1:30-3:00 PM
247 Evans Hall
Present: T.Leonard (chair), C.Eckman, B.Hurley, B.Krell (recorder), L.Leighton, M.Rancer, J.Ronningen, I.Stirling, D.Sullivan, S.Wong, P.Zhou.
Absent: D.Duer, E.Dupuis, C.Faulhaber, J.McKenzie.
Guest: D.deLorenzo
A G E N D A
1. Announcements
2. Berkeley Diversity Research Initiative (BDRI)
3. Berkeley Initiative for Leadership on Diversity (BILD)
4. Podcasting Task Force: Final Report
5. Friends of the Library Pilot Program: CDL Initiative (topic deferred)
M I N U T E S
1. Announcements
Tom Leonard greeted Cabinet members and welcomed new member David Sullivan, who replaced Elizabeth Byrne as chair of the Arts & Humanities Council. Tom noted that, although members hold twice monthly times on their schedules, Cabinet is called into session as library issues dictate. Unlike Roundtable where members represent their own constituencies and topics are discussed broadly throughout library units, Cabinet members are urged to take a library-wide view and hold group discussions in confidence. Members are given ample opportunity to review and edit the Cabinet minutes, which serve as the official record.
UC Regents are scheduled to meet July 18-20, at which time one agenda item will address the topic of Large Scale Digitization of UC Library Holdings.
The Library will host an Early Bird on August 4, in the Morrison Library. It will be an opportunity for library staff to meet the new AULs, Beth Dupuis and Chuck Eckman, and tour the renovated grand rooms in Doe Library.
The Library Graphics Office is beginning to think of ideas for the 2006 holiday card. Traditionally, Cabinet has been called upon to participate in the selection process. Last year’s card featured a photograph of the books-in-flight art installation located in the staircase atrium of Doe Library’s Gardner stacks.
The UC Berkeley Library has dropped from fourth to sixth position in the recent ARL rankings, behind Harvard, Yale, Toronto, Columbia, and Michigan. It was noted, however, that ARL’s index scores reflect primarily size, rather than quality, of collections.
2. Berkeley Diversity Research Initiative (BDRI) --S.Wong
Susan Wong briefed Cabinet on the Berkeley Diversity Research Initiative (BDRI), which involved campus selection among ten pre-proposals across a broad range of disciplines for projects focused on racial and ethnic diversity. Although the Library’s input was not solicited for any of the eight final proposals submitted for possible funding, some Library staff expressed interest in participation. Cabinet discussed how the Library might coordinate efforts; Cabinet agreed that an organized and cohesive approach should be undertaken but the specifics of an inter-disciplinary approach are yet to be determined. Since the BDRI projects are directed at faculty FTE, it was decided that the Library should wait to find out which projects are approved for funding. Then, establish exploratory relationships building on the Library’s current liaison-level partnerships with faculty, deans or project directors regarding library assistance and offer new faculty funding if appropriate. The topic will be discussed further at the next Roundtable meeting.
3. Berkeley Initiative for Leadership on Diversity (BILD) --S.Wong
Susan Wong brought to Cabinet information regarding the Berkeley Initiative for Leadership on Diversity (BILD), which is in the initial stages of development for projects supporting a diverse workforce. Several years ago, Cabinet was enthusiastic about providing an internship or fellowship program for new librarians but was unable to sustain the necessary financial support at that time. It would seem that the Library is positioned now to participate in the BILD by updating those earlier ideas and submitting a proposal for a Library Fellowship Program. The consensus in Cabinet was that such a fellowship could provide invaluable experience for newly graduated librarians to help them move forward in their careers. Susan Wong will move the process forward by bringing the topic to Roundtable for a fuller discussion.
4. Podcasting Task Force: Final Report
Cabinet reviewed the April 2006 final report of the Podcasting Task Force, submitted by Gary Handman (convener), Ilan Eyman, Brian Light, and Karen Munro. The task force investigated potential uses of podcasting or vodcasting (video on demand) in support of library programs and services. The report described the technology and noted major “factors that should be considered before undertaking podcast services”, namely, intellectual property rights, timeliness of releases, and library-specific content. The task force conclusion was that “while interesting applications currently exist, the decision to pursue these most likely will be made at the level of individual libraries or librarians.”
Cabinet also noted that the UC Berkeley webcast site covers Library activities.
5. Friends of the Library Pilot Program: CDL Initiative -- The topic was deferred.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:40 PM.
Go to Cabinet minutes