Technical Processing Relocation
Background Document
November 27, 2001
Compiled by:
Carol P. Diedrichs
Wes Boomgaarden
Trisha Davis
Magda El-Sherbini
Marsha Hamilton
Beth Russell
Sheryl Williams
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Background - The Main Library Renovation Project presents an opportunity to consider the appropriate location for technical processing (Technical Services Division and the Preservation Department). In addition, it provides an opportunity to design a new environment for technical processing regardless of its location. These ideas and issues are relevant to both a short term relocation and/or long term relocation.
Desirable features/attributes of a renovated technical processing area:
- Workflow
- mail flow in and out - efficiency and security
- security for all in process material
- storage space and arrangement
- shelving versus current extensive use of trucks
- flexibility
- Ergonomics
- noise levels/sound barriers
- lighting - artificial and natural
- sight lines through areas
- meeting spaces
- phones
- Reception area
- Supply room hub
- Environment
- water
- refrigerator
- sofa
- microwave
- restrooms
- natural light
- plants
- windows that open
- Workspaces
- Large table for processing collections or sorting handouts
- Cleanable surfaces
Advantages of relocation:
- free prime space for user activities
- provide improved spaces for technical processing staff over the current space
- staff avoidance of hassles of renovation/construction
- opportunity to design space specifically for technical processing activities
- improved climate control
- off-site space might be better than renovated Main Library space
- improved parking
- fewer interruptions for staff
Disadvantages of relocation:
- separation from campus life and opportunities
- isolation from core customers such as collection managers
- isolation from staff services such as Human Resources, Business Office, IT
- disengagement from mission and centrality of library culture
- isolation of professionals from fellow professionals and impact on tenure/promotion decisions
- re-establishment of barriers between technical processing and public services which both groups have worked over the past years to break down
- availability of transportation to work for staff with personal vehicles
- availability of food, banking, and other services in remote location
- lost productivity due to transportation of staff to/from main campus to off-site location
- reduction/loss of technical processing staff who work the information desk
- increased need to batch work to retrieve material from the Main Library stacks or wait for its delivery
- hand delivery of rare materials no longer viable
- loss of access to material in the stacks and in other campus libraries
- easy use of flex time because of extended hours of Main Library
- travel time for student workers
- possible recruitment problems for student workers
- increased transportation of materials
- access to equipment such as microfilm and fiche readers
- public access to in process materials
- communication with collection managers and their staff
- approval shelves
- problem resolution
- transliteration
- workflow variances such as LAS
Additional questions:
- Are there other units who do not need to be located in the Main Library to be effective?
- How will flexible, reliable transportation between sites be provided?
- Would office space in Main Library still be needed for on site work?
- Where will mail be delivered - Main Library or directly to remote facility?
- Where would the backlogs be stored?
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