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In 2004 Monash University Library continued
to make progress towards the realisation of the key strategies
designed to improve support for the university's learning, teaching
and research activities.
The trends evident in 2003 continued in 2004. A
12.7 per cent increase in library visits in 2003 was followed by a
further 9.8 per cent in 2004, with two branches - Sir Louis Matheson and
Caulfield - both having more than a million visits each. These increases
are occurring in parallel with huge increases in use of electronic
resources, but with a gradual decrease in the number of loans and use of
reference services. The library recognises these trends and is
redirecting its energy towards improving buildings and developing
information literacy programs that are integrated into coursework.
A 7.38 per cent increase in the collection
acquisitions budget, following a 12.4 per cent increase in 2003, has
seen strong growth in the collection, particularly in electronic
resources, which should make Monash University's current print and
overall electronic resources second to none in the country.
Technology based services were also advanced in
2004, including planning for a significant extension of the Monash
University Lectures Online service, the installation of wireless
capability in most branches and the negotiation of access to some
electronic resources for alumni - a first for Australia.
In 2003 the library, in consultation with the
Facilities and Services Division, created a Facilities Master Plan to
guide the redevelopment of all libraries. In 2004 a major refurbishment
of the Hargrave-Andrew Library - the oldest library at Monash University
- commenced, with work due to be completed in the middle of 2005.
The concepts in the Facilities Master Plan have
been further refined in 2004, with the introduction of a learning
commons concept, which, where implemented, will result in the
collocation of key student services, including library, information
technology, language and learning services and students services. In
working towards this goal, the Information Technology Services help desk
on the Clayton campus was relocated into the Sir Louis Matheson Library
in late 2003, and plans were developed to combine the student access PC
laboratories and the library on the Berwick Campus. In addition, the new
campus in Malaysia, which will be constructed in 2005, will incorporate
a number of student services into a learning commons precinct, and
discussions about other campuses are underway.
Major progress was achieved in 2004 with respect
to the library's two significant development projects, the ePress and
ARROW (a government funded consortial project Australian Research
Repositories Online to the World). The ePress released its first two
electronic journals in November, in advance of a formal launch early in
2005, and the ARROW project made substantial progress towards the
development of repository software. These two projects, which are
designed to support and promote the university's research activities,
have allowed Monash University to explore changes in the field of
scholarly communication.
This annual report provides more details of the
achievements I have highlighted here, as well information about the many
services provided and activities undertaken by the library's creative
and dedicated staff. I encourage you to read it, and thank library staff
publicly for the wonderful work they do.
Cathrine Harboe-Ree,
University Librarian |
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University Librarian, Cathrine Harboe-Ree |
