Departmental

Review/SWOT 2011

Library & Information

Centre

Jollette Russell

Mandate (current)

To provide current resources and

quality services to support the
information needs of the G.C.
Foster College. We aim to
stimulate intellectual thought and
academic excellence.

Summary of Mandate/ Primary

Functions
Actively supports the information needs of the
Institution through provision & access to :

Monographs (books)
research journals
online databases
document delivery services
professional information support for all
aspects of the research process.

General Library
Services Goals

To acquire appropriate print and non-print

resources to support the colleges curricula
and the information needs of our patrons.
To provide efficient and timely access to
resources and information in all formats
To provide open-access computing facilities to
students, faculty and G.C. Foster personnel
To provide learning support services and
facilities for all instructional programs
To assist students and faculty in becoming
proficient information users

Departmental/Institutional
Culture/Values

Department realizes that the Library &

Information Centre is the Academic
Square of the institution

DESIRABLE POSITION (2011/2012):

For all stakeholders to realize that the
Library & Information Centre is the
Academic Square of the institution

Overview of 2010/2011
Contd.
Budget

Approved
Budget:
- (Not sure)

Desirable Budget
(2011/2012):

- J$23, 562, 187.00

Overview of 2010/2011

1 new library staff was hired

Library acquired a new library
management system and hoping to
upgrade
Library collection grew by 5%
Librarys spending increased by
80%

Overview of 2010/2011
Current Staffing (9)
College Librarian
Deputy Librarian
Librarian 2
Librarian 1
3 Para-professionals
Security
2 positions pending

Overview of 2010/2011
Contd.
Reconfiguration of library space for

more functionality
Acquisition of two additional staff
workstations
Acquisition of four additional staff
computers for efficiency
Revamping of the standard operating
procedures (SOPs)
Acquisition of new library
management system

Overview of 2010/2011

Revamping Contd.
of library strategic plan
Development of collection
development policies
Introduction of performance measures
for all library staff (all senior staff have
been issued performance objectives
while all junior staff operate from biweekly work plans)
Digitization of news clippings to save
space.

Overview of 2010/2011
Contd.
Acquisition of NetLibrary

collection
Air-conditioning of Min Library
area
New shelving units installed

Overview of 2010/2011
Contd.

Annual Business cycle of

Department
Peak workload times
- Evenings
- Exam periods
Milestone dates
- Weekly, Monthly & Quarterly

DESIRABLE POSITION
(2011 -2012):
Public realm
A proposed Academic Square could be a
significant and exciting space for the college ,
the surrounding areas, nationally and
internationally. This Information Centre will act
as a potential catalyst for sporting information
as well educational regeneration .
Private realm
The Information Centre Academic Square will
provide workspace for research, collaborative
ventures, distance-learning, and advanced
networking, computing, and
telecommunications laboratories.

SUMMARY/FINDINGS
Strengths
Information Centres automation
projects are advanced
Existing professionals are highly
qualified
Department is always guided by
strategic plans as well as policies
and procedures

SUMMARY/FINDINGS
Contd.
SUMMARY OF WEAKNESSES
Lack of space stems some critical
services
Inadequate materials heightens
students complaints
Lack of job fit

SUMMARY/FINDINGS Contd.

Student complaints
- Inadequate printing facilities
- Inadequate space
- Inadequate materials
- Insufficient workstations

SUMMARY/FINDINGS
Contd.
SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITIES
Creating a premier Sport
Information Centre through
partnership with businesses in the
corporate area and Jamaica.

SUMMARY OF THREATS

Other major academic libraries in

the corporate area has seen
advanced funding resulting in
advanced services
Lack of funding
Lack of understanding as to the
role of the information centre to
the organization

Other Key intradepartmental

challenges

More professions needed

Structured departments:
- Automationm
- Collection development
- Acquisitions
- technical services
- Collection maintenance
- References

Anticipated 2011/2012
achievements:
Physical Infrastructure
Commencement of plans for the
erection of a state-of-the-art
Information Centre.
Partnership with surrounding
businesses for sponsorship of major
refurbishing projects.

Anticipated 2011/2012
achievements Contd.:
Physical Infrastructure Contd.
Opening of a reprographic centre
Tiling of the current library space

Anticipated 201 1/2012

achievements
Contd.
Staffing
Staff Competencies and Staff
Structure revised
Maintain required level of
professional staff
Increase training of
paraprofessional staff

Anticipated 2010/2011
achievements
Contd.
Staffing Contd.
More experts such as an
automation librarian
More automation, self service and
advanced software to make up for
having less staff with basic skills

Anticipated 2010/2011
achievements
Technology
Acquire addition student and staff
workstations
Acquisition of networked colour printer
Update of Library management system
Completion of newspaper digitization
project
acquire additional databases and
NetLibrary collections
Completion of past paper automation
project

Anticipated 2010/2011
achievements
Technology Contd.
Monitoring of print management system
to stem waste
Acquisition of Pc sign-up software
Creation of new and improved library
web page
Assignment of specific library personnel
to administer library web page

Anticipated 2010/2011
achievements
Resources
Addition of at least 4,000 texts to the
Collection
Acquisition of additional electronic
databases
Improved west Indian collection
through joint partnership with other
colleges.

DESIRABLE POSITION
(2011/2012)
Resources
Contd.
Establish Customer and network
services including:

Improved electronic resources

Introduction of RFID technology
improved Information Literacy training
Automated circulation and self service pickup of reserved materials
More staff available for field specific
information services