THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA LIBRARY
PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COUNCIL ON THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
Minutes of the Meeting of May 12, 1997
Held in the University Librarian's Office
Present: Dr Wallace Chung (Chair), Dr Joanne Euster, Mr Haig de B. Farris, Mr Robert Sharman King, Dr Peter Millard, Dr Ruth Patrick
Guests: Ms Heather Keate, Ms Pam Miles, Mr Brian Owen
Presenters: Mr Marcel Fortin, Ms Kathryn Hornby, Ms Mary Luebbe, Mr Allen Soroka, Ms Martha Whitehead
Regrets: Ms Shenoor Jadavji, Mr Michael Koerner, Ms Carole R. Moore, Ms Vivian Pan, Mr Gary Patterson, Dr Peter Ward
The meeting began with presentations in the G.G. Sedgewick Electronic Teaching Lab by members of the Library staff.
After luncheon, there was a discussion of the concerns and issues to be brought to the President's attention. It was agreed that the key issue is training faculty and students on the new technology.
Dr Chung called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. in the G.G. Sedgewick Electronic Teaching Lab, and welcomed the members of the Council.
Dr Patrick welcomed the members of the Council, and introduced Brian Owen, the Library's Systems Manager. Mr Owen distributed a handout on the DRA Implementation Project, and reviewed the key points.
Martha Whitehead, Head of the Information Services Division, reviewed the public services aspects of the new system, and gave an "electronic tour" of the system. Marcel Fortin and Mary Luebbe, Reference Librarians in the Humanities and Social Sciences Division, gave a demonstration of several humanities and social sciences databases. Kathryn Hornby, Reference Librarian in the Life Sciences Libraries, demonstrated the medical and life sciences databases; and Allen Soroka, Law Librarian, presented information on electronic access to legal resources.
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The meeting adjourned at 12:15pm for luncheon, and reconvened at 2:30 p.m. in the Koerner 7th floor Conference Room.
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The minutes of the meeting of November 18, 1996 were adopted as circulated.
Dr Chung asked when the new University Librarian will arrive. Dr Patrick replied that Catherine Quinlan will assume her duties in October. From July 1st until Dr Quinlan's arrival, Ms Heather Keate will be Acting University Librarian.
Dr Patrick announced two items of good news.
Dr Patrick reviewed the document which was distributed with the agenda, "Challenges Facing the University Library, and Actions Taken or In Progress".
Dr. Maria Klawe joined the meeting at 2:45pm.
Dr Patrick said that a great deal of training will be required on the new Library system, both for staff and users. Dr Klawe commented that a common front-end for the various databases and electronic resources will evolve eventually. In the meantime, the importance of user training cannot be overemphasized. Mr King suggested that the University offer an introductory level course on Library Science for all undergraduates.
Dr Klawe announced that a new Associate Vice President for Information Technology has been appointed, Ted Dodds from the University of Windsor. She suggested that he be invited to the next PACUL meeting.
It was agreed that the key issue for discussion at the meeting with President Strangway is training Library users on the new technology.
President Strangway joined the meeting at 3:05pm. Dr Chung welcomed Dr Strangway, and advised him that the morning portion of the meeting consisted of demonstrations of electronic resources. These presentations raised many questions, especially in the area of training for students. At Dr Chung's request, Mr King summarized the issues discussed.
Key discussion points:
Dr Chung noted that the Library's space requirements continue to be an important issue. The Council strongly supports the proposals for a Library Research Material Centre (formerly referred to as a storage facility) and for Phase II of the Koerner Library.
Dr Strangway replied that there are no easy answers to the space problems. Capital funds are just not available. Several current capital projects on campus are privately funded. The new Forestry Sciences building is the last provincially funded project. Connectivity is a major capital expenditure priority.
Mr Farris asked the President for his views on the major issues facing the Library. Dr Strangway replied that there will continue to be the need for librarians and books. All the new technologies have shorter life spans than ink on paper.
In closing, Dr Strangway thanked Dr Chung for chairing the Council for the past three years, and invited him to continue to serve for one more year to provide continuity as Past Chair. Dr Strangway also thanked Dr Euster for her six years of service on the Council.
Dr Chung thanked the President on behalf of the Council for his continuing support for the Library.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:55 p.m. The next meeting of the Council will be Friday, November 14, 1997.