Library as Place
The library recognizes the shortcomings of its current facility. LibQUAL survey results indicate that the current library building is not meeting user expectations. Excessive noise and lack of study space were commonly reported. As plans for the new East Library were finalized, great efforts were made to identify weaknesses in the current library building, and resolve those problems in the design of the East Library. The East Library, projected for opening in Spring 2009, will be a state-of-the-art facility with a flexible design that accommodates the dynamic and diverse ways in which a University community uses its library.

In response to the demand for an increase in the quality and amount of study space, the new library will include private study rooms for individual and group use on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building. Study areas will be arranged into zones which distinguish quiet, individual study spaces from spaces designed for collaborative work. Several multipurpose rooms and presentation spaces will also be available for student use. The 1st floor of the library will be devoted to computer lab spaces, research assistance and customer service, another effort to separate noise-prone areas of the library from quiet study spaces.

Affect of Service
Overall, the library was pleased to learn that students and faculty enjoy visiting the library and find its staff to be courteous and helpful. In a typical week during 2007, Reference Desk staff, answered nearly 1,020 questions related to research and library use. During the past 5 years, the number of Reference Desk transactions has increased steadily. As the nature of research and library is becoming more complex, the library recognizes the need to recruit and maintain a highly qualified staff. The Library administration is investigating ways to improve the recruitment and training of its professional and administrative staff.

At the present time, the library has two vacant positions for professional librarians: one Reference& Instruction Librarian position and one Manager of Circulation and Reserves Services position. Search committees have been formed, and some applications have been received. Because of the institutions’ geographical location, close to the Mexico border and away from large metropolitan areas and cultural centers, finding bilingual candidates to fill our vacancies has always been very challenging. Candidates must be recruited from other parts of the country at a great expense. In 2004, the library became part of the Rio Grande Partnership Initiative through the University of North Texas. This program acquired a grant through the Institute of Museum and Library Studies to provide full scholarships for graduate study in the UNT School of Library and Information Science. To date, five UTB/TSC library staff members completed the program and obtained their MLIS degree. Three of those candidates are now employed as professional librarians. Two additional candidates will graduate in the year 2009.

The following link from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission provides comparative data for the academic year 2005. This data is reported annually and provides a snapshot of how the UTB/TSC Library ranks among its peers in terms of services and resources.

http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/pubs/als/2005/compare.html

The Arnulfo L. Oliveira Memorial Library is in operation 88.5 hours per week during a regular academic semester. The library recognizes the desire for increased access to the library facility, particularly computer labs. However, the existing budget and staff do not allow for an increase in the library’s hours of operation at this time. Library staff members, stationed in public service areas, gather hourly statistics to understand library usage patterns. The most recent analysis of those statistics did not indicate a need for the expansion of library hours during the regular week, Monday – Friday, particularly given the library’s limited budget and staff resources. While the hours of the East Library have not yet been determined, plans for the new Library call for the operation of a 24 hour Internet Café which will provide students with round-the-clock access to computing services. The library will continue to monitor usage patterns as it plans for the future.

Access to modern equipment and technology is critical to the teaching and learning mission of a modern University. The Library recently implemented a 3-year replacement plan for computer workstations in Library computer labs. During Summer 2007, printing and copy services were greatly improved with the addition of new digital copy machines, microform reader/printers and color printing services. During Summer 2007, a new pay-for-print system was implemented which eliminated the need for a cumbersome copy card, and now allows users to maintain a virtual printing account. User satisfaction with campus printing services has increased dramatically. In response to patron feedback regarding slow turnaround time for Interlibrary Loan Services, the Interlibrary Loan Department introduced an automated Interlibrary Loan system called ILLiad as well as electronic article delivery via Ariel to expedite the processing and delivery of materials requested via Interlibrary Loan, further expanding convenient availability of materials needed by the University community.

Information Control
The UTB/TSC Digital Library, accessible at http://library.utb.edu, receives over 33,000 hits each month. A single periodical database provided by the library may receive as many as 18,000 searches in a single month. Currently over 35,000 periodicals and 40,000 books can viewed, 24-7 from the Library Web site. As usage of the library Web site and the demand for electronic resources continues to increase, the library has made purchasing online content a priority. During Fall 2007, the Library implemented a formal plan to convert existing print periodical subscriptions to online format, to increase the number of scholarly periodicals with 24-7 availability. Each year, the library expands its collection of electronic resources through local and group purchases and arrangements with the Texas State Library and the UT System Digital Library.

However, the library recognizes that its print and electronic resources fall short in some subject areas. To better understand resource needs in the disciplines, the library now encourages librarians to specialize in subject areas to learn more about the research needs of specific subject areas and to foster proactive, working relationships with students and faculty to improve library collections. Two faculty liaison librarians were hired during Summer 2007, to launch the library’s new faculty liaison initiative, with plans for further expansion. In addition, the library will add an automated collection analysis system developed by R.R. Bowker, and the Association of College and Research Libraries to systematically identify gaps in the library’s print collection and purchase texts that are deemed necessary to study and research at the undergraduate and graduate level in specific subject areas.

Despite convenient access to a vast array of electronic and print resources, LibQUAL survey responses indicate that many users are not aware of the resources and services available to them. The library recognizes the need to refocus its instruction and outreach efforts to increase awareness of library resources and services and improve the information literacy skills of its users. The library instruction team will launch a new initiative in Spring 2008, to formally measure the effectiveness the library instruction program.