|
The Library Strategic Plan for 2007 defined ten priorities. Important progress was made in fulfilling these during the year.
1. Upgrading facilities in response to the Facilities Master Plan
Facilities continued to be improved across all branches, with additional workstations and improved seating installed. Planning and design for the new Pharmacy Library was completed. Meeting spaces and staff areas in the branches were refurbished to accommodate the new Learning Skills Unit.
2. Continuing to develop teaching and learning services through integration of information literacy education into coursework and delivery through learning commons and use of technology
In addition to the major development of establishing the Learning Skills Unit into Library operations, very pleasing progress was made towards integrating information literacy into coursework.
3. Developing information services to meet the changing needs and behaviours of staff and students
The results of the 2007 Library users survey show that overall satisfaction among Monash University Library users has risen to 75.3% in 2007 from 73.5% in 2005. The Library again improved its rating by one quartile to move into the top 50% of libraries surveyed.
4. Improving access to an increasing collection of information resources through the development and implementation of a resource discovery framework
A Resource Discovery Framework has been developed to consider future strategies to make information resources easier for users to identify, locate and use. The Framework recognises that users work in a complex information environment where print-based information is used alongside commercial electronic resources, digital scholarly information, and the internet. This means that the traditional “one-stop-shop” provided by the Library through the catalogue is no longer adequate, and that the catalogue has become one element in a set of inter-related resource discovery tools. An action plan based on the key recommendations has been developed.
5. Supporting the new libraries at the Malaysia and South Africa campuses
The new three-storey Library and Learning Commons building on the Monash South Africa campus was officially opened in February 2007. Sunway campus, Malaysia officially opened its new Library and Learning Commons in September 2007. Both libraries have been designed and positioned to be the focal point of the campus. The furniture, décor and equipment used in the new buildings comply with the Library’s Facilities Master Plan. Student response to the Australian style learning spaces within Library facilities has been very positive.
Assistance and access to resources were provided throughout the year to both Sunway campus and South Africa Library and Learning Commons.
6. Improving research support through increased research training and improved communication with faculty members
The Research Support Plan continued to guide a focussed approach to supporting the University’s research activity. Of special interest was the launch of the Visual History Archive of the University of Southern California Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education at Monash, as well as a number of other special collection development activities.
7. Helping to develop national and university information management through management of the ARROW project and participation in the digital data management and Research Quality Frameworks
Monash continued to lead the Federal Government funded ARROW project, which now supports 16 Australian institutions. The ARROW team at Monash, with assistance from other Library staff and in co-operation with Faculty and University staff, supported the Research Quality Framework (RQF) by locating copies of the selected research outputs and preparing accurate digital versions for storage in a secure version of the ARROW repository.
In addition, the Library collaborates with a number of key groups across the University to support research data management. Library staff coordinated the development and trialling of a data management plan, policy and template. In November the Library ran a workshop contributing to researchers’ and research managers’ understanding of research data management, storage and preservation.
8. Developing the range of services and publications of Monash University ePress
In 2007 the ePress published twelve journal issues and three books, or 294 articles and chapters. Since its foundation in 2005 the ePress has published 45 books and journal issues, or 813 articles and chapters.
9. Developing and implementing a medium term strategy for use of leased space at CARM and articulating a storage strategy for the collection to resolve longer term requirements
The Library has developed a long term storage strategy to provide storage for physical collections for all Victorian branches, in order to provide effective management of the growing research collection. While this long term storage is being resolved, Monash University has taken a perpetual lease on an additional 1,750 linear metres of off site storage space.
10. Developing the ability of staff to provide outstanding services in a rapidly changing environment
The Professional Development Framework project charter was developed in 2007 to provide a vision and action plan for staff development and training for 2008 and beyond. The project charter is the beginning of a process to create a Professional Development Framework.
A management skills development program was developed to target staff at HEW 5 and above who aspire to progress to management positions. The program will be piloted in 2008. |
