The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m.in Grace Hall by Chairman Harvey Bender. Also in attendance were Gail Bederman, Roger Jacobs, Mark Pilkinton, Margaret Porter, Larry Rapagnani, Laurence Taylor, John Weber, Jennifer Younger, observer Joanne Bessler and secretary Melodie Eiteljorge.

The minutes of the meeting of November 9, 2000 were approved as written.

Bender welcomed new members Gail Bederman and Mark Pilkinton. 

Director's Report: Younger reported that she has sent recommendations on the reappointment and promotion of library faculty to the provost. Renovation planning continues, and Thurston Miller will join us at a future meeting to discuss compact shelving. 

Last semester John Weber undertook a project in two classes to demonstrate contemporary communication tools that Notre Dame library administrators and staff might be able to use to more transparently formulate and communicate the vision, challenges, goals and strategies of the University Libraries. The students used information presented by Jennifer Younger in two class sessions. Younger thanked Weber for providing this useful learning tool. Bender expressed interest in seeing the presentations. Younger will look into the possibility of providing a presentation at the lunch session of the Advisory Council for University Libraries' spring meeting. This committee will be invited.

Update on Foik Award: Younger distributed a copy of the ad that is put into The Observer each year. She has scheduled a meeting with Roger Jacobs and the past four recipients to determine what guidance can be provided to the Foik Award Committee.

Several UCL members have served on past Foik Award Committees and concurred that past committees have had difficulties in working with the separate criteria, stated as follows in the Foik Award: "... a library faculty member who has contributed significantly to library service to the Notre Dame community or to the library profession through personal scholarship or involvement in professional associations." Several points were made, including that the work "or" could indicate that either of the parts could be sufficient reason for the award, that perhaps the award could emphasize one or the other aspects in alternate years, that the documentation provided is uneven, and that the nominees should be notified so as to be able to provide additional documentation. 

There was also a discussion of the difference in documentation in faculty files. Some feel that nominees should be notified so that they can update their files. When Younger, Jacobs and the past recipients meet, they will discuss this and other aspects of the process.

Intellectual Freedom: Younger reported that the Libraries' draft statement on intellectual freedom has been sent to the provost and will be sent to the Faculty Senate's Committee on Academic Affairs Subcommittee on the Library.

There was a general agreement that the draft statement is heading in the right direction followed by the request that the University Libraries revise the statement for clarity and succinctness. Additional points emphasized the importance of academic freedom for students and a commitment to intellectual freedom in the broadest sense.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:35 a.m.

Next meeting: February 8, 7:30 a.m., Grace Hall.

Respectfully submitted,

Melodie Eiteljorge
Secretary