MINUTES OF THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD
March 8, 2006
Dr. Ann Fritz, Chair, convened the meeting at 4:06 p.m., in Library Conference Room, 4440.
Present:� Monty Bennett, Charles Eberly, Ann Fritz, Harrison Green, Allen Lanham, Peggy Holmes Layman, Marina Marjanovic, Chris Mitchell, Frances Murphy, Mukti Upadhyay, and Brent Walker
Not Present:� Jose Deustua, Eric Hake, and Olaf Hoerschelmann
The minutes from the February 8, 2006 meeting were approved as submitted.�
Communication was received from Jose Deustua and Olaf
Hoerschelmann regarding their inability to attend today�s meeting.
One Book, One University �Ann Fritz received an Email from Jose Deustua, History Department, regarding the History faculty�s choice for the next One Book, One University selection.� Although they considered both The Da Vinci Code and Freakonomics, The Grapes of Wrath was their choice.� Ann Fritz reported on the feedback she received from the faculty in Biological Sciences.� Their concerns were finding ways to link the context of The Grapes of Wrath with their curriculum.� Discussion ensued regarding the relevance of the book across various disciplines.� Dean Lanham expressed a desire to choose a book that would complement the upcoming exhibit, Farm Life: A Century of Change for Farm Families and Their Neighbors which will be hosted by Booth Library in February/March of 2007.� Unlike the previous two traveling exhibits, Elizabeth I: Ruler and Legend and Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature that were based significantly in works of literature, the farm life exhibition is much more loosely structured.� Another consideration for choosing The Grapes of Wrath is that many students may have already been exposed to the book in high school and it is considered to be a quick read.�
Charles Eberly asked Dr. Lanham how the library assesses
their success with the exhibitions and programs being offered at Booth Library.
�Dean Lanham replied that during the most
recent exhibition, more than 2,000 patrons participated in the lectures,
exhibits, etc.� The library�s success is
based on participation and feedback from individuals, as well as the excitement
it generates.� There were more than 50
articles in the newspapers related to the �Frankenstein� exhibition.� Having positive publicity related to Booth
Library and
Library Calendar � Dean Lanham asked for the Board�s final comments about the proposed library calendar for the 2006-2007 fiscal year.� Dean Lanham once again reminded the Board that faculty can call the library�s administration office on the Monday through Friday on days that the library is closed to the general public and not on holiday.� These few days closed are necessary for library staff to perform housekeeping and cleaning functions.� Because the library is always �open� online, these closed days should not severely impact student research.�
Other � The question was raised as to whether the number of hits to a particular database could be counted.� Dr. Lanham responded that every database has a way to count the number of hits to the site.� However, because each has its own way of counting, it may not be easily comparable.� Dr. Lanham will communicate with the Statistic Committee regarding data they may have.
Nomination of Officers � A call for nominations for Chair and Vice-Chair of the Library Advisory Board were opened.� Ann Fritz asked the members to Email her with their nominations, and self-nominations are encouraged.� All nominations should be submitted, as per the Bylaws, at least one week prior to the next scheduled meeting, which is April 12, 2006.
Dean Lanham discussed the results of the 2005 Patron Satisfaction Survey.� This survey is conducted to assist the library in meeting the needs of the students and in assessing the collections and programs supported by the library.� In a follow-up to Dr. Eberly�s concern regarding the need for the survey to be submitted to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs for approval, a member of the Statistics Committee contacted them and the library�s survey is exempt from this requirement.
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Illinois Library Day 2006 was held on March 1, 2006, and had greater attendance than in recent years.� Dean Lanham felt positive communication was exchanged between our senators and representatives and library personnel.� The event coincided with the announcement of the proposed state budget.� Significant cuts in library funding have been proposed and were specifically addressed.� In many libraries, the proposed cuts could impact a library�s ability to continue particular programs.� Public library funding is down by twenty-two percent over a six-year period and this, coupled with increased fuel prices, has especially impacted the smaller libraries.� Many are having to cut services to their patrons.
National Library Week is April 2�8, 2006.� All library organizations make a special effort to recognize the work and the importance of libraries in our society.� Booth Library will have its Annual Book Sale in the Library Quad on Wednesday, April 5, 2006.� Net proceeds from the sale have ranged from $700 to $1600 in past years. �Proceeds from the sale are deposited into the Library�s gift account to support library programs.� The money raised by the sale of the books is not as important as is providing a means for students and others to browse through the book selections and find materials of interest to take home to read.�
Booth Library is in the process of creating �READ� posters featuring local Eastern �celebrities� who are holding a book and contain a short message.�
The National Library Workers Day is Tuesday, April 4, 2006.� This is the third year that Booth Library will recognize its employees, especially the non-professionals.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.� The next meeting is scheduled for April 12, 2006.
Respectfully submitted by:
Christine Derrickson, Recording Secretary
NOTE TO DEAN:� Talk to Statistics committee re: �trends� for next meeting.� Also, # of� hours used by students on the internet (various databases).�