Two library departments at a small liberal arts college collaborating with the Office of Multicultural Education (OME) streamlined circulation and improved management of a specialized course (text) book collection to confront rising costs and meet the needs of our students.
While the library historically did not purchase textbooks, we did work with the bookstore as well as faculty members placing copies of course materials on (physical) reserves prior to the start of every semester. In 2016 a Class Dean gathered various departments, including the library, forming the Textbook Affordability Committee. At this time we learned of a “Lending Library” sponsored by OME and funded by an alumni committee. Through purchases and donations this collection grew and after some time became unmanageable to the OME staff. Due to renovations to their spaces, OME approached the library about purchasing the best shelving for their expanding collection. Considering the cost of new shelving and the library's expertise in managing collections, the library offered to explore ways in which the collection could move to the library.
In the Fall of 2019 plans for relocating OME’s 1700 volume collection to the library were ironed out. This move benefited the students as well as OME. Both Access & Discovery Services and Content and Information Strategies library departments were (and are) involved with this initiative. We will discuss usage, space, processing, and policy considerations as well as issues in managing this collection. Join us if you’d like to learn more about how we are helping confront coursebook costs in collaboration with our Office of Multicultural Education.
As an Assistant Director and Head of Access & Discovery Services, Eileen oversees Circulation, Reserves (both traditional & electronic), Interlibrary Loan, Stacks maintenance, Library Systems, and the evening/weekend staff. She is also a member of the Research, Teaching & Learning team providing instruction and research consultations. Eileen also advises first year students.
Prior to working at Holy Cross, Eileen worked in private industry as a senior software developer and technical consultant for web-based medical software and Internet content management. Additionally, she worked as Human Factors and Medicine Specialist for the Center for Applied Medical Informatics (CAMI) where she developed her expertise in usability and human-centered design. She has been published in interactions and The Journal of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.
Mary spent more than 25 years as a Catalog Librarian at Holy Cross and then assumed the position of Head of Acquisitions and Cataloging in 2009. More recently she's been the Head of Content and Metadata Management overseeing acquisitions, cataloging, and continuing resources.
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