Dean's Council Minutes: March 13, 2012

I. Annual Reviews/Workload Plans

Department heads should have their first meeting with each faculty member by April 15. The final review and merit scores are due by May 4 in the Dean’s Office in order to process and build FY 13. Workload forms are due June 30. Workloads get forwarded to Provost’s Office. Activity reports stay in house. Next year workload plans will be electronic—a University-wide phenomenon.

II. JSTOR

As JSTOR begins to take effect and wash over the collection, patrons will find that some titles are still active. In the FAQ there is an explanation of how this works. Overall, the reaction to JSTOR has been mostly positive, albeit a handful of concerns, even some applause.

III. New Library Website Link

Birdie lobbied for adding the VDNP to the Libraries Website to get added visibility. The Council agreed. Paul will make the change.

IV. Learning Commons Report Distribution

Pending a few tweaks, Mara has authorization from the Provost to circulate an executive summary of the architect’s report about the feasibility of a Learning Commons at UVM. To be clear, the report is not an institutional interpretation or endorsement of the project. The bulk of work was about creating space for collections, people and programs. The preliminary design is meant to be fluid and flexible and to foster ongoing conversations. An open forum, to share the report with Libraries’ constituents, will be scheduled as soon as the architect’s report is complete.

V. Calendar of Internal Events

The Council approved the creation of a libraries-wide calendar to post events so that over-lapping does not occur. Nancy will create a central calendar, which will be open to all for posting events. The success of the project, however, hinges on each event-planner’s participation.

VI. Visiting Scholar from China

A librarian from China will be spending five months at UVM, as coordinated by CESS. His visit is an opportunity for the Libraries as well, and could lead to future exchange programs. Where he will be situated is still being figured out. He comes with no financial commitment from the Libraries.

VII. Vermont Outreach

Selene remarked that the Office of Government Relations is preparing a briefing about University-wide outreach for the new president, and she is gathering Libraries specific information. Council members have been asked to forward information to Selene. We already have dozens of Vermont connections and contributions to share, of course.

VIII. General Updates

· Primo open forum forthcoming to unveil first trial interface.

· Dana search for business and operations manager, down to a few candidates and hoping to wrap up soon.

· Voyager to be upgraded May 14.

· Copyright clearance center agreement is still in GC office. We’ve been given an incentive to sign by the end of the month. Mechanical questions still at issue. The University pays for it.

· Aaron’s proposal for study rooms was approved. Identified some areas. Scott is diagramming areas for new spaces to be carved out.

· Should be hearing about the next phase of VDNP by June or July. Also the Libraries may be a potential sub-contractor for other grants.

· SC enjoyed a successful open house a few weeks ago. The date for the “Big Dinner” is Sept. 14 with a special guest speaker from the Library of Congress. On Tuesday, March 27 in Billings, Special Collections will host a panel of three UVM faculty to speak about the King James Bible in honor of its quadracentennial.