FALL 1997

What's New on the Horizon?

by Meredith Butler, Dean & Director of Libraries

In just a little over 12 months, the new Science & Technology Library building has risen rapidly on the horizon. In anticipation of its 1999 opening, we have been focusing much of our attention on facilities planning. The new building will also be the home of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and will serve as a digital learning center for students and faculty. It will house all of the science collections which are now jammed into the University Library and will provide space on the top floor for the M. E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, now housed in several locations in the University Library. It will provide the campus with 142,430 net square feet of new library space and more than 500 additional seats for students and faculty. Once we move approximately 600,000 volumes of science materials to the new building, we will be able to reorganize collections and services in the University Library to decompress the collections and services that will remain, to make it a more functional building, and to add about 550 new seats for users.

The University Library is also in desperate need of renovation and refurbishing -- new paint, new carpet, new furniture and new spaces that are conducive to quiet study. We have been hard at work planning the new building, but we have also been planning the renovation and renewal of the University Library. We began in June 1997 by replacing worn carpet with colorful floor tiles in heavy traffic areas. January 1998 will see work on additional projects including the redesign of the entrance lobby, the Reference Desk and the electronic services area. We will also be removing a wall to expand the Reserve/IMC area in the basement. During the summer of 1998, we will begin the massive project of cleaning and painting the entire library. But the major renovation projects begin in the summer of 1999 when we can move science collections to the new building, take down many bookstacks, and, at long last, recarpet most of the building. We will create a current periodicals reading room in the basement, add additional workstations in the Interactive Media Center, move all of the microforms collection and reading equipment into the Periodicals Room, and shift and rearrange all of the periodical and circulating collections so that we can add new user seating. So plan ahead. Things are going to be pretty disrupted for the next couple of years in the University Library.

Another major facilities improvement project, and one we are especially proud of, is the addition of climate control to the Dewey Graduate Library in the Hawley Building on the Rockefeller College campus. Lack of climate control has, over the years, impaired the proper preservation of the exquisite stained-glass windows donated by many former alumni and alumnae and of the WPA era canvas murals which depict scenes from the history of New York State and college life. Carrier Corporation's gift of air conditioning equipment made this project possible. Installation was completed last month shortly after the beginning of the semester and just in time for the cool weather. Ah, but wait until next year!

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Hannaford Foundation Provides First Major Gift for the
Science & Technology Library

Ronald C. Hodge, Senior Vice President of Northeast Operations for Hannaford Bros. Co., attended a reception in the University Library earlier this year to present a check from the Hannaford Charitable Foundation. The Foundation's donation of $50,000 over five years will be used by the University Libraries to purchase equipment for the new Science & Technology Library. Hannaford's gift is the first major gift in support of this new facility. In her acknowledgment of the donation, University President Karen R. Hitchcock said the Hannaford gift represented a "vote of confidence" in the library, the first new academic building to be built on the University's main campus since it opened 30 years ago.

Meredith Butler, Dean and Director of University Libraries, thanked Mr. Hodge and emphasized: "We are planning a state-of-the-art electronic library and have identified equipment needs totaling nearly 2 million dollars. These funds will be used to provide electronic access to new science materials for students, faculty and community users. The Hannaford gift is, we hope, the first of many such investments in our future electronic library."

Hannaford Bros. has a strong record of community involvement. In his remarks at the reception, Ronald Hodge recounted the history of the company's founding and its concern for and support of the communities it serves. The Science Library building is being planned as a digital learning center in which faculty and students will have access to the latest in instructional technology, electronic classrooms, digital imaging capabilities, and computer and network access to a vast array of electronic resources.

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Empowering the Library User

by Carol Anne Germain, Reference Librarian and Trudi Jacobson, Coordinator, User Education

Many students find the library very intimidating. Locating a desired monograph for a specific course, tracking down appropriate journal articles for a class project, or even trying to load microfilm onto a microfilm reader can seem overwhelming. While library anxiety is common in freshmen and returning students, it may affect graduate students who have not acquired adequate skills to use the library effectively. Technology, which is growing in "dog years," has made some library resources difficult to access as well.

At the University Library, new technology is very apparent. The old card catalog was replaced with an online public access catalog (OPAC); printed indices are available in electronic format in the Electronic Database section; and Internet terminals that provide access to the information super highway are located behind the reference desk and in the Interactive Media Center. Teaching students how to use library materials, whether in print or electronic, is essential to their having a positive academic experience at the University at Albany.

Providing instruction to our students is a fundamental responsibility of the library. University librarians are prepared to work directly with faculty to teach students how to use the library and its vast resources. Whether the course is an introduction to literary study, cell physiology, or graduate level financial management, instruction can be tailored to meet course curriculum. Librarians can develop subject-related bibliographies, classes that teach students how to use electronic and print indices, and sessions that focus on the importance of critical thinking skills.

Another recommended option for students are the Electronic Information Classes sponsored by both the University and Dewey libraries and concentrated during the first half of each semester. These sessions run 1-1½ hours and cover a variety of library resources. Students and faculty can learn how to access the OPAC and research databases from remote locations, how to navigate the World Wide Web via Netscape Navigator, and how to use new sophisticated search techniques that make accessing the databases easier. These instruction classes are excellent for those students who are still learning how to use the library, or who would like to become familiar with the newest technology. They provide enough information to allow students to proceed with research projects, but also are not so intense as to overwhelm new researchers.

Our newest classes cover the following topics:

Accessing Research Materials through Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery

African American Research and Resources

CSA/Pollution Abstracts and Biological Sciences

Women's Studies Research and Resources (Intermediate)

The full schedules of classes for the University Library and the Dewey Library are posted on the University Libraries' Home Page (http://www.albany.edu/library). Print copies are available at the respective libraries.

For the student who is interested in both learning about library resources and in assisting others in the library, a new course has been developed. "Microcomputer Consulting Services in the University Library Reference Department" (CSI 198) will help students develop skills in information technology. They will learn about Netscape, conducting research on the Internet and using other online databases in the library setting, and methods of assisting users to access these resources. Brenda Hazard is the instructor and can be reached at 442-3608 or e-mail bh181@csc.albany.edu.

Information literacy skills are not only essential for success at the University, but remain useful after graduation. Students who have acquired the skills to find, evaluate, and use information effectively will be more successful in the workplace. They will also have the skills to find information as lifelong learners.

To explore how librarians can address the needs of your students, contact Trudi Jacobson, Coordinator of User Education Programs, at 442-3581 or e-mail tj662@csc.albany.edu. For instruction at the Dewey Library, contact Barbara Kemp, Assistant Director, at 442-3690 or phantom@alpha1.albany.edu.

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Gary Jacobson Supports Communication Collection with Major Gift

When Gary Jacobson graduated from the University at Albany with a B.A. in Rhetoric and Communication in 1982, he had no idea what he wanted to do next. But he felt well prepared by his educational experiences at Albany to take on any challenges that came his way. Fifteen years later, Gary is Managing Director for Jefferies & Co., a major investment management firm in New York City.

An avid skier and sports car enthusiast, Gary travels on a global scale for his work. But in spite of a very demanding professional life, he manages to find the time to participate in activities and projects he cares about. He is a loyal alum who visits the campus occasionally to keep up with new developments and chat with favorite professors. A member of the University Libraries' Development Committee, Gary said in a recent discussion with Meredith Butler, Dean and Director of Libraries: "Through the contribution of my financial resources and my experience in raising money, I can give something back to my alma mater. I have been impressed with the tremendous opportunities for electronic collections and services offered by Albany's University Libraries and I realize that these changes are not inexpensive. I want my gift to make it easier for the Library to provide new communication materials for Albany's undergraduates."

Deborah LaFond, Communication Bibliographer, selects materials to support the communication curriculum and is delighted to have this opportunity to strengthen the Library's collection. Working with Department Chair Robert Sanders, she has identified the following priorities for collection development: adding key monographs in organizational communication, a new area of curricular emphasis; purchasing new multi-media and a CD-ROM reference tool which indexes communication journals; and acquiring back issues of the Vanderbilt TV News Summaries now available on the World Wide Web.

In acknowledging Jacobson's gift, Dean Butler said: "The Library's mission is to serve the curricular and research needs of every Albany student and faculty member. Supportive alums like Gary Jacobson make it so much easier for us to be successful."

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The Electronic Library Expands

by Barbara Kemp, Assistant Director, Dewey Graduate Library

The University Libraries will soon be taking another step in the creation of electronic services. In October/November, ERes(TM), a commercially available electronic reserve system, will be tested and evaluated as a means of making electronic text, audio, and visual graphics files available through the World Wide Web. Developed by Docutek Information Systems, ERes(TM) enables faculty to make electronic files available to their students in a distributed environment.

With an easy-to-use template, ERes(TM) facilitates faculty control of course materials in electronic formats, and eliminates the need to learn HTML coding or the creation of web pages. After obtaining an account from the Libraries' ERes(TM) manager, each faculty member will be provided with a user ID and password. Then the faculty member can create a course web page without using HTML and add or delete items at his or her convenience. Students can access these files and hypertext links from terminals within the Libraries or remotely from home or office on any personal computer that has a Web interface such as Netscape or Microsoft Explorer. Text files can also be accessed through text browsers such as Lynx.

Electronic reserves significantly expands teaching options available to faculty. Since ERes(TM) can handle a wide range of file types, faculty are not limited to using print-based materials or required to handle media and print in different ways -- digitized information is handled and accessed uniformly. Individual control of course lists allows faculty to make immediate changes and take advantage of the most recent materials available. Since an unlimited number of students can access the same files at the same time (unlike print-based materials), electronic reserves is also a very efficient service.

Students also benefit from electronic reserves. As long as they have access to a computer with a web browser, they can retrieve their course readings at their convenience, regardless of their location or library hours. With no physical items to circulate, there are no fines for late returns. This exciting new opportunity is still only a first step in providing network access to reserve materials. Not all materials will be available in or can be converted to electronic formats at this time. Traditional reserve services will continue to be offered for the foreseeable future in both the University and Dewey Libraries and in the Interactive Media Center (IMC) to accommodate all curricular needs. Nevertheless, faculty interested in making electronic files available to their students and assisting Libraries' staff in evaluating ERes(TM) are encouraged to contact Lorre Smith (442-3578) who is coordinating this pilot program.

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Selected Faculty Achievements

Selected notable achievements of University Libraries' Faculty between July 1996 and September 1997 include the following:

GRANTS & AWARDS

Cohen, Laura B.

PC Webopaedia Award. Three Internet training guides awarded an inclusion on the Internet site PC Webopaedia ( http://www.sandybay.com/pc-web/), by Sandy Bay Software, Inc. "A Basic Guide to the Internet," "Navigating the World Wide Web with Netscape," and "Quick Reference Guide to Search Engine Syntax." November 1996.

Christiansen, Dorothy E.

Received a Conference and Journal Support, University at Albany grant of $1,500 to fund Speakers for the "Once Upon a Time" Conference complementing the Marcia Brown Exhibit.

Received a New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program grant of $673 to partially fund publicity for the "Once Upon a Drawing" Exhibit.

Irving, Suzanne

Promotion to Associate Librarian with Continuing Appointment.

Juedes, Donald R., Deborah LaFond and Rosemary Hennessy

Received an Initiatives for Women grant of $1,000 to fund "Seeing Women Transnationally: A Video Series."

Kaczor, Sue A.

Promotion to Associate Librarian with Continuing Appointment.

LaFond, Deborah M., Daria Papalia and Maritza Martinez

Received a University Commission for Affirmative Action grant of $1,280 for "Promoting and Honoring Gender Equity."

McCombs, Gillian M.

Hudson Mohawk Library Association Distinguished Service Award, 1997.

University at Albany Excellence in Librarianship Award, 1997.

Merbler, Candace A.

Recipient, Alice Hastings Murphy Scholarship, April 1997.

Smith, Lorretta

Outstanding Service Award, Disabled Student Services Office, 1997.

Young, William F.

Honorary membership in the Outsourcing Institute, a private non-profit organization in recognition of research done on its behalf.

CONFERENCE PAPERS (National)

Anderson, Carol L.

with Trudi Jacobson and Lillian Brannon. "Project Renaissance: A Model for Teaching and Learning at the University at Albany," Association of College and Research Libraries 8th National Conference, Nashville, TN, April 13, 1997; also the program moderator.

Cohen, Laura B.

"Rules of the Game: Implementing a Home Page at a Large Academic Library," Integrated Online Library Systems (IOLS) 97, New York, NY, May 14, 1997.

Jacobson, Trudi E.

"Selecting a Teaching Technique," ACRL Instruction Section Preconference, "Learning to Teach: Workshops on Instruction," Berkeley, CA, June 27, 1997.

with Carol Anderson and Lillian Brannon. "Project Renaissance: A Model for Teaching and Learning at the University at Albany," Association of College and Research Libraries 8th National Conference, Nashville, TN, April 13, 1997.

Malbin, Susan L.

"Making Manuscripts Available Nationally on a Small Library Budget," American Library Association Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA, June 28, 1997.

McCombs, Gillian M.

"The Search for Identity in Academic Computing: Revelations of an Ethnographer," LITA/LAMA Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, October 1996.

with Theresa Maylone. "Enhancing the Qualitative Research Toolbox: Cultural Analysis and the Ethnographic Approach in Library Research," Library Research Seminar I, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, November 1996.

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Teletype and Voice Output Technologies Aid Library Users

by Lorre Smith, Head, Media/Microforms/Periodicals

The University Libraries have acquired two new devices to assist library users with special needs. TTY (teletype) technology provides telephone access to library services for people who cannot understand audible telephone signals and voice output technology translates information from a computer into a synthesized voice which speaks each word and number in the same way it is displayed on the screen.

The University Libraries have installed two Ultratec(TM) TTY devices in order to receive calls from the public. TTY sets provide a keyboard and written displays, along with various lights to convey the words and the busy signal and connection signals. For information call:

• University Library Circulation (442-3602) for general information and reference referrals, and for questions and problems regarding borrowing library books and other materials.

• Dewey Library (442-3315) for information regarding all Dewey Library collections and services.

Since there are a limited number of TTY devices in the University Libraries, library staff who are trained to use this technology can take incoming calls and contact other library departments to locate needed information and services.

Voice output technology enables people who normally do not see the information displayed or do not process visual information to work independently on computer workstations. The speech synthesizer computer program, Screenpower Speech(TM), produces the voice and also allows the user to control the volume and the speed and pitch of the voice. The user can read (hear) the screen as many times as necessary and can command the program to spell words or to read only one line at a time.

The University Library's speech synthesizer located on workstation #13 in the Reference Department's Electronic Databases workstation area is available all the hours that the library is open, and library users may reserve blocks of time for database searching by signing up in advance. The workstation includes headphones so that a user may use a comfortable volume level without disturbing others in the area.

Results of database searches can be downloaded to a diskette and printed, so that users may take the results away in an electronic form or on paper. Library staff members in the Electronic Database area can provide assistance in using the voice output functions, as well as aid users who are learning to search the databases. An instruction manual for the use of the voice output functions is available from the Reference staff.

For further information about the TTY sets, call the numbers listed above. For further information about the voice output workstation or electronic databases, please call the University Library Reference Department at 442-3558 or Lorre Smith, Coordinator of Services for Persons with Disabilities at 442-3578.

LIBRARY UPDATE is a semi-annual newsletter published to inform faculty about University Libraries' collections and services. Responses from readers are very welcome. EDITOR: Dorothy Christiansen EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Mary Osielski DESIGN & DESKTOP PUBLISHING: Linda Reeves PHOTOGRAPHER: Mark Schmidt