Agenda

1. New LC Meeting time – Connie
2. ARL Update – Connie
3. Development Report – Beth
4. 21 North Update / Visit? – Jody/Lisa
5. Year End Stuff – Connie

Minutes

(Regrets: Flo)

1. Announcements

• The Law School has appointed Chris Guthrie as dean.
• Frances and other Eskind staff recently gave a presentation on projects they have been working on at the Medical Library Association Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii.
• Progress is being made toward the switch away from social security numbers as identifier to the new randomly allocated unique identifier numbers. Our systems will begin receiving feeds from MIS beginning June 8.
• The first DiscoverLibrary Town Hall meeting was held last week, with over 45 staff in attendance. The next meeting is scheduled for June 17.
• Blackboard has expressed an interest in developing a co-promotional press release for the Chronicle of Higher Education to thank Vanderbilt and the library for development of the iTunes U Building Block allowing easy linking between OAK and Apple’s iTunes U site. From the Bb perspective, it is the most widely accepted Building Block. Blackboard especially appreciates that we connected with Blackboard, Apple, and other Bb clients to make a tool that works for as many sites as possible, and wants to promote Vanderbilt as a thought leader in this area. Further discussions about the release are expected soon.

2. Library Council Meeting Time: The day and time will soon change for Library Council meetings. Effective the first week of July, Council will move from the current slot on Wednesdays to each Thursday from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm (remaining in the Goldberg Room). If you cannot adjust your schedule, please write Dean Dowell by the end of the day Thursday, May 28 describing your conflict.

3. Development Report: Beth updated Council on recent events and upcoming plans for Library development and fundraising opportunities.

• Beth and Dean Dowell will be visiting more alumnae chapters to spread the word about the library and the university and to look for potential Friends of the Library; Dean Dowell will speak at these visits. An event was recently held with the San Diego chapter at Dean Dowell’s home, and additional events are being planned in New York at the Grollier Club, and in Chicago, Washington and San Francisco. Beth and her staff are cultivating relationships with the regional development offices in these areas as well, to have them work with the university and library.
• A welcome event was held for Dean Dowell at the home of Ridley and Irene Wills; the Provost spoke at this event . Over 40 people attended, and this was a great introduction for the dean to the Heard Society members. The dean was also welcomed at a Sip & See at the home of Alice Randall, where Dean Dowell was introduced to a number of Nashville residents.
• Dean Dowell has done talks to non-academic groups about the value of libraries in the “age of Google.” She will continue to work toward building and developing a program for people to invest in our future, and to develop connections for future support and gifts.
• Dean Dowell is working with Beth and the Vandy Fund Office on the Dean’s Letter to kickoff the annual fundraising campaign.
• Planning is underway for Family Weekend in October; Beth and the dean are working with Peabody on an exhibit and with a faculty member who will give a lecture during that weekend.
• Beth and her staff recently finished their goal-setting process for the next fiscal year.
• Work is being done with Holling and Blair faculty and staff on a Mellon Grant.
• Library Tours with Chris Toft are expected to be rescheduled during June. Beth will contact directors to set these up.
• Gift-in-Kind training will resume soon.
• If Council has any ideas or suggestions for fundraising prospects or opportunities, please pass these on to Beth.

4. 21North: Progress continues at the new annex site. The next LEEDS meeting will be June 2. Shelving installation will begin immediately, and the ADT alarm system will be in place at that time. Move-in is expected to begin the first week of July. Council will schedule a site tour/visit in late June during the regular LC meeting time, with an Open House day planned this summer for library staff.

5. Year-End Update: Meetings with architects and construction companies have been underway to discuss possibilities for renovations to parts of the Central Library. Similar discussions will continue between Dean Dowell and the Provost and Associate Provost to review potential plans. Dean Dowell will soon consult with both Flo and the Provost about year-end purchases and budget projections. Dean Dowell will reply to year-end purchase requests during the first week of June.

6. ARL Update: Dean Dowell commented on her recent visit to the ARL meeting in Houston. She noted the mention by many there of severe cutbacks at several institutions, with many bracing for additional hardships in the coming year. Collaborations between some institutions (such as Cornell and Columbia) are underway in an attempt to curtail expenses. Vanderbilt’s support of libraries remains strong.