| Volume 1, Issue 2 | A Publication of Johnston Memorial Library | Summer 1998 |
Inside This Issue |
|
| Message From the Dean | Library Advisory Committee |
| JML Renovation | Book Reviews |
| Survey Schedule | Taking in the Sites |
Message From the Dean
The beginning of a new school year is anticipated with much excitement. From the preparation of dormitories to the detailed registration activities, every University unit has been active preparing for the students’ return. The library staff is engaged in several projects. We are implementing some changes based upon comments from the survey that was distributed in March, preparing for a complete renovation of the library, and researching software that will make searching the online databases much easier.
In this issue of the Info Navigator we will share with you some of our activities. We hope you will find our newsletter informative and easy to read. If you have any suggestions or comments, please send them to our editor, Sheila Carrington.
SACS Update
The Library received two recommendations from the SACS visit. One recommendation centered on user satisfaction and the systematic administration of surveys to assess user satisfaction with library services and collections. The schedule for the administration of surveys is posted in this edition of the newsletter. The second recommendation focused on professional library positions in the library. The search committee has completed its work on the vacant Cataloging position. Two new positions were authorized: an associate librarian for Public Services and an associate librarian for Technical Services. These new positions will respectively manage the library’s collections and the serials department. Both have been advertised and should be filled by January 1999.
JML Renovation 
The University has been awarded $10Mn to renovate the Library. This will be quite a large project. Due to a number of reasons, the library must be vacated and the materials relocated during the renovation. The transition for library staff and materials has not been determined. These issues must be decided very soon in order to allow enough planning time to make the University community aware of new locations for library services and materials.
During the fall term a consultant will work with the library staff, faculty, and students to gather input into the design and features desirable in the renovated library. We’ve also developed a page on the library’s homepage entitled "Renovation" to keep you informed. The Renovation page will be updated on a weekly basis when the project is in full force.
Focus on Customer Service
At the end of the spring semester, JML administered a User Satisfaction Survey to faculty, students and staff. The results of the survey provided a baseline assessment of users' perception of library resources and services. In summary, survey respondents felt that the library needs more books and other resources, a better study environment with less noise, and improvement in staff services. In order to respond in depth to these issues, JML held for the entire library staff, including hourly personnel, a Customer Service workshop on August 5, 1998.
Ms. Ashley Johnson of Ukrop's Super Markets, Inc conducted the workshop. Ukrop's, renowned for its superior customer service, offers free workshops to a variety of groups and organizations.
Johnston Memorial Library Survey Schedule
November 1998: Library Collections Satisfaction Survey
May 2000: User Satisfaction Survey
November 2000: Library Collections Satisfaction Survey
May 2002: User Satisfaction Survey
November 2002: Library Collections Satisfaction Survey
Library Advisory Committee
The Library Advisory Committee has been re-activated to serve as a liaison between the library and faculty, staff and students, to serve in an advisory capacity in the review of library policies, guidelines, services and programs, and to assist the Collections librarian in involving faculty and students in the selection of library materials. The members are listed.
School of Liberal Arts and Education
Dr. Deborah Goodwin, Associate Professor Department of Languages and Literature
School of Business
Dr. John Moore, Assistant Professor Accounting Department
School of Agriculture, Science & Technology
Dr. Lorraine Daniel, Assistant Professor Psychology Department
Dr. Ben Nwoke, Professor Industrial Education
School of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education
Dr. Raymond Griffin, Assistant Professor Educational Leadership
Librarian Representative
Mrs. Gloria Harvell, Assistant Professor Collections/Acquisitions
Administrative Faculty/Staff
Dr. Robert Turner, Director Career Planning & Placement
Students Representatives
Mautricia Conley, Information Systems and Decision Sciences Major
Shonda Pegram, Biology/Pre-Med Major
In Memoriam
Mrs. Mildred Brown Kain, supervisor of the Serials Department in Johnston Memorial Library died on Sunday, August 9, 1998. Mrs. Kain was a long time dedicated employee having served the University for 31 years.
The JML staff would like to express our condolence to Mrs. Kain's family and friends. She will be greatly missed.
Books
in Review: Guns, Germs, and Steel
By Jared Diamond
Why did Eurasians, conquer, displace, or decimate Native Americans, Australians, and Africans, instead of the reverse? In this groundbreaking, 1998 Pulitzer Prize-wining book, evolutionary biologist Jared Diamond stunningly dismantles racially based theories of human history by revealing the environmental factors actually responsible for history's broadest patterns.
The story begins 13,000 years ago, when Stone Age hunter-gatherers constituted the entire human population. Around that time, paths of development of human societies on different continents began to diverge greatly. Early domestication of wild plants and animals in the Fertile Crescent, China, Mesoamerica, the southeastern United States, and other areas gave peoples of those regions a head start.
A major advance in our understanding of human societies, Guns, Germs and Steel chronicles the way that the modern world, and its inequalities, came to be. It is a work rich in dramatic revelations that will fascinate readers even as it challenges conventional wisdom.
New & Recommended
America at Home by Victoria Kasuba Matranga
The Edge of Heaven by Marita Golden
Paul Marchand, F.M.C. by Charles W. Chesnutt
African Exodus by Christopher Stringer and Robin McKie
The Seven Dumbest Relationship Mistakes Smart People Make by Caroline N. Bushong, L.P.C.
Digital Literacy by Paul Gilster
The Lynching of Cleo Wright by Dominic J. Capeci, Jr.
See No Evil by Eleanor Taylor Bland
Government Documents News
JML’s federal document collection can now be accessed through a database called DECKLIST. Documents can be searched by call number, title or subject. This database is located next to the reference desk. Most government documents can be checked out for three weeks.
New Government Documents
Addressing Community Gang Problems
Alcohol and Crime
The China Challenge in the 21st Century
How the Food Label can Help You Plan a Healthy Diet
Lead in Your Home: A Parent's Reference Guide
The Quality of Vocational Education
Programs in Correctional Settings: Innovative State and Local Programs
Projections of Education Statistics to 2008
The Facts about Starting a Small Business
JML Staff updates
Martha Lee, Herman Edmonds and Gloria Harvell participated in a training session for Faxon Source Online. This online service will be used to electronically claim missing issues of serials and perform other functions. Tom Gerty of Faxon Company, Inc conducted the training session.
The Johnston Memorial Library held a 2-day Staff Retreat on July 21-22, 1998. The retreat, facilitated by Dean Elsie S. Weatherington, was designed to foster greater interdependence with all departments of JML. In addition, the retreat allowed the staff to discuss issues regarding the budget, library goals, personnel and the upcoming library renovation.
Taking in the Sites
United States Copyright Office: http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/copy1.html
Provides access to U.S. Copyright Office general information and publications.
The Amazing Picture Machine: http://www.ncrtec.org/picture.htm
An excellent collection of pictures on a variety of topics.
Amistad: http://amistad.mysticseaport.org/main/welcome.hmtl
A thorough discussion of the Amistad Revolt of 1839-1842
Mr. Shakespeare and the Net: http://daphne.palomar.edu/shakespeare/default.htm
A complete annotated guide to the scholarly Shakespeare resource on the internet.