University Library Committee January 27, 1999 Minutes Present: Ansar Ahmed, Veterinary Medicine Stephen Baehr, Arts and Sciences Angela Barger, SGA Stephen Donohue, Agriculture & Life Sciences, Chair Eileen Hitchingham, Library Richard Helm, Forestry and Wildlife Raymond Plaut, Engineering Humberto Rodriguez-Camilloni, Art and Architecture Absent: Tim Copeland, GSA Thomas Gatewood, Education George Graham, Teaching and Learning Milko Maykowskyj, Staff Senate Deborah Mayo, Faculty Senate Doug Patterson, Business Eileen Hitchingham reported on the digital resources currently available through the University Libraries at Virginia Tech. In a presentation similar to one given to the Advisory Board at the Northern Virginia Center, she reviewed updated features in the ADDISON online catalog, showed sample databases from the 12-page listing of electronic databases accessible from the library home page, and discussed how the expansion of digital resources and the infrastructure needed to support their use may be a focus for current and future development efforts for the library. During her presentation, E. Hitchingham noted that the cross reference headings in ADDISON have been updated, expanding the types of focus through which one can approach a topic. Another feature (in development) is the presence of live links in the catalog holdings connecting to electronic resources when materials are available in that format. E. Hitchingham also noted that many of the databases available online have links to more than 2,000 online full-content journals. There was discussion about the need for students to have training in information management skills, and the value of having a library skills component as part of freshmen English classes. Part of the mission of the college librarians is to find ways to introduce a fuller array of information to students at the research levels. The concept of an instructional workbook for independent learning was discussed. S. Baehr commented that he felt many students are confusing the net with research, and that plagiarism from the net is a problem. H. Rodriguez -Camilloni commented that he had heard similar observations from his colleagues. The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24.