UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE ON LIBRARIES
September 16, 1998

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. the Morris Inn by Chairman John Halloran. Also in attendance were Harvey Bender, Kelly Gritten, Christopher Hamlin, Roger Jacobs, Philip Johnson, Alan Krieger, Laurence Taylor, Jennifer Younger, guest Barbara Walvoord and secretary Melodie Eiteljorge.

The minutes of the meeting of August 19, 1998 were approved as written.

Younger noted that prior to the meeting she sent out a URL address for her annual report online. She stated that the procedure was slightly different this year. Nathan Hatch asked deans and directors to discuss what is coming ahead rather than past accomplishments. She addressed three issues in her report: renovation and program planning; rising expectations and rising costs; and better tools for accessing information resources.

Younger next gave an update on renovation. The Libraries Program Planning Committee (LPPC) has been meeting weekly and has conducted site visits to Indiana University/ Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI), Emory University and the University of Southern California. At prior meetings of the University Committee on Libraries (UCL), Younger mentioned that she would form a second committee in the fall to serve as an advisory group to the LPPC. In thinking about membership for this second group, she thought perhaps the most appropriate source might be UCL with some expansion on a temporary basis for 1998/99.

Jacobs observed that there is a specific charge for UCL with a designated representative membership. To expand that might be out of our purview.

Bender recalled that the committee was changed a few years ago from a policy making body to an advisory body. In that capacity, he feels the committee could be expanded on an ad hoc basis without breaking with the philosophy.

Taylor stated that part of the question is the purpose of the advisory group and whether or not they will be making specific recommendations. Bender responded that the ad hoc members could be non-voting members.

Jacobs noted that UCL is already a large group. To expand it seems a substantial effort. Younger agreed that expansion is not an absolute requirement. Her thinking was that it might be easier to bring others in rather than report to them separately. However, there are other vehicles for that. Halloran suggested that before we proceed we need more specifics on the number of people that would be added, the areas of the University to be represented, etc. Younger will look at various avenues and bring back a recommendation to the group.

Bender noted that there are two issues: first, whether or not UCL will accept the responsibility of serving as the advisory group; and, second, whether or not the group should be expanded. He suggested that we proceed with acceptance of the first part. Halloran agreed and noted that this charge may involve additional meetings. He called for a vote on acceptance of the charge. It was unanimously accepted.

Younger next gave some further updates. At a previous meeting it was suggested that UCL should express interest in the search for a director of the University Press. Younger will be meeting with Carol Mooney, who is head of the search committee, and she will mention this. She also reported that graduate students have received funds from a donor to purchase computers for a graduate student cluster in the Hesburgh Library. She will be working with them to find space.

Younger next introduced guest Barbara Walvoord, who is director of the Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning.

Walvoord explained that the two-year old center's customers are faculty members of all ranks, teaching assistants, administrators who teach -- indeed, anyone in the classroom. The facility is in DeBartolo, which is both centrally located and state-of-the-art.

There are two ways in which the work of the Kaneb Center and that of the libraries may be significantly connected. The first is that the center stands in a position to be a predictor and interpreter of how teaching and learning will look in the future. The second is that they are one of the providers of service to faculties and teaching assistants in their teaching roles.

The provision of service takes four directions. First, there is individual consultation with faculty members, and participation in that is increasing rapidly.

Second is workshops, which are usually off site. There are approximately ten workshops a year, both interdisciplinary and disciplinary.

Third, through the Catalyst program, the center works with departments, colleges and other kinds of units in the University in a variety of ways.

Fourth, the center participates in the governance life of the University.

In connection with all of these things, the Center disseminates a great amount of material through all means. They have a small library, and they do loan books. They have a Web site and will be providing a listing of their books on the site at some point. They have been communicating with the libraries on how to handle this.

Walvoord next asked for questions.

Halloran asked in what ways the center has been involved with the libraries. Walvoord responded that they have come to the Hesburgh Library to discuss various issues. She has also served on a committee on orientation with Patrick Hall, the libraries' instructional services librarian.

Hamlin asked if it would be useful to have a place in the Hesburgh Library to highlight some of the center's books and make them available. Walvoord replied that she often takes books with her to workshops and allows people to borrow them. Their borrowing system is very informal with an expected high rate of loss.

Jacobs suggested that having some duplicate books available in the library would extend the hours of availability and also provide a service point. Walvoord stated that she is exploring various options, including on-line reserve. She noted that the center also photocopies a lot of articles.

Walvoord distributed an article from Change magazine, November/December 1995: "From Teaching to Learning -- A New Paradigm for Undergraduate Education," by Robert B. Barr and John Tagg.

Younger thanked Walvoord for joining the meeting. She next reported that she will be away from campus at the time of the next scheduled meeting, October 14. It was agreed that we will cancel the meeting rather than re-schedule for break week.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Melodie Eiteljorge
Secretary

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