University
Library Committee Minutes
November 17, 2001
Present: Sue Anderson (Education), Arnie Barkman (Accounting), Ernest Couch (Biology), Lee Daniel (Spanish), June Koelker (Library), Bob Seal (Library), Ellen Page Shelton (Ballet and Modern Dance)
Absent: Mackay, Marcum, Payne, Woodworth, Blevins, Bansal, Gabor, Polisetty, Smith
Minutes submitted by Barkman and Couch
The meeting started at 3:30pm
Barkman asked for ideas how to get more attendance at the Spring meetings. He said he would consider setting dates for next semester’s February and April meetings in January so everyone could work them into their schedules, and therefore urged those present to respond to his request for convenient spring meeting days and times.
Seal presented an update on the information commons. He anticipates three phases. Phase 1 will start during the
semester break and will include:
- A web site combining library and computer center resources
- A help desk with information service and reference librarians sitting side by side
- An expanded computer lab, going from the existing 50 to 100 computers.
Seal showed a plan of the remodeling and hopes to have all in place by the start of the spring semester. The expanded computer lab will occupy space now part of the reference room. The help desk will no longer be in Sid Richardson but in the Library and will become available some 100 hours per week instead of the current 60 hours. The writing center satellite office will continue to be in the library. There was some discussion about positive steps taken to enhance ADA access. Seal did not foresee additional security concerns resulting from the increased number of computers.
Possible negatives include loss of non-computer seating in the reference room, and the need for the help desk people to become more accustomed to dealing with immediate face to face support rather than taking phone calls (phone service will continue).
Funding includes:
$125,000 from a TIF (Texas Telecommunication Infrastucture Fund) Grant
$25,000 from the Library budget
$25,000 from the Information Services budget
$37,000 from V. C. Koehler
$ ?? from the Friends of the Library
Bob asked the committee for feedback on the commons in our spring meetings.
Phase 2 requires raising money for major remodeling which would include a training lab as well as wired group study rooms. Existing library space will be used. Hiring an architect for preliminary plans will take $50,000. Library staff will go to other universities to see what they have done.
Phase 3 is on hold pending additional resources.
Bob Seal next discussed security: The Library has a proposal into Physical Plant. There is a bid that appears quite high. Equipment considered includes keypads, motion detectors, and security cameras.
The one card system to be used for photocopying is up and running. Over 300 departmental cards have been issued so far and can be used with all library copiers, not simply the ones designated as faculty. The numeric keypads will not exist next semester.
Several area institutions (TCU, UTArlington, UTDallas, SMU, Texas Womans, UNT, and Texas A&M Commerce) have agreed to share their JSTOR holdings. Each school will retain only a small fraction of the journals but it the aggregate, all journals will be available in hard copy. Of course, all the JSTOR items are available online. Journals the TCU no longer needs to hold will either be moved offsite or discarded.
Couch requested that more scientific titles be added to the online full text journals. Seal asked that Couch send him a list of some 10-15 titles, and he (Seal) would see what could be done within budget.
The November 16th issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education mentioned TCU in its article “Deserted Libraries.” The theme of the article was declining use of university libraries, and TCU was cited as an innovator by use of the Bistro in attracting students. Seal said he has received several favorable e-mails from colleagues at other schools.
The Library has over 10,000 Net Library titles of full text books. Net Library is in deep financial trouble. However, the OCLC (The Online Computer Library Center) has offered purchase Net Library so the service will most likely continue.
On November 17th the Friends of the Library sponsored a Harry Potter event at the library. Over 70 people attended, including lots of kids. The aim was to motivate increased interest in the library by the younger generation. The book editor of the Star-Telegram, Jeff Guinn was the speaker and he gave the message that reading is good. Retired TCU librarian (and former actor) Bill Farrington dressed as a wizard for an added bit of entertainment.
The annual spring banquet of the Friends of the Library will have as its speaker Richard Kuhta, the Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC.
Other Items:
A question was raised about the library purchasing special software. Seal replied that support could be a problem; that it would be better to stay with the standard packages used throughout TCU.
An “African Drums” program by a TCU student was held during the lunch hour as part of the effort to attract more people into the library.
The Music Library remodeling/upgrade of the listening room now may be done during the spring semester.
The meeting ended 4:30pm
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