We will have a series of discussion opportunities to validate the basic principles, and to fill in the elements not covered by the proposal, including staff assignments to functional groups. I hope that within three weeks we will feel confident to proceed with implementation. Since we are a service organization, the most important goal of the plan is to make sure we focus, at the highest level of the organization, on the nature and needs of our main constituent groups. This means that, while we want to organize efficiently in terms of function, we most of all want to organize to meet the needs of our users. Each constituent group, then, will have an advocate at the director level of the organization.
Constituent advocacy is a different concept from constituent services.
Computing labs and classrooms, for example, provide students access to computers, and via computers, to a range of information resources. Circulation offers access to books and other printed materials, both here and within the OhioLink consortium, and manages the library as a facility. Interlibrary loan offers access to journal articles and other information resources outside OhioLink. The Audiovisual department provides direct access to special kinds of information, and supports technology in classrooms. The ICS HelpLine and associated computer consulting services are aimed at facilitating access.