Measures for Success: Library Resources and Effectiveness under Scrutiny

Library organization and redesign.

Creation of common territorial complex for RTU

„RTU – City within a City” is a project the implementation of which will create the most advanced study centre for engineering sciences in the Baltic region – a campus that in future will be formed of RTU faculties, administrative buildings and the scientific library.

The first stage of the project was realized starting from spring of 2010 till the end of 2013, with the help of national and European Regional Development Funds.

Within the framework of the project in the library:

• Mobile shelves in the book repository have been installed (2011.).

As a result the library now has more storage space, increasing the capacity of book repository by 71% in order to keep the most recent copies of technical and engineering sciences as well as to comply with state-level library tasks. RTU Scientific Library (SL) is the only library in Latvia with such an extensive collection of literature on engineering and architecture that can be drawn on as a relevant source of information and reference for developing the Latvian national economy.

• RFID technology system has been introduced (2012.). RTU Scientific Library was the first in Latvia to start using RFID technologies on such a large scale. This innovation provided RTU SL with sustainable protection of books, development of the self-service culture, and RTU student and faculty satisfaction with library services.
• Development of the project for modernization and expansion of the library premises (2012 – 2015) is taking place. The main newly acquired quality is the unified environment for students, academics, researchers and library staff that in the future will allow more flexible optimization of library processes, introduction of new services, as well as engagement in joint activities and projects.

Library is no longer just a quiet place to read, study, or do research. Modern libraries are direct outgrowths of the needs expressed by library users for expanded spaces that serve competing needs simultaneously like modern and ergonomic interior, quiet reading/study areas, meeting rooms and group study sessions. These amenities are now standard elements in nowadays libraries.

Realization of each stage of the project provides an opportunity to increase the quality and range of library services.

The aim of the poster report is to reflect the implementation steps of third stage (for example: tasks, planning, lessons from other libraries, introduction, expected results) and gains in the efficiency of library services (for example: a common environment for the whole library, group and individual work rooms, 24 hour reading room, increased number of readers’ working spaces, rarity reading room, increased number of library users, etc.).

The expansion and modernization of the library will create new tasks and challenges for the staff, new services and facilities for library users, but for everyone together – new ways of fulfilling study needs and increasing the quality of education.

Modernising library services means adopting modern methods, tools, techniques and gadgets. RTU Scientific library modernisation will increase the efficiency and speed of its services.