CHAIR'S REPORT:
Lise Snyder reported on the LAUC Executive Board meeting and Fall
Assembly, which took place at UC Berkeley, November 16-17, and her
November meeting with University Librarian Gloria Werner.
LAUC Executive Board
A UCB librarian asked that LAUC endorse a systemwide subscription
for LJ Newswatch; the CDL Collection Development committee will consider
this.
LAUC President Cathy Palmer discussed various items relating to Statewide
committee charges: the Research & Professional Development Committee
has issued only one Call this year; the new name for the Committee
on Diversity has been approved; the Committee on Professional Governance
is reviewing Position Paper 1 (Criteria for Appointment or Promotion
to the Ranks of Associate Librarian and Librarian and Advancement
to Librarian Step V)-what does it need, or not need? Cathy is planning
to form a "Task Force on the University Librarians' Advisory
Structure" to find out whether the new advisory structure (having
replaced the "Library Council") is working. Are HOPS (Heads
of Public Services), HOTS (Heads of Technical Services), SOPAG (Systemwide
Operations and Planning Advisory Group), and the like, really advising
the Uls? Members of those committees will be on the Task Force.
As part of the SOPAG report, it was announced that the Committee
is considering abandoning Z39.50 compatibility for the new Melvyl.
The resolution concerning the need for new library buildings, which
originated at the Spring 2000 LAUC Assembly at UCSB, is going forward
to UCLA Executive Vice Chancellor Rory Hume, who is the new chair
of SLASIAC (Systemwide Library and Scholarly Information Advisory
Committee).
Myron Okada, UC Director of Academic Personnel, discussed the 2001/2002
budget, which will include a request for a 4% increase (which may
not be for salaries). He foresees more money for computing professionals.
There will also probably be a 2% Cost of Living increase. The Regents
decided that a proposed "Enhanced Age Factor" for retirement
needs further consideration. Tuition reduction is going through: all
employees, and their dependents, are to be eligible for an educational
fees waiver, for perhaps 10 "person-years." The waiver can
be used for graduate or undergraduate courses.
UC Merced UL search: applications are in, and they have been reviewed.
The next step will be preliminary teleconference interviewing.
LAUC Past President Patsy Inouye brought copies of the letter she
sent to the University Librarians concerning LAUC's discussions during
2000 relevant to proposed revision of Position Paper 1 (she had sent
the letter directly to the ULs, and not first to the LAUC Board).
The Professional Governance Committee may make some recommendation,
in consideration of Patsy's letter.
Fall Assembly
The morning session dealt primarily with discussion of the balloting
procedures for the LAUC Bylaws amendments/revisions.
Cathy's theme for the afternoon session was "Our Values as Librarians"-and
how we recruit those who succeed us. Attendees viewed a somewhat amusing
video about why there will be a hiring crisis in libraries, and participated
in a small group exercise about values-Cathy will report on the results.
Focus on this theme may ultimately lead to LAUC becoming more involved
in systemwide professional development-i.e., more "Best Practices"
workshops; more continuing education and training; money for housing
for librarians.
Leaving Berkeley and returning home, Lise also reported on her November
meeting with Gloria Werner. They discussed the following issues: emeriti
status for librarians (will find out what the other campuses do);
notifying Peer Review committees when the committee and Gloria disagree
[this notification has not been happening]; preliminary reporting
of Peer Review actions; a State of the Library address [there has
not been one for several years]; what would happen with Librarian
IV "no-actions" remaining from last year (i.e., change those
to "Merits?"); and Cathy Palmer's November discussion (during
her campus visit) with Alison Bunting concerning "Values"
and professional development. Regarding the Academic Senate's "reclaiming"
of the Senate Committee on Library, and attendant elimination of LAUC-LA
representation from the committee meetings, Gloria expressed full
support for Lise's proposal to write a letter asking the Committee
to reverse its position on LAUC-LA inclusion. Lise will do so, and
also copy the Chair of the Academic Senate. Lise and Gloria discussed
Patsy Inouye's letter (which Gloria had not yet seen).
OLD BUSINESS:
LAUC Division Reports were made. Sharon Shafer (covering UCSD) noted
that UCSD has a very impressive new Library Web site, which is run
on an Oracle SQL database.
Ken Wade (covering UCSF and UCSC) reported that there was still no
word about UCSF's new UL-to-be. UCSC is considering implementing a
"LAUC Buddy" program, to mentor new librarians.
Linda Maisner (covering UCSB) and Alice Kawakami (covering UCB) did
not have any news to report.
Maureen Russell reported that the Peer Review Documentation Workshop
will take place Thursday, December 7, from 2 to 4 pm, in the YRL West
Classroom. A brownbag lunch is scheduled for December 5, in the Administrative
Conference Room, with Gloria Werner and those new librarians who started
after December 1999.
Lise continued the discussion of "Future Directions for LAUC-LA,"
a topic which she also raised at the Fall LAUC-LA Assembly (November
9). On Thursday, November 30, there will be a forum on "Strategic
Planning" issues for LAUC-LA, in the Green Room in Schoenberg Hall.
Among the topics considered for the next forum, in January: criteria
for the "Distinguished" step or designation; the new Melvyl
RFP.
