Julia Tutwiler Library

Transcription

1 Julia Tutwiler Library Detailed Assessment Report Mission / Purpose The primary mission of the Julia Tutwiler Library is to enhance the teaching, research, and service function of the University of West Alabama by providing access to information. In fulfilling this mission, the Library has four distinct functions: (1) to facilitate and to improve teaching and learning by providing a diversity of information resources and services; (2) to provide resources and services relevant to the intellectual and professional growth of the faculty, staff, and students of the University of West Alabama, as well as the University's outside clientele; (3) to provide resources and services relevant to general information needs and to the personal interest needs of the University community, including the University's extended community; and (4) to help meet the educational and informational needs of the region which the University serves. In order to accomplish this mission, the Library strives to reach the following goals: (1) to acquire a collection of learning resources that meet the needs of the University: (2) to organize and manage all units of the Library so that users can effectively access resources and acquire services; (3) to create an atmosphere that encourages users to come to the Library, with particular emphasis on providing the user with assistance and instruction in the use of resources; (4) to cooperate in the development of local, regional and state information networks and resource sharing approaches to meeting the educational and informational needs of the region; (5) to staff the Library with personnel who are committed to helping the Library fulfill its mission and to reach its goals and objectives; (6) to provide opportunities for Library faculty and staff to grown professionally; and (7) to promote throughout the University an awareness of resources available in the Library. In meeting these goals, the Library will be striving to help the University meet the following University goals: (1) The University will address the major educational, social, cultural, and economic issues of the region and, in doing so, promote a positive self-image of the institution and the area; and (2) The University will meet the needs of its various public, both internal and external, through the comprehensive use of information technology. I. Goals and Outcomes/Objectives, with Any Related Measures, Targets, Findings, and Action Plans A. Goal: Provide effective administrative services Provide effective administration services to support the mission. 1. Objective: Promote the library resources and services Promote the library resources and services to students, faculty, and community patrons. a. Measure: Create a photo sharing site Create a photo sharing site for the library which will feature various collections in the Alabama Room. Add photographs of the WW II post card collection to the site in The photographs of the WWII post card collection have been added to the library website. B. Goal: Address the major educational issues of the region Address the major educational, social, cultural, and economic issues of the region and in doing so promote a positive self-image of the institution Page 1 of 10

2 1. Objective: Provide students with greater ease in use of resources Provide students with greater ease in using library resources. a. Measure: Host bibliographic sessions Host bibliographic sessions in the computer lab for specific academic units and the UWA 101 classes. The library staff will conduct at least 10 bibliographic sessions for specific academic units and 10 bibliographic sessions for UWA 101 in Findings ( ) Target: Met The members of the library staff have conducted at least 10 bibliographic sessions for specific academic units and 10 bibliographies for UWA 101 within the academic year of b. Measure: Create subject guides Using the recently acquired LibGuides System, the library staff will create subject guides in specific areas as well as guides to highlight unique library resources and collections (archives, for example). The subject guides will incorporate multiple resource types including tools and materials from the library collections, database articles, and web. The library staff will create 25 new subject guides in subject guides have been created and published on the web site in c. Measure: Create finding aids Create finding aids for archival collections that have not been organized. Create finding aid for the Killingsworth/Praytor Archival Collection in A finding aid has been created for the Killingsworth/Praytor Archival Collection in and is available on the library web page. 2. Objective: Promote the library resources and services Promote the library resources and services to students, faculty, and community patrons. a. Measure: Create a photo sharing site Create a photo sharing site for the library which will feature various collections in the Alabama Room. Add photographs of the WW II post card collection to the site in The photographs of the WW II post card collection have been added to the library website. Page 2 of 10

3 3. Objective: Serve as focal point Serve as a focal point for learning, scholarship, and interaction among students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community. a. Measure: Host book reviews and signings The Library will host book reviews/signings featuring authors from the UWA faculty, UWA Alumni, and the region that the University serves. The Library will host one book review/signing event in Findings ( ) - Target: Partially Met Plans have been made to host a book signing and reading in the library. The event will be held on October 18, 2013, and the featured author, Charles McNair, will be reading from his novel, Pickett's Charge, which is published by Livingston Press. 3. Action Plan: Book Review/Signing Event The Library staff was not able to schedule this particular author until October 17, Because this date does not fall within the limits of the fiscal year , this measure has been marked partially met. The staff will plan to schedule another such event sometime between January - December Established in Cycle: Implementation Status: Planned Priority: High Implementation Description: The Library will host a book signing event on October 17, 2013, and another one sometime between January and December, Responsible Person/Group: Mrs. Sheila Limerick Mrs. Vivian Hauser b. Measure: Create educational modules The library staff will create literary educational information modules of five minutes or more to be posted on the library's YouTube channel and promoted via library website, social media site and campus newspaper ads. The subject of the modules will cover such things as plagiarism/citation, basic search strategies, basic copyright guidelines, and navigating the library, etc. The Library will create at least five of these literary educational information modules in The Library created five literary educational information modules, and they are available on the Library web site within the Lib Guides pages. 4. Objective: Acquire scholarly resources Acquire scholarly resources for library collections. a. Measure: Access library's holdings Access the library's holdings in the following areas: Nobel Award Books, Pulitzer Prize Books, Newberry Books, Caldecott Books, Coretta Scott King Award Books, Laura Ingalls Wilder Award Books, and the National Book Award. Once the holdings are accessed, begin the process of ordering the missing titles in the library's collections. Page 3 of 10

4 Order missing titles as the funds are available. Thirteen award books were added to the collection in Objective: Promote rich heritage of Black Belt Region Create an environment in Julia Tutwiler Library that promotes an appreciation of the rich heritage of the Black Belt Region. a. Measure: Display photographs and art Display historical photographs and fine art throughout the library. Display historical photographs and fine art in the public areas of the library and in individual conference rooms. Five historical photographs that were enlarged for the Library's 175th exhibit in Webb Hall Gallery in 2010 were hung on the stairwell landing, and several pieces of art were added to one of the conference rooms. II. Other Plans for Improvement A. Maintain Accurate Inventory of Resources & Records Management System The inventories of the Music Collection and the Alabama Room Collection will be completed in the Fall 2010 term with the help of work study students. The Alabama Room page link on the Library Homepage will be updated in the Fall 2010 term now that the staff person responsible for the update has been given access to make changes. When the Records Management staff person returns to work following her leave of absence, the records management systems will be studied in an effort to improve our UWA system. Established in Cycle: Implementation Status: Finished Priority: High Responsible Person/Group: John Upchurch; Christin Loehr; Penny Seale B. Church Records Digitization The library will continue to digitize church records that it has now, and will contact individuals to obtain more records to digitize. Established in Cycle: Implementation Status: In-Progress Priority: High Implementation Description: Digitize Church Records Responsible Person/Group: Sheila Limerick Vivian Hauser Christin Loehr Additional Resources Requested: The library has some church records that are contained in books from the Sumter County Probate Office. The pages in these books are 18" x 11" and the library does not have a machine that can digitize anything this large. Also, there are machines available now that can digitize open books rather than pressing them face down on a screen. A large majority of the records the staff digitizes are very fragile and putting pressure on the spines of the books could damage them. Implementation Notes: 9/10/2013 New scanner has been purchased and staff will continue to digitize church records. C. Collecting memorabilia for the Alabama Room Page 4 of 10

5 The staff will continue to encourage the digitization of local family records and also the donation of historical memorabilia for preservation in the Alabama Room. Established in Cycle: Implementation Status: In-Progress Priority: High Responsible Person/Group: Vivian Hauser D. Conduct Oral Interviews The staff will continue to set appointments both locally and out of town for oral interviews with former alumni to record and preserve the history of UWA. Established in Cycle: Implementation Status: In-Progress Priority: Low Implementation Description: Set up appointments with prospective people and record interviews Responsible Person/Group: Sheila Limerick Vivian Hauser Additional Resources Requested: None E. Inventories and Records Managements Updated and Maintained All the inventories included in the target have been completed and a new records management librarian was hired in 2013 to fill position created by departure of records management staff member due to illness. Established in Cycle: Implementation Status: Finished Priority: High Responsible Person/Group: John Upchurch, Christin Loehr, Braegan Abernethy Implementation Notes: 9/6/2013 The action plan was moved to finished F. Creation of pod casts to train work study students The following pod casts will be created to help train work study students in the library: (1.) Shelf Maintenance. This pod cast will help students understand the call number system and help them to recognize problems in the shelving process. (2.) Front Desk Procedure. This pod cast will teach the process of checking books in and out and also teach them how to search the web based catalog and use Voyager ILS. (3.) General Search Tips for Databases. This pod cast will give general tips to use when searching the databases. It could be used by anyone needing help in this area and not just limited to use by library work study students. Established in Cycle: Implementation Status: Planned Priority: Medium Implementation Description: A script will be written and staff members will be recorded presenting the procedures to follow for each teaching pod casts. Responsible Person/Group: John Upchurch will coordinate the project with the help of other library staff members. Additional Resources Requested: No additional resources will be needed Implementation Notes: 9/11/2013 Pod casts have not been developed yet, but are still planned for the future. G. Seek increased library funding to meet inflationary needs Seek increased library funding in order to meet the inflationary rates of materials and services and to meet new curricular demands on the library. Established in Cycle: Implementation Status: In-Progress Priority: High Page 5 of 10

6 Implementation Description: Request additional appropriations from the university Additional Resources Requested: 10% increase in FY 2013 for inflation & increased cost in database & hardcopy subscriptions - $25070; Communications & Mass Media Database - $ 5000 ; LibGuides subject Guides - $1200; Special funding for MA in English - $10000 ; Special Funding for MA in History - $10000 Budget Amount Requested: $300, (recurring) Implementation Notes: 9/10/2013 This action plan is carried forward in each cycle because each year the library must seek additional funds for price increases of databases, journals, books, etc. With the addition of new majors, additional books and databases are required to support the studies. Because of the increases that the administration has provided for the library each year, the library has been able to maintain all subscriptions presently subscribed to and also add some valuable additional subscriptions that have been requested by faculty. H. Update computer in Curriculum Laboratory Update one computer in the Curriculum Laboratory Established in Cycle: Implementation Status: Finished Priority: Medium Implementation Description: Decide which computer needs to be updated and consult with Information Systems Responsible Person/Group: Neil Snider Additional Resources Requested: Funds to purchase computer Budget Amount Requested: $1, (recurring) III. Analysis Questions and Analysis Answers A. What specific strengths did your assessments show? (Strengths) In the cycle the Julia Tutwiler Library staff worked on a total of eight measures. All eight of the measures were completed, and all of the five objectives that the library set out to accomplish this year were covered by one or more of these measures. Each staff member worked on one or more of the targets for these measures which indicates that everyone is a team player. The entire staff is included in choosing the targets to reach the objectives and all are committed to increasing student learning by providing greater assistance to the students in using the library s resources. Four of the staff members participated in the bibliographic instruction sessions; two staff members were responsible for the training of the work study students with all members of the staff assisting; and several staff members were involved in the creation of study guides and finding aids. B. What specific weaknesses or challenges did your assessments show? (Weaknesses) No outstanding weaknesses were shown in the assessments because all of the objectives, measures, and targets were achieved. However, the library does still have several challenges that it faces. There is a great need for more space in the library to provide more study areas and conference rooms for the students. The library serves as a gathering place for students from all four of the university colleges, and this past year there were many groups of students wanting to reserve a conference room or just a quiet place upstairs to study that had to be denied because all available conference rooms and spaces were taken. Today's students are great on collaboration, and providing a place for them to come together in the library is a priority need. Also, the staff has to deal with issues created by a leaking roof on the second floor. Anytime there is a heavy rain there are leaks in the stacks and in the Alabama Room. Moisture and books are not good together so the staff has to keep a close watch on developing mold. The physical plant does all it can do to help the situation, but the way the roof is constructed makes it very difficult to Page 6 of 10

7 locate the source of the leaks. The library has begun work on a five year digitization plan and more staff is needed to carry out the plan in the most effective manner. Digitizing is a time consuming job, especially when fragile books and papers are involved. The library staff juggles the digitizing projects with their other responsibilities. A part time librarian was recently hired as an archives and records management associate and this will certainly help increase the efficiency of the digitization program. C. What plans were implemented? The following plans were implemented and completed in : (1.) Create a photo sharing site for the library which will feature various collections in the Alabama Room. The photographs of the WW II postcard collection was added to the site. (2.) Host bibliographic sessions in the computer lab for specific academic units and the UWA 101 classes. The library staff conducted over 10 bibliographic sessions for specific academic units and UWA 101 classes. (3.) Using the recently acquired LibGuides System, the library staff will create subject guides in specific areas as well as guides to highlight unique library resources and collections. The staff created 26 new subject guides in (4.) Create finding aids for archival collection that have not been organized. A finding aid was created for the Killingsworth/Praytor Archival Collection in (5.) The Library will host a book review/signing event in the library featuring authors from the UWA faculty, alumni and the region that the University serves. A book review/signing will be held on October 17, 2013, with Livingston Press author, David McNair, reading from his book, Pickett's Charge. (6.) The library will create literary educational information modules of five minutes or more to be posted on the library website thru the LibGuides pages. Five educational information modules were created in (7.) Access the library's holdings in the following areas: Nobel Award Books; Pulitzer Prize Books; Newberry Books; Caldecott Books; Corretta Scott King Award Books; Laura Ingalls Wilder Awards Books, and the National Book Award Books. Once the holdings are accessed, begin the process of ordering the missing titles in the library's collections. Thirteen award books were added to the library's collections in (8.) Display historical photographs and fine art in the public areas of the library. Five historical photographs that were enlarged for the Library's 175th Exhibit in Webb Hall Gallery in 2010 were hung on the stairwell landing and several pieces of art were also added to one of the conference rooms. D. What plans were not implemented? All plans for were implemented. E. How will assessment results be used for continuous improvement? The plans that were implemented in will have new targets added for The staff will always look for ways to improve on these procedures to make the resources of the library more easily available for the students to access. IV. Annual Report Section Responses A. Key Achievements In the cycle, the Julia Tutwiler Library worked with a total of eight measures, with one target per measure. All the measures were completed with the results being that (1) photographs of the WW II postcards were added to a photo sharing site; (2) over ten bibliographic instruction sessions were conducted for specific academic units and ten sessions for the UWA 101 classes; (3) twenty-six subject guides were added to the LibGuides pages on the library web site; (4) a finding aid was created for the Killingsworth/Praytor Archival Collection; (5) a book review/signing event was held in the library featuring a Livingston Press author; (6) educational information modules were created and posted on the library's website within the LibGuides pages; (7) thirteen award books were added to the library's collections; and, (8) historical photographs and pieces of art were Page 7 of 10

8 displayed in the library's public areas. The administration provided extra funding for the purchase of two new products for the library, EBSCO's Discovery Service and LibGuides in The EBSCO Discovery Service provides an alternative access point for students to search the library's collections and the multiple databases to which the library subscribes in one easy search. The LibGuides product is a content management platform used for creating in-depth subject research guides. Both products are accessed from the library's home page and are geared toward making it easier for students to access the library's resources. The director and staff of the library are responsible for the university art exhibits in the Webb Hall Gallery and brought some interesting exhibits to campus. The following exhibits were on display in : About Water (a collection of photographs with a water theme by photographers Billie and Russell Goodloe from Mobile, AL); Mishmash (an art and sculpture exhibit by UWA Fine Arts Assistant Professors Nick Davis and Jessica Smith); Alabama in the Making: Traditional Arts of People and Places (an interactive traveling exhibit sponsored by the Alabama Folk Life Association); UWA Art Students Spring Art Show; and Tannehill Woodcarvers Exhibit (a collection of woodcarvings by members of the Tannehill Woodcarvers Club). B. Faculty Achievements Scholarly Research: Limerick, Sheila Blackmon: College student publications and archival importance Conservation and preservation Processing archival collections Digitizing archival collections Snider, Neil: Continued research on stone soldiers in Alabama Offices/Positions in Professional Organizations and/or Other Significant Professional Activities: Brannan, Joyce: Family History Library Director, LDS Family History Center, LDS Church, Demopolis, AL Completed online training session with Family Search Organization for an overview of some of the new resources, databases, and search enhancements Limerick, Sheila Blackmon: Served on the Committee on Preservation of University History Advised The Sucarnochee Review staff in editing a forthcoming new issue Served on the Network of Alabama Academics Libraries Digital Content Committee Represented the University of West Alabama at the Florida Library Association annual meeting as an exhibitor/recruiter for our online programs, May 1-2, 2013 Participated in "No Name Calling: Addressing Bullying through Books," a webinar conducted by Booklist, April 2, 2013 Participated in "Have No Fear, Poetry is Here!," a webinar conducted by Booklist, March 19, 2013 Participated in "Copyright and Fair Use: Compliance Guidelines for Faculty," a webcast conducted by Academic Impressions and co-hosted by the Office of Sponsored Programs and Provost Office, Feb. 14 & 28,2013 Snider, Neil: Director, Sumter County Fine Arts Council Trustee, Ruby Pickens Tartt Public Library Page 8 of 10

9 Upchurch, John: Chair, Ex Libris Users of North America Southeast (ELUNA-SE) Regional Users Group Network of Alabama Academic Libraries Online Content Committee member Workshops Conducted: Brannan, Joyce: Presented a workshop in Demopolis, AL on using Family Search Family Tree Presented a genealogy overview demonstration in Demopolis, AL C. Staff Achievements Continuing Education: Bedsole, Anna: Continued course work at the University of Alabama for a MLIS degree Offices/Positions in Professional Organizations and/or Other Significant Professional Activities: Bedsole, Anna: Conducted an information literacy class for small business owners in conjunction with the Small Business Development Center JumpStart Program Sat in on an interview for the Small Business Development Center Hauser, Vivian: Represented the Julia Tutwiler Library at the Network of Alabama Academic Libraries annual meeting, Montgomery, AL, November, 2012 Represented the Julia Tutwiler Library at the Network of Alabama Academic Libraries Planning Retreat, Orange Beach, AL, April, 2013 Awards and Honors: Bedsole, Anna: Gained membership into Phi Kappa Phi at the University of Alabama Public Service Area: Hauser, Vivian: Director, Sumter County Fine Arts Council Chair, The Livingston Beautification Board Chair, Community Services Society, Inc., a nonprofit organization for the sole purpose of performing charitable or benevolent services in the City of Livingston Vice President, Primrose Club Vice President, Livingston Book Club Director, Ruby Pickens Tartt Library Friends Organization D. Public/Community Service The Julia Tutwiler Library staff is developing a program that will conduct one-on-one tutorial sessions with children from ages three to third grade in York, Alabama. The sessions will be conducted after school at the Coleman Center and the program will coordinate with the Sumter County Board of Education, York West End teachers, and Sumter Academy teachers. Plans are also being developed to assist senior high students in the county in seeking financial aid to further their education at the college level. Another phase of the program will be to work with young African Americans to teach them how to record oral histories from their parents, grandparents, and other family members. Page 9 of 10

10 Snider, Neil: Director, Sumter County Fine Arts Council Trustee, Ruby Pickens Tartt Public Library Limerick, Sheila: Director, Ruby Pickens Tartt Public Library Friends Organization Director, Sumter County Fine Arts Council Brannan, Joyce: Presented a workshop in Demopolis, AL on using Family Search Family Tree Presented a genealogy overview demonstration in Demopolis, AL Director, Family History Library, LDS Family History Center, LDS Church, Demopolis, AL Bedsole, Anna: Conducted an information literacy class for small business owners in conjunction with the Small Business Development Center JumpStart Program Hauser, Vivian: Director, Sumter County Fine Arts Council Director, Ruby Pickens Tartt Public Library Friends Organization Chair, The Livingston Beautification Board Chair, Community Services Society, Inc., a nonprofit organization for the sole purpose of performing charitable or benevolent services in the City of Livingston Vice President, Primrose Club Vice President, Livingston Book Club Page 10 of 10

11 Planning and Assessment Approval Department or Division: Julia Tutwiler Library Chair or Director: Dr. Neil Snider Goals Goals are broad statements describing what the unit wants to accomplish. Goals relate to both the unit's mission and the University's mission. The goal(s) is stated as the University goal(s) a unit is attempting to meet. YES :./ Outcomes/Objectives Outcomes and objectives are statements that describe in some detail what the unit plans to accomplish. Outcomes/objectives are associated with all applicable goals, strategic plans, standards, and institutional priorities. YES /' Objectives are active-verb descriptions of specific points or tasks the unit will accomplish or reach. Outcomes are active-verb descriptions of a desired end result related to student learning and the unit's mission. YES _v'" Measures Measures are statements to judge success in achieving the stated outcome or objective. Measures contain information on the type of evidence and assessment tool that a unit will use to verify if stated outcome/objective has been met. Achievement Targets Achievement targets are the thresholds that the measures must meet for the unit to deterntine that it has been successful in meeting its specified outcomes/objectives. Achievement targets are measurable statements. YES v --- YES

12 ~ --- Findings Findings are indications whether an outcome/objective was met or not. Findings are put into the system under each achievement target. Findings include an interpretation of results, possible uses of results, reflection on problems encountered, indicated improvements/changes and strengths or weakness. YES v, Action Plans Action plans are detailed plans created by the unit to meet an outcome/objective that was ouly partially met or not met or to make improvement to those outcomes/objectives that were met but still need some strengthening. The plan includes a projected completion date, implementation description, responsible person(s)/group, resources required, and budget amount (if applicable). YES JL::. Action plans created in previous cycles have been updated with implementation notes. Annual Report The Annual Report section contains information on key achievements, faculty and/or staff achievements, and community/public. YES.. YES _,v:... Report The unit has reflected on and created narratives for each of the following areas: specific strengths and progress made on outcomes/objectives, specific weaknesses or challenges, plans that were and were not implemented, and how assessment results will be used for continuous improvement. YES v"' Approved by: '',_,_.,'-".U T"'-.N AI Received by OlE: (// C~fiJV 1 <l ;:; J>~ of Planning and Assessment Date: (0 - '7-13 Date: Jo/1 UJ r 1