New Brunswick Libraries Faculty Meeting
May 20, 2005
Pane Room, Alexander Library

Present: K. Mulcahy (chair), K. Denda, F. Puniello, P. Libutti, L. Langschied, R. Gardner, K. Hartman, P. Page, R. Womack, L. Chester, J. Cassel, C. Wu, L. Mullen, S. Harrington, H. Dess, M. Wilson (recorder), T. Glynn, Y. Zhang, L. Vazquez, J. Mardikian, F. Olin, M. Lo, M. Kesselman

Agenda

1. The meeting was called to order at 9:40 am and the agenda was approved.
   
   
2. Minutes of the January 21, 2005 and April 15, 2005 meetings were approved.
   
   
3. Director's Report - F. Puniello
   
   
   
   • Tom Glynn successfully defended his dissertation
     
   • Annual reports will be due sometime in June/July; those librarians who volunteered as “goals champions” last year are expected to report on progress.
     
   • From the Cabinet meeting: University Librarian reported on her meetings with RUL staff following up on Sheila Creth's visit; several 50 th anniversary celebrations (including the Alexander Library) are planned in 2006; Chuck Hedrick, from the Office of Information Technology, spoke at Cabinet seeking increased collaborations--one useful website he shared was the Rutgers software portal at <software. rutgers.edu> which lists all software that's RU licensed and available (freewares or purchase at reduced rate) to students, faculty and staff; a new university wide capital campaign is planned.
     
     
4. Update from Exploratory Committee on Open Faculty Lines—J. Cassel
   
   The Committee has been reviewing all available position descriptions including the Asian Studies line. The Committee will attempt to present complete line availability and reviews of those lines in one package. It was noted that recruitment is a nation-wide problem.
   
   
5. Discussion of Travel Policy – M. Kesselman & J. Mardikian
   
   The draft document on New Brunswick Libraries Travel Fund Guidelines and Procedures was approved contingent upon the incorporation of revisions suggested. These are:
   
   • Replace all individual names of the current committee members (Marty and Jackie) with “the Committee”
   
   
   • Procedures # 3 and 4 should be collapsed into one and read as “ Please submit your application to Charlene Houser….”
   
   
   • Procedure # 6 ‘….if your travel has been approved “ should read as “…if your travel fund has been approved.”
   
   
   • On p.2 under travel policy # 3—Librarian V Add “if funds are available” at the end of the paragraph.
   
   Due to limited funding, the Travel Fund Committee urged librarians to notify the Committee as soon as they know of their plans for conference attendances and presentations. The Committee will also meet with Nancy Hendrickson to clarify some of the recent revisions of university travel policy. Those librarians who are interested in this subject are urged to attend; the date/time will be announced.
   
   
6. Proposal to institute co-chairs for New Brunswick Information Services Group (and perhaps other NBLF entities) –K. Mulcahy
   
   After discussions on the pros and cons of a co-chair system, librarians approved provisional co-chairship of NBL ISG as a pilot for FY 2005-2006; Co-chairs and Acting Director will report to NBLF after a six-month period regarding the efficiency and workability of such a shared responsibility. The two librarians currently on the ballot - Jeris Cassel and Marty Kesselman will co-chair the NBL Information Services Group.
   
7. Planning for next year's NBLF meeting - J. Mardikian
   
   After some discussion librarians voted to hold the NBLF meetings every other month during the coming academic year; J. Mardikian, the incoming chair, will confirm the dates by email. For consistency, these meetings will be held at the Pane Room, Alexander Library unless notified otherwise.
   
   
8. Announcements:
   
   • K. Mulcahy, as the newly elected university Senator, informed the group of the Senate's decision to allow certain University units (such as Mason Gross and School of Pharmacy) to practice hiring faculties on clinical faculty status in place of regular tenure lines.
     
   • M. Wilson reported that the members of the RUL Strategic Planning Steering Committee have been meeting every other week and have begun to work on the draft of the final report.
     
   • J. Cassel urged everyone to register for the June 7 th mentoring workshop.
     

Respectfully submitted,

Myoung C. Wilson
Secretary pro tem.