Making An Impact: Action Plan - 2008-09 Report

 

  In October 2008, we posted our goals for the next 2 years here on this blog. Herewith, a progress report on our top 10 goals after the first year of our two-year Action Plan:

 

1. The librarians will produce an online Information Literacy Tutorial.

The first modules of this tutorial are almost ready! We chose CLUE, a multimedia tutorial developed by

University

of

Wisconsin

as our model. We thank our colleagues there for giving permission to adapt their work to our situation.

 

2. The librarians will align resources and services with Student

   Le

   arning Outcomes.

Workshops focusing on librarian and faculty collaboration were offered in January 2009 (Why Be Tied to the Copy Machine? Using LibGuides) and February 2009 (Faculty and Librarians as Partners). Several participants subsequently worked with librarians to create web-based LibGuides focused on their library-related assignments. Feedback from collaborating faculty, representing every academic division, was positive;

 

A Faculty Support webpage, using the LibGuide platform, debuted in September.

 

3. The librarians will select and implement a Federated Search Tool.

We chose Serials Solutions’ 360 Search™. We have worked hard to maximize its usefulness to our community. Currently, it powers the single search across 7 library databases on the library website.

 

4. The librarians will acquire and make available New Collection Resources using funds gained by canceling items that are no longer needed.

Since microfilm use had fallen to near zero, all subscriptions in microfilm were cancelled, and funds used instead to license PsycArticles, Wall Street Journal, CINAHL with Full Text, JSTOR, and the Chronicle of Higher Education for the college community. Usage for all of these resources has been good.

 

We received this commendation a few weeks ago: “I am taking graduate courses this summer, and final papers are approaching. Being able to access the library's materials remotely has saved me; unfortunately, the library here… is under construction, and the online offerings are slim. I have been able to pull up so many full-text articles from journals to use in my papers, and I wanted to say "thank you" to you and your staff for making all this possible.  I have always been amazed at the scope of our library, but it really hits home now.”

 

 

5. The librarians will introduce real-time Online Reference Services.

Online reference service using chat (Meebo) was inaugurated during the Fall 2008 semester. Chat reference provides a medium for students comfortable with this method of communication. Data collected during the 2008-09 academic year shows a steadily increasing use of chat for reference inquiries. These inquiries now exceed those received by phone and email.

 

6. The librarians will use a new software application to transform traditional resource guides into more dynamic web-based LibGuides.

Librarians have created over 40 online guides using the LibGuides template, many of them in collaboration with faculty. Faculty response to LibGuides has been overwhelmingly positive. Upon receiving the spring semester usage statistics for a guide in one course, one faculty member replied, “Looks like a big success. I would like to start another libguide for my Intro to Lit course that begins on May 18…” 100% of faculty who attended the January workshop now use them.

 

Students too responded positively. One student commented (all the LibGuides invite comments) read, “…Awesome teacher, great outline. Comment: Lots of help and assistance, a lot of effort put into helping us understand and relate to all works….”

 

7. The librarians will plan and implement a Library Liaison Initiative.

Librarian liaisons attend division meetings on a regular basis. As a result, existing relationships with faculty have been strengthened, and new ones formed.

 

8. The librarians will establish Faculty and Student Library Advisory Groups.

Due to the initiative 7, a Faculty Group was not convened. However, a Student Advisory Group met once each semester, and will continue to meet next year. Meeting dates for 2009-2010 have already been set.

 

9. The librarians will refine the Library Web site and Library Catalog by incorporating new technologies and conducting usability studies.

The Student Library Advisory Group provided feedback during the revision to the library website that debuted in January. CamCat, the library catalog, now features floorplans to help users find books, and tag clouds supplement the traditional subject headings. Book reviews are available. You can even write a review yourself! ‘Similar Books’ are listed, where available, giving readers additional choices.

 

10.       The librarians will gather and analyze statistical data regarding library services and resources to help with planning and decision making.

Activity logs, resource usage and other statistical measures are being collected and used. For example, Sunday visitors are asked, “What brings you here today?” and seat counts are done in the evenings and on Saturdays.

Comments

[software development]

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