The Academic Library

Mission / Goals / Functions

 To contribute to the goals of the college or university of which it is a part and to the
wider scholarly community
– Goals pertain to teaching, learning, research and public service in some
combination
– Function is to provide bibliographical and physical access to books and other
information sources required to support the diverse missions of various
academic and research institutions
 Character and quality of an institution of higher learning are shaped in large measure by
the nature of its library holdings and the ease and imagination with which those
resources are made accessible to members of the academic community.

The Essentials
 resources for instruction, research and extension
 a competent library staff
 organization of materials for use
 adequate space and equipment
 integration of the library with administrative and educational policies
 integration of the library with the community, state, regional, national and international
library resources
 adequate financial support
 a workable policy of library government

Resources for Instruction, Research & Extension

Essentials of a Good Library Program

 Content/Collection
 Competent and Efficient Library Staff
 Adequate Financial Support
 Suitable Working Quarters
 Dynamic Leadership

Services/ Functions
 User services
 Facilities
 Technology

Collections
 Print Resources
 − Books
− Serials
− Government Documents
− Other Print Resources
− Pamphlets
− Technical Reports
− Clipping Files
 Microform Resources
− Microfilm
− Microfiche
− Microcard
 Graphic Resources
− Two-Dimensional Graphic Representation
→ Paintings, drawings, charts, diagrams, graphs, photographs, posters, maps
− Three-Dimensional Graphic Representation
→ Spherical maps or globes, models and mock-ups, dioramas, displays and
exhibits, sculpture, kits, realia—coins, stamps, games, puzzles, toys
 Audio-Visual Resources
− Audio resources
− Film resources
− Video resources
 Computer Resources
− Automated library systems
− Online databases
− CD-ROM technology
 Telecommunication Links
− LAN/WAN
 Community Resources
− Local history collection
− Oral history

Environmental Scanning
 Needed to be conducted when building resources of an academic library
 It is a process for gathering information about activities, trends, relationships,
competitors, potential dangers, and any other factors in the environment that could
impact the organization. (Evans & Ward, 2007).
 Variables to be considered:
− Customers – User behavior and needs
− Competitors/market – other libraries and information centers, services
− Funding sources
− Suppliers
− Labor issues – availability of qualified people for positions in information
services
 − Legal/regulatory factors – legal concerns for libraries and information services
is copyright
− Economic trends
− Technology
− Political changes/trends
− Socio-cultural factors – i.e., values, attitudes, demographics, historic context,
and customs of the society in which the organization operates.

Library Collections
 A distinguished collection of books is the sine qua non (an essential condition; a thing that is
absolutely necessary) of a great academic or research library. There are other important
factors but we should not forget that books are subsidiary to the root element that gives
the library its name – liber, the Latin word for book.
 The library shall select and acquire materials in all formats (consider electronic formats)
to the level required to support academic programs.
 Electronic formats cover e-books and online subscriptions to databases.
 LIBRARY COMMITTEES TO INVOLVE FACULTY (subject experts) and librarians (literature
specialists or subject bibliographers) should actively develop and strengthen library
collections in support of curricular offerings, research and information needs of the
academic community.
 The academic library should hold BIBLIOGRAPHIC TOOLS for both current and
retrospective materials such as standard catalogs, subject bibliographies, periodical
indexes, abstracts and some machine-readable files.
 The library must maintain the following current awareness services: acquisitions lists,
list of ongoing researches, list of periodicals, list of university publications, readers’
interest files and referral lists. In-house indexes, in-process files, information files, shelf-
lists, and others.
 USER EDUCATION is usually integrated in freshmen orientation courses. The institution
may also offer reference and bibliography courses in the general education program.

Facilities
 Building resources
− Ideally, the library should be housed in one or more buildings adequate to its
role within the institution and should reflect a coherent planning effort.
 Equipment
− The library should provide directional, informational and reference services.
− Provide printed, graphic or electronic media.
− Must have multi-media equipment to provide services designed for all levels of
users: audio-visual equipment, projection aids, microcomputers, video,
microforms and photographic equipment and facilities.
Financial Resources
 The sources of funding vary greatly in accordance with the style of the parent
institution.
 Academic libraries usually get an annual appropriation generated from library fees
collected from students.
 Other sources of revenues are fines, penalties, library energy fee, grants and
institutional subsidy and audiovisual fee to supplement the book fund.

Human Resources
 The library is dependent on human resources skilled in the knowledge-based disciplines
to achieve its goals.
 These people select, acquire, process, and arrange the library’s collections; they provide
access to this information and direct its activities and provide its services.
 The number of library staff required are determined by the programs offered, the extent
of services, and the hours during which the service is offered.
 While there are no absolute requirements, it is clear that the level of service is
determined by the availability of staff.
 Staff should include librarians and other professionals, support staff, clerks, and
students.

Service
What Service means:
 Any person who enters the library building, calls us on the phone, or enters our Website
is a patron.
 A patron should be made to feel like the most important person in the world when they
have contact with us.
 Our building, our actions, our speech, and our attitude communicate our level of
concern.

Role of the Academic Librarian

The librarian as a TEACHER

− Based on his role as reference specialist, information specialist and bibliographer.
− An expert in retrieving information by means of catalogs, indexes, reference books
and more recently, modern technology.
− Acts as provider of information and referral services.

As SUBJECT SPECIALIST
− Responsibilities include selection and collection development, library instruction
(including formal courses), liaison with users and technical services, research assistance
and bibliographic services, current awareness and use of machine-readable databases
and helping to improve bibliographic control of the collection.
As LEARNING ADVISOR and FACILITATOR

Acts as a HELPER and EDUCATIONAL COUNSELOR:

− advise faculty on available resources in special subject areas
− provide resources on teaching units and resources for classroom use
− assist in locating materials
− compile bibliographies
− develop in-service training programs
− provide referral service
− develop orientation program for new students
− assist faculty in compiling reading lists or syllabi
− provide individualized reading list
− participate in team teaching
− coordinate with faculty in book selection
− assist in selecting reading materials
− provide training programs for faculty as well as orientation program for new faculty
− provide reading guidance through conference with individual student, instructor and
guidance counselor

Linkages / Cooperation
 Consortia, networking, inter-lending, resource sharing, cooperative acquisition, shared
or cooperative cataloging is a welcome consequence in this era of rapid information
explosion and shrinking budget
 Cooperative arrangements are in the form of interlibrary loans, resource sharing on
limited basis, staff in-service training and use of bibliographic tools for reference,
acquisition, cataloging and classification purposes.

Information Technology and the Academic Library

 The modes of library operations have dramatically changed with the advent of
information technology.
 Among these developments is the introduction and acceptance of microforms as
storage of information and the use of audiovisual in user education as new information
media.
 Computers further revolutionized library processes and delivery of vital services.
 Successful interfacing with telecommunications that allows networking and remote
access of online databases.
 Another development which accelerated acceptance of the use of computers in libraries
is the recognition of management of the role that timely and accurate information plays
in their work thus leading to fuller support of information stores and to an increasing
demand for computer-literate librarians.
Hybrid Libraries
 Libraries that have both physical collections and digital collections.
 They consist of a combination of traditional preservation efforts such as microfilming
and new technologies involving digital projects.

Hybrid Libraries: Information Sources Accessed Across Networks

 Books published in the traditional way, electronic books and mixed media books in a
variety of formats (e.g. paper, CD-ROM)
 Journals published in paper, electronic and hybrid formats
 Reports, whether paper or electronic or both
 Patents, standards, etc. whether paper or electronic or both
 Official documents, including legislation, again whether paper or electronic or both
 Slides and other images in analogue formats
 Images in digital formats
 Analogue audio tapes
 Digital audio
 Analogue video
 Digital video
 Geospatial information, such as paper-based and digital maps
 Collections of data, e.g. in demographic databases
 Grey literature, such as ‘junk’ mail, election addresses, etc.
 Websites and individual web pages
 Java applets
 Computer files of various types
 Streamed data, such as that from satellite observation or news-feeds
 Semi-published or unpublished company records
 Dynamic documents created when they are requested
 Dynamic documents updated automatically from a remote source

Digital Libraries
 Libraries in which collections are stored in digital formats (as opposed to print,
microforms, or other media) and accessible by computers.
 The digital content may be stored locally, or accessed remotely via computer networks.
 A digital library is a type of information retrieval system.

Leadership
 Leadership for today is a collaborative activity. It generates the opportunity for all
members of an organization to engage in visioning and motivating one another to meet
the challenges of a continually changing environment.
 The outcome is that the organization moves forward to achieve its goal of fulfilling the
information needs of the community it serves.
 Leaders require specific characteristics and skills to make this happen.
  Making the right decisions, acting at the right time, and building trust with the
community have always presented challenges, but the way these can be accomplished
continues to change dramatically. (Evans & Ward, 2007).

Evaluation of Academic Libraries

An academic library can be evaluated in the following components:
1. Administration
2. Book Collections
3. Staff
4. Finance
5. Library Use
6. Reference Services
7. Buildings and Equipment

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1. Administration
Consideration should be given to such factors as:
 evidence that the librarian and staff have a clear understanding of the
objectives of the library
 the existence of a definite statement of the responsibility and authority of
the librarian
 the efficiency of the library’s administrative organization
 evidence that the major policies and procedures in technical processes and
public services have been clearly formulated and are thoroughly understood
by the staff responsible for carrying them out
 the efficiency of budget and accounting procedures
 the existence of close and cordial relationship between the library,
administration and faculty

2. Book Collections
Some methods of evaluating book collection are:
 √ checking the book collection against standard lists
 √ checking the reference collection against selected lists of reference books
 √ faculty appraisal of the book collection through systematic study of
bibliographic and standard lists
 √ maintaining records of borrowings by students and instructors of each
department
 √ study of student and faculty failure to secure books they need from the
library collection during a given period
 Six (6) bases of departmentalization of library collections:
1) Function
2) Activity or Process
3) Clientele
4) Geography
5) Subject
6) Form of Material

Evaluation Periodicals
 Periodicals are important in the college library for several reasons:
− Supply reading collateral to students’ course
− Provide general and recreational reading
− Keep the faculty informed of developments in their field
− Furnish research material for the more mature students and faculty
 For evaluative analysis of periodical collection, there are periodical guides,
similar to the Classified list of periodicals for the college library which may
be used for checking purposes
 The periodical collection must also be evaluated for completeness of back
files for the purpose of instruction and research
 Accessibility of book and periodical collections is another measure of
evaluating library service.

3. Staff
There are two things of first importance in the evaluation of the staff:
1) the ability of the staff to do work assigned; and
2) the conditions under which the staff works.
Factors to consider:
− Education and training
− Appropriate experience
− Personal qualities
− Attitudes toward work and service
− Participation in administrative committee work
− Staff size in relation to amount and kind of services rendered and the
number of hours the library is open

4. Finance
The quantitative measurements include:
 The total expenditure for library service in relation to:
− the total expenditures of the college for educational purposes
− the service load of the library
− the expenditures of other college libraries of similar size, type and
function
  The per capita expenditures of the library for specific purposes, such as
books and services
 The distribution of library expenditures for specific purposes, such as
books and services

5. Library Use
Circulation. The most important measure of the effectiveness of a library is the
extent to which it is used.
− Circulation statistics
− The popularity of Xeroxing parts of books for study and research would
also affect circulation figures

6. Reference Service
 Keeping quantitative records of different types of reference questions
 Amount of time devoted to the varied operations of the reference department.
 Many college libraries keep regular statistics of the questions asked at the
reference desk:
− The statistics may be further refined to show how many inquiries were
received from students, faculty, administrators, and non-campus users.
− A count and sometimes listing of typed bibliographies prepared by the
reference staff in response to specific inquiries is frequently kept.
− A record of unanswered questions has value in building up the
reference collection.
− Records of inter-library loan afford an additional measure of one part of
the reference department’s work.

7. Building & Equipment

 Consider the following:
√ Suitable site centrally located with reference to classroom buildings.
√ Provision for a growing collection of books with possibility for future
expansion.
√ Sufficient reading space for study, reference and research and general
reading purposes with provisions for future expansion.
√ Proper arrangement, space and relationships among areas devoted to
loan desk service, card catalog, book stack, bibliographical tools, work
rooms in which books are cataloged and prepared for the shelves.
√ Administrative and workroom space for the acquisition and preparation
of books.
√ Small conference rooms adjoining service departments for working
quarters and for consultation with readers by the staff of the
departments.
√ Special facilities such as carrels, seminar rooms, and similar facilities
placed as conveniently as possible to the book stack collection.
 √ Suitable lighting in reading rooms, working quarters, and card catalog
areas.
√ Storage and exhibit facilities for special materials, such as finely printed
and rare books, map collection and other materials.
√ Special provision for audio-visual, computer services, photocopying
services.
√ Booklifts and elevators.
√ Air conditioning and sound proofing.
√ Facilities/installations for automated library processes.
√ Other facilities as adequate toilet facilities, storage and receiving
rooms, and janitor space.
 Academic libraries should have adequate space for the office of the librarian
and staff, readers and collections.
 Whether occupying the building of its own or only a part of a building, it should
be strategically located and should be accessible to the students and faculty.
√ The reading room should have a seating capacity of not less than 10%
of the total enrolment computed at 1.86 sq. m. or 20 sq. ft. per reader.
√ There should be space provisions for work areas of the library
personnel computed at 50 sq. ft. or 4.6 sq. m. of floor space per staff
member
√ Standard library furniture and equipment should be provided for
storage and retrieval purposes of library materials.
√ Shelving space to accommodate 7 books per linear foot should be
provided. Shelves should not be more than 6 1/2 feet high.
√ Space provision for hardware facilities (cyber nooks, data centers, etc.)

Library Cooperation in Academic Libraries

 Most cooperative programs are directed toward the achievement of one or more of
three major goals:
√ improving bibliographical access to library materials
√ improving physical access to library materials
√ engaging in cooperative collection development
 Bibliographic access is achieved through:
√ Standardization of bibliographic data
√ Authoritative serials database
√ Union lists and union catalogs
√ Cooperative cataloging utilizing computer technology and producing computer-based
bibliographic databases
 Physical access is achieved through:
√ Interlibrary lending
√ Regional networking
√ Direct access through telecommunications, photocopying service, special delivery or
communications, such as telefacsimile
  Cooperative collection development
√ Cooperative acquisition
√ Universal Serials and Book Exchange (USBE)
√ Shared or cooperative purchasing

Library Redesign
 With Evaluation Results, you can now Redesign your library:
− Strategies
√ Access Services
√ Public Services
√ Technical Services
√ Collection Development
√ Technology [convergence/collaboratory]
√ Resource Sharing
√ Public Relations
√ Special Services
√ Non-Print Media
√ Physical Facilities

Library Consortium/A
 A formal association of libraries usually restricted to a geographical area, number of
libraries, type of library, or subject interest, which is established to develop and
implement resource sharing among members and thereby improve the library services
and resources available to their target groups. Some degree of formalization of
administration and procedures is required.

References
 Brophy, Peter. The academic library. -- London: Library Association Publishing, c2000.
 Connor, Elizabeth. (Ed). An introduction to staff development in academic libraries. NY:
Routledge, 2009.
 Eden, Bradford Lee. (Ed.). More innovative redesign and reorganization of library
technical services. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2009.
 Evans, Edward and Patricia Layzell Ward. Leadership basics for librarians and information
professionals. NY: Scarecrow Press, 2007.
 Evans, Edward and Patricia Layzell Ward. Management basics for information
professionals, 2nd ed. NY: Neal Schuman Publishers, 2007.
 Expectations of librarians in the 21st century/edited by Karl Bridges; foreword by Leigh
Estabrook. -- (The Greenwood Library management Collection) -- Westport, Connecticut:
Greenwood Press, c2003.
 Human resource management in today’s academic library/edited by Janice Simmons-
Welburn and Beth McNeil. – (Libraries Unlimited Library Management Collection) –
Westport, Connecticut: Libraries Unlimited, c2004.
 Rusbridge, C. Towards the hybrid library, D-Lib Magazine, July-August, available at:
http://mirrored.ukoln.ac.uk/lis-journals/dlib/dlib/dlib/july98/rusbridge/07rusbridge.
html