Improvements Since the Library Survey 2006
Since the survey was undertaken in April/May 2006, efforts have been made to improve areas where respondents identified a gap between the importance of the area and the level of performance by the library, as perceived by those respondents.
The two areas identified as in most need of improvement were
- the improving access to computers to support study and research in the library
- improving the library collection, including electronic resources
These two areas have been particularly targeted since the survey, and improvements to date are outlined below.
All campuses have increased the number of computers available and expanded the wireless network and power access for laptop use.
The strategy for improving the library collections at all campuses has focussed on expanding access to electronic resources, in particular electronic journals. Since early 2008, library users have electronic access to nearly all titles offered by publishers Blackwell, Taylor and Francis, Cambridge, Sage and Springer, as well as a number of specialist publishers such as American Institute of Physics and Royal Society of Chemistry. This has expanded the library holdings from about 400 primarily print journal titles, held only at the Bundoora campus library, to more than 4,000 titles available at all campuses and also off campus. For many of these titles the full electronic backfiles are also available. A direct link to the full text of all titles is available via the library catalogue. Further backfiles of the Web of Science have been purchased, with access now available from 1975 to date.
Other key electronic databases and resources acquired since the survey include JSTOR Arts and Science Collection IV, Contemporary Authors, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Oxford Reference Online, Science Online, Nature Online and a number of other Nature journals in electronic form, Science Classic, CAB Abstracts Archive 1973 – 1989 and the Standards Australia database. These are also available at all campus libraries and off campus.
Services for international off shore students were improved with the development of a CD-ROM containing information about the library services and including the Library Skills Online tutorials. The CD-ROM was distributed to students in Vietnam during 2007 and there will be wider distribution in 2008.
As part of the library's strategy to improve resource discovery for students and staff and noting increasing use of Google Scholar, the library journals are now "exposed" to Google Scholar. A link appears in the results of a Google Scholar search indicating relevant La Trobe University Library holdings of a journal (print or electronic).
The library web site has been redesigned and significant improvements introduced. These include making the search features directly available from the home page, a tabbed display separating search options for Books, Journal Articles & Databases, and Unit Materials/Reserve and an improved Journal Title search including abbreviation search. As well, there has been the addition of an online booking facility for training classes, online floor plans for a number of the campus libraries, and the Article Finder service.
Communication with library users has been enhanced with the introduction of RSS feeds and podcasts. Staff and students can now use their university user names and passwords when off campus to access restricted library resources such as electronic reserve items, electronic journals and databases. A special library PIN number is no longer required. The catalogue has been enhanced with new features such as increasing the display of records in a search results list to 50, and a spellchecker.
The new Library Image Database System, Insight was introduced, replacing the previous image database that was 10 years old and providing greater functionality such as manipulation of images and the ability to collect images into subject collections for specific teaching purposes.
Finally photocopying and printing facilities have been improved with new systems and equipment installed at the Bundoora, Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga and Mildura campus libraries.
Further improvements at individual campus libraries include:
Albury-Wodonga
Internet workstations are now available in all group study rooms to allow groups to work on presentations. An additional transmitter has been placed in the library (Level 2) to expand the wireless coverage, and more group study tables have been placed near power points to enable connection to laptops. A brochure has also been produced outlining the wireless access available and how students may take advantage of this.
Subject librarians have been working closely with academic staff to identify areas for additional collection building in the library.
Communication with clients has been improved with the introduction of a regular newsletter for staff, newsletter to postgraduate students and visits by subject librarians to student lectures and tutorials.
Bendigo
A number of computer workstations were upgraded and six additional machines were added, providing a total of 66 public access PCs, together with a new network switch to improve speed and capacity. Wireless access including wireless printing has been expanded to cover all sections of the library. Existing group study space was re-arranged and the installation of comfortable individual seating continued. A self checkout unit for self service loans has been installed.
Library specific orientation week sessions were introduced and ongoing generic classes for accessing online sources of information are now offered. The policy was changed to allow Reserve collection books to be taken out of the library.
Bundoora
An additional 65 PCs have been installed for client use including the provision of a PC in each of ten lockable individual study carrels. Twenty laptops are now available for loan for use in the library. The wireless network has been extended to provide more access points.
Printing facilities have been improved with the implementation of Transact La Trobe, the new University-wide system for charging for printing and photocopying. A printer has been installed on Level 1 so students using PCs on this level don't need to go to Level 2 to collect their printing.
Materials placed on "hold" (i.e. reserved by a patron) are now housed in the open reserve area and patrons can collect these items themselves. Two self checkout units have been installed in the open reserve area to allow patrons to borrow Reserve collection items and "hold" items without taking them to a desk. Reserve material is allowed to be used outside the library. Implementation of a self check in unit in the reserve area allows patrons to check in items. Expansion of the open reserve area provides study carrels for consultation of reserve materials.
A refurbished area on Level 1 provides additional group study seating, wireless access for students to use their own laptops, and informal seating. In addition, two new lockable study carrels on Level 1 (one is equipped with a PC for clients with disabilities) have been installed near the stairwell foyer. Additional group study seating on Level 2 has been provided in the space freed up by relocating print reference collection items that are now available in electronic form, to closed access storage.
New service points have been implemented – the Research Help Desk and the Inquiry Desk.
A small number of mobile phone friendly zones have been established (one on each level of the library) to address complaints from users about the noise from people talking on mobile phones.
Two plasma screens have been installed to facilitate information dissemination to patrons and improve communication.
Mildura
A wireless network has been installed and the furnishings have been updated including new carpet, and new tables together with comfortable chairs. The onsite print collection continues to be expanded to meet the needs of the local student and staff community.
Shepparton
New attractive furniture has been installed and students now have access to two additional group study tables each equipped with a computer workstation, and new casual seating around coffee tables in the centre of the library. 'Read and Write' software is now available on four library computers to assist students with English as a second language. A scanner has also been installed as part of this package.