University Librarian's Cabinet: Minutes of the December 16, 2003 Meeting

Present:

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

Videoconferenced:

Golden

University Librarian's Report - Gaunt

• The planning meeting with Vice President Furmanski went very well. The documentation describing the Libraries goals, initiatives, and challenges for the year provided the necessary background for Furmanski to familiarize himself with our issues. Specific topics discussed at the meting included space planning, collections and budgeting process, information technology and information literacy initiatives, and new campus and university-wide initiatives that would affect the Libraries included an expanded program in South Asia. Dr. Furmanski asked us to begin planning now for next year's budget using a flat base, modest increase, and modest decrease in the base budget for planning purposes. All items should be prioritized. One-time funding may be in the budget but only for one-time initiatives, not ongoing activities. While there is an acknowledgement of the critical nature of timing for collections invoices, the university often does not know the state budget until late in the year, especially as the state has financial problems. Furmanski will do his best to give us a budget figure as early as possible.
• Sewell will represent RUL on a new VALE task force that will survey and examine last copy issues for collections, and potential opportunities for VALE libraries' participation in national or regional efforts, or for New Jersey collaboration. Mary Mallery of Montclair State University is chairing the group.
• Cabinet members reviewed an invitation from President McCormick to encourage newly appointed tenured and tenure-track librarians (appointed since January 2001) to apply to be considered for one or more of the thirty-five slots on the University's New Faculty Traveling Seminar to take place in May 2004. The seminar is similar to one McCormick held at the University of Washington where faculty traveled throughout the state to learn about New Jersey, as well as to share their expertise with local communities. A website has been established for information about the program (travelseminar.rutgers.edu).

Follow-up on Restructuring - Gaunt

• The Administrative Council meeting included a discussion of restructuring follow-up. McCormick noted that the decision to put the merger on indefinite hold was mutually agreed by Rutgers and the Governor noting that the governance and financial issues were too difficult to resolve. While there was disappointment in this decision, Rutgers is committed to strengthening collaborations among the three universities to achieve the vision embodied in the merger. Various ideas about initiatives are under discussion, including how some of the centers proposed for the bond issue might be funded. The University will also examine the report prepared by a subcommittee of the University-Central that focused on administrative disparities - those administrative barriers to collaboration among the three universities. Some of these relate to the different requirements of the separate Institutional Research Boards, computing systems, etc. The Libraries had begun identifying some of these related to library collaboration and will begin examining how these might be resolved.
• There was also a discussion about the bond issue and whether it will be introduced. There was concern expressed about the legislature's desire to introduce it when the state budget is not as strong as it should be, and during an election year when any additional financial burden might not be well received. President McCormick also reminded everyone that the bond issue arose before any restructuring discussions took place, so it was not initially tied to restructuring. There is a need for capacity building for all higher education and for the propose new centers that could provide economic growth in New Jersey, so the university will be pursuing avenues for productive discussion.

Questions for Liaisons to Ask Faculty Regarding DLIII Planning - Sewell/Boyle

• Sewell and Boyle led a discussion on the first stage of planning for the update of the Digital Library Initiative. The plan is to have liaisons gather information from their various departments and units regarding needs for collections and services based on their research, teaching and outreach activities. Background information for liaisons to share with their departments as well as six questions (with sub topics) to spur discussion were distributed. Cabinet eliminated one question and suggested that the subtopics be listed separately, as this is intended as a discussion rather than a "survey" on multiple points. It was agreed to allow flexibility in how the information was gathered. It could be accomplished online, in small groups, at departmental meetings, or whatever way was deemed appropriate by the selectors. The outcome should be a written report in bullet form with a summary for each of the five questions. A debriefing open meeting will be held to share the results. Golden noted that this could also be used for our Academic Excellence Indicators, as we will be gathering similar information in the fall. While Cabinet agreed there was some overlap, the focus of the liaison information gathering was for future directions in broad strokes, and the Academic Excellence Indicators are an assessment tool related to our excellence in specific areas.

Research Guides: Status and Importance - Boyle/Sewell

• Boyle and Sewell gave an overall review of the status of the Libraries research guides. Of particular interest is the currency of the guides and the areas covered. As research guides are listed in our evaluation criteria of librarianship for reappointment and promotion for librarians doing collection development, and by association for merit awards under the librarianship criteria, we need to support their development. Boyle noted that members of the Web Advisory Committee meet with new faculty members to provide advice and support; you need not know markup. Cabinet reviewed the areas where we have PhD programs and no research guides, and areas where a guide is desired. As this is considered a core responsibility of selectors, directors will discuss the guides with their faculty.

CNI Update - Agnew

• Agnew attended the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) representing Rutgers and gave a report on several presentations she attended covering many issues that are of interest to RUL in our own digital library development. Agnew will share the handouts distributed at the meeting.

Announcements

Puniello

• DSS construction is proceeding; will make a decision next month as to whether the library will open in January.

Tehrani

• Two projects underway at LSM: a Special Collections project removing duplicates from the cages and weeding on the second floor; completion of projects is scheduled for January 20.

Sewell

• Sewell signed the Deed of Gift for the Edward Bloustein dictionary collection.

Boyle

• Stan Nash's "The History Of Police And Policing In The United Kingdom: An Annotated Searchable Bibliography" is being updated and will be made available in a month.

Mullins

• The next issue of the Rutgers Magazine will feature Ed Berger and his relationship to Benny Carter.