On Tue, 8 Aug 1995 07:51:00 MDT, Ann Powell wrote:

> Several weeks ago I posted some questions related to a "workroom".

********* Ann, I evidently missed your original question because I was
unsubscribed while on holiday. You follow-up question about libraries gives
me the opportunity to respond and seek some input I need.

I want to comment because I am planning on developing our faculty workarea
when we get some additional space early next year. Being a preaward office,
our focus is on service to faculty. We want to project a more user-
friendly image than we can now. Because we are so crowded now, faculty get
short shrift in terms of a comfortable place to wait and room to work. We
have a small print reference library, and like you are shifting emphasis
and resources to on-line funding sources.

As we shift to on-line resources, we perceive a need to help faculty learn
how to access our resources via Gopher and the Web. (Computing
services does not have sufficient resources to provide all the
needed training). I also emphasize that print resources are complementary
to electronic ones. Consequently, we plan to have a worktable, a windows-
capable computer workstation and print reference library in an area
adjacent to our computer analyst: the analyst will then be in a position to
help faculty with on-line operations. The other staff (all 3 of us!) will
be available to help with other questions.

I am considering how to design some self-paced computerized "tours" of our
on-line resources. I am considering a display to orient visitors to the
resources and "tours" that we will offer.

We will be very interested to see what the response will be to this
innovation. I invite your comments and suggestions how to improve the
workroom environment (besides providing coffee and armchairs! By
the way, should we?)

With respect to your other questions, we are a Research I University with
about $65 MM in sponsored funding. Our facility will be open to anyone. Our
subscriptions are less than $1000 per annum, because we rely on SPIN for
most funding searches. The LSU Library has a larger print reference
collection of funding sources, and has the advantage of being open for
more extended hours, which is one reason for not trying to be
comprehensive. Our library has a few funding bulletins, a variety of
directories, especially foundation directories, CFDA, our compilation of
help documents, especially regarding on-line operations, several books on
proposal development - the usuall stuff. We also have a large collection
of agency info/anouncements. We have discontinued FR and CBD because the
print is available in the LSU library, and we get most of what we want
through our InfoEd subscription, which is easy to search.

In my opinion, the most useful print resources we have are the foundation
directories, and our print guides to on-line resources for the
technologically challenged.

I hope this info is helpful. I am surprised you only got 2 responses, and I
wonder if this is really representative of the "workroom" support
provided by preaward offices - maybe people are thinking of it in different
terms now. Maybe your new question will generate some interesting
discussion about the utility of workrooms and libraries in sponsored
program offices.

Regards to all, Charlie.

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 * Charles E. Graham, PhD.                  xxxxxx@UNIX1.SNCC.LSU.EDU *
 * Director, Office of Sponsored Research               504-388-8692 *
 * 117D David Boyd Hall, Louisiana State University     FAX 388-6792 *
 * Baton Rouge, LA 70810                                             *
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