Life Sciences Division Meeting
University Library
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
10:30 a.m. – 12:00
309 Funk Library
MINUTES
Members:
Pat Allen, Head, Funk Library
Ryan Rafferty, Interim Head, UIC LHS
Melody Allison, Coordinator, LSD
Mara Thacker, S. Asian Studies Librarian & ASD Liaison NEW!
Peg Burnette, Biomedical Librarian & SSD Liaison
Kelli Trei, Biosciences Librarian
Erin Kerby, Veterinary Medicine Librarian
Sarah Williams, Life Sciences Data Services Librarian
Lucy Moynihan, Staff Liaison
Beth Wohlgemuth, INHS Librarian, PRIL
Welcome and Agenda Review
Mara had meeting conflict and will start next meeting.
Approval of 10/14 minutes
Sarah moved, Kelli seconded. Approved unanimously.
Announcements – Melody
There have been some recent communications for LSD members to be watchful for
developments of over coming months.
One is the FY 17 budget process. In FY 16 significant reductions were taken from central
administrative funds that spared hit to other units. But there won’t be that cushion this year
and the other units will need to make hard decisions. AULs will begin discussions soon with
units about ideas for 3%, 5%, and 7% scenarios.
Another is the Strategic Planning process. A draft of a Framework for Strategic Action, 20152018 was just released. A framework was used rather than a traditional strategic plan which is
rather like bylaws in that the framework provides parameters that guide our work but allows for
flexibility to do it without limitation to projections that may or may not happen in our fast paced
environment. I was most excited about mention of a unit and staff providing “an integrated
library-wide outreach and marketing strategy”. We need such a strategy to comparable to PR
strategies used by competition.
The Specialized Faculty Survey results are in showing approximately half of faculty and half of
APs responded. Large percentages were opposed or undecided to the Specialized Faculty
concept, but most everyone was in support of AP promotional paths. Dean Wilkin states he was
convinced by EC “the best possible path is instead an aggressive and comprehensive effort to
provide promotional paths for all our APs. As requested by campus, the next step is for Library
bylaws to be updated to address Specialized Faculty in the Library, and then define criteria,
processes, and compensation etc. for AP promotional path.
LSD / PSED Holiday Lunch at Timpones – Melody
Holiday lunch is being coordinated. Please let Melody know soon which date is best for you -12/9 or 12/16.
Library School of Medicine Transition Team update – Melody
A Library SOM transition team has been formed to begin process of determining how Library will
support the new UIUC SOM. The team is comprised of Bill Mischo, Tom Teper, Peg Burnette,
and Kelli Trei (LSD Rep). Kelli will keep us apprised of developments as they occur and bring
issues requiring broader consideration back to LSD.
Kelli informs us that the SOM will have focus on engineering aspects of medicine, but also will
provide a broader traditional medical education built on strengths of our campus medical
research areas, such as cancer, neuroscience, imaging, computer science, epidemiology.
Prairie Research Institute Library closure update – Pat / Sarah / Kelli / Lucy
Tom Teper, Mary Laskowski, Kelli, and Lucy are meeting on 11/23 to discuss closure of PRI
scheduled for on 12/16. Susan will work with Jeff Schrader and Joanne Jacoby to work out
details. Susan will come to Funk and will have an office in 501 on 5th floor, area in staff work
room, or ACDC – yet to be determined.
Project Muse Evidence Based Acquisitions Pilot Evaluation Team update – Kelli
The Library has $6000 for e-book purchases using JSTOR, which has a very user-friendly interface
compared to ebrary and others.
Embedded talk – Melody
In her quarterly meeting with Dean Wilkin asked about what LSD librarians were embedded. The
idea was brought to LSD for conversation. What were experiences of embeddedness, past and
present, and did we as a division feel that it is a worthwhile idea to consider division approach?
Erin stated she had broached the idea for Vet Med with Dean Wilkin. Pros and cons were
discussed. Pat thought it would be a good idea for division to do a division position paper
exploring pros and cons.
Committee assignments and reports – AC, CDC, others
AC did not meet.
CDC – Erin. Buy, buy, buy – deadlines approaching including 2/1 for licensed submissions. The
Library exemption is not being renewed by State. E-course reserves system is being evaluated
by EC team. They are reviewing costs, labor, return on investment.
User Services Advisory Team – Pat. Anticipating draconian budget cuts for next fiscal year. 3%,
5%, 7% reduction plans. Process will start soon and be finished by 1/16 , much earlier than last
year. The process is being worked out. Will same the same recommendations from last time
that were not used then.
Round Table
Melody reported two additional boxes of personal papers from Robert Teska have been added
to the CPLA Special Collections, and also after working with Collections and CMS will be
accepting 26,000 planning documents from a prestigious planning firm in Chicago.
Adjourned
Respectfully submitted,
Melody Allison