Monday, September 28, 2009

SUMMARY OF LIBRARY USAGE SURVEY 2009

Earlier this summer we conducted a survey into the usage of the JAC Library. Questionnaires were issued to staff in the two Science Divisions and the SCS Division. A total of 15 responses were received (45% of the staff surveyed) and the following is a summary of the key findings and actions arising from the responses.

The library has six regular users (more than 10 times a year) and another 8 occasional users. Unsurprisingly, most usage is associated with the use of books (as opposed to magazines and journals). There was an almost equal split between staff working from books in the library and those signing them out. Most respondents indicated that they rarely (less than 5 times a year) use the hard copy journals, preferring instead to access the on-line copies. At present, however, there are no financial savings to be had by moving to on-line access only.

The hard copies of the magazines in the library are used infrequently albeit almost all of the respondents indicated that they had referred to them at least once during the previous twelve months.

Responses were very positive about the ease of booking material in and out of the library and the majority of respondents (10/15) stated that they either Always or Nearly Always found what they were looking for. A small number of respondents (4) did not know that there was a website which includes a catalogue of the library holdings.

Suggestions for improvements to the library included online access to a wider range of journals (including technical journals), a broader range of books (including training/management material), a newer photocopier, and a quieter de-humidifier!

The survey confirmed that the library is seen as a good resource and that it is well-ordered and managed. Expenditure on the library is between $10-15K a year (the majority being spent on subscriptions to journals and magazines). The Library is a shared resource with Gemini.

The Library Committee will be looking at expanding the range of material that is available and updates on new publications will be announced to staff. In addition, we are in the process of setting up a stand-alone training facility in the library. This will comprise a computer workstation which will offer a menu of training courses on subjects such as Diversity in the Workplace; Hiring Techniques; Employment law Advice for Supervisors; and Appraisal Training. It is hoped to have this in place in October 2009 and to expand the range of material available over the coming years.

Unfortunately, the de-humidifier will remain for the foreseeable future but it can be turned off when you are working in the library, but please remember to turn it back on again!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

library committee minutes are now on the web

Hello everyone,

Please note that the Library Committee Minutes are now on the JAC's website.
To view the minutes, you will want to logon to:

http://wiki.jach.hawaii.edu/staff_wiki-bin/wiki/Library

At the prompt, type in the username and password that will allow you access to the JAC's "private" web pages, then click on the number of the Library Meeting Minutes of which you would like to view.

If you have any questions or problems viewing the minutes, please contact myself or Dave Fuselier.

Thank you,
Anna

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Reminders regarding library usage

Hello everyone,

Please be reminded of the following guidelines regarding library usage:

If you would like to familiarize yourself with books that are available via the JAC or Gemini libraries, please log-on to:

http://www.gemini.edu/library/

If you would like to search the catalog of books that are available in the libraries, this may be done via the "search engine" located at the top of the webpage.

If you would like to borrow a book from the JAC library, an electronic signout system has been established.

To borrow a JAC-owned book, please complete the e-signout form that is on the laptop computer located to the side of the copier machine in the library. A notice will be sent to Anna Lucas and Xiaoyu Zhang, (the Gemini/JAC librarian), indicating that a book has been signed out. (You will receive a copy of the message as well).

When use of the book is no longer required, please remember to return to the book directly to Anna Lucas at the JAC so that your name is removed from the "borrowed" list.

If you return the book directly to the library and do not notify Anna of its return, your name will remain against the borrowed book on the JAC's records and you will be responsible for the book should it need to be replaced.

Likewise, if a member of staff wishes to borrow a book from you without having the book recorded as "returned", please notify Anna, either by e-mail via a.lucas@jach.hawaii.edu or by telephone at 969-6508, otherwise you will remain responsible for the book should it go missing.

Also, please note that the Gemini library is open to use by the JAC staff.
However, Gemini has a different sign-out system. As a result, please contact Xioayu Zhang either by e-mail via xzhang@gemini.edu or by telephone at 974-2617, should you wish to browse their collection or borrow a book from their facility.

With regard to journals, both libraries have a collection of various journals in addition to shared journals. You may access major astronomical journals online via the library web site. The printed versions may be found at the JAC library. Should you need an article that is outside our subscriptions, please contact Xiaoyu or Anna for assistance.

Please note, also, that both Xiaoyu and Anna are part-time workers. While they both work from Monday - Friday each week, their office hours are as follows:

Xiaoyu 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Anna 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

As a result, please make every effort to give them as much notice as possible if you might require their assistance in any way.

Thank you very much for using our library resources and for your cooperation in following the above guidelines.

Aloha,
Anna Lucas and Xiaoyu Zhang

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Welcome to the library Blog

Aloha,

This is the blog for Gemini/JAC library where you may find library news and new additions to the library collections.