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February 13, 2009

University Library Committee Minutes
Friday, February 13, 2009
1-2 pm
Room 362 Memorial Library

ULC Members Present: Kemnitz (Chair), McDaniel, [missing sign-in sheet, have listed speakers, please check this at next meeting…], Van Gemert,

Other Library Staff: Helman, Konrad, Kruse, Marleau

1 . Review and approved minutes from Dec. 16, 2008 with minor edits.

2. Director’s Report (Van Gemert)

The libraries are working with the Graduate School and the Graduate Faculty Executive Committee regarding access to and preservation of theses and dissertations on campus.   In 1989, we contracted with Proquest/UMI for electronic access and bound facsimiles.  We now want to take a look at preservation of print dissertations, electronic submission systems for theses and dissertations, and review policies regarding collecting of theses.   Martin Cadwallader, Dean of the Graduate School, will establish a small committee to review these issues.

Regarding the budget situation, we don’t yet know the extent to which we’ll be asked to make reductions.  It is likely that library will be required to participate in a budget reduction exercise to consider reductions of five to ten percent.  We will look at four areas: access and collections, with approximately $10 to $11 million spent on collections budget; digital and web services; public services provided in person and electronically; and technical services and technical processing.   The Library Management Group will be conducting discussions facilitated by Nancy Thayer-Hart of the Office of Quality Improvement.  The goals are to understand current practices in each of those areas and determine what best practices are today in order to reduce duplication, free up staff to do priority work, and to spread out work and consolidate across the campus libraries.   The University Library Committee can assist in a discussion of what locations, staffing, and services are needed.    We will keep ULC apprised of any news and check in for guidance as discussions proceed. We would like to meet any staff reductions through attrition rather than layoff.  

We reviewed Ken Frazier’s letter, which emphasizes the importance of staying agile and positive in order to preserve the quality of our university.  We will have a particular opportunity to support faculty in the arts and humanities.  We should retain the ability to hire strategically.

The Governor’s Budget is due out Tuesday, and we will hear from Darrell Bazzell soon after that, which will initiate a four month planning process of looking at each of the theme areas to come to solutions and conclusions regarding the entire package. 

McDaniel reported on the common book program, “Go Big Read.”  The suggestions process for a title will conclude March 6, at which point a committee composed of volunteers from across campus will review the submissions.  The Chancellor will select a title in early April. 

3.  Reports from other campus library directors

Marleau (Ebling).  Terry Burton has resigned as Director; Julie Schneider is Acting Director. 

Kruse (College).  Jon McKenzie teaching a course in College Library based on his “StudioLab” pedagogy.  The course is a pilot to begin thinking about the library as a potential classroom space.  McDaniel is working with a course team on the integration of information and technology literacy, including copyright education, into the course.  Van Gemert suggested that ULC visit College in the future.

Helman (Wendt).   Four new group study rooms have been developed by the Library, the College of Engineering,DoIt, and the Parents’ Fund.  Helman has met with McMahon to discuss the impact of the Union South Demolition and the two year construction period.  The library will remain open with a new ramp, as construction fences will come right up to the building. 

Konrad (Memorial).  Julianne Harr has been hired as Western European  Social Sciences and History Librarian, with a  start date in late April.  Jon McKenzie has been working with the libraries and DoIt on the Mellon-funded Project Bamboo, considering how to advance and enhance research in the arts and humanities.  McKenzie assisted in convening a focus group of graduate students and faculty, who were asked what support should be provided for research in digital humanities.  McKenzie is conducting a ten-session  faculty development seminar; Konrad is sitting in with a few other library staff.  Mike Whitmore from the English Department is looking into NEH funding for a Center for Digital Inquiry into Culture.  The libraries are initiating a major remodel of the Memorial Library Commons, revamping the underutilized staff lounge to incorporate presentation capabilities.  The Commons will remain a staff space for library-sponsored events and programming.

Van Gemert noted that we have not yet heard back about the UW System Research DIN.  Also, a recent Wisconsin State Journal article on the topic of the Governor’s Committee on building projects included the preservation facility on a list of projects.

5.  New business
[faculty name?] asked why we have to use the 11-digit UW-ID, rather than the NetID, with Library Express.  Van Gemert noted that we do not control this third-party software, but that our ultimate goal is a single login.

Adjourn. 

 

 

 

 

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