Major Changes Implemented
A new organizational structure, as recommended by the Services Task Force, was in place by the start of the academic year.
The functions, activities and staff associated with reference, instruction, and collection management were transformed into Three Discipline-Based Teams – Arts & Humanities, Social Science & Allied Professions, and Science & Technology. This matrix organization enabled the Libraries to provide service to users with a renewed emphasis on quality. In addition, the reorganization that created the team structure fostered both collaboration and innovation in reaching out to the academic units and programs on campus.
During the year, the subject teams met a number of challenges successfully. For example, the Social Sciences & Allied Professions team designed a multi-faceted information literacy program for the Civicus Living-Learning program of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. The Arts & Humanities team initiated a close working relationship with the Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities. The Science & Technology team took the lead as the Libraries joined the Agriculture Network Information Center (AgNIC) alliance with the responsibility of providing biotechnology information and reference services.
Service Models:
In addition to the three discipline-based teams, new service models were put into place as the remaining operations of the undergraduate library at Hornbake Library were merged into services at McKeldin Library. A single Reserves unit serving all users became operational in September and the Service Plus Information and Research Center was established in McKeldin Library, offering a variety of services to aid users, including both information and reference assistance, as well as in-depth consultation.
The Transformation of Hornbake Library:
Phase I of the Hornbake renovation project was completed by year's end – the retrofitting and upgrading of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. The will provide environmental controls and standards conducive for the special collections formats to be housed in the library. Phase II was launched during the year with the hiring of architectural and engineering firms to begin planning the design and construction work for the first and second floors. At year's end, the design planning had been completed.
© 2001 University of Maryland Libraries
Last Revised: 01/24/01