Librarians Association of the University of California SPRING ASSEMBLY, May 26, 1999 Room 240, Science Library, University of California, Riverside MINUTES LAUC President, K. Lucas, called the Assembly to order at 10:10 A.M. The Assembly approved the agenda without amendments. The welcome to the Assembly was extended by James C. Thompson, University Librarian (R). He spoke on the theme of myths versus reality in the UC Library context. In his remarks he explained the history of the Salmon Plan, which was proposed in the late 70s as a short-term expenditure aimed at long- term savings, and compared it to the present developing crisis in library funding for book budgets and construction. The Salmon Plan was envisioned in terms of the myth that cost savings could be achieved by regional storage, interlibrary loan, computer applications, and by thinking in terms of "one university, one library" In practical fact, the plan was aimed at overcoming current funding shortages, in which it succeeded. It is questionable whether in the long term, any savings were realized. In terms of the present, a similar crisis is approaching in funding for acquisition and storage of library materials, specifically books and serials. In 4 years, book space will be exhausted. MELVYL and CDL (California Digital Library) are in crisis. The prevailing myth is that CDL and the virtual library can bring reductions in funding for books and serials. CDL is seen by higher administration in support of the "one university- one library myth" This is unrealistic. Faculties do not accept the "one university- one library" myth; they expect materials to be available at their campuses; the degree to which they can or will accept electronic equivalents of books and serials is doubtful. Faculty awareness of the current trend is limited, but a reaction will come when they find campus access to journals diminished. Problems arise when myths clash with reality. ANNOUNCEMENTS: K. Lucas Appointment of time and place for Fall Assembly: November 18-19, 1999, UCSC. Local arrangements are in charge of Lizbeth Langston (R). A tribute to Pat Flowers (R) was given by Heidi Hutchinson. K. Lucas announced that LAUC will contribute to a fund for memorial benches. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT Thanks were extended to the local arrangements committee. Recap of issues the President is dealing with on behalf of LAUC. Status report on the proposal to extend the Librarian series: K. Lucas described her visits to the UCOP (UC Office of the President) and the divisions. She has found it greatly enlightening and noted that each campus has its own personality. She has seen the depth of knowledge and expertise in LAUC members. She will visit other campuses during the summer. The letter to Judson King was acknowledged, referred to Myron Okada's office for analysis. ULs have been working with Vice Chancellors on cost implications. ULs are also concerned about the lower end of the series. The LAUC proposal addresses (as intended) only one problem. Handling of this proposal is taking place in the time frame of collective bargaining. We may not hear very much in the near future. The visit of the delegation to UCOP has been arranged for June 10. (The delegation is composed of K. Lucas, P. Inouye, H. Hutchinson, and Rita Scherrei.) Lucas has been invited to the meeting of ULs on June 16. Two calls for LAUC members: representatives are needed for the Resource Sharing Group, and the Users Council for CDL (California Digital Library). Chairs should help advertise these positions and encourage volunteers. ROLL CALL OF THE DIVISIONS AND DELEGATES: Berkeley: Andrea Sevetson (Chair), Barbara Glendenning, Michaelyn Burnette,Marlene Harmon Davis: Carol LaRussa (Vice Chair), Linda Kennedy, John Ward Irvine: Catherine Palmer (Chair), Yvonne Wilson, Judy Horn Los Angeles: Stephen Fry (Chair), Libbie Stephenson, Lise Snyder, Katalin Radics Riverside: Heidi Hutchinson (Vice Chair), Jack Cooper, Nancy Koller San Diego: Barbara Slater (Chair), Richard Lindemann, Craig Haynes San Francisco: Julia Kochi (Chair), Min-Lin (Emily) Fang Santa Barbara: Sherry DeDecker (Chair), Janet Martorana, Gary Colmenar Santa Cruz: Deborah Murphy (Chair), Sue Chesley REPORT OF THE SECRETARY: Due to the increase of LAUC members to 37, UC Santa Barbara again qualifies for three representatives to the Assembly. The Assembly approved the minutes as submitted from the 1998 Fall Assembly. J. Larrabee reviewed the procedure and schedule for the 1999 LAUC statewide elections. PRESENTATION OF REPORTS OF LAUC REPRESENTATIVES TO UNIVERSITY LIBRARIANS ADVISORY STRUCTURE GROUPS: K. Lucas submitted the reports of representatives not present at the Assembly: CDC (Collection Development Committee), HOPS (Heads of Public Services), HOTS (Heads of Technical Services), and Library Technology Advisory Group. Report on SLASIAC (Systemwide Library and Scholarly Information Advisory Group) by Gary Peete. Agenda items come out from CDL. Q: Would SLASIAC deal with the CDL problem? Report on SOPAG (Systemwide Operating and Planning Advisory Group) by Linda Kennedy. The group has discussed how to facilitate communication between various committees, dissemination of information as to library concerns, etc. MELVYL is a concern, e.g. screen display issues. Differences between CDL views and those of librarians were noted. Comments should come through HOTS as well as through campus groups. A motion to file the reports was made and seconded. The motion passed. GUEST REPORT: MYRON OKADA (UCOP) The May revised Governor's budget has been issued. The $50 million shortfall is no longer anticipated due to the upswing in the economy. The proposed range adjustment for October will include (presumably) the 2% range adjustment originally requested. Parity differentials are not planned. No fee increases are anticipated; possibly there will be cuts. The budget compact between Legislature and higher education institutions projects 4% annual increases. Health care is out for bids. An increase in premiums is anticipated. Question (D. Murphy): Are AULs involved in the information gathering process on the LAUC Librarian series proposal referring to recruitment/retention issues? Q (L. Kennedy): Is the problem with the lower end of the librarian series being considered? Okada: This parallels the faculty proposals. Its hard to handle three different problems at once: the barrier step, adding steps, and the lower end of the series. Q: Is cost a significant factor when librarians are a very small group? Q (Peete): What other academic non-senate groups have had parity increases? Technically, none. Cooperative extension specialists have a contingent proposal (i.e. contingent on funding). Then there is the proposal for researchers (PIs)--if they can get funding over several years. Not for lecturers. Q (DeDecker): It seems VCs are supportive. Are they the determinative factor? Q: What about the space issue? Okada: Gary Lawrence is the one to ask about this. Okada thinks the capital budget is in bad shape. Q (Peete): Why a tenth campus? Chancellors don't want it. Why not take care of existing campuses? Okada: This is a political decision. PRESENTATION OF LAUC COMMITTEE REPORTS K. Lucas announced that the report of the Library Plans and Policies Committee would be referred back to the committee for more information. P. Inouye presented the report of the Research & Professional Development Committee. There is $30,000 in the research fund, divided into $21,000 for represented librarians, and $9,000 for the non-represented. Recipients of grant awards and amounts were announced. A motion to file the reports exclusive of that of the Library Plans and Policies Committee was made and seconded. The motion passed. NEW BUSINESS K. Lucas presented the revised document on LAUC Website Policies and Procedures and invited discussion. Comments included the following. H. Hutchinson: A more precise listing of significant documents to be mounted could be included. C. Palmer: this could be put in committee charges; committees should be aware of it. J. Ward: Remember the archives. Documents should not be lost because they are only in electronic form. K. Lucas: what is the final form, the one on the web, or a printed document? Q: should the President be the web owner and have final authority or should there be a more collegial arrangement? Lucas: This was put in to take the responsibility off the web manager. Sevetson: The President consults the Board in the spirit of the Bylaws. Wording could be added to this effect. A motion to adopt the website policy statement as amended at the Executive Board meeting and by the Assembly was made and seconded. The motion passed. MEMBERSHIP MEETING There being no further new business, K. Lucas called the membership meeting to order at 1:23 P.M. Theme: Librarian Series Top Step: Holy Grail or Holy Cow! K. Lucas explained the procedure for dividing into six groups for discussion under the facilitators. Purpose is to heighten awareness of the issue, share information as to local variations, etc. May be anecdotal or general. Facilitators are B. Slater, K. Lucas, D. Murphy, C. Palmer, H. Hutchinson, and S. DeDecker. Following individual discussion and break, facilitators will present summary reports. Lucas will digitize and send out or post on web. After group discussions were concluded and presentations made, K. Lucas called for a motion of adjournment. It was moved and seconded to adjourn the Assembly. The motion passed. The Assembly was adjourned at 3:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, James Larrabee LAUC Secretary August 11, 1999 LAUC Spring Assembly 1999 (8/25/99)