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Annual reports

Monash Library - Overview 2001

Background

Monash S. A. Library is a branch of the global library system of Monash University. It serves the Schools of Arts, Business and Economics, and Information Technology at Monash University"s Roodepoort Campus. Founded in January 2001, the Monash S A Library was up and running by the time Students and staff were welcomed to the newly established South Africa Campus of Monash University for the inaugural academic year.

'The Library became the sixth of the existing network of Monash Libraries and forms part of the Monash Library IT and administrative structure. We share the same computer infrastructure, online systems and information resources.

A major task for 2001 was the setting up the current facility in newly constructed premises. This meant that apart from organizing collections and making sure that all facilities were fully functional, the building itself had to be safe, well signposted and aesthetically pleasing.

In addition, significant progress was made on various other fronts and new initiatives made in an effort to create and maintain an academic information service that would adequately respond to the requirements of the Monash teaching and research and community programs.

Highlights

Our activities were informed by the need to effectively develop, implement and market a hybrid library model to a truly diverse staff and student user population. Highlights were as follows:

  • Staff and student orientation programs and library instruction classes.
  • Provision of scanned articles for the library"s electronic reserve service.
  • Introduction of an Interlibrary loans service to academic staff having joined the SAIS; the South African Interlending Scheme.
  • Formation of a Library User Committee with representation from all Schools.
  • The inclusion of Monash SA Library holdings in the South African national cataloguing database.
  • The ability to download catalogue records of titles already held by another library using SABICAT & OCLC products.
  • Information needs assessment by means of a user survey.
  • Collection building activities geared to strengthening both print and Online resources; new products on the local and international scene were continually being evaluated and added to the existing collection. This included most of SABINET online databases.
  • The sharing of expertise with Staff in all library Departments at the Clayton Campus, Melbourne.

Facilities

The initial phase of the Library is a facility with:

  • 35 PC workstations with full internet access.
  • 50 reading stations inclusive of 2 discussion rooms ( 6 seats each), 31 study carrels (10 with laptop docking points) and 7 open reading stations.
  • The Voyager library system provides streamlined access to the library catalogue and provides not only item status information to users but also acts as a channel to authentication and authorization to linked online resources.
  • 2 VCR playback sets
  • A photocopier
  • A networked heavy duty printer

Collections

  • Print and multimedia resources (2500 items)
  • Online databases (300 with access to 2000 full text journals)
  • E-reserves
  • Exams database

Services

  • Borrowing
  • Document Delivery & Interlibrary loans
  • Email inquiries
  • Telephone inquiries
  • Online tutorials (Virtual Librarian)
  • Printed guides and publications
  • Tours, classes and workshops
  • Reference and research services

Looking ahead

The Library"s vision in the years ahead will be to:

  • Render value added academic information services to the Monash academic community through the innovative application of information technology.
  • Maintain a client focus through ongoing needs assessments, client surveys and ongoing training for all categories of users.
  • Pursue professional and strategic alliances aimed at optimising resource sharing, maintaining excellence in service and serving community needs.

Need help?
Ask a librarian via email salibrary@lib.monash.edu, or phone +27-11-950-4050