Library Report to the Technology and Library
Committee, Spring 2007 Semester
[The following information was taken from the Library’s report to the Technology and Library Committee (Academic Senate), which was prepared in April 2007. The document provides highlights of the activities of the Queens College Libraries, noting accomplishments, challenges that we face and, also, opportunities in the upcoming year to move the Libraries forward.]
Accomplishments
Administration
· Development of Library Strategic Plan; “Library Talking Points” and “Big Ticket Items” for use in Library planning and Library and College fundraising;
· Participation in development of College Strategic Plan, President’s Five-Year Review, Middle States Accreditation Review;
· Planning underway for Library reorganization to enhance management of services and personnel;
· Development of planning document for management of College Archives and the Libraries’ Special Collections; investigation of grants available;
· Establishment of regular meetings between OCT and Library for better planning and implementation of joint activities.
Development and
Fundraising
· Successful solicitations from various campus and community groups, including Queens College Alumni and Retirees, Faculty and Staff; Students and other supporters; levels of donations increased as compared with previous year; endowments and gifts enhanced Science, Art, Music, History, Jewish Studies, Library and Information Science, Media Studies;
· Continued to work closely with QC Development Office, receiving monthly reports on donations and special gifts to the Libraries; maintained ongoing relations with donors;
· Planning activities related to use of $1.3 million grant from Borough of Queens President ongoing, including development of new Reference and Research Center, Information Commons, Instructional Classroom, and College Archives facility;
· Updated “Support the Library” on the Libraries webpage;
· Twomey Study Lounge completed; inaugurated at Annual Donors Reception, April 2007;
· Continued to work with Friends of the Library on two book sales, lecture program and cultural program marking annual Library Week; establishment of Student Friends of the Rosenthal Libraries;
Access Services
· Incorporation of new technologies to enhance management of Queens College patron transactions and accounts via Aleph system; increased accessibility of reserve materials via Docutek E-Reserve system; access to non-CUNY media via databases, Internet, and requests via media forms and ILL services (ILLiad interlibrary loan system greatly facilitated ILL transactions); Access Services links and content updated on Libraries website;
· New initiatives have improved collection maintenance and preservation of materials;
· “Students Helping Students: The Library Proctor” program created to provide enhanced services on levels 4 and 5 of Rosenthal Library (floors not previously serviced, apart from collection maintenance/shelving);
·
Circulation of CUNY materials via CUNY+ and the
CLICS program greatly expands materials available to
·
Expansion of wireless enabled laptops for use by
·
Arts and Special
Collections (Art Library and
· The Art Library introduced multidisciplinary digital visual resources to the College (ARTstor); expanded cooperation with Art department; continued to develop information literacy and library usage instruction in the Arts;
· The Art Center presented four successful exhibitions and related programming (gallery talks, lectures, receptions); participated in the Queens College Jazz Fest 206 and in Homecoming 2006; strengthened relations with journalists from Queens media, resulting in more extensive and critical coverage of exhibitions;
· The Music Library expanded its iPod lending program; continued enhanced cataloging of musical scores and compositions;
· The College Archivist participated in Homecoming activities, including oral history of alumni, and inauguration of Queens College World War II Memorial and related programs; ongoing preparation of planning document for management of the College Archives; successful METRO grant and partnership with the Queens College Graduate School of Library and Information Services led to digitization and availability of images related to the history of the College.
Instruction Services
· Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) and Library-sponsored workshop, entitled “Creative Inquiry, Research Methods, and Information Literacy; planning for future initiatives with WAC;
· CUE grant to develop an instruction website ($3000);
· Librarians served on Freshman Year Initiative communities and are active participants in the program;
·
Continued good relations and teaching programs
with
· Over 280 course-integrated library sessions, reaching 7100 students (undergraduate and graduate); 15 sections of LIB 100 course on information literacy offered; LIB 150 course on research methods revived and modified, with Academic Senate approval—section on Social Sciences to be offered in Fall 2007 semester;
· Participation in ENG 110 sections (teaching strategies for using the Libraries and principles of information literacy) continued; assessment of program underway, with report in preparation;
·
Workshops for library staff and constituents
held on Proxy Server, Arts MFA seminar, FrontPage, Web of Science demo, high
school tours and
· Virtual Library Tour enhanced, with assessment quiz and certificate to the tutorial added (CLIQ point provided for taking the quiz);
· GSLIS Internship Program featured an intern who focused on instruction.
Opportunities
· Steady funding from COMPACT may allow Libraries to build print collections to levels which will more adequately satisfy user needs; continued Tech Fee funding and support from CUNY Central will allow continued enhancement of on-line resources and databases; Library fundraising and development team is positioned to work with College development personnel on next College Campaign;
· New (or repaired) roof will lead to better protection of the Library’s assets and lead to related repairs of areas affected by leaks and water damage (e.g., the Art Center floor and walls, as well as other areas throughout the Library);
· Plans for Academic Year 2007-2008 include expansion of “Library Proctor” program to enhance services on levels 1, 2, and 3;
· With the College instituting a new Gen Ed program and placing an increasing emphasis on student retention and success, the Library Instruction/Information Literacy Program can link with this and related initiatives and programs: CUE Council; Center for Teaching and Learning; WAC/WISC programs; Office of Student Retention Programs; Academic Support Center; Student Support Services; English Composition program;
· College-wide efforts to improve and integrate educational technology and instructional design can include Library instruction and services;
· Within the Libraries, the Library Instruction/Information Literacy Program benefits from: cordial library faculty, most of whom teach in the program; funding possibilities for small instruction-related projects; wireless connectivity throughout the campus; three classrooms in the Library, one with SmartBoard technology; active Library Curriculum Committee;
· Availability of technologies, dedicated funding, and skilled leadership will provide further achievements for Access Services, in the areas of ILL, E-Reserve; Media Center; and borrowing through the CLICS program; there is an opportunity improve our digital services and collections (e.g., podcasting, institutional repository, electronic thesis, multimedia offerings, etc.);
· The Art Library and Art Center will continue to partner with the Kupferberg Center for the Visual and Performing Arts and Queens College Arts Marketing Group, Godwin-Ternbach Museum; and the Art Department and MFA Students Club; being in the NYC locale, provides abundant opportunities for further acquisition of funds and collections for the Art Library and Art Center;
· For additional assessment of Library services and collections, LibQUAL+ survey should be conducted along with current assessments being planned (on library and collection use).
Robert A. Shaddy, Ph.D.
Professor and Chief Librarian