October 28, 2008 1:15-3:15 pm

College Library Conference Room (Powell 228)

Present: Keri Botello (Chair), Jane Carpenter (guest), Hong Cheng, Debe Costa, Kay Denney (guest), Cheryl Kelly Fischer, Esther Grassian (guest), Kris Kasianovitz (guest), Elizabeth McAulay, Diane Mizrachi, Louise Ratliff (recorder), Lise Snyder, Ken Wade (Parliamentarian)

1.  Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 1:20 pm.

2.  Agenda Review and announcements

The following committee reports were moved up so that the chairs could leave the meeting:

Committee on Programs (Kay Deeney)

Librarian of the Year Award Committee (Esther Grassian)

Peer Review Documentation Workshop Committee (Julie Kwan)

Kay Deeney (Chair, Committee on Programs) reported on plans for the Fall Membership Meeting program and reception for new librarians, scheduled for November 3.  There are 19 new librarians, 17 of whom will attend. The committee used Doodle to register attendees this year, which works wonderfully. 70 members will attend the business meeting and78 will attend the reception, which is a large number.

The same menu was chosen as last year; the cost is $100 more than last year. However, no refreshments were served at the documentation workshops, so the increase is offset.  After some discussion, the Board approved the menu. Deeney indicated that she will print a booklet of biographical information about the new librarians, as was done last year.

Botello noted that Susan Parker will represent the UL.  She will arrive around 2:15 or 2:30. Deeney will check about who picks up the cost of the brochures.

Julie Kwan (Chair, Peer Review Documentation Workshop Committee) reported that the workshops were held earlier this year.  The report is on the web.  42 people attended the workshop for candidates, and 28 attended the RI workshop. No refreshments were served; Kwan preferred to spend the money at the Spring & Fall Membership Meetings.

Kwan has had one person express interest in working on the committee next year.  She said the committee was “wonderful” and they put a lot of thought and effort into it. Kwan found that the Powerpoint slides were actually important.  She incorporated the LAUC-LA logo this year, which worked out very well.

Botello attended both sessions, and thought it was a balanced presentation among UL, LHR, and the committee.  New this year, Kwan asked Jenifer Abramson (LHR) to present what’s new in the Call. Costa complimented Kwan on being a wonderful chair of CAPA and the documentation workshop committee.

McAulay asked about the work plan and what Gary Strong said about it. He indicated that there is a fair amount of leeway, as long as the goals are presented and discussed. Kwan suspects CAPA will be very open-minded about reviewing these things, and will be careful to construct their comments very well.

Esther Grassian (Chair, Committee on Librarian of the Year Award, or “LOTY”) reported that some major issues considered by the committee include the role and “title” of the faculty member, publicity, and confidentiality of the names of the nominees. The latter issue was raised  by the faculty advisor last year, who was surprised that the names of the nominees were not known.

The faculty person may not, according to our bylaws, be a “member” of the committee; only full LAUC-LA members may be members of committees. As a practical solution, the Board decided to call this person a “faculty representative” who may vote. This issue will be brought up at the Fall Membership meeting, and language for a Bylaws revision will be drafted by the Professional Governance Committee to be voted on in the normal election cycle.

There was discussion about asking faculty to serve as representative. The committee will contact some people, and LAUC-LA members are encouraged to submit suggestions. “Faculty” may be of any type, including lecturers. Snyder suggested asking for names & then contacting ladder faculty first.

Grassian asked for any further ideas for publicity. The committee is considering flyers. Bruin Post (no charge) is a way to send email to all faculty members.  Grassian will ask Gary Strong to post something on his blog. Kasianovitz says there is a UCLA community page where we could write on the Wall; she is querying UCLA Today about posting something there.

Grassian next brought up possible alternative ways to state who has been nominated.  Until now it has been confidential. The faculty representative last year wondered why, since this is an honor.  The group discussed various possibilities, and it will be discussed at the Fall Membership Meeting. There was also discussion of how and if the nominees are notified of being nominated. 

3.  Approval of Minutes/Secretary’s report (Louise Ratliff)

 MSP [Motion seconded and passed] The Executive Board Transition meeting minutes were approved as corrected.

MSP. Oct. 6 Executive Board meeting minutes were approved as corrected.

4.  Chair’s report (Botello)

Botello attended the Committee on Library & Scholarly Communication meeting. The meeting was pretty straightforward. Gary Strong gave a brief introduction about the library and the Strategic Plan. He then gave a short update on the YRL renovation and the impact of WASC Accreditation on the library. Next,  JStor compatibility with the Mac platform was brought up and discussed. Farb followed up with Tech Support at JSTOR.

Regarding APM 360 a. (periods of service at the steps), there was heated discussion about the language of a letter received from John B. Oakley, UC Academic Senate Counsel. At least 3 members took offense at the rationale as written, and said it was so poorly written they couldn’t discuss it until it was clarified. Botello was able to point out that the APM was being brought in line with the salary scale.  But their frustration was with the “non-exclusively represented” phrase.  What does this mean?  Snyder explained that it refers to anyone in the Librarian series who is outside of the bargaining unit, which is fairly standard language in collective bargaining. Snyder will work with Miki Goral on revised language, which they will send to Botello for presentation at the next Senate committee meeting.

LAUC Statewide: The Fall Assembly will take place Wednesday, Nov. 3. Botello passed around the agenda with corrections. The UCOP representative will speak first and then leave.

The Spring Assembly will be May 13-14, 2009 in Palm Desert (UCR Palm Desert campus).

LAUC Travel Awards application information has been sent out by Sam. Please encourage people to apply (by Nov. 5) with notification Nov. 12.

A handout from Lucia Diamond was discussed: the 2008-09 Research Grant Proposal Call ( http://www.ucop.edu/lauc/committees/rpd/rescall08-09.html )

Minutes from LAUC Exec Board Meeting Conference Call on Oct. 3 were handed out, which gave an update on the discussion between LAUC and UCOP about the bylaws revision; also, the ULs asked for more collaboration with LAUC and made the suggestion that LAUC be a clearinghouse.

5.  Vice-Chair’s report (Mizrachi): Nothing to report.

6.  Committee Chair reports

CAPA (Debe Costa):  The Orientation lunch with Gary will be on Nov. 7, with training on Nov. 22.  The committee is using a Sharepoint site which makes it easier to communicate. This year there are 38 files to be reviewed.

Committee on Library Plans & Policies (Cheryl Kelly Fischer): Nothing to report.

Committee on Professional Governance (Lise Snyder): No report.

McAulay and and Cheng will attend the Fall Assembly at UCSF.  Botello suggested that other librarians could apply for LAUC travel award funds to attend.

7.  Old Business

LAUC-LA letter to UL/UL response:  Botello did not hear from anyone after her message about our letter.  No comments were received after the Peer Review Documentation workshops.

Bylaws language update on webpage: we need to update Committee name (Librarian of the Year Award) on list

8.  New Business

LAUC Statewide Assembly: Botello handed out a copy of the revised agenda.  She will review what has been sent from statewide that might cause some discussion.  Last year’s chair decided that this meeting should have more of a program focus and be less of a business meeting, unless there is an issue requiring discussion.  Snyder explained that this is a shift from past practice.  That is why there are “panels” on the agenda.  Botello said there has also been a shift, in that the Board meetings take place AFTER the general assembly.  That way, issues arising from discussion could be taken up by the board.

Costa asked whether the Task Force on Diversity has submitted a final report, and whether it was discharged. The report was issued Sept. 18, 2008, and is on the LAUC website.

LAUC-LA webmaster transition: A new webmaster has tentatively been named.

Botello will remind the LAUC-LA committee chairs that a recommendation included in a committee report has the force of a seconded motion.

9.  Adjournment MSP at 3:04 pm.