MINUTES OF THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD
November 28, 2007
Dr. Peggy Holmes Layman, Chair, convened the meeting at 4:09 p.m., in the Library Conference Room, 4440.
Present:� Monty
Bennett, Chris Deshon, Linda Ghent, Allen Lanham, Peggy Holmes-Layman,
The minutes from the October 17, 2007 meeting were approved as submitted.�
Communication was received from Terri Fredrick and Karla
Kennedy-Hagan regarding their inability to attend today�s meeting due to
attendance at Tarble Arts to receive the Achievement and Contribution
Award.� In addition, communication was
received from Sam Guccione, Marie Fero, Rick Anderson, Tom Nelson and Keith
Kohanzo regarding their inability to attend the meeting.
A motion was made, seconded, and a verbal vote was taken, to accept the Bylaws as currently written, changing only the date reviewed to the current date.� The motion carried.
�
The topic of which book should be chosen for the �One Book,
My Freshman Year by Rebekah Nathan
Quakertown by Lee Martin
The Bright Forever by Lee Martin
Living Downstream by Sandra Steingraber
The Assault on Reason by Al Gore
This Earth of Mankind by Pramoedya Ananta Toer
1776 by David McCullough
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
A Sand
The Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
Small Wonder by Barbara Kingsolver
High Tide in
Freakonomics by S. Levitt and S. Dubner
Dean Lanham suggested the Lee Martin titles as Lee Martin is a local author, an EIU alum, who has been to campus in the past and would be willing to come again during the time book discussions would be held.� Likewise, Peggy Holmes Layman suggested that author, Barbara Kingsolver, would also likely come to campus.� Some books, like 1776 were considered to be too long and �heavy� reading to maintain the student�s interest and attention for pleasure reading.� When asked, �how does one chose a book?� Dean Lanham suggested that the primary purpose was just to get people reading more than their course assignments.� When discussing the book selection timeframe, it was agreed that the Board would chose a title for a spring activity. �Waiting until the fall semester would put this program in competition with Eastern Reads!� It is hoped to get the book chosen and publicized so that group discussions would commence in March or April 2008.� Discussion ensued with regard to exhibit displays, incentives, and availability of the book chosen. It was agreed that this would be a �light� selection in that there would probably only be one window display, perhaps an invitation to the author to attend but not have a lot of events tied to the book selection.� It was further suggested that Booth Library purchase approximately 20 copies of the book to have available for student use.
The following seven titles were selected for review and vote:
My Freshman Year by Rebekah Nathan
Quakertown by Lee Martin
Living Downstream by Sandra Steingraber
This Earth of Mankind by Pramoedya Ananta Toer
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
High Tide in
Freakonomics by S. Levitt and S. Dubner
Board members were asked to rank their top three preferences and to email them to Peggy Holmes-Layman, Chair, by December 6, 2007.� Board members are encouraged to lookup web sites that discuss the titles to make a more informed decision.
Due to time constraints, review and discussion of the FY2008 Book and Materials Budget will be postponed to the next meeting.
Dean Lanham invited Robert Hillman, University Archivist, to make a presentation to the Board.�
Robert Hillman became the University�s archivist in 1989.� There are three major areas under his control:� University archives and manuscripts, special collections, and the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD).
The University Archives at Booth Library contain books and serials published by the University, including student and faculty publications, as well as records collected over the years by various administrative offices across campus.� As a state university, a records retention schedule dictates what must be maintained and for how long.� However, Archive�s materials are kept permanently.� Also included in the Archives are manuscripts collections and artifacts - many of which have been donated to the University.
The Archives serves as a special collections depository for old, rare and fragile materials.� Some materials, such as tiny or odd-shaped books are kept in special collections to prevent theft or loss.� Special collections items are cataloged so that they can be identified online.� The library�s subject bibliographers make decisions as to what is deposited in special collections.
Booth Library�s Illinois Regional Archives Depository
collection is also housed in the University Archives.� IRAD came into being
over thirty years ago when it was decided that all the state�s records could
not be kept in
Robert Hillman brought to the meeting samples of materials housed in the University Archives.� Among the items brought for display was a 17th Century book, Old Main historical information, materials relating to Miss Booth (for whom the library was named), and a sample of some of the items which have been recently digitized - an ongoing and long term project for the library.
Personnel
Dean Lanham reported that Booth Library is in the hiring stage for library personnel. Two out of five open positions have been filled.
Some print titles in the Library�s periodicals collection have been discontinued as the electronic version is now being provided. �A request was made by Chris Deshon that the Philosopher�s Index, an online source, be purchased.� Dean Lanham said this request would be referred to the Collection Development Committee.� During this discussion the Board learned that it was cheaper for the Interlibrary Loan department to print certain books rather than borrow a copy.� Interlibrary Loan costs can run $15 to $25 per book.
Planning Issues
Arriving at Booth Library in February is the exhibition of Breaking News: How the Associated Press has Covered War, Peace, and Everything Else.� Booth Library faculty Carl Lorber, David Bell, and Robert Hillman, are partnering with the Journalism Department to present this exhibit to the public. As in past exhibits at Booth Library, there will be ancillary programs such as guest speakers, films, and group discussions.�
Dean Lanham distributed to each Board member the Booth Library ornament which was unveiled in November by Easter Seals of Central Illinois and the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce.� This new ornament, which commemorates Booth Library, is the ninth of the annual Charleston Landmark Series Ornament of Hope.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:21 p.m.�
Respectfully submitted by:
Christine Derrickson, Recording Secretary