THE NEWSLETTER OF THE FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES Striking for Excellence in Library and Information Services

Transcription

1 @famulibraries.edu Volume 2 Issue 2 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES Striking for Excellence in Library and Information Services March/April 2006 FAMU Celebrates Women s History Month 2006 National Theme: Women: Builders of Communities and Dreams Visit Web Page: whm Inside this issue: LibQUAL Survey Prize Winners 2 More Winners Libraries 4 Library Faculty & Staff Kudos 5 Retirees 6 Service Quality Surveys Continue at the University The University Library System is a learning organization. We partially learn by listening to our customers. We then take the information that we learn and seek to modify services as necessary to meet or exceed customer expectations. Our latest major survey, LibQUAL+ was conducted February 6 through February 27, LibQUAL+ is an online survey and is approved and offered by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). It has been rigorously tested and is now in use by academic research libraries nationwide. We were especially pleased this year to have an outstanding campus participation. The libraries first conducted the LibQUAL+ survey in As a result of the 2004 and 2006 surveys we expect to be able to better understand customer perceptions of service quality, collect and interpret library feedback systematically over time, compare our assessment results with those of peer libraries, and identify best library service practices. The summary 2004 findings were that the campus was generally satisfied with library information services. Areas of improvement included information access, facilities, and customer service. Since the 2004 study, customers now have improved access to information, improved learning environments, and improved customer service. F o r e x a m p l e, collections and resources are better publicized, and continued on page 2 Assessment team: (left to right) Emmett Denny, M. Jean Adams, Brenda Wright, Ernestine Holmes, Joyce Johnson, Ruth Swan and Carolyn Graham (not pictured) Photo by Sharon Bee Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. ~Nelson Mandela ~

2 Page continued from page 1 remote access to resources is now more reliably available. In addition we responded to requests for a cell-free zone and quieter study areas in the main library by restricting cell phone use in the libraries and establishing the entire 3rd floor as a quiet floor. The new addition to Coleman library met much of the expressed need for additional group study space. The inclusion of a café since 2004 has also been met with appreciation by all demographic groups. We are pleased with the receptiveness of customers to these and many more changes. We have made quality customer service a priority. We express appreciation to our many generous vendor partners who provided incentives and awards for those participating in the survey. They enabled participants to receive hundreds of gifts at the time of survey and major gifts at the conclusion of the survey. Major donors were: Dell, Inc., FAMU dining services, FAMU Bookstore, FAMU Credit Union, Cambridge Scientific Abstracts (CSA), Culpepper Construction, New Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, and Alpha Travel. We will follow up the survey with a Town Hall meeting and determine strategies for continuing the tradition of quality library services. Ruth M. Swan, Ph.D. Featured LibQUAL Survey Prize Winners... Photos by Sharon Bee Showcase of prizes given away Kenneth Dillard (l) is presented the grand prize of a Dell Dimension Desktop Computer by Ruth M. Swan (center) and Emmett Denny (r) Sophia Bromfield won an Apple ipod, the 2nd place grand prize of the event

3 Page 3 More Prize Winners... Dr. Mary Popegrattan, faculty member, won $100 in gift certificates to Bonefish Grille Librarian Carolyn Graham registers student for LibQUAL drawings Graduate student Keon Hardemon won a wireless keyboard and mouse Librarian Brenda Wright (r) presented winner Ashley Sampson (l) a $50 cash prize Audience participates in a trivia question and answer session to win prizes; Sikenah Baxter was excited about winning a camera as Jillian Jones looks on. Faculty member Dr. Yakini Kemp, winner of a FAMU Bookstore gift basket Photos by Sharon Bee

4 Page CHECK OUT WHAT S Your FAMU Libraries Visit the FAMU Libraries to browse through the latest selection of new books. Newly acquired books are on display in the following locations: Coleman Library: The new books display is located across from the Scholar Computer area on the second floor. The display changes every seven days. Architecture Library: New books are located on the right side of the circulation desk. The display changes when a new shipment arrives. Coleman Library new books display Journalism and Graphic Communication Resources Center: New resources are displayed across from the service desk on the right wall in the foyer of the library. Science Research Library: The display is located on right side of service desk on the fourth floor; north wall stack area. The display changes as new books arrive. The new book arrivals in all Libraries have been cataloged and are ready for public use. So, discover what s new at the FAMU Libraries! Photo by Gloria Woody Welcome to the Quiet Floor Photo by Gloria Woody In response to requests by students for a quieter place to study, library staff have designated the third floor of Coleman Library as a quiet floor. In addition, all Libraries are cell-free zones to support an improved study and research environment. Staff assist large groups in locating a group study room or an alternative place to study on another floor. Library users are expected to respect the needs of one another and to observe the quiet floor s policies. Signs are posted strategically around the third floor to indicate that the floor is reserved as a quiet floor for those who desire a quiet place to concentrate and study. Sign on 3rd floor in Coleman Library

5 Page Congratulations to Library Faculty and Staff Presenting Joyce Johnson University Librarian and Assistant Director for Public and Information Services The Assistant Director f o r P u b l i c a n d Information Services serves under the direction of the Associate Director of Libraries. This position manages all public and information service functions for the main and branch libraries, including reference, access services, micro text, government documents, periodicals, and special collections. This position also maintains the library web page, distance learning, public relations and information literacy. Florida A&M University Libraries are pleased to have Ms. Johnson serve in this capacity. She comes with exceptional training and experience. She stated, I am committed to improving communication within all units. I aspire to a servant leadership management model and intend to support each person in reaching his or her goals. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Library Media from Florida A&M University, the Master of Science in Library Science, and the Specialist in Information Studies degrees from Florida State University. She has been a librarian for over 15 years and worked as a library paraprofessional before that time. Before coming to FAMU she served as a librarian at the State Library of Florida. Her most recent responsibility here has been as Head of Reference Services. In addition to those responsibilities, she assumed the duties of the Interim Assistant Director while her supervisor was on extended medical leave. She has kept the public served in the face of staff reductions without reducing library hours or services to users. Ms. Johnson comes to her current position very highly recommended by University faculty and administrators, former library administrators, and our own screening committee. Photo by Sharon Bee Courtesy of J. Johnson Ruth M. Swan, Ph.D. M. Jean Williams-Adams, Systems Librarian, a 17-year employee of Coleman Library has been published in Florida Libraries (Vol. 48, No.2, Fall 2005). The sidebar article is entitled, 10+ Points to Stronger Leadership: An Upcoming Librarian s Perception. The top three core values of strong leadership Mrs. Adams lists are: Communicate effectively; understand the needs of users, staff members and colleagues; and be honest with yourself and others. The other seven core values can be found at Adams said, my inspiration for writing the article stemmed from various leadership roles I have encountered in my career path. Mrs. Adams received the B.S. in Office Administration from FAMU, and the Master of Science (MSLS) from FSU. Dale Thomas has been published in the ABA Journal of Band Research (Vol. 41, No.1, Fall 2005). His article is entitled, Alton Augustus Adams: One of the Best Known Musicians of the U.S. V i r g i n Islands. Adams organized the St. Thomas Juvenile Band at the request of James Oliver, the naval Governor of St. Thomas. President Woodrow Wilson signed the directive that established the navy band of the U.S. Virgin Islands on June 2, 1917, thus making Adams band the first Black band in the U.S. Navy and Adams the navy s first Black bandmaster. Courtesy of D. Thomas He has also had published the book, America s Band of Legend: A Pictorial Collection on Bands at Florida A&M University, and has had published another article, A Brief History of the Florida Association of Directors and Its impact on the Development of Bands in the Black Schools of Florida: in the Spring, 2001 issue of the ABA Journal of Band Research. Mr. Thomas received the B.S. Degree in Music Education from FAMU and the Master of Science in Educational Administration and Leadership from Florida State University. Currently, he serves on the library staff as Senior Library Technical Assistant in Special Collections.

6 Page 6 Two Long-Time Librarians Retire... Two recently retired Florida A&M University librarians who have given a combined total of 76 years of service were honored during the library s Winter Wonderland Christmas party in December. Mrs. Carolyn T. Bivens, former Interim Assistant Director of Public and Information Services, was a part of FAMU Libraries for 35 years. Mrs. Thelma Thompson, Senior Library Technical Assistant has been a FAMU employee for 41 years. Mrs. Bivens received her undergraduate degree in Library Science from Florida A&M University, Master of Science (MSLS) and the Advanced Masters degrees from Florida State University. Other positions held during her tenure include circulation services, cataloging, and head of Interlibrary Loans (ILL). Mrs. Thompson s tenure was in cataloging. She was instrumental in the planning and conversion to the online catalog for Florida A&M University Libraries, including the new library management system ALEPH. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor s degree at FAMU. Congratulations to both retirees! Carolyn T. Bivins Thelma Thompson File Photos TO OUR READERS If you would like to have an article considered for publication, contact any member of the editorial team. WELCOME NEW UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES EMPLOYEES Ericka Barnes, Office Assistant; Ophelia Chapman, Instructor Librarian; Venson Cunningham, Computer Support Specialist; Carolyn Holloway, Library Technical Assistant ; Alys Jordan, Instructor Librarian; Susan Liang, Library Technical Assistant; Eric Rivers, Library Technical Assistant; and Veltrellico Perry, Clerk. HOW TO CONTACT US Administration Circulation Ask a Librarian Distance Learning or Library Systems Interlibrary Loan Reference Desk Special Collections BRANCH LIBRARIES Architecture Library Engineering Reading Room Journalism & Graphic Communication Library Science Research Center Library A publication of the Florida A&M University Libraries Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Florida Lauren B. Sapp, Director Ruth M. Swan, Associate Director Deborah L. Lightfoot, Office Manager Service Hours Web page: Newsletter Editorial Team Gloria T. Woody, Editor/Chair; Phyllis Broomfield, Jeneice Smith, Cornelia Taylor, Dale Thomas, DaVinci Metcalf, and Ruth M. Swan, Advisor