LIBRARY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
October 5, 1999

Present: Jo Bessler, Roger Jacobs, Lou Jordan, Jim Wruck, and Jennifer Younger

Guest: Theresa Casad

Budget Initiatives for the 2000-2001, 2001-2002, and 2002- 2003

The provost sent the request last week for budget needs due Oct. 18. We reviewed an initial list of major budget initiatives which Jennifer had drafted based on conversations that took place throughout the year at LEC, LAM, and other groups. This list contained some broadly worded initiatives (such as, $100,000 each for digital and collection development initiatives) and support for some specific programs (such as $75,000 for Web of Science backfiles and $50,000 for an expanded campus document delivery system). Each assistant director was asked to develop descriptive phrases to capture the essence of these initiatives, to make ballpark estimated of related funding needs, and to offer additional initiatives. We will discuss these revisions at a special LEC meeting on Monday, October 11 with further dissemination and discussion at the LAM meeting on October 14.

A few ideas were raised immediately, including: capitalization for new staff, the acquisition of additional ergonomic furniture, support for super-inflation, the network infrastructure needs in the branches, and new microform digital copiers.

Y2K
Each assistant director reviewed Y2K issues for his/her division. Issues were raised concerning the best strategies for communication before and during the Christmas break period, the testing of the elevator systems in Hesburgh and Architecture libraries, the best time and procedures for testing ALEPH, the need for a phone tree and emergency message list, and HR policies for this period. These issues will be pursued. and discussed at a later meeting. Information on communication, testing, equipment maintenance, and scheduling will be distributed nearer to the Christmas break.

Reports
Planning for the Arts & Letters document delivery program is moving quite quickly. A pilot program will begin in March. Funding for some extra staff support is available.

The new back-up server is having some problems. Systems is consulting on this.

Sonja Jordan has accepted a position as Head of Special Collections and Preservation at the Chicago Public Library and will leave the University libraries in November.

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