Award Report - 1st State, First Rate: Improving the DSAMH Medical Library
Due to the lapse of time between confirmation of award receipt and the actual receipt of the payment, some modifications had to be made to the item order. The shredder was a different brand, but the same quality, and several hundred dollars less (we were unable to get the original quoted price because of a state contract renegotiation). As a result of that major different, an additional toner cartridge was ordered, and two of the ‘regular’ cartridges were upgraded to the ‘extra’ toner cartridges. Lubrication sheets for the shredder were also purchased. Also because of the time delay and contract changes, two of the three printers ordered where of a different series due to discontinuation of the previous series (there was minimal price difference).
The purpose of improving the technology in the Library was to increase the patronage of the physical library, as well as to encourage patrons to use the space for research and discourse. By upgrading the existing printers, and adding a new printer to the computer lab, patron satisfaction has been significantly improved. No longer are there ink stained, illegible print outs from the previous dinosaurs of printers, and no longer are there patrons waiting for the printer to ‘warm-up’ (previously a ten minute process). In the computer lab, students are now able to print out class work, tip sheets, or screenshots, adding value to the attended workshop. The shredder is in a central location, in a locked file room, easy and convenient for the shredding of confidential papers. The scanner has already seen quite a bit of use, as it was immediately converted to upon receipt – the old scanner was given to another team because it was still in usable order, just not for high volume use.
Receiving new public printers has made us rethink the organization and layout of the Library and how useable it is for its patrons. The three public access computers are not in the line of sight from the front entrance so people are surprised to learn that there are computers in the Library. In a similar fashion, there are several public study tables in the back of the Library that are tucked out of the way and are not often used. There are plans in place to rearrange the furniture of the Library before the end of the year, moving the computers and the tables to the front of the Library and the shelving units to the back, with the intention of making patrons aware of the technology improvements and creating a more user-friendly and inviting space.
A before and after photo will be posted on the DSAMH Medical Library webpage as soon as the page’s edits go through the approval process and can be found here: http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dsamh/medical_library.html
Susanne Ingle, MSIS, MLS - Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Medical Library
New Castle, DE 19720
