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Sept 21m 2012 @SUNY Empire, Saratoga Springs / Onondaga update

« on: September 10, 2012, 02:47:13 PM »

Pauline Shostack has assumed the position of Chair at Coulter Library, and former Chair Jeff Harr has taken on Acquisitions in addition to Technical Services.

Frank Doble, Instruction and Reference Librarian, retired in June after 40 years at Coulter Library, so we are now down to four full-time librarians, as the library did not receive approval to refill his position this year. For these reasons, there has been some restructuring of librarian duties at Coulter: In addition to Pauline and Jeff’s new duties, Rob O’Boyle is now handling Circulation, Periodicals, and Archives, and Angela Weiler is covering Reference and Instruction. Coulter has also hired a new adjunct librarian, Penelope Klein, to help cover evenings.

Rob O’Boyle is serving this year as President of the Onondaga Community College Federation of Teachers and Administrators.

This summer Nadia Tressler developed Coulter Library’s Summer Photo Challenge Contest. Whether campus community members were taking summer classes, traveling the world, and/or working, we encouraged them to share a picture with us that depicted their summer adventures. We picked a winning staff and student photo at the beginning of the fall semester. The winning photos were then featured on our library website. You can see the winning photos on our library blog page and all photo submissions on our Flickr page.

Lisa Murphy of the Media Department suggested and organized a shifting of Coulter Library’s CD collection over the summer from shelving by number to shelving by genre. It was quite an extensive project, but now Coulter’s collection is much more enjoyable to browse.

Angela Weiler has organized a voter registration drive at Coulter Library. Registration forms are available on the first floor of the library, along with a drop box. The library then mails the registration forms for the students.

Dennis Thoryk has created online booking for Coulter Library’s group study rooms, enabling students to reserve rooms without actually coming into the library.

Pauline Shostack is again organizing the annual library orientation event for the campus community, which takes place on Sunday, September 30 from 6:30 – 8:30pm. This year there is an international theme, including games, crafts, food, and more.

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June 15, 2011 @ Plattsburgh / President's Report

« on: June 10, 2011, 05:12:12 PM »

SUNYLA Executive Council Meeting – June 16, 2011

President’s Report

SUNY Libraries Strategic Plan:

At the SCLD Executive Board Meeting on September 29, 2010, we began crafting a framework for the basis of a strategic plan for SUNY libraries.  On April 15, 2011 at the SCLD spring meeting, “The Power of SUNY Libraries:  A Strategic Plan for 2011- 2014” was approved. Among the main points are four “big ideas”:  One Vision, Once Voice, Shared Expertise, and Shared Resources.  There are a number of action items under each “big idea”.  Of primary interest to SUNYLA members:  “SUNY libraries will develop and nurture inspirational leaders”; “ SUNY libraries will support the expanding roles of librarians;”  “SUNY libraries will pursue strategic partnerships to enhance services and collections”; “SUNY libraries will take a leadership role in ensuring that all students are information literate.” 

SCLD Restructuring:   

Also approved at the SCLD spring meeting was the restructuring of the SUNYConnect Advisory Committee into a SUNYConnect Coordinating Committee (SCC) and a completely separate Financial Committee to handle contracts and licenses. The SCC will not act on its own, but will be responsible for appointing ad hoc task forces to deal with issues as they come up. Despite some initial opposition, SUNYLA was able to maintain representation on both of these important committees.

SUNY-wide Content Fee:  Thanks in part to a remark by SUNY Provost David Lavallee in his address to the SUNY Council of Library Directors at the spring meeting in April, a task force has been formed to propose a SUNY-wide Content Fee, tentatively titled the “Scholarly Resources and Access Fee”.  This would be a “University System Wide Library Content Fee which will provide all SUNY libraries with the ability to collectively address the Power of SUNY Plan (i.e. student learning and economic development) through access to shared knowledge resources and information services.” (Similar content fees at other campuses typically average about $250 per student.) Rick Winant of SUNY Downstate Medical Center has proposed this fee to SCLD a number of times, but the Provost’s mention of it in his speech gave us the opportunity to pursue the plan. The task force members are Mary Donahue (FJCC), Maryruth Glogowski (Buffalo State), Rick Winant (Downstate Medical Center), Andrew White (Stony Brook), NJ Wolfe (FIT), and Carey Hatch. They met with the Provost on June 8 to discuss their proposal.

Distinguished Librarian Rank:

There was considerable discussion throughout this past year at the SCLD meetings and on the discussion list about the Distinguished Librarian rank. Although community college librarians are currently not eligible for this rank, SCLD has asked Robert Kraushaar, the Vice Provost of Academic Programs and Planning, if the guidelines could be amended to include community college librarians. In place of an actual rank, at community colleges the award could carry an honorarium instead. The discussion will continue.

NYSHEI:

I attended the NYSHEI webinar on April 4. The proposed ARIA legislation was discussed; it subsequently passed the Senate on May 18 with a unanimous vote and is headed for the Assembly. Also discussed were the problems inherent in dealing with the New York State procurement system.  Evidently a large part of the problem is that NYS procurement classifies “information” as a “service” and not a “commodity”; a “commodity” is much easier to purchase than a “service”.

NYLink/LAND update: 

NYLink officially ceased operation in May.  OLIS has taken the lead on finding a replacement for LAND delivery as well as other components of NYLink, and a steering committee has been formed to look into delivery options.  Members are Ed Rivenburgh (IDS), Gary Thompson (ConnectNY), Loretta Ebert (New York State Library), Mary Beth Krupczak (New York State Library Division of Library Development), Carey Hatch (SUNY Office of Library & Information Services), Curtis Kendrick (CUNY), John Shaloiko (Reference and Research Library Resources Systems-NY3Rs), and Kathleen Gundrum (Nylink).  The current LAND contract has been extended until June, 2012, and NYSHEI has assumed a support position with OLIS handling billing. 

I'd like to thank the members of SUNYLA for giving me the opportunity to serve as your president this past year. It was an interesting and educational experience, and it was a pleasure to serve in this capacity!

Respectfully submitted,


Angela Weiler
SUNYLA President

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March 11, 2011 @ Dutchess / President's report

« on: March 08, 2011, 11:37:14 AM »

SUNYLA Executive Council Meeting – March 11, 2011

President’s Report

NYSHEI Summit Meeting – December, 2010:  

I attended NYSHEI’s Second Summit of the Academic and Research Library Community on December 9, 2010 at the New York State Library in Albany.  The Summit was attended by representatives of virtually all library organizations in New York state.  Each representative was given time on the agenda to discuss their goals, projects, and questions and concerns for 2011.  Concerns centered around the difficulty working with the state procurement system, and the amount of money that could be saved if the system was streamlined to allow more flexibility and creativity. Also, concern was expressed about the New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries, which in the past has barely mentioned academic libraries in its report.  

In response, Jason Kramer sent a letter to the New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries on February 8, 2011 on behalf of all summit attendee organizations, asking that the Regents Advisory Council (RAC) recognize and act on the importance of academic and research libraries. The letter is available at http://www.nyshei.org/2011/02/08/nyshei-leads-coalition-lobbies-regents/.


Leukemia and Lymphoma Society donation:  

In January, an e-mail request from Loretta Ebert of the New York State Library was circulated regarding her intention to run in a marathon to raise money for the Disney Marathon Team Leukemia fund raiser in the name of New York State Librarian Bernie Margolis, who is undergoing treatment for leukemia. SUNYLA subsequently sent a donation of $250 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Mr. Margolis’ name. In response, SUNYA received a letter of thanks from Loretta Ebert, and also from the State Library (Paula Paolucci, Assistant to Mr. Margolis).


ARIA:  

A letter of support for the ARIA initiative from SUNYLA was drafted at the request of NYSHEI director Jason Kramer on and sent on February 25, 2011.  “An ARIA-empowered New York can level the playing field for research libraries, both public and private. … Purchasing information resources through a New York state agent will markedly reduce costs while increasing access.” [see entire text of letter, Appendix A].


SUNY Libraries Strategic Plan – Final Draft:  

The SUNY Libraries Strategic Plan received some very minor revisions in January, and is now ready to be presented at the SCLD Spring Meeting, April 13 – 15 in Cooperstown, NY [Appendix B].


LAND update:  

According to Kathy Gundrum:  “Nylink is working with OLIS, NYSHEI and the New York State Library to transition LAND billing and support to other entities. An update will be distributed by Nylink in mid-March. The existing LAND contract has been extended until June 2012, and a steering group is working on an RFP to continue statewide library delivery beyond this date.”


OCLC update:  

OCLC will begin billing SUNY libraries directly beginning with the April invoices, which will arrive in early May.  There will be no membership charges involved.


Respectfully submitted,

Angela Weiler, President
SUNY Librarians Association

***************************

Appendix A:

February 23, 2011

To the New York State Legislature:

I am writing today, as president of the State University of New York Librarians Association, to strongly support the enactment of ARIA, the Academic Research Information Access Act (bill number A.5181).  

SUNY librarians have been painfully aware of the dire economic situation in New York for some time now. We have been forced to make tough decisions regarding resources which affect not only student access and scholarship, but professional research and business as well. This in turn affects not only the future of New York students, but the very economic foundation that the New York state legislature is trying to repair.  

Access to scholarly research and resources is crucial to the progress of this state and its citizens. New business is built on new ideas, and those ideas are built on the research and study of those who came before. The end result of more limited access to scholarly information resources is less research, less scholarship, and, eventually, a less vibrant economy.

ARIA, enacted, will gather all those engaged in research and scholarship in New York together and leverage that power into real savings and improved access. No longer will each research facility have to deal with outrageous cost increases (as high as 50% in the past five years) and to do without crucial information resources. An ARIA-empowered New York will level the playing field for all research libraries, both public and private, giving them true bargaining power and relieving budgets that are currently stressed beyond the breaking point.

Purchasing information resources through a New York state agent will markedly reduce costs while increasing access. Currently many larger New York universities such as Columbia have turned to out-of-state consortia for price relief. ARIA will bring the power of these primary centers of scholarship and research back to work for better pricing for all research institutions, right here in New York state, creating a ratio of savings to our beleaguered state budget estimated at 10:1. Access to ARIA resources will also be extended to companies in qualified emerging technologies.

In similar state programs across the country, great cost savings are being realized through collective buying power, a single-point contract holder, and state involvement. It’s time for New York to adopt a similar business model, and allow its colleges, universities, and businesses to do what they do best:  educate, innovate, and build a stronger, healthier economy for New York, through the enactment of ARIA.

Sincerely,



Angela Weiler, President
SUNY Librarians Association


*******************************


Appendix B:
Revised Draft of Strategic Plan
January 7, 2011
The Power of SUNY Libraries - A Strategic Plan for 2011- 2013

Big Ideas:

ONE VISION — SUNY libraries will work together to provide quality services and access to emerging and recorded knowledge in support of teaching, learning, research and public service

ONE VOICE – SUNY libraries will communicate and collaborate to articulate the pivotal role of libraries and information in the knowledge economy that is transforming the State of New York, its colleges, universities and communities

SHARED EXPERTISE – SUNY libraries will collaborate to maximize the impact of talent, specialized training and depth of knowledge for the creation of a robust information network for the people of the State of New York

SHARED RESOURCES – SUNY libraries will continually implement and objectively evaluate innovative strategies, policies and procedures that will optimize mutual access to the information resources of all SUNY libraries

****************************************

ONE VISION — SUNY libraries will work together to provide quality services and access to emerging and recorded knowledge in support of teaching, learning, research and public service

•   SUNY libraries will develop and promote SUNYConnect in order to expand access to resources
•   SUNY libraries will develop and nurture inspirational leaders who create an entrepreneurial and versatile workforce that identifies and responds to emerging trends in the knowledge economy
•   SUNY libraries will ensure that all students are information literate


ONE VOICE – SUNY libraries will communicate and collaborate to articulate the pivotal role of libraries and information in the knowledge economy that is transforming the State of New York, its colleges, universities, and communities

•   SUNY libraries will work actively with public and private sectors of higher education, New York State Higher Education Initiative (NYSHEI), the New York State Library, public libraries and other state agencies to influence public policy on information and information access
•   SUNY libraries will lead in the use of current technologies to enhance  statewide and regional   communication
•   SUNY library leadership groups will promote agile decision making in support of SUNY strategic planning and institutional change
•   SUNY libraries will develop centralized, shareable communication to brand and market our resources
•   SUNY libraries will work with SUNY Chief Academic Officers, SUNY Business Officers, SUNY Chief Information Officers, and other constituent groups to identify and resolve issues of mutual concern


SHARED EXPERTISE – SUNY libraries will collaborate to maximize the impact of talent, specialized training and depth of knowledge for the creation of a robust information network for the people of the State of New York

•   SUNY libraries will leverage their talents to lead and share innovations in support of teaching and learning and to foster economic development and lifelong learning
•   SUNY libraries will encourage affinity-based groups to develop initiatives of mutual interest that support multiple campuses
•   SUNY libraries will capitalize on both existing and potential partnerships
•   SUNY libraries will support the expanding  roles of librarians
•   SUNY libraries will collaborate more effectively with CUNY  and the New York State Library


SHARED RESOURCES – SUNY libraries will continually implement and objectively evaluate innovative strategies, policies and procedures that will optimize mutual access to the information resources of all SUNY libraries

•   SUNY libraries will acquire and provide access to resources in support of excellence in SUNY teaching, learning, research and public service
•   SUNY libraries will take an active role in scholarly communication to facilitate research at state, national, and global levels
•   SUNY libraries will model innovation in 21st century information management and access
•   SUNY libraries will pursue strategies that lead to an efficient information infrastructure that facilitates access to the diversity of SUNY resources
•   SUNY libraries will pursue strategic partnerships to enhance services and collections

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November 19, 2010 @ Onondaga / Ad Hoc Archives Report (Dan Harms)

« on: November 19, 2010, 08:49:55 AM »

Ad Hoc Archives Committee Report

Attached please find a copy of the amended Deed of Gift from Buffalo with regard to our archives there, for the Council's approval.

The Archives Committee has also drafted the following directions, as per the Council's request at the last meeting:

Members of the Executive Board are responsible for document retention and disposition in the areas over which they have oversight, and for submitting for approval to the Council a written procedure to be used in that area for discharging these responsibilities.
Documents are to be submitted when an Executive Board member leaves office or goes up for re-election, or on a yearly basis for the minutes of the Executive Board and Council meetings. Exceptions to these procedures necessary for the needs of a particular group should be noted in the plan sent to the Council.
The items submitted will be works documenting the history, business, and actions of the individual or the unit with regard to SUNYLA activities, whether created or received - e.g. reports, official correspondence, election results, membership lists, meeting agendas, project files, or meeting minutes. Documents of a confidential nature or that include personal information (credit card numbers, social security numbers, etc.) are not to be included.
If documents are necessary for the individual or their successor to conduct SUNYLA business, then reproductions of the relevant documents may be made.
Documents should be sent in paper form, as the preferred form, or in an electronic form designated by the archives and producible by the officer. Electronic documents should, if possible, be printed for inclusion. Electronic copies may be submitted in addition to the paper copies if desired. Any electronic documents should be placed in a form selected for its long-range usability, such as PDF format.
The documents should be submitted to the following address, with a cover letter indicating that they are to be placed in the SUNYLA archives collection and a list of the materials provided:
University Archives
420 Capen Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260-1674
The Archives can be contacted at (716) 645-2916 with any questions or concerns.
The documents should be sent by intercampus courier service or, if not possible, by regular mail. The sender should submit a receipt to the Treasurer if any expenses are incurred by this process, informing the treasurer in advance if expenses will accrue over $50 for the transfer. In the case of electronic documents, the officer should contact the archives for information about appropriate formats and media for the transfer.

Action Items:
1) Approval of the Deed of Gift
2) Charging the Executive Board with the creation of lists of documents and procedures for ensuring that they are archived at the University at Buffalo

Dan Harms, Chair, Ad Hoc Archives Committee
Submitted to the Council on November 10

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November 19, 2010 @ Onondaga / President's report

« on: November 07, 2010, 03:48:04 PM »

SUNYLA Executive Council Meeting - November 19, 2010

President’s Report

SCLD Executive Board Meeting – September 29, 2010

I attended the SCLD Executive Board Meeting on September 29, 2010 at the Gideon Putnam Resort in Saratoga.  At that meeting, a full day was spent in brainstorming and crafting a framework for the basis of the SUNY libraries Strategic Plan.  During the second day, the sectors separated and submitted more detailed and specific goals for SUNY libraries.  A summary of the work done at that meeting is available at http://scld.wordpress.com/ .

Distinguished Librarian Rank:

A letter was drafted by the SCLD Executive Council to Robert Kraushaar, the Vice Provost of Academic Programs and Planning, regarding the Distinguished Librarian Rank.  They suggested that, rather than “water down” the criteria for the rank to encourage more applicants, the guidelines for the rank be amended to include SUNY’s community college librarians as well as librarians at state operated campuses.  They further suggested that a designation be created that is equal to the Distinguished Services Professorship or Distinguished Teaching Professorship.  Such a designation would have the option of being an “honorific distinction or a change in faculty rank”, as specified in the guidelines for those professorships.

NYLink update:

There are about ten NYLink staff left; they will stay through June of 2011. 

LAND update: 

A steering committee has been formed to look into delivery options.  Members are Ed Rivenburgh (IDS), Gary Thompson (ConnectNY), Loretta Ebert (New York State Library), Mary Beth Krupczak (New York State Library Division of Library Development), Carey Hatch (SUNY Office of Library & Information Services), Curtis Kendrick (CUNY), John Shaloiko (Reference and Research Library Resources Systems-NY3Rs), and Kathleen Gundrum (Nylink).  The current contract is scheduled to expire in December, but will probably be extended until at least June.  They will attempt to extend the current LAND contract through June 2012 to allow ample time for a new RFP to be implemented.

OCLC update:   

OCLC is in discussion with the New York Office of General Services (OGS) to provide services through a state contract; Sky River is also vying for a contract.  SCLD will be meeting with OCLC to discuss options, and will be keeping in touch with CUNY and the State Library to try and negotiate the best deal.

Respectfully submitted,


Angela Weiler
SUNYLA President

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September 10, 2010 @ Onondaga / President's report

« on: September 03, 2010, 08:32:44 AM »

SUNYLA Executive Council Meeting
September 10, 2010

President’s Report:

***SCLD Executive Board Meeting – June 7, 2010:

I attend the SCLD Executive Board Meeting back in June.  Among topics discussed were   the Distinguished Librarian Award and the lack of nominees for it; problems created by NYLink’s demise (most specifically LAND); and the SUNY libraries strategic plan.  OLIS will be taking the lead on finding a replacement for LAND delivery as well as other components of NYLink; the NYS Library may be assuming a role with this. 

Some ideas that were floated to touch on in the SUNY libraries strategic plan were:
•   Outsourcing outmoded duties/services
•   Providing ubiquitous access to information
•   Community initiatives
•   Re-fitting spaces
•   Developing closer working relationships with IT departments

Considering the first bullet point in particular, it is in the best interest of SUNY librarians to provide as much input as possible into this plan.


***SUNYLA Survey – Strategic Directions for SUNY Libraries

In July of 2010, I developed a survey for SUNY librarians with input from the SUNYLA Executive Board related to the current development of a strategic plan for SUNY Libraries.  The survey requested that librarians respond as they think their ideal SUNY library SHOULD be in the future, not as he/she think  the library necessarily WILL be.  Therefore, these results should represent what SUNY librarians would like to see in their libraries in the future.

There were twenty-two questions.  I won’t discuss the results of each question; the results were already sent to the SUNYLA discussion list back in August.  However, I’d like to highlight specific areas as we head into this year of strategic planning, as I think they are pertinent:

Space:   87% of respondents (n=117) stated that their library space will either remain the same or increase.  Over half feel that about a third of the space will house physical collections and a third will house computers and other electronic equipment; but another 25% of respondents feel the amount of space for these purposes will be only 10 – 20%.  Anywhere from 10 – 30% of space is seen as going to quiet study space, study rooms, and offices, with 1 – 10% given over to archives, cafes, and/or galleries. 

Basically, SUNY librarians see current trends continuing:  Most think that a library presence should be found in several places instead of one.  Possible partners, in order of preference, include computer services and tutoring centers, with 91% and 82% saying these were a “good” or “very good” fit, respectively.  Results were mixed regarding arts/gallery, EOP/opportunity programs, or disabilities offices as possible partners.

Personnel:  Despite predicting that one-third to one-half of a librarian’s time will be spent in virtual activities, SUNY librarians still say that the number of librarians and staff should more or less correlate with the number of students, and 65% feel that libraries will need to have as much face-to-face contact as they currently have. 

Level of importance of areas of librarianship were loosely ranked as follows:  public services;  emerging technologies in general; virtual reference and instruction/teaching; traditional reference and instruction/teaching; acquisitions; and cataloging/tech services.  84% feel that librarian collaboration will be increasing.

Collections:   Most respondents feel that, overall, physical collections will not increase a great deal, but will rather decrease in many areas, with periodicals decreasing the most, followed by films and music.  Most feel that book collections and realia will be least affected, but will still either remain stable or decrease a bit.  They expect increased access to materials and increased use of open access/digital repositories.  And they were almost unanimous in expecting that most of SUNY will have some level of shared collections with other SUNY libraries.

While respondents saw wireless and mobile technologies as shaping the future, some also commented on retaining the need for face-to-face contact.  Other comments expressed:  Use of augmented reality will rise; there will be “less patrons in the library”; too much time will be spent chasing the latest technology fads; libraries may get too dependent on rented collections; e-books will become ubiquitous; there will be more cloud computing.  They feel that the need for helping students, and “people skills”, will remain important.

My favorite comment:  “Libraries are moving from the era of being collection warehouses to vital gathering and collaboration spaces for patrons.”
 
Respectfully submitted,

Angela Weiler
SUNYLA President