CSU Libraries: Money-Saving Initiatives

  • 03/26/15

CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY — San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) has joined the other 22 libraries in the California State University (CSU) system to launch a new website that features updates on initiatives that include shared services, equitable access and improving learning spaces.

“Students, faculty, staff and administrators all have a big stake in the health, quality and sustainability of their library programs,” says Anna Gold, chair of the Council of Library Deans and University Librarian at Cal Poly. “But they often don’t hear the stories of how libraries work together to save students and campuses money while advancing the mission of the CSU.”

The CSU Chancellor’s Office is investing $1 million in initiatives that will create a next-generation technology platform that integrates many library functions in ways that will enhance user discovery and access. In October 2014, the CSU announced it was preparing a request for proposals to explore platform options that will organize, share, monitor and mine information resources across all 23 campus libraries, giving students and faculty access to more information and resources.

This work is done through System-wide Digital Library Services, which implements new technologies in the areas of information discovery, user-driven content acquisition, integration with learning management systems, and digital preservation. The CSU libraries are sharing their progress through a newly launched website: http://libraries.calstate.edu.

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