LAUC President - LAUC - UCOP
Librarians Association of the University of
California
2004-2005 President’s Final Report
August 9, 2005
Dear LAUC Colleagues:
As my term as LAUC President comes to a close, I am writing to draw your attention
to the many activities LAUC has been involved in during the past year. LAUC
performs most of its ongoing work in close cooperation with the University
Librarians, and LAUC members actively contribute to the formation of library
plans and policies. However, the past academic year was marked by several
new initiatives, which were well-received.
- The Fall Assembly included a high-profile program that was Web-cast,
in two parts—featuring SOPAG and members of Academic Senate committees
on library, both statewide and divisional. This event continues to attract
an Internet audience via the Webcast.
- LAUC joined the faculty in commenting on the planning document “Systemwide
Strategies for Libraries and Scholarly Information,” which was circulated
by SLASIAC. LAUC’s response included feedback from each of the ten
campuses. The Executive Board was especially pleased to offer LAUC’s
input; our members have frequent contact with faculty and students, and
are in a position to offer vital perspectives on long-term strategic plans
for the libraries.
- In winter 2005, LAUC launched an Ad Hoc Committee of LAUC members, together
with a library human resources administrator and a University Librarian,
to study the evolving role of librarians as instructional providers. This
Ad Hoc Committee was formed in consultation with the University Librarians.
Its roots lay in certain organizational challenges that some of our members
have faced in seeking to teach for-credit classes, but the charge was broadened
to assess the overall teaching environments on the campuses and how those
environments affect librarians’ teaching activities. This initiative
comes at a time of increasing interest in librarian instructional services,
both within the University and throughout the profession. In response,
the Executive Board has seen the need for a deeper understanding of the
challenges involved in formulating library-based instruction, and also
how for-credit teaching by librarians is faring. Santa Barbara University
Librarian Sarah Pritchard is actively involved with the working group,
and we look forward to hearing from the Ad Hoc Committee in fall 2005.
- At the request of the Davis Division, the Executive Board charged another
Ad Hoc Committee to explore whether LAUC might sponsor an electronic journal
(e-journal) which would be of interest to the profession, both within and
beyond the University. The Ad Hoc Committee’s findings were discussed
at length during the Spring Assembly in Santa Barbara. While we are still
deliberating on this matter, early indicators are that the membership feels
that the market for such journals may be saturated.
- LAUC’s Standing Committee on Professional Governance (CPG) conducted
several surveys, including one that addressed the level of interaction
between LAUC and the Academic Senate. They discovered considerable variety
in the level of engagement. For example, at Irvine and Santa Cruz, LAUC
members work closely with many Senate committees, while in other cases,
LAUC members serve in ex officio capacities to the divisional committee
on library. The Executive Board was very pleased and interested to learn
about how closely the Irvine and Santa Cruz divisions of LAUC interact
with the Senate. CPG, under Rob Melton’s (SD) leadership, has done
an outstanding job, and LAUC is most grateful to the committee.
- The Committee on Committee, Rules and Jurisdiction (CCRJ) continues to
lead us in a dialogue about our Bylaws, which may lead to a vote next year.
Chair Paul Weiss (SD) led a spirited discussion at the Spring Assembly,
and we can look forward to another discussion in fall 2005. CCRJ members
have worked hard, and the Board is very appreciative.
- All LAUC Standing Committees have performed a great deal of targeted
work that has long-term value for the association. The Committee on Diversity
presented the Spring Assembly with some very useful recommendations for
campus divisions to consider. Library Plans and Policies delivered an outstanding
White Paper that analyzed the pros and cons of standing committees versus
ad hoc committees. The Committee on Research and Professional Development
handled its usual grantmaking workload, and evaluated how to capture and
retain any “deliverables” (such as journal articles, etc) that
were produced with LAUC support. The Position Paper Review Task Force has
completed its multi-year charge and will soon produce updated versions
of the position papers that interact with the UC-AFT MOU.
- Finally, as part of an overall Web redesign, LAUC launched a new Web
feature for LAUC members and guests to publish opinion pieces on the state
of the libraries, the profession, and the issues facing the University.
This feature has been highly successful, generating several hundreds and
even thousands of Web downloads. LAUC will continue to promote this feature
in the coming year.
Building Upon Our Core Charge
All of these activities build upon our core charge to advise the University
Librarians, as they meet the challenge of offering library services to the
world’s leading public University. The greater library community within
the University has been uniformly supportive to LAUC in response to our actions,
and this has been most gratifying for me and the Executive Board.
At our Spring Assembly in Santa Barbara, University Librarian Sarah Pritchard
gave welcoming remarks to the gathering. In these remarks, UL Pritchard made
the observation that during the current, dynamic conditions that face libraries,
the University Librarians look to LAUC’s membership as key partners.
These remarks were highly appreciated by LAUC, as we believe that our advisory
role within the University has gained importance in recent years. Indeed,
LAUC members now have more opportunities than ever before to work directly
with the University Librarians’ advisory community, as well as with
the California Digital Library and the Office of Systemwide Library Planning.
“Continuous Planning” –and A Continued Focus on
Users
As the University moves forward, practicing “continuous planning” to
meet the challenges of library administration, LAUC will do all within its
ability to be of assistance. As academic employees whose work is closely
linked with the teaching and research goals of the University, LAUC members
are particularly committed to offering a proactive, advisory stance. Because
of the heightened need for advice and input, it has been particularly rewarding
for me to serve as President of LAUC. Moreover, it’s important to note
that as the University has adopted continuous planning, we have continued
to fulfill our standing advisory charges, addressing many of the “real
world” issues facing us in our everyday jobs.
As digital media continue to change professional practice, our user-centric
values have been honed, strengthened and reaffirmed. The University needs
us more than ever before, and we have shown ourselves equal to the challenge.
The Executive Board, working in unanimity throughout the year, has led LAUC
in new directions, while preserving all of the most important roles we play.
It’s been gratifying to see the general uptick in interest among LAUC
members during the past academic year.
Many thanks are due, more than can be made via email. But I do wish to express
my thanks to Past President Linda Kennedy for her many contributions; to
Tammie Dearie (SD), our past SOPAG representative, to Ann Jensen (B), our
outgoing SLASIAC representative, and to our outstanding Webmaster Ilan Eyman
(B); also, to Paul Weiss (SD), our pioneering Parliamentarian; and most of
all to incoming President Jenny Reiswig (SD). The 2005-2006 Executive Board
will offer outstanding leadership for us, so I can leave office knowing that
we are in excellent hands.
Terence K. Huwe
2004-2005 President,
Librarians Association of the University of California (LAUC)
Director of
Library and Information Resources
Institute of Industrial Relations Library
University of California, Berkeley
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