CONTENTS 3 | Mission Statement Executive Summary Institutional Effectiveness 4 | Assessment 6 | Collections 7 | Archives 8 | Discovery 9 | Environment 10 | Instruction 13 | O’K Scholars Institute 14 | Human Resources 16 | Budget 19 | 2014-15 Strategies Based on Service Trends and Student Comments
LIBRARY MISSION STATEMENT The C.G. O’Kelly Library supports and enhances all Winston-Salem State University programs through its relevant, diverse, and current local collection and through external resources such as interlibrary loans and various electronic services which also ensure that the information requirements of distant users are met. The staff instructs and assists users with all aspects of library services to foster and instill lifelong learning. A readily accessible computerized index is maintained of all library holdings and other appropriate records. Sufficient auxiliary services and equipment are maintained at all times to respond to the ever-changing needs of our users. The staff strives to preserve resources and archive university records and related documents.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The 2013-14 output measures validated the library’s service philosophy, “At O’K you get what you need.” Collected data also confirmed that the use of library resources and services can impact student success; 46 percent of the dean’s list students used one or more library service. Other statistical data collected during the academic year confirmed the quality of services offered. Specifically, librarians shared information about electronic resources and LibGuides in their instruction sessions and consequently these resources were used at a high level. The extensive use of the electronic databases resulted in a $4.07 cost per use, a rate comparable to larger institutions such as Appalachian State and Western Carolina Universities. The library instruction sessions increased by 7 percent and O’K Scholar Institute graduates requested 37 percent of those classes. Our patrons’ most frequently requested service was technical assistance. Finally, users’ comments also confirmed that the assistance and instruction offered makes a difference.
INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS Library goal: A study will be conducted to confirm the value of library services on student success and retention. 2013 -2014 Progress Report
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ASSESSMENT The staff is doing a great job; no improvement; keep up the good work. — Collective sentiments of WSSU students An O’ Kelly Value of Library project was designed to ascertain whether student-focused library services make a difference in how well students succeed and how it effects their retention. Students’ Ram email addresses are collected each time assistance is requested at a service point. Those activity counts are collected monthly and uploaded into the library use database. Use data are collected and categorized to identify the services that students use. Use data on two of the more heavily used resources – electronic resources and LibGuides – were not collected because there is currently no effective software available to match patrons’ ID with what they are accessing via the library’s website. Although student enrollment declined, library attendance in 2013-14 increased. Of the WSSU students enrolled 73.1 percent used library computers and supporting equipment. There were 30,479 sessions involving technical assistance, additional evidence that library services are relevant to patron needs. At the end of each semester, the library director requests the dean’s list which is comprised of students with 3.0 to 4.0 grade point averages. This list is run against the individuals who have used library services during the same period. Forty-six percent of the dean’s list students used one or more library services, from making room reservations to using technology. The 2013-14 survey results showed that dean’s list students most frequently used two services: 38 percent were involved in research consultations and 26 percent used library instruction/information literacy services. These important findings indicate these services potentially impact the quality of completed assignments. The first-year study results suggest that library services and resources do facilitate student success.
Figure 1: Library services
use of WSSU ‘s Dean’s List students
Inquiries
No comment
Need more computers
Positive comment about services
Extend hours
Need a cafe
Enlarge the library
Quiet areas
Number of responses
27
18
14
10
9
4
3
Figure 2: Patron survey of changes needed to improve library services 4 | O’Kelly Library
A 2014 environmental scan of how furniture is used confirmed that more students are bringing their own devices to the library and are often searching for electrical outlets. This past summer, the staff identified what furniture may be hiding those outlets and where possible, the items were re-positioned to allow easier access. A face-to-face library patron survey was conducted during the last weeks of the 2014 spring semester to ascertain what changes were needed to improve library services. Approximately 95 students participated in the survey. The responses were very diverse; the comments with comparable themes with multiple responses are listed in figure 2. The declining enrollment and accompanying budget reduction will impact the library staff’s ability to respond to students’ concerns. In addition, lower enrollment will impact use patterns throughout the service points. A new electrical panel which supports more electrical outlets was installed in the west wing during spring 2014.
Recommendation: Conduct an hourly review of
computer usage to determine whether additional computers are necessary. The study should document computer vacancy rates to confirm the necessity for more computers. Encourage the staff to move around the Information Commons more and remind students that an additional 41 computers are on the second floor. Encourage the textbook staff to remind students that laptops are available for use in the building. Offer computer workshops on Saturday to encourage more use of existing service hours. Remove the “staff use only” notice from the door of the staff lounge where a snack and soda machine are located. The food policy was relaxed two years ago allowing students to bring food and eat as they work. In addition, there are multiple campus food service areas less than 500 feet from the library. A student and staff issue revealed during a staff meeting concerned implementing a more consistent strategy in updating software installed on desktop computers. We addressed the matter in the following manner: The Information Commons staff will document the who, what and when of software problems so the automation team will know in a timely manner what needs updating.
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In addition, a schedule and methodology will be created which ensures that laptops are updated in a timely and consistent manner. Laptops should be plugged into the charging station and turned on for the software to be updated. The media production technician must communicate more consistently with the automation staff to ensure that needed updates are provided in this area. The desired outcome for the updates is to ensure that students have the latest tools to successfully complete assignments.
Recommendation: Modify when and how university
installed software is updated. Although there is a defined schedule, some software must be updated more often. Other recommendations include: Librarians should move around the library more during the academic year to increase their visibility and provide students with helpful information. Continue to seek ways to spend more time in instructional departments offering consultations to students and faculty. Provide a series of computer workshops to help nontraditional students become more proficient with using technology to facilitate their success. A focus group was formed in April and worked through June to design the needed workshops. The workshops will be offered during the 2014 fall semester.
COLLECTIONS Library Goal: The depth and range of O’Kelly Library
collections, services and programs will encourage equal partnerships between instructors and librarians which will result in increased student success. The electronic resources librarian maintains a database of usage figures, including cost per use. This is based upon the renewal cost of the databases and the number of uses during the budget period. Once again, because of strong usage levels, WSSU’s figures are comparable to larger universities such as Western Carolina and Appalachian State University. Usage data was utilized to determine what electronic titles should be cancelled based on low use. The data helps the staff sustain a useful collection within the allotted budget.
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Year
$5.28
$3.45
$3.87
$4.20
2011
2012
2013
2014
Figure 3: WSSU Cost Per Unit: 2011-2014
The database holdings are generally well balanced. The two most heavily represented areas are interdisciplinary.
Disciplines
Number of databases
Art/Music
18
Business
24
Education
20
English
19
Mass Communications
15
Nursing/Allied Health
25
Social Science
39
Interdisciplinary/ Reference
83
Science/Math/Tech
27
Grand Total
270
Figure 4: O’Kelly Library database holdings
The textbook collection continued to be the most used print resource. The staff acquires new required titles each semester to ensure that the collection is current and comprehensive. When a textbook is severely damaged a replacement is purchased to ensure students have access to the needed resources.
Item
2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014
Electronic Resources
9,541,260
5,333,028
8,236,993
Desktop Compter Usage
137,726
162,772
121,683
LibGuides
71,888
32,811
49,908
Textbooks
26,291
27,897
22,780
Figure 5: Most used library resources The DVD collection was reduced in size and relocated to a smaller area. The size reduction was a result of declining circulation, lower enrollment and a tighter budget. In addition, the collection does not enhance WSSU’s instructional mission. In an effort to provide the community a current entertaining collection, the staff researched the availability of a streaming DVD collection for checkout. None was found but the staff will continue searching. The reduction will save part-time salary, processing and supply costs.
ARCHIVES The Atkins’ family personal book collection, consisting of 434 items, was processed and will be included in the online catalog in 2014-15. The collection includes titles in religion, education and government. Other collections that were processed include one from Dwight Jones, a Vietnam veteran and WSSU graduate; and from Dr. Rembert Malloy, a former university physician. At this time, the Malloy collection includes an array of personal artifacts. The Rams Open Scholar Repository, a searchable D-space database, was created with the assistance of a computer science graduate assistant. Over 100 items have been uploaded with the largest collection being students’ posters from 2014 University Day. Issues of the Journal of Justices Studies and the Social Science Journal, both WSSU publications are included. Individuals who have federally funded research projects are encouraged to utilize the service to preserve their research materials. D-space programming allows the faculty to upload and update their files as needed. 2013 -2014 Progress Report
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DISCOVERY Library Goal: A viable, healthy automation
environment will be sustained which supports student learning and research along with traditional library services and programs. No major upgrades were needed for the Innovative Interfaces online catalog system. Patrons were able to acquire reliable search results from the “one search option.” Subject or title searches produced a list of relevant books and journal articles. The library website was updated to include a more userfriendly, one-search box for the online catalog. It is also easier to access social media sites, contact information for personnel, and library videos which offer tutorials and other “how to” resources. Librarians update LibGuides each summer to ensure that links are accurate and information is relevant. This resource continues to be very useful because of its reliability and easy access. There are nearly 170 LibGuides posted on the website. Patrons can begin their research of books, journals, videos, or electronic data from the site. See figure 5. Interlibrary loan requests from off-campus students increased thanks to the Distance Services librarian
Year 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014
who delivers the information directly to the technical assistant. Patrons receive a range of assistance from the Information Commons staff, including help with all of the Microsoft Office products, hardware issues and presentation software. In fact, staff members offer more assistance in this area than at the reference desks. The growing demand for technical assistance prompted the library staff to design a series of workshops to answer some of the challenges students face in completing their assignments.
Recommendation: Sponsor a series of technology-
based workshops to help patrons more effectively use hardware and software including Blackboard, Microsoft Office Suite and Prezi.
Year
17,034 25,894 30,479
Figure 6: Information commons assistance instances 2012-2014
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Trends show that library patrons often seek assistance at the Information Commons desk more than the Reference desk.
2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014
8,154 9,276 4,785
Figure 7: Reference Desk/Consultation instances 2012-2014
ENVIRONMENT Library goal: An environment that is fresh and appealing for users will be maintained. An environmental scan of how students use the furniture or study spaces in the building was conducted during the spring semester. The purpose of the survey was to determine whether large wooden carrels could be replaced with another furniture style. The results indicated that students gravitated to locations close to electrical outlets so that they could connect their electronic devices. The survey suggested that since outlets are at a premium, they should be immediately visible. When appropriate, furniture should be relocated to increase accessibility. The question of whether the carrels should be replaced remains unanswered because they are used but not as much as the tables with computers or tables near electrical outlets. To ensure that patrons have adequate access to technology and collaboration space, MediaScape tables were purchased for the Information Commons and rooms 206 and 305. These tables allow students to plug in their devices and share presentations with team members. An inventory control system was installed in April. The new system includes two gates, one at the front entrance and the second near the back entrance. RFID tags (radio frequency identification) are the operating devices for the new system. Once the tags are installed and connected to the online catalog a more efficient inventory control system can be introduced. The system should significantly reduce the quantity of stolen books.
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INSTRUCTION
“One of my ‘A’ performing students in MGT 3350 indicated recently that your workshops were very valuable even though he had already written numerous papers !!!!” —William K. Neher, instructor, Business Department
Library Goal: Instructional and research consultation services will be interwoven throughout the teaching and learning processes.
The number of instruction sessions increased in spite of a decline in enrollment, curriculum diversification and elimination of required English and general education courses. Instruction was offered across the curriculum and in most instances multiple sessions were presented within courses. The number of instruction sessions offered in 201314 was 7 percent higher than the previous academic year. Three librarians were embedded in seven different courses in the education, history, physical education and nursing departments. The librarians listed in the Blackboard shells were able to see firsthand some of the difficulties students experienced with course content. They responded by producing short videos to help students understand the more challenging topics. Typically, more nontraditional students used the videos. One librarian was listed on 4316 Historiography course outline as a consultant. In a few instances it appears that these courses helped increase the number of consultations/contacts offered by librarians.
Year
306
333
2011-2012
2012-2013
358
2013-2014
Figure 8: 2011-2014 library instruction sessions 10 | O’Kelly Library
Subject
Instruction
Electronic Resources Use
LibGuides Use
Research Consultations & Questions
Art
8
729,345
551
8
Business/Economics
27
1,019,401
5,066
476
Clinical Lab Sci
0
See Nursing
231
5
Comp Sci
8
2,336
307
62
Distance Services Health Sciences
16
See Nursing
12, 718
See Nursing
Education
37
226,99
1,635
333
English & Foreign languages
40
56,235
2,897
82
Health Care Administration
11
See Nursing
349
58
History
15
1,535
532
28
General
74
3,166,204
Life Sciences
17
132,065
533
49
Mass Communications
14
972,213
354
17
Mathematics
4
135,065
112
21
Music
15
1,535
532
28
Nursing
19
4296,434
19,945
354
Occupational Therapy
4
See Nursing
1,721
18
Physical Education
3
See Nursing
608
20
Physical Science
4
3111,711
1,725
51
Physical Therapy
4
6,828
36
50
Psychology
11
81,494
One Behavioral Science Guide
85
SS; Behavioral Science
10
13
3,261
113
SS: History/PS
15
See History
2,865
95
Rehabilitation Counseling
2
See Education
1,021
25
Total
358
7,136,458
58,187
2,161
Figure 9: Number of library instruction & consultation by discipline
114
The distance services librarian travelled to all of the RN to BSN sites at least once during the academic year. She maintained contact with the students through a host of online services such as e-mail, Skype and Blackboard Collaborate. One-hundred percent of the scheduled instruction sessions focused on some aspect of Information Literacy. “Minute Papers” are used by the instruction team to assess the effectiveness of the instruction sessions. Students are asked to answer two direct questions at the end of the sessions: What is the most important thing you learned? and, What questions/concerns do you have? There were 3,368 minute papers submitted for the academic year 20132014. A filtered search of the entries was conducted; the table below summarizes the student responses to the first question. The selected responses in figure 10 reflect the most frequently provided answers. Librarians demonstrate how to access electronic resources and LibGuides during instruction sessions and emphasize that they are always available and current via the library website. Individuals become aware of and
subsequently use these resources in great numbers. This result infers that instruction sessions are valuable as they introduce patrons to available resources.
“I especially appreciate your patience with our distance learning students. Juniors and seniors have told me that you have given them great insight into primary sources.” —Donna Benson, Professor of History
What is the most important thing you learned?
Occurances (or responses)
Percentage
Cite sources, Plagerism
956
28%
Search strategies, access to resources
848
25%
Web 2.0 (Prezi, Wix, Voki) Presentation tools
326
10%
Figure 10: Minute paper responses 12 | O’Kelly Library
Librarian Carl Leak chaired a team which included colleagues Ronunda Claiborne, Michael Frye and Terrance Martin and faculty members Stephanie Dance Barnes, Kenneth Brown and Mesia Steed Moore to develop an information literacy manual for faculty members as requested by the Provost. The project was completed on time and met the required number of pages.
Recommendation: Work with the instruction team to continue to
improve their instruction and presentation techniques to ensure that instruction services are fresh and inviting.
O’K SCHOLARS INSTITUTE At least one faculty member from every instructional department has participated in the Institute since it was first presented in 2008. A physical therapy instructor attended the June 2014 institute, making this department the last one to be represented in the institute. Now the O’K Scholars Institute can proudly boast of being instrumental in offering library instruction in at least one course in every instructional department at WSSU. The institute has increased faculty awareness of library services, information literacy, and especially how librarians can assist with the issue of plagiarism. The institute is instrumental in reaching faculty members in computer science, mathematics, music and some of the health sciences that do not emphasize library research. Graduates of the institute generated 139 instruction sessions representing 39 percent of the classes offered in 2013-14.
I was one of the O’K Scholars participants this 2013-14 academic year. After the workshop, two of your librarians worked with me on implementation. I am happy to report that your assistance was very relevant in the successful integration of Information Literacy learning into one of my existing courses, MIS 6356, Project Management. From the first session on Resource Identification to the last session on Multimedia, we greatly enjoyed all activities and learning. One of the success stories is that research was completed as a joint paper with one of the students. The research, The Use of Social Media and Collaborative Tools for Virtual Teaming - A Global Market Reach Out by Navibank, was presented at the 56th Clute Institute International & Academic Conference in San Antonio, March 16-18, 2014. It was voted as the Best Paper of the session. Thank you and please keep up the good work! —Alice Etim, Assistant Professor Business Department
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Recommendation: Continue to search for different strategies that will encourage more institute graduates to request library instruction services.
Develop efforts that will inform institute graduates of different library instruction techniques with the goal of encouraging faculty to request more instruction sessions.
HUMAN RESOURCES Library goal: Librarians will engage in regional and
national professional experiences as presenters and attendees keeping their knowledge and skills current while ensuring that library programs remain relevant to the university’s mission and students’ learning requirements. Staff members worked with students to complete course assignments in the Information Commons, their offices and in the media production lab. One-on-one assistance was offered with BlackBoard, Prezi or PowerPoint presentations or in using many of the Microsoft Office products.
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Librarians demonstrated their knowledge and skills by working with both students and faculty across the disciplines. Staff attended and made presentations in regional and national conferences. Librarians have attended a host of face-to-face professional conferences and have participated in a variety of webinars to enhance their knowledge and professional skills. Two staff members were nominated and received the 2014-15 Chancellor’s Service Awards. Luchrita Fulton received one of the SPA Service Awards ($1,500) and Melinda Livas received an EPA award ($300).
The number of support staff is at an alltime low because of the low enrollment. The following positions were vacant during the entire academic year: •
Reference library technician: This position was responsible for maintaining the reference statistics and assisting at the reference desk.
•
The catalog database manager position was responsible for maintaining the online catalog, adding and deleting records and assisting at the main circulation desk on weekends or as scheduled.
•
“Papers and presentations got overwhelming to complete and getting the help I needed assured me that I will get more than a passing grade. For any assignment or presentation that I had I could always count on Justin (Grandison, library technical assistant) to assist me.” —Travette Jenerett, nontraditional student
The budget manager position was vacant January – June. Since the budget manager spent little time at a service desk, an effort was made to reclassify the position to include public service responsibilities, specifically the media production lab. Hopefully this position can be posted in the fall.
There still is a heavy reliance on part-time temporary staff to keep the service desks operational during extended service hours – nights and week-ends during the academic year. In most instances, parttime temporary employees return year after year which helps ensure that quality services are offered. Budget flexibility funded these employees. Graduate and undergraduate student employees provide valuable assistance to library patrons and the staff. Since many of the students maintain a work agreement their entire tenure at the university, they develop adequate knowledge of library services making them valuable employees.
Recommendation: Repurpose vacant
positions to ensure that they reflect the university’s mission of increasing student success.
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THE BUDGET Library goal: The annual budget
will be utilized effectively to fulfill the library’s mission and goals. The book budget was reduced in 2013-14 by $90,000. Consistent efforts were made to make wise purchases to ensure that library goals were accomplished and students had access to the needed resources. The reduction allowed less than 4,000 books to be purchased. The textbook collection was sustained since it is important to student success. The staff was able to retain all of the heavily used electronic databases; only titles with low use were dropped from the list of holdings. Monthly statistics are maintained and consistently reviewed by the electronic resources librarian along with the members of the collections committee. The collections committee attempted to inform faculty and students about the relevance of low-use titles to increase their use. At least three vendors for low-use titles gave demonstrations to faculty and librarians to help increase the use. A double-gated inventory control system was installed which will use new inventory technology, RFID tags. The original system had been operational since about 1995. Horizontal blinds replaced the vertical blinds that had deteriorated because of 30-plus years of direct sunlight. MediaScape tables were purchased for the Information Commons, rooms 206 and 305 to further increase students’ access to technology that support collaborative learning.
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New chairs were purchased to replace broken chairs and to add more seating in the Information Commons and other library locations.
Recommendation: Maintain a viable list of construction projects to ensure that renovations and improvements can be made as funds are available.
Continue to review student-use patterns and technology advances to ensure that the library program meets students’ needs and expectations. Continue to seek innovative ways to encourage patrons to use library services
Figure 11 O’Kelly Library accomplishments
Identified Concerns
Accomplishments/ Changes Made Wireless servers were updated by Information Technology which increased connection reliability.
Keep the technology current in the building
Desktop computers were connected to the Smartboard in rooms 206, 220 and 300 which reduced the need for hardware to be installed for scheduled meetings. MediaScape tables were installed in the Information Commons and in rooms 206 and 305. Multiple public access computers were updated
Books were removed without permission from the collection
Book vendors were not able to effectively perform new book cataloging and processing
Continue the effort to keep librarian instruction skills current and relevant to the WSSU instruction program
Identify strategies to keep library instruction sessions at a high level
An RFID-based security system was installed in the building. Two RFID gates were installed in the library’s front and back entrances.
YBP was selected as the primary book vendor with the goal that more of the new book processing would occur off site.
Workshops were sponsored on the flipped classroom concept. Librarians offered presentations on the flipped classroom concept in December.
7% percent more instruction sessions were offered during 2013-14. The total presentations continue to annually increase. Three librarians were embedded in multiple courses in education, history, physical education and nursing.
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Identified Concerns Shrink the organizational chart to reflect a smaller operating budget; repurpose positions to more effectively embrace the university’s mission.
Accomplishments/ Changes Made The technical services librarian’s title and responsibilities were modified. Her title is assistant director for collection and finance. Maintaining the library budgeting was transferred to her desk. The vacant position was repurposed. (waiting for approval for posting) LCD panels were updated with information about librarians and services. An additional electrical panel was installed in the west wing which will support more electrical outlets.
Keep the community informed about services and resources
“Forethinkers: the evolution of math from equations to solutions” was a program shared with the local community. It captured the history of the mathematics department over a 40-year span; seven former faculty members led the discussion. The archives staff co-sponsored the event with the WSSU Friends of the Library. Internships in mass communications, computer science, and graphic art were offered as opportunities to close the gap between instruction and application in a real-world environment. The goal was to increase students’ chances of success. A D-space database was created for archives by a computer science graduate student. The database will maintain research files for students and faculty as well as biographical information on former university employees.
Conduct a long-term research project which documents the effectiveness of library services.
Use of the educational video collection
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A database was designed to track and sustain the Value of Library project. The initial results confirm that library services can positively impact student success.
Since videos are not heavily used within the instruction process, a greater reliance will be made on creating a diverse streaming media collection. Titles will be purchased in video format when no other format is available
2014-15 STRATEGIES WERE CREATED BASED ON SERVICE TRENDS AND STUDENT COMMENTS. THEY INCLUDE: 1. Encourage more librarian contact with students in such a way that will increase use of services. Efforts will focus on increasing Saturday attendance. 2. Identify issues that students have in their journey to success and develop programs around those needs. 3. Increase the number of meeting/study rooms. 4. Confirm the Value of Library by documenting the role the library plays in student success. 5. Study student access to technology: Are there times when all computers are in use? 6. Rebuild the nursing collection. 7. Re-structure the electronic resources collection to reach the $750,000 renewal level. As much as possible reduce serial renewal costs. 8. Continue to build librarians’ presentation skills with the goal of keeping instruction services interwoven throughout the curriculum.
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A PUBLICATION OF C. G. O’KELLY LIBRARY Winston-Salem State University 601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Winston-Salem NC, 27110
wssu.edu/library
336-750-2440