LAUC-SD MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Minutes February 15, 1994
Geisel Room 2:30 p.m.
Present: K. Cargille, R. Coates, T. Echavarria, S. Galloway, R.
Gustafson, J. Hanson, C. Hightower, M. Horres, C. Jahns, E. Kanter,
R. Lindemann, K. Lo, G. Lowell, P. Mirsky, A. Perez, A. Prussing
(Chair), B. Renford, J. Sih, B. Slater, E. Valdez, T. Weintraub, V.
Williamson.
Librarian Introduction
C. Jahns introduced Vicki Williamson, who has recently filled
the position of temporary Documents Librarian in Research Services.
Proposal for a New Professional School at UC Berkeley
A. Prussing provided background by summarizing key points in
the document, which had been routed prior to the meeting. An
Information Planning Group at Berkeley is investigating
alternatives to a Library School. Research is viewed as a major
component of the program and a strong focus for its faculty. The
program's broad scope makes it substantially different from
traditional MLS programs, and it is specifically designed not to
meet ALA accreditation standards. Emphases on technology and
policy beyond those in the old program are designed to attract
students with various disciplinary backgrounds. A. Prussing then
asked for discussion and comments:
o There is concern that the move away from traditional
librarianship toward other facets of information science
discounts "core curriculum" courses that focus on library
skills. This will result in poor preparation for employment
in library settings.
o The issue of core curriculum is really a function of the
broader issue of program emphasis--traditional core courses
are not viable in this proposed program because of the thrust
of the program.
o What will we as a hiring institution decide to do about
evaluating the credentials of candidates who do not have the
MLS degree?
o This proposal suggests a fantastic program that will produce
the kind of people that we anticipate needing. The skills and
knowledge that we need for information management are in fact
NOT coming via MLS programs now.
o This program can produce graduates with skills that complement
librarian skills; as such, it is a good program that would
enhance our ability to meet our needs.
o We should endorse the program as having the potential to
address the kinds of information management issues that we
anticipate focusing on.
o Considering this as a program that complements traditional
library school programs is a good way of looking at the
proposal; library skills will continue to be the focus of MLS
programs, while other information management skills will come
from this program.
o The proposal is visionary in its concept and potential; it
should prompt us to consider its thrust for our own work
place.
o It is regrettable that the information management facet can't
fit within a library school setting.
o The routed material refers to Berkeley's library school as
being "wanting," but this is too vague to understand why the
group ruled out modifying the library school program in favor
of a more radical approach; what SEEMS to have been wanting
was the old program's inability to retain and attract faculty,
so perhaps this new proposal offers a better opportunity to do
both.
o The "UCLA/Berkeley complementary program approach" puts
California in the enviable position of having both
perspectives to draw from.
o The proposal suggests a strong bias for computer technology,
but will a 2-year program allow for mastering the topics
articulated in "Systems?" The emphasis articulated in that
portion of the document refers to faculty interests, not
curriculum per se, so maybe this is not a problem.
o The ALA accreditation issue suggests that this proposal may
also be a wake-up call to ALA; the proposal is both visionary
and serves notice that ALA may be behind the times.
o The proposal neglects the traditional book format in focusing
so strongly on newer technologies and media, but "information"
DOES include books; books/paper/print should have more weight
in this program despite its intention to concede this facet to
UCLA's library school.
o The foci of this program very closely match UCSD's own
concerns about how our library will be in the coming years;
increasingly, where WE need help is in networking/technology
savvy; we need to merge traditional library skills with newer
technological expertise.
o We should applaud the direction and potential of this program
-- it fills an important niche; we don't need more traditional
library school programs, but we do need more of the skills it
proposes to instill.
o Faculty activities, especially research, should emphasize
policy issues -- access, copyright, privacy, etc. will require
special attention in an electronic environment.
o We should encourage that the proposal incorporate an
additional statement that accounts for the problems/importance
of print in a program that essentially focuses on an
electronic future; the statement should reflect the importance
of the print medium as a context in considering new
technologies.
A. Prussing agreed to draft a reply for the membership to
review that captures the group's sentiments.
Role of LAUC-SD Interview Committees
As recruitment increases, and because considerable time has
lapsed since a LAUC-SD Interview Committee has formed, it seems
timely to revisit the role of this committee and the
appropriateness of questions posed during the interview. The major
goals of this interview segment have been: 1) inform the candidate
about LAUC in general; 2) assess the candidate's potential for
contribution in the environment of the University of California in
which not only job performance but other areas of contribution are
evaluated. In the recent past, and currently, very few members
express willingness to serve on these interview committees. If it
is difficult to persuade people to serve, is this facet of the
interview process worth continuing?
o For the latest call for volunteers to serve, only one person
has accepted the call.
o The interview does provide a good opportunity for talking
about LAUC.
o The LAUC interview slot evolved from a less formal "lunch
bunch" component, in which LAUC members joined the candidate
for lunch. Lunches subsequently were deemed to be of better
advantage for line supervisors in assessing candidates'
potential, and so the lunch slot was no longer used to
introduce LAUC to interviewees. LAUC still wanted a place in
the interview schedule and, partly because of LAUC's strong
support for retaining a LAUC element in the interview process,
a time slot was reserved for a LAUC interview committee to
meet with the candidate. That LAUC support now obviously has
waned, due in part to the number of individuals who are
already in the interview process and so are not eligible for
membership on the LAUC Interview Committee.
o Scheduled commitments, and the ability of available members to
meet committee obligations, also discourages some members from
volunteering.
o Is there another way of conveying the information currently
presented during that interview segment? Might scheduling the
segment later in the day be useful?
o One value of the segment is to provide a more open, casual
forum in which the candidate can ask question relating to
relocation, housing, and other personal considerations.
o This segment can be a positive recruiting tool intended not to
grill the candidate but to promote the advantages of a
collegial, peer-value system. The segment can be
counterproductive if candidates are "scared off" by
exaggerated emphasis on professional demands and the rigors of
the promotion/review process. This counterproductive result
has occurred in the past.
o A more social, casual venue is possible but sends mixed
messages to candidates who may be disarmed into thinking that
they are not being judged.
o There is conflict in both "selling" the concept of librarian
collegiality and assessing in a short period of time the
candidate's potential for professional performance.
o Since lunches worked well, and since the consensus is that
this meeting should serve as an opportunity to recruit rather
than to evaluate, LAUC recommends that future LAUC Interview
Committees comprise two LAUC members for each recruited
position, and that this committee meet with each candidate
over lunch, and that the purpose of the lunch be defined for
the candidate as an opportunity both to inform the candidate
about LAUC and for give-and-take questions focusing on any
aspect of the candidate's choosing. There will be no formal
set of questions for this segment, but committee members will
draft brief summaries relating any noteworthy comments about
the meeting that are relevant to the recruitment.
Luncheon meetings will commence with the recruitment for th
Chemistry Information Specialist postition. E. Kanter will reissue
a call for participants. Library Administration will underwrite
the costs for recruitment lunches.
Status of Minority Residency Program
The Office of the President will no longer support the
program. This seems unfortunate and precipitous, and the decision
is especially curious considering the coincidental circumstances
surrounding its discovery. The expectation is for Library Council
to raise the issue with the Office of the President urging that the
program be continued; canceling the program seems in direct
conflict with the University's commitment to cultural diversity.
The LAUC Cultural Diversity Committee has also been investigating
the decision without a clear notion of how the decision was made.
The program is very successful and the committee hopes that the
LAUC Executive Board will draft a letter expressing disappointment
with the decision. Beyond the secrecy of the decision, it is
curious that alternatives short of cancellation have not been
explored. A. Prussing will keep the membership informed and is
certain that LAUC actions will be forthcoming now that the facts
are becoming known.
Treasurer's Report
A. Prussing recognized Alice Perez for her success in gaining
reimbursement, finally, for expenses incurred during Spring 1991
Assembly. A. Perez submitted the Treasurer's Report for 1992/93
[appended to these minutes], which low closing balance does not
reflect the statewide reimbursement (that figure will be posted in
the 1993/94 Treasurer's Report). R. Lindemann reported on the
current state of the treasury. The Executive Board will consider
an operating budget in the near future, including guidelines for
which events and what amounts are appropriately drawn from the
treasury.
Research and Professional Development Committee Report
C. Jahns reports that "Yale Tales," a presentation by
Librarian Gerald Lowell on reorganization of technical services at
Yale University, was recorded and will be available to interested
listeners. An announcement concerning availability will be issued
in the next few days. Room 506 is operational, but no e-mail
connection is--connectivity is still expected, but when remains
uncertain. Contact any LAUC-SD R&PD Committee member for a key to
the room.
Miscellaneous
o Executive Board minutes in the recent past have been routed
only to members of the board. The membership was polled to
determine whether they wished to be included in the routing.
They did not.
o Membership meeting and executive board meeting minutes from
other campuses are routinely forwarded to the LAUC-SD
Executive Board. The membership was polled to determine
whether they wished to be included in the routing. They did
not.
o The membership was asked whether any other issues or comments
deserved immediate consideration. None was raised.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Lindemann, Secretary
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ADDENDUM
TREASURER'S REPORT
LAUC-SAN DIEGO
Alice Perez, Treasurer/Secretary
From September, 1992 - August, 1993
Balance on hand, September 1, 1992. . . . . . . . . . .$ 65.01
Receipts:
Memberships - 50 @ $5.00 each $250.00
Total Receipts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250.00
Disbursements:
Minimum balance fee from Sept, 1992-
August, 1993 60.00
Library Warming Party 55.69
University Librarian Welcome Party 99.95
Total Disbursements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215.64
Balance on hand, August 1, 1993. . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 99.37
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Balance on hand, September 1, 1992 $ 65.01
Total receipts 250.00
Total disbursements 215.64
Balance on hand, August 1, 1993 $ 99.37
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