The e-research center: transforming a traditional science library

At the University of New Mexico Libraries (UL) a year long process engaged faculty, students and library personnel in developing a new mission for the Centennial Science and Engineering Library (CSEL) that will re-purpose it to serve the evolving need for facilitating e-research. The authors discuss the vision of the UL for being at the center of data intensive and cyber-enabled research and the planned development of the eResearch Center (eRC). They share the planning process and ideas to revitalize a 25 year old science and engineering library into a collaborative transdisciplinary research hub. Plans include installing low-latency and high-availability network connections to the eRC to provide access to a fast, dedicated research network, training and resource collaboration with the campus high performance computing center, a visualization lab, collaborative environments, large-format data displays, and the provision of data life cycle management services. Finally, they share experiences and initiatives to involve the library and librarians more directly and deeply in faculty research and grant writing, and in working at a leadership level with the Office of the Vice President for Researc

It's Not About A Desk

The issue of replacing reference librarians with staff on the desk is combined with the issue of development of a single service point. Cross training and reorganization will be discussed for an impact on positive staff development

Running wild, running free : capturing, harnessing and disseminating knowledge flows in support of animal health

In June 2002 the Texas A&M University Libraries instituted a new electronic document delivery service called DeliverEdocs. The service uses the Illiad software, presents a single interface to our users uniting previously separate campus library interlibrary loan/document delivery departments, and offers free desktop access to any article, even those found on our own shelves. The system is entirely web-based and users can log on to the system to request or pick up articles in pdf format from any computer with access to the Internet. The TAMU Medical Sciences Library serves the only college of veterinary medicine in the state of Texas, and has a strong commitment to serving animal health practitioners throughout the state. In addition we serve a college of medicine, a unique school of rural public health, and a multitude of agricultural extension stations. Our user population is widespread and seldom able to physically visit the library. To date we have 2,508 registered users of the new system. During the fiscal year 2004 we borrowed 6767 articles on behalf of our users, filling and delivering to the desktop a total of 11,526 requests. While DeliverEdocs has received rave reviews from our users, it has not been without challenges. Providing electronic delivery caused significant impact on staff, especially in redesigned workflows, position descriptions, and user expectations for rapid turn around times. Reduced library traffic and new tasks have resulted in a change in our staffing patterns. Technological issues remain a constant issue from our varied and geographically separate clientele. This poster illustrates the effect of DeliverEdocs on staff and users alike. We also discuss some of the future considerations in maintaining the system and the service.Poster presented at the 5th International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists, 4-7 July 2005, Onderstepoort, South AfricaBecky McKay, Chris Foster [and] Martha Bedardhttp://www.library.up.ac.za/vet/icahi

Totally E: meeting the challenge of going electronic only for document delivery and interlibrary loan

Abstract only of poster presentationProceedings of the 5th International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists, 4-7 July 2005: Running wild, running free: capturing, harnessing and disseminating knowledge flows in support of animal health. 2006. pp. 15

Managing Web Content

User dissatisfaction with the existing Texas A&M University Libraries website was clearly indicated by a LibQual+ service quality assessment and underscored by follow-up focus groups. Criticisms of the website ranged from boring to "not intuitive" and difficult to navigate. Library staff groups were created to support an evolutionary approach to website development and improvement. This proved ineffective. In 2001, redesign of the library's website became an integral part of the library's strategic plan. Things began to happen. Funded by a Texas Infrastructure Fund (TIF) grant, a commitment was made to purchase and implement a content management system (CMS), a set of software tools that would provide the framework for distributed web content development and management. A diverse team with representatives from all areas of the libraries was brought together to implement this new library web presence. The hope was that, besides making the redesign happen, the Web Implementation Team (WIT) would build library-wide buy in for the project. WIT's charge was to make key decisions regarding the selection of products to accomplish the redesign, state the implementation process, develop templates for various web content, solicit and encourage feedback from library staff and users, and communication progress to both groups. WIT chose the content management system and developed a navigational paradigm for the site. It is currently coordinating the development of templates for the many different types of pages included on the site and gathering staff and end user feedback to refine and enhance the site. The expected launch date for the sites is the Spring 2003 semester. Team members are currently [providing leadership on a variety of task forces to guide further development of the web site and services such as portal management, virtual reference, knowledge bases, subject representation of web resources, FAQ management, marketing, and site analysis and metrics

Standards for the academic veterinary medical library

The Standards Committee of the Veterinary Medical Libraries Section was appointed in May 2000 and charged to create standards for the ideal academic veterinary medical library, written from the perspective of veterinary medical librarians. The resulting Standards for the Academic Veterinary Medical Library were approved by members of the Veterinary Medical Libraries Section during MLA '03 in San Diego, California. The standards were approved by Section Council in April 2005 and received final approval from the Board of Directors of the Medical Library Association during MLA '04 in Washington, DC