This history for the Library was collected to commemorate DMACC\u27s 50th anniversary celebration during the 2015-16 academic year

Funke, Rebecca

Johns, Steve

Petersen, G Shirley

Smith, Jayne

English

Open SPACE @ DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College)

Des Moines Area Community CollegeOpen SPACE @ DMACCDepartment Histories Histories2015LibraryRebecca Funkersfunke@dmacc.eduJayne SmithG Shirley Petersengspetersen@dmacc.eduSteve Johnssljohns@dmacc.eduFollow this and additional works at: http://openspace.dmacc.edu/department_historiesThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Histories at Open SPACE @ DMACC. It has been accepted for inclusion in DepartmentHistories by an authorized administrator of Open SPACE @ DMACC. For more information, please contact rsfunke@dmacc.edu.Recommended CitationFunke, Rebecca; Smith, Jayne; Petersen, G Shirley; and Johns, Steve, "Library" (2015). Department Histories. Paper 4.http://openspace.dmacc.edu/department_histories/4DMACC Libraries Department History 1965 - 2015 The DMACC Libraries were established early in DMACC’s history.  In 1967 Merrill Rees was hired as the District’s first Library Director.  Completion of the first four permanent buildings on the Ankeny campus in 1970 included Bldg. 6 where the Media Center (Library) was established and remains to this date.  In those early years, DMACC was one of four locations in the nation to use a new, promising technology for housing and retrieving books.   This automated storage and retrieval system, The Randtriever, was built by the Sperry Rand Corporation.  Library books were stored in small bins of the Randtriever, which was housed in the basement of the Library.  By selecting and pushing the bin number that contained the book a user wanted, the machine would retrieve the bin from the basement and, via a conveyor belt, deliver the bin to the main floor of the library.  The space saving and time efficiencies that were the promise of the Randtriever would soon diminished by the downtime and the difficulties in finding replacement parts for the monstrosity.  Students were frustrated (see Opinion Section) with the machine’s inability to provide access to the library collection, and in 1984 the Randtriever was removed from the Ankeny Campus Library, taking a demolition crew three weeks and blow torches to disassemble it.  This one-time campus show-piece was sold for scrap metal and open stacks were created.   Moving the library collection from the basement to the main level required identifying and organizing each item, so DMACC students and faculty could locate library items on their own.  Because the Randtriever did not allow for items to be filed in the bins call number (e.g. subject), when it was dismantled and the collection moved upstairs, all library books were spread on the floor of the library and piled loosely by call number.  Organizing this collection meant the thousands of library items must be identified by call number and shelved accordingly.  With much time and hard work, staff was able to have the collection ready for use by the start of the 1984 fall term.  This change meant students and faculty now had free and open access to library books, as well as the ability to discover new titles by simply browsing the collection.     The digital age ushered in another turning point for the DMACC Libraries.  In 1993, the Libraries signed an agreement with Innovative Interfaces Inc. (III) to move to a DOS-based, automated library system (INNOPAC).  Planning and implementation took several months, and in 1994, the migration was complete.  Students and faculty could now search electronically for items housed on library shelves.  The following year brought with it subscriptions to the first databases, providing faster and more current access to magazines, newspapers, and professional journals.    The DMACC Information Literacy Forum was created in 2004 and continued through 2007.  This popular, annual event was developed to promote the discussion and development of information literacy strategies in Iowa.  National speakers included:  Dr. Patricia S. Breivik, Debra Gilchrist, and Dr. Carol Kuhlthau.   In 2005, the Libraries moved away from INNOPAC to Millennium, Innovative’s web-based platform, which is still in use today.   Where the old platform had been text-based, the new library brought many exciting “firsts” for DMACC Libraries including downloadable e-books (OverDrive – 2008), e-reserve (2008), streaming videos (Math & Science Collection from Films On Demand – 2010), and e-magazines (Flipster – 2015). In the summer of 2008, the library published a new website.  The new, more interactive website featured links to web resources, web-linked icons, and a chat widget allowing students and faculty to ask questions of the library staff online, in real-time. The new site also had online forms for requesting course reserve, interlibrary Loan, instruction, suggested purchases for the collection, and more.    The summer of 2008 also introduced a library service point to the West campus for the first time.  Space was made available for a small collection and staff trained in the use of the integrated library system.  While not a full-service library, it does provide an access point for requesting and delivery of library materials.   Though technology has certainly been a catalyst of evolution for the DMACC Libraries, technology isn’t the only one.  The 2008-09 academic year was the start of the One Book One College One Community program at DMACC.  This program is sponsored by the Libraries and provides books free of charge to faculty and students who use the selected title as part of the curriculum.  The goals of the program are similar to other One Book projects held around the country:  Emphasize reading as a significant component of the college experience.  Create a shared intellectual context for all students, faculty, staff, and community members.  Cultivate reading and critical thinking skills that encourage engagement with ideas that students will employ throughout their academic life and beyond.  Stimulate intellectual discussion and interaction among students in conjunction with faculty, staff and community members.  Provide opportunities for participants to explore issues and ideas relevant to our community and our world. Selected titles have varied throughout the years, to include both fiction and non-fiction, in an effort to appeal to the different interests of students and faculty.    Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (2008-09)  Hope’s Boy by Andrew Bridge, author visit, (2009-10)  The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, (2010-11)  No Impact Man by Colin Beavan, author visit, (2011-12)  What Do You Want To Do Before You Die? by The Buried Life, author visit, (2012-13)  The Long Walk by Brian Castner, author visit, (2013-14)  Dead Man Walking by Sr. Helen Prejean, author visit, (2014-15)  Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, author visit, (2015-16) In the spring of 2014, the Urban Campus library was selected to participate in ACRL’s Assessment in Action initiative for the 2014-15 academic year.  The Assessment in Action program is funded by an IMLS grant and “supports the design, implementation and evaluation of a program to strengthen the competencies of librarians in campus leadership and data-informed advocacy.”  The Urban Campus library project looked at student understanding of the concepts of “database” and “Web” and how those understandings influence information seeking and utilization.   The 2015/16 academic year will see more exciting endeavors for DMACC Libraries.  An institutional repository will be initiated in the fall of 2015, which will allow easy, open access to DMACC publication, archives and in the future, student work.  Work began in 2013 to digitize some of the materials in the small DMACC archive on the Ankeny campus.  The plan to expand this work will allow students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other DMACC stakeholders to follow the work with which college and its students are engaged.   Finally, the 2015-16 year will likely see the Libraries moving to a Next Gen ILS and away from Millennium.  This move will  Provide a single search interface (preferred by students) when looking for all types of library resources;  Provide discoverability for open access resources; and  Prepare students for the research environment that they will encounter as they transfer to other four-year institutions.  The proposal to move to a Next Gen ILS is currently under review with an anticipated go live date of June 2016. In the fall of 1997, DMACC Libraries offered its first one-credit course, LIB 120, on information literacy.  Sections of the course were taught on the Ankeny and Boone campuses.   In 2007, with the statewide initiative to common course numbering, this stand-alone course became SDV 171.  In the fall of 2010, the course was offered for the first time at the DMACC Hunziker Career Academy (Ames) and also successfully offered as an online course.  Seven sections of the course are currently offered:  Ankeny, Boone, Urban, Ames, and online.   This course transfers to Iowa State University, where it is a required course.   Over the years DMACC Libraries’ engagement in efforts to support the work of libraries and professional affiliations remain to this day.  Currently, the Libraries are full members of the Online Computer Library Center, Inc. (OCLC), an internationally recognized bibliographic utility, which provides important products and services to member libraries and their users. DMACC is a member of the Polk County Biomedical Consortium, a group of health science libraries affiliated with the National Library of Medicine.  Participation in the State Library of Iowa's Open Access program, allowing Iowans to receive a DMACC library card and borrow materials, continues to be an important service that speaks to the commitment of life-long learning.   The DMACC Libraries have a mission to provide access to curriculum-related and professional development materials to meet the diverse information needs as well as contribute to the lifelong learning goals of students, faculty, and staff in all College programs and support services. Instructional, professional, and technical services necessary for the use of these resources is also provided. The Libraries actively promote the development of information literacy through formal instruction, class presentations and interaction with library users.  The Libraries continue to provide resources (print and digital) and services to meet the academic pursuits of DMACC students and faculty.   Thousands of students have used the Libraries in support of their curricular activities, and that remains a critical focal point for the Libraries.  Likewise, many DMACC faculty have relied on the Libraries’ resources not only to enrich their curriculum and engage students, but also as graduate students in masters and doctoral programs at other institutions.   Efforts to provide unfiltered access to information in all forms, the efforts of teaching to promote information literacy skills, and the encouragement of the individual pursuit of new knowledge and critical thinking will certainly remain the core of the DMACC Libraries well into the future.         Timeline 1967  Merrill Rees served as the District’s first Library Director, overseeing all DMACC libraries.  1971 The Ankeny Campus Library/Media Center was established in its current location in Building 6.  The building was designed to accommodate the Randtriever Storage and Retrieval System with room for expansion to the west as needed.  The Randtriever was one of four in the nation and five in the world, costing $300,000. Scarcity of replacement parts for repairs was an ongoing concern.  1984 The Randtriever was removed from the Ankeny Campus Library, taking a demolition crew three weeks with blow torches to disassemble.  This one-time campus “show-piece” was sold for scrap metal and open stacks were created.  1993 The Boone Campus Library reclassified its print collection from Dewey Decimal to the Library of Congress classification system in preparation for automation. All campus libraries converted their print and non-print collections to MARC format in preparation for automation. 1994 Jayne Smith served as Director, Learning Resources. 1994 After two years of planning, the DMACC Libraries converted their print and non-print collections to the INNOPAC automated library system and web server for the district-wide electronic sharing of resources.  Within three months of installation, heavy rains poured in on the new INNOPAC server and peripheral equipment, disabling the entire system.  Systems Integration was invaluable in restoring the system with no loss of data. 1995 Libraries began subscribing to online databases for faster and more up-to-date access to magazines, newspapers, and professional journals. 1996 The Ankeny Campus Library and the Media Services offices were remodeled to improve accessibility, aesthetics, and functions of these facilities. The Ankeny Campus Learning Resources Department received the Des Moines Area Community College “Outstanding Departmental Award” for distinguished departmental leadership and service. DMACC libraries were represented in collaborative resource sharing among consortia such as the Community Colleges division of the Iowa Library Association, Consortium of College and University Media Centers, Polk County Biomedical Consortium, and the Des Moines Metro Library Directors. Long-range planning was initiated for the Learning Resources department across five campuses 2000  Lisa Stock served as Director.  The DMACC Libraries automated system was upgraded from INNOPAC to Millennium. 2003 Cataloging for the district libraries was centralized at the Ankeny Campus. The Ankeny Campus Library information desk was redesigned to comply with ADA requirements. Nine study rooms were added to the Ankeny Campus Library. 2007 Rebecca Funke was named Director of the Ankeny Campus Library.   2008 Opened Library service point at West Campus.    Published new, interactive library website Implemented e-reserve. One Book One College One Community begins (The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini) with 845 copies fall semester and 231 copies spring semester. First offering of downloadable eBooks via WILBOR consortium 2009 Chat reference begins.  One Book One College One Community (Hope’s Boy by Andrew Bridge) with author visit; 889 copies fall semester and 489 copies spring semester. 2010 SDV 171 – Library Instruction offered successfully online and at the Hunziker DMACC Career Academy for the first time. Video streaming begins – FOD Math and Science.  One Book One College One Community (The Book Thief by Markus Zusak); 776 copies fall semester and 503 copies spring semester. 2011 One Book One College One Community (No Impact Man by Colin Beavan ); 1412 copies fall semester and  858 copies spring semester. 2012 Patron loads begin (Banner to Millennium).  One Book One College One Community (What Do You Want to DO Before You Die by Buried Life); 2069 copies fall semester and 684 copies spring semester.  2013 Ankeny Library Newsletter (The Fine Print) issues its first volume.  One Book One College One Community (The Long Walk by Brian Castner); 2068 copies fall semester and 745 copies spring 2014. Library begins to organize a large collection of records, documents and materials collected over the years in to a searchable Library Archives. 2014 Ankeny collaboration study rooms added. One Book One College One Community (Dead Man Walking by Sr. Helen Prejean); 1624 copies fall semester and 415 copies spring semester. 2015 E-magazines added (FLIPSTER) – Spring 2015. One Book One College One Community (Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel). Institutional Repository added – Fall 2015. Patron Driven Acquisitions (PDA) collection added from Kanopy (streaming videos) – Fall 2015. Contributors Jayne Smith, Shirley Petersen, Steve Johns and Rebecca Funke August 2015 Created August 2015 in celebration of DMACC's 50th Anniversary.

Library

https://openspace.dmacc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=department_histories

Library

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Open SPACE @ DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College)