Individual Article:
The Library completes Northwestern's Program Review
In 2004-05, University Library, Galter Health Sciences Library, and the Pritzker Legal Research Center participated in Northwestern’s Program Review process. Seven issues were identified by University Library and addressed in its self study. These included the need for collection expansion; fundraising; planning for digitizing collections; expansion of the information technology infrastructure; user expectations; organizational change; and space planning.
The investigation of these topics has already resulted in significant progress on many fronts. Even before the process was complete, Facilities Management began an extensive redesign and remodel of the Main Library's Plaza entrance in order to address water leakage through the ceilings below. This multimillion dollar project is scheduled to be completed this fall. Facilities Management has also made recarpeting the towers of the Main Library a top priority. The recarpeting has begun and will proceed throughout fall quarter. With support from the Provost’s office, the Library has completed the first floor remodel of the Information Commons, Circulation, Interlibrary Loan, and the New Book Alcove.
In the area of collection expansion, Provost Larry Dumas allocated an additional $100,000 of recurring funds for nanotechnology, one of the Library's targeted areas of expansion. The Library Board of Governors has also selected the Theatre Collection as its focus for fundraising in the 2005-06 academic year.
In other areas, the Library has purchased a Kirtas book scanner, a robotic digitization tool that automatically scans books into digital form. To address the topic of user expectations, the Library will implement LibQual, a nationally developed survey that will help explore patron perceptions of the Library's services, technology, and facilities.
Lori Arp