The Albert Seay Library of Music and Art

The Albert Seay Library of Music and Art at Colorado College. n n n Services students and faculty of Colorado College as well as members of the public. Our collection consists of approximately 23, 000 music scores and books, as well as subscriptions to 30 music journals. We also have roughly 8, 500 recordings on LP, CD, VHS and DVD.

General Description of Music Library’s Facilities n n n The Music Library offers to the patrons the use of: Four public computer terminals for access to our catalog Individual CD, Cassette and LP listening stations with headphones. Two group listening rooms which have audio equipment for CD’s, LP’s and cassettes. Two video set-ups (one large screen) that patrons can use to view videos, laserdiscs or DVD’s

Performing Ensembles n n n n The Music Library collection also features a large archive of concert recordings of the major ensembles which include: Chamber Orchestra Concert Band Chamber Chorus Bowed Piano Ensemble CC Tiger Jazz Band Balinese Gamelan African Drum Ensemble

Music Courses Taught at Colorado College. n n n Some of the Music Courses taught at Colorado College which utilize the services of the Music Library frequently are: MU 202 American Music: From Plymouth Rock to Rock MU 207: Opera MU 210: Splendor of The Baroque MU 211 The Miles Davis Years Topics in Ethnomusicology: Bombay to Bollywood

The Music Department Faculty How did the music library identify this group? http: //www. coloradocollege. edu/MU/faculty. html And determine their needs? To support their teaching and curriculum needs. .

Services Provided Reference n Instruction n Reserves n Expanded access/circulation n

Methods of Assessment Survey n Scanning n Interview n Focus Group n Phone Interview n

And the Survey says… n n n 60% response rate Common themes: 50% of the faculty visited the library 3 -5 times per week 5 out of 6 faculty say the collection meets their needs for teaching. The Online Audio Reserve system is the most popular service among all faculty.

Online Audio Class Reserves n n n Pros Allow the students to access the audio listening examples from any computer Eliminates waiting time in the library for the physical CD copies Professors can have additional music tracks loaded the same day Cons If there are technical breakdowns the audio reserves are inaccessible No uniform way to organize each professor’s tracks in the i. Tunes library.

And the Survey says cont. . n n n 100% of the faculty surveyed stated that greatest strength of the library is the helpful staff. On a satisfaction scale from 1 -5, all of the faculty rated the music library 4 or higher. Collection, increase staff and new technology were three highest priorities for library spending.

Scanning of the Music Library n n n Signage Clutter and disorder Interior redesign Circulation desk as a barrier Lack of natural light

Personal Interview n n Online Audio Streamlining was big positive The location of the Library is ideal. Would like to see the cataloging of new materials proceed at a quicker pace. Would also like to see the clutter disappear.

Focus Group n n n n Conducted with three music faculty Online Audio Reserves / favorite of all. Would like a system to count or track how often it gets used. Would like to link the e-reserve text web pages to the music pages. Some concern with technology issues. Would like to have a self-check out system. Like the location of the library and lay-out.

Phone Interview. . n n n Interview conducted with Music Librarian, who was a SLIM grad herself. Communication with faculty Would like to see more scores and more up to date audio listening stations. Redesign of the library interior would be ideal. Older faculty were hesitant to technological change, while the younger faculty embraced it.

Best practice. n Customer service oriented n The Online Audio Reserves n Acquiring of new materials to meet requests.

Recommendations n n n n n Continue personal service and contact with faculty Expand Online Reserves Add technology as it becomes available Catalog new materials faster Provide self-check out Continue building collection in various formats Interior Re-design – more user friendly More staff Conduct needs assessment of the students.