Wayne State University
University Library Committee
December 12, 2005
Minutes
REVISED
Attendance: John McGinnity, Chair; Members: Claude Schochet, James
Sondheimer, Ewa Golebiowska, Simon Ng, John Rothchild, Navaz Bhavnagri,
Marion Jackson,
Sandy Yee, Dean and Jeff Trzeciak, Associate Dean
During the approval of the November 8, 2005 meeting minutes there was some discussion regarding “buy-not-borrow”. Two suggestions were made regarding promotion of the service. First, if possible, send notices once the item has been ordered to indicate its estimated arrival date. Second, provide more information about interlibrary loan costs as part of the marketing campaign to faculty.
As a result of the Purdy/Kresge recommendations for demolition rather than renovation, the PK project has been replaced as the top priority on the list of campus renovation projects. It has been supplanted by State Hall and Chemistry. The Library System Board of Visitors has a subcommittee working with the Office of University Development to identify possible sources of funding.
A Student Council task force has been named at Dean Yee’s request
to work with the libraries on the issue of noise in the Undergraduate library. The
students, who are quite enthusiastic, have met twice with Dean Yee. The
meetings have included tours and a review of past solutions (sound dampening
tiles). At their suggestion, security monitors have placed
greater emphasis on enforcing the third floor code of behavior. In
addition, Student Council is investigating the possibility of an article
in the South End.
The WSU Libraries are collaborating with other libraries throughout Michigan
to leverage our purchasing power through consortial electronic journal
purchases. Effective January 1, 2006 our journal title count will
increase by over 1300 titles. These increases are a result
of the expansion of two major contracts:
Associate Dean Jeff Trzeciak provided a brief overview of the LIBQUAL results. The overview is attached.
Future meetings will be held from 1:30-3 on: January 19, February 16, March 23, April 13, and May 11, 2006.
The survey was sent to all faculty, 2400 undergraduates, 800 graduates, and 1000 staff (including all library staff). This year we had 759 responses including 254 undergraduates, 129 graduates, 276 faculty, 31 library staff, 37 staff, and 32 “unidentified”. In 2003 there were 581 participants and in 2002 there were 610.
Participants were asked to identify their “minimum”, “desired” and “perceived” scores. The lowest “minimum” and “desired” scores were both for “The printed library materials I need for my work”. The highest “desired” score was for “Making electronic resources accessible from my home/office”.
Our users identified the following five items as the most critical:
Participants indicated that our resources, services, and facilities did not meet their minimum expectations.
First and second year undergraduates are the most dissatisfied among undergraduates.
Doctoral students are the most dissatisfied among Graduates.
Full professors are the most satisfied among faculty. Adjunct faculty members are the most dissatisfied among faculty.
The Library System is doing an excellent job in providing electronic resources, particularly journals. Please continue to switch from paper journals to electronic journal access.
I think the Library is the best thing Wayne State University has going for it!!!!!!!
Cons:
I believe the most important concern I have is the ability to access all documentation online without ever having to come to the library. A streamlined online service for interlibrary loan and accessing journals without needing special permissions or subscriptions would be helpful, in order to do everything from a remote location and not have to drive downtown and go through the hassel of parking, walking in the dark, etc.
I find it tremendously frustrating to have the library catalogue tell me that something is on the shelves and available for use, only to get to the library to find that not to be true.
Environment (building) is particularly shabby.
The professional librarians generally do the best they can, but the library is seriously understaffed. Some non-professonal staff could be better informed and friendlier.
Since 2002 the University Libraries have implemented