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University Library Committee

Minutes

May 17, 2010



PRESENT: Pat Curtin, Val Burris, Deb Carver, Alisa Freedman, Marilyn Linton, Sheila McGraw, Gordon Sayre, Michal Young

GUESTS: Mark Watson - AUL for Collections and Access, Dev Sinha - former ULC chair and member of Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Public Access, Mary Grenci - Scholars' Bank Coordinator

LibQual Survey: Preliminary Results

Deb reported that the LibQual survey ended today. She distributed a handout showing the breakdown of participants (faculty 243; graduate students 177; undergrad students 434) and a summary of their comments.  Faculty comment mostly on collection problems - lack of journal titles or lack of print resources.  Thirty percent of their comments were compliments about library services or staff.  Eleven percent of their comments were negative about the new catalog interface and their frustration with not being able to find local material.  Graduate student comments are divided fairly evenly among three areas: complaints about collections and facilities, and compliments about staff or services.  Undergraduate student comments focus on complaints about facilities, particularly Knight Library. They would like to have additional seating, tables, outlets and more group study space. They also are complimentary about library staff and services.

Deb added that the library is currently trying to address some of the concerns with the new catalog interface.  The redesign of Rm. 101 will hopefully be able to address the students' study space concerns.  Steelcase, Inc. is putting together a design to include mobile, versatile furniture which could allow the room to provide a variety of options - classroom, event room, study areas for students and group collaboration. The HVAC system will have to be addressed before making any decisions about use of  Rm 101. 

Deb will provide the committee with the complete results of the survey at a later date.

Strategic Funding

Deb provided a summary of the strategic funding requests the library submitted to the provost, in priority order:

1. Recurring funding needed to cover inflation associated with journal and database subscriptions. Requested $300,000, recurring.

2. Science Library - positioning the academic research library for its role in the 21st century.  Requesting $1,525,000, one time. This would help with purchasing compact shelving, electrical capacity, additional furniture.

3. Center for Digital Scholarship (Wired Humanities Project). Requsting $69,000 for salary/OPE. This project is in close alignment with the library's mission and digital programs.

4. Knight Library - positioning the academic research library for its role in the 21st century. Requesting $175,000 one time, and $65,000 recurring for Rm. 101 upgrade, electrical improvements, music seminar room, additional furniture and leased space at PSU.

5. System-wide request: e-portfolio platform for the campus; partners include IS, AAA, LCB, Honors College, SOJC, Student Affairs, Undergraduate Studies; $202,000 recurring.

6. Partnerships: PDX computer lab (AAA) - no funding requested. Current staff will absorb the support requirements. Folk Life Network (CAS, AAA, Library) - requesting $10,000 for administrative space in Knight Library. 

Deb noted that these requests will be competing with many more from the colleges.  She feels there is a good chance at getting some funding for priority #1.

Scholars' Bank

Mary Grenci provided an update on Scholars' Bank.  There are discussions taking place on how to make the interface more user friendly, which should be helpful if there is a resolution for faculty to submit their work on a routine basis to Scholars' Bank.  It is hoped that an improved interface and the ability to automatically set up accounts for all faculty will be in place in the fall.  There is also an increased focus on implementation of electronic theses and dissertations.  

Open Access Resolution

Dev Sinha, a former chair of the ULC and current member of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Public Access, reported on the Open Access Resolution. The ad hoc committee is working towards making sure faculty members are aware of their rights with publishers. The committee would like to put forth a motion this fall to the Senate to increase the number of faculty to retain their rights and deposit their work into Scholars' Bank.  Before this can happen, there will need to be more conversations on campus with faculty to help them understand the importance of maintaining their rights. Dev suggested that the ULC and ad hoc committee hold a lunch discussion each term - with 1/3 of each committee present.  That group would then invite 2-3 people.  Russ Tomlin may agree to provide funding for the lunches.  The discussions would focus primarily on periodicals, but would also include monographs.  He also suggested that a blog on these issues be created - possibly making Deb or JQ Johnson the point person.  The blog would provide basic awareness.  Other suggestions were to:

1. link basic talking points to the blog
2. talk with colleagues who have retained their rights
3. talk with colleagues on campuses that were not able to adopt a policy
4. direct people to the videos of recent guest lecturers on open access
5. continue to have open access on the agenda for new faculty orientation

Open Access week is set for Oct. 15 - 22.  It is important to start thinking about events and speakers to highlight during that week.

Everyone agreed to host the lunches starting fall term. If other ideas come to mind, please send them to Dev, Deb or JQ.


Maintained by: Sheila Gray, skgray@uoregon.edu