DEAN'S OFFICE

Library Advisory Board
Minutes

August 19, 2002

Present: Dean Jim Williams, Laura Wright (chair), Helene McHendry, Maureen Van Camp, Paul Moeller (secretary)

The LAB discussed reactions to last July's Personnel Issues Meeting. Responses have been positive with most indicating that they had learned a good deal from the session. Some expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of a career ladder for classified staff and wanted clarification of the Administration's intended use of the General Professional option. The Dean noted that the Administration is also frustrated with the lack of mobility for classified staff. They have requested an additional step be added to the Library Tech position but the state has refused to do so. He also noted that the state holds a tight reign on the reclassification of staff to the General Professional level. There are strict requirements to meet for reclassification and the state has been accused of using the General Professional level to deplete the numbers of classified staff in other levels. The state is currently very careful about how it uses the General Professional designation. The Administration is interested in the selective use of the General Professional designation, however, and will continue to consider where and how it might make use of it. As a response to a request that the staff hiring process be made more transparent the Dean will work with Scott Seaman to develop a more normalized means of communication about vacant positions, transfers, reallocations, and temporary work assignments to staff and faculty. The Dean and Scott will also clarify the Libraries' policy on the use of staff time for classes.

The welcome banner is up. The Dean is considering having it put up earlier next year in order to catch the eye of the many orientation and other visitors that come to campus over the summer.

The Dean is hopeful that the Campbell and Ellsworth award winners' photos/plaques will be up-to-date soon.

The LAB is investigating possible dates for the Fall All-Libraries Meeting. One agenda item under consideration is the development of a Libraries Staff/Faculty identification card that could be worn while working in the stacks or at a public service desk.

The LAB brought to the Dean's attention a request that the administration consider the courtyard by Government Publications as a possible location for a coffee shop/café. The Dean noted that other locations were already being considered for a cyber cafe. He expressed a preference for a location that was not seasonal. He also fears that increased traffic on that courtyard would lead to water damage to the Science Library below.

LAB welcomes your comments and suggestions. Please feel free to contact any of its members individually, to leave a note in the suggestion box, or to reach us via liblab@colorado.edu.

• Susan Anthes, Public Services
• Debbie Hollis, Special Collections
• Lorna Kent, Engineering
• Suzanne Larsen, Earth Sciences
• Helene McHendry, Cataloging
• Paul Moeller, Cataloging
• Maureen Van Camp, Media
• Jim Williams, Dean
• Laura Wright, Cataloging