Present: S. Bartz, E.Calhoun, J. Cassel, K. Denda, H.Dess, M.Fetzer, J.Gardner, R.Gardner, T. Glynn, S. Harrington, K. Hartman, H. Hoffman (recorder), M. Kesselman, T. Kuchi, M. Lo, K. Mulcahy, L. Mullen, J. Niessen, P. Page, P. Piermatti, F. Puniello, J. Sloan, E.Stec, R . Womack, C. Wu

1. Agenda: Adopted
2. Minutes of the meeting of February 16, 2007: Approved
3. Report of the Chair - J. Sloan:
   • Jane will poll NB faculty on whether we should have regularly scheduled meetings when they fall within time for Spring Break.
   • We will soon hold elections for NBL Vice-Chair (1 yr- then succeed to Chair), and for Chair of NB Information Services Group. R.Womack is incoming Chair for NBL. J. Sloan will end out call for nominations.
   • Extensive discussion of the status of the name “New Brunswick Libraries Faculty” vis a vis our new designation as Research and Instructional Services.
   • There is considerable support for retaining the name “New Brunswick Libraries Faculty” or “New Brunswick Library Faculty”.
   • There are several iterations of the Libraries organization chart. We would like to know which is official. There was discussion also of the fact that Newark and Camden librarians and staff report to Directors as well as having a dotted-line relationship with the AUL for Research and Instructional Services. New Brunswick Librarians do not have a distinct “Director” to advocate for us. Other issue - will Newark soon branch off from Rutgers – and is that the motivation behind the immediate replacement of a Director for Dana?
   • There was strong feeling that New Brunswick needs to have an identity of its own, to help us in working together to solve New Brunswick problems. At the same time, it was mentioned that – other than setting policy for Public Services such as Access issues, the new RIS does not seem to be very inclusive of Librarians from Camden and Newark.
   • J. Sloan has drafted a memo asking M.Gaunt for clarification of this issue especially in light of imminent interview for AUL candidate. It is important that we – as well as the candidates – are clear as to the organization of the Library so that we can leave a positive impression on the candidates. All except one of the librarians in attendance approved sending the letter, with minor modifications, to M.Gaunt.
   • It was noted that our new designation has caused NB librarians to be listed in the RU directory without information on our “home” library location – and indeed no indication that we are part of the Library. This was due to an oversight in filling out forms – not recognizing which field would map out where in directory - will be corrected - per F. Puniello.
   • An update on the search for the new AUL for RIS was requested from members of the search committee who were present. Due to confidentiality requirements, they could only report that search committee is working well together, and have scheduled a candidate for interviews. We will have an opportunity to meet the candidate on May 1.
4. AUL Report - F. Puniello:
   • F.Puniello suggested a salute to all of our newly tenured and promoted Librarians.
   • This was enthusiastically supported with a general round of applause. Congratulations to S.Harrington, T. Kuchi, J. Niessen, E. Stec, and J. Sloan !
   • Budget: a reminder that we must take money from below-the-line budget to fund lines as they are filled. This year it was more than expected – will have to be discussed regarding next fiscal year. When lines are filled, in addition to cost of funding line, we lose salary savings. Rutgers will be getting $16M additional funds - $12M to base budget, $4M to fund salary increases. Will probably result in relatively flat budget.
   • For next fiscal year, F.Puniello would like to return to setting of formal goals with individuals designated to monitor progress and achievement.
   • We would like to have periodic updates on what is happening in Distributed Technical Services. Since G. Smulewitz already attends NBCG, K. Mulcahy will ask her to report regularly at that meeting.
   • Public use of PC’s: Several issues have arisen. Public Services Council and Cabinet have agreed that it might be necessary to restrict use of some PC’s to RU users since outsiders have often monopolized these resources in some libraries. Individual libraries will have input in which and how many computers are restricted to users with RU NetID’s. There are also concerns about privacy –use privacy screens? – and the possibility of installing Office on some public machines depending on the needs in the unit library.
   • F.Puniello has appointed a Chat Reference Task Force to investigate possibilities of implementing. They should report by this summer.
   • As IT liaison to OIT, F. Puniello reports that the use of computer labs is going down – it is felt that many users are mainly interested in free printing – and there is consideration of turning the labs into “learning places.
   • If you supervise staff, please submit Pay for Performance documents by May 7.
5. Travel funds and policies: M. Kesselman
   • Next fiscal year will have increased allotments: $300 tenured, $600 non-tenured with additional funding for invitational travel. There is no longer a 50% limit on invitational travel. We can pre-pay for train tickets to ALA - submit request to Charlene – notify MK. R.Womack reminded us that new travel policy sets priorities in funding .e.g , invited speakers.
   • We had about $16,000 in travel money this year. M. Kesselman was requested to report on the breakdown of how it was spent at our next meeting.
   • We would like to thank M. Kesselman and J. Mardikian for their hard work on this difficult task.
6. Exploratory Committee Update – J. Cassel:
   • Brief discussion of the themes that came out of the Exploratory Committee’s questionnaire and summary document.
   • Two things stood out: importance of (1) technology and (2) librarian involvement in decisions. This will be discussed in more depth at later meeting.
   • In the meantime, ask J. Cassel for copies of the answers received by the Committee.
   • Open Positions were discussed. We would like to move ahead on the Instructional Technology Librarian position but this is being held open so that an incoming AUL for RIS will have input on the selection.
   • Reviewed priorities decided upon in August 2005. Of these:
     • Social Sciences Data Librarian -- search soon to wrap up
     • Humanities – person has been hired
     • Science Data Curator - no action yet. See below
     • GIS/Geosciences Librarian – no action yet. See below
     • East Asian Librarian – search in progress
     • Performing Arts – no action yet. See below
   • Right now our priorities are for:
     • Information Literacy Librarian (was not on 2005 list because were already doing search – job was not filled). Important position – all agreed should be recruited.
     • Comments on this position suggested an increased focus on instruction experience as a requirement, and the incorporation of media literacy. Questions were raised about its relationship to the Instructional Technology Librarian.
     • Performing Arts Librarian (suggested Humanities – Performing Arts Librarian). Comments on this position suggested the subject specialization is small, especially in regard to the our “thematic” preference for broader, interdisciplinary specialists. This position is also important to the technological development of the multimedia lab at Douglass and should incorporate leadership responsibilities in that area.
   • It was suggested that descriptions for both positions emphasize technology, exploitation and development of multi-media resources, and flexibility of responsibilities. Search Committees for each position should consider this as they finalize job descriptions. In addition, prescribed core competencies should be specified.
   • There was unanimous agreement that the next two positions to be filled should be these or comparable ones based at the Kilmer and Douglass libraries.
   • Science Librarians are in the process of discussing disposition of lines in the sciences.
   • Will report back to Exploratory Committee and NBL.
7. ISG – Reference Services: F. Puniello and Reference Team Leaders:
   • Team leaders are meeting and want to expand Reference to include “chat”.
   • We must discuss Reference service for next year and possible different configuration of lines.
   • The possibililty of having a single telephone line for incoming reference questions was raised as. PSC will discuss this and virtual reference services.
8. NBCG – K. Mulcahy:
   • Nominations have been solicted for head of NBCG and head of the Science team. The approval plan, with refinements of profiles and addition of funds, will keep within budget for the fiscal year.
   • He has had a low key response to his letters on our behalf – we need to decide how to keep the issues of adequate funding for collections alive. At least one Camden librarian read and endorsed the NBCG/Mulcahy memorandum.
9. Access Services – J. Gardner:
   • Access Services participated in the "2007 Ivis+ Access Services Symposium". Many Access services members participated in the planning and arrangements, R.Smith chaired the symposium committee and A. Martinez and K.Ko gave a presentation.
   • Thanks and congratulations to all involved.
   • M.Mansouri is now in charge of Chemistry and Physics Libraries.
   • B. Lipinski and A. Richardson attended the Senior Salute and heard many complimentary remarks about RUL.
   • We have signed a license for ILIAD, new ILL system, as have the RU Law Libraries.
   • Summer building hours are posted – we need Reference hours soon.
   • Collection Management is working on withdrawing old items “missing” in GEAC.
   • Selectors will be notified.
   • Collection Management is finding Directors Work Station very useful.
   • K. Hartman inquired about possibility of revisiting the charge for RDS within New Brunswick. J. Gardner reported that this is being seriously considered.
10. RU Core agenda item was postponed.

Adjourned at 11:35 am.