University Library Committee
Wednesday, October 28, 1998
Minutes

Present:
Stephen Donohue, Agriculture & Life Sciences, Chair
Eileen Hitchingham, Library
George Graham, Teaching and Learning
Richard Helm, Forestry and Wildlife
Raymond Plaut, Engineering
Humberto Rodriguez-Camilloni, Art and Architecture
Stephen Baehr, Arts and Sciences
Tim Copeland, GSA
Angela Barger, SGA

Absent:
Ansar Ahmed, Veterinary Medicine
Thomas Gatewood, Education
Deborah Mayo, Faculty Senate
Milko Maykowskyj, Staff Senate
Doug Patterson, Business

Guest:  Paul Metz, Library


E. Hitchingham announced that a reception was held in the library on
October 10 to unveil the brass plaque recognizing the gift of the Class of
'45.  The gift funds were used to renovate and equip the lobby.  She noted
that there has not been a history of class gift-giving to the libraries
prior to this and how wonderful it was to have the money to move forward
with much needed improvements.  The libraries were included in the recent
university fund-raising campaign, but did not reach target.   This is felt
to be in part from a lack of prospect base.  To address this, she has been
visiting the Deans of the colleges to look for support in having a specific
campaign for the library during the interim between university campaigns.
This would include an endowment for collections and funding of facility
changes that may be appropriate to the linking of the AC&ITC building with
the library.  Virginia Tech's library expenditures per capita rank 102nd in
comparison with the other 110 research libraries.  E. Hitchingham stated
that if the library cannot count on the state on a consistent basis for
funding, then as a university we have to look at other areas for funding.

S. Baehr made a motion recommending that the University Library Committee
support a campaign across all levels, that is designed specifically for
raising funds for the library.  R. Plaut seconded the motion.  
Motion carried:  That the University support an explicit campaign for
library development.  
G. Graham recommended that in writing a formal motion, the members refer to
President Torgersen's reply to the committee's letter of concern (4/98),
where he states that funds are not available to relieve the library's
increased budget needs and that there is a lot of competition for funds.

S. Baehr brought up a concern regarding access to the physical renewal of
books.  He relayed his experience of trying to return 100 books for renewal
at the Veterinary Medicine library, stating that there was no dolly
available, the library was in the middle of the building with stairs and
that there was a slippery floor to traverse.  He suggested that during the
period of construction which hinders use of the loading dock area for
return of books, that the period be extended for renewals for faculty in
the humanities and social sciences.  He recommended that 60 days past the
due date rather than the current 30 days be allowed before one is blocked.
 E. Hitchingham would like to explore ways to facilitate the physical
return of the books.  She will report back at the next meeting.

H.  Rodriguez-Camilloni noted that several of the faculty from Art and
Architecture had asked about an updated list of the campus locations for
the drop-boxes for return of books.  E. Hitchingham commented on the
successful use of the drop-boxes and thanked the committee for having
initiated the idea.  She will bring an updated list to the next meeting.

E. Hitchingham invited Paul Metz, principal bibliographer, to brief
committee members about the Faculty Serials Needs Assessment project.  P.
Metz indicated that this project was an outgrowth of the proposal for
digital library development, the report of recommendations from the
university-wide Library Serials Committee commissioned by Erv Blythe.  Paul
directed committee members to an excerpt from that document stating,
"During 1998/99 we recommend that the Libraries work with faculty to
redefine from a zero base the publications they find critical for research
and teaching, and to develop the cost base associated with supporting these
contemporary needs.  Costs associated with meeting core needs should be
articulated in the 99/2000 funding requests."  He noted that the library
has never systematically asked the faculty what publications they really
need, whether the library ever owned them or not.   Wide participation is
hoped for in this survey, not only for budget justification but to
complement other efforts to gather data about the community serial needs.
A copy of the e-mail note urging participation in the project will be sent
to ULC members for distribution in their colleges.

R. Plaut brought up a concern about a lack of variable reduction copiers in
the Newman Library.  He noted that the library in Art and Architecture has
two such copiers and wondered if one could be installed in Newman.  E.
Hitchingham commented that she would like to see such a copier added, but
the photocopy auxiliary is experiencing a decline in copier use and income.
 Since this unit is supposed to pay for itself, there is no available money
for new equipment at this time.

S. Baehr made note of complaints he received from faculty and students
about copiers in the library that are accessed now only with the Hokie
passport.  There is a preference among many faculty and students to use the
library copy card as opposed to the Hokie passport.  They state that they
have already invested in their library card, have money on it and do not
wish to put the required $10 increments on a Hokie card to be able to pay
for small copy jobs.  E. Hitchingham will explore the issue further and
report at the next meeting.

T. Copeland, GSA representative, reported that he received a student
inquiry as to why the library does not allow students to check out audio
tapes.  This will be looked into and reported at the next meeting.

A. Barger, SGA representative, expressed a general concern on the part of
some students who are graduating and who do not know how to use the
library.  She noted a policy at another university she had attended that
required students to take a library skills test in order to graduate.  S.
Donohue made reference to some of the library initiatives mentioned at the
last meeting which aim to help integrate library research skills into the
curriculum.

The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.  The next meeting will be on Wednesday,
December 16.