New Brunswick Libraries Faculty Meeting
Present: Stephanie
Bartz, Ellen Calhoun, Jeris Cassel (recorder), Caroline Caviness, Kayo Denda,
Valeda Dent, Howard Dess, Mary Fetzer, Lila Fredenburg (guest), Judy Gardner,
Rebecca Gardner, Tom Glynn, Sara Harrington, Karen Hartman, Helen Hoffman, Tom
Izbicki, Triveni Kuchi, Mei Ling Lo, Jackie Mardikian, Kevin Mulcahy Laura
Mullen, Pat Piermatti, Jim Niessen, Donna Schulman, John Shepard, Jane Sloan,
Ryan Womack (chair), Myoung Wilson, Connie Wu
Adoption of Agenda
The agenda was adopted as submitted.
Approval
of Minutes
The minutes of the December 14, 2007 meeting were approved.
Ryan noted this as the final NBLF
meeting with Pat Piermatti and Howard Dess.
He expressed pleasure working with them and an appreciation to them that
was acknowledged by all with applause for the retirees.
Diversity Education Program
Lila
Fredenburg distributed and reviewed the handout Prototype Program for Diversity Education for Rutgers University
Libraries. Lila presented the background
and rationale for a diversity education program in the library based on the RUL
strategic plan and on the diversity initiatives proposed by President McCormick
in his 2007 annual address. She outlined
the objectives of the five-part program, which extends from March through
August 2008, of lectures, workshops, interactive theatre presentations,
dialogue groups, and guided conversations. The program will be instrumental in making the
library a leader in diversity.
Lila
responded to questions regarding the inclusion of sexuality, transgender,
disability, and bilingualism in the program.
The first three issues are covered in the program. The university does not have a policy on
bilingualism in the workplace, so it is not currently addressed in the program. To the question of bringing in a theatre
group from the outside given the talent within the library, Lila responded that
she preferred an external group for the purpose, but internal individuals would
be involved in other activities. Suggestions
were proposed on making the program more available to everyone by repeating
sessions in the evenings and spreading programs throughout the year.
Employment of Foreign Nationals
Lila distributed a handout outlining information regarding the
employment of foreign nationals, including overview of U.S. immigration,
non-immigrant categories, and labor certification. She noting referring to the legal experts for
this complex area.
In response to questions regarding recruitment and selection of
candidates, Lila emphasized the importance of selecting candidates that meet
the qualifications stated in job ads. She
also recommended that unless the position is highly specialized, committees not
look at candidates outside of the United States.
Discussion of Positions
Discussion
documents for the position descriptions for a Latin American and African
Studies Librarian and an Environmental Sciences Librarian were distributed
prior to the meeting. Jeris noted that
the Exploratory Committee focused on standardizing the language regarding
general responsibilities and requirements of the positions.
On
the Latin American and African Studies Librarian position, there was consensus
on (a) changing the title to Area Studies Librarian, (b) using Sub-Saharan
Africa, (c) coupling North African with Middle East studies, (d) using a team approach, (e) strengthening the
language of collegiality, and (f) ,clarifying
statements on reference, instruction, and collection development
qualifications.
On
the Environmental Sciences Librarian, Helen Hoffman provided context for the
position in response to a queries. Jackie
Mardikian is taking the Pharmacy area and will no longer have instruction
coordinator responsibilities. A good science librarian, a high level person,
who can cover a lot of areas is needed.
The position is based at the Library of Science & Medicine versus
Chang because it will be more practical for coordinating instruction and for
the growing movement to a team approach within the sciences. Consensus was to
move the statement on the coordination of library instruction higher in the
description and add “relevant” to the advanced science degree qualification
statement.
Faculty Compensation Program
Ryan
reviewed the program. The criteria have
been distributed. Recommendations are
due to the University Library by February 25.
The PEC (Kayo, Jackie, Sara, and Ryan) will develop a timeline. Increments will be based on percentages,
steps no longer exist. The period being
reviewed is the prior fiscal year so the PEC will be working from the last
annual reports and can opt to request other information from the faculty. The increase is a permanent salary increase,
not just a one-year increase.
Discussion of AUL Report
Valeda
announced that instead of taking up meeting time with an oral report, she will
send her reports with the agendas. She
will respond to questions regarding reports at the meetings.
In
response to questions regarding the CLIR Faculty Research Behavior workshop at
UC Berkeley to be attended by Valeda and Chad Mills, Valeda explained that the
workshop was by invitation and requirements were predetermined by CLIR (Council
on Library and Information Resources).
Requirements included attendance by a systems/technical person and a
librarian. Valeda noted that the intention
is for workshop participants to learn how to do basic ethnographic research of
faculty in their research environment and to teach others at their respective
institutions how to conduct such research. Examples of University of
Rochester’s ethnographic studies are available on the web.
Travel Report
Jane
reported that the allocations for NBL travel funds are completed. She reminded the group that NBL funds are
only a portion of funds available for travel.
For major travel plans, everyone should think ahead for a whole year. For small travel plans, individuals should
submit requests throughout the year.
NBCG Report
Kevin
waived giving a report at this time.
NBISG Report
Tom
reported that the group had not met since the last NBLF meeting. There will be continuing discussion on
instruction at future meetings. NBISG is
working on an NBL-wide reference assistant system and will be addressing other
issues such telephone reference and virtual reference between Douglass and
Kilmer.
Next Meeting
The
next meeting scheduled on March 14 was cancelled due to conflicting events that
library faculty will be participating in, such as the Columbia Reference
Symposium.