Library committee Report
1995-96
The Chemistry Library continued to serve the information needs of
thousands of users with an array of services including new and
archival journals, monographs, indices, and reference works.
Computer qccess made searching the literature from offices,
dormitories, and even from across the world a common occurrence.
The ever-growing collection meant that the already crowded space
was even more heavily used; space for only 4 carrels remains on the
lower floor, and seating for fewer than 40 is available on the main
floor.
Due to the reduction of carrels, the number of persons counted in
the library fell slightly from FY95.
Patron counts went from a
monthly average of 2,591 in FY95 to 2,508 in FY96. Shelving rose
again in FY96 from 91,088 items shelved in FY95 to 103,404 items
shelved in FY96.
The popular Faculty Copying Service fell in
numbers of requests (708 requests in FY95 to 586 requests in FY96)
and in number of copies made (6,932 in FY95 to 5,007 in FY96). One
reason for this drop may be that more faculty are receiving
tailored bibliographies with full abstracts through the Library's
email Current Contents database, reducing the number of articles
copied due to full bibliographic access with abstracts. Use of the
Chemistry Library's journals was measured from January to March
1996. Results showed an increase in journal use of 35.6% between
1988 and 1996.
Interest income from the Chemistry Library Endowment Fund reached
an all-time high of $19,308.00 in FY96. A total of $16,728.00 was
spent, with the remainder encumbered. This will rollover to FY97,
along with the new monies for the year. A complete list of titles
purchased on this fund is available from the Chemistry Librarian.
Major reference tools ordered this year include Encyclopedia of
Reagents
for
Organic
Synthesis
($1,667.98),
Comprehensive
Organometallic
Chemistry
II
($2,791.42),
Comprehensive
Supramolecular Chemistry ($2,695.00), and Encyclopedia of Nuclear
Magnetic Resonance ($2,800.00). The total Chemistry Library budget
received from the University Library totalled $409,213.00. Due to
an increase of 16% in serials, the Chemistry Library overspent this
budget by nearly $20,000.
It is important to note that no
monographs were purchased using the allotted $409,213.00, and no
monographs or reference series like those cited above, could be
purchased without the Chemistry Library Endowment Fund.
with the availability of additional space in Noyes Laboratory as
research groups vacate to the new Chemistry-Life Sciences complex,
plans are advancing for a greatly expanded and enhanced library.
Not only will the space constraints be relieved, but also
additional computer equipment for access to electronic journals,
databases, and indices will be procured. A program statement is in
preparation, space has been identified, and financing plans are
under discussion.