Agenda
Meeting notes--Martin
- Proposed new patron profile for 'research staff' (Tracy/CAC)
- 'No fines' redux and fine income exceptions (Flo)
- Seating sweep for spring (Sue/Flo)
- How to manage 'interim planning and action' (Celia)
- Updates from the libraries (All)
Meeting Notes
Present: Flo Wilson (chair), David Carpenter, Martin Cerjan (scribe), Sue Erickson, Juanita Murray, Tracy Primich, Holling Smith-Borne, Celia Walker
- Seating sweep for spring (Sue/Flo)
Flo began the meeting by distributing four charts representing the results of the last seating sweep done by the Heard Library. LDC approved conducting another seating sweep for this spring semester. Julie Blagojevich will reconvene the group responsible for the last survey to plan and implement the new survey. While the same basic information will be gathered at all campus libraries, individual libraries will be allowed to determine how detailed the information collected at their site will be.
- Proposed new patron profile for 'research staff' (Tracy/CAC)
Tracy reported on discussions in the CAC regarding the possible creation of a new patron profile for “Research Staff”—university staff whose work requires that they receive the same library borrowing and document delivery privileges as faculty. Employees within this category will complete a form similar to the Visiting Scholar form which requires approval, including signatures, by that employee’s home unit. The form requesting change of status to the Research Staff classification would be available at library public services desks. The availability of the Research Staff forms would neither be promoted nor advertised. LDC approved the creation of the new profile.
- 'No fines' redux and fine income exceptions (Flo)
Flo updated the group on developments related to the proposed elimination of regular overdue fines. To compensate libraries, especially Central, for significant loss of revenue associated with eliminating fines, budgetary exception requests were proposed in the budget planning process. However, after discussion, these exception requests would not be entertained at this time by the administrators responsible for funding the libraries. Flo thought it appropriate to inform LDC about this loss of funding and to question whether the decision to stop collecting fines should be reconsidered in light of these developments. After discussion, LDC agreed that this was an instance where consistency across libraries was not necessary. Central may continue to charge fines while other libraries could decide about collecting fines on their own. Concern was expressed about increasing the complexity of the circulation tables. LDC will consult LITS to determine the possibility of changing the tables to waive fines at the point of discharge regardless of where material is returned. A time table for implementing changes should be created. After further discussion, David stated that he would like a little more time to consider how Central would proceed.
- How to manage 'interim planning and action' (Celia)
Celia asked the other members of LDC for their opinions about long-range planning during times of transition. To what extent should Heard Library committees curtail or suspend planning more than a year or so in advance while the search for a new University Librarian is under way and before a new University Librarian is in place? Ensuing discussion centered on the feeling that while some system-wide long-range planning was being discouraged by OUL, other strategic planning would be permissible. The decision on how best to plan into the future depends upon circumstances, including factors such as how much control specific planning groups have and are likely to retain through transition and how likely it might be that a new administration may want to influence the planning under consideration.
- Updates from the libraries (All)
- Sue noted that various issues concerning bibliographic management software exist and will need to be addressed in the near future. Does the Library want to provide support and software for a particular product? Since the meeting was close to adjourning, discussion was curtailed and LDC likely will consider this topic more extensively in a future meeting.
- Tracy announced that extra laptop bags and cords have been purchased to allow circulating ten laptops from the laptop cart housed at Science & Engineering near the end of the semester when demand for laptop checkout is high and interference with classroom instruction is not an issue.
- Tracy also announced that Science & Engineering would soon be posting a half-time position for an outreach librarian. The position would include, but not be limited to instruction.
- Tracy requested that LDC discuss the practice and procedure for replacing Library computing equipment. She expressed concern that since funding for replacement equipment is currently not a regular part of the LITS budget, there are times when it is difficult or impossible to fund equipment which needs to be replaced immediately.
- Tracy briefly mentioned that the recent assault incident at Science & Engineering was resolved and being handled appropriately by the university.
- In response to a question by David, Flo assured the group that computer upgrades using reassessment funds would occur in the near future.
- Flo announced that budget overhead guidelines should be available by next Monday.