April 8, 2020 Meeting of Library Faculty Meeting

Time and Location of Meeting

April 8, 20203:00 pm - 4:30 pm Skype Conference Call

Agenda Details

Agenda

AGENDA

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Library Faculty Meeting Agenda
April 8, 2020
3-4:30 pm
Skype Meeting Only

 

  1. Call to Order
  2. Standing Items

 

2.1   Adoption of the agenda

2.2   Approval of the Minutes of the March 4th  Faculty Meetings

2.3   Introduction of New Employees (John Wilkin)

2.4   Executive Committee Report and Discussion (15 minutes – David Ward)

2.5   Report of the University Librarian (15 minutes – John Wilkin)

 

  1. Discussion Items
    1  HathiTrust Research Center (HTRC) – (20 minutes – Glenn Worthy, Associate Director of HTRC)

 

  1. Lightning Talks

4.1 Pre-tenure Track Working Group Update – (10 minutes – Heidi Imker)

 

  1. New Business

 

  1. Announcements

 

  1. Adjournment

 

Minutes Details

Minutes

Minutes -DRAFT

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Library Faculty Meeting Agenda
April 8, 2020
3-4:30 pm
Skype Meeting Only

 

  1. Call to Order
    Meeting called to order at 3:35 pm (71 participants)
  2. Standing Items

 

2.1   Adoption of the agenda 

Adopted as is.
2.2   Approval of the Minutes of the March 4
th Faculty Meetings 

Approval of the minutes from the March 4th meeting was postponed until the May meeting because they were not distributed so as to allow ample time for review in advance of the April meeting. Draft minutes will be posted on the Library website from now on with a clear indication that they are in “draft” format.

2.3   Introduction of New Employees (John Wilkin) 

No introductions

2.4   Executive Committee Report and Discussion (15 minutes – David Ward) 

EC has held three meetings since the March meeting. The Committee has been spending time reviewing and approving new positions and discussing open positions. EC met with the Associate University Librarians to start prioritizing new hires. There are currently over 20 positions in some stage of the search process and discussion will be continuing EC’s our upcoming meeting. EC discussed posting starting salaries to aid in recruitment. For searches currently open, deadlines have been extended for some of the faculty positions.

 

EC completed annual reviews for the AULs.

 

EC has been engaged in ongoing discussions about the campus accreditation process, the 2 tenure-related task forces, and updates in everyone’s areas including work on the building project.


2.5   Report of the University Librarian (15 minutes – John Wilkin) 

Dean Wilkin expressed his appreciation for everyone’s efforts during these difficult and unusual times. The Dean conveyed his appreciation for everyone’s well-being. He emphasized how important support for continuity of instruction is across the University as well as continuity of research. The Library is playing an important role in these areas.

 

A lot of the Council of Deans meeting was focused on our adaptations in moving forward with new circumstances. There was a lengthy discussion regarding national and state responses to COVID-19. Illinois’ vet med diagnostic lab was involved in the first testing of the large cats in the Bronx zoo suspected of having the SARS-CoV-2 virus. https://vetmed.illinois.edu/illinois-experts-id-coronavirus-in-tiger/

 

The Dean underscored some of the good work that is ongoing: the cancer center; virtual commencement plans with possibility for something in-person in the future; plans for future instructional environments; possibilities for the fall term, assuming a need for extending social distancing. No final plans have been made yet but there is an idea to possibly divide the fall term into two half semesters. The Dean indicated the University may need to We will likely need to increase our admission of students due to visa issues. And he recognized that the current state of constant change is hard for everyone.

Budget:

In quick summary the Dean noted that the University has increased costs, at the same time we have decreased revenues. There is a lot of uncertainty and he indicated we need to be prepared for these uncertain times. Many of our peers are being asked to model reductions of 10 to 20%. We have not been asked to do that. We have funds on hand and strategies for bridging over these kinds of challenges. The Dean said he knows we can do it, but it doesn’t mean we won’t feel some impact. There is a pause on, or possible cancellation of, the investment for growth proposals. At this point there is no hiring freeze but there will be some brakes put on hiring. We will need to make justifications about how those hires advance our interests in this environment.

 

Regarding Library building project, things are moving forward. On the 23rd of April, the Dean will be before a meeting of the Chancellors Capital Review Committee (CCRC). The decision whether to move forward will be based on: plans, funding, preparedness, etc. He is hoping to at least secure funds to support the architectural engineering contract so we can move forward. Questions?

 

Sara Benson:

Sara Benson, Copyright Librarian, asked whether or not the smaller building projects like the scholarly commons will be moving forward.

The Dean responded that there is only so much we can do remotely so we are doing things that we can. Tim (Newman) has worked with F&S so that where people can come into the building to do work with appropriate measures to ensure their safety, that work can continue. For example, some work on HVAC in room 200 is continuing.

 

Bill Maher:

Bill Maher, Head of University Archives, asked what the status is of the report from the Campus Advisory Committee on the building project.

 

The Dean responded that the Provost’s plan was to bring the committee in for a meeting. He has received the report and did not have significant issues but would be working with the committee.

 

Bill Maher followed up with an inquiry as to how we keep in touch with one another, respect personal space, personal health information, and navigate the need for social distancing, etc.

The Dean reminded us of his informal online gatherings and that Chris Prom had been tasked with trying to find other ways to foster the sense of community.

 

 

 

  1. Discussion Items
    1  HathiTrust Research Center (HTRC) – (20 minutes – Glen Worthey, Associate Director of HTRC)

 

Glen Worthey provided an introduction to the HathiTrust Research Center and encouraged everyone to explore.

 

  1. Lightning Talks

4.1 Pre-tenure Track Working Group Update – (10 minutes – Heidi Imker)

 

Heidi provided a brief update on the work of the pre-tenure track working group. Different models are being considered to find ways to support persons who may be interested in moving into a tenured position but may be coming from a position that has provided little preparation for such a position.

 

  1. New Business

None

 

  1. Announcements

None

 

  1. Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned 4:32 pm