From the University Librarian:

The First Year in Retrospect

Dr. Susan K. Martin, former University Librarian; Jacques Gelardin B'69; President John J. DeGioia; and University Librarian Artemis G. Kirk at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the Gelardin New Media Center

As we come to the close of my first academic year at Georgetown, I'd like to bring you up to date on some of our work this past year. The energetic and excellent efforts of the Library staff have resulted in a number of accomplishments:

Innovations:

The Gelardin New Media Center, which houses state-of-the art computing and multimedia equipment, audio and video editing facilities, and staff support, opened in September 2001. Available 24 hours each day, the Gelardin Center is a hive of activity where, in addition to using 47 new computers, students and faculty produce creative inventions in multiple formats.

After a trial during the spring of 2001, staff of the Government Documents, Science, and Reference Departments purchased and implemented a real-time online reference chat service in November. Offered as an additional service, LiveHelp is available to users from within and beyond the Georgetown Community for 30 hours a week. Click on the LiveHelp button on the Library's home page and ask us a question!

Digital Progress:

We have outlined a structure for the future Georgetown University Digital Library, in collaboration with the Information Services Management Council. The organization of the Digital Library will require attention to structure and infrastructure; services and collections; archiving, preservation and access; innovation and experimentation; and evaluation and assessment.

To encourage experimentation and creativity, we have given Palm Pilots to many on the Library staff. We hope to track the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) for pedagogy and information retrieval.

The Library sponsored its first live webcast of a Library Associates event: Cokie and Steve Roberts, speaking on "The Washington Political Scene" on January 30, 2002. The event is archived and initiates an aspect of the future Digital Library at Georgetown.

Student Services and Outreach:

All floors of the Lauinger Library were opened 24 hours a day in December, and our students use both the quiet and group study areas heavily.

In March we launched a new online newsletter from the Library to the Georgetown University community. Visit it for the latest news, announcements and services.

As this goes to press, we are in the process of planning a Community/Coffee Room in the Library with members of the student leadership, who will both run the concession and plan programs to foster community on campus. We hope to open the facility by the end of Fall Semester 2002.

Organization Planning:

Building on the work begun last year, ten staff members have been working on organizational models for the University Library. Six potential models have been proposed, and we are incorporating staff suggestions and ideas into a single model that will enable the Library to create an agile, forward-looking organization for the future. We hope to complete the planning by the end of the academic year.

Emergency Planning:

The events of September 2001 spurred Georgetown University to focus a great deal of attention on contingency planning for continuity of instruction and research in case of emergency. The Library reworked its Emergency Procedures Manual and its Business Continuity Plan. We also participated in the creation of the Provost's Continuity of Teaching and Research contingency plan. As part of our work we have articulated an agreement with our consortium members (CIRLA, AJCU) to provide reciprocal emergency services, if ever needed.

Partnerships:

After a ten-year absence, the University Library is in discussion with the Washington Research Library Consortium for possible renewal of membership. Among other services, this would enable our community to obtain materials virtually or in person from seven academic libraries in the DC area. We continue our collaboration with the Chesapeake Information and Research Library Alliance (CIRLA) and recently hosted the biennial joint meeting of the IT and Library Directors of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU).

Space:

Working with the University Administration, the Library is identifying possible off-campus sites to increase its available space for resources, services and seating. We also have an ambitious plan to refurbish and beautify the interior of Lauinger, and to create a state-of-the-art "Millennium Newsroom" which will focus on news and newsmakers from across the campus and across the world.

I hope to keep you up to date on these and other projects and programs during the next year, through these pages, our website, and at upcoming Library Associates events. I welcome your comments and suggestions! Please email me with your ideas. And many thanks to all of you for your support this year.