UW-L Faculty Senate Library Committee Meeting

Meeting Minutes: April 24, 2009

 

In Attendance:  Paul Beck (Library), Barb Bennie (Mathematics), Matthew Foltz (Graduate Student Representative), Tim Gerber (Chairperson, Biology), Donald Kuderer (Modern Languages), William Ross (Management), Shauna Sallmen (Physics), Sarah Schoonover (Student Representative)

 

Consultant: Anita Evans (Murphy Library Director)

 

  1. Meeting called to order at 2:20 pm

 

  1. The minutes from the February 20, 2009 meeting were approved (8-0-0).

 

  1. Discussion of library hours with Michele Strange and Anita Evans.  Funding is available to extend library hours by 3 to 4 hours per week with a student supervisor (and two students at the desk) for 2009-10 academic year. 
    1. Considered history of changes to hours at Murphy Library since 1990s
    2. Considered student comments from LibQual (primarily interested in adding Friday and weekend hours)
    3. Considered headcounts at closing
    4. Considered hours at libraries across UW system (range from 80.45 to 112 hours per week) and how UW-L compares (95.5 hours per week).
    5. Recommended adding 1 hour to Friday (7:30 am to 6 pm becomes 7:30 am to 7 pm) and 2 hours on Saturday (11 am to 6 pm becomes 11 am to 8 pm)

 

  1. LibQUAL follow up
    1. Areas for improvement that were pointed out in 2008 LibQUAL survey were listed

                                                               i.      Increase library hours

                                                             ii.      Add information content (i.e. e-journals) – the committee confirmed this point in a discussion of difficulties in accessing important research articles for undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty

                                                            iii.      Improve computer speed, number of computers, and printing capabilities

                                                           iv.      Add more group study spaces

                                                             v.      Improve the library web interface

                                                           vi.      Quiet places to study

    1. Some strategies to improve these weaknesses were discussed

                                                               i.      A three hour increase to library hours is being planned for Fall 2009

                                                             ii.      Library is in discussion with physical plant to identify potential group study spaces

                                                            iii.      Differential tuition money request to be resubmitted in Fall 2009 includes funding for content

 

  1. Budget issues for next academic year
    1. DIN, differential tuition both put on hold. So flat budget for 8 years, but journal costs keep going up
    2. DIN on hold č e-resource budget flat for next biennium
    3. Academic initiatives next year are important
    4. Discussed what weaknesses to address.  Prioritize by affordability
    5. Discussion of “pay for printing” by students as complicating improvement area 4.a.iii

 

  1. Meeting adjourned at 3:18 pm.