Laupus Health Sciences Library
Response to March 30, 2012 PPC Scenario #2.9
4/10/12
The Scenario proposed by the PPC in its March 30 document to “Adjust
operations at the HSL (Laupus) and ULS (Joyner) to reduce duplication and
improve efficiencies” can enable further collaboration and cooperation between
Laupus and Joyner Libraries producing the desired outcomes related to
operational efficiencies and reduced duplication.
However the budget reductions in the Scenario would negatively impact
Laupus Library’s operating budget that has suffered significant reductions over
the past several years.
We currently have a health sciences library with dedicated, health sciences
librarian leadership that is well integrated with the Division it serves by
supporting:
 The Education mission
With a SODM ramping up into their 2nd year of operation
The Increasing classes size at BSOM
The Growing educational programs at CAHS and CON
 The Clinical enterprise
Including Clinical ECU services
Clinical education
Vidant Health and its 10 locations in our region
Health care providers and ECU Clinical preceptors throughout the 23
counties of eastern NC through our EAHEC Library Services and Outreach Program
 Finally, support for the Research initiatives and external funding programs
of the DHS, which are important to the Division and ECU
Reporting Structure
Currently Laupus Health Sciences Library is well positioned, well managed.
We deliver good service, maintain quality collections, and manage very good
library space.
The library’s director reports to VC Health Sciences. This is generally an
appropriate and accepted reporting structure.
The library administration is integrated in the DHS – which facilitates
communication, exchange of ideas among colleges and units, allows the library to
be a pro-active and a vibrant partner in our dynamic health sciences educational
and clinical landscape.
The library management team responsibly manages the library’s budget –
enabling us to plan and respond effectively to needs of faculty, students,
researchers, and clinicians
We maintain a quality staff. Our librarians have expertise in health sciences, many
extensive training, experience and advanced certifications. We have a staff that is
technically adept with a strong service orientation.
Budget
Laupus Library has suffered personnel cuts over the past 4 years that have
amounted to about 10% our total faculty and staff.
We have had to work smarter. We’ve redesigned positions, when possible, and
revised work flows to look to the future and accommodate smaller staffs. Again,
seeking to increase efficiency.
Our base budget has been effectively reduced from $4.2m in 2008 to $3.6m in FY
2012
This has occurred while the costs of library resources have increased, on an
average, over 4.4% each year.
The cuts proposed in Scenario #2 will further erode the resources, services and
staff that are necessary to move the library forward. These cuts will cripple our
ability to maintain our levels of collections and services required by our users,
their education, and clinical programs.
Collaboration for efficiencies
We collaborate with Joyner Library and are fortunate to enjoy a good productive
relationship. This is both formal and informal; Committees, Task forces, Project
work groups. We have good communication between the libraries that has
served both libraries and our user communities well.
There are specialty areas and technical areas where technology has opened up
opportunities for greater consolidation and efficiency. Laupus and Joyner can
look at these areas where efficiencies may be realized.
Examples: e-resources assessment –have led to cuts for journals and
databases; digitization program –one university library program at Joyner only
this program serves both libraries well; Institutional Repository – one initiative
supporting both campuses, Can look for further efficiencies: special collections
area, technical services, administrative support.
A merger would severely threaten an effective management structure that works
well.
A changed reporting structure, a merging of the libraries, would be disruptive and
could diminish the specialized focus and the strengths that support the health
sciences library’s services, staff, and resources. Any cost savings would most
likely not be realized for years to come. Cost savings would need to be weighed
against damage to program, effective service, quality resources that support the
university’s mission and initiatives.
Laupus and Joyner Libraries have been, and can be dedicated to, working
together to examine our operations and collections to reduce duplication and
increase the efficiencies while providing professional library services to our
communities on the Core and Health Sciences Campuses.
Recommend
On behalf of Dr. Spencer, director, and Laupus Library, we recommend that the
PPC retain its Mar. 30 statement in Scenario #2. 9) , “Adjust operations at the HSL
(Laupus) and ULS (Joyner) to reduce duplication and improve efficiencies.”
Thank you.
Susan N. Simpson, MLS AHIP
Associate Director