University of Waterloo
Library Managers, January 30, 2008
9:00 a.m., Porter 428
Present: Allan Bell, Eric Boyd, Betty Graf, Jennifer Haas, Mark Haslett (Chair), Michele Laing, Sharon Lamont, Alex McCulloch, Susan Mavor, Richard Pinnell, Shabiran Rahman, Susan Routliffe, Mary Stanley, Linda Teather, Debbie Tytko, Annette Dandyk (Recorder)
- Chair’s Remarks
- Updates
While on the CARL Study Tour in the U.K. Mark heard in December about a study of the ‘Google generation’ that the British Library and JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee) were about to release. The report which explains how the ‘Google generation’ searches for information and the implications for major research collections is now available: http://www.jisc.ac.uk/ - search for ‘Google generation’. It complements another study done by ProQuest about the research habits of students. Both reports merit looking at, as does the recent University of Rochester report.
Faye Abrams has at Mark’s suggestion been nominated for the OCUFA Academic Librarianship Award. Margaret Grove, current Chair of OCUL is coordinating the nomination and has asked for letters of support by February 8. Mark will inform Sandra Keys, current President of LAUW.
Staff recruitment – during recent planning discussions about staffing the Library Executive Committee drafted an action plan for many current and soon-to-become vacant positions. The plan was discussed and agreed to. Sharon will work with the hiring managers to stage the recruitments and will send a staffing update soon.
Action: Sharon
- Reports from Ad Hoc Groups
The Kresge Challenge raised the profile of the Library and now we want to identify ways to build on that success, make cases for additional funding and find leveraging opportunities. Three ad hoc groups met to identify potential projects and initiatives covering the themes of e-initiatives, space, and student experience; Mary met with all of the groups. Mark and Mary are scheduled to meet with the VP, Academic & Provost (Amit Chakma), the VP, External Relations (Meg Beckel) and the Assoc. VP, Principal Gifts and Campaigns (Linda Kieswetter) on February 6 to discuss projects identified and next steps.
- E-INITIATIVES - Group (Allan, Betty, Susan M.)
As part of this theme, three projects were presented.
Digitize and make available the unique resources at UW – Special Collections has some unique materials that support our core values. A pilot digitization project could include environmental collections (such as the Canadian coalition on acid rain) and local history (Dare, Electrohome etc).
Grow UWspace to explore digital preservation – UW space is an institutional repository that currently holds mainly just our theses but could hold anything. Ideally, faculty members would submit their lectures and papers, it would include university documents and would hold the institutions history, preserved forever. This is an area of growth and extreme need for academic libraries and UW would be well positioned if we were to pursue this.
Pre-print server for Engineering – Allan was approached by a faculty member in Engineering to discuss the idea of creating a pre-print server at UW. Currently it takes approximately two years to get an engineering paper published. A pre-print server would give people immediate access to the latest information, long before it is published in print. Cornell University has a Physics pre-print (ArXiv) but they aren’t interested in Engineering. This provides a great opportunity for the Library to partner with the Faculty of Engineering, serving as a host for pre-prints and leveraging our strength as a technological university.
- SPACE - Group (Eric, Sharon, Mary)
The Library continues to be challenged by a shortage of space. The group presented two options.
The Walter Fedy Partnership report proposed a three story extension on Porter into the quadrangle. The extension includes an underground level with compact shelving to allow for future collection growth. An expansion for Davis is another option.
The nature of the Porter building creates challenges for collections space on the upper floors, i.e. trying to follow the sequence of books is difficult because the layout has to flow around the stairwells and elevator shafts. Low use materials could be moved to a high density storage facility connected to or built near the Library, and allowing adequate space for collection growth and 42” wide aisles that meet current provincial standards.
- STUDENT EXPERIENCE - Group (Richard, Alex, Jennifer)
The group invited two students to their meetings to gain a student perspective. Their first four proposed projects reinforce the need for space.
Research Commons – a specialized space for those engaged in higher level research including grad students, research associates, and faculty. It should be a quiet place and could include a librarian for their specialized needs, lockers, laptops, and cubicles.
Auditorium for showcasing academic research – this space should be wired and equipped for webcasting, podcasting, and remote audio-visual delivery. It would be used by faculty and grads to deliver lectures or research projects, and by librarians when delivering library instruction.
Reading rooms - students value the comfortable reading spaces on the 1st and 3rd floors because they are quiet and comfortable. Additional spaces of this nature are needed.
Group study rooms - suggestions include: adding more group study rooms, refurbishing the study rooms in Porter (add technology, make them larger, add whiteboards), and splitting some of the group study rooms in Davis in two.
Instruction and Literacy – incorporating library instruction into existing mandatory orientation programs at the undergrad and grad level. This would develop the skills necessary to do research and to think critically, and supports campus wide academic integrity efforts.
Experiential learning opportunities – the Library is known to provide high quality work experiences, especially for first year co-op students. The Library is often contacted to be the client for class projects, but once the project ends there is no opportunity to develop or follow through with the ideas. With additional funding the Library could support innovation by working with students to further develop the concepts from their class assignments.
Study Carrels – replace remaining old carrels with new ones, incorporating the features of the new Sims carrels.
Partnerships – suggestions include: collaborate with IST in order to ensure there is tech support for students in evenings and on weekends; create a new Learning Commons Coordinator position to identify and develop opportunities to improve student learning through joint development of academic support services, such as The Writing Clinic and Information Literacy.
Next meeting: February 20, Davis
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April 15, 2008
