The Campus Operations Committee has compiled a list of recommendations to improve university services, and to Ellender Memorial Library improvements topped the list.”I think one of the benefits of starting with the library is that we are a resource that is used by everyone,” Jeremy Landry, automation librarian, said.

The list included matters such as upgrading and increasing the number of computers, improving the layout of the library, providing a computer classroom to teach students how to use various databases and other features, providing tours of the library to faculty and staff and investigating policies concerning the use of the multi-purpose room etc.

The state is working under budget constraints, so the University has to be careful about how money is being spent, university officials said. The library has begun improving itself by purchasing new electronics such as TV’s, VCRs, radios and much more.

“We bought new DVD players, and we’re buying new DVDs and cassettes,” Carol Mathias, director for the library, said. “We upgraded all of the computers. We purchased 30 public access computers for the students, and we also upgraded all the staff computers.”

The library layout has not been improved just yet, but different ways to reorganize the space have been discussed, Mathias said.

Each college or department can write a grant asking for a portion of the student technology fee money. Presently, the library has received one of these grants to purchase six laptop computers for students who need assistance in learning how to do various projects.

“If we have laptop computers in a wireless environment, we can teach small classes in the multi-purpose room,” Mathias said. “We can teach small groups without being dependent on the WAC lab, which we really have no control over.”

The library has just hired a collection development specialist, but the government documents position still needs to be filled. The collection development specialist’s job is to work with the faculty in order to see that the library gets more faculty input on things that are bought for students to support their classes.

“We are striving to get more faculty input and work closer with the faculty in the purchases that we make for the library,” Mathias said.

One of the matters on the list is to address the need for an assistant director. Mathias said that having a functioning librarian out to help the students would be better than having someone work in the office.

“It’s not that we don’t need an assistant director. Right now, [with] the budget constraints put on us by the legislature of the state, it’s better to have more librarians out working with the students,” Mathias said.

Mathias plans on adding more public access computers in various parts of the library so that students do not have to walk all the way to the front of the library if they are working in the back of the library. In addition to this, Mathias would like to add more computers that have Microsoft Office in different areas on the second floor of the library so that students can have a quiet place to do school work.

Student support is important to the library, Mathias said. Mathias encourages students to voice their opinions about library improvements. Comment boxes are located throughout the building and every comment is read. There is also a place to write comments for the library on the University’s website.

“I think the library is important to students. It’s important that our students get current access to information. The library is the heart of the University,” Mathias said. “We would like to present to the public and our students a nice image of our University with our library. What happens in the library affects the entire campus.