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Faculty: Library Committee 2018

Committee Notes 2017-2018

Facilities and Resources

Committee members endorsed the concept of an early spring meeting to review library resource options, with access to data on cost, use, and academic programs served. Database renewals are scheduled throughout the year, however most renew between July 1 and December 31, with decision deadlines beginning in May.

Prospects for print book selection and preservation are improving, given environmental measures in the lower level stacks that resulted in relative humidity consistently below 55% through Summer 2017. Jim Verdini is leading a project to remove the legacy reference collection and open space for new acquisitions. Subject liaison librarians welcome faculty book requests, including summer expenditures from endowment income. The deadline for one-time budget expenditures (books, supplies) is effectively April 10, to ensure that materials are received and expensed in the current fiscal year.

The library director reported improvement to indoor climate in the lower level stacks. Relative humidity remained below preservationists' recommended limit of 55% throughout Summer 2017. Remediation included replacement of an air conditioner in the receiving area (main floor) that had leaked into the wall below, and installation of two dehumidifiers on the lower level. The dehumidifiers can be fitted with pumps and tubing to drain automatically. At present, Maintenance or Housekeeping staff are dumping buckets manually 1-3 times daily during hot/humid weather.

With apparent resolution of factors that resulted in loss of books to mold in 2015-16, the library welcomes faculty and student requests for print books classed in HM through Z (sociology, criminal justice, law, education, music, art, language and literature, math/computer science, medical, biological and physical sciences).  The mold issue was less severe in upper level stacks (children's literature, philosophy, religion, history, geography, anthropology, sports and business). Maintenance will continue to address sporadic water infiltration on that floor.

The library offers over 300,000 eBooks from ProQuest Academic Complete, EBSCO Academic Collection, APA PsycBooks, Springer Behavioral Science, and open access collections from the National Academies Press and other sources. Understanding that individuals may prefer a print copy for reading in depth, the library will acquire print books on request though the eBook is available.

ACRL and IPEDS library reports were submitted in February 2018. Regarding library resources we reported that:
  • The library licenses 63 full content databases and 16 index/abstract databases. In addition, it features 75 open access sources on Databases, A-Z.
  • At June 30, 2017, physical collections totaled 91,570 items, and digital collections 380,445 titles (including 307,559 eBooks). 

Any faculty member or student may place a book request using the Recommend Sources form:

OR by email to a subject liaison librarian:

In its November 2017 meeting the Committee revised the library's collections policy:

An AU strategic plan project is underway to map library resources and open textbooks to selected courses in each academic program. A library project is underway to assess content and ease of use for eBook collections, with potential implications for reallocation of funding for print and digital sources. Due to multiple budget reductions in recent years, print book acquisition is now primarily dependent on library endowment income.

Access and Instruction

In Summer 2017, librarians redesigned all web guides and tutorials, migrating to new ADA-compliant platforms with device independent display for LibGuides and the new WorldCat Discovery. Instructional services are available online and by appointment with liaison librarians. In addition to library orientation/instruction and seminars scheduled by course instructors, library space is formally reserved in Fall 2017 for Averett 101. Library discussion and media areas can accommodate classes with up to 14 students. 

ACRL and IPEDS library reports were submitted in February 2018. What we learned regarding 2016-17 library use:
  • Averett readers downloaded 65,579 documents from subscription databases (39,558 articles, 283 music and video clips, 573 eBooks, and 25,165 eBook chapters).
  • Print book and media circulation declined to 1,673 items.
  • Librarians offered 52 instruction sessions (in person and online) attended by 583 students.
  • Librarians facilitated 6,899 reference transactions, including 1,541 research consultations (conversations of 20 minutes or longer) and 847 that occurred online.  
  • The library provided 539 interlibrary loans to other libraries, and acquired 266 ILL’s on behalf of Averett students and faculty.

Staffing

Committee members expressed interest in meeting with library personnel and Dr. Fulop to discuss and advise on the January 2019 transition in library leadership. The Faculty Library Committee filled an active role in advising/supporting library staff when the director’s position was open for 18 months prior to May 2000. This is an opportunity to assess ongoing requirements and future directions for the library with respect to curriculum and academic support.

Librarians met in August with Student Success Center staff, agreeing to collaborate on use of tutoring space, citation style instruction, research consultations, and orientation of tutors.

The library director, Elaine Day will be off contract in October and for the month following spring commencement. Please refer all resource/instructional requests to the appropriate liaison librarian, and administrative questions to Kevin Harden when Elaine is not available.

The Committee agreed to meet every other month, or as needed.