The Ganser Library faculty aim to provide information that meets user needs through a creative combination of local collections, access tools, acquisition on demand, and resource sharing. The library receives an annual library materials budget for books, periodicals, electronic resources, consortium subscriptions, multimedia materials, and resource access. Additional one-time funds are often provided to purchase materials to support new programs and courses and strengthen subject areas. Academic departments receive allocations based upon criteria such as enrollment, number of majors, and number of faculty. Table 7-1 shows the growth in the library's collection over the past five years. What these figures do not describe is the explosive growth in electronic access to University library resources.

Table 7-1
Library Collection and Circulation Statistics

	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Expenditures for Information Resources	$628,392	$683,088	$762,982	$758,244	$805,279
Collection:
Books	479,999	485,721	488,837	493,347	494,088
Microforms	461,024	483,395	502,643	521,838	524,421
Electronic titles	n/a	n/a	n/a	908	1,312
Audio-visual materials	36,025	35,176	35,712	34,719	32,611
Subscriptions	2,775	2,225	2,712	2,470	2,592
Circulation	229,336	143,677	140,270	129,292	106,450
Interlibrary loans received	2,887	3,632	3,297	3,317	3,441

Source: IPEDS Academic Libraries Survey

Our library facilities are well regarded by our students. In the Spring 1998 survey of Millersville sophomores noted earlier in this chapter, 71% said they were satisfied with our library facilities, compared to 61% of college students nationally.

Library Liaison Program

Through the Library Liaison Program, all academic departments and programs designate a faculty member as liaison to the library and are assigned a liaison librarian. The pair work cooperatively to establish collection development guidelines, weeding policies, areas of concentration for growth or redefinition, support for new programs, periodical subscription review, examination of new information technologies, and other essential issues related to library support of the curriculum.

The faculty liaisons actively communicate with colleagues to share information, solicit recommendations for library materials, and bring concerns and perspectives to the liaison librarians. Liaison librarians, with a global view of changing library collections, select materials that support the General Education curriculum and provide a balance in terms of point of view, academic freedom, and intellectual curiosity. Most meet at least annually with the entire department or its library committee to inform them of new initiatives and projects, collection development plans, and other important issues.

Faculty are kept informed of the program through mailings, e-mail to the faculty liaisons, and presentations at new faculty orientation. The Liaison Program Committee hosts an annual meeting of faculty liaisons, liaison librarians, and administrators to discuss the program and specific issues.

The success of the liaison program is evidenced by the support the school deans give to the library's resource requests during the annual resource allocation process. Faculty have recognized the liaison librarians' expertise by requesting workshops for faculty on using library resources and research assistance for course development and publication.

Networks, Consortia, and Affiliations

In 1998 we installed a state-of-the-art automated library system through participation in the State System's Keystone Library Network. All members of the University community can access our catalog and information databases, as well as those at other Pennsylvania libraries, at any time and from any computer with Web access. They can search, view, print, and download complete articles. Network participation has significantly reduced our journal subscription costs as well as expanded access to journals and indexes.

The network is well on its way to establishing a common virtual system of library holdings, databases, and electronic resources for all State System libraries. When fully implemented in 1999-2000, the network will provide an expanded interlibrary loan system, simultaneous searching of all system library catalogs, and the opportunity to efficiently share resources across the State System.

Other affiliations give us the opportunity to provide more resources, build core collections, and share information. Ganser Library is a member of several consortia including the Delaware Valley Documents Group, the Association of College Libraries of Central Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Academic Library Consortium Initiative, and PALINET, a regional library consortium from six states and the District of Columbia. We also collaborate with the Lancaster County Historical Society to share library resources.