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Contents

Introduction

Review of 1999-2000 Goals

Highlights of 1999-2000

Statistics of 1999-2000

• Library Collections
  
• Library Services

Goals for 2000-2001

Summary

Introduction

Special information technology bond funds made it possible to complete several technology projects ahead of schedule. State-of-the-art equipment in the Photo Graphics unit, the state-of-the-art replacement of a satellite dish, computer workstations for the disabled, training/demonstration laptops, a media booking module for the Voyager system, and new electronic reference products were some of the improvements.

The re-instatement of continuing education library fees permitted growth in the book collection. The library now houses 386,903 book volumes, 75,261 bound periodicals and over 66,000 government document items.

Another major event was the hiring of an Assistant Dean of Library Services to replace the departed Associate University Librarian. In addition, a part-time staff member was hired in the Interlibrary Loan unit to help meet a rising demand for service.

Two major developments may materialize this year: (1) the option of patron-initiated interlibrary lending (i.e., the Virtual Catalog) and (2) the UMASS Digital Library project (i.e., inter-UMASS libraries shared electronic products). The latter is contingent upon appropriate funding (still pending) and a viable solution to the authentication (a common means of identifying authorized users) challenge.

The lack of consistent collection funding, serial inflation costs, and the need for additional electronic products remain as challenges for the new year.

 - Donald G. Sweet, Dean of Library Services

Review of 1999-2000 Goals

On the 1998-1999 Annual Report were listed the following goals for 1999-2000:

Human Resources

• Upgrade and fill the vacated Associate University Librarian position.

Results: Completed (Assistant Dean of Library Services hired)

• Hire a part-time person in the interlibrary loan department to meet rising demand.

Results: Completed

• Continue to invest in staff training and development.

Results: Completed

• Update the two-year staffing plan.

Results: In process

• Collections

• Expand the popular video and books-on-tape collections.

Results: Completed

• Seek an increase in the materials budget.

Results: Completed

• Complete the revision of the Collection Development Policy Statement.

Results: Close to completion...waiting for additional input

• Review material allocations in Reference.

Results: Completed

• Develop an area on the first floor to attractively display a selection of educational videos.

Results: Completed

• Continue to increase electronic products and aids.

Results: Completed

• Complete the Authority File project in Cataloging.

Results: In process (major portion completed)

Technology

• Implement modules of the Endeavor Voyager system.

Results: In process (media booking module implemented)

• Upgrade first floor data — projection equipment.

Results: Completed

• Improve staff copiers and provide a copy card operated vending system for the public networked printers.

Results: Completed

• Convert to thin-client technology in the public areas.

Results: Completed

• Purchase new equipment for the video specialist.

Results: Completed

• Seek special funding to obtain an image server and related products.

Results: Completed

• Explore digital microfilm reader capabilities.

Results: Completed

• Acquire computer workstations for users with disabilities.

Results: Completed

• Upgrade photographic equipment.

Results: Completed

Building

• Continue to upgrade the aesthetics of the building.

Results: Completed (ongoing)

• Create and implement (pending funding) a space plan for the first floor.

Results: In process

• Create and implement (pending funding) a space plan for the Technical Services area.

Results: Consultant’s plan is completed but not implemented due to funding constraints.

• Construct a new archives/Special Collection’s area on the first floor (pending funding).

Results: Not completed due to funding constraints...seeking a donor(s).

• Move older serials from the lower level to the vacated fourth floor space (pending Archives move to the first floor).

Results: Not completed (see above)

• Remodel the photographics unit on the lower level (pending funding and the Archives’ move)

Results: Completed as far as funding and space permit.

• Purchase study furniture for the Reading/Reception area (pending funding)

Results: In process (furniture selected, proposal submitted for external funding).

• Carpet the first floor area vacated by CITS (pending a CITS move)

Results: Not completed (CITS could not vacate the space)

• Remove large study carrels from the upper floors to make room for collection expansion.

Results: Completed

• Complete electrical work near the Reference Desk (pending Facilities cooperation).

Results: Completed

• Build a permanent wall for the Administrative Office to improve security and appearance.

Results: Completed 

Services and Planning

• Train staff and patrons on the new Endeavor system.

Results: Completed (ongoing)

• Expand the electronic reserves service after proper copyright compliance guidelines are in place.

Results: Completed

• Work with the Library Associates’ leadership to increase membership, fundraising, and programming.

Results: Completed (with mixed results).

• Create a new Three Year Plan...tie funding to planning objectives.

Results: Completed

• Assess the performance of specific services (e.g., library instruction).

Results: Completed (ongoing and expanding)

• Develop guides (electronic and paper) for specific resources and services.

Results: Completed (ongoing)

• Assess the reference collection and its use.

Results: Completed (ongoing)

• Cooperate with academic departments to design further advances in information literacy programs.

Results: Completed

• Create a manual for student interns.

Results: Completed

• Establish payment procedures for private post-secondary institutions whose students use UMD library services.

Results: Completed

• Develop an instruction policy for non-UMD institutions.

Results: Completed

• Improve library services for UMASS distance education students.

Results: Completed (ongoing)

• Create a video tour of the library

Results: Completed

• Recreate the Library Systems mission statement.

Results: Completed

• Explore restructuring Library Systems to officially include all digital services.

Results: Completed

• Develop a donor "wall" to honor major library donors.

Results: In process (working with a vendor representative)

• Host an all-University celebration to commemorate the new Endeavor Voyager library system.

Results: Completed

• Conduct sessions with department liaisons (faculty) and the Faculty Senate Library Committee to seek ways of increasing book circulation.

Results: Partially completed (ongoing)

Highlights of 1999-2000

Human Resources

• Hired an Assistant Dean for Library Services
• Promoted a Reference Librarian to Associate Librarian
• Hired a part-time staff member in ILL

Collections

• Acquired 52 linear feet of historical records for archives/Special Collections

• Established links to approximately 300 electronic journal titles
• Added the INSPEC, Gender Watch, and Biology Digest electronic products
• Purchased 1,000 more book titles than in FY99.
• Converted about 1,500 slides and negatives to a CD File
• Processed 109 special collection books including material on the History of New Bedford textiles, cranberries, local French Canadians, and the Lizzie Borden case.

Technology

• Converted to thin-client technology in the public areas
• Installed a replacement satellite dish with state-of-the-art technology
• Acquired computer workstations for users with disabilities
• Added new Voyager modules
• Upgraded the photographics equipment
• Explored digital microfilm capabilities
• Installed new staff computers
• Obtained training/demonstration laptops
• Purchased new electronic lectern for the Browsing Area

Building

• Constructed a permanent wall to enclose the Administrative Offices Installed new stacks in archives/Special Collections and on the 5th floor.
• Carpeted a portion of the Administrative Office.
• Painted and carpeted a portion of the Photo Graphics unit
• Constructed a storage area on the lower level.
• Obtained a consultant’s space plan for the Technical Services area
• Hung new art on two floors
• Completed the electrical work near the Reference Desk
• Conducted the annual library fire drill

Services

• Scheduled and co-hosted (with the Faculty Senate) the Brown Bag Lecture series
• Expanded the electronic reserves program with copyright compliance guidelines in place.
• Produced a "Welcome to the UMD Library" video
• Edited and expanded the Library WebPage to be more informative, attractive and useful.
• Collaborated with the Library Associates to produce several fundraising programs (e.g., Styron Lecture, antiques appraisal)
• Expanded the number of library classes taught from 183 in 1998- 1999 to 294 in 1999-2000
• Increased PhotoGraphics assignments by 25% over the previous year.

Goals 2000-2001
(Not in order of priority)

Human Resources

• Continue to invest in staff training and development
• Conduct training sessions for student workers with a focus upon "customer" service and applied technology
• Review library staffing in light of current and future needs and update staffing plan.
• Create a full-time position in public relations/fundraising.

Collections

• Complete the Collection Development Policy Statement
• Seek funding to grow the serials collection while maintaining 1999-2000 levels in book, video, and music purchases
• Process an additional 35% of the government documents backlog
• Eliminate obsolete materials from the collection through liaison participation.
• Continue to add (and link) electronic journal titles as funding permits
• Digitize certain archival, photographic and slide collections as funding permits.

Technology

• Implement the media booking module of Voyager
• Update all public photocopy machines
• Implement the Boston Library Consortium Virtual Catalog project.
• Collaborate with the satellite vendor and Facilities to locate the "headend" of the campus-wide television system in the library.
• Implement the Voyager serials module.
• Work with other UMASS libraries to implement the UMASS Digital Library project.

Building

• Implement a portion of the Technical Services space plan as funding permits.
• Continue to Upgrade the appearance of the building through the addition of art and improved signage.
• Improve lighting and ventilation controls for the Browsing Area.
• Complete the installation of new furniture and improved lighting in the Reading/Reception area.
• Seek funding to construct a new archives/Special Collections unit on first floor.

Services and Planning

• Revise the "Welcome to the Library" video
• Complete the authority clean-up project
• Work with appropriate consultants to develop strategies for "marketing" Library services and collections.
• Participate in the campus-wide process to develop a one-card system
• Increase fundraising totals
• Expand the assessment of library services beyond library instruction
• Partner with academic departments to design Tier 2 information literacy programs
• Devise a plan and refine services for UMASS distance education students and faculty
• Investigate the expansion of the electronic delivery of ILL documents for the purpose of accelerating the delivery of documents.
• Create a new technology plan
• Develop special subject guides for the library Web pages

Library Collections

	1995-96	1996-97	1997-98	1998-99	1999-00
Book Titles	244,741	248,739	250,679	255,565	259,063
Book Volumes	372,566	377,274	378,571	383,907	386,903
Bound Periodical Volumes	69,663	72,506	71,072	70,701	75,261
Total Volumes	442,229	449,780	449,643	454,608	462,164
Microform Titles	264,888	265,385	266,804	266,838	267,327
Microfiche Sheets (gov’t docs inc.)	600,587	627,157	656,152	682,835	734,970
Microcards	76,640	76,640	76,640	76,640	76,640
Microfilm Reels	24,123	24,396	24,879	25,286	26,182
Total Microform Items	701,350	728,193	757,671	784,761	837,792
Audio Recordings	8,600	8,622	8,713	8,758	8,868
Film and Video Recordings	5,235	5,286	5,465	5,674	5,854
Other Media	121	121	125	171	430
Computer Files (software)	1,143	1,288	1,505	1,631	1,995
Cartographic Materials	1,054	1,057	1,057	1,057	1,057
Government Document Titles	54,855	55,491	55,905	56,646	46,252
Government Document Items	78,364	79,273	80.056	80,925	66,081
Serials Titles	3,118	3,125	2,967	2,925	2,925
Manuscripts & Archives (ln.ft.)	758	801	831	904	956

Library Services

	1995-96	1996-97	1997-98	1998-99	1999-00
General Circulation	74,462	73,310	67,482	59,166	58,294
Reserve Circulation	18,507	20,788	23,324	25,492	24,822
Total Circulation Transactions	92,969	94,098	90,806	84,658	83,116
Interlibrary Lending	6,087	6,322	6,718	7,627	6,217
Interlibrary Borrowing	4,793	5,180	3,989	3,769	5,039
Total Interlibrary Loans	10,880	11,502	10,707	11,396	11,256

Classes Taught	*	*	116	183	294
Student Research Consultations	*	*	288	160	260
Peer Instructor Consultations	*	*	360	283	191
Gate Count (figures unavailable for FY94, FY95,FY96, FY97)				308,232	318,511

Statistics

The attached statistics reflect traditional library services and do not pretend to capture any of the electronic activity which is core to much of today’s library use. The changes in the numbers reflect several major changes in library activities.

1-In Fiscal 2000, the UMass Dartmouth Library had considerably expanded funds for the binding of periodicals. The increase in the count of these items is due in part to the binding of items from previous years.

2-Government documents have been re-catalogued to place them adjacent to similar materials in the book collection. Many outdated government documents have also been weeded from the collection. Consequently the numbers of government documents has decreased markedly.

3-On the other hand, more and more books are arriving with software included, thus accounting for another significant leap upwards in the statistics.

4-The door count of people entering and leaving the library is up about 3 percent. This stands in contrast to the decrease in traditional borrowing of library materials which declined by 2%. At the same time electronic services are mushrooming in popularity.

Preliminary statistical reports demonstrate the following:

In FY2000

• There were 1,030,186 successful hits on the Library web page.
• There were 18,204 unique visitors to the site.
• The most requested page (after the homepage) was the Reference e-resources site.
• 4,289 electronic reserves were downloaded.
• The Reference section on Plagiarism was downloaded 925 times.
• 1,151 different people visited the library’s electronic presence 10 or more times during the year.
• Although over 75,000 of the visitors to our web site are from the USA there were over 2,000 foreign visitors from Canada to Taiwan.

Among the most common search terms that brought users to our site were, "umass dartmouth," "rfk assassination" and "dartmouth university".

Summary

In summary, the UMass Dartmouth Library activity during fiscal year 2000 resulted in the accomplishment of most goals and projects. Those activities which are still pending tend to be ones for which non-operating budget funds are needed--alterations to the building and its furnishings, reallocation of spaces, and technological changes.

In the coming year, working within budget limitations, the Library will focus on improving internal operations and public services, further implementation of Voyager (online system) functionality, and the continuing collaborative efforts of both the University of Massachusetts library system and the Boston Library Consortium which are moving all library services in the Commonwealth forward in the digital age. At the same time, the Library will develop its ability to assess the effectiveness of its activities and to access financial resources to complement the budget.