The leadership, faculty, and staff of the Millar Library have planned and implemented numerous activities and initiatives to extend the Library's ability to support student learning and faculty success. Notable accomplishments include significant expansion of Reference & Information Services and Instructional Services, implementation of assertive outreach programs and services, and the broadening of access to information resources. The Library has become effectively integrated into Portland State University's instructional and scholarly fabric, and is also actively involved with local, regional, and national user communities. The Library plays an increasingly central role in both university and regional interests.

Accomplishments

• Created Research & Learning Center.

• Expanded Reference & Information Services, and Instructional Services.

• Implemented virtual reference services; Graduate Student Consultation Service.

• Integrated the Millar Library into University Studies.

• Conducted successful Faculty Vitality Initiative.

• Developed new emphasis on information consulting (faculty outreach).

• Improved Interlibrary Loan & Document Delivery (service & technologies).

• Focused attention on distance education and distributed learning.

• Contributed to the Community Colleges Initiative.

• Instituted special assistance for visually or physically challenged students in the Research & Learning Center.

• Developed a new resource-allocation model to rationally allocate funds.

• Improved access to the Millar Library's collections via retrospective conversions; to materials in Oregon and Washington via Orbis Cascade; and to materials in Portland via PORTALS.

• Revised Information Resources Management Policy.

• Located two remote storage facilities.

• Examined open positions in relation to changing or emerging priorities.

• Recruited and hired three minority candidates into professional positions.

• Planning is integrated into the communications between the Millar Library and the campus.

• Assessment is being emphasized.

• Librarians are increasingly active in professional associations.

Challenges

• Need to update the Millar Library's mission statement so that it is current as well as aligned with the University's mission statement.

• Need to conduct strategic planning.

• Need to add staff to support Reference & Information Services; Instructional Services; Interlibrary Loan & Document Delivery; and the Community Colleges Initiative given staff pressures arising from the success of these services and new outreach efforts.

• Need to add funds for materials (books, serials, and databases).

• Determine ways to allocate resources to support Library activities: Interlibrary Loan & Document Delivery is supported from "administrative funds" (as opposed to the information resources budget); and annual fees for remote storage total $250,000.

• Need more space for materials - the Millar Library is 95% full, or "critically full."

• Need more space for students.