Today's key topic was the Information Desk. It is located near the entrance/exit as I mentioned in an earlier post. In this area there are three computers for searching and a small collection of reference books, which are generally appropriate for answering questions quickly such as facts, statistics and definitions. The story does not stop here.In another area of the library, not visible from the Information Desk is the Special Reserve Collection. The books located behind this desk mirror the reserve function that one would find in any North American academic library. Materials located here are in high demand for course work. At Muhimbili, they do not leave the building and circulation is completed using a manual system. Two other collections are in close proximity to Special Reserve: theses and dissertations and the reference collection.
The theses and dissertations seem to be in the appropriate location as they represent the academic achievement of the University and need to be preserved and supervised. The reference collection on the other hand is orphaned as some of the more current titles are located near the Information Desk. It is likely that Fred and I will make a recommendation that the entire reference collection be evaluated using defined criteria in order to form a single reference collection near the Information Desk making it fully visible and accessible to readers and staff. Depending on the criteria, parts of the reference collection might need to move to the circulating collection, special reserve or other titles simply discarded.
Fred and I also met with Mboni Ruzegea, Head of Reader Services Department. Mboni is very interested in using blog software as a tool to improve the library's web presence. We have lunch with her tomorrow. I am sure before we leave; MUHAS Library will have a blog to develop.
