MEETING, OCTOBER 10, 1997
MINUTES
Attending:
TBR: Vicky Leather, CSTCC; Lynne Craver, CLSCC; Sue Loper, COSCC; Anne Reever, DSCC; Scott Cohen, JSCC; Penny Frere, MSCC; Jim Veatch, NSTI; Peter Nerzak, PSTCC; John Needham, RSCC; Rosa Burnett, STIM; Mike Rothaker, VSCC; Jim Darnewood (for Doug Cross) WSCC; Donald Joyce, APSU; Celia Szarejko, (for Fred Borchuck); Don Craig, MTSU; Yildiz Binkley, TSU; Winston Waldon, TTU; Les Pourciau, UMem.
UT: Sheila Delacroix, UTC; Paula Kaufman, UTK; Joel Stowers, UT-Martin; Tom Singarella, UT-Memphis; Mary Lo, UT Space Institute
Joint Meeting with UT Library Directors:
1. UT-TBR Goals 2000 Committees - Scott Cohen, JSCC
Scott Cohen handed out the report of the steering committee which met in December of 1993. He then addressed each of the Goals: Action Items presented by that committee. (Numbers below refer to that handout.)
1. Access to holdings...This is beginning to take place through such projects as Athena in Middle Tennessee. This project will begin Monday, October 13. (See discussion of Athena in minutes of March 21, 1997.)
2. Borrowing and lending...This is now being done.
3. Develop protocols...Nothing is being done yet.
4. Deliver materials...See Linda Phillips' committee report from 1996.
5. Share expertise... and
6. Share curricula...Scott Cohen listed several things being done here: listservs, workshops, meetings.
7. Share specialized...Nothing is being done yet.
8. Design methods...Rhonda Armstrong's report was cited.
9. Enrich our collective ...and
10. Combine funds...Sue Loper reported on TENN-SHARE's project to secure state funding for online full-text databases to be made available to all libraries in Tennessee. The current trial access is inpreparation for this project.
11. Explore ways...Peter Nerzak reported that this committee has had one meeting and is preparing a survey.
12. Create a forum...There is no consensus on how this should be done. The TBR Library Directors' listserv was cited.
13. Identify and explore...Nothing is being done.
14. Recognize the immense...Nothing is being done.
15. Explore ways to improve preservation...Diane Perushek's report was cited.
After some discussion, Paula Kaufman moved that the UT and TBR Library Directors work together to develop a strategic plan and action plan for libraries at publicly assisted institutions of higher learning in Tennessee. Rosa Burnett seconded and the motion was passed.
A task force consisting of Paula Kaufman and Sheila Delacroix from UT, and Don Craig, Sue Loper and Scott Cohen from TBR will accomplish implementation of this plan. This group will meet and report back to the larger group.
2. THEC Appropriations Formula, Academic Formula Units - Donald Joyce, APSU
Donald Joyce reminded the group that, according to a memo distributed to us by THEC, all TBR and UT schools got an upgrade in the per capita amount to be appropriated for libraries. Nevertheless, the Library Directors have heard nothing about this since. Joyce suggested that this group send a memo to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs asking what has happened to this appropriation. It was agreed that Joyce would write and send the memo.
3. Term papers for sale on the Internet - Les Pourciau, UMem
Pourciau distributed two handouts dealing with the sale of research papers via the Internet. He is co-chair with Gloria Coleman, head of the Donelson Branch of the Nashville Public Library, of TLA's Legislative Committee. They are interested in investigating the possibility of a Tennessee law similar to the Texas law discussed in the article from the Chronicle of Higher Education, August 15, 1997 in "On Line." This law makes it illegal to "prepare, sell, offer or advertise for sale, or deliver to another person...product to satisfy an academic requirement." Pourciau asked for endorsement of this idea by this group. After some discussion, the TBR/UT Library Directors decided that there was not enough support for the idea to endorse it.
4. Budgetary Outlook for Libraries in TBR Institutions - Tom Singarella, UT Mem
Singarella called for a discussion of how UT and TBR Libraries are managing with the recent cuts in funding. Many directors contributed information on how their libraries are coping with the cuts, which all libraries and their institutions are experiencing. Perhaps the most universal problem is the increase in serials costs. The group agreed that a solution to this problem will be found only when the academic community takes back control of the publishing of professional journals from private publishers.
5. TENN-SHARE Databases Trial - Paula Kaufman, UTK Kaufman's topic was actually the status of TENN-SHARE's proposal for state funding for state-wide access to full-text databases from all libraries in Tennessee. Carol Hewlitt, president of TENN-SHARE, has completed a two-page summary of the proposal that is now available. This proposal has now been endorsed by several state officials, including Bradley Dugger, Director of the OIR and Riley Darnell, Secretary of State.
The next step for the proposal is to hold a workshop with stakeholders to develop a document that can be taken to the Governor. This workshop will take place in October or November.
Break for lunch to be followed by meeting of the TBR Library Directors.
1:00 PM: Meeting of TBR Library Directors
1. Election of Vice Chairperson/Chairperson Elect
Winston Walden, TTU, was elected by acclamation to serve as the 1998 Vice Chair/Chair Elect of the TBR Library Directors.
2. TBR Library Directors' Retreat - Penny Frere, MSCC
Because of the success of the first retreat, held at the Webb School in Bell Buckle in June of 1997, it was decided that we should have a second retreat next summer. Possible dates are June 11-12 and June 18-19. Members were asked to check their calendars so that a date may be selected at our spring meeting.
At the retreat, Don Craig initiated a discussion of the need for this group to articulate our values so that we may arrive at a consensus on these values before we begin to make a long range or strategic plan for the group. Craig handed out a list of "possible values statements for TBR Library Directors" which came out of the discussion at the retreat. After more discussion, it was decided that some of the values would better serve as goals or objectives. Craig requested that each Director look over this list and add to it any values she/he feels might apply. He requested that we send suggestions to him as soon as possible.
After much discussion, we decided that the spring meeting of the TBR Library Directors would take place in Memphis, on Tuesday, April 14, 1998, the preconference day of the TLA annual conference. Les Pourciau invited the group to meet at the McWherter Library at the University of Memphis. The meeting will begin at 12:30, with lunch provided by Pourciau.
Penny Frere suggested that a possible agenda item for the spring meeting be an explanation of IPEDS information requested every two years. She will look into a possible "expert" to speak to the group.
3. TBR Library Automation Activity Survey - Les Pourciau, UMem
Les Pourciau distributed the draft of a survey to accompany the TBR Library Automation Activities Update. Directors were asked to make suggestions about the form and content of the survey and to forward those to Pourciau, along with completed questions for their libraries.
4. TBR Library Director's Directory Update - Scott Cohen, JSCC
Cohen distributed the TBR Library Director's directory, asking that each member update his/her information. Cohen will make changes and distribute the directory to the group.
5. TBR Borrowers Agreement - Winston Walden, TTU
The list of institutions participating in the Borrowers Agreement is incomplete. Winston Walden will add to the list and redistribute it to the group.
Each library determines how many books students from other TBR institutions may check out.
6. TBR Bylaws Update - Les Pourciau, UMem
Pourciau distributed an updated version of the bylaws of the TBR Library Directors. This version incorporates changes made at the spring 1997 meeting of the group.
7. Web Page for TBR Library Directors - Scott Cohen, JSCC
Scott Cohen has volunteered to create a Web page for the TBR Library Directors group. He will include directory information as well as a link to every TBR library and the TLA Web page. He asked for suggestions from the group of additional information to be included on the page.
8. Announcements:
John Needham will be retiring as director at Roane State Community College this fall.
A new director of the Dyersburg State library is to be announced soon.
New directors will be appointed at Shelby State and Northeast State also.