The monograph collection now extends approximately 7.9 miles in length. Some 43,292 volumes were shipped to the Northwest Book Regional Book Depository for storage. Convent-ional interlibrary loans brought more than 7,900 items to UT researchers and sent more than 10,400 items to researchers elsewhere. Navigating through a complex library collection is a daunting task. Fortunately UT students and faculty have the assistance of capable reference librarians who fielded more than 36,000 questions at the Reference Desk.
Library instruction is equally important to cultivate the self-reliant researcher.
Last year the Library faculty taught 241 instructional sessions to 4,344 students. Technical Services Much energy and effort was invested in devising a new approval plan for purchasing monographs in conjunction with other OhioLINK libraries. This new approval plan will undoubtedly lead to further statewide, coordinated book purchasing in the future. Cataloging was completed on several large collections including theses and project reports from 1923 to 1971. Despite its dwindling staff, the Automation Department improved many aspects of Library operations in FY99.