University Librarian's Cabinet: Minutes of the August 12, 2003 Meeting

Present:

Agnew, Boyle, Fultz, Gaunt, Golden, Puniello, Sewell, Tehrani

Absent:

Mullins

University Librarian's Report - Gaunt

• NJEDge Conference: The NJEDge conference is set for October 29-31. There will be several tracks including one for libraries. The focus is on collaboration, content, and the power of the network. A call for ideas will go on the VALE listserv and there will be a separate call for e-posters. Some potential ideas include image databases, shared information literacy tutorials, and the New Jersey Digital Library collaboration.
• Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Furmanski, may be able to attend a Cabinet meeting in September. Gaunt has already communicated issues related to collections funding.
• University Committee Central Subcommittee on Administrative Disparities: Gaunt met with this subcommittee along with Judy Cohn and Kerry O'Rourke from UMDNJ to discuss the work we have been doing on a needs assessment of Rutgers and UMD faculty and students regarding joint programs and collaboration. They reported on the findings of focus group discussions that reinforced librarians' perceptions. Issues included access to databases, e-reserves, authentication, library hours, orientations, and communication.
• Commission on Jobs, Growth, and Economic Development: Gaunt distributed a description of a call for proposals for new centers/programs that would foster inter-university collaboration with industry in five identified areas for the state's economic growth. The program is not yet funded but the hoped for bond issue may incorporate this program.
• Budget Processes: The University will be looking at an "all funds" approach to budgeting, which includes state funds and non-state funds from all sources. The non-state funds should leverage state funds and vice versa. Vice President Kavanagh will also be investigating more flexibility in procedures related to state funds.

Budget Discussion – Sewell/Gaunt

• Sewell distributed handouts detailing points about the Libraries budget and the 2004 Preliminary Allocation. Cabinet discussed the importance of preparing the final list of cancellations and extending anything that ends in August by one month so that timely notification is made to the University community. Non-state funds and endowments can be spent immediately for monographs taking into consideration that the funds do vary from year to year and that income on endowments has been decreasing. Will confirm exact amount after we receive the working budget.
• Gaunt distributed a list prepared by Nancy Hendrickson of 2004 faculty lines available. We will return approximately $155,000 in salaries to the university, and maintain a reserve for reclassifications, acting pay, and hiring above minimum salaries. As of January Cabinet will reassess and determine how much money is available to put toward lines above the minimum level.
• The below-the-line return is approximately $50,000, which will be taken from central funds and the campuses.

PALCI Update – Boyle

• The PALCI pilot project is ending this week. Boyle distributed handout listing PALCI Programs, E-ZBorrow Numbers, E- ZBorrow Costs, Cost Components, and Benefits. She also distributed a handout of PALCI and URSA participation costs. Cabinet agreed that PALCI has been a success and will become a permanent service. The PALCI license for this year will be paid.

Announcements

Sewell:

• The second installment of the Showalter collection was picked up this week. Sewell also picked up an occult collection from a donor. An appraisal has not yet been done on the collection.

Golden:

• Golden has begun outreach in the library by having faculty and staff wear nametags to identify themselves and make themselves more accessible to patrons. Faculty and staff also physically walk around the library during the day to answer questions and become aware of building problems sooner than in the past.

Agnew:

• RUL has been awarded the IMLS National Leadership Grant: "The New Jersey Digital Highway: Where Culture, History and Learning Merge" and will receive $437,329 over a three-year period; Linda Langschied is the Principal Investigator.

Boyle:

• Boyle shared a brief plan for a system wide online room/event/equipment scheduler. Timing is after CMS, probably in 2004. Cabinet will be consulted for policy setting.
• Marilyn Wilt, Eileen Stec, and Leslie Murtha created and facilitated a fully subscribed and positively evaluated workshop August 7, 2003 at the IFLA Conference called "Using Assessment as a Tool to Improve Information Literacy."