UNIVERITY OF FORT HARE LIBRARY
IMPROVEMENT PLAN 8
Mission
The purpose of the University library is
· To provide the University community with access to quality information services and resources in a variety of formats and delivery systems that support the teaching, learning research and service the mission of the University of Fort Hare and
· To Foster the skills which are necessary for independent lifelong learning.
· Thereby contributing to the social, cultural, intellectual and economic development of South Africa.
Vision
The Library Services will be integrated to the teaching, learning and research activities of the University
To support excellence, the Library Services:
· Place emphasis on freedom of enquiry
· The staff will have a strong user focus, emphasizing fairness and respect in dealing with all our users (Students, Staff and Members of the Community)
· Staff will be committed to the integral nature of the Library Services with what is taught at the University
· The library will have highly trained staff to provide these services
· The operations of Library services will be driven by the principles of quality, documentation, measurement, benchmarking, constant improvement and innovation.
Values
In providing Information services, the library will adhere to the University of Fort Hare’s values of fairness, openness, honesty, trust and respect. In addition, the library is committed to the principle of affirmative action, equal opportunity and access to the provision of Information Services. In supporting the teaching, learning and research of the University, the library needs to continue to invest in electronic services.
· We will continue to develop the Information Literacy programme, incorporating it into the curriculum as much as possible.
· We will provide assistance to clients in ways that will increase client satisfaction with our services, face-to-face, e-mail, focus groups, and online – the production of self help aides in both print and electronic format.
· Protecting intellectual freedom
· Privacy and confidentiality rights will be protected
· Providing an environment conducive to learning
· Promoting information competence
· We will ensure library staff are adequately trained to operate in this environment
· We will encourage and provide our staff with the means to increase their knowledge – Library Study policy
Objectives
· To ensure that when students exit with a University of Fort Hare qualification, they are Library literate.
· To computerize Library operations and services by optimizing information access through local and national Internet connectivity.
· To develop Library Infrastructure on the three campuses in order to provide equitable services
· To develop a responsive collection that is sufficiently comprehensive and representative of what is taught at the university
· To remain committed to Staff Development
· To train and continue training our users
THE THREE MAJOR IMPROVEMENT AREAS
1. COLLECTION BUILDING
Books
Since the HEQC audit in April 2008 the library has added 12448 new books to improve on the existing collection and support the programmes being offered here at UFH.
Databases
The Library has purchased 18 database since 2008 April (HEQC audit) see below for more detail
Electronic Books
Safari Online (Included Management,Computer Science e-books)
CRC Netbase Agriculture E-books
2. INFRASTRUCTURE
The Vice Chancellor will pursue the funding of the new Library as part of the Centenary plan.
Proposed New Alice Library
This proposal is for a R 93 761 498 new Library building for the Alice campus.
Core elements of this proposal include:
· Inclusion of a “knowledge commons” area for both undergraduates and postgraduates
· Installation of climate control
· Installation of lifts to ensure full disabled access, and other disability conveniences
· Installation of high-density shelving systems on lower floors
· Extended floor area
· 24-hour access to electronic information, on and off campus
· Adequate computer laboratories, including training laboratories, for ease of access to digital information, and to fulfill the Library’s aim of information literacy for all students
· Group study areas as well as independent study spaces are necessary as part of the expectations of the new generation students
· Network connectivity for personal laptop computers available
· 24-hour study facility that can be sealed off from the main Library after hours
These modifications and additions would result in an increase of some 30% actual floor space, while the changes in functionality would raise the Library’s operations out of the mid-20th century and place them well within the 21st century. Initial estimates have been prepared by Geoff de Wet of UCT (an architect who specializes in Library design).
PROPOSED NEW EAST LONDON LIBRARY
This proposal is for a R 130 000 000 new Library building for the East London campus.
The core elements of this proposal include:
· A “knowledge commons” area for both undergraduates and postgraduates
· Installation of climate control
· Installation of lifts to ensure full disabled access, and other disability conveniences
· Installation of high-density shelving systems on lower floors
· Adequate seating accommodation
· 24-hour access to electronic information, on and off campus
· Adequate computer laboratories, including training laboratories, for ease of access to digital information, and to fulfill the Library’s aim of information literacy for all students
· Group study areas as well as independent study spaces are necessary as part of the expectations of the new generation students
· Network connectivity for personal laptop computers available
· 24-hour study facility that can be sealed off from the main Library after hours
The current East London Library has grown rapidly over the last 10 years in response to patron needs. However, it has now reached a stage where it is inadequate in every infrastructural respect, and only a new building, designed for current and future needs, will alleviate the situation.
CURRENT IMPROVEMENTS AND ONGOING PLANS FOR THE LIBRARY
EAST LONDON
The “Barn” was constructed on the East London campus. This expansion provided more reading space for the library on the East London campus and provided more seating space for student. As a result of this the library is in the process of putting additional shelves in the library which will allow the incorporation of Nursing Science books.
EAST LONDON
· October 2011 – fitted a 36000 BTU midwall Air Conditioner in the ANDREW MELLON COMPUTER LAB
· October 2011 – fitted a 36000 BTU midwall Air Conditioner in the EAST LONDON LIBRARY COMPUTER LAB
· 15 seated NOTEBOOK COMPUTER LAB
· WIFI CONNECTIVITY (X2 WIFI AP’s)
ALICE
INFORMATION SERVICES -:
· January 2008 – merged all Information Librarians offices into a common area a ground floor – need for Reference Services needed to be addressed. So therefore offices were moved from 1st and 2nd floor to the ground floor.
MAINDESK (LENDING SERVICES) -:
· June 2010 - merging of SHORT LOAN and MAINDESK – to allow for a better / faster service
DISCUSSION ROOM -:
· December 2009 – changed a 6m X 12m space to– DISCUSSION ROOM next to old Short Loan
- fitted – 15 tables
- October 2010 - fitted 16 power plugs for notebook / data projector use
- October 2010 – fitted 48000 BTU under ceiling Air Conditioner in the DISCUSSION ROOM
- January 2011 – Re-upholster 63 office chairs with black cloth in the DISCUSSION ROOM
QUITE STUDY ROOM -:
· June 2008 – changed a 6m X 24m space to a – QUITE STUDY ROOM
- June 2008 – fitted new carpets in this area
- October 2008 – fitted x2 48000 BTU under ceiling Air Conditioners in the QUITE STUDY ROOM
- November 2008 – fitted “Window Blinds” in this room – to cover complete room
- Seats 85 students
NOTEBOOK / LAPTOP AREA -:
· July 2010 – changed a 6m X 12m space to a – NOTEBOOK AREA
· fitted 7 tables and 10 cubicles for notebook / laptop use
· fitted 34 new power plugs for notebook / laptop use
PRINTING AND PHOTOCOPY AREA (XEROX) -:
· July 2010 – changed a 6m X 12m space (old SLC) – PRINTING AND PHOTOCOPY AREA
· fitted 2 XEROX printers
· fitted 6 XEROX copiers
· fitted 15 new network points
· fitted 22 power plugs
NETWORK SWITCHES -:
· June 2009 – fitted additional X 24 port network switches to allow more connectivity in the Library
OPAC WORKSTATION AREA -:
· June 2009 – fitted x10 new “thin clients” as OPAC terminals in the old Short Loan area.
ELECTRONIC NOTICE BOARD -:
· October 2010 – fitted a PolyComp electronic notice board behind the front desk .
LIBRARY INTERCOM / PA SYSTEM -:
· August 2010 – fitted a Audio Sure PA System with 60 wall mounted speakers on all floors of the Library including the ENGEN COMPUTER LAB. A very important system for communicating with Library clients during an emergency.
NEWSPAPER READING AREA -:
· June 2010 – upholstered and fitted 8 seat lounge suite and coffee table
PERIODICALS READING AREA -:
· June 2010 – upholstered and fitted a 8 seat lounge suite and 2 coffee tables
RECEPTION AREA
· June 2010 - upholstered and fitted 7 seat lounge suite and two coffee tables
HOWARD PIM LIBRARY -:
· June 2010 – fitted a 5 seat lounge suite
· February 2011 – fitted a XEROX photo copier
LIBRARY SIGNAGE -:
· fitted 60 informational and directional signs (ranging from areas, sections, warnings, directions)
Howard Pim Africana Library – New Postgraduate Research Commons.
The Howard Pim Africana Library has recently received a facelift in order to provide improved facilities and services for the University’s postgraduate students. A new carpet has been laid, additional reading areas have been made available, and comfortable lounge chairs provided for those who wish merely to read in a scholarly and comfortable atmosphere. In addition, since the move of the Liberation Archives to NAHECS last year, additional shelf space has been freed up and the collection has been spread out over the additional shelves. This now presents a collection that is no longer congested and claustrophobic.
The Library has additional plans in order to make it more attractive to postgraduate students. In line with the other university libraries in South Africa, the University of Fort Hare Library plans to convert a portion of the available floor space into a Knowledge Commons study area. Such an area will enable students to study, and do research using the integrated scholarly resources that are available online. Here, students will, initially, be able to use their own laptop computers through the Library’s wireless connection. To this end, the Library has requested quotes from reputable suppliers for the supply of a student carousel study table. This is a large hexagon-shaped table with separate partitions that provide private study areas for six students, and is a significant improvement over the existing study areas.
Although the Howard Pim Africana Library maintains a reasonably cool air temperature, particularly during the summer months, electric fans will soon be installed that will provide additional cooling and air circulation. The Library also plans to install wooden shelf ends that will improve significantly the appearance of the steel book shelving.
3. CUSTOMER CARE
The functioning environment for university libraries is experiencing important changes with the proliferation of electronic media and information sources. There is an increasing array of applications for knowledge and information resources and university libraries need to be one step ahead.
The scope of these changes requires libraries to vigorously examine their present and future roles and services, the strategies for delivering their programmes and the basis upon which they interact with and support the needs of students and academics within the institution.
Information librarian’s section forms an integral part of the Library and as such support the functions and service of the library
As part of the Library’ improve plans and to copy best practices from other r University Libraries. The Library decided to focus on the concept “convenience for the customer” in 2011. The rational for the “motto” is to stretch our services and make it “customer convenience driven.”
Liaison Programme / How/ Where“Marketing of databases Walk the Talk” / Staff Centre
Database training / Postgraduate Hostel
Database training / Student Centre
Outreach to academics / Training for your convenience.
Information Literacy / Endeavor to Integrate IL in all programmes
Web technology / Librarians designs Blogs , Wiki’s to exchange ideas and inform costumers about library products and invite them for training. Social Networks like twitter to explore
Below are some products / databases the Library purchased since 2008 (18 new database have been purchased)
Oxford Journals
CABI : (2011-present) supplied by Thompson Reuters
Science Online and Science Classic
Quantec EasyData
Project Muse
HeinOnline
Communication Mass Media (EBSCO)
Econlit (EBSCO)
Sport Discuss (EBSCO)
Incites
“InCites is a customized, citation-based research evaluation tool on the Web that lets academic and government administrators
conduct analyses on their productivity and benchmark their output against peers worldwide.”
CRC Netbase Agriculture E-books
1
UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE LIBRARY IMPROVEMENT PLAN