UNSW Library Options and opportunities

Andrew Wells, University Librarian Future of Libraries USC, LA 5 February 2015

Outline

•  Options for change at UNSW

•  Opportunities arising from change

UNSW and UNSW Library

•  Major research-intensive university

•  Scientific, technical, professional, medical strengths

•  50,00 students; 5,300 staff

•  Library has 140 staff; budget ca $35 m

•  Significant structural change over last decade

2003 structure

Scenario planning

•  Identified three options for 2007/8 – Status quo

o No support (until you change things) – Digital

o Not for 2007 – moving this way now –  ‘Learning Village’

o Embrace shift to digital o Reuse space taken up by print collections o Embed Library in research and teaching plans

New structure

•  Abolished special libraries

•  No ‘front-room/back-room’; team work and integration encouraged

•  No technical services department; no ‘reference’ department

•  Structure reflects importance of digital information and online services

Space changes

•  Have been well received •  2.5 m visits to libraries in 2013

Opportunities

•  Rethink traditional services •  Stop doing things or do them differently •  Release resources to do new things •  Get out more •  Redefine Library role in research support

No service desks

•  Help Zone

•  Learn from customer service models in other places

•  Implemented quickly

•  Does not function all hours library is open

Self-help

•  Self-help suits online environment

•  90% of borrowing is self-help

•  RightNow software installed 2013

•  Knowledge Base develops in response to client needs

•  With 50,000 students, we have to enable self-sufficiency

Stop doing things or do them differently

•  No information literacy classes – all students must complete online tutorial and quiz called ELISE (Enabling Library and Information Skills for Everyone). Cannot re-enrol unless passed

•  No EndNote classes – this became an industry. Provide online self-help

•  Outsource ‘traditional’ technical services – eg, print processing

Release resources for new things and new ways •  Develop new services

– Research impact – Research data management – Library leading

Research Data Management Plan – Research publications management – Library

implemented Symplectic Elements in 2013 – Direct support for academic staff and higher degree

research students