1. Susan Ebertz Assistant Professor of Bibliography and Academic Research Reu Memorial Library Wartburg Theological Seminary & Daniel LaValla, Director of Library Services Biblical Seminary Library Overcoming Budget & Staffing Challenges for (Sm)All Libraries in our Post-Recession Economy 1June 20, 2013

2. Overcoming Budget & Staffing Challenges for (Sm)All Libraries in our Post-Recession Economy Biblical Seminary – Profile: Stand alone seminary Non-denominational Protestant ~270 FTE for FY 2013 (~30%  since `08) M.Div., MA, MAC, and DMin Added an accredited Extension Site in 2009 2June 20, 2013

3. Overcoming Budget & Staffing Challenges for (Sm)All Libraries in our Post-Recession Economy Biblical Seminary – Profile: Added an accredited extension site in 2009 No online programs, 15 online courses Almost all courses are hybridized (classroom with online components) Most students are regional commuters (New York-Washington, DC corridor) 3June 20, 2013

4. Overcoming Budget & Staffing Challenges for (Sm)All Libraries in our Post-Recession Economy Recent History: August 2008 – Restructure Faculty/Staff FYs 2009 & ‘10 - lost 50% of library staff 4.0 FTE to 2.0 FTE FY2010 – 35% Acquisition Budget General 33% faculty/staff reduction outside of library 4June 20, 2013

5. Overcoming Budget & Staffing Challenges for (Sm)All Libraries in our Post-Recession Economy Recent History: Deficit institutional budgets in FYs ‘08 & ‘09 Last 4 FYs institutional budget ended black Last 3 FYs started increasing library budget and close to ‘08 levels Staffing still 63% of ‘08 levels (2.5 FTEs) 5June 20, 2013

6. Overcoming Budget & Staffing Challenges for (Sm)All Libraries in our Post-Recession Economy Library Usage: Impact of cohort format Impact of new extension site Impact of senior seminar projects 6June 20, 2013

7. Seminary Stand alone seminary ~150 FTE MDiv, MA, MA – Diaconal Ministry TEEM Online 1/3 June 20, 20137

8. Recent History Spring 2009 – retrenchment Last 3 years: in the black June 20, 20138

9. Distance Learning: impact to seminary Budget: In the past: most students residential Commuter students stay on campus Fewer students on campus Income from auxiliary services More students vs. more students on campus June 20, 20139

10. Distance Learning: Impact to library Library staffing: work-study students Fewer suitable work-study students More eresources needed Balance higher cost of ebooks and hard copy books June 20, 201310

11. Library staffing LibrarianParaprofessionalStudent sFTE Prior to Spring 2009 12 (40-hour) + 1 (32- hour) 80 hours5.8 2009-201311 (24-hour) + 1 (8-hour)80 hours3.8 2013 -12 (s0-hour) + 1 (8-hour)80 hours4.2 June 20, 201311

12. Work Study Students No students available: January: one week intensive June: two weeks of intensives July: one week intensive July – August: six-weeks of Greek June 20, 201312

13. Overcoming Budget & Staffing Challenges for (Sm)All Libraries in our Post-Recession Economy Priorities! Customer satisfaction is top priority! Close 2 nd : Do not operate beyond staff’s total capacity! Best to do fewer things well than to do too many things inadequately! Support & assist Dean & Development officers in whatever ways you can – no matter how small it seems. 13June 20, 2013

14. Overcoming Budget & Staffing Challenges for (Sm)All Libraries in our Post-Recession Economy Decide services you can and cannot provide: Hours open to public  Blog posting  Online tutorials  & no new ones Limited lib guides Shelf reading ceased No social media or IM services 14June 20, 2013

15. Overcoming Budget & Staffing Challenges for (Sm)All Libraries in our Post-Recession Economy Decide services you can and cannot do well: In-class instruction  ILL  Reference by phone and by appointment  Coffee bar & snacks (makes small profit) 98% customer satisfaction with library staff and service received 15June 20, 2013

16. Overcoming Budget & Staffing Challenges for (Sm)All Libraries in our Post-Recession Economy Directors & Supervisors Monitor and Protect Staff Morale: Don’t let salaried staff work unpaid overtime – comp their time within same pay-period. Monitor fluctuations in workloads Help prioritize during high workload periods Communicate regularly 16June 20, 2013

17. Overcoming Budget & Staffing Challenges for (Sm)All Libraries in our Post-Recession Economy Decide services you can and cannot do well: Ceased customization of online catalog No eBook purchases Copy cataloging only by paraprofessionals Detailed staff procedures manual listed in steps so can be done by anyone Cross-training!!!! 17June 20, 2013

18. Overcoming Budget & Staffing Challenges for (Sm)All Libraries in our Post-Recession Economy Volunteers: Where do they come from? High school students Unemployed professional librarians Library students/grads needing experience Rehab hospitals (basic tasks) Those wondering if they want to be librarians Local churches 18June 20, 2013

19. Volunteers: what they’ve done Librarian on vacation did original cataloging Library student cataloged special collections during practicum Student spouse & mother organize archival material Inventory, general circulation tasks, shelving June 20, 201319

20. Overcoming Budget & Staffing Challenges for (Sm)All Libraries in our Post-Recession Economy Volunteer Appreciation: Require an interview Provide volunteers with title & clear job descriptions involving ongoing projects Mutual commitment to weekly schedules Professional & Skills Development Give them a sense of accomplishment 20June 20, 2013

21. Overcoming Budget & Staffing Challenges for (Sm)All Libraries in our Post-Recession Economy Volunteer Appreciation: Encourage & praise, help them see importance of the task Offer institutional email address Frequently forward job openings from library listservs and websites Gift cards – gas, food, movies Treat them to a meal 21June 20, 2013

22. Overcoming Budget & Staffing Challenges for (Sm)All Libraries in our Post-Recession Economy Small Group Discussions: Assess your library’s workload to staff capacity. What do you do best? Inadequately? If your library’s staff is stretched too thin, where would you begin to trim services or restructure? How are you utilizing/appreciating volunteers? 22June 20, 2013