University at
Buffalo
Libraries
Construction of Remote Facility
Vision, Mission
Goals,
Objectives
Transformation of
Lockwood Library
Vision:
In order to exceed the
expectations set forth in the UB2020 plan, the Libraries of the University at
The Libraries of the
University at
Goals:
Goal
#1: The
Libraries will create space in order to relieve the overcrowding shelves,
accommodate new print acquisitions, develop a new state of the art
Objectives for Goal #1:
*The Libraries
will build a remote storage facility which will house 1.5 million low use or
electronically superseded items from the libraries collection which will take two
years to accomplish. This will be
equivalent to 40% of the libraries collection.
By removing this less prioritized material to the new facility, the
libraries will be able to repurpose the vacated spaces to better serve the
current needs of its users.
*The Libraries
will perform an environmental scan of all SUNY Libraries over the next three
months to compare and contrast what other universities are doing in regards to
space issues so as to bring the best ideas back to our libraries and see if it
is feasible to adopt them for the benefit of the library community.
*The libraries
will undertake a survey over the next three months of faculty, staff, and
students to solicit input on the subject of what types of spaces they would
like in their libraries thus enabling them to have a more satisfying user
experience.
Goal
#2: The
Libraries will revamp the appearance of many of its buildings in order to
offset its “dated” image.
Objectives for Goal #2:
*The Libraries
will hire a specialist who will help assist in creating a new and invigorating
atmosphere by replacing a significant portion of the furnishings in the
libraries as well as adding new flooring, light fixtures, and paint for the
walls within the next year in the hopes of making the users of the library more
comfortable and at ease.
*The Lockwood
Library will undergo a complete “glazing” effect on the outside of the building
in July in order to create a more “sleek and modern” looking library for the
university community.
*The circulation
desks at the Undergraduate Library, Architecture and Planning Library, and
Lockwood Library will be completely redesigned during May through August in
order to become
Goal
#3: The
Libraries will continue to enhance the use and knowledge of emerging
technologies for the university.
Objectives for Goal #3:
*The Libraries
will have an ongoing committee who will review on a monthly basis the quality
and currency of all of our techniques, hardware, applications, and prevalence
of use of technology in the library by its users and staff.
*By the next
semester, the Libraries will create feedback forms, both physical and
electronic, which will allow users and staff to offer their opinions and requests
for new products which would enhance their experience.
*The Libraries
will provide ongoing user education for many of the latest applications for all
students, faculty, and staff in order to create a more knowledgeable
university.
*The Libraries
will send key staff members to conferences on an ongoing basis in order to
experience many of the latest innovations in technology and bring all the
relevant information back to our university for our users to experience.
*The Libraries
will collaborate with the Computer and Information Technology department on an
ongoing basis in order to make our projects more effective and in sync with the
goals with the university as a whole so as the users of the libraries will have
access and knowledge of the finest that technology can offer.
Goal
#4: The
Libraries will enhance the user experience by reassessing current activities
and introducing new products and services.
Objectives for Goal #4:
*At the end of
the spring semester, the Libraries will undertake a document delivery service
through the InterLibrary Loan departments which will allow users to receive
scanned journal articles to their computers within one business day enhancing
the level of service that currently exists for the users exponentially.
*The Libraries
will purchase three self-checkout machines at the beginning of the next fiscal
year which will quicken the checkout process by 50% for our users and allow for
the reutilization or elimination of student labor.
*During the fall
semester, the Libraries will undertake surveys by email to all students,
faculty, and staff to in order to completely analyze and improve the Library
Management System (Aleph) that was purchased and implemented in 2006 in order
to improve access to the collection for our users.
Goal
#5: The Libraries will place a greater emphasis on
Professional Staff development in the coming academic year.
Objectives for Goal #5:
*The Libraries
will hold monthly training seminars on a wide variety of topics that will be
designed to substantially increase the knowledge of its staff.
*The Libraries
will encourage all professional staff members to attend at least one conference
per year in order to further their knowledge in their specific field and to network
amongst like minded colleagues.
*The Libraries
will create a mentoring program next month for all new employees in order to
make all new hires completely comfortable with their new surroundings and to
ensure proper development of all new staff.
*The Libraries
will create a “Town Forum” this summer which will convene twice a year where
the director will be able to enlighten the entire staff by communicating all
the activities of the library in order to create complete awareness of the
library staff.
Christopher Keough
LIS 581
Remote Storage Facility
photo courtesy of Nicole Colello. Email-
ncolello@buffalo.edu
Lockwood Library photo
courtesy of http://www.buffalo.edu/UBT/features/imagine.html