MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOARD
Minutes of the Meeting of December 16, 1999
Present: S. Beall; N. Burckel; J. Kirk; W. Kos, Chair; D. McFee; S.
Munroe; M. Pate; J. Simms; W. Zemler-Cizewski
- The meeting was called to order in the Dean's Conference Room, Memorial Library, at
3:35pm by the Chair, Dr. William Kos.
- Dr. Kos introduced Dan McFee, a graduate Theology student, who has been appointed to the
Board for a two-year term.
- The minutes of the Board meeting of October 14 1999 were approved.
- University Administration continues to support the Libraries' collection development
generously. This funding has allowed the Libraries to add electronic databases judiciously while
continuing to add print materials. Kirk distributed two spreadsheets, which contain use and cost
data for many of the Libraries' electronic databases for 1997-98 and 1998-99. These use/cost
statistics aid the staff when making collection decisions. A review of the spreadsheets demonstrates
that a relatively high priced database is a cost efficient purchase when the frequency of use is
considered.
- The Libraries are considering a new electronic database venture, NetLibrary. NetLibrary is an
online library that expands library services beyond what is possible with physical books. This database
contains thousands of scholarly books, which can be accessed via the Internet. A library or group
of libraries can purchase these books and provide them directly to their users on campus as well as
at home. The various titles in NetLibrary can be searched as a stand-alone database, or they may
be linked directly in a library's catalog and used individually. Kirk distributed a brief description of
NetLibrary. The Marquette Libraries are reviewing participation in a NetLibrary consortium of
Wisconsin libraries, which would provide access to hundreds of electronic books. The consortium
arrangement would reduce the cost to Marquette considerably.
- Dr. Burckel mentioned that he and several others on the editorial board of the Journal of Academic
Librarianship have resigned in response to Elsevier's recent purchase of the journal. Elsevier, a
major publisher of science and technology, has raised its prices steeply over the years. Burckel
distributed a copy of the editorial describing the issues involved and the rationale of the board
members. He and others are discussing a combination online and print journal with Johns Hopkins
University Press.
- Dr. Burckel described the results of an analysis of the number of hits the University's Web server
had received. During a two-week period, 20% of all the hits on Marquette's web server were for the
Libraries' Web sites. These did not include MARQCAT hits or uses.
- Burckel briefed the Board on the Raynor Library Project. The University's Board of Trustees is
concerned about the challenge of funding the Raynor project at $60 million dollars and the Memorial
renovation for other uses, for an additional $15 to $30 million dollars. The Board expressed concern
about the impact of the Raynor project on the entire capital campaign. They urged greater emphasis
on utilization of electronic technology and less space devoted to housing the print collection.
Therefore, the initial concept of the Raynor project will be reconsidered. Dr.Viscione will appoint
a small ad hoc committee to review options and develop a new conceptualization for Raynor.
- A delayed Raynor may create the need to plan for more book stacks in the short-run. Also, the
Libraries will begin selective withdrawal from the collection. When staff are shifting the book stacks,
titles having three or more copies will be reviewed for withdrawal with the best two copies retained
in the collection. No one present expressed disapproval of this plan.
- Dr. Zemler-Cizewski announced that the recent external review of the Theology Department
was successful. In particular, she expressed the appreciation of the Department for the fine job done
by Susan Sponberg and Jay Kirk.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:15pm.
Two meetings are planned for next semester. .
Minutes prepared by J. Kirk.
cc: Dr. David Buckholdt
Members of the University Library Board
Faculty Library Representatives
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