14 Hargrave Library
14.1 Major Initiatives
Costing user services.
During the whole of August and for one week in both September and October,
Hargrave Library staff recorded staff time spent on specific user services. The
data gathering will be repeated in 1997 and used to calculate staff expenditure
on specific user services. The information should, in future, assist with
developing benchmarking library services.
STM Business Plan for 1997.
Joint meetings between lending services and information services staff to plan
the 1997 Business Plans were held to explore scope for increased collaboration
between the branches and the possibility of achieving greater efficiencies by
sharing some tasks.
14.2 User Education
Demand for User Education classes, especially Internet classes, continued
throughout the second half of the year:
- customised Internet classes of two hours duration were developed with
printed instructional material and hands on training
- new electronic screen shows were produced for Hargrave subjects and the
1995 screen shows were revised
- subject librarians and information services staff received training in HotDog
Pro (HTML markup) and Train the Trainer (general and Internet)
- a new video monitor and recorder were installed in the Hargrave Library IT
training room
- a User Guide to the electronic ACEL Australian Standards was produced.
User Education statistics showed continuing increases for all programs with
the exception of orientation classes. Extensive use of information technology
made it possible for a small team of subject librarians and information services
staff to develop and deliver Internet and user education information literacy
classes.
14.3 Accommodation and Refurbishment
Physical facilities improvements.
- A new discussion room requested by students in 1995 was completed in July
1996
- Relocation of shelving, to create a more logical floor plan and easy to
follow sequence of stack commenced after the end of the academic year
- Installation of new reference shelves in the foyer of the Hargrave Library
was completed by December and allowed the removal of freestanding older
shelves which blocked the view of the CD-ROM network services area
- Cleaning of the Percival sculptures. The mural was cleaned after nearly
two decades, and the wall behind it painted
- An after hours book return chute was installed in November 1996
- Physical access to SESAME2, Exam database etc has been improved with the
refurbishment of the reference area
- A proposal for minor works to improve the appearance of the library
building is being prepared. All refurbishments and improvements are driven
by the Hargrave Library Quality Assurance Program and are guided by advice
from staff and students.
The shortage of seating remains a problem. The move of older books and
serials to the Matheson Store will only provide a temporary solution to the
space shortage in the Hargrave Library building.
Improvements in Electronic/Reference Facilities.
Many PC upgrades took place which included:
- a touch screen monitor for the Hargrave Library Electronic Information
Desk
- a multimedia PC has also been used for standalone CD-ROMs. This improves
the accessibility of databases such as ITUT & PDF
- amplifier units have been installed in the two multimedia PCs
- a new PC for GIS and new GIS databases and other digital spatial data
Backup unit installed to GIS PC
- a new colour printer
- Examination database - running and well used
- Electronic News - running well - for advertising new products/services.
14.4 Acquisitions
Fifty-four serials titles were cancelled and twenty-nine new titles were
catalogued (eleven paid subscriptions, fifteen donations and three exchanges).
The Hargrave Serials Librarian revised and updated procedures and management
information to assist academic departments and the Hargrave Library with the
annual journal subscriptions review. A list of 'core' (high use) journals was
also produced.
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