25 th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004 Adapting to changing user expectations Jean Poland Cornell University Library.

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

Adapting to changing user expectations

Jean PolandCornell University Library

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

Rate of technological change increases Funding decreases Demand on staff increases Frustration increases

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

Observations

Fewer users in library Fewer reference questions Fewer circulations Greater dependence on email

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

    www.libqual.org                                        

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

Questions

How often do you use resources on library premises?

How often do you access library resources through a library Web Page?

How often do you use Yahoo, Google, or on-library gateways for information

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

User expectations

Self service Speed Seamlessness Space

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

Google is disintermediating the library

OCLC Environmental Scan

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

“An hour in the library saves a month in the laboratory”

Now the library is in the laboratory

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

Alexander Graham Bell

“A library that is not accessible out of business hours is of as little value as gold horded in a vault and withdrawn from circulation”

(letter to Mabel Hubbard Bell 17 November 1896)

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

Field Librarians

Go to users – leave the desk Develop user confidence Discuss information issues Create opportunities to interact

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

Activities

Attend department seminars Greet new faculty Visit researchers in their offices Meet with researchers in labs Arrange space in busy areas Provide current awareness

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

Library space is changing

Laptop circulation High end computing equipment Group study areas Presentation preparation rooms Sophisticated computer accessAND QUIET SPACES FOR

CONTEMPLATION AND REST

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

Library space is changing

Less space for print materials Less space for service points

Less differentiation of services One stop shopping at unified service

point

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

Models of Academic ServiceOFFSITE – AWAY FROM LIBRARIES

Storage Services Staff

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

Staff roles are changing

Retrain circulation staff to answer basic reference questions

Cross-train staff to provide basic computer support

Empower all staff to make decisions efficiently

Collaborate with other libraries to provide services

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

Librarians are partners in the teaching and research activities of our colleges and universities.

Librarians must take risks to maintain that partnership.

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

25th Annual IATUL Conference – June 1, 2004

www.library.cornell.edu

Jean Poland [email protected]