4. Objectives, issues, and key strategic initiatives 2007-2009

Key Area 4: Physical environment

Objective: Enrich the total study and campus experience through provision of innovative and welcoming facilities that both stimulate learning and respond to study and research needs.

Ongoing Activities:

To provide study spaces which meet the differing needs of users for group and individual study;
To provide reliable high quality physical libraries, technology and workstations;
To provide a secure and safe environment;
To provide facilities for people with special needs;
To provide responsive hours of opening;
To house the collection to standards that ensure preservation of resources for long-term research value.

Issues: With online delivery of courses and provision of online resources, a high percentage of students who work part-time, off-campus learning students and a large percentage of international students, it is paramount to provide an excellent, reliable electronic infrastructure to support the online systems, and to provide timely assistance to Library users. The challenge is to provide the appropriate support for these services over extended hours at times that are convenient to the students themselves.

Some Library buildings are aged and require refurbishment. The study space provided in all libraries should include areas that are functional, pleasant and comfortable, where students can work in groups, but that also contain areas conducive to individual study and research. Implementation of the principles in the Facilities Master Plan and learning commons concepts will alleviate cramped areas and improve study conditions in the libraries, and bring synergies with other service areas.

Self-directed learning in a computerised learning environment requires commitment to provision of high numbers of late model, reliable computers and access arrangements for students to the university network, including use of networked printers.

With increasing demands for space for study, computer workstations and collections, large-scale weeding programs and appropriate storage facilities in close vicinity to campuses are in urgent demand. To alleviate the pressing space problems, major weeding and storage projects will be undertaken over the next few years.

Key Strategic Initiatives

Strategies	Actions	Measures/Targets/KPIs	Responsibility
4.1 Improve facilities within available resources, adhering to the Facilities Master Plan.	Revise Facilities Master Plan (FMP) in line with current Monash University Planning template.	FMP revised and placed into new template.	Director, Corporate Services.
	Roll out the notices policy as part of the signage portfolio for all libraries.	New notices policy implemented.	Marketing and Communication Manager.
	Continue planning for the refurbishment of the Matheson Library.	Planning ongoing.	University Librarian; Director, Client Services HSS; Matheson Library Manager.
	Design the refurbishment of the Pharmacy Library.	Refurbishment designed.	Pharmacy branch manager; Directors, Client Services
	Design the refurbishment of the Caulfield and Law libraries as appropriate.	Refurbishment designed.	Branch library planning groups; branch library managers; Directors, Client Services.
	Contribute to campus developments through campus and faculty planning committees.	Input through relevant committees.	University Librarian; Directors, faculty teams.
4.2 Participate in learning commons developments in collaboration with support services and faculties.	Continue to improve the Berwick Library and Learning Commons.	Improvements implemented.	University Librarian; Director, Information Systems; Director, Client Services, HSS, Berwick branch manager.
	Incorporate elements of learning commons in other branches where possible.	Elements of learning commons incorporated.	Director, Information Systems; Directors, Client Services.
4.3 Address storage and space issues at MUL.	Develop and implement a long-term space and storage strategy.	Strategy developed and implemented.	Director, Information Resources; Director, Corporate Services.
4.4 Recommend student printing solutions for Monash University.	Investigate and recommend a seamless student printing solution to the university (if funded).	Investigation completed and recommendation made to the University.	Director, Information Systems; Library Budget Manager.
4.5 Continually review opening hours to meet users' needs.	Implement review recommendations.	New hours implemented.	Directors, Client Services; branch library managers.