Library Committee Update

The library committee met today and largely discussed budgets and resource sharing services, such as inter-library loan (ILL) and document delivery services like Library Express.

The overall library budget has not been cut as much as we thought it might. It is only 1% rather than the anticipated 5% or more. While this is good, projects such as the preservation facility will not be funded in this year's state budget. This means that libraries will continue to be short on space for storage and student use. Some libraries with separate budgets, such as Ebling, are still looking at large cuts and the library system is looking at ways to consolidate services with them.

ILL has seen a massive increase in use. There has been an overall 141% increase in demand since 2001. The trend is increasingly towards articles, rather than returnable items such as books. Grad students and faculty have the highest proportional use, but undergrads dominate through sheer numbers. Turnaround time for Library Express services has decreased by about half as software and staffing have improved performance. There is some discussion about possibly capping the amount materials that can be requested because of expense. Discussion on this topic has been tabled until the next meeting.

What I would like to know from other students is how they feel about the library system not promoting this service. Because of the limited budget there is concern that promoting it would swamp the service. While this may be true, my concern is that there is a divide between those who know about the service and those who don't. I think this might be an issue because Library Express is an incredible service that many student may be missing out on simply because they don't know it exists. What do you think? Find out more about Library Express here if you haven't heard about it.

Other items brought up:

• College Library is hosting an event with American Indian leaders on campus tonight (5:30) to compliment the PBS "We Shall Remain" series, the first episode aired last night.
• Past American Library Association President Loriene Roy will present on indigenous libraries in the School of Library and Information Studies Commons (4th floor Helen C. White) on Wednesday, April 22, at 4:30PM.
• MERIT library (formerly CIMC) is letting people have "Read" posters made with their own pictures on them in celebration of National Library Week.