Collegiate Times

As one of the nation's top engineering, architecture, business, science and research universities, Virginia Tech fails to standout for having a noteworthy research library.

The Association of Research Libraries' most recent publication of rankings for research libraries in the nation ranked Tech 104 out of 110 libraries.

Director of research and instruction services for Newman Library, Lesley Moyo, felt that although Tech's library was not favorably ranked, to be ranked alone was an accomplishment.

Tech "is among some of the top universities in the nation, including many Ivy League schools," Moyo said. "If other factors such as funding was included, Tech would've been ranked higher."

A recent proposed university budget cut that would have resulted in a potential loss of almost $900,000 in cancellations of subscriptions in the 2009-10 year had hindered Newman Library from making significant improvements.

But the provost's office recently decided to increase the Newman Library budget by $300,000.

The Newman Library will be spared from the mandated 5 percent budget cuts, equivalent to a loss of $700,000 in funds.

"That's a $1 million swing from the worst-case scenario they faced," said Mark McNamee, university provost.

The ARL ranked Tech at 100 out of 107 research libraries for overall funding. Because resources provided at Newman Library now come with annual increases that exceed inflation, some may not be continued.

Newman Library also struggles significantly with maintaining an appealing appearance as far as infrastructure. Because of Newman Library's age and different parts of the building dating back to 1955 and 1985, renovations are extremely limited.

"The physical make-up of the building is, I admit, not the friendliest," said Donald Kenney, associate dean of administrative services for the library. "We've tried to work with overcoming that by improved signage and having key service points to alleviate that."

The staff at Newman Library attempts to deal with this setback by working intently with the interior setup and plans to implement suggestions found in surveys conducted through the library's Web site.

"Group study rooms were granted as a direct result from surveys. People work more collaboratively now than individually, so we decided to accommodate that," said Moyo. "We also try and compromise for the older set-up of the library by making every space central to access a conglomeration of resources so it is a 'one-stop shopping' ideal."

Kenney said the new addition of the second floor entrances were also a direct result of Newman Library trying to accommodate the needs of students. The entrances were installed specifically to make the library more accessible to the common student traffic flow between Torgersen Hall and the Drillfield.

Another outstanding complaint from students, according to survey data, was that students are unsatisfied with the level of comfort the library provides.

As a remedy to this complaint, Newman Library will install a coffee shop to serve as a multi-purpose lounge for a relaxing social environment as well as a place for studying. Architectural plans have been completed, and students can expect the addition's construction to begin this year.

The library also contains visibly outdated computers and other forms of technology. Moyo said that although the computers are not as "trendy" as the ones frequently seen around campus, the actual system is very robust and capable of allowing students to use most Internet and software resources.

"We are actually, I feel, ahead of the curve as far as technology. We certainly endeavor to keep up with technology," Moyo said. "World-class technology resources such as iLLiad, an electronic delivery system, is patented and used worldwide after being created right here at Newman Library."

The library staff remains adamant about constantly looking for ways to improve.

Annual surveys are conducted to monitor the usage of the library and compile and review data to provide solutions to students' needs.

Results of these surveys may be found on the library's Web site.

"Regardless of what budget cut or setback we are experiencing, our mission is always to serve the research of the university to the best of our ability, first and foremost," Kenney said.