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 Buffalo will become the centerpiece of the intellectual and educational experience for users within the next ten years through increased acquisitions, collaborative access, digital innovation, and a commitment to an enhanced user experience.

 

Mission:

 

The Libraries of the University at Buffalo augment the scholarly experience of faculty, students, researchers, and the public at large by furnishing an intellectual environment which is fostered by a commitment to the ease of access to information.

 

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 Digital Library Center, and create more suitable spaces for its users.

           

            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*The Libraries will build a remote storage facility which will house 1.5 million low use or electronically superseded items from the libraries collection which will take two years to accomplish.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 ADA compliant and to create a fresh experience for the staff and its users.

 

 

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

cjkeough@gmail.com

 

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