We continue to progress with our new client-server system and with preparing the Libraries for the year 2000. Many new computers are added regularly. At this time we have at least 325 internet-connected computers for staff and public use and that number increases almost every day, thanks to the fine work of our Technology Office and Team. We expect to have more than 400 computers in place in 1999.
It is also noteworthy that the Libraries now provide Web access to many electronic resources through our Research Center web page. For the first time we provide access to reference works such as the Encyclopedia Britannica and more than 4,000 full-text journals. We are exploring many more electronic resources for our users.
Remodeling work on the group study rooms and the poetry room continues and we hope that this work will be completed by the end of the year. The CopyIt and printing center administered by Information Technology is now open in Ekstrom Library. The renovation project in the Music Library is almost completed.
We are in the process of filling faculty vacancies in Reference, Content Access and Music, and soon we will begin new searches.
Strong library support for distance education courses in Fort Knox, San Salvador, Panama, Greece and Egypt has been developed as part of the accreditation of these programs. Much appreciation for this work goes to Sharon Edge and Robb Allen.
We have submitted a plan to prepare for membership in the Association of Research Libraries within the next three to five years. The plan will enable us to catalog special collections and purchase additional resources for the collection. It will also enable us to begin an evaluation of our collections. I will keep you posted on that progress.
I am working with Craig Buthod, Director of the Louisville Free Public Library and Paul Lanata, Director of Jefferson County Schools Library Media Services Department, on a collaborative program to make many of the classes in the University of Kentucky Masters in Library Science degree program available in Louisville.
--Hannelore Rader, University Librarian