University Library Committee
March 31, 2008, 1pm, 4th floor Conference Room
Present: Hugh Davis (Chair), Chris Baum (Library Directory),
Bob Axtell, Shirley Cavanagh, Rebecca Hedreen, Enda McGovern, Winnie Shyam, Rob Snyder
University Library Committee Bylaws
Hugh Davis spoke to Troy Paddock, who is a member of the Senate Rules Committee, about the University Library Committee’s Constitution. The Rules Committee met with Provost Williams to discuss why the President vetoed the latest changes in our committee’s bylaws that were approved by the Faculty Senate. From the discussion with the Provost, the President had expressed two primary concerns about this Senate document which had been approved. The first issue was about the role of the ULC. Is it an oversight or advisory committee? The second issue concerned whether librarians should serve on the committee. If the committee’s purpose is to provide oversight, then librarians should not be members of the ULC.
The committee explained to Provost Williams that the University Library Committee has always been an advisory committee to the library and library director and never functioned as an oversight committee. For example, the ULC has lobbied various campus committees to increase and support the library budget. Their lobbying of the Faculty Senate, Graduate Council, UCL, and Student Government organizations helped restore the library budget during major fiscal cuts. In the past, the library director has also asked the ULC for their advice on other library issues.
As for the second issue, Hugh Davis and the Senate Rules Committee didn’t feel that librarians should be excluded from this committee since its function was advisory. The librarians on the committee provided the ULC with their library expertise and knowledge.
Provost Williams seemed to agree with the Rules Committee’s explanation of the Senate document, and he will update President Norton on the meeting’s discussion. Hugh will report back to us on the President’s response.
Friends of Hilton C. Buley Library
Shirley reported that the library has established an in-house library staff committee to discuss the formation of a Friends Group. We had our first meeting two weeks ago and met with Michele Johnston, from Alumni Relations. Michele explained that the Alumni Association does not raise funds and leaves all fund raising to Institutional Advancement. She recommended that our first priority should be to establish a mission statement and develop a clear and strong purpose for our group.
At our Friends meeting we discussed our short and long-term goals, talked about initiatives and programs, and recognized the need to thank our library donors. Chris would like the Friends of Buley to be an independent organization, separate from Institutional Advancement or the Alumni Association. She would like to reach not only Southern’s alumni but expand the group to include community members. Our Friends group would collect annual membership dues and use this fund to have programs, author talks, exhibits, and other events. Currently the library’s budget does not have a budget line for public relations events. Chris will schedule a meeting with Megan Rock, from Institutional Advancement, to discuss the financial aspects of developing a Friends Group. She also will ask her for a current list of library donors who have specified that their donation should go to the library.
Hugh Asked Chris what the ULC’s role should be in the Friends of Buley Library organization should be. Chris would like the ULC to advise and have a ULC member serve on the Friends Committee. The library is scheduled to move into the new addition at the end of May and will be very involved with the move. We probably will start thinking about the Friends group once the move is completed. The opening of the new library would be the perfect opportunity to have a “library event” and advertise the Friends organization.
Big Read
Chris announced that the library is actively participating in the Big Read programs. The book selected for the Big Read is Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451.” The library has two scheduled programs in April and has also a book exhibit in the lobby of the library. On Monday, April 21, there will be a book panel discussion from 1-2:30pm on “Fahrenheit 451” in Engleman 121 A & B. On Wednesday, April 24, there will be a free film showing of “Fahrenheit 451” at 7:30pm in Engleman A120. She also informed the ULC that Tina Re was having a “Books as Art” display in the Connecticut Room from 12-2pm today. Chris encouraged everyone to attend these excellent programs.
Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 5, at 1pm in the Connecticut Room. Respectfully Submitted, Shirley B. Cavanagh