4. Objectives, issues, and key strategic initiatives 2008-2010

Key Area 5: Physical environment

Objective: To enrich the total study and campus experience through provision of innovative and welcoming facilities that both stimulate learning and respond to study and research needs.

Ongoing Activities:

To provide study spaces which meet the differing needs of users for group and individual study;
To provide reliable high quality physical libraries, technology and workstations;
To provide a secure and safe environment;
To provide facilities for people with special needs;
To provide responsive hours of opening;
To house the collection to standards that ensure preservation of resources for long-term research value.

Issues: The importance of providing an excellent, reliable infrastructure to support online systems and to provide timely assistance to Library users is becoming increasingly important. This is driven by the increases in the online delivery of courses and provision of online resources, a higher percentage of students who work part-time, more off-campus learning students and a large percentage of international students. The challenge is to provide the appropriate support for these services over extended hours at times that are convenient to the students themselves.

Some Library buildings are aged and require refurbishment. Of particular concern are the two largest libraries, Matheson and Caulfield. The study space provided in all libraries should include areas that are functional, pleasant and comfortable, where students can work in groups, but that also contain areas conducive to individual study and research. Implementation of the principles in the Facilities Master Plan and learning commons concepts will alleviate cramped areas and improve study conditions in the libraries, and bring synergies with other service areas . The addition of learning support services to the Library has an impact on the physical environment of branch libraries as they accommodate learning skills staff and face increased demand for meeting rooms and appropriate learning spaces.

On-campus self-directed learning in a computerised learning environment requires commitment to provision of high numbers of late model, reliable computers and access arrangements for students to the University network, including use of networked printers.

The increasing demands for space for study, computer workstations and collections mean that extensive weeding programs and acquiring appropriate storage facilities to campuses are priorities.

Key Strategic Initiatives

Strategies	Actions	Measures/Targets/KPIs	Responsibility
5.1 Improve facilities within available resources, adhering to the Facilities Master Plan. .	Review Facilities Master Plan in light of changing user behaviour. .	FMP revised.	Director, Central Services.
	Determine and review accommodation, space and operational requirements and organise required works.	Staff appropriately accommodated. Provision of meeting and training rooms meets demand.	Learning skills Manager; University Librarian; Directors, Client Services; Director, Central Services; Branch Managers; Learning Skills Advisers; Facilities and Purchasing Manager.
	Review notices policy as part of the signage portfolio for all libraries.	Policy reviewed and recommendations implemented.	Communication Manager.
	Plan for the refurbishment of the Matheson Library. .	Planning is ongoing.	University Librarian; Directors, Client Services; Director, Information Resources; Manager, Matheson Library; Facilities and Purchasing Manager.
	Complete the refurbishment of the Pharmacy Library and the relocation of the Library to the refurbished area	Refurbishment is completed and the Library operating in the refurbished area.	Manager, Pharmacy Library; Directors, Client Services; Facilities and Purchasing Manager.
	Design the refurbishment of the Caulfield and Law libraries as appropriate.	Refurbishment is designed.	Branch library planning groups; Branch Managers; Directors, Client Services; Facilities and Purchasing Manager.
	Contribute to campus developments through campus and faculty planning committees.	Input is provided through relevant committees.	University Librarian; Directors; Faculty Teams.
5.2 Participate in learning commons developments in collaboration with support services and faculties.	Incorporate elements of learning commons in other branches where possible.	Elements of learning commons have been incorporated.	Director, Central Services; Directors, Client Services; Facilities and Purchasing Manager.
5.3 Address storage and space issues at MUL.	Develop and implement a long-term space and storage strategy.	Strategy developed and implemented.	University Librarian; Director, Information Resources; Director, Central Services.
5.4 Improve the student printing environment for Monash University.	Continue to investigate and work with Information Technology Services to provide a seamless student printing solution.	Improvements implemented.	Director, Central Services; Library Budget Manager.
5.5 Continually review opening hours.	Implement review recommendations. .	New hours implemented.	Directors, Client Services; Branch Managers.