TBR Library Deans and
Directors’ Meeting
April 19-20, 2012
Pre-meeting update information
Duncan Parsons (NeSCC) Northeast State is still in the process of getting ready to open two additional off-campus locations – one in Johnson City and the other in Bristol. There are no firm dates yet regarding when these facilities will be open for classes.
Louise R. Kelly (VSCC) Our new president, Dr. Jerry Faulkner currently VPAA at Cleveland State Community College, begins May 15. Our budget for next year is a status quo budget.
Stuart Gaetjens(MSCC) Library budget is projected to be flat for next year. This year we have added Films on Demand Academic Collection of 8000 videos. Unfortunately, they cannot get their links to work in the Millennium catalog. We are in the process of withdrawing 90% of our microfilm titles (from 373 to 42 titles) and 40% of our print periodical titles (from 195 to 116). This totals over 5000 rolls of microfilm. The two major considerations were lack of use and physical degradation (vinegar smell).
Doug Bates (TTU) We are in the final stages of the search process for the new President. The final candidates are on campus for interviews April 17th -19th. We have completed a reorganization based on our strategic planning process. As a result of the reorganization we are beginning searches for two faculty positions - Electronic Resources Librarian and Public Services Coordinator. We have formed a committee with teaching faculty and librarians to make a comprehensive study of our materials. Our learning commons continues to be very popular with attendance in the library up 50% over winter semester 2010.
Carolyn S. Head (SwTCC) Plans are moving forward with the expansion of a Center in Fayette County. This will be a collaborative effort with Southwest Tennessee being the lead institution, the University of Memphis, UT Martin, and Tennessee Technology Center in Whiteville. Planning committee begins on 4/24 and I am on the committee.
After 2-3 years we finally hired two (2) librarians last year (November and December). However, the librarian hired in December resigned in March to return to CA to join her husband who found a position there as opposed to in Memphis as was hoped. The posting for this position is now on the President’s desk (a week now) waiting approval to post. Informed I will not be able to replace the Librarian I lost last year due to voluntary buyout (or the other 3 positions lost – in addition to 1 position that was RIF’d last year as well). Coverage sometimes is very much a challenge, especially as we have had to increase Saturday hours and add some Friday hours at the Center location.
Library budget - still no increases for the past eight (8) or so years. Therefore, we have had to be creative and careful with how and where we spend money. This means a larger focus on electronic resources. TAF funding helps.
Our challenge at the newest Library site has been the increase in requests to use the facility –especially for after-hours use (particularly by community groups that supposedly are sponsored by Southwest faculty or staff). However, once the Provost and/or President give the OK – I have learned to “let it go” and hope for the best. Also, use of certain spaces during open hours is problematic because of the noise levels and use of space that over rides student access (such as study rooms and cybercafé)
We have been weeding our collection and interestingly enough there have been serious complaints from some students (and comments from some faculty) regarding weeding at our newest campus because people don’t understand why we would “throw out” books now that we have so much space. This has provided a great opportunity to discuss collection development.
June: Site of the 2012 TBR/RODP Mentor’s Academy - primarily held in the Bornblum Library on the Macon Cove Campus. The relatively new Library has been getting a facelift in anticipation of the three (3) day event.
Mary Carpenter (UTM) UT Martin's Paul Meek Library has seen several staffing changes over the past few months with the retirement of Head of Reference, John Bell, and Periodicals Librarian, Pat Greer. Due to the Head of Systems position also being vacant, the librarians elected to fill positions temporarily for 2012. Richard Saunders is Acting Head of Reference, Sam Richardson, Acting Head of Special Collections. New to the Meek Library are recent MLS grads, Karen White, Acting Head of Circulation and Michael Busbee, Acting Periodicals Librarian. Also in one year slots: Marlow Peters, Head of Electronic Resources/Extended Sites and Jennifer Head, SACS/Information Literacy. Linda Butler, long-time Head of Acquisitions, has announced her retirement as of August 31, 2012. A search will soon be initiated to fill this position permanently. The Head of Systems search is completing the third attempt to staff this position and have narrowed the search to three individuals; the announcement of a successful candidate is hoped for in the next few weeks. The MLS requirement was taken off this position due to low response.
A qualified candidate for Head of Systems search at the present grade level has been problematic. We continue to have concerns regarding lack of proper staffing and hours for the four UTM extended campus libraries.
Library budget has seen modest inflationary increases.
Roof project of over two years in
duration has resulted in a roof with more leaks than before contractors
appeared. Carpet continues to be
replaced with the addition of carpet squares. New furniture and flexible
study spaces continue to be added.
Project to showcase student art
exhibits during remodel of Fine Arts Building has been very successful. ILL Department has been moved to a more
prominent area and pick up/return moved to circulation desk.
Inability to weed the Government
Documents collection due to federal requirements have made for a backlog of
dated materials and created underutilized space.
Robert Benson (RSCC) Roane State President Dr. Goff retiring in October – position not yet posted OR campus building a new building to accommodate Allied Health/Nursing. Advocating switch from Federal Work Study library clerk assistants to line item budget for temporary desk workers. Flat budget. Renovating OR library. Learning Center is moving out of library space to combine with Learning Support lab (ie. Developmental) Learning Center will still be near library but this move will help us expand computer lab for instruction; add one additional office for librarian and one additional study room. Installing Tandberg video unit to connect Cumberland Learning Resource Center to Harriman campus librarian through HD camera/screen capture. Feels like virtual presence. 6,000 books withdrawn since July 2011. Many more on the way.