Another semester, another newsletter…
I wonder what I can convey in 500 words that captures the crazy, busy but productive, exciting time we are having in the Library trying to think of ways to better serve your curricular and research needs. The evolution of the Library is an iterative process as we regularly review and analyze usage statistics, as well as discuss and evaluate our successes and failures.
The articles you find in this edition of our newsletter describe some of the results of our thinking and discussions and include information on some of the new projects we are undertaking, such as our ILL “Buy Not Borrow” pilot program, our Special Collections blog, our Circulating Collection Evaluation Project, a great new exhibit and a fun upcoming event. You will also find articles that describe some new twists on familiar services, including new extended library hours, new friendlier circulation policies, and an update on some of our collections.
I also wanted to share this year’s Library Annual Report. The report takes an-in-depth look at Library activities for 2008-2009. The report includes news on budget, personnel, collections, services, outreach, and facilities, as well as the professional research and service activities of our faculty. I am amazed at the amount of productive and innovative work our small team of library faculty and staff specialists was able to accomplish. I hope you will be as well!
Also, a while back I promised to share the results of our 6th Annual Library Survey. As you may know, each Spring semester the Library asks all students and faculty to complete a survey that measures your satisfaction with our collections, services, and facilities. Folks who know me know I love data. And during times of economic uncertainty, like those we face now, understanding the collective opinion of how students and faculty view Library collections, services, and facilities is critical as we move ahead. Every dollar counts and knowing your opinions helps us understand how to better utilize our valuable human and monetary resources. The good news is that satisfaction with the Library is up, almost unilaterally across all collections and services, though we know there is lots of room for improvement. I could go on at length about the 6 year trends we are seeing, but I will let the data speak for itself.
Finally, my thanks to everyone who attended the groundbreaking for the new library, held on Friday, January 29th. Two years and counting to the new building, I can’t believe it is actually happening!
And if you made it this far in my article, thanks for taking the time to read the Spring 2010 edition of our newsletter! The UTC Library exists to serve you, our students and faculty, and we take that responsibility seriously. Please know I have an open door and if there are any Library-related issues that you would like to discuss, I would welcome the conversation. Librarians need to lead, but we also need to listen and follow our patrons. So please don’t hesitate to get in touch, with good news or bad, with an idea about the collection, or a concern about the facility. I love being a librarian, and as a Library we need your input to continually evolve to serve you. Best of luck with your Spring semester!
Theresa
theresa-liedtka@utc.edu
423-425-4508