Sandwiched between two renovation projects, the 2000/2001 year was a challenge for the Peabody Education Library. Change, and more change, were the watchwords of the day.
The year got off to a rousing start with a major renovation to address fire, safety, and emergency concerns. Several stairwells and emergency exits had to be altered, and the library was closed to the public during the month of August 2000, with services being provided from the north entrance door.
Then, in June of 2001, a major, largely cosmetic renovation of the main floor of the library was begun. The goal was to provide a much more attractive and welcoming environment for academic and intellectual pursuits. Everyone involved hoped to see the building used far more actively by faculty and students from across the entire university. The designer came up with a very attractive new color scheme reflected in the walls, woodwork, carpeting, and upholstery. Amenities such as comfortable lounge furniture and attractive new tables and chairs were part of the project. A coffee machine was added to the main floor, and a drinks machine was included on the lower level. A redo of the lobby removed the turnstile as a perceived entrance barrier, and we created a new combined service desk from which both circulation and information services operate. Shelving was replaced, and the current periodicals collection was moved to display shelving on the main floor--a far more accessible location. All in all, the changes were dramatic and very pleasing.
The renovation project during the summer of 2001 was the first phase of implementing a new master plan for the library which was developed in the spring. With input from students, faculty, administrators, and library staff, the architects worked through several iterations of a master plan which incorporates a major addition to the building along with a complete renovation of the existing building. Wonderful user spaces are included in the new design--a café, a 75 seat classroom, a computer lab, many group study rooms of varying sizes, fireplaces, skylights, and an atrium open through all four floors of the building. Some enhanced and improved staff spaces are included as well. Collection space is increased despite the elimination of one floor of the current old-fashioned stacks. The current stack area will be completely gutted and new floors made even with the regular library floors. We now have estimated pricing for implementing this grand master plan, and funding for the project will be sought by Peabody through the upcoming Vanderbilt Campaign.
Building projects are major changes in themselves, but the Education Library also underwent a number of staff changes this last year. In an effort to reduce expenses for Peabody College at their request, the staff of 12 FTE was reduced to 9 FTE. The library materials budget was also reduced by some 24%. These substantial budget adjustments required a great deal of flexibility on the part of all remaining staff members. Then mid-year, Mary Beth Blalock, Director since the early 1980's, announced that she would be moving to the Central Library as Head of Collection Development, beginning with the 2001/2002 fiscal year; this presented another challenge for staff in adjusting to the loss of a long term leader and in preparing to work with an acting director for a year, and then a new director the year after that. The staff of the library are to be recognized for their hard work during this difficult year of continuing transitions.
To assist in planning for the future in this somewhat more constrained environment, the Education Library engaged a consultant, John Collins, Education Library Director at Harvard University, to work with the library staff in developing a strategic plan for the library with input from the Peabody community. By late spring, the document in its beginning form was completed and made available through the Peabody Education Library Advisory Committee. The document will assist in understanding priorities during the 2001/2002 year, and it will provide a beginning framework on which to build, once the new director arrives.
Despite the challenges for the year, there were also a number of other significant accomplishments:
A number of new or enhanced services were provided--
Open reserves where students and faculty can come help themselves without needing to check out materials.
Full implementation of electronic reserves.
Introduction of wireless network access for patrons who bring laptops with wireless cards.
Acquisition of 8 iBook laptops to be checked out to members of the Vanderbilt community for use within the library.
Curriculum Lab collections and services were made available during longer hours and more conveniently for check-out at the circulation desk.
Implementation of 'roving reference' service in which Information Services staff moved throughout the reference area, inquiring whether people needed assistance. About 20% of the approaches resulted in actual assistance being needed and provided, and these questions accounted for some 10% of the total reference questions during the spring semester.
Instructional efforts continued as the staff experimented with a variety of ways of delivering instruction and of reaching those who may need it. The staff explored the possible use of web-based tutorials as one tool to be added.
Throughout the various collection-related projects, careful verification and editing of ACORN catalog records was done, improving the accuracy of the catalog and the ability of patrons to find the materials they need.
New channels of communication were opened with faculty through the Library Advisory Committee, and through appointment of a librarian to the Curriculum Committee of the College, so that the Library can be better aware of developments in Peabody that the Library will want to support. It is also expected that the Library Director will attend the Peabody Executive Committee meetings in which department and center chairs and dean's office staff review developments within Peabody.
A great deal of effort and time was invested in better tailoring the collection to the needs of Peabody programs. Some collections were donated elsewhere--art slides to Metro Schools, maps and map cases to the Science and Engineering Library, University of Nashville archival materials to Special Collections. Several collections were heavily and carefully weeded--Curriculum Lab materials, the youth collection, government documents, serials, and periodicals. The funds received from the Cox grant for building the curriculum collection were fully spent during the year, providing many updated items and including covering the packaging necessary for housing the unusual items in the collection. Toward the end of the year, the Library was selected to receive copies of all of the textbooks reviewed by the Tennesee Textbook Adoption Commission; this ongoing donation program will help to significantly improve the textbook collection, including related teaching materials, at only the cost of processing the materials and making them available.
A number of changes were made to improve and expedite the process of ordering and processing materials. Selectors now use a vendor's online system for creating order requests, eliminating tedious completion of slips and forms. All of the acquisition and processing of Curriculum Lab materials was moved to the Heard Library technical services operation, saving staff time within the Education Library. The approval plan for the youth collection was expanded to simplify and expedite the ordering and receipt of these materials.
All in all, this has been an eventful, exciting, productive, and successful year, although often more challenging and difficult than might be desirable. The ground has been laid for continued improvement and development.
29 November 2001