SPEC Kit 324: Collecting Global Resources · 39
11. If your library has a distinct unit(s) for global resources collection management and public services,
when was the unit created? N=25
Year created: 1902 to 2009
Before 1950 7
1950–1999 17
2000–2009 3
12. If your library does not have a distinct unit(s) for global resources collection management and
public services, do you anticipate creating such a unit in the next five years? N=45
Yes 1 2%
No 44 98%
13. If your library has reorganized to create distinct public service units, please describe briefly what
the structure was before and after reorganization what were the goals of the reorganization
whether the impetus for reorganization come from outside or within the library organization
whether outreach and access improved as a result of the reorganization, etc. N=20
A separate East Asia Library (for CJK, plus Tibetan and Mongolian), complete with collections and collection
development, reference, and technical services staff, was established in 1976. A separate International Studies division
(supporting Slavic and East European, Near Eastern, South Asian, and Southeast Asian collections) was established
about the same time to bring together librarians and staff with expertise in these areas and languages. However, the
resources for these areas are integrated into the campus’s main library collections.
Africana, East Asia, and Southeast Asia were major areas of collecting emphasis, and subject specialists representing
these areas were brought together on one floor of the library in the Center for International Collections. The impetus
came from within the organization. The concept was to bring select staff with an “international focus” together in one
unit to improve efficiency and service.
Area studies is managed by the Associate Director for Special Collections and Area Studies. This unit was created in
2011. Previously, area studies librarians were integrated into the Public Services division at Ohio State. Too soon to
estimate any changes based on this reorganization.
Before, we had a Subject and Area Librarians Unit, a Research Collections Reference Department, and an Information
Commons, etc. After, we created new departments: Area Studies, Arts/Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences, and
interdisciplinary working groups to be affiliated with each department Goal: Recognizing that users visit libraries less
and increasingly access information remotely, with the new structure we hope to be able to develop more targeted,
personalized library services and increase our outreach activities. This new approach goes hand-in-hand with the notion
that collections are a public service (rather than an end in themselves).
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