Library A Week

U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)  Library

2010 no. 12

Library Profile

Library Name: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Library Location: 2902 Newmark Drive, Champaign, IL 61822 Type: Special Mission: The mission of the ERDC is to provide science, technology, and expertise in engineering and environmental sciences in support of our Armed Forces and the Nation to make the world safer and better. Library Website: http://itl.erdc.usace.army.mil/library/ LTLS Directory Page: http://www.lincolntrail.info/qun.html LTLS Member Since: 1977   An interview with Library Technician, Pat Lacey.

What is unique about your library?

We are a small, special library (only 2 onsite staff) that has a collection of materials, both print and online, that focuses on environment, construction, and computer science that is geared towards research staff at the lab. Our virtual library has grown tremendously in the past 5 years or so. Since 2000 the ERDC has shared one online catalog and uses the services of 2 additional library locations, one in Vicksburg, MS and one in Hanover, NH. Combined, we have each grown in our capabilities.

What are the primary goals and objectives of your library?

Our main goal is to fulfill the research requirements of the EDRC laboratories, the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense and the Nation. We recently moved the library into a new space and that led to a weeding of outdated and underutilized materials. We continue to meet the needs of our patrons.

What cooperative efforts are you currently doing?

We have a virtual collection which is shared throughout the ERDC libraries. Each library contributes to the overall operation of the library. Most of the collaboration that I participate in is within the ERDC. We use OCLC and LTLS as our resource sharing partners.

Tell us a story about your library.

The move is probably the biggest story of the year. We just moved in February to our current location. Since the University of Illinois owns our buildings, they provided us wooden book carts and a few facilities personnel to help with the move. We loaded the carts, pushed them down the hallways, unloaded, and repeated until the collection was moved. The space was downsized considerably, but the new library has new compact shelving, which is great. The whole moving process went surprisingly well and we are happy in our new space.

If money were no object, what services would you add?

I feel that our space, our technology and our staff allow us to meet our patrons’ needs. If money were no object I would focus on increasing the collection. I would like to focus on electronic materials, but I believe that print materials are important as well, so different formats would be added as relevant.

What is popular in your library?

Since much of our collection is electronic, I find that our patrons really like and appreciate the immediate access to many of their requests. If the materials are not electronic, I pull them from the shelf, or interlibrary loan them, and the patron can stop by and pick up the materials at their convenience.

How does your library use online tools to connect to your users?

We maintain 2 websites, one for the public and one for staff /internal use. Internal staff have access to over 75,000 ejournals and ebooks, most of which are authenticated through I.P. addresses so that no log-ins are necessary. Since our main focus is on providing support to the ERDC we don’t currently use Facebook or other social networks.

Request a visit to your library If you would like to set up a special date for us to visit your library contact LTLS Consultant Michelle Ralston Library of the Week is published by Lincoln Trail Libraries System, 1704 W. Interstate Dr., Champaign, IL 61822 217-352-0047  -   ltls@lincolntrail.info Executive Director: Jan Ison, Editorial and Design Team: Michelle Ralston and David Lottes