University Library Committee
Wednesday, November 29, 1999
Library Boardroom
Minutes

Present:

Stephen Baehr, Arts and Sciences, Chair
Eileen Hitchingham, Library
Ansar Ahmed, Veterinary Medicine,
Paul Colley, Staff Senate
Tim Copeland, GSA
George Graham, Human Resources and Education
Richard Helm, National Resources
Doug Patterson, Business
Raymond Plaut, Engineering
Mark Schneider, Art and Architecture
Jim Westwood, Agriculture and Life Sciences
Linda Richardson, Library (guest)
Paul Metz, Library (guest)
Nicole Auer, Library (guest)
Peggy Meszaros, Provost (guest)

Absent: Deborah Mayo, Faculty Senate, Kinsey Row, SGA

L. Richardson, representative on the Commission of Research, reported on the status of the "Statement from the Commission on Research on the Importance of A Renewed Commitment to Research, Scholarship, and Graduate Education," the resolution which is now going to the University Council in January. She mentioned that several other commissions are going to undersign it, and several other groups have voted to support it. She noted that if the University Library Committee would like to be mentioned as supporting it, a note should go to Terry Herdman, Chair of the COR, to let him know.

S. Baehr welcomed guest, Provost Peggy Meszaros, to the meeting for discussion about the library budget. Dr. Meszaros first noted that she had recently been appointed to chair the Library and Information Technology Committee of the Council of Academic Officers of National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges. She indicated that she is pleased with this opportunity to help re-think on a national basis some issues that will have direct application for this campus. She will also be representing the Council of Academic Officers at an AAU/ARL meeting in March, at which time they will be discussing the Association of Research Libraries' rankings and "obsolete" measurement criteria.

Regarding library budget concerns, Dr. Meszaros indicated that the University has requested, for the first time, line item support specifically for increased funding for library materials in the biennial budget process. She noted that Virginia Tech expects to hear from the Governor on the 17th of December as to what his budget proposals are and how many of Virginia Tech's proposals were picked up. If library support is not included, there will be another chance through the amendment process this Spring to take it forward. Provost Meszaros discussed the formula used to arrive at the amount requested and the rationale for the request, noting our role as a strong VIVA participant and net lender to the Commonwealth. She added that the development of the entire biennial budget had perhaps the most open process ever in the history of Virginia Tech, and reflects the importance the university attaches to the library.

Members of the committee shared their concerns about the importance of increasing the library budget. These included effects on faculty recruitment, provision of distance education, severity of continued serials cuts, faculty research, and national ranking of the University. Provost Meszaros asked the members to let her know of any occasion when a faculty candidate being recruited mentions deficiencies in the library as a factor in turning down a position.

Paul Metz, Principal Bibliographer of the library, briefed members on the progress of a database of core serials titles that has been derived from the faculty serials survey, citations, and circulation/reshelving statistics. He expects to have the refined list by January, 2000 and will come to ULC and Dean's Council to talk about it.

The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m. There will not be a meeting of the ULC in December. The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, January 26, 2000.