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The Providence Public Library serves as Rhode Island's Statewide Reference Resource Center with state funding provided via the Office of Library and Information Services. The goal of the program is to provide quality reference services to all LORI member libraries and to all residents of Rhode Island.
2009-2010 Statewide Reference Resource Center Contract, Print Version [pdf]
Providence Public Library (PPL) will work with staff from the Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS) to plan, develop and fund the Statewide Reference Resource Center (SRRC). This will include: selection of statewide databases, coordinating trainings and access for databases, and joint marketing efforts of services supported by SRRC funding.
PPL will provide direct access for all RI residents to its collections a minimum of 38 hours per week including two evenings and Saturdays, and Sunday afternoons September through mid-May. PPL will work with the Providence Community Library to assure the libraries of Providence comply with Minimum Standards for RI Public Libraries. PPL will continue to accept and fulfill LORI subject requests using its collections and staff expertise. Using the collections of depth and breadth at PPL, the subject expertise of the reference and special collections librarians will support patrons and libraries alike.
Reference Services
PPL will answer reference questions received online through the state government portal, RI.gov, via email and through real time online services a minimum of 60 hours per week. The subject expertise of the reference staff will support good customer services in the provision of AskRI services.
PPL will answer reference questions, including ILL subject requests, received from all LORI member libraries directly by telephone, email or fax, or through ILL delivery a minimum of 60 hours per week.
PPL will answer reference questions received from all RI residents. Walk in access with no prior appointment will be available a minimum of 38 hours per week. Telephone and electronic access will be provided 60 hours per week.
Every effort will be made to answer questions within one business day. PPL will accurately record the time required to complete each query response (turnaround time). Based upon each quarter's record, PPL, in consultation with OLIS, will set quarterly turnaround time targets beginning in January 2010.
PPL will conduct a survey annually to establish geographic and demographic distribution of usage.
Statewide Online Resources
PPL will manage the provision and implementation of statewide online resources as coordinated by OLIS, including license management and provision of external and remote access statewide and to all Rhode Island residents irrespective of location in the amount specified in the attached FY2010 budget. These resources will include a minimum of $550,000 for World Book Online, an array of EBSCO databases, and a live homework help program through Tutor.com. Other statewide electronic resources may be added as directed by OLIS as funding or negotiation permits. PPL will coordinate the technical aspects of the databases, including ensuring smooth access by patrons and troubleshooting issues.
PPL will work with OLIS to ensure that the services supported by the State of RI and OLIS (via SRRC) are adequately marketed and publicized to the other libraries in the state and to the general public.
In FY2010 this will include:
PPL will make available all professional staff to LORI libraries for consultation, upon request, including development and public relations staff, reference librarians, children’s services librarians, the interlibrary loan librarians, the Special Collections Librarian, and the Information Technology Coordinator.
PPL staff will also conduct technology training for LORI staff and other workshops of interest to staff of LORI member libraries. In FY2010 this will include:
PPL will work with OLIS to review and revise contractual arrangements between OLIS and PPL as deemed necessary.
PPL professional staff will make themselves available for participation on appropriate committees. The Head of Reference will attend committee meetings held throughout the year involving or affecting statewide online resources. The IT coordinator will attend any meetings held throughout the year involving or affecting technical aspects of statewide online resources. Other staff will participate as OLIS deems appropriate.
Statistical reports will be submitted monthly to OLIS. These reports will include number of reference questions received from the public, including in person, phone, and email reference transactions and patent requests. Monthly reports will include statistics on LORI Reference and ILL subject requests from other libraries, and quarterly reports of usage of databases.
Financial reports will be submitted quarterly. Expenditures will be listed according to categories presented in the proposed SRRC FY2010 budget.
Bi-annual reports will include summaries of the activities completed in the Program of Service, cumulative SRRC statistics, and cumulative database statistics.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Collections and Subject Expertise: Personnel | $90,713 |
| AskRI: Online electronic resources | $550,000 |
| AskRI: Personnel | $226,554 |
| Marketing & Web: Personnel | $43,284 |
| CE & Consultant Services: Personnel | $23,214 |
| Administration: Supplies & Overhead | $46,000 |
| Administration: Personnel | $32,614 |
| Total | $1,012,378 |
October 19, 2009
Office of Library and Information Services, One Capitol Hill, Providence RI 02908-5803, (401)574-9300; Fax: (401)574-9320
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