Carl B. Compares Well With Other Area Libraries......However

Many of you may have seen the front-page article about the NDSU library in the Thursday, February 14 Forum. The Forum article drew conclusions regarding the state of affairs at NDSU’s Library, and in several instances inferred or stated that similar circumstances prevailed at MSUM and Concordia, as well as libraries in general. Several Concordia faculty and students have commented on the article; many have asked questions regarding whether or not the Concordia Library is experiencing the same or similar issues presently facing NDSU. 

Generally, we are in agreement with the concerns expressed by NDSU as regards the changing mission of Libraries and the exploding costs associated with new technologies such as electronic databases. And, yes, we too, are concerned that the Carl B. Ylvisaker Library after more than a half-century of service may now be in dire need of substantial remodeling or even replacement. We realize that we must restructure and reprioritize how our building is used, and we must also help College Planners envision the library of the future. But, at this time, we feel fortunate that here at Concordia, that we enjoy such strong support from our students and faculty.  The utilization of our services is particularly encouraging.  It is especially notable in comparison with the experiences of the other two campuses. 

 In the Forum article, a number of statistical comparisons were made between the three Tri-College libraries. 

Because the information reported for the Concordia library was from the 2005-2006 fiscal year, we would like to update the statistics:

In ’06-’07 we had an 8% increase in the weekly average number of visitors over the prior year. For just the first semester this academic year our gate counts have increased by 11%. Overall, the Concordia Library has increased the weekly visitors to approximately 12,000, as compared to 10,156 two years ago. Circulation statistics have also continued to increase. The average number of materials-circulated-per-student jumped from 37 to 41 (+10.8%) over the same two years. The statistics quoted in the Forum article confirm that library use by Concordia’s students and faculty actually dwarfs the use by NDSU, MSUM and UND combined!

    Although our statistics reveal library usage is continuing to increase at Concordia, the $220,000 book budget, as reported in the article, has decreased due to an emphasis on increasingly expensive electronic resources. Last year our costs for academic scholarly journals increased by 8% and the expense of electronic databases (PsycInfo, Lexis-Nexis) grew an average of 5%. These huge increases have meant that we, like NDSU and MSUM, have had to cut our book budget in order to cover those increases.   Last year, our book budget decreased by $20,000 and will decrease by an additional $20,000 next year.  In addition, we have been forced to eliminate 488 print journal subscriptions in the last three years. We, in the library, work very hard to choose the best materials that support our curriculum and meet the educational needs of our students. Although more and more resources are becoming available electronically, many disciplines still rely on print to communicate scholarly thought and ideas.

Graphic Source: Dalrymple, Amy. "NDSU Officials Discuss Fee Hike to Help Library." The Forum 2-14-08

As we conclude the first decade of the 21^st Century, we are mindful that our mission needs to continue to evolve and adapt. In due time we will have the opportunity to dream of an expanded and more functional physical structure. But, in the meantime, we need the input and continued support from Concordia faculty and students as we strive to enhance the academic experience for all.

Sharon Hoverson

Library Director