Instructional Resource Center Conundrum

The recently tabulated Public Services survey pointed out that many of you have noticed something that we've been trying to figure out for years - how to most effectively provide access to ALL the resources of the Center during Library open hours. Although we were pleased with the responses about the services and materials provided in the IRC, the ability to get quick access to videos, DVDs and some CD-ROMs continues to be frustrating for some of you. We understand that, and we've tried various things through the years to make it easier for all of our patrons to get what they want when they need or want it. Until all of our collection is in open stacks, I'd like to tell you what you can do when your visits to the Library don't correspond to our working hours in the Center.

1. Generally, there is a staff member in the IRC from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. every weekday. Norma and I try to coordinate our lunch hours and our meeting times outside the office so that someone is there at all times during those hours. It doesn't always work out, but we try very hard to have someone who can help you during those hours. After 5, you can still visit the IRC and browse our open stack collections but you run into problems if you want a video or a DVD.

2. Because we know it isn't possible to get to the Library by 5, or even during the week, we have for years left material at the Circulation Desk when we leave for the day for patrons to pick up at night or on the weekend. All it takes is a phone call to us (278-4324 or 278-4317) , or an email with at least a few hours of advance notice and the video or DVD you want will be already pulled and left for you downstairs. I know this has been effective because we do it so often, but it may be that not everyone knows they can make this request.

3. There are, however, cases in which you come to the Library during off hours and don't know what you want until you get here. We have given the Circulation Department a green light to come upstairs and get the DVDS or videos for you in cases like this, and I know that this too is happening. Because there are fewer circulation staff members at night, and especially during times when one student has to be closing, it is not always possible for the remaining staff person to leave the circulation desk, and this seems to pose the greatest problem for patrons who need material after hours. We recognize the frustration that this engenders when it happens and we will continue to try and find a better solution for this problem.

4. During the 19 years I've worked here, we have tried on at least four occasions (of one semester each) to have the IRC student staff worker work at least some evening hours. In those four semesters of work, less than 10 items were pulled and loaned while the student worker was there. Since the Library is not able to provide a staff person or a student in the Center during all open Library hours, the challenge continues to be to find the time when it might be most helpful to have someone available. That will be what we will focus on in our consideration of this continuing problem in the months ahead!

You may wonder why we lock up the DVDs and videos anyway since so much of the collection is open access. Although most of us are used to DVDs or videos that cost under $25, the majority of our academic titles are purchased with limited public performance rights and rarely cost less than $125 each. We have two excellent series that cost nearly $1600. Until the costs go down, I feel most comfortable keeping those particular media formats in closed stacks. In the meantime, we will work on developing better ease of access policies and communicating them more effectively with you.

We do appreciate the time you took to tell us what we're doing well - and what we can do to serve you more effectively. That is, after all, why we're here! We would be glad to have your thoughts and ideas about how this problem of media access can be approached in a better way, so please let me hear from you here or stop by my office. I'm here from 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Ann