Goal 1: Provide our users with anytime/anywhere access to library services and information resources.

Performance Activities:

• Assistant Director for Collections and the bibliographers will use 30% of the FY05 acquisitions budget increase to obtain digital collections of historical materials, research tools with full text, and electronic journals.
• Bibliographers and Cataloging Services staff will increase user access to free electronic journals and other information resources by selecting and cataloging those appropriate to their subject areas.
• Assistant Director for Collections and the Interlibrary Loan librarian will work with their counterparts at the SUNY University Center libraries to maximize access to information resources in these libraries’ collections.
• Special Collections Department will add content to existing digital databases and work with Systems to improve interfaces to digital content databases.
• Preservation Librarian will expand access to brittle and damaged objects by digitizing content and making it available through the OPAC.
• Science Library will develop and launch the Hudson River database to support unique local research, teaching and community information needs.

Performance Indicators:

• Users will have online access to a growing collection of digital information resources.
• Library staff will develop feasible projects for new and expanded digital collections and services.
• Student and faculty satisfaction with access to digital research materials will increase.
• Student and faculty satisfaction with access to research assistance and library services from remote locations and/or after library hours will increase.

Methods of Assessment:

• Collections Division and Technical Services statistics
• Special Collections Department statistics
• Preservation Department statistics
• WebTrends statistics and Web usability study results
• Aleph use statistics
• LibQUAL results

Performance Activities:

• The Web Site Policy Committee will develop and implement an ongoing program for assessing the usability of the Web site.
• The Web Site Policy Committee will analyze reports of the Web Trends statistical package to identify usage patterns and will recommend site revisions accordingly.
• The Web Site Policy Committee will charge the Webmaster with developing a plan for the Libraries’ Web site and ask her to convene a task force to collaborate in this process.  The plan will be based on several factors including:

1. Usability data
2. Analysis of the current site
3. Analysis of our Web usage statistics
4. Analysis of peer sites
5. Analysis of plans for Web sites at other institutions.

Performance Indicators:

• Libraries’ Web site will be user friendly, engaging, accurate and timely.
• Library staff will actively initiate ideas for new Web pages to highlight library services.
• Student and faculty satisfaction with Web access to library services will increase.
• Student and faculty knowledge about library services will increase.
• Web strategic goals will be comprehensive and completed by June 30, 2005.

Methods of Assessment:

• Results of survey
• Usability study feedback
• LibQUAL results

Use of Findings:

• Improve Web site
• Revise policies and procedures
• Initiate new services and new ways of doing things

Performance activities:

• The Libraries will implement the ALEPH OPAC on July 6, 2004 and develop the new functionalities to improve services to users.
• The Cataloging Services Department (CSD) will enhance the catalog with additional tables of contents, microform analytics and full bibliographic records for e-resources.
• The CSD will mount database cleanup projects during and after system migration in order to make the bibliographic database as useful and accurate as possible.
• The CSD will provide e-access for dissertations via the OPAC.  The CSD will examine the catalog for undercataloged materials and enhance these records.
• The CSD and Library Systems will provide links from the OPAC records to directional information to assist users in locating materials.
• OPIC will assess options and make recommendations for improving accessto electronic resources through the OPAC.
• Work with the CIO to create University-wide systems to unify passwords for Albany faculty and students.

Performance indicators:

• Successful implementation of the Ex Libris system
• A clean and accurate database
• Improved OPAC records with enhanced functionality and more information
• Expansion of the use of SFX
• Improved remote access for users

Methods of assessment:

• Online Public Interface Committee will conduct survey of OPAC users to assess effectiveness of new OPAC, spring semester each year
• OPAC usage statistics
• Other user input/comments

Use of findings:

• Pursue further enhancements of the OPAC

Performance activities:

• Survey the library for optimum location of wireless access points.
• Develop a multi-year plan for deploying wireless throughout the Libraries.

Performance indicators:

• Increased use of the libraries
• Fewer complaints about lack of wireless

Methods of assessment:

• User satisfaction

Use of findings:

• Further improvement of technology infrastructure

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