS
1. Improve all communications within the library in a timely fashion through inter-departmental pathways. Continue
Objectives:
A. Use e-mail as the primary means of communication to the staff. Continue
B. Continue training sessions for staff in using various electronic utilities.
Continue
2. Encourage staff input by participating in committees, staff meetings, etc.
Continue
Objectives:
A. Expand the organizational chart to include name, title and primary duties
(e.g., Georgia Shoffstall, LTA, Circulation/Reserves) New
B. Communicate with staff regarding their particular responsibilities in the
larger organization. Continue
C. Hold regular departmental meetings, e.g., monthly and keep minutes. New
D. Establish a centralized University and Library Policies and Procedures folder.
Departments should e-mail to Karen and Maureen for Common folder and hard copy
for Administrative Office. New
3. Engender staff input and participation via committees, staff meetings, etc.
Eliminate
Objectives:
A. Continue to support vehicles to encourage staff input. Eliminate
4. Support and adhere to the ACRL standards of staff growth. Continue.
Objectives:
A. Do a training needs analysis of staff and take action accordingly. Continue
B. Emphasize staff development with support in time, financial resources, and
scheduling. Continue
C. Continue Systems Training (CONSULS); Banner training; Altiris Update; Millennium
Modules for III; NELINET/Cataloging. Continue
D. Develop a staff retention plan. New
1. Create opportunities for staff promotion and lateral movement.
2. Do regular service evaluations
3. Recognize a job well done by staff.
4. Encourage and promote a cordiality and civility in the workplace.
VI.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
GOALS:
1. Enhance user development through Bibliographic Instruction and reinforcement
of learning skills. Done and Continue
2. Research and develop an evaluation tool to assess learner outcomes of the
program. Still need to do.
3. Actively participate in faculty development activities in offering instruction
on new information technologies. Closer ties with Freshman programs for incorporating
library user education. Ongoing
Objective:
A. Continue to offer faculty/staff workshops as well as providing individual
assistance if needed. Need to do more.
4. Support the teaching mission of:
+ Reasoned Inquiry/Critical Thinking: Need to do research and formulate
plan to implement.
+ Experiential Learning: Do more: need to explore library internship for
credit.
+ Distance Learning: Continue/expand (by the Reference/Outreach Services
Librarian). Successful program planned and implemented. Will continue.
Objective:
A. Pull together a set of guidelines for distance learners. Continue.
VII.
COLLECTIONS AND INFORMATION ACCESS
GOALS:
1. Staffing needed to continue to provide timely access to new acquisitions.
New
Objectives:
A. Need to refill the Head of Technical Services and Collection Development
Officer and the Cataloger positions.
B. Add incentives to faculty to spend their money: possibly give 20% of budget
if they get their orders in by certain date. New
C. Create/establish an approval plan with faculty involvement; slip approval/hard
copy. New
D. Dedicated staff. New
E. C.O.R.C. training faculty development grant to be determined.
1. Cataloged internet resources in webpac
2. Provide a collection in appropriate formats to meet the needs of the curriculum
and the liberal arts and sciences core. Continue.
3. Take initiative in collecting and preserving materials of historical value
to ECSU and local communities. WAITING FOR STAFF (new Reference/Archives and
Special Collections Librarian) Archives to collect and organize items of the
history of ECSU. Completed and Done.
4. Provide seamless access to appropriate formats of information, including
the J. Eugene Smith Library's holdings and electronic resources (both on and
off-campus) through an interactive network. Continue.
Objectives:
A. Publicize collections and services through appropriate modalities. CONTINUE
B. Improve proxy services and widen access of CD-ROM's to the entire campus
via available technologies. Wait for Systems Librarian.
C. Successfully implement full-text of serials and OVID, and to incorporate
online and training sessions for staff and users. Training to Business faculty,
COMPUSTAT, INFOUSA. DONE
5. Make library services, collections, and electronic resources accessible to
users regardless of their financial resources, physical challenges, or geographical
locations. ADA compliance for web site.
Objective:
A. Continue to explore use of Room 235, Special Services in cooperation with
Pam Starr's office to market the room.
6. Use state-of-the-art technologies for timely delivery of data, text, and
multi-media resources. CONTINUE
Objective:
A. Serials just fully staffed so will pursue upgrade of OCLC and CULS serials
and Government Documents holdings of the Smith Library. Continue.
7. Become a full partner in the world-wide information network. Eliminate
8. Review locations of Collections taking into consideration preservation, size, easy access and other issues. Continuous; eliminate.
VIII.
LIFELONG LEARNING
(Combine with IX and call Community Service and Lifelong Learning)
GOALS:
1. Continue policy of open access to community, including other community groups
in keeping with current library policy.
D. E-mail reference and telephone reference
2. Encourage and assist users to upgrade their library skills over time and
help them develop independent learning skills. Continue.
(Use various methods: for example, tutorials on line; special classes, one-on-one,
on campus visits of remote classes, etc.)
IX.
UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY SERVICE AND OUTREACH
(This section combined with above. The wording below will be eliminated.)
GOALS:
1. Provide access to library resources to schools and other community groups. WILL REVIEW AND PROPOSE POLICY ON THE QUESTION OF ACCESS TO LIBRARY (The library does provide resources to schools, including six computers for community users for 18+ and for those under 18 who come with parent/guardian. Grade school/high school group tours need to be clarified.)
Objective:
A. Work with the Education Department, schools, and other organizations to
develop new methods of outreach. CONTINUE
2. Participate in library cooperatives such as ECL and other public networks. ECL MOVED on JUNE 2, 1999.
Objective:
3. Support the efforts of the University in sharing its expertise with the
community. CONTINUE.
4. Support the University's efforts to secure gifts and other means of university
advancements (e.g., grants, endowments, etc.). Did obtain several grants (a
SNET, a Culpeper, a Wolf Fund, and a campus faculty development, need
to do more and CONTINUE. Also, much effort has been put in for fundraising
in cooperation with the University Administration.) Archives need to promote.
Done and will continue.
5. Activate the Friends of the Library group. Need to do.
Tina thanked the three groups for their hard work. The rest of the day was spent
with breakout sessions by major groups: Public and Research Services; Technical
Services and Administrative and Systems. The three groups will report back in
the next morning.
June
6, 2001
MINUTES
T. Fu, K. Collins, M. Miller, K. VanZetten, B. Nelson, C. Abatelli, M. Hebert, D. Barrett, G. LaHaie, D. Simpson, T. Hurt, V. Wallace, P. Leonardi, K. Jacobi, S. Smith, B. Rumery, J. Degon, D. Oppelt, L. Loomer, J. Chang, R. Kokoska, M. Berlin, B. Gamzon, G. Robinson, A. Stanley, J. Murack, G. Shoffstall
Each group reported in.
Public and Research Services. Tara Hurt reported for the Division.
1. Statistical software for CD-ROM server:
annual stats on each product. Done and delete
2. Statistics for various tasks at circulation
gate counts, measuring the workload/use. Done and delete.
3. A. Investigate III circulation statistics
by class for collection development. Done and delete.
B. Train all new hires on III management
mode. Done and delete
C. Collect and document "bugs"
in III and get a permanent fix. Done and delete.
D. Many items, when limited to "ECSU"
do not carry a holdings symbol on the record. Done and delete.
4. Explore relationship between circulation
and cataloging for database cleanup. Done and delete
5. Coordinate policies and the use of III
between Circulation and curriculum service desks. Done and delete
6. Reference
would like to explore obtaining a password to delete a "pin." Done
and delete
7. Need for training in other systems: phone,
software, databases. Done and continue
8. Reference would like classroom teaching
for useer educqtion class.
Librarians have created teaching modules to expand the program. An Information
Literacy Group have met with Freshman composition faculty, and also we are participating
in the First Year Program. This is an on-going and continuing effort.
9. Public Services Division: write a manual
of your position and update changes. Continuing. Also document procedures: Need
to continue to do
10. Update all training manuals for students
and everyone. Create cheat sheets. Continuing
11. Update Public brochure. Done and continuing
12. Suggestions Box. Design proposed June,
2000. University facilities has to build the box.
13. Exit Survey: Output measures. Still
to do
14. Two grants for Curriculum Center. On
hold, pending filling the CC Librarian's position
15. Re-evaluate present public services
policies. Continuing
16. Short, frequent regular meeting. Will
do
17. Reference group analyzing web pages.
Done and delete
18. Analyze signs. Many new signs, need
to continue efforts.
19. Mission statement for Public Services.
Still to be done
20. Mission state for Public Services. Will
review.
Technical Services (edited, 6/8/01, Kris Jacobi)
1. Services: Brief Descriptions
Acquisitions: order, receive, and invoice appropriate materials to support university
mission.
Cataloging: organize and provide access to both the physical and bibliographical.
Collection Development: evaluate, select, and spend the budget.
All Technical Services
Action:
· Policies/Procedures documentation. Collection Development; Gifts, &
Serials policies are completed. Done but continuous
· Database maintenance by accepted standards. On-going.
· CONSULS training/III training. Acquisitions/Serials (Cataloging on
hold) New: Millennium training now…
New Goals:
Serials:
Use study. Prototype for item records done, but project needs to be implemented
Union Listing. OCLC/CULS Summer 2001 complete the backlog, then maintain
Integrated access to Full Text journals: print, web or otherwise. To do
Collection Development:
Hire new TechServ & CollDev Officer. To do
Continue to identify & select appropriate materials in all formats. On-going.
Cataloging:
Hire New Cataloger. To do
Dewey Reclass Project. Done, but Supply Closet Deweys remain
All ECSU Theses. To do by 8/2001?
Integrate authority database maintenance (CONSULS) into weekly/monthly workflow.
In development
NELINET Cat Training for NELINET Certificate. On hold
NACO participant. Training scheduled, September 2001
Acquisitions:
Facilitate smooth transition for Acquisitions staffing. Done, but on-going
All Tech Services:
Review stuff in Tech Service remaining from move. Collection Dev Officer; Acq;
Coll Dev Group. Not Done, Low priority
Database (CONSULS, Banner, OCLC, Smith library web pages) maintenance. On-going
2. Communication:
Action:
· Professional staff meeting minutes e-mailed to all library staff. Done.
· Monthly cataloging meetings. Done. With minutes. Need to do
3. Employee Well-being
Goal: Figure out who gets what problems and create a list. Done.
(Acq) gift questions - TechServ & CollDev Off
(Cat) Cataloging - Kris as in "how to catalog…."
(Cat) Items/books from Circulation for questions/resolution - Erna (on the fly;
repair; non-functioning videos)
(Acq) new software for licensing review. Was: TechServ&CollDev. Now: Catalog
them for Circulating Collection and let Carol Abatelli know
4. Organizational Culture Shift
Reiterate customer service Model at University Level. To Do, but not just Tech
Serv issue
Administrative and Information Technology Services. Guy Lahaie reporting.
Improve End-user Education
Action:
1. Offer more consistent training. Has gone through Outlook and MS training.
Put Altiris in a self-help PowerPoint format.
New 1. Offer more consistent training, including cross-training and redundancy,e.g.,
door system, servers, kiosk, Web., etc.
2. Bring in outside resources in training when appropriate. Outlook, Banner,
CONSULS. Have brought in WallChart training. Outlook campus level training.
Banner will be campus level training. CONSULS training in Acq. And Serials are
being planned with other CSU's.
3. Improve online documentation.
New 3. Improve online documentation, our network specific information
included.
New 4. Establish new staff orientation program: make a checklist of training
areas: Such as computer training (MS., Outlook, CONSULS): training in policy
procedures and forms (travel, leave slip, time cards); Director's building tours.
Improve Library's Web Pages.
Action:
1. Establish a library-level Web Page Working Group to discuss a process and
to refine the pages and to work on them. Done (Complete upgrade of the libray
Web in August, 2000) and change action item to:
New 1. Continue with the Web Page Working Group with new members. The University
Web Group now has a library member, who serves as liaison and should share all
information including minutes with the Library's Web Page Working Group.
2. Take action to comply with University Policy. There is still no existing
policy: we are doing what is appropriate.
New 3. Create redundancy.
New 4. Establish a Systems Webpage, including a problem reportage form.
Define areas of responsibilities for library systems staff and who the external
and internal users may contact for problem-shooting.
Action:
1. Discuss this issue among the systems staff and other appropriate library
staff.
2. Draft statement for submission.
These two items are on hold pending the arrival of the new Systems Librarian.
Complete Implementation of New Technologies in the Building.
Action:
1. Complete Wallchart training, implementation, and interface to the kiosk,
Yes, outside trainer brought in. Interface being worked on.
2. Complete installation of systems for new staff. Done and Delete item.
3. Complete Room 263, 145. Done and delete
4. Bring up the network printers. Done and delete.
5. Strive for a common e-mail utility. Done and delete.
6. Improve and upgrade staff and user system every 4 years.
A Library IT Replacement Plan, with hardware replacement cycles of 3 years,
has been submitted to the University administration in Dec., 2000.
Explore and demonstrate new computer and multi-media technologies
New: Explore and implement new computer and multi-media technologies
Action:
1. Bring in new system for demonstration. Yes, continue.
2. Propose implementation and adoption as appropriate. Yes, continue.
New 3. Create hardware redundancy.
New 4. Explore options to upgrade/change the CD-ROM system.
Improve Communication from the Director's Office to Staff
Action:
1. Make sure information filers down, e.g., by marking correspondence that needs
to be disseminated. Done and continue.
2. E-mail regularly and frequently. Done and continue.
3. Call regular staff and professional staff meetings and provide time for progress
reports. Done and will do more.
4. Organizational chart in common folder. Done
Will add additional information such as job title and specific duties.
Establish a Sunshine committee:
Action:
1. Design a t-shirt. Done and delete.
2. Recognize special happenings of staff, including custodial in birthday events.Done
and continue.
Improve Problem Reporting Re: Machines and Building Issues
Action:
1. Encourage all staff to e-mail Karen and Maureen re: all machine problems
(computer, media, copier, digitizer, etc.), and building problems as soon as
they arise, with as much information as possible (location, state tag #, nature
of problems, etc.) Having problems doing this: some staff do not cooperate and
do not report problems, which jeopardize service.
New 1. All staff must notify Karen and Maureen all machine and building
problems as soon as they arise, with as much information as possible (location,
state tag #, nature of problems, etc.)
2. Karen and Maureen will route report to the appropriate staff, copying the
problems reporter re action. Appropriate staff will follow up. Done and continue
3. Problems of computers should not be reported directly to anywhere outside
the library. Problems should be reported to the Administrative Office ASAP.
Done and continue.
New 4. Establish a centralized software inventory.
Improve Marketing of the Library
Action:
1. Update and expand the "Guide to Library Services." Done and continue.
2. Continue publication of the newsletter. Done and continue
3. Do a slick brochure of the library. Still need to do.
4. Friends of the Library Group. Yes, going-First Book Sale. Will meet again
in the Summer.
5. Post on the web the Friends by-laws. Will do.
Thematic discussions: the two themes that will be discussed are: Information
Literacy and User/Use Survey. Tina introduced Mr. Ben Webman to the group, saying
that she had invited him to facilitate and help with the User/Use Survey group.
Ben is the interim director of Institutional Research and Planning, and is an
expert in surveys and other methodologies. She thanked him for his willingness
to help. The thematic groups are to report back at 2:45 P.M., right after the
break.
The group split into two thematic groups:
User/Use Survey: Bill Gamzon, Sharon Smith, David Oppelt, Beth Rumery,
Leanna Loomer, Phyllis Leonardi, Karen VanZetten, Maureen Miller, Greg Robinson,
Karen Collins, Deb Barrett, and Barbara Nelson. Guest Facilitator: Ben Webman
Greg Robinson reported for the group.
Greg thanked Ben for his help: he felt that the group was able to accomplish in half a day a great deal with Ben's expert guidance. The group felt that one user survey is not going to provide us with all the information we need, but a preliminary survey should help us understand what is important to the users.
There are four areas that we can lump together as user's interests: Services, Computers, Equipment, and People. The aim is not a satisfaction survey, but to identify what is important to the users, and who will be willing to be followed up for subsequent gathering of information by the library. Also, this preliminary instrument will have open-ended questions, ending with a thank-you. The surveys will be distributed at library service points, therefore non-library users will not be included. A pilot will be done with students and friends, etc. It is hoped that we can gather 500 or more responses. Specific questions will be formulated based on the following, for the survey to be conducted in Fall, 2001-02:
1. Identify users
Demographics. Gender, status, age range, students/faculty, year of matriculation,
major, area of interest, resident/community/commuter. For follow up ideas: name,
SS#,
Services
Ø Develop a list of service used, how often, how satisfied, or most relevant?
Ø Identify the importance of the offerings to the user. Also what service
would be as additions to the current library?
Ø Questions such as Do you use CONSULS to find a book? Would you be willing
to participate in follow-up?
Ø We are also interested in frequency of contact, very often, often,
rarely, never, etc.
The group identified possible topics based on the four categories:
Services: Pay a fine, pickup tax forms/tax info,pick up standard tests (CLEP, PRAXIS, GRE, GMAT,LSAT, MCAT, Study, Sleep, Browse stacks, Find back issues of journals, Ask a questions at the Reference Desk, Check out a book, Get a reserve items/course, Read a newspaper, Recreational reading, Use Interlibrary Loan, Read a journal or magazine, Use lavatory, Pick up an item from another library, Use the After Hours Study, Use a specialized collection such as government documents, archives, Conn. Studies, Curriculum Center, Career Info. Center, Use of Individual Study room
Computer: Curriculum Center Computer Lab, Printing, Use a research database (sometimes in full-text), Use a computer to find an article for an academic course, Search the Internet, Write a paper using the computer, Use the computer classroom on the first floor, Use the computer to e-mail.
Equipment: Use the photocopier, Watch a video, Use the microform scanner, Use the typewriter, Use multi-media CD player, dvd player, video, cassette
People: Meet with librarian/staff/professors, Tutoring, Come in for NASA, Come in for Eastern Connecticut Libraries, Come in for a library instruction class, Come in to look at the art work, Attend a class in the building, Meet Friends, Use of Group Study Room, Meet friends, For a meeting, For the Johnson Community/Conference Room.
Additional questions to consider:
· What additional hours would you use the library if open?
____________ Mon. thru Thurs.
_____________ Saturday
_____________ Sunday.
· Are you a first time user?
· Do you use the reference service?
· What types/subjects do we need to add to the collection?
· Does the library have materials that support your major (what to add?)
· Name some research databases you use.
The group moved to the use survey, and it has been planned that we should do a use survey of periodicals. Phyllis said that she has a prototype ready, but may not be able to do the survey. Tina asked that by August, she would like to see a proposal from Phyllis re what help is needed so that the survey can proceed in the Fall.
At this point, Ben told the group that a lot has been done today, and that he will be happy to help the group with the instrument, conduct the survey, and analyze the statistics. He also complimented the group for the highest satisfaction rating among the CSU libraries (90 percent) and that we should be proud of that. He took leave of the group and we proceeded with the second theme: Information Literacy.
Information Literacy: Jane Murack, Anka Stanley-Gorling, Jin Chih Chang,
Erna Luering, Kris Jacobi, Georgia Shoffstall, Deb Simpson, Marianne Hebert,
Valeri Wallace, Mike Berlin, Rick Kokoska, Guy LaHaie, Tara Hurt, John Degon,
and Carol Abatelli.
Carol Abatelli reported for the group:
A. The group will use a multi-prong approach
B. The group will aim to make faculty information literate as well.
More details:
a) What we can do this Fall:
i. Use the standardized set of PowerPoint, already developed:
1. Physical tour of service areas.
2. Focusing the research topic
3. CONSULS searching the catalog
4. Database searching: Academic search
Two English 100 instructors are already interested in using the modules: (Dr.
Little Liu and Malencyk): this will serve as models for others. We will also
try to interest other instructors who teach remedial English.
ii. Web page for library instruction. Up in September. Publicize other ways,
e.g., Lunch and Learn, Radio, Newsletter, Student newspaper, etc.
b. Other Initiatives:
· Continue with special classes on demand
· Blue Sky Program, possibly through John, to get us into the three basic
R's
· Web page will target services to faculty, with one-on-one offerings
as well as group training
· Target departments/faculty, e.g., education, art history, math. (Can
we give a short presentation at a dept. meeting?)
· Work with Continuing Education to target faculty as they are hired.
· Sponsor University Hour (invite information literacy guru to speak,
e.g., Charles McClure and Hannelore Rader were suggested.
· Find out more about what other schools are doing, e.g., Manhattanville.
iii. Longer range goals:
· A one credit course, seek approval with classroom faculty through the
course proposal process. Eventually Web-based training can be developed, based
on content similar to the already developed PowerPoint
Tina thanked all who participated in the Retreat for all their hard work. She
asked if there were any complaints about the retreat. There were none. The retreat
adjourned.
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