Faculty Senate

Library Committee

The Library Committee (LC) met in the fall (October 12, 2006) and winter quarters (February 21, 2007) in the Castles Room, Valley Library. At neither time did we have voting quorum. The LC did not meet in the spring quarter as there was not a time during which a voting quorum could be convened. For most of the fall term, the LC had a vacancy which was not filled.

Members of the LC assisted Valley Library staff with the following activities:

• Cheryl Middleton, Reference Librarian and Alexis Walker, LC, assigning study rooms;
• John Pollitz, Associate University Librarian, and Michael Witbeck, LC, reviewing 10 applications and awarding three Undergraduate Library Research Awards;
• John Pollitz; and Alexis Walker, LC, reviewing and awarding Library Travel Research Grants.
• Jane Nichols, Social Sciences and Humanities Librarian, and Molly Engle, Chair LC, reviewed Valley Library website.

The Chair met with Mike Quinn to discuss LC activities on two occasions, October 26, 2006 and in the winter term. The concerns were lack of attendance by identified members and the apparent lack of interest of faculty and students. The LC did not fill the student seats in the 2006-2007 year.

Topics of discussion included continuing the discussion of open access, local archival of faculty intellectual property in addition to publishing in peer reviewed venues, and how to best engender conversation among members. Although members were enthusiastic and supportive about using email to conduct conversations, that did not materialize.

Recommendations for 2007 – 2008.

1. Discuss with Karyle Butcher the role of the LC from her perspective
2. Identify the value that the LC provides to the Library as the Library has an in house advisory group.
3. Continue the discussion of open access.