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The Director's Report

New Full-text Database Resources

Interlibrary Loan News

Linkout from PubMed

PDA Update

ISIHighlyCited.com

Web Watcher

New Books

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The Director's Report

by Ralph Arcari, PhD, MLS - Library Director

Renovation planning for the library is well underway. The architectural firm of DuBose Associates, Inc., Hartford, Connecticut, has been working with staff of the Library and has met with focus groups composed of UCHC faculty and students. DuBose Associates planned the new library for Eastern Connecticut State University which became a centerpiece for that campus.

The draft floor plans are on display adjacent to the Information Services Desk. Your comments may be sent to libarchitects@uchc.edu or may be placed in the library suggestion box.

The proposed plans include:

· A new entrance directly opposite the bottom of the circular stairs from the academic lobby.

· A single point of service Information and Circulation Desk. · A 24 hour study room.

· A soft seating reading area in the location now occupied by the AV stacks

· Additional group study and conference rooms.

· Relocation of the History of Medicine Room to the top of the circular stairway inside the library.

· A room equipped with computer workstations to access e-mail.

· Additional furniture: couches and soft chairs.

· An information kiosk

· Bathrooms.

Unless State funding becomes elusive, renovation of the Lyman Maynard Stowe Library should be completed a year from now. By the time the next issue of this newsletter is published, we may be able to report that renovation is underway. It will be noisy and disruptive for a time but the end result will be an improved library facility for study and research.

The Library is participating in LibQual+, a user survey developed through the Association of Research Libraries. This survey attempts to compare and contrast library user expectations with what the user perceives he or she actually receives in using the library. The survey instrument was sent by e-mail at noon on March 25, 2002 to UCHC faculty, students and staff. 335 people completed the survey. Survey results will be published in future issues of this newsletter.

Four laptop computers are available for use within the Library from the Circulation Desk. These laptops can be used at Library carrels which are equipped with Internet connectivity. The laptops are borrowed through a UCHC Library card, i.e., your UCHC ID to which a library barcode has been affixed based on your application for a card. Applications can be submitted either in person or online.

The renovation, user survey, and availability of laptops are all part of the Library's primary mission which is service to our community.