The Pollak Library
Budget Reductions and Furloughs 2009-2010
I am writing to provide an update on the many changes occurring in the Pollak Library
this academic year.
The Pollak Library recognizes that its users increasingly expect "options," so we
will continue to explore new and different uses of technology to "talk" where students
"listen," and "listen" where students are most apt to "talk."
The major topics touched upon below are: Hours, Information Resources, Interlibrary
Loan, and Furlough Day Services.
Hours more ...
The Library's open hours have been reduced from 83.5/week to 69/week. Open at 8:00
am rather than 7:30 am and closing M-Th at 9:00 pm rather than 10:30 pm. Friday
closure remains 5:00 pm. Saturday hours have been changed from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
to 10:00 am - 6:00 pm.
Sundays the Library will be closed all day. While the library's web site
will be available 24/7 we've included serveral alternative libraries you can
visit during the Sunday closures.
Information Resources more ...
The Library's overall budget has been reduced 15% this year. The Library recognizes
that different disciplines are differentially dependent upon book, serials, and
electronic resources. Thus reductions will be taken across all types of information
resources.
We are also reviewing subscriptions to print journals, e-journals, and other electronic
packages. Since renewal dates fall across the calendar, some cancellations will
not be immediate.
Interlibrary Loan more ...
The Library, after discussion with the Academic Senate Executive Committee over
the summer, is limiting the number of outstanding interlibrary loan transactions
that at any given time can be in any stage of the process (e.g., requested, in transit,
checked out). Once an item is downloaded or returned, another opportunity
opens. These limits are 20 for faculty, 15 for grad students and staff, and 10 for
undergrads.
Statistics for 2008/09 show that 16% of items requested by all categories of borrowers
were never picked up or downloaded. Please note that this policy change
does NOT impose a restriction on the number of times one can go to interlibrary
loan. If 200 items are needed in the course of a semester, we will try and secure
them; we just can't accommodate all 200 requests at the same time.
Furlough Day Services more ...
The Library will be open and available in a "reduced services" mode. Circulation
and Course Reserve services will be available. Other service desks--Reference, Audiovisual
and Curriculum Materials Center, University Archives & Special Collections--will
be closed.
No requests for instruction sessions by faculty will be accepted for a furlough
day; all requests for "normal" times are being accommodated. The "Virtual Library,"
of course, will be open on furlough days and, indeed, at any time a user has a need.
More Information
All is not gloom and doom in your campus library. You may have noticed some new
features at the bottom of the Library's homepage. These are icons for various "social
media," the use of which is rapidly expanding. There were few options for "talking"
to a physical, print-based library. For the "Virtual Library" that is emerging and
will continue to evolve, there are many existing and yet to be invented ways of
"talking" to it remotely.
Richard Pollard
University Librarian
These schools have reciprocal agreements with CSU Fullerton which allows students
to checkout materials from them.
* Please check each for hours and parking information.
Library hours subject to change without notice.