Director's Report

 

2004 proved once again to be a challenging but exciting year. The Division's achievements during the year directly reflect the efforts by all staff members to provide a high quality library service. The summary below provides just a glimpse of some of the important events and issues that occurred during the year. Additional details can be found in other areas of the 2004 Annual Report.

 Graham Black - Director, Division of Library Services

Library Review

The Division undertook a review of library services during 2004. The major outcome of the review was 2005-2007 Strategic Plan. The Review Group included  members of the Division's Planning and Development Committee in addition to elected members of staff. The Group used scenario based planning methodology and widely consulted and communicated with all Division staff during the process. Any changes to restructure the Division were placed on hold pending the outcome of the University's organizational review.

Usage patterns

Usage patterns across the board are showing movements from the physical or personal to electronic. For example door counts dropped by approximately 12% and loans reduced by about 30% while  the number of web pages delivered increased by 12% and some electronic databases received increased use of up to 45%. 2004 was the first full year of Article Linker. This service was used over 193,000 times or just over 534 times per day.

Although door counts have dropped use within the Library is changing. Anecdotally, clients are staying longer and are using computers for not only library research but also for study and assignments. The planned changes for buildings on all campuses aim to make the Library social spaces in addition to the traditional research and study space.

Web sites

There was a significant amount of activity invested by many staff in the redesign of the staff and public webpages. The revised staff site went live in August 2004 while the public site was launched in February 2005. These undertakings were major achievements in their own rights let alone being done simultaneously.

Article Linking

Part of the Library's strategy has been to enhance client access to resources. During the later part of 2004  Serials Solutions 'Article Linker' open URL linking solution was acquired. This facility enables cross-database linking to full-text resources, irrespective of search entry point.

Floating Collection

Following a trial in 2003 the Library decided to adopt the floating collection concept for its Central Queensland campus libraries with the exception of Emerald. The physical collections of the Central Queensland campus libraries are now viewed as one large collection spread across the campuses. Individual items in this collection can move from campus to campus as client demand dictates. Items will remain at the new location for student use until requested by another location.

Skills Audit

In late 2003 and early 2004 Division staff undertook a skills audit. The aim of the audit was to identify what skills staff possessed and what skills needed to be developed or upgraded. Staff development and training offered during the year was based on the audit's findings.

Staff Perceptions Survey

In November 2004 all staff of the Division were invited to participate in the Staff Perceptions Survey. The responses were analysed as a whole, by major organizational groupings, and by years of service. The survey enabled organizational  strengths and weaknesses to be identified, and for organizational values to be identified.

Staffing and Recruitment

Due to the University's embargo on permanent recruitment, staffing once again  was difficult to manage. Due to a number of key resignations during the first half of  the year and the unavailability of suitable local staff, the Library entered into agreements to second staff from the University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology under QULOC's Inter-Organisational  Program. 

Client Feedback

Client feedback sessions were undertaken by the Director at all CQU Libraries. These sessions involved the Director meeting with students, normally over pizza and juice, to obtain their views on how well the Library is meeting their needs. Although there were a variety of responses there were two common themes raised on all campuses. These were the high levels of service provided by staff and the need for additional print material. Responses were fed back to each respective campus library for addressing.

Marketing

A major internal initiative during the year was the development of a marketing strategy for the Division. A Marketing Committee was established to develop a plan and to coordinate marketing initiatives across the Division. An important part of the plan was the development of the Library logo now used on all Library publications.

2007 Capital Development Pool Funding

The University was successful in obtaining a $2M CDP Grant for 2007. The Division will combine this with $500,000 it received as part of the CDP funded 2005 Information Commons Project at Mackay, Bundaberg, and Gladstone.

Lifelong Learning Conference

The 3rd International Lifelong Learning Conference was held At Rydges Capricorn Resort Yeppoon on 13-16 June. The Conference was once again highly successful, attracting approximately 190 delegates from virtually all states of Australia and 22 different countries.

Waste Saver  Award

 The Division received the Best Practice in Institutional Recycling  prize as part of the Central Queensland Local Government Association's Community Waste Saver Award 2004. For many years recycling has been normal practice for staff of the Division who conscientiously recycle printer paper and print cartridges.