October 14, 2021

 Present: Dr. Arne Almquist (Ex-Officio), Dr. Brielle Frost (COFAC), Dr. Mark Mengerink (Arts and Sciences),

                Dr. Adam Nemmers (Arts and Sciences, Chair), Michael Saar (Ex-Officio)

 Absent: Dr. Katherine Sprott (Education and Human Development), Margaret Swope (LIT)

 Special Guest: None

 The meeting was called to order at 2:02 p.m. by Dr. Almquist

INTRODUCTION OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

• Brielle Frost moved that the minutes be adopted. The minutes were unanimously approved.

LIBRARY DEAN ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Library Hours
  • The library hours have been affected for over a year. The library has had issues hiring students due to students being off campus during COVID-19 pandemic.  The Dean stated that the hours will change for Fall break, October 18-19.  The library will be closed on Saturday and shorter hours on Sunday and Monday.  Sunday hours have been extended to 1:45 a.m.
• Library Renovations
  • The sprinkler system project is underway. The project is affecting the entire building.  The Library Dean mentioned that majority of the sprinkler heads have been installed.  The construction workers are drilling into the concrete.  Currently, the 3^rd floor is closed due to construction.  This project is projected to be completed in Summer 2022.  The stairwells will be remodeled.  The construction material has been challenging to purchase due to supply and demand. 
  • The Mary and John Gray Library was built in 1976 and has never been updated. The building currently has the original electrical and plumbing.  Most libraries lack enough electrical for student personal devices.  There is a proposal for a 75-million-dollar project to remodel the library.  The library will remain open and operational throughout the construction period.  The two study rooms have been renovated for faculty, staff, and student needs.  The funding was initially approved to be discussed in the legislature but was skipped due other matters.  The funding proposal will be in the special session.  Almquist stated that he would like to integrate the Archives and Special Collections on the second floor.  If approved, the remodel project is projected to begin in year 2023. 
• Elsevier Contract Update
  • The initial contract was over half a million dollars. The Library Dean stated that the cost was similar to Texas State contract.  The State libraries collaborated to negotiate a new contract.  The contract was decreased 30%.  Almquist mentioned that the cost will increase 2% next year, and 5% the following year.  The current year has zero percent increase.  He expects Elsevier journals to be used more frequently. 
• Library Faculty Hires
  • The library has hired three faculty employees:
    • Kelly Withrow, Cataloging and Metadata Librarian
    • Alyse Jordan, Head of Reference
    • Taylor Gruizinga, Instruction and Assessment Librarian
  • The following employees were promoted:
    • Michael Saar, Associate Dean
    • Trina Nolen, Head of Technical Services
    • Poornima Gunasekaran, Head of Library Systems
  • There are currently two faculty vacancies in the library. The current faculty positions are the following:
    • Extended Collections Services Librarian, Interlibrary Loan
    • University Archivist, Archives and Special Collections.

AGENDA ITEMS

• LibQual+ Survey (Michael)
  • Michael reviewed the data dashboards from the LibQual+ Survey conducted from February 2021 through the end of March 2021. The scale was from 1 to 9. It consisted of 22 questions of the users.  He stated that significant results were found in undergraduates and graduates. 
  • The groups included: faculty, staff, graduate, undergraduate and all. He briefed the group regarding discipline representation.  The study collected data regarding library usage.  He reviewed the most common comments from the study.  Overall, we are meeting expectations in several areas.
  • Michael displayed various charts and explained the data findings. He reviewed the library successes. The data showed that the hours, ease of use, customer service and policy was in the negative.  Michael recommended extending our hours and track the usage against the cost.  He answered various questions regarding the collected data. 
  • The study showed that the students are dissatisfied with the library study rooms accommodations. It showed there were 33 negative comments regarding the study rooms with only 2 positive comments.  The computer equipment was tagged second highest in complaint as being slow.  Michael recommended to conduct focus groups for pilot study rooms, remodel study space, and to investigate feasibility of implementing a study room reservation system.
  • Michael plans to conduct this study every two years. Michael shared a link: https://bit.ly/LULQ2021. 
• New Library Resources (Library Dean)
  • The Library Dean reviewed the quality of the library resources. The library purchased over $800,000 this year in collections:
    • JSTOR (added 2,614 journals)
    • IEEE (1884 – 2000; every journal published by IEEE purchased)
    • Magazines (colored formatting, variety)
    • IBIS World
    • Project MUSE
  • Almquist presented the JSTOR journal titles to the committee. He stated that the collection will grow each year.  The bound periodicals are no longer used. 
  • The library is catering to the faculty needs with digital resources.

OTHER / NEW BUSNESS

• Faculty Library Book Request (Dr. Adam Nemmers)
  • Nemmers inquired about the faculty library book requests. Dr. Almquist mentioned that the book requests would be ordered depending on cost and need.  The books and articles can be requested through the Interlibrary loan to borrow.
  • The library used to allocate limited book costs to college representatives. Currently, the library is researching the information that is requested and purchasing the resources if needed.  It is determined by the titles, and the demand for the topics.  The type of purchase will determine the cost of digital resources and physical books.  The purchases will be determined by request in the future.
  • The liaison program hasn’t existed for some time. Previously librarians would coordinate with departmental representatives on book purchases.  
• Courier Service (Dr. Adam Nemmers)
  • The library courier service with Lamar-State College Orange was stopped due to TechShare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lamar University uses the same catalog with Lamar-State College Orange.

 ANNUAL LIBRARY TOUR

• The Library Dean postponed the building tour until the next Library Committee meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

• The meeting was adjourned at 3:13 p.m.