Faculty Library Committee Meeting Minutes 2/11/09

Members present:D. Affleck, B. Brown, J. Burroughs,C. Exley, K. James, A. Klene, M. McHugh, A. Xue

Ex-Officio present:Dean Allen

Members absent/excused: S. Guihemotonia, R. Guthrie, N. Vonessen

The meeting was called to order at 4:10p.m. by Chair McHugh

The minutes from11/9/09were amended and approved.

Communications:

  • Professor James is attending the meeting via telephone from home.

Updates from Dean Allen

  • The Library faculty and staff attended a retreat January 21st facilitated by Human Resource Director Betsy Hawkins. The retreat focused on the process of change, the vision statement and strategic plan. There are Taskforces working on the operational organization and strategic issues to create a new framework.
  • The Learning Commons initiative is moving forward. The Library has contracted with Spiker Communications to assist with the capitol campaign to raise $3million in three years. In addition to the Learning Commons, the capitol will be used to expand, update, and modernize the infrastructure of the Library. Marketing material should be forthcoming soon.
  • The library plans to contract with Serial Solutions to search across databases. The library should be testing the services at the end of the month. There will likely be a demonstration at next month’s meeting.
  • The library will be conducting the Libqual survey again this year from February 22 to March 8th. The web based survey randomly selects faculty, students, and staff and assesses user’s perception of the services provided by the library. It was conducted in 2003 and 2006 as well and will provide multi-year assessment data.
  • There is a Campus Study Group looking at the feasibility of the four- day work week. Although the Missoulian reported that this initiative would include reduced library hours- this has not been discussed. The library frequently reviews its user data in terms of hours of operation and will likely remain open. It cannot reduce heat without damaging collections so is not included in the energy savings estimate. In 2006 the Library extended its hours from 7 am to 2 am Monday – Thursday. This increased the cost of operation by $30,000. Although many resources are available electronically, some collections such as musical scores are only available in the library.
  • The library will host two exhibits in collaboration with the Montana Museum of Art and Culture: Speaking Volumes- Transforming Hate (1/7/10-3/6/10) and Jazz Artists in March.
  • The Accreditation visit is scheduled for April 12th -15th. This corresponds with the Faculty Library’s Committee meeting date. It is possible that the Accreditation Team will want to meet with the Committee. The Committee should review the report prior to the next meeting. The self study summarizes the Library’s operation for the last ten years. The Accreditation looks at the decision making process, the library’s interaction with campus, consultation in terms of curriculum development, and instructional technology. The materials should address how well the library supports the academic program structure and includes infrastructure, collections, services, and the academic connection.

New Business

  • Professor James agreed to serve as Chair-elect. Her first responsibility will be to attend the Library Faculty meeting on April 7th at 11:10 with the Chair.
  • There were no updates to the procedure document.

Good and Welfare:none

The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.