RMIT Libraries exist to link RMIT staff and students with recorded knowledge in an appropriate time, place and way, enabling them to achieve excellence in teaching, learning and research.
Vision
To develop a world-class library and information service as a vital component of a University at the forefront of technical and professional education and real world research.
Goals
To be recognised by the University’s stakeholders and other knowledgable organisations as a leader in giving access to recorded knowledge in support of the University’s core activities, RMIT Libraries will:
provide to our customers on campus, off campus and offshore relevant sources of information for learning and research, in a timely manner, a convenient location, by a suitable mode of delivery, by links to global sources and from our own collections
work in close partnership with academic staff and researchers to integrate library services and resources with the teaching and research program
enable students, staff and researchers to retrieve relevant information effectively to support current programs and develop their capacity to manage the information requirements of life-long learning
commit to continuous improvement and quality management processes
build and sustain a reputation for the development of new information products, services and processes by embracing and implementing the opportunities new technologies offer
support an informed, motivated, flexible and innovative staff, responsive to changes and initiatives in the university and the external environment
manage our resources to maximum effect and actively seek additional sources of income
Provide to our customers on campus, off campus and offshore relevant sources of information for learning and research, in a timely manner, a convenient location, by a suitable mode of delivery, by links to global sources and from our own collections.
A number of initiatives were introduced to the loans system Library-wide in 1997 to facilitate the use of the print collections by the RMIT community. These included:
The introduction of Self-Service Holds, enabling students to use the Library catalogue to request items.
The introduction of renewals for the Short Loan (3 Day Loan) collection.
The extension of Hold and Book Request services to include the Short Loan collections.
The introduction Library-wide of ‘Express Transaction Units’ , facilitating the return and reshelving of items in the libraries.
Carlton
Loans, holds, cross campus and checkins all showed an increase in service during the year
The increase in returns led to several shelving backlogs during the year.
The increase in loans and printouts from the PC Lab required more staff on the desks.
A large collection of scripts for a new screenwriting course were catalogued.
The 3M Quick Charge Unit was installed,speeding up the checkins process.
An Off Campus Homepage was created.
Provision of services and resources to off campus students and those with disabilities was emphasised.
Time and effort continued to be put into online learning.
Business Information Centre (BIC)
1997 was the first full year of operation for the Business Information Centre (BIC). Hours of opening were increased to service students from the VET sector. 1997 data was compared with 1996 data to observe regular patterns of usage.
The CAUL Materials Availability Survey was conducted.
Many collection maintenance tasks were performed.
A mid-year stocktake of the entire book and AV collections was completed. Very few items were found to be missing.
BIC was open for 76 hours per week.
Staff within BIC were hampered by the lack of PCs.
Bundoora Library
Collection move of mechanical engineering to Bundoora East Library was planned.
Monographs (approx. 1000) were re-located from Bundoora West Library to Bundoora East Library. Bundoora East resources were improved and the number of monograph and serials titles increased.
With a 93% increase in cross-campus loans requests for Bundoora material it was necessary to streamline reshelving and improve availability of loans material.
Loans were up by 43% in 1997.
A Loans Forum was held after the incorporation of Coburg staff and collections.
The Reserve service was re-evaluated and publicised to academic staff. A reserve staff member was allocated to work with each Bundoora Liaison Librarian.
E-Reserve was promoted at the LINC group meetings.
Disability Liaison increased.
Publications were increased.
The thesis collection was listed for easy reference at the Information Desk. The journal lists were annotated with the library holdings for CINHAL, Psychlit, Sociofile, and Sport Discus. List of SSI Full Text journals was drafted, indexed and grouped by subject.
Open Day activities included displays promoting services, resources and Audiovisual facilities. Faculty tours included the Library.
Central Library
Lending from the Central Library Loans Desk increased by over 17% for the year, with much of the increase stemming from greater book renewal rates.
Lending from Central Library Reserve increased by approximately 15%.
There was an increase in the number of Hold requests placed by students of over 71%, reflecting the depth of demand for the services introduced at the start of the year.
Items requested by students at Central Library increased by approximately 20%, while there was a reduction of 18% in the numbers of items requested from Central by students located at other sites.
The number of overdue notices issued fell by under 1% generally, and over 30% in the Reserve area.
The number of invoices issued fell by 27% generally and by 5% in the Reserve area.
The number of loans issued to CAVAL (i.e.; non-RMIT) borrowers increased by 8%.
Work in close partnership with academic staff and researchers to integrate library services and resources with the teaching and research program.
Collaboration continued with teaching staff in identifying and selecting information resources relevant to the University's VET programs to facilitate the integration of library services with the teaching and learning services.
Staff rostered on the Information Desk provide expert information assistance to all users.
A Flexible Learning Librarian position was created to coordinate and develop a broad range of information skills programs for customers and inhouse training programs for staff, as well as development of services and resources supporting flexible delivery of learning programs.
Development of online learning continued.
Self-paced learning booklets were developed.
Workshops and information literacy sessions were offered. A record number of students (5814) received some form of Information Literacy in 1997. This was well above the target set in the Annual Performance Plan and an increase of 23% in the number of sessions held.
Orientation Talks by Carlton Library staff were consolidated into the overall program with a total of 30 sessions being held, and 1756 attendees.
A 19 PC student access laboratory and printing facility was available at Carlton Library enabling access to a range of Microsoft software, the Internet and course-related software.
Videobank usage became a fully integrated Library operation, serving 20 classrooms, 17 carrels, 2 discussion rooms and 2 theatres.
Video screenings were introduced at Carlton Library via the fibre optic connection to the Central Design and Information Audio Visual (DIAV) Services section and demand for screening has increased exponentially.
The collection of Audio Visual materials in the Carlton Library was developed.
Demand for film screening to the building 94 auditoriums increased with the purchase of a laser disc player, a growing laser disc collection of feature films and extra membership to the Cinemedia collection.
Seven fieldwork students were placed within the Carlton Library in 1997, of whom five were RMIT University students.
Liaison occurred with the Off Campus Unit for the provision of services and resources to off campus students
Internet and CD ROM workshops were provided to staff and students. In total 104 sessions were held, 29 on Internet, 10 on CD ROMs and 65 joint session on Internet and CD ROMs.
29 Internet and e-mail training workshops were provided to RMIT staff.
The Library participated in the Materials Availability Survey designed by the Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL). The comments will be useful future planning.
An information bulletin for Business academic staff was produced on a regular basis during 1997.
Links were developed with the International Friendship Network.
Interesting displays have been a feature of Bundoora West Library and proved popular.
Outside activity included participation in Forums and seminars at other Universities in Melbourne.
Links with Disability Groups were established or continued.
Liaison Librarians attended many departmental activities.
The Library participated in a forum at Bundoora East providing information on amenities, including library services for relocating departments.
Visits from outside included the Student Services representative speaking on resumes and applications, and an AGPS Bookshop representative showing current publications.
A sculpture entitled ‘An Ordinary man’ was displayed in the Bundoora Library.
Regular speakers were a feature of Reference meetings.
Liaison Librarians worked with Faculties on course and resource identification.
A copier was installed in the Department of Food Sciences student common room, as part of a collaborative venture with the Department to provide services following the closure of the Emily Macpherson Library.
Enable students, staff and researchers to retrieve relevant information effectively to support current programs and develop their capacity to manage the information requirements of life-long learning.
Orientation tours for first year students were conducted and information skills classes were held throughout the year. Sessions were also held for postgraduate students international students and academics, including some weekend sessions.
Library publications were produced to assist students in self-directed learning.
Information from the Materials Availability Survey was used in planning 1998 orientation activities.
Library staff worked with Mechanical Engineering students and academics in preparation for the move from the city to Bundoora East.
A Flexible Learning Librarian position was created at Bundoora to coordinate and develop a broad range of information skills programs for customers and inhouse training programs for staff, as well services and resources supporting flexible delivery of learning programs.
Extra ‘shadow-shifts’ were introduced to service desk rosters to increase efficiency.
Self-paced learning booklets were developed for a number of subjects and workshops were also offered.
Serials Unit staff received training enabling them to add and amend summary holdings fields in serials catalogue records.
Serials Unit staff amended the Carlton periodicals duplicates holdings to Central Library holdings where necessary.
CD ROMs accompanying periodicals were incorporated into the existing CD ROM Collection.
Cataloguing continued to maintain and enhance the quality of the data in the Advance database. A number of global changes to information within records automatically enhanced the searchability and appearance of data in the public online catalogue. A major project to merge duplicate authority records in the Advance database was commenced. Over 14 000 authority records were either merged or edited manually by cataloguing staff.
There were major changes to sublocation and collection codes in January 1997 to make these codes more user friendly.
Advance software was upgraded to version 6.7.11.
Advance circulation statistics were made available for staff use via the Library's web pages.
Discussions with other Geac users regarding a GeoWeb consortium commenced.
Inservice training sessions for staff occurred through the year.
The Student Services information booth was installed at Bundoora.
The CAUL Materials Availability Survey was conducted across the major library sites.
A stock-take was conducted of the Central Library collections for the first time in over ten years to identify missing items and to note this on the catalogue, thereby reducing the incidence of unsuccessful book retrievals identified through the Materials Availability Survey.
Commit to continuous improvement and quality management processes
BIC acquired an extra photocopier.
Several ‘shadow-shifts’ were introduced to service desk rosters as a means of meeting extra demand.
Reshelving times at BIC were reduced through implementation of 1996 quality process recommendations.
Extra shelving was installed to handle increased numbers of items on Reserve and on Hold.
A summer weeding program was implemented in both Central Library and BIC to keep the collection up-to-date.
A new services desk was opened to support AV at Bundoora.
Staffing of the AV service point at Bundoora was improved with the appointment of an AV technician, and an AV service and Loans Officer.
The AV collection resulting from the relocation of the Coburg collection was integrated.
The audio CD collection was developed along with special display equipment.
An off-air recording service was introduced and AV equipment processing was streamlined at Bundoora.
Guidelines for service provision, staffing, collection development and maintenance were drafted.
Steps for the cross-campus AV booking service were developed.
The Bundoora Copy Shop was planned for, including physical location, time lines, service and staffing requirements, and a new photocopier service was established at Bundoora East.
Staff collaborated with Melbourne Institute of Textiles (MIT) staff to retrospectively convert the collections at the Printing and Textiles Library into machine-readable records. RMIT Library staff also trained MIT staff in Advance.
The Libraries’ holdings for several electronic products were added to the ADVANCE database.
A major revision of the Libraries’ web pages went live in August 1997, in time for the University Open Day. This established unified access to subscribed electronic resources. To coordinate this work in coming years two web project committees were established
Installation of Netscape on public PCs commenced.
Terminals in public and staff areas were replaced and reorganised as part of the amalgamation of Coburg and Bundoora campuses.
Systems maintenance was ongoing. There were some difficulties at Bundoora due to the distance from the city campus, demands on system staff and number of available staff.
New equipment installation and purchase approval was all part of improving Bundoora Library’s access to electronic information.
The new Viewing Room was established with facilities and equipment on level one.
Assets Management Group replaced the worn carpet near the Lending Services Desk with kinetic rubber floor tiles.
The Information Skills Room was designated as a fourth discussion room in busy times.
Telephones were provided and answer phones installed to improve communication and customer services.
The video commander system was moved to the new AV area on level one at Bundoora. Full access was provided from additional rooms. New carrels fitted with viewing facilities improved service provision.
Audio equipment, including additional VHS machines, were acquired.
Over 28 184 new records were loaded into the Advance database in 1997 and 14 868 records in the Advance database were updated with records from the National Bibliographic Database.
A system was developed for CAVAL member libraries to record and monitor outstanding defaulters in the Reciprocal Borrowing scheme. Known as RAMS (Reciprocal Access Management System) the system utilises existing CAVAL library management systems to enable member libraries to quickly record defaulters to a Central database, and to identify borrower status when students attempt to enrol in the Reciprocal Borrowing scheme. The system replaced a paper-based process and dramatically reduced the administration of the scheme.
Build and sustain a reputation for the development of new information products, services and processes by embracing and implementing the opportunities new technologies offer
The following Web Publishing project work was provided:
Establishing Online Networks in VET (ANTA project) http://wwwtafe.lib.rmit.edu.au/onlinet/
VATIL Home Page http://wwwtafe.lib.rmit.edu.au/vatil/
OTFE Communications and Multimedia Unit Home Page http://www.otfe.vic.gov.au/sprd/cmu/index.htm
RMIT Clearinghouse for Teaching and Learning Projects http://wwwtafe.lib.rmit.edu.au/innovate/
MLC Library and Information Centre http://library.mlckew.edu.au/
Department of Business Information Technology Home Page (their page has changed since then)
Department of Business Management http://wwwtafe.lib.rmit.edu.au/bizman/
Open Training Services Home Page (has changed since then) http://wwwtafe.lib.rmit.edu.au/ots/
The Training and Marketing Unit were responsible for assisting in the development and/or updating of the following Online Courses work:
Business Writing Short Course (Writing for the Workplace)
TEM401 - Team Skills
TA 100 Team Skills
Master of Midwifery:NW 302 Antenatal Theory and Practice
Associate Diploma of Social Science (Local Government)—two online modules:
Introduction to Australian Government
Introduction to Research
Targets
Upgrade all public terminals in the Libraries to accommodate a ‘Windows’ operating environment. An extensive stocktake of the Libraries' PC equipment in both staff and public areas enabled a detailed plan for the rolling replacement of PC equipment to be finalised
Implement WORLD 1 information services from the National Library of Australia within the Libraries and on the University’s network. The World 1 service was discontinued by the National Library of Australia and the Libraries continued to rely upon ABN services.
Make the Libraries’ CD-ROM network available in a Windows environment. Solutions were planned and installation commenced for the migration of ERL and non ERL databases.
Make all ERL compatible databases available over the University’s network to both PC and Macintosh users (see 3).
Transfer the Medline database entirely to magnetic storage to enable faster and wider access. The installation of an upgraded server and network infrastructure changes at Bundoora Library allowed better access to Medline databases.
Make Geac Advance Z30.50 compatible and connect it to the WORLD 1 service. Z39.50 server software was installed on Dec Alpha that runs Advance.
Provide in the Bundoora Library an ‘electronic common room’ offering not only access to the Libraries’ services, but personal productivity software and controlled access to approved specialised servers in Faculty/Department computer laboratories. Not funded for implementation.
Redesign and redevelop the RMIT Libraries’ presence on the World Wide Web to improve its usefulness as a means of access to the Libraries’ resources and information about its services.
Develop an Information Technology Management Plan as part of the Libraries’ strategic planning process. A draft plan was commenced aligning Libraries IT developments with University strategic planning documents.
Implement transaction logging on GEAC Advance to prevent data loss and customer dissatisfaction due to hardware or software failure. Not achieved because the associated hardware had to be upgraded in order for the software to be installed.
1997 saw increasing demands upon Library and University network infrastructure access to web-based resources. The link from City Campus to Bundoora could not cope with increased traffic and suffered delays and interruptions to service that caused problems for access to Library resources.
An Electronic Reserve service was designed and developed. This service provides access through the Library's catalogue workstations to a database of digitally stored images of high-use documents, complementing the Library’s high-use print Reserve services. The E-Reserve has a heavy emphasis on examination papers over a three year period, as a need to provide extended access to these documents was identified at the start of the project.
Audio Visual Services increased the range of presentation equipment for library users, including the purchase of Sony Data projector, Sony Doc Cam, Phillips Multimedia TV, and presentation Notebook computer. This was the result of a successful Commonwealth Grant tender.
The Multimedia Interactive CD ROM collection was developed with a wide range of interdisciplinary programs. A server and 9 PCs were installed at the Printing and Textiles Library in Brunswick
A multi-media terminal and data projector, and other products were acquired for individual and group use at Bundoora.
A server and 9 PCs were installed at the Printing and Textiles Library in Brunswick
A paging system was introduced so that technical staff could be contacted in cases of emergency
A revision to the licence tracking software enabling licence agreements with database suppliers to be monitored was implemented.
Support an informed, motivated, flexible and innovative staff, responsive to changes and initiatives in the University and the external environment
Staff attended a variety of staff development programs, including: HTML training, Basic Internet training, ABN training, RMIT Library Induction, Legal Resources on the Internet, What is Curriculum and How is it Developed?, Occupational Health and Safety, Cross Cultural Seminar and Customer Service training. Development and delivery of the RMIT Carlton Library Staff Development day took place.
After training Cataloguing staff commenced using the RLIN database as an additional source of bibliographic records.
The ABN Training unit ran a total of 21 courses during the year with a total of 102 participants. The resulting income was utilised to purchase additional equipment for the section.
Cataloguing staff continued to help train staff from other sections in the use of ADVANCE cataloguing functions. The emphasis was to maintain database standards. Some staff from Collection Management were trained in basic copy cataloguing procedures to help process new materials.
Key staff within the Library assisted in Win95 training of other staff as they received Win95 PCs.
First Aid and emergency evacuation training was attended by a number of staff.
Peter Grof and Yanis Zole both celebrated 20 years’ service at RMIT. In Peter’s case this included service at Phillip IT.
Josephine Mifsud was recipient of the 1997 Thomas H. Woodrow Memorial Trust Award for outstanding achievement in undergraduate studies for a Bachelor of Business Information Management at RMIT.
Staff membership of professional associations
ALIA. Cataloguers Section Victorian Group
Australian Library and Information Association
CAVAL Council
Curriculum Forum
National Working Group of TAFE Library Services
TAFE Acquisitions Group
TAFE Reference Interest Group
VALA
Victorian ABN Users Group
Victorian Association of TAFE Institute Librarians
Manage our resources to maximum effect and actively seek additional sources of income
Successful tender and delivery of the ANTA project which increased library earnings.
Tendered and produced several projects in Web Publishing which increased library earnings.
Purchase of a Digital camera and scanner for use in web publishing work, as well as the purchase of software to improve the Web publishing service of the library.
Total earning for the year were $41 720
New photocopying and card systems contracts were implemented for the period 1997–1999. The Library again increased its fleet of copiers, so that the total number available is now in excess of 70.
A new photocopying card system was introduced, replacing the existing disposable card system. This enabled students to continue to add value to a card account as convenient, and to use this card with any photocopiers and microform reader-printers.
