Terms | Budget Planning Review Committee | Staff | Library

Terms of Reference

In recent years both the University and the nature of scholarly publishing have changed appreciably. Notable changes at the University include new areas of teaching and research; the increasing emphasis on cross-disciplinary or inter-disciplinary programs; the emphasis on increasing graduate and professional programs as well as the number of graduate students; the ongoing emphasis on technology to support academic activity; the increasing emphasis on internationalization; and the establishment of satellite campuses. Notable changes and factors in scholarly publishing include the continuing transition from print to electronic format, the increasing amount of material published annually, increasing prices, and the growing emphasis on open access and institutional repositories.

In addition, our users’ needs and expectations have changed. Of particular note is that although print collections remain important, there is an increased expectation that information resources should be available in electronic format, because of enhanced functionality and to enable access from anywhere, anytime.

All of the above have placed, and will continue to place, new demands on the acquisitions budget. While we have responded to some of these changes and factors in various ways, we have not conducted a systematic review to consider how they could or should influence the way that the budget is allocated. With a view to identifying possible ways of allocating the budget to ensure an appropriate distribution of support to all areas of teaching, learning and research, the Library will undertake such a review. To begin the process, an Acquistions Budget Review Planning Committee will be struck to map out the process for the review. We anticipate that an Acquisitions Budget Review Committee will subsequently be struck to carry out the plan for reviewing the budget. Members of the Planning Committee will probably also serve on the Budget Review Committee, but pending the outcome of the Planning Committee’s recommendations, there may be some variation.

The Acquistions Budget Review Planning Committee will develop a plan for conducting the review by:

identifying any assumptions and understandings that may underpin the review
identifying issues related to the way that the budget is currently allocated
developing a methodology for conducting a review
identifying resources (including staff) required to conduct a review
developing a project outline for conducting the review
developing terms of reference for a Budget Review Committee
preparing recommendations related to the above for the University Librarian.

The Committee’s recommendations will be ready by the end of September, or earlier if schedules permit.

Membership

Associate University Librarian, Information Resources and Services (Chair)
Department Heads for the Davis and Porter Information Services and Resources Department
Three to five librarians with liaison responsibility

In addition, and as needed, the Committee may draw on others throughout the Library and elsewhere for information or advice that may help inform the development of a plan for reviewing the budget.

June 2007

Acquisitions Budget Review Planning Committee

September 12, 2007