I. CAMPUS INITIATIVES:
Install a comprehensive, integrated telecommunication system and campus computer network system that will enable students to learn how to work competently with modern information technology tools and empower faculty and staff to work more effectively in the learning process. Develop a proactive strategic plan anticipating future needs to avoid future problems.
Provide and maintain a high level of Internet connectivity to access information resources needed by faculty and students.
Develop a computerized campus infrastructure to include electronic forms and services.
Provide voice mail for all faculty and offices on campus.
Determine the level of support expected of the Library for graduate programs and faculty research.
Implement the use of a campus-wide university ID card system (smart card) to more effectively and efficiently manage academic and non-academic activities, i.e. vending, photocopying, event access, Library, Bookstore. Remove the ID function from the Library.
Ensure that all levels of staff are fairly compensated. Upgrade the pay scale for underpaid staff, including part-time staff.
II. LIBRARY/MEDIA SERVICES INITIATIVES:
Services
Assess the needs and satisfaction level of library and media services users through surveys, focus groups and other evaluation methods.
Upgrade public service points in the Library through:
increasing English language skills.
developing more user friendly policies.
establishing high profile areas for obtaining assistance.
promoting a stronger service attitude among Library staff and faculty.
Provide an efficient system for centralized printing which will compensate for some of the expenses generated from the printing of full-text and other computer resources.
Provide a debit card ID system for the Library functions such as self-service photocopying, centralized printing, etc.
Identify the information needs of faculty and students participating in distance education and develop a means of delivering resources to meet these needs.
Allocate and reallocate funds to support hardware and software upgrades in order to provide and support additional information services.
Develop the role of Media Services in the direction of instructional development, promoting and supporting the use of contemporary classroom technology.
Expand the instructional role in the use of media equipment, resources and services.
Institute the automated media materials booking module
Provide overnight checkout of non-instructional videos to students.
Provide video viewing in the Main Library.
Collections
Evaluate and continue upgrading the Library and Media Services collections to meet curricular and research needs. De-select inappropriate materials from both collections.
Revitalize library collections through the integration of print and digital resources to maintain the quality of our students' learning experience and the capacity for quality research.
Increase library liaison work with academic departments to define, develop and enhance library and media collections for existing as well as new programs.
Increase the use of approval plans to ensure more rapid acquisitions of materials.
Provide access to all Arabic language materials in the IBIS catalog.
Identify the inflationary costs for library materials and advocate that future library budget proposals cover such inflationary increases.
Expand and develop media materials to better support the instructional and research programs on campus.
Develop a policy for the use of media collections and services.
Catalog all media materials in the IBIS catalog to be available campus wide.
Establish a high profile special archival research collection (closed, non-circulating for the preservation of materials) published in English or Arabic on Egypt, and the most important publications on the Middle East. This collection will become a major strength of our Library and a center for fund raising activities. If Middle East Studies is upgraded at the University, this research collection would likely attract more international students and researchers.
Develop a Government Publications Collection to provide access and reference services for selected Egyptian, United States, and United Nations government publications.
Develop a Map Collection in the Main Library.
Analyze the serials collection and electronic services to eliminate duplication and reduce the dependence on paper subscriptions.
Establish a program of periodical microfiche subscriptions for the archival retention of selective non-electronic periodicals.
Upgrade the microfiche/film area with more and better (heavy duty) equipment, and improve service.
Expand and raise the profile of University Archives and further develop the archival program on campus.
Expand support of special student programs such as the Model United Nations, Model Arab League, etc.
Electronic Access
Expand access to electronic journals and other resources through the Internet, and educate patrons in the use and evaluation of Internet resources. Integrate the new electronic services into the curriculum.
Provide access to database services to faculty and students through the campus network.
Increase the number of primary indexes and abstracts in electronic format for the major subject areas at AUC.
Provide electronic access through IBIS to the Egypt Articles Index.
Expand the Library LAN to all computers in the Library.
Establish a budget strategy for library funding in the electronic environment.
As technology changes, maintain currency of computer equipment, wiring, maintenance, and printing supplies to provide the high level of electronic resources needed by students and faculty.
Preservation and Security
Secure the Main Library's collections through the installation of a comprehensive materials security system. Improve security in RBSCL through re-keying and the installation of a closed circuit TV system.
Develop a disaster preparedness plan - essential for the salvage and restoration of the Library's collections.
Expand the in-house conservation repair program to better serve the entire library system.
Improve climate control in the RBSCL.
Improve the preservation of library collections through:
purchase of self-service, edge, and large surface photocopiers
education of users for preservation
providing microfiche for back-runs of serials
Digitize unique archival materials including the Hassan Fathy Archives Collection, the Creswell Collection, and the images in the RBSCL.
Resource Sharing Provide fast and efficient, and encompassing document delivery system .Purchase an Interlibrary Loans/Document Delivery module (Innovate, RLIN, or OCLC)Provide students and faculty with the ability to send ILL/Document Delivery requests to the Library over the Internet .Expand resource sharing arrangements with other libraries, nationally and internationally .Develop consortium agreements and networking with other information providers/libraries in Egypt, the Middle East, and Africa.
Information Literacy
Expand course-integrated and program-specific library instruction to additional areas and levels of curriculum in cooperation with academic faculty. Expand life-long learning opportunities of students to meet the accelerating rate of technological change. Instruct students and faculty in the use and evaluation of electronically accessible information resources to support their research. Integrate the new electronic services into the curriculum, through a partnership of teaching faculty and librarians. Develop a preservation awareness program for staff and users.
Staffing
Reallocate and strengthen staffing resources to reflect the changing priorities of the Library and Media Services Center.
Train and re-train staff to meet their changing job requirements, i.e. the challenges of the evolving learning and information technologies.
Provide all Library and Media Services staff with ongoing support and technical assistance in using information technologies
Evaluate and develop a more appropriate support staff structure to better reflect staff work responsibilities in the Library.
Hire necessary professional librarians to meet the needs of the Library, i.e. librarian/bibliographer with expertise to support business, economics, and mass communications; electronic/digital reference librarian, public relations librarian.
Appoint a professionally trained full-time faculty assistant director responsible for the Media Services Center.
Encourage the professional growth and currency of knowledge of Library faculty.
Public Relations/Fund Raising
Develop the Library's image through the excellence of its services and effective interaction with Library users.
Cooperate with the University marketing/publicity efforts in order to highlight the distinctive qualities of the Library.
Strengthen Library resources and services by working with Development and Sponsored Programs to raise funds and pursue grant support opportunities.
Establish a Friends of the Library group to create more interest in the Library and to aid in fund raising activities.
Publicize the facilities of the Media Services Center on campus.
Improve and expand Library exhibits.
Increase the involvement of students in library activities.
Facilities
Complete the reorganization of Library facilities relative to the addition of the 4th floor, and monitor weight and structure relative to this floor.
Provide compact shelving for the periodical collection.
Gain added collection space by reallocating functions in the Rare Books and Special Collection Library
Expand or move the area housing the University Archives
Plan for the library facilities and services needed on the new campus, and for programs available on the present campus during and after the move.
Plan for the Media Services Center facilities and services needed on the new campus, and that classrooms are adequately equipped for the electronic environment.
Institute facilities, devices and services for users with disabilities.
Work with University planning for the inclusion of the Library as a high priority in the next phase of the campus master plan.
February 14, 1998/Initiatives