Rumors to the Contrary, Library Use Increases!

University President Leo J. O'Donovan, S. J., Margie Petzold and son William Petzold on the occasion of the establishment of the Thomas T. Petzold Endowed Fund for Catholic Studies

As you know, the Lauinger Library has undergone a major renovation and deferred maintenance project. There is unanimous praise for the appearance of the building, and the new online catalog that is described elsewhere in this issue. A surprise to us has been the sharp increase in library use--it seems that when students and faculty are provided with a more attractive environment and more effective tools, they use the library more. We cannot discern any major shifts in curriculum, or in the contents of the library (with some exceptions that I'll mention below), but we have "built " a newer-looking library, and it is a more pleasant and comfortable place to study.

The Lauinger Library was already, we believe, the most heavily used building on the Main Campus. Last year, in fiscal year 1993, almost one million people came into the building. Library services was disrupted during the summer for the renovation, and the building was closed entirely for two weeks in August to allow us to reoccupy the renovated space. During the fall semester, we have been gathering both numbers and impressions about the amazing differences in patterns of use in the library.

In September, the Reference Department answered about 10,000 reference questions. This was an increase of 72 percent over September 1992. Also in the reference area, the Blommer Information Center workstations are almost always completely occupied, and it is not uncommon to see at least 15 of the 28 GEORGE terminals in use. The photocopiers, now conveniently clustered together, are also in constant use.

Elsewhere in the building, changes are apparent. The Government Documents/Microforms Department circulated 70 percent more items in September than in the previous September. The Geographical Information System (GIS) in that department is gradually becoming known and used by students, faculty and researchers. Within the past few months, information about the major microform sets that we own has been incorporated into GEORGE, with the result that microfilm and microfiche use has increased.

Two Lexis-Nexis terminals became available in October, allowing library users to search vast numbers of full-text data bases in a wide variety of fields, including several of the nation's major newspapers. Users must sign up for half-hour time slots, and the schedule is always packed full.

Why do the mere splash of paint and construction of a few walls create this intense increase in the numbers of people, of keystrokes, of questions and answers? Part of the reason is the greatly improved appearance of the building, without doubt. Build a more attractive space in which to study, learn and do research, and it will be more heavily used.

That is not, however, the only answer. WIth the kind of information that students are required to use in the 1990s, the provision of bibliographic, graphic, and full text is increasingly important to their academic success. The library is acquiring more electronic materials than ever--in large part because much is being made available only in electronic form. Books--print on paper--are also being published at ever greater rates (see the article about the Library Advisory Council panel in this issue), so there is a need to keep up with book collecting and access, just as we must provide access to new electronic information.

Joe Jeffs, in his 30 years as university librarian, built a strong collection and an excellent building. It is a pleasure to extend his vision of the library, and to meet the challenges of the information age by providing ever improved collections, access to information, and a functional and pleasant space for students and faculty. If you have not yet visited Lauinger this year, please do so. We'd love to give you a tour!

Sue Martin