UNLV Libraries Articles from Inside UNLV for 2009
January 2009
Faculty and Staff Asked to Take User Survey
Help shape the future of UNLV Libraries by taking the 2009 LibQUAL+ online survey. The survey will be available to faculty, staff, and students Feb. 17-March 9. In addition to completing the survey themselves, faculty are asked to encourage their students to participate. To better support the teaching and research mission of the university, the Libraries needs input on collections, on the effectiveness of its teaching program, and on the contributions of its staff and facilities to teaching and research. Results from past surveys have resulted in:
- increasing the number of electronic subscriptions to 24,000 from 9,000
- adding 225,000 electronic books and more than doubling database subscriptions to 300
- joining the LINK+ consortium of more than 30 libraries, giving patrons access to 7.6 million volumes with delivery within six days
- designing and launching a new front page for the Libraries' website that includes an expanded search box
- adding specific pages oriented toward the needs of faculty, graduate students, undergraduates, and distance education students
- providing laptops for checkout at Lied and all the branch libraries and replacing more than 500 student PCs
- replacing approximately 324 computer workstation chairs in Lied, Architecture Studies, and the Curriculum Materials libraries.
Used by libraries in the United States and abroad, LibQUAL+ measures patrons' perceptions of libraries' services and collections. The survey has been given at UNLV three times since 2002.
Participating libraries receive access to the data from hundreds of libraries and can compare
scores in the areas of library as a place; the helpfulness and competence of library staff; and
access to print and online resources. In addition to the survey, the Libraries regularly
solicits feedback from the campus. Suggestions have resulted in the launching of programs and exhibits as well as improvements in daily operations.
February 2009
Longtime Librarian Makes $2 Million Bequest
The announcement of two new major gifts and the formal recognition of another — totaling more than $3 million — highlighted the University Libraries Dean's Associates celebration last semester. Dean Patricia Iannuzzi announced a bequest intention with an estimated value of $2 million made by retired staff member Billie Polson. Following a 40-year career with University Libraries, Polson retired as head of technical services in 2000. She said she wants to support the Libraries long after she is gone. Of course, as the dean told Polson and the more than 100 people attending the event, "We want you to be here for a long time, so we don't expect the gift any time soon!"
Iannuzzi also announced a commitment of $1 million by Flora and Stuart Mason to endow the University Libraries' peer research coaches program. The program addresses retention of undergraduate students both by improving their research and communication skills, and by providing role models to other students. At-risk, but motivated students are mentored and trained to serve as front-line research coaches to their peers. In 2005, the Masons provided the funds to pilot the program. This gift will create an endowment to fund the program for generations to come. Lance and Elena Calvert, who endowed The Libraries' Calvert Award for Undergraduate Research in spring 2008, also were recognized by Iannuzzi.
Although research awards exist at other colleges, the Calvert Award is the first in the nation to
be endowed so that it will be presented in perpetuity.
April 2009
UNLV Author Celebration Set for April 14
Faculty members will be honored at the seventh annual Celebration of UNLV Authors at 2 p.m. April 14 in the extended study area of the Lied Library. Hosted by University Libraries, this event celebrates the scholarly accomplishments of faculty members whose books were published in 2008.
President David B. Ashley will be the special guest speaker. All faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to attend. "This event provides important recognition for our campus colleagues and their works," said Patricia Iannuzzi, dean of University Libraries. "In many cases, the research for these books is done in the University Libraries, using our resources and materials. We are proud of the Libraries' contribution to the research mission of our university and its role as intellectual commons for the campus."
During the last seven years, University Libraries has recognized hundreds of faculty authors.
More info: For a listing of UNLV authors since 2002, go to library.unlv.edu/external or call Patrick Griffis at ext. 5-2231. The 2008 honorees' names soon will be added to the website
Spotlight On Accomplishments
Tom Sommer (Libraries) has been invited to address the 2009 joint annual meeting of the Council of State Archivists and the Society of American Archivists in August. Sustaining archives has become more important in recent years because of the changing expectations of local and global audiences. His paper is titled "UNLV Special Collections: Expanding Our Reach and Use in the 21st Century." It will focus on the history of Web 2.0 and how the UNLV Special Collections Division is addressing the current needs of researchers via digital management software, search boxes, blogs, and virtual exhibits.
June 2009
Researchers Strike Gold in Boomtown Archives
University Libraries has launched its latest digital collection, "Southern Nevada: The Boomtown Years 1900-1925," which tells the story of Southern Nevada's mining boom and bust and the coming of the railroad. Drawing on a broad range of collections including those of UNLV Libraries, the Nevada State Museum and Historical Society, and the Clark County Museum, this digital project presents a wealth of rarely seen letters, newspapers, maps, photographs,
family albums, mining company records, and local clubs' meeting minutes.
The information is available for the first time in a fully accessible online format. "'Southern Nevada: the Boomtown Years 1900-1925' provides online the largest collection ever brought together of primary historical material for students, historians, and anyone interested in the history of Nevada," said Patricia Iannuzzi, dean of University Libraries. The project was funded by a $95,000 state Library Services and Technology Act grant. The grant included funding for consultant Christy Keeler, a visiting assistant professor with experience working on education and technology projects.
A teachers' section on the site will include information about using the primary sources in the classroom as well as various standards-based activities using artifacts from the "Boomtown" collection. This section should enhance the overall usefulness of the site for students as well as K-12 teachers and university-level history and social studies professors. This project was led by Peter Michel, director of special collections, and Cory Lampert, digitization projects librarian, who supervised four grant-funded staff members and coordinated a project team of nine library staff members. To access "Boomtown," go to digital.library.unlv.edu/boomtown. Contact Michel at peter.michel@unlv.edu.
