Academic Assembly of Librarians
General Assembly Meeting
May 9, 2006

Present: Larry Alford, Jenifer Baldwin, Carole Bell, Aslaku Berhanu, Carol Brigham, Mark Darby, Carla Davis Cunningham, George Fowler, Susan Golding, Andrea Goldstein, Anne Harlow, Margaret Jerrido,  Laura Lane, Carol Lang, Molly Larkin, Jonathan LeBreton, Rick Lezenby,  Byron Mayes, Penelope Myers, Fred Rowland, Brian Schoolar, Gretchen Sneff, Kathy Szigeti, Sandi Thompson, Al Vara, Tom Whitehead

Anne Harlow opened the meeting at 2:05 PM.

• George Fowler of the Nominations and Elections Committee distributed and then collected ballots for elections to AAL standing committees.
• Approval of minutes:  the minutes of the March 14th meeting were approved with a change to those present (“Molly Thomas” to “Molly Larkin”).
• Report/Question & Answer Session – Larry Alford:
  • Larry met with the Board of Trustees Facilities Committee last week to discuss the release of $275,000 to hire an architect to conduct space planning for a renovation/addition to Paley Library.  It is expected that this request will be approved and within the next couple of months an architect will be hired.
  • The Libraries’ budget did receive an increase to offset inflation.  The University Administration also proposed an acceleration of the budget enhancement schedule for the Libraries.
  • There were five winners including two honorable mentions for this year’s Library Prize.  All of the submissions were well done, and they are a tribute to the libraries and its staff.  Larry commends Gretchen Sneff, the Library Prize Committee and Judges for their work.
  • The All-Staff Luncheon will be on June 1st.
  • Larry acknowledged the work of everyone involved in the acquisition of new materials.  Most of the money from the year has been spent.  The Libraries’ expect to receive over 45,000 monographs as opposed to about 28,000 last year.  He hopes there will be more money available next year and to get budgets out to selectors earlier.
  • Penelope Myers commented that the former Paley SIC has become a cozy space for students; she wonders if there are plans to rethink what will happen to the space.  Larry replied that we must build a Media Center and that there will be more space available in Paley when materials get moved to the Library Depository.  Removing some materials from Paley Reference will open up some areas for soft seating space and other student study space both on the main floor and in the stacks.
  • Laura Lane inquired about positions posted on the H: drive.  Larry replied that a search committee had been formed for the Associate University Librarian for Research and Instructional Services.  There will be an e-mail announcement to all library staff giving the composition of the committee.  Jonathan LeBreton reported that Carol Lang will chair this committee and the Chair of the Faculty Senate Library Committee will also serve.  Mark Darby asked whether a search firm will be used for any of these positions.  Larry replied that the services of a search firm will not be used.
• Committee Annual Reports:
  • Continuing Education Committee:  Fred Rowland reported that the Committee held three programs this year on open source software, top ten technologies for librarians, and guest Allen Hornblum.
  • PARA:  Rick Lezenby reported that in the fall there were four candidates for contract renewal and two for regular appointment, all of whom were approved.  In the spring there were two promotion applications.
  • Selection & Appointment Committee:  Rick reported that the search for an English subject specialist was successful.  Kristina De Voe will start on June 1st.  Brian Schoolar is serving on the Search Committee for the Digital Services Librarian while Rick is serving on the Search Committee for Media Services Librarian.  The Selection & Appointment Committee agreed to reduce search committee composition to one S&A appointee per committee.
  • Faculty Senate Library Committee:  Jenifer Baldwin reported that the faculty members on the Committee have had many positive things to say about library staff.  The Committee discussed the VPL search and took an active interest in the candidates.  Other topics discussed included providing Larry with feedback from faculty, the meeting with the Shepley Bulfinch group, the materials budget, and the composition of the Committee.
  • Faculty Senate Representative:  Gretchen Sneff reported that the last meeting of the academic year will be held on Friday.  The Faculty Senate discussed the General Education Curriculum, the workload committee, concerns about service and its impact on merit and tenure, the Presidential Search Committee, the Academic Bill of Rights, and the new promotion and tenure guidelines.
  • AAL Steering Committee:  Anne thanked AAL for the opportunity to serve as Chair, and she thanked Larry for his support.  She acknowledged the hard work of AAL Committees, especially PARA, Merit and the Steering Committee to incorporate changes to the AAL bylaws and procedures.  Revised AAL documents were added to the web site and to the H: drive.  She expressed hope that AAL remains a very vigorous organization and continues to present opportunities for cultural and academic enrichment.
  • Nominations and Elections presented the election results:
    • Steering Committee Vice-Chair/Chair Elect:  Mark Darby
    • Steering Committee Recorder:  Susan Golding
    • Steering Committee Member-at-Large:  Molly Larkin
    • Continuing Education Committee 2-year term:  Laura Lane
    • Continuing Education Committee 1-year term: Brian Schoolar
    • Nominations & Elections Committee: Kathy Szigeti
    • Selection & Appointment Committee:  Carla Davis Cunningham & Sandi Thompson
    • PARA:  Carol Brigham & Anne Harlow
    • Faculty Senate Representative:  David Murray

The meeting adjourned at 2:40 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Brigham