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Social Sciences Team Framework 2007-2008
Projects and Activities

 

Important Dates:

	SST Framework Goals:
September 15, 2007:	Strategic Framework Completed by SST
October 30, 2007:	Functional Teams Report to Cabinet
February 13-20, 2008	Functional Teams Report to Cabinet
June, 2008 :	Final Reports from Functional Teams with Summary of Last Year and Directions for Next Year
	Personal Goals:
August 1 - September 7, 2007:	Personal Goals Documents Completed

Note: Cross-functional teams, grants, needs assessment and outreach could be incorporated into several of the projects as appropriate.

Project 1:	Information Resources Management Effectiveness
Project 1A:	Needs Assessment
Project 1B:	Spending Plan
Project 2:...	Education
Project 3:	New Initiatives
Project 3A:	Arizona Electronic Atlas
Project 3B:	Virtual Federal Depository
Project 3C:	Afghanistan Digital Libraries
Project 4:	Evaluation of Team Work and Competencies Needed
Project 4A:	Inventory & Evaluation of SST Activities
Project 4B:	Identify Competencies
Project 5:	Planning for Research West

Key Result Area: Information Services

Project 1: Information Resources Management Effectiveness

(P1 - Managing Information Resources, P2 - Acquiring)

1A: Needs Assessment

 

Problem Statement:	SST does not have the proper data to accurately assess information resource use and customer needs.
Purpose/Objective:	Develop, conduct and analyze an assessment about the information resource needs and use by SST faculty, graduate and undergraduate students.
Parameter Statement: a) Project Scope	SST librarians will identify survey methods and tools working with the Libraries' Needs Assessment (NA) Coordinator to survey all SST departments’ faculty and students. SST will work with the NA Coordinator to develop and administer an online survey.
b) Resource Constraints	Tools not yet available or tested.
c) Project Assumptions	Use of the aforementioned tools will result in usable data for informed decision making around information resource acquisition.
Outcome for Customer:	Collection will match customer needs better because of targeted use of collection funds.
Measurement Methodologies:	Investigate what needs assessment tools exist. Consult with Hitoshi Kamada on this. Explore possibility of using Survey Monkey. Consider how many departments to survey. Measure how well information needs of those surveyed are being met to create a benchmark and plan to continue to meet needs and assess how to meet unmet needs.
Quality Standard:	By 2010, 95% of our customers indicate satisfaction with the information resources made available through the Libraries (effective management).
Quality Standard:	By 2010, print serials have declined to 30% of serial subscriptions. (SST notes that this will not apply uniformly to all SST areas.)
Quality Standard:	By 2010, e-books have increased to 25% of owned resources. (SST notes that this will not apply uniformly to all SST areas.)
Goal:	SLRP 3-5 year Goal: Library customers have seamless, on-demand access to information resources and services needed to accomplish their research, scholarship, teaching and learning.
Key Result Area: . Information Services	SLRP Strategy 2– Acquire and provide quality information and information services using the most cost-effective means. [context: cost-effective does not mean always going with the cheapest; it means that cost must be considered and the results must be worth the cost; cost-effective means economical in terms of the goods or services received for the money spent; this strategy applies to all aspects of acquiring and providing access to information and services, not just to acquisition or licensing]
Strategy:	Develop, conduct, and analyze a survey about the information resource needs and use by SST faculty and Grad students and selected undergraduates. Customer usage data collection and analysis policies, procedures and quality standards are in place and providing actionable data for decision making in collection management. Continued reduction and/or reallocation of space for materials storage, including goals for allocation of flexible space.

Leads: Sara, Jen, Brenda, Laura C.
Priority: High
Begin: September 1, 2007
End: April 30, 2008

Milestones:

1. With SST members define areas to survey/focus of survey (September 2007) Done
2. Consult with assessment coordinator about how to develop a survey and use survey monkey (September 2007) Done
3. Complete Human Subjects Training (October - November 2007) Done
4. Design survey questions (January 2008) Done
5. Revise initial questions based on team feedback (February 2008) Done
6. Obtain Human Subjects approval before proceeding (In progress)
7. To test questions, complete interviews with 4 selected faculty (February 2008)
8. Revise questions based upon test interviews (February 2008)
9. Library liaison interview faculty in most departments (March 2008)
10. Review results (March - April 2008)
11. Report results (April 2008)

 

Project Updates:

1. Met with Hitoshi September 13. Discussed various needs assessment tools and format to determine the most appropriate technique for this assessment.
2. Met with Hitoshi October 10 to review the results of LibQual+ Survey for SST customers, discussed literature reviewed and began identifying questions to provide SST with the specific information needed from customers.
3. After discussion, determined that early spring would be a more feasible date of completion than the originally planned fall date.
4. Reevaluated methodology - January 2008.
5. Determined that interviews with standard questions would be more productive for determining needs rather than wants
6. Decided to develop and pre-test questions with 4 faculty prior to wider interviews.
7. Considered use of Atlas TI as an analysis tool, but after consulting with Hitoshi, determined that it was not appropriate.

Report on Quality Standards:

• By 2010, 95% of our customers indicate satisfaction with the information resources made available throughout the Libraries.
• This project will assist SST librarians in meeting the established Quality Standard by supplying additional data about the information resource needs of customers.

 

Information the Libraries Need to Know:

• With the recent ebrary faculty survey, the project team has concerns about sending multiple faculty surveys close together.
• The project team is considering multiple ways to assess the information needs of faculty and graduate student customers.
• The project team is also concerned about the possibility of receiving input primarily from those faculty who are dissatisfied with the libraries' information resources - to be discussed further.
• Interview length is estimated at 30 minutes.
• Interviews may take place at location determined by faculty & liaison.
• In person interviews will allow interviewers to note verbal and non-verbal responses.
• Liaisons will attempt to interview faculty with a range of perspectives to reflect a variety of information needs.
• Human Subjects approval must be obtained before any interviews can be conducted.

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1B: Spending Plan

SST librarians will evaluate results from its spending reduction plan in October 2007.

Phase Two - SST Spending Reduction - 2007-2009

Problem Statement:	The Social Sciences Team is facing cuts to its base budget for FY07-08, FY08-09 and FY08-09.
Purpose/Objective:	To identify information resource candidates for cancellation to help the Libraries meet their budgetary obligations.
Parameter Statement: a) Project Scope	SST members will focus cancellation efforts in their assigned LC areas and formats in cooperation with MAT and TST.
b) Resource Constraints	Not all collection analysis tools provided sufficient data to support decision making.
c) Project Assumptions	All IR managers will participate in this spending reduction.
Outcome for Customer:	Customers will continue to have access to the most important materials, whether available locally or through other means e.g. ILL and other document delivery, due to effective selection methods.
Measurement Methodologies:	Total number of dollars cut from serial titles and monograph approval plans.
Quality Standard:	By 2010, print serials have declined to 30% of serial subscriptions.
Quality Standard:	By 2010, e-books have increased to 25% of the collection.
Goal:	SLRP 3-5 year Goal: Library customers have seamless, on-demand access to information resources and services needed to accomplish their research, scholarship, teaching and learning.
Key Result Area: Information Services     Strategy:	SLRP Strategy 3 – Acquire and provide quality information and information services using the most cost effective means. [context: cost-effective does not mean always going with the cheapest; it means that cost must be considered and the results must be worth the cost; cost-effective means economical in terms of the goods or services received for the money spent; this strategy applies to all aspects of acquiring and providing access to information and services, not just to acquisition or licensing] Customer usage data collection and analysis policies, procedures and quality standards are in place and providing actionable data for decision making in collection management. Continued reduction and/or reallocation of space for materials storage, including goals for allocation of flexible space.
Strategy:	SST will cut $288,259 using the tools and approaches as follows:
	Monographs: Circulation Analysis
	Electronics: Usage Data - by month Overlap Coverage Ease of Use Database usage is located at: Z:\Teams\SST\SST\Information Resources Work 2006-2007\Databaseusefrom ScholarlyStats.xls
	Serials: Limited Citation and Usage Data Cost and Space Needs Faculty Input Other On-Line Search Tools Is it part of a Package/Membership? Paper Indexes that are not really used?

Leads: Mary, Atifa, Brenda
Owners: IR Managers
Priority: High
Begin: August 2007
End: October 2009

Milestones:

1. All IR managers will review the appropriate lists to begin cancellation process by September, 2007. Done
2. All IR managers will review year two cancellations, add to them if possible, and be ready to submit lists to TST by September 30, 2007. Done
3. Develop strategy for the next 3-5 years cancellations by October, 2007.
4. Communicate with Puvill, Bach, Libros en Vientes, L.A. Bookstore and others to ensure that their shipments do not exceed our budget allocations. Done
5. SST Librarians have compiled lists of journals for possible cancellation and made these lists available through the Libraries' Spending Reduction Page:   http://intranet.library.arizona.edu/spendingReduction/ Done
6. SST Librarians have been receiving feedback from faculty and graduate students as well as other interested people, and have been responding with informative explanations of our spending reduction rationale. This has attempted to give a broader understanding of our spending reduction exercise. Done
7. SST librarians determined amounts to be cut from: monographs, serials and electronic formats: Done

	Appropriation	% to Cut	Total to Cut:	Amt to Cut Year #1	Amt to Cut Year #2
Monographs	$764,008	40%	$114,000	$58,000	$56,000
Electronics	$236,791	20%	$57,000	$28,500	$28,500
Serials	$732,945	40%	$114,000	$57,000	$57,000
Continuations			$3,259	$2,259	$1,000
Totals:			$288,259	$145,759	$142,500

Project Updates:

• Semi-final cancellation list was shared with faculty on September 10, 2007.
• 48 faculty comments were received resulting in the reinstatement of 17 titles, which required the total cost of cuts to be reduced from $117,259 to $115, 818.
• Titles reinstated were in the History, Judaic Studies, Near Eastern Studies, Business, Geography and Linguistics subject areas.
• Completed final list was submitted to TSAP on October 1, 2007.
• Total amount of serials and continuations cut on final list was $115,818 . As the $115,818 was cut in the first year, SST saved an additional $5,175, or more, in inflation that had been previously projected.
• Out of 1,835 available serials and databases, 763 were cut.

 

Report on Quality Standards:

To meet the above quality standards, SST IRM's have continuously worked on reducing print serials and books while increasing electronics when they are available. (Ongoing)

 

Information the Libraries Need to Know:

• Using the existing quality standards and criteria developed by the Libraries and the teams target allocation amount was a useful method in this process.
• The 3-D memo from the Dean regarding Library Spending Reduction and meeting face-to-face with faculty was useful in clarifying the libraries spending reductions, assumptions and issues.
• The most impacted subject areas include:

  Economic History and Conditions, Commerce, Finance, and Political Science (45% of total serials reductions across Social Sciences, Business, and Education)

• Another highly impacted subject area was foreign language materials. Of the $288,259 total reduction amount in Social Sciences, Business, and Education, $47,804 (17%) were foreign language materials (including serials and monographs).

 

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Project 2: Education

(P6 - Educating)

Key Result Area: Information Services	SLRP Strategy 3 – Acquire and provide quality information and education services using the most cost effective means. [context: cost-effective does not mean always going with the cheapest; it means that cost must be considered and the results must be worth the cost; cost-effective means economical in terms of the goods or services received for the money spent.]
Problem Statement:	The UA Libraries currently have no systematic approach to information literacy education for graduate students/programs. We surmise, in the absence of good data on library education overall, that this has resulted in an inefficient use of library resources that has left many graduate students under served.
Purpose/Objective:	Develop and pilot a program for graduate education focusing on their research and disciplinary needs.
Parameter Statement:       a) Project Scope	The Social Sciences Team will identify areas in which to focus pilot projects. Projects will focus on graduate students as students, researchers and members of a disciplinary community, but not as GATs or RAs. Focus design and development of products and services on opportunities discovered through an analysis of the graduate student workflow.
b) Resource Constraints	Appointment of all members to work on this project is not yet complete. Project will not begin until September.  No additional funds - other than one-time funds requested by team. Constraints in resources in SST.
c) Project Assumptions	Pilot projects will result in models, tools, or approaches that could be applied to other disciplines. Potential strategies might include: social networks and peer to peer educational strategies. Approaches are scalable - reaching the most students at the most appropriate times with the fewest resources. Faculty are considered stakeholders, but not the subject of the pilot SST Project Team determines which graduate programs to work with, based on their own assessment of the opportunity of the programs for success, the leverage they hold, established relationships with the departments, etc. When programs are selected, that selection should take into consideration the diversity of the pool of programs so that methods are tested in diverse conditions. There may be other individuals from outside the Project Team asked to participate in the pilot.
Outcome for Customer:	Graduate students become more effective researchers Pilot project strategies that can be “scaled up” for other disciplines Scholarly communication issues built into graduate educational efforts (intellectual property and open access) (moved from Outputs)
Measurement Methodologies:	Survey and focus groups
Goal	SLRP 3-5 year Goal: Library customers have seamless, on-demand access to information resource and services needed to accomplish their research, scholarship, teaching and learning.
Quality Standards:	By 2010, 80% of undergraduate majors will successfully demonstrate one or more information literacy competencies as defined by departmental learning outcomes and/or major core course learning objectives.

Leads: Louise and Atifa
Other Members: Chestalene Pintozzi and Jill Newby

Resource: Laura Carscaddon
Priority: High
Begin: August 15, 2007
End: March 1, 2008

Barriers:

• Inter-relatedness of project with other projects e.g., Institutional Repository and usability team.

• DLIST does not have the staffing to help with our project until January, 2008. (July 2008)

Next Steps:

• Develop database search module
  • Complete content (October 15, 2007)
  • Work with DLIST on the implementation (January 2008)
• Develop Grad Ed web page (August 2007)
• Develop survey and analyze results (December 2007)

Project Update: (October 10, 2007)

• Developed design and content of modules on database searching based on highest needs identified by grad students through our survey and focus groups:

• Understanding search terminology
• How do I get the materials that I have identified?
• How do I refine/revise my search
• How do I know when I have done a comprehensive search
• I want help now.

 

• The GradEd team members have been working with Leslie Sult in the development and instructional design of the modules.

• Technical implementation is delayed until January 2008 due to D-List projects priority schedule

 

• Developed and updated prototype Grad Ed web page: http://intranet.library.arizona.edu/users/arawan/GradEd.html

• Used Survey Monkey and Informal observation during a variety of Graduate student orientations Fall 07 to get input about content
• Findings indicated that sections on Getting Started, Research and Community (social networking) were ranked the highest.

Report on Key Quality Standards:

• SLRP Strategy 3 – Acquire and provide quality information and education services using the most cost effective means
• GradEd Purpose Statement - Develop and pilot a program for graduate students that can be delivered efficiently and effectively, and that reduces the gap between information literacy competencies needed to ensure their success as teachers and scholars, and the competencies they currently possess
• Grad Ed Q.S. - Unmediated tool, in any format, designed to increase graduate student information literacy learning outcomes in selected common areas of need is available by for use graduate students and faculty who teach or advise graduate students no later than June 12, 2007.

See "Project Update" (above) for progress toward this goal.

See "Information the Libraries Need to Know " (below) for quality standards not being met.

Project Update: (February 28, 2008)

• Web based tutorial: The Graded Team developed the content for our web based tutorial on effective researching for graduate students. We presented the graduate student tutorial modules at an AllIS Team meeting and received valuable feedback. We have since incorporated ISS feedback into the tutorial revision. We have worked with Leslie Sult on our graduate student tutorial design and navigation. We also worked with Michele Saunders on design and usability. We are currently working with Justin on implementation of the tutorial. It should be completed and ready for usability testing by the end of March.
• Graduate Student Web Page / Portal: This page is designed to identify excellent resources for graduate level researching, organizing, writing and sharing. We redesigned the Portal concept to adapt to the Library’s technical requirements that at present do not allow for customization or for storage of files. Identified links to open source sites that support file sharing capabilities and other communication tools. 

Information the Libraries Need to Know:

• DLIST does not have the staffing to provide the needed technical support necessary to our project until January, 2008, therefore implementation of this project has been delayed.
• Survey Monkey Results should be explored for implications for including social networking as part of institutional repository.
• From our grad student surveys, the Grad Ed team determined that there should be a dedicated website for grad students. Given the current structure of the Libraries' website, this is not possible. Is there a way to include such a page in the Libraries' website?

 

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Project 3: New Initiatives

(P3 - Organizing, P4 - Preserving and Storing)

Key Result Area: Digital Library	Strategy 2: Create, support and improve seamless electronic access to content and services within the UA Libraries and CCP and across the University. [Context: make it easier for customers to connect with the physical and electronic collections and services provided by the Libraries/CCP and those of the University.]
Goal:	SLRP 3-5 year Goal: Library customers have seamless, on-demand access to information resources and services needed to accomplish their research, scholarship, teaching and learning.
Quality Standard:	By 2010, 95% of our customers indicate satisfaction with the information resources made available through the Library (effective management).
Strategy:	SLRP Strategy 4: Employ the most cost-effective means of delivering quality education services to customers.

 

3A: Arizona Electronic Atlas...........................................................................

 

Key Result Area: Digital Library	Strategy 2: Create, support and improve seamless electronic access to content and services within the UA Libraries and CCP and across the University. [Context: make it easier for customers to connect with the physical and electronic collections and services provided by the Libraries/CCP and those of the University.]
Problem Statement:	Customers want electronic access to materials.
Purpose/Objective:	Enhance the functionality and data availability of the AZ Atlas through collaboration and partnerships.
Parameter Statement:       a) Project Scope	Provide Arizona spatial data that meet customer needs.
b) Resource Constraints	Funding, staffing, equipment and timeline.
c) Project Assumptions	Atlas continues to be a strategic project.
Outcome for Customer:	Increased use of the Atlas as a result of enhancements. Mapping outreach data in the Atlas leads to the recognition of the impact of campus outreach in the state.
Measurement Methodologies:	Number of new data sets added Number of groups the Atlas is marketed to Number of metadata records updated or created

Lead: Chris

Priority: High
Begin: August 13, 2007
End: June 30, 2008

Goal: 

• SST will continue to enhance the functionality and data availability of the AZ Atlas through collaboration and partnerships.

Context: 

• The Arizona Electronic Atlas Project is a continuation of projects from 2000-2007. The Arizona Electronic Atlas provides web access to Arizona spatially referenced data where users of all skill levels can create, manipulate and download maps and data. This project is the direct response to faculty and student needs.
• The Atlas received one-time funding ($7,399) from the Library for technical training and to make enhancements. These include:
  • Train Atlas technical staff in Oracle and Arc SDE software.
  • Create three new map themes for 1990 & 2000 Census of Population.

   

Milestones for One-Time Funding:

1. Work with research specialist to provide any needed information in a timely manner. (September, 2007)
2. Coordinate work of the research specialist and the Atlas technical team to have the Atlas enhancements incorporated into the Atlas site. (December 15, 2007)
3. Monitor the appropriated $10,000 fund from SST fund lines for acquiring data to support the Atlas. (Ongoing)

General Milestones:

1. Work with faculty to integrate the atlas into class assignments. (August 2007)
2. Develop project plan for Atlas. (August 2007)
3. Continue to market the atlas to as wide a group as possible (after enhancements complete). (August 2007)
4. Provide workshops to relevant IS Librarians on using the Atlas (after enhancements complete). (January/February 2008)
5. Train Knowledge River Student. (September 2007)
6. Evaluate Knowledge River student at end of first semester. (December 2007)
7. Develop metadata for spatial data available in the Atlas. (December 2007)
8. Review data sets suggested for possible inclusion into the Atlas by Atlas users and research additional data sets. (Ongoing)
9. Prioritize and decide on new data sets to load. (Ongoing)
10. Work with faculty to develop additional map themes for the Atlas. (Ongoing)
11. Investigate additional funding for Atlas enhancements working with the Libraries' Grants Coordinator. (Ongoing)

 

Project Updates:

 

• We reviewed 25 applications for the Atlas Graduate Asst. Programmer (DLIST) and interviewed 3 people.  We offered the position to one of the applicants, however he received another offer from within his dept that he accepted. 
• To get the enhancements up and available (since the GA search was not successful), we wrote RFP to hire an outside consultant and sent it to four companies. 
• The Atlas Survey was posted on the Libraries' website and the Atlas main page on September 27th.  It has been advertised to several key groups on campus, in Arizona, and nationally. 
• KR student has updated the Competition Analysis section of the Atlas Business Plan (looks at other interactive mapping sites and is similar to an environmental scan). 
• KR student has gathered information about other potential technologies we may want to consider for the Atlas. 
• Atlas users were surveyed through a link to the Atlas site, Fall, 2007. Respondents were maily looking for boundaries, environmental and demographic mapping information and requested to see the information as modifiable maps, GIS data and tabular data.
• The Atlas Campus Advisory Group was established and held their first meeting in December.
• Four focus group sessions will be held during spring semester with UA faculty and students to inquire about their online mapping use, needs and preferences are.
• Cabinet converted Atlas GA Asst. line to operations funding.
• Received two proposals in response to the Atlas RFP. Hired Phoenix Rising Software Solutions.
• Phoenix Rising Software Solutions programmer came to the Library to work from January 22nd to February 1st, 2008, to finish developing two new map themes, Water Resources and Health and Crime. We are planning to have these themes available to the public late spring semester.

 

 

Report on Key Quality Standards:

 

• We are on target for meeting the quality standards. 

 

 

Information the Libraries Need to Know: 

• The search was unsuccessful for the Atlas Graduate Asst. Programmer (DLIST).
• Two companies have expressed interest in responding to our RFP – we are waiting for their proposals. Once we receive the proposals, we will submit a request to Cabinet to convert part of this years’ Atlas Graduate Assistant position funds to operations funding in order to hire an outside contractor.
• We plan on closing the Atlas survey on October 26th.
• When contractor was here to work on the Atlas, ran into a problem that we did not know about previously (not included in the RFP). It took approximately 2 days to correct the problem.  The Atlas redesign was not addressed and technology knowledge transfer was not completed.
• Plan on having the contractor come back to finish the redesign of the site, possibly move data from Oracle to SQL server, and complete the knowledge transfer, in April or May for 2-3 weeks.
• Before the new map themes are made public, we need to make design changes (color changes and drawing order) for the two new map themes.

 

 

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3B. Virtual Federal Depository

 

Goal:	SST will continue its collaboration with GPO to identify and verify fugitive government documents and will continue to replace tangible documents with online depository resources.
Context Statement:	Continuation and commitment to a 100% virtual depository library environment.
Key Result Area: Digital Library	Strategy 2: Create, support and improve seamless electronic access to content and services within the UA Libraries and CCP and across the University. [Context: make it easier for customers to connect with the physical and electronic collections and services provided by the Libraries/CCP and those of the University.]
Process:	Selecting Resources an electronic format.
Problem Statement:	Customers want electronic access to materials.
Purpose/Objective:	Develop enhancing access and creating metadata for GPO. Support national efforts in identifying digital fugitive documents. Assist other depositories in their efforts to become digital.
Parameter Statement: a) Project Scope	Replace tangible documents with online documents.
b) Resource Constraints	Funding, staffing, equipment and timeline.
c) Project Assumptions	Every current depository item will be in an online format. Paper copies in the stacks will be reduced.
Outcome for Customer:	Increased use of government documents. Increased access to government documents.
Measurement Methodologies :	The number fugitive records identified and reported to GPO. The number of tangible documents being replaced by electronic format.

Lead: Atifa

Backup: Laura Bender
Priority: High
Begin: August 15, 2007
End: June 30, 2008

Milestones:

1. Train Knowledge River student. (September 30, 2007) Done
2. Set goals and objectives based on the existing benchmark for identifying and verifying fugitive documents. (September 30, 2007-May 2008) Done
3. Work with KR to process the incoming tangible shipment. (Ongoing)
4. Evaluate KR student and the project processing (May 30, 2008) Done
5. Re-evaluate and update profile for 2007-2008 based on the availability of electronic formats. (July, 2007 - Completed) Done
6. Monitor GPO online resource conversion and availability (Ongoing)
7. Work with TSAP to update links in catalog (Ongoing)
8. Promote the concept of a virtual depository to a wide audience (Ongoing)
9. Provide training in government documents to new library staff (January 2008)
10. Work with Resource Managers to weed government document collection (Ongoing)
11. Represent the University of Arizona Depository Library at the state and National Depository Library Council Meetings and Events (August, October, November, 2007 and one in the spring, 2008)

Project Update:

• Trained Knowledge River Student
• Completed profile for 2007-2008 which went into effect in October, 2007
• After the new profile goes into effect in October, 2007, we are predicting only a few tangible titles to be processed for the Libraries. We plan to return the processing of these few tangible titles to TSAP in January, 2008.
• Monitored shipments of tangible items from GPO for 2007 fiscal year and made necessary adjustments to selection and processing of physcial items. As a result of a year-long monitoring, we now are receiving and processing very few tangible depository items for the collection.

Quality Standards:

• We are meeting and exceeding the quality standards in this area.

Information the Libraries Need to Know:

• The 100-year anniversary celebration of the depository was held on February 22, 2008, and was a success. Speakers for the event included Robert Shelton, UA President, Representative Raul M. Grijalva, AZ Congressman, GladysAnn Wells, AZ State Librarian, Jacqueline Sharkey, UA Journalism Department Head, and Linda Resler, U. S. Government Printing Office. The event was well received with over 50 attendees.
• Planning group consists of Gabrielle Sykes-Casavant, Laura Bender, Bess De Farber, Cheryl Cuillier (Knowledge River student) Rebecca Blakiston, Brenda Walsh and Atifa Rawan

 

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3C: Afghanistan Digital Libraries

 

Goals:	To have a Library and Science Information Program in place by the end of 2008. 1,300 items from grey literature items will be digitized and available world-wide by May of 2009. Increase our grant and collaboration efforts to support the Libraries grants effort.
Key Result Area: Digital Library	Strategy 2: Create, support and improve seamless electronic access to content and services within the UA Libraries and CCP and across the University. [Context: make it easier for customers to connect with the physical and electronic collections and services provided by the Libraries/CCP and those of the University.]
Quality Standard:	By May, 2009, 1300 grey literature items will be digitized and available world-wide. The Library and Information Science Program will be implemented and functional by December 2008.
Purpose/Objective:	To build capacity and long-term sustainability for establishing the Library and Information Science Educational Program and To provide training and consultation for promoting academic libraries in Afghanistan.
Parameter Statement: a) Project Scope	Obtain funding Create Library and Information Science Module and Programs. Digitize materials and provide access.
Project Assumption:	All academic librarians in Afghanistan will be trained All digitized materials will be available world-wide The UA Libraries will be a model in global efforts
Outcome for Customers:	There will be more trained staff available in Afghanistan academic libraries Unique grey literature will be accessible to researchers world-wide. Visibility of UA Libraries will be on global level and our expertise will be recognized.

Leads: Atifa & Yan

Priority: High
Begin: September 2007
End: June 30, 2008

Milestones:

• Implement Phase II as part of the WSU Grant, support the establishment of a School of Information & Library Science undergraduate degree program at Kabul University (KU). (December 2007)

• Conduct online teaching of 4 e-Learning courses using Afghan’s Next Generation e-Learning (ANGeL) software in support of the Library Science undergraduate program, which are already completed by us. (December 2007)
• Complete Phase II of the WSU/USAID grant project (September 2007)
• Onsite visit to provide technical training for digitization and to jump-start the NEH grant project (August 2007)
• Start the NEH grant proposal project activities. (July 2007)
• Contact vendors, review bids and acquire equipment for Afghan Center in Kabul University (ACKU) as part of NEH grant project (August 2007)
• Digitize 1300 grey literature items of Jihad Period, 1989-2006, housed in Afghanistan (May 2009)

NOTE: The Kabul August onsite visit was cancelled by the Dean. New timeline will be proposed.

Preparation was made for Yan to train an IT staff from the ACKU in Dubai. (August 5- August 10, 2007)

Next Steps:

• Proposal approval by WSU/USAID for Phase III (October 2007)

• WSU/USAID to complete Phase III/final of the project for October 1, 2007-September 30, 2008
• A scheduled onsite trip in August (Cancelled by the Dean -- new timeline will be proposed)
• Complete Phase II and embark on Phase III in order to further the e-Quality Alliances Digital Libraries efforts and achieve their goals and to secure further funding from the WSU/USAID.
• Phase III will include:
  • Implementation of enhanced Web 2.0 features for the Afghan Digital Libraries website, including RSS feeds; “Search” feature for the Afghan Digital Libraries website: http://afghan.library.arizona.edu/
  • Test/usability of the ILS Dari interface with staff at Kabul University
  • Follow-up with training for KU information technology staff
  • Continue adding and updating digital resources on the web page.
  • In addition, offer, monitor, and support the delivery of modules and facilitate the certificate program for Library and Information Science courses using the Afghan’s Next Generation e-Learning (ANGeL) - http://angel.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=splashscreen
  • Support the Library Science Certificate Program at KU, and use the SLIC technology (Semantically Linked Instructional Content) developed at the University of Arizona by the Computer Science Department to present lectures using video and slide presentations in Da ri language. Also to complete final assessment of the Library and Information Science Program.
• Provide on-site training of Afghan Library staff in digitization and data creation of 6,000 titles selected from the archival collections of the ACKU as part of the NEH grant. This is a collaborative work between ACKU and the University of Arizona.
• Monitor the NEH grant $299,000 by May 2009

Project Updates:

• We assisted ACKU with the purchase of the digitization equipments
• Yan Han traveled to Dubai in August and provided technical training for an IT employee of ACKU to digitize the grey literature.
• We are currently receiving digital files for review and quality control and communicating with staff on a daily basis
• For further training purposes, Yan has prepared a video and a CD on scanning fragile and unique items
• In relation to this project, we are monitoring regularly the staff, progress and activities
• We have completed the implementation of enhanced Web 2.0 for the Afghan Digital Libraries website
• Negotiated and obtained Ovid/Medline database access for Afghan Digital Libraries
• Renegotiated and have received extension for accessing databases such as EBSCOhost and CSA
• We have outsourced the translation of libraries and information science modules from English to Persian with the Department of Journalism at Kabul University
• All courses and modules are now available in both English and Persian languages in the Afghanistan Next Generation of Learning (ANGeL)
• Atifa has been invited to present a paper on a panel of the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Comparative and International Education Society, March 17, 2008, held at Teachers College, Columbia University. (See also  http://www.tc.edu/academic/ITS/CIES/ )  
• A programmer and two students have been hired to assist us with quality control and other activities of this project.
• As part of the WSU/USAID, developed four courses (14 modules) each in which all modules have been translated into Dari/Persian and incorporated into ANGeL - http://angel.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=splashscreen
• Currently working with Professor Alon Efrat of Computer Science on the SLIC project aims to assist students and scholars to efficiently browse and seek segments of interest in educational videos of lectures and talks.

Quality Standards:

• We are on target for both quality standards listed above

Information the Libraries Need to Know:

• Monitoring grant activities requires staff time, skills and effort
• The planned trip in late August to Afghanistan for providing training and setting up the digitization process was cancelled due to the University's risk management travel restriction posted at that time. In order to fulfill our grants obligations, another planned trip must be rescheduled prior to each grants deadline.
• We need to make a trip in Summer of 2008 to Afghanistan to make sure everything goes smoothly before the end of the NEH grant December, 2008. And also to provide further library training to library, staff and faculty as part of the WSU/USAID.

 

Key Result Area: Operational Effectiveness
Project 4: Evaluation of Team Work and Competencies Needed

(P9 - Managing Human Resources)

4A: Inventory & Evaluation of SST Activities [Placeholder]

Implement the process designed by the Human Resources Action Planning Team (HRAPT) to identify competencies needed/missing on the Social Sciences Team. SST members gain familiarity with trends and competencies needed in the 21st century academic library. The team is innovative and open to non-traditional ways of accomplishing our work for our customers.

4B: Identify Competencies [Placeholder]

 

Key Result Area: Customizable Spaces
Project 5: Planning for Research West [Placeholder]

Goal	SLRP 3-5 year Goal: The UA Libraries and CCP provide outside the classroom learning environments that give customers the capability to manage information and collaborative relationships in physical and virtual workspaces that are customizable to their requirements.
Strategy:	SLRP Strategy 1: Increase the UA Libraries and CCPs capacity to provide and manage flexible physical space and the technological capabilities of the spaces for a variety of research, learning and collaborative activities. [may include addition of new space, remodeling or renovation of existing space, use of moveable walls or easily reconfigurable furniture or other approaches]

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Last updated on October 16, 2007