Future of the Libraries Committee

Future of the Libraries Committee Joint Meeting – October 28, 2014 8th Floor Classroom – Central Library

Chaired by Cynthia Cyrus, Vice Provost for Learning and Residential Education Chair – Faculty Section – Jim Hudnut-Beumler (Divinity) Chair – Library Section – Bill Hook (Central Library)

The Future of the Libraries Committee is charged by the Provost with developing a vision for the direction the Vanderbilt Library system needs to take in this time of great flux in order to best position the library as a support for our research and teaching needs.

1. Introductions

2. The Committee and its processes: The goal is a 10-20 page joint report by March 2015 to be submitted to Cynthia Cyrus, Camilla Benbow, and Chris Guthrie. This report will be reviewed separately by interim Dean of the Library Jody Combs. Both administrative teams will provide formal recommendations to the Provost. The report may include conflicting recommendations, but must lay out issues and concerns. We are aiming at a transparent and broadly consultative process. a. Two subcommittees; meetings will be arranged by the Chair for each. Assistant provost Sandy Stahl will assist both subcommittees b. Parallel work, with sharing of notes and occasional joint meetings c. Both subcommittees should consult broadly, especially with faculty and students d. Both subcommittees should provide regular updates to Vice Provost Cynthia Cyrus.

3. The Voice of the Libraries: One of the reasons for the slightly cumbersome process is the ability it gives the library to carry on the internal professional self-scrutiny that is important at this moment of transition. The library administrative team invites a broad dialogue around these issues – within the library subcommittee, and also with other library staff.

3. Managing the Subcommittees: Library Sharepoint already set up for the exchange of documents on the library side. Jim has a framework of questions for the faculty subcommittee (see below under “tasks”) Both Jim Hudnut-Beumler and Bill Hook welcome questions, suggestions for how to proceed, and are grateful for the group’s involvement. 4. Readings (sent electronically and posted on Sharepoint sites for each Committee): EAB “Redefining the Academic Library” UC Berkeley “Future of the Library report

5. Data Gathering: It would be useful to have access to... a. The structure and staffing of the libraries at VU a1. General positions: 3 director positions are open. How has this situation affected the library’s work? a2. How does Eskind and its system fit in? b. Budget figures in aggregate – highest level, broad sense picture b1. What part or parts of the budget are managed independently at the division level and what part or parts are managed centrally? b2. Salary and benefits b3. What portion of the budget is spent on one-time purchase and what is spent on purchasing serial and subscription materials? b4. How frequently are materials purchased jointly between Eskind and the university side of the libraries? c. Existing data points c1. LibQual data from 2012 can be pulled together for the group c2. User statistics c3. What patterns of use are there that differ among campus libraries, and among the student populations (undergrad, grad, professional)? c4. Statistics (or narratives) on how students seek assistance-- we have noticed a difference in information-seeking. d. Which universities have recently undergone a similar effort? e. For the faculty committee, what are the various accrediting groups for libraries and what rubrics do they use?

6. Homework for the Faculty Subcommittee: How do you use the library? How don’t you use the library? How should you use the library? And the same questions asked for students. How do you believe the library is about to change in light of the strategic plan? What libraries have you loved, and why?

The next meeting for each subcommittee will be set by the subcommittee chair.