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Library-IT Synergies and Consolidation Opportunities. Pat burns, Interim Dean CSU Libraries. Outline. Accepted models for Library-IT consolidation User support and services User training IT servers and systems Middleware Futures. Accepted Models for Library-IT Consolidation.
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Library-IT Synergies and Consolidation Opportunities Pat burns, Interim Dean CSU Libraries Library-IT Synergies
Outline • Accepted models for Library-IT consolidation • User support and services • User training • IT servers and systems • Middleware • Futures Library-IT Synergies
Accepted Models for Library-IT Consolidation • IT and Libraries are commonly consolidated at many small schools/ community colleges • Very rare at large, research universities, with the following exceptions (Burns conversations) • Columbia • Michigan State University Library-IT Synergies
Columbia • Consolidated all of IT several years ago • Mistake, subsequently split out • Administrative computing • Networking • Academic computing (email, web, file storage) • Effect • “Consolidating the central IT help desk with the Libraries’ reference desk has worked exceptionally well.” – Jim Neal, VP for Information Services & University Librarian Library-IT Synergies
Michigan State University • Consolidated central IT help desk in the Library • “Absolutely a ‘no brainer’ and has worked better then we expected. Users are very happy with this arrangement.” – David Gift, VP for Libraries, Computing and Technology Library-IT Synergies
Lessons Learned • ‘In the new millennium, lessons learned should actually be learned’ – The Dalai Lama • Consolidate only where there are synergies • Can ‘overreach’ Library-IT Synergies
Recommendations for CSU Library-IT Synergies
User Support & Services - Consolidate • Consolidate user support in Morgan • Reference/info. desk – ~4 FTE + students • IT help desk – 1.5 FTE + students • Computer maintenance and repair – 1 FTE • Large format plotting (cost recovery) • Why • Improved services from a single source • Information access is almost entirely digital • It’s where many students are anyway • Synergies, cross training, cost savings Library-IT Synergies
User Training - Consolidate • Training should be consolidated with the help desk to take advantage of shared knowledge base • Ergo, also, move Fran Campana into Morgan • Use the computer classrooms in Morgan and C142 Clark as training facilities • Space exists and has been identified Library-IT Synergies
IT Servers and Systems • Collaborate • Elevate level of quality of operations and management of Library servers to the same level of quality as central IT • Server class hardware, redundancy, monitoring and statistics, alarming, upgrades • Take advantage of newest hardware and technologies in the Libraries • E.g. ACNS blade servers in main data center • Consolidate file back-up and archival Library-IT Synergies
Middleware - Collaborate • Evolve to use of eID to access Library services • ‘Single sign on’ for users • More secure • New technologies (federated authentication, already a joint project; digital signatures) • Joint development efforts • Self-service web pages for reserving/accessing • ETD submission • Group study rooms • Video conferencing facilities • Digital materials, etc. Library-IT Synergies
Futures • Strategy • Central IT be responsible for the back-end IT infrastructure in the Libraries (invisible) • Library IT be responsible for front-end instructional technology and services (visible) • Jointly cooperate/collaborate on futures • Digital repository • Learning-IT Commons • Etc. Library-IT Synergies
Questions • Are most welcome Library-IT Synergies