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.