12 Caulfield/Peninsula Branch Library
In 1997 staff of the Caulfield/Peninsula Library continued to demonstrate their
ability to cope with rapid changes in technology, staffing levels and user
needs, thus ensuring the delivery of a quality information service for the
clients of the Branch. The following report includes brief references to some of
the initiatives of the Branch in 1997, presented under headings reflecting the
key themes of The Monash Plan, 1998-2002: Innovation, Engagement
(the report includes campus-wide activities as well as community activities) and
Internationalisation.
New Library Building, Peninsula. Work on the new library building
at the Peninsula campus progressed quickly throughout 1997, and the projected
date for occupation is early February, 1998. The library building was designed
to complement the native flora prevalent on the Peninsula Campus while providing
a contemporary library with excellent IT training facilities and enhanced access
to electronic information. Since the beginning of the building project, the
Deputy Branch Librarian and other library staff at Peninsula have played a major
role in the successful planning and organisation of the building, and
preparation of the collection for moving. A substantial review of the collection
and a weeding project were completed by Peninsula loans staff in conjunction
with the relevant subject and reference librarians, and selected materials from
the children's collection were transferred to the Rare Books collection.
Space Allocation, Caulfield. Planning continued in 1997 for the
proposed relocation of the entrance of the Caulfield library, and the expansion
of the library on level 2 of Building A. A working group, including staff from
the Works and Services Branch at Caulfield, is currently investigating various
models and costings in preparation for anticipated funding reallocations in mid
1998. The proposed changes would raise the visibility of the library on the
campus, and help accentuate the central role of the Library in the University's
teaching and research activities.
Branch Communication. Access to technological developments
continues to impact on services and work procedures in the Branch. In 1997
communication structures were changed as email lists were organised for the
Branch. Staff received training and email replaced the circulation and posting
of most documents, including the reports required from staff representing the
Branch at university, library or professional activities.
Electronic Reserve Request Form. A new electronic reserve form
was developed in conjunction with H&SS Library staff, and an email facility
was set up to enable academics to easily communicate their reserve requirements
from remote locations.
Preparation for Unmediated Services - In preparation for the
imminent change to self-charging, staff in 1996 began the tedious process of
replacing bar codes on library materials by a process of matching items and
barcodes. In 1997 Raeco barcode duplicators were purchased, resulting in
significant savings of staff time. In view of the 5.94% increase in loans on the
Caulfield campus, and the reduction of the staffing component of the budget,
self-charging will become a necessity when the new computerised library system
is installed in 1999. A fast-charger/discharger was also installed.
Electronic Journals. Developing guidelines for the handling of
journals in electronic format was the major challenge for the serials staff in
1997. Many publishers now distribute their journals electronically - both on
CD-ROM and via the Internet. The serials staff were involved in the complex
process of identifying availability of electronic journals, ensuring that
information is incorporated into the Electronic Resources Directory, negotiating
through complex pricing structures and monitoring price fluctuations. The
Caulfield/Peninsula staff initiated a benchmarking project on invoice processing
as part of the Branch's continuing review of journal processing.
Staffing. To help ensure that staff are well-trained, aware of
new technology, and develop professional networks, staff participated in local,
national and international staff development activities. Conferences and
workshops attended included VALA, AIMA training, Web training, and attendance at
the American Library Association conference by the Branch Librarian. Throughout
the year review of position descriptions, development of a Branch business plan
and a Performance Enhancement program helped staff remain focused on the major
goals of the Library.
University Initiatives. Staff on both campuses were actively
involved in initiatives outside the library. The Branch Librarian was invited to
become a member of the Caulfield Campus Director's Committee, and the Branch
Librarian and Deputy Branch Librarian attended the Peninsula Campus Director's
meetings. The Branch Librarian and Deputy Branch Librarian were also invited to
meet with David Phillips and other members of the Vice-Chancellor's Corporate
Review Group involved in developing a campus profile for the Peninsula campus,
including examining the potentially expanded role of the Library in relation to
the community.
Library staff on both campuses continued to have a close working relationship
with academics, researchers and students, and were involved in various
activities with the faculties in addition to the traditional loans, user
education and reference work. For example, having obtained a grant from the
Peninsula Campus Research Group, the Peninsula Campus subject librarian and a
member of the Faculty of Education are involved in developing a Web based
information literacy package, and students from the Computing and Information
Technology Faculty worked under the direction of a Caulfield librarian to
prepare a computer assisted learning package.
Several Caulfield/Peninsula staff attended the University's Women and
Leadership program, including the Deputy Branch Librarian who was a facilitator
for one of the groups.
Staff in the Caulfield/Peninsula Branch continued to support MONINFO
initiatives in 1997, including the retrieval and supply of information to
MONINFO for non-Monash clients. During the last six months of the year a
Peninsula staff member was seconded to MONINFO as an Information Retrieval
Specialist, and the experience gained in this position provided benefits for
Peninsula library users as well as clients of MONINFO.
Library staff were instrumental in reinstating Zone 30 meetings for Building
A at the Caulfield campus, and in conjunction with Occupational Health and
Safety ensured that appropriate emergency procedures are in place, and that
evacuation drills and training sessions were organised in 1997. Excellent
emergency procedures were also developed and implemented at the Peninsula campus
library.
Frankston Databank. Staff involved in the Frankston Databank
have been in contact with the Frankston City Library and various Mornington
Peninsula groups interested in the extensive local data now available on the
databank. The possibility of providing the existing data in CD-ROM format is
being investigated, and access to the databank will be provided on a public
access terminal in the new Peninsula Campus Library. The Windows 95 version of
Inmagic was purchased in 1997 to improve input, searching and reading
capabilities of the databank.
In 1997 the information staff of the Caulfield/Peninsula Branch continued to
support international initiatives of the faculties (particularly the Faculty of
Business and Economics) by providing access to information via the Web for those
students located off-shore. On-campus initiatives included user education
programs tailored for international students
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