DEAN'S COUNCIL MINUTES: Oct. 13, 2009

I. Budget Open Forum

On Wednesday, November 18, 10:30 to Noon, Mara and Peter will host an open forum about the budgeting process at UVM and in the Libraries. Currently, there is no news about the FY 11 budget from central administration. The forum will focus on the how the process works in general.

II. Diversity Reporting

In September, the Provost sent a memo requesting diversity reports from units university-wide. Peter has drafted a report outlining the past strategies and achievements as well as future goals for workforce diversity with the Division of Libraries and Learning Resources. The current workforce within the division reflects 7.8 % diversity. ALA reports a national ALANA diversity percentage of 14.35 for higher education MLS-holding librarians. http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/diversity/index.cfm

III. Strategic Planning

At the next Dean’s Council meeting, Oct. 27, the group will work towards prioritizing the plan and creating actions steps for enacting it—based on feedback from departments. Jeff Marshall mentioned that the candidates for the Director of I&IS position were greatly impressed with the plan.

IV. Updates

Mara is working on the Gen Ed Task Force and is chairing Faynesse Miller’s five-year review. Along with with Dean Cynthia Belliveau of C.E., Mara is giving presentation about online learning to the Board of Trustees at their meeting next week.

Marianne reports that the “Funding to Publication” series, instigated by Donna O'Malley, has been very well attended. Dana Medical Library has mounted an H1N1 Swine Flu exhibit comparing the 1918 flu epidemic with today’s burgeoning pandemic. The affiliation agreement between UVM and FAHC currently is being renegotiated. Marianne is now a member of the President’s Commission on Diversity and Inclusion.

Paul and Jeanene met last Thursday to work on top-level pandemic plan for the Libraries. Tech Help with ETS continues through the semester in B/H on Sundays from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Birdie reports that the workspace redesign for tech services is on track. Birdie is working on a newspaper digitization grant with the help of Robin, among others.

Peter is working with Paul on the Rowell Studio move to Bailey/Howe. Peter is also chairing a UVM committee on procurement redesign.

Selene reports that the signage project for B/H (as well as the LRA and small solutions for Dana) are moving into production and are on track for installation over winter break. The outreach librarians across the libraries are working together on blog postings and monitoring user interaction with updates. A new ASK photo session will take place outside Cyber Café next Thursday.

Tina reports that the Acquisitions Group is ready to begin firm orders.

Jeanene is working with Roger Wiberg about improving the technology in the I&IS classroom. She also will co-chair the Libraries’ Scholarly Communication Committee with Chris Burns. They will create a white paper to help foster understanding about scholarly communications.