74 · Survey Results: Survey Questions and Responses
(e.g., merging circulation and research/instruction desks), but the extensive renovations required for such a move are
not feasible at this time.
It is possible that reference service points will be consolidated with circulation service points in one or more locations in
the future.
Main Science and Social Science libraries will be consolidated in 2011.
New reference desk in renovated research library transferred from existing location.
Our new knowledge commons area opens in the fall and we anticipate that this will result in the consolidation of other
desk in the main library building. We are also examining the possible consolidation of the science libraries (consisting of
three branch libraries and one library in the main library building).
Reconfigurations of the service points will be ongoing as new services are added. Since many members of our
community access library materials online, our organization will have to determine the best strategy to provide service in
our physical spaces, while also supporting increased remote electronic access. We have an opportunity to improve the
delivery of physical materials to users by offering increased scanning services, delivery to campus office or dorms, and
improving the online browsing experience. As the role of physical collections within library spaces changes, the role of
the service point will change as well.
Reserves desk will close in 2011 and reserves will be supported at the circulation desk.
Spencer Research Library will be remodeling the main reading room, putting in a new desk and reconfiguring the user
space.
Staffed Service Point: Plans for second floor renovation of main library. Reconfiguration/relocation of some of Media
Services, physical consolidation of Learning and Outreach staff offices into one office suite nearby teaching facilities
(currently staff offices are spread out between two buildings and not near classrooms), newly renovated plus additional
library classrooms and meeting rooms, and increased/additional office and programming space for the University
Writing Center currently housed in the library on the second floor. Branch Library: Consolidation of reference and
circulation desks into single service point at the business library. This will include basic renovations to first floor to
enhance public spaces in addition to redesign of main service desk.
The libraries have just initiated a strategic planning process that will very likely have an impact on services and facilities
in several locations, but at this point we do not have specific plans in place.
The National Agricultural Library’s downtown branch, known as the DC Reference Center, is expected to be
reconfigured in conjunction with a relocated, redesigned, and enhanced USDA visitor services space.
This summer we will close our Math/Physics branch library. Collections will be relocated to a variety of places: high-
density storage facility, Engineering library, Earth Sciences library, main library. Staff will be reassigned. This is our
smallest branch facility and the closure was initiated by the Physics Department’s need for space. It is widely used by
students as a study space. We will move some seats to the main library but the nearby branch libraries will see more
student traffic. Faculty were the primary users of the print collections. They have been mostly supportive of this change.
This is all in stark contrast to the library’s own efforts to shutter this facility nearly 10 years ago.
Two traditional service points (reference and circulation) will become a single service desk in 2012.
We are beginning conversations about how to reconfigure the desks in our Humanities and Social Sciences Library.
We are considering closing an on-campus departmental library, and hope to move closer to a single service point for the
Main Floor, at least.
(e.g., merging circulation and research/instruction desks), but the extensive renovations required for such a move are
not feasible at this time.
It is possible that reference service points will be consolidated with circulation service points in one or more locations in
the future.
Main Science and Social Science libraries will be consolidated in 2011.
New reference desk in renovated research library transferred from existing location.
Our new knowledge commons area opens in the fall and we anticipate that this will result in the consolidation of other
desk in the main library building. We are also examining the possible consolidation of the science libraries (consisting of
three branch libraries and one library in the main library building).
Reconfigurations of the service points will be ongoing as new services are added. Since many members of our
community access library materials online, our organization will have to determine the best strategy to provide service in
our physical spaces, while also supporting increased remote electronic access. We have an opportunity to improve the
delivery of physical materials to users by offering increased scanning services, delivery to campus office or dorms, and
improving the online browsing experience. As the role of physical collections within library spaces changes, the role of
the service point will change as well.
Reserves desk will close in 2011 and reserves will be supported at the circulation desk.
Spencer Research Library will be remodeling the main reading room, putting in a new desk and reconfiguring the user
space.
Staffed Service Point: Plans for second floor renovation of main library. Reconfiguration/relocation of some of Media
Services, physical consolidation of Learning and Outreach staff offices into one office suite nearby teaching facilities
(currently staff offices are spread out between two buildings and not near classrooms), newly renovated plus additional
library classrooms and meeting rooms, and increased/additional office and programming space for the University
Writing Center currently housed in the library on the second floor. Branch Library: Consolidation of reference and
circulation desks into single service point at the business library. This will include basic renovations to first floor to
enhance public spaces in addition to redesign of main service desk.
The libraries have just initiated a strategic planning process that will very likely have an impact on services and facilities
in several locations, but at this point we do not have specific plans in place.
The National Agricultural Library’s downtown branch, known as the DC Reference Center, is expected to be
reconfigured in conjunction with a relocated, redesigned, and enhanced USDA visitor services space.
This summer we will close our Math/Physics branch library. Collections will be relocated to a variety of places: high-
density storage facility, Engineering library, Earth Sciences library, main library. Staff will be reassigned. This is our
smallest branch facility and the closure was initiated by the Physics Department’s need for space. It is widely used by
students as a study space. We will move some seats to the main library but the nearby branch libraries will see more
student traffic. Faculty were the primary users of the print collections. They have been mostly supportive of this change.
This is all in stark contrast to the library’s own efforts to shutter this facility nearly 10 years ago.
Two traditional service points (reference and circulation) will become a single service desk in 2012.
We are beginning conversations about how to reconfigure the desks in our Humanities and Social Sciences Library.
We are considering closing an on-campus departmental library, and hope to move closer to a single service point for the
Main Floor, at least.
