October 2005 – October 2006 contributions to Library goals

LDC Goals

Last fall, the group coalesced around focusing on service expectations, training, and focus. We need to look at how we provide service; we should think about saying to users, "Just tell us what you want and we'll figure out how to get it to you." We need to explore what people need down to the item level and then develop ways of providing it. This goal was only partly addressed during the year; more work is needed.

The discussion surrounding goals for the year ahead led to conversations about the overall charge to the group and the degree of responsibility and involvement the group has in decision-making. The overall organizational structure should be clarified. The Library Directors Council recommends the following:

• As largely operational committees, the Circulation and Access Committee, the Research Services Committee, and the Collections Committee consider issues that are largely within the purview of the LDC to decide. Thus, LDC recommends that these three committees report to and take direction from LDC.
• The chairs of these three committees are all part of LDC, and communication between the committees can be expedited through these chairs. Meetings, agendas, and practices will need to reinforce this communication.
• The chair of the LDC, along with other members of LDC, should ensure that LDC is updated on activities of the Strategy and Planning Council and the Committees that report to S&PC (Communication, Staff Development, Digital Library Steering Committee, Metadata Committee). Also, the chair should ensure that consultation occurs in S&PC’s making decisions that affect the libraries.
• The charge to the Library Directors Council should be reviewed and updated. There was general consensus that the representation of the Eskind Library was generally misleading since Frances has attended so few meetings. Clarification was sought on the nature of the Digital Library and the position of Director of the Digital Library; there was some sentiment that the Director of the Digital Library should be a member of the Directors Council. The first paragraph on Reports should be revised to reflect actual practice with respect to monthly reporting and semiannual presentations. The statement added to the Circulation and Access Committee charge should be added to the LDC charge as well:
• In pursuing its charge, the LDC should consider all of its work in light of the following:
  • The patron comes first
  • We should always be looking for ways to improve collections, service and services
  • We should always be looking for ways to improve efficiency
  • We should always be looking for ways to improve consistency and collaboration across the libraries.

A number of issues and projects were proposed for discussion and completion in the coming year. These include:

• Seating sweep
• Freshman Commons
• Allocating money and new book fund creation
• Operations budget tracking
• Space planning--Annex storage--used instead of withdrawal, should we be weeding
• Fines--what good do they do, should we eliminate?
• Laptops--eliminating contracts
• Digital only or digital mostly library--what does it look like and how do we need to prepare and transition?
• Are our libraries friendly for diverse student groups
• Utility of subscriptions; are there alternatives?
• Do we have a problem with staff retention? How can we improve retention?
• Promotional opportunities for librarians
• How do we measure collection quality?
• How do we create greater relevance for the library? LDC should undertake some creative thinking; challenge ourselves to have an agenda consistent with that larger question
• Restructuring of public service roles and examine the roles of new librarians