Library Goals and Objectives - Annual Report - Fiscal Year 2008-2009
GOAL 1: IMPROVE USER ACCESS TO INFORMATION (MG 1, MG 3, MG 5, MG 7, CO 1, & CO 2)(1)
OBJECTIVE 1: To help with retention and improve student success rates, continue to evaluate Library usage and satisfaction with services through user surveys. (AMP: GIII R15; SP: G2 O2.2, G5 O5.2; V2012)
Comments: In odd numbered years, the Library conducts user satisfaction surveys with faculty members. In the 2009 Spring Semester, the Library used the “Survey Monkey” service from IT’s E-Learning Services Office. Although the response rate was very low (14.0%), the overall results were representative of the faculty. The responses indicated a high rate of satisfaction among faculty members with the Library’s resources and services for themselves as well as for their students. Of particular interest were responses regarding the faculty members’ satisfaction with the Library’s resources and services for their students. On the question for online services, the faculty members scored the Library at a 4.02 on a 5.0 agreement scale which was well above the 3.75 chosen benchmark. In future surveys, the Library will continue to explore additional means and formats to improve the response rate.
OBJECTIVE 2: Continue online catalog clean-up projects. Continue adding materials from unprocessed donations and collections. Continue using Shelflister to maintain order and identify missing materials. (MG 5).
Comments: The Technical Services library assistants assigned to Cataloging continued to make progress on the online catalog clean-up project. In this review period, the Library nearly finished processing all of the donated materials accumulated over the last 25 years. This was a major milestone as this will allow use of storage spaces for the remodeling projects. Most of the Library’s staff members also participated in the weeding project. This project cleaned out materials no longer needed because of electronic/online access to to major reference sets and other print resources no longer maintained because of the extensive database services supported by the Library Fee and consortial contracts. Approximately 4,500 items were withdrawn from storage and reference areas. This will provide needed stack space and free up areas for the remodeling project. Personnel from the Circulation Unit of Access Services worked throughout the year with the stack maintenance tasks that resulted in finding "lost" and misplaced materials. In order to optimize limited shelf space, shifting of all collections continued throughout the year.
OBJECTIVE 3: To help improve access to electronic resources, continue implementation of the recommendations in the final report "The Seamless Research Experience," prepared by Janetta Paschal, on the integration of online resources in the Library's research and finding tools. During FY 09, the Library will finish the installation and begin to evaluate the performance of the link resolver and the serial MARC records software packages. Also in FY 09, the Library will explore a link checker software option to insure reliable and accurate access to online materials and resources. (MG 1, MG 3, & MG 5)
Comments: There was very little organized activity toward achieving this goal. While the Head of Library Technical Services completed a preliminary profile to send to Serials Solutions, she has not sent it to the company because finding the time to do test loads and evaluate the records has been difficult. Depending on the successful search for the E-serial Librarian position, this goal may be realized in FY 10. The new position is designed to work with, among other tasks, the Serials Solutions Client Center and the 360 MARC bibliographic records.
OBJECTIVE 4:To enhance existing academic programs and in preparation for the accreditation process in the College of Business, evaluate selected collections through examination of materials. Recommend new titles for purchase as well as titles for de-selection or “weeding.” (MG 1, MG 3, & MG 7)
Comments: Since the College of Business asked for a postponement in this objective, no real work was accomplished in FY 09. The Library will attempt to move forward again in FY 10. Weeding of business related titles did occur in the Reference Collection. (See additional comments under Objective No. 2.
OBJECTIVE 5: Using unspent Materials Budget allocations to academic departments, work with the University Library Committee to administer the “Library Excellence Fund.” (MG 1, MG 4, CO 2, SD 1, & SD 2)
Comments: In May 2009, the University Library Committee’s Excellence Fund Subcommittee approved distribution of approximately $21,000 to fund requests from academic departments and the Library. The majority of these funds (approximately $10,000) went to the College of Education for purchase of materials to help with meeting NCATE accreditation criteria. The Head of Library Reference Services researched and ordered much of the materials related to supporting NCATE accreditation.
OBJECTIVE 6: Work with Information Technology to determine whether to renew the Library’s membership and participation in the Texas Digital Library Project. (MG 1, MG 3, MG 6, CO 1, CO 2, CO 3, SD 1, & SD 2)
Comments: ASU remains a participant in the Texas Digital Library project (TDL). Two faculty members in the English Department are using TDL services to “publish” two online, open-access journals. During the summer, the Library’s Executive Director set up a meeting (in FY 10) with TDL representatives and members of the Graduate Dean’s Office to begin the process of moving the University to an electronic thesis process. Work and implementation for electronic theses should occur in spring or summer 2010.
OBJECTIVE 7: With the latest release of the Voyager automation system, begin a redesign of the user interface on RamCat to provide the easiest and clearest access to the Library’s holdings and resources. (MG 7)
Comments: At the request of the Multimedia Support Librarian, the Executive Director granted an extension on the delivery of the taskforce’s recommendations till the end of the spring semester. However, the formulation of said recommendations was further delayed by the “discovery” of several major functional differences between the new and the old public access catalog, which need to be carefully evaluated and weighed before proceeding with the adoption of the new Voyager public interface. Should the decision be to switch to the new format, the design and layout of "TomCat" (Voyager’s new configuration options for the online catalog display) will be complete before the end of the 2009 Fall Semester.
OBJECTIVE 8: To best utilize the Library’s limited Materials Budget resources, undertake a thorough evaluation of all major database services and determine appropriate consortial agreements. This will assist the Library to obtain the best combination of database resources to provide the broadest and most comprehensive coverage of subject areas to support education outcomes at all levels.
Comments: In August 2009, the Executive Director traveled to Lubbock to meet with his counterparts on the Tech campus. Unfortunately, there was little chance for cooperative agreements with the libraries on the Tech campuses. The Library was able to leverage its Tech System membership to join the Greater Western Library Alliance for access to ACM publications in FY 10. Other consortial arrangements appeared to be beneficial and will continue into FY 10. The Library did opt to discontinue ten underutilized FirstSearch databases. The Library then chose five replacement databases from a different vendor. The new databases had full-text/image formats whereas the discontinued ones had citations only.
GOAL 2: IMPROVE USER SERVICES (MG 1, MG 3, MG 5, MG 7, CO 1, & SD 3)
OBJECTIVE 1:To help with professional and support staff development, continue a series of staff development programs to improve overall operations and performance. Also evaluate workflow in order to most efficiently utilize Voyager and Banner through all aspects of ordering and processing new library materials. (MG 3, MG 5, MG 7, CO 1, & SD 3)
Comments: The procedures used for processing gift books were reevaluated and changed. Previously, acquisitions created a purchase order for each title before they were sent to cataloging. This usually meant that gift books were left unprocessed if there were new orders to be placed or shipments of new books to process. As a result, there was a large backlog of gift books needing attention. The change entailed by-passing the acquisitions unit altogether. Items went directly to the cataloging unit to be cataloged and processed. This change has made processing gift books more efficient. As of 31 August 2009, Technical Service staff members processed 1,160 gift items. This is a significant increase over previous years. As in previous years, librarians and some staff members participated in regional and national conferences, as well as, on-campus training opportunities. (Individual departmental reports have details on meetings and sessions attended.)
OBJECTIVE 2: Continue implementation of the recommendations from the Task Force on the redesign of the Library’s RamPort Tab and web pages. Determine the usefulness of the RamPort Tab v the enterprise version of Blackboard as the primary focal point for the ASU community’s access to Library resources and services. (MG 7)
Comments: Based on recommendations presented by this taskforce to the Executive Director, the Multimedia Support Librarian began the process of “duplicating” access to online resources in Blackboard. Because of this effort, the layout of the Library tab in RamPort will remain unchanged for the time being. Further implementation will take place in FY 10.
OBJECTIVE 3: To enhance existing services and plan for new services, continue working with University Library Committee for creation and review of Library policies and procedures. Each Library department and unit will continue to revise and update process and service procedures. (MG 7 & SD 2)
Comments: This remains an ongoing task. Each Library department and unit continued to update and/or formulate procedure manuals. Reviews continued of all existing manuals. Due to the work involved with planning for the Library’s remodeling project and creation of a Learning Commons, the Executive Director had to put on hold plans for a thorough review and further rewrites of Library policies and procedures in FY 09. This would be necessary to bring them into compliance with the new University Mission Statement, directives, and polices. He hopes to complete this task in FY 10. The Library did participate in the modified zero-based budgeting process.
OBJECTIVE 4: Evaluate the revised Materials Budget allocation formula. (MG 7 & SD 2)
Comments: The Head of Library Technical Services and the Executive Director implemented the revised formula for use with the Library’s FY 09 Materials Budget. The University Library Committee approved the phased implementation. That phasing-in approach will continue in FY 10.
OBJECTIVE 5: Continue to investigate and implement services and resources to support the growing demand for support of ASU distance learning students and programs. (MG 3, CO 1, CO 2, CO 3, SD 1)
Comments: Librarians in Reference Services redesigned two of the three online tutorials on Library resources and services. The redesigned tutorials will be released at the start of the 2009 Fall Semester. As each tutorial consists of several “modules” which can be tweaked and used in other tutorials, the third tutorial is also well on the way to completion. The Library maintains and updates a web page outlining all resources and services available to distance learning students. The Library also continues to participate in the TexShare borrowing card and ILL courier services. The Executive Director alerted the University administration to the increasing costs of providing distance learning students with access through US mail to print and media materials owned in the ASU Library.
OBJECTIVE 6: To improve students’ and faculty members’ information literacy skills, continue to offer an increasing number of general and subject/resource specific training sessions and replace existing online tutorials with new, media-rich online tutorials. (MG 1, MG 3, MG 4, MG 5, CO 1, & SD 6)
Comments: Comments: Unfortunately due to time constraints and demands for more online services and the planning process for the Library’s remodeling project and creation of a Learning Commons, no additional courses beyond the standard library instruction sessions were offered in FY 09. The Head of Library Reference Services will plan to address these needs in FY 10.
OBJECTIVE 7: Work on the implementation of the Excellence in West Texas History Fellowship program. (MG 6 & CO 3)
Comments: The Fellowship had a very successful beginning. The selection committee chose two fellows and held a banquet in their honor on 17 April 2009. The fellows are currently researching Texas water rights and the environmental impact of cattle and sheep in the Texas plains area. The Fellowship program received three new grants plus other donations. The Board functioned as planned and desired. So far, there has been a great deal of excitement about the Fellowship from the various universities in West Texas.
GOAL 3: IMPROVE LIBRARY COMMUNICATION (MG 1 & MG 5)
OBJECTIVE 1: Investigate changes in the delivery of information concerning Library resources and services through the Library Newsletter as well as through RamPort, web pages, and/or other means.
Comments: The Library produced three electronic issues of the Newsletter. The traditional “Guide to the Library” was converted to a permanent web page and simply linked to from the first issue and from the Library’s web site. The new format and reduced number of issues did result in considerable savings in editing time and production costs. The web page guide to Library services and resources will allow for easier updating and access by users.
OBJECTIVE 2: Increase the channels and number of informational articles on Library services and resources.
Comments: See above.
GOAL 4: IMPROVE LIBRARY FACILITIES (MG 1, MG, 2, MG 3, MG 4, MG 5, CO 1, & SD 3)
OBJECTIVE 1: To support research, co-curricular activities, residential campus life, and student recruitment and retention efforts, work with Information Technology and the chosen architectural firm on the design of the Library’s Remodeling Project with the creation of a Learning Commons on the First Floor of the Library.
Comments: Through a rigorous review process, The University chose the SHW Group as the architectural firm and Consolidated Contractors Inc. as the construction firm for the Library’s remodeling project. Beginning in late fall 2008, numerous meetings were held with the architects and representatives from the Library, Information Technology, and Facilities, Planning, and Construction. Following final plan completion in fall 2009, abatement and construction work on the project should begin in December 2009. Completion should be by the end of July 2010.
OBJECTIVE 2: CAs part of the Remodeling project, continue to develop plans to make the best possible use of all existing space on the Library’s three floors. In preparation for the creation of the Learning Commons begin implementation of the Reference Move project.
Comments: Library staff members developed and began implementation of various projects to prepare all spaces for the remodeling project. These included cleaning out areas slated for construction, weeding and relocation of reference materials, deciding on furniture to keep and dispose of, etc, as well as developing a plan for providing services during construction. The Executive Director made a series of presentations in the spring semester to various groups on campus soliciting feedback on the project design and proposal for providing services during construction. This greatly benefited the design work. The Executive Director will devise a final service plan and make another round of presentations to appropriate groups in the 2009 Fall Semester. The Library will work with the Communications and Marketing Office to develop and disseminate a publicity plan on the remodeling project and service plans.
OBJECTIVE 3: As part of the Remodeling Project, plan for the continued replacement of worn out furniture for both users and staff and improve signage throughout the Library.
Comments: See above.
GOAL 5: SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACADEMIC MASTER PLAN (MG 1, MG 2, MG 3, MG 4, MG 5, CO 1, & CO2)
OBJECTIVE 1: Work with the development of new programs to ensure adequate information resources to support program course offerings. (MG 3, MG 4, CO 1, CO 2, & SD 1)
Comments: Librarians are assigned to the curriculum development committees in each of the colleges, as well as the University Curriculum Committee
OBJECTIVE 2: Participate in academic program reviews to ensure adequate information resources exist to support on-going program course offerings. (MG 7, CO 2, & SD 1)
Comments: The Library worked with several academic departments in preparation for reviews, accreditation needs, and/or substantive changes. These included the Physical Therapy Department, Curriculum and Instruction Department, Agriculture Department, NCATE accreditation, the Social Work program, and Geology program.
OBJECTIVE 3: Work with any distance learning and Web-based course development to ensure adequate information resources to support course offerings. (MG 3, MG 4, CO 2, & SD 1)
Comments: As part of the Excellence Fund process in support of the College of Educations programs in distance learning, the Library began a subscription to 2,600 ebrary titles related to education. (See also individual unit reports and information under Goal 2, Objective 5.)
OBJECTIVE 4: Work with Information Technology to encourage students and faculty to incorporate E-mail, chat rooms, Internet, technology, and electronic and print Library resources in both their regular classes, Web-based courses, and course research assignments.
Comments: See previous comments throughout the report.
OBJECTIVE 5: Provide support and space for special programs (CITR Office, cohort and group study projects, and other curricular and co-curricular activities). (MG 1, MG 2, MG 3, MG 5, CO 1, & SD 3)Comments: The Library continued its support for the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Research (CITR). This should not interfere with the proposed Remodeling Project. The CITR office will move to a permanent home within the next two years. The Library worked with CITR on several programs for faculty and other interested parties by providing a guest speaker and follow up programs by the Executive Director on copyright issues.
GOAL 6: CONTINUE TO ADD MATERIAL AND INCREASE THE AWARENESS OF THE UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES (MG 1, MG 3, & MG 6)
OBJECTIVE 1:
To help disseminate information concerning resources available in the University Archives (UA), create a web site for the UA that will provide the campus with an accessible way to see what material is appropriate for the UA and how those items should be transferred.
Comments: Work continues on this project.
OBJECTIVE 2: Continue to process materials in the UA.
Comments: Work continues on this project.
OBJECTIVE 3: Continue to solicit materials from across campus that are of value to the UA.
>Comments: Work continues on this project.
OBJECTIVE 4: The Library Director and University Archivist will implement plans to assume the administration of the University’s records management and retention plans.
Comments: Work continues on this project.
GOAL 7: FRIENDS GROUP (MG 6)
OBJECTIVE 1: Work with Friends Group to plan and hold possible book sale in the 2009 Spring Semester.
Comments: The Friends book sale (in January) was the most successful to date.
OBJECTIVE 2: To continue support of the Friends Group’s meetings, workshops, and other activities.
Comments: The timing was not good for this year’s Friends genealogy workshop. In FY 10, the Friends plan to have a joint workshop with the San Angelo Genealogical and Historical Society. The Friends group continues to provide valuable assistance in the purchase of materials and incidental expenses for the West Texas Collection (WTC) and the Library. The group also continued their support of the Joe Bill Lee and Henry Ricci scholarships.
OBJECTIVE 3: Work with the Friends Group and the University Development Officer to plan and implement an endowment campaign to enhance the personnel resources and operations budget of the WTC.
Comments:There was virtually no progress on this objective.
_____________________________________1. MG=Master Goal, CO=Current Objectives, & SD=Strategic Directions.
