Dean's Council Minutes: Sept. 20, 2011

I. Strategic Initiatives Meeting

Mara asked directors to attend a Q&A between Department Chairs and the President and Provost regarding Strategic Initiatives. The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. in the Grand Maple Ballroom of the Davis Center. See http://www.uvm.edu/provost/strategicinitiatives/ for more information.

II. Learning Commons

The architect consultants are narrowing down space ideas, options and footage in the proposed Learning Commons. They will return at the end of October to review preliminary sketches with the steering committee.

III. JSTOR

At issue, is how to approach faculty about transitioning from print to electronic collections. Selene to create talking points to help frame the conversation in a positive, strategic manner: archives do have color images; digital image of quality has greater possibilities; safe digital collection. The issue can contribute to philosophical debates: Digital storage would have preserved book content from the burning of the Library of Alexandria. Yet, ultimately, can we trust digital preservation?

IV. Panic Button at Service Desks

Alison shared her experience when a student came to tell her that another student was having a seizure. It led her to wonder what would happen if the person in front of you is posing the threat. It may not be possible to call 911. She will revisit the idea of panic buttons with Scott Miller and Angus Robertson.

V. I&IS Search Update

Four people scheduled for interviews: Sept. 30, Oct. 5, Oct. 10 and Oct. 17.

VI. Gen Ed

The new committee, on which Alison serves, has been convened. The focus this year is on piloting a writing initiative.

VII. SFX & PRIMO

Mara will convene the SFX & PRIMO implementation teams.

VIII. Elsevier

Our next contract with Elsevier will contain a cancelation allocation, which allows for cancelations up to 3 percent over the three year contract.

IX. Dana Changes Policy

Dana Library staff will scan and send, as email attachment, articles in print journals housed in the Dana Library to UVM and Fletcher Allen faculty students and employees at no charge. There has been a $5 per article charge for the service for many years. Patrons request this service using the document delivery form on the Dana Library website. Some charges for Document Delivery will still apply such as requests for numerous full-text articles as PDF's available to UVM/FAHC as e-resources. Charges also still apply for unaffiliated and community patrons.

Patron Feedback on Flip Charts

The flip charts for patron feedback will be up until Friday. So far, we've gotten very good constructive criticism and positive input. Of course, there are a few odd comments (like the need for small, quiet animials in B/H), but for the most part this has been a valuable exercise. Selene and I will compile the results and share them next week. Click on her name to see the short video we did for Facebook and YouTube.

Check This Out

In Circulation Newsletter in an easy-to-read format!

Click here.

Congrats Long-Standing Staffers

On Friday, September 23, the University held its 45th Staff Recognition Dinner in the Grand Maple Ballroom. A number of Libraries and Learning Resources folks were among those honored for their many years of hard work.

15-Year Honoree: Angus Robertson

25-Year Honorees: Catherine Cooper, Alan Howard, Wesley Wright

Congrats to each of them!

And, just in case you were wondering, there is one 50-Year Honoree: Clayton Warren II of the Physical Plant! If you see him, say thanks on behalf of us all.

We also enjoyed some delightful Mirabelle's pastries on Friday afternoon, in the Staff Lounge, to appreciate the Libraries' staff and their daily/weekly/monthly/yearly contributions. Pamala Smith and Marie McGarry each won a $20 gift certificate to Mirabelle's in the raffle.

Home Sweet Bailey/Howe

By now you know Bercaw is back.

After testing in the hot waters in New Orleans, it turned out that I longed for the cool Green Mountain State, and my dear colleagues and friends here.

I thought it appropriate that my first re-entry blog, during Staff Appreciation week, should say how much I appreciate the staff of the UVM Libraries and Learning Resources. (Faculty, you know I adore you too, of course, and this pertains to you as well.)

What I like about our workplace the most is that we are free to be you and me.

I love being surrounded by thinkers, doers, dancers, writers, musicians, mermaids, singers, activists, problem-solvers, dog-lovers, cat-lovers, golfers, runners, bikers, travelers, hikers, brewers, farmers, collectors, artists, horse wranglers, privacy-protectors, genealogists, programmers, bakers, ultimate Frisbee players, ferry commuters. There's a place for all of us here. We are a rare collection of history and interests, just like the tomes in our home away from home.

This is a place where debate is valued and people are cherished. We might disagree from time to time, but the bottom line is that we respect each other as much as our work. In fact, this a place where take interest in each others' joys outside of work.

I look forward to seeing my co-staff at this afternoon's gathering in B/H Staff Lounge at 3 p.m. It's so very good to be among you again.

Always,
Nancy

P.S. Here's my New Orleans story in a nutshell: http://www.7dvt.com/2011house-swapping