“We live in exciting times,” Thomas says. “Because of the personal computer the book has been set free from servitude to information…free to become an aesthetic object, a work of art.” In his lecture, Peter Thomas will address such questions as: What is a book? What is an artists’ 
book? What are the aesthetic attributes of an artists’ book? What is the history of the artists’ book? Where does one find one? How does one look at one as a work of art? He will talk from the context of his own work, using books that he and Donna have made as examples. He will also sing a song or two on his ukulele book.
Under the previous imprint of The Good Book Press, and the current imprint, Peter and Donna Thomas: Santa Cruz, their books have been shown in individual and group exhibitions in the United States and abroad, and have been purchased for collections around the world, including the University of Vermont.
The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information about the lecture, call 802-656-1493 or email uvmsc@uvm.edu For more information about the workshop, visit the Book Arts Guild of Vermont web site at http://bookartsguildvt.wordpress.com/
Present: Mara Saule, Alison Armstrong, Jeffrey Marshall, Selene Colburn, Nancy Bercaw, Tina
Guest attendee: Angus Robertson
Absent: Marianne Burke, Birdie MacLennan, Peter Blackmer
Welcome.
Mara thanked Jeff for his leadership over the past six months. All reports were very positive from inside the Libraries and out, including Waterman.
Bailey/Howe Policies: Expectations of Library Behavior.
Angus assisted Selene in leading the discussion.
The Bailey/Howe Policy about Library Behavior will be reviewed each semester based on feedback and effectiveness. One current question is: How explicit do we need to be about each behavior, or how much do we let things fall under general categories? Everyone agrees that the policy should be kept to one page so it can be disseminated and digested easily.
Currently at issue is the need for quieter space around the reference desk. Alison reported that it gets so loud that conversing with patrons can be difficult. The Council agreed that we should look for an architectural solution rather than a policy one. The two group tables will be moved away from the reference desk and replaced with single work station. Selene and Nancy work with Alison and the department to make signage to convey the seriousness of research work being conducting at the desk.
Electric and power chords continue to be a problem, although the situation has improved with the additional power strips. Should a section be added to the behavior policy about the danger of obstructed paths, or enforcing and clarifying what is in the document already? The Council decided to rephrase the existing policy to reflect the danger these obstacles pose.
Likewise, audio levels (coming from earphones) have been an issue. A clarifying statement will be added to the policy language about cell phones.
The Policies have been criticized by at least one patron as “unwelcoming.” Nancy and Selene will write an opening line that explains the value of the expectation in creating a collegial environment for all.
The greatest issue surrounding the policies continues to be enforcement. More people are needed to enforce policies. The Council discussed the need for training for non-service point people to learn how to do a walk-through to enforce policies. The Policies will be available on Libstaff and will go on table tops on all floors.
Voyager news.
It was duly noted that Voyager will soon migrate from Sun to Linux.
Cook.
Elizabeth has been working with people at Cook, and elsewhere, to eventually close that library but still be good stewards of it in the process.
Biggest Issues Facing Libraries within Strategic Context.
The Council was asked to discuss the greatest single issue affecting their department/division:
Tina explained that her department underwent a major change in layout of ledger this year—switching to a discipline-based ledger by Library of Congress classification. Thousands of POs had to change, and it was very labor-intensive but extremely worthwhile.
Paul said the ongoing question for is group is what goes in the OPAC? And questions spring up around that central issue: How? When? Who decides?
Alison commented that space was a continued concern, as well as assessment. What kind of impact are we having? Assessment will be a huge issue on campus, and the libraries may take a leadership role in and bring to bear our experience.
Jeff said workflow around technical issues: providing access to more stuff means people must do description work. Coming up, Special Collections will need to heighten its outreach efforts—raising profile of collections as Billings campaign gets underway. Also, 2012 is the 50th Anniversary of Special Collections, which will be big opportunity.
Selene said the space question is huge. She also said that there is lot of opportunity to re-think library programming, citing the great success with Maple Week. Moving forward, she is concerned with BH master planning, and how to support liaison communications.
Mara reports that she would like to work on the Libraries’ communications and consultation infrastructure—the formal and informal deliberate exchange of information. She also said that she is engaged in academic technology planning. (How faculty use tech in classroom.) And where UVM should be going, if anywhere, on online learning?
