Reference Point

> Development Column Advancing technology Donor support helps to keep Libraries current While academic libraries always need plenty of books and journals – in physical and digital forms – libraries today also need plenty of technology. Many contemporary library services are provided through or supported by technology and have costs about which many people are unaware. Megan Moreno I'd like to share with you a few examples of the technology-related services of the CMU Libraries, and their costs, and thereby suggest some opportunities for donors to help keep library technology and services current. Park Library offers 360 computers for student use. These heavily used machines, which have features and software most students' own computers don't have, are replaced every four or five years at a cost of almost $500,000. Though this is financially challenging, it is essential to the Libraries' ability to provide excellence in service. We try to set aside dollars, including donor funds, annually. Our five heavily used, mediated group study rooms, booked free of charge and on a first-come, first-served basis, have large display screens to allow several students to view one student's laptop to aid learning and collaboration. The cost to mediate one group study room is about $5,000. Mediating more of our 21 rooms would benefit more students. The 144-seat Park Library Auditorium, an impressive setting in high demand by departments and groups from across campus, received a complete upgrade in 2011 to repair and enhance its audio-visual capabilities. At a cost of $100,000, the upgrade has vastly improved the quality of experience for both presenters – including prominent visiting speakers – and attendees alike. We know that in several years another round of auditorium upgrades, large or small, will be necessary, and assistance from donors in developing a fund in advance to support it would be an excellent way to ensure future quality for all who enter the auditorium. The "Dean's Column" in this issue of Reference Point notes the exciting implementation of a "discovery layer" that will significantly enhance access to the Libraries' research collections. However, the column doesn't mention that even after a large implementation expense this marvelous new tool comes with an annual cost to the Libraries of about $60,000. There's a long list of other technology- related needs in the Libraries that grows steadily even while our university budgets don't: converting our large teaching collection of films from VHS to DVD, since VHS players are becoming nonexistent; purchasing software upgrades for our book checkout system; and, of course, building digital collections of books and journals to keep up with the curriculum and student demand for 24/7 access. As you can see, each need is an opportunity for designated charitable support with gifts large or small. For those who give, I can assure in return the personal satisfaction of knowing your contribution will benefit students and faculty across all academic areas. If you'd like additional information, please contact me. I look forward to helping you determine how your financial support can best meet the needs of students and faculty and also satisfy your philanthropic wishes. A 11,000,000 Michigan newspaper pages preserved on microfilm at Clarke Historical Library Megan Moreno Director of Library Development and Community Outreach 6 28 33 Days for an undergraduate student book loan Miles of compact movable shelving in Park Library

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