ACRL College & Research Libraries News

Association of College & Research Libraries

News from the Field

Mary Ellen Davis

Copyright holders information on Internet

The Harry Ransom Humani- ties Research Center (HRHRC) at the University of Texas at Austin and the Uni- versity of Reading Library in Reading, England, are jointly creating a database of authors and copyright holders en- titled WATCH (Writers and Their Copyright Holders).

In the initial phases, WATCH will be limited to lit- erary authors in the English language whose papers are housed in archives and manuscript repositories. Project directors are Cathy Henderson, research librarian at the Ransom Center, and David Sutton (presently completing work on the Location Register of English literary manuscripts and letters) at Read- ing.

The absence of any directory or register of the holders of copyright in works by English- language authors has long been a source of concern for researchers and scholars working with primary source material and this concern has been discussed by ACRL’s Rare Books & Manuscripts Section (RBMS).

A text file of the database is available free of charge as a gopher file on the Internet. Users may locate the file on the University of Texas General Libraries’ gopher. Point to gopherhost.lib.utexas.edu 70. The path is 1/UT Austin Catalogs/Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center/WATCH.

Inquiries and suggestions about the project should be directed to Cathy Henderson, HRHRC, P.O. Drawer 7219, Austin, TX 78713- 7219; (512) 471-9119; e-mail: hmabl03@utxvm. cc.utexas.edu.

UC-Irvine dedicates new library

The University of California, Irvine, dedicated its new Science Library on October 4, 1994. Designed by the architectural firm of James Stirling, Michael Wilford and Associates, London, and the IBI Group/L. Paul Zajfen of Irvine, the $32 million, six-story structure is one of the largest integrated science, technology, and medicine libraries in the nation and the largest in California. It has 131,000 assignable square feet with a capacity of 500,000 volumes.

Situated between the Col- lege of Medicine and the School of Biological Sci- ences, the Science Library has over 2,000 individual reader stations, graduate and faculty reading rooms, an interactive learning cen- ter, and a variety of user services.

ACRL offers accreditation advisors

ACRL has a resource list of regional accreditation advisors/resource people who can assist librarians preparing their libraries for the accreditation process. Each advisor has served on at least three regional accrediting teams and/or has expertise in accreditation by professional asso- ciations. Most regional accrediting organizations are represented. For the names of advisors in your region, contact Mary Taylor at ACRL (800) 545-2433 ext. 2515 or mary.taylor@ala.org.

If you have accreditation experience, meet the criteria listed below, and would like to be an accreditation advisor, contact Carolyn Dusenbury, Chair, Standards & Accreditation Committee, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico, Chico, CA 95929-0295; e-mail: carolyn_dusenbury@macgate.csuchico.edu. You will then be asked to complete a short form outlining your experience and interest. The criteria are: 1) an ALA-accredited degree in library/information science; 2) knowledge of academic librarianship, its role in higher education, and the accreditation process; 3) interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills; 4) have served as a member on three or more accreditation teams for a regional accrediting association (e.g., Middle States, Southern, Western) or professional association (e.g., National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Edu- cation-NCATE, Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, etc.).

The new Science Library at UC-Irvine.

Photo credit: Kerry Klayman

ACE seeks fellows

The American Council on Education (ACE) seeks nominations/applications for its 1995-96 Fellows Programs. Join the network of 1,100 individuals who have gained the expertise necessary to assume significant leadership positions at two- and four-year institutions. If you are: a faculty member or administrator who has at least five years experience in higher education; interested in higher education administration; eager to develop your own leadership abilities; or interested in spending a year working closely with senior administrators learning about issues and trends affecting higher education, then contact: ACE Fellows Program Office, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036-1193; (202) 939-9412. The application deadline is November 1, 1994.

BIS needs presenters for 1995

Seven presenters are needed for breakout ses-

Think about the “best boss” with whom you’ve worked, suggested Sheldon. Consider the personal and professional qualities of this individual. Each of us possesses positive qualities that contribute to a sense of collegial leadership in our libraries. A “sense of vision” is important. Also, a “sense of community” provides perspective. At colleges and universities, leaders in libraries need to be active contributors to the institution’s overall vision. Look beyond the walls of the libraries and become actively involved. The implications of team- based organizations with fewer hierarchical levels are significant. Leaders are members of teams and will be more team-focused and less “autocratic.” Positions on issues and associated values need to be articulated clearly and consistently. Be proactive, not reactive. Self- confidence is essential. Be aware of your abilities, but do not come across as egotistical. In positions of authority, recall that you’re dependent on the efforts of others. The ability to work with colleagues toward consensus is particularly important.

Shirley Baker, dean of libraries at Washington University, discussed “Being a Leader Without Being a Director” (“leading from below or risking getting fired”). Suggestions for leading from below include: work conscientiously without undue concern for personal accolades; know when to move ahead and when to let go; train staff to be capable of replacing you; be interested and involved in the bigger picture; use the authority associated with your position (for example, hire others who are capable of facilitating change). In organizations, recognize what you are able to change and what you are unable to change as this recognition will facilitate efforts to move ahead. The major accomplishments need to be noted in one’s professional vita.

Susan Craig, head of the Library of Art & Architecture at the University of Kansas, explored “Leadership in the Campus Community.” She noted that “leadership is like beauty, difficult to define, but you are aware of it when you see it.” It includes attributes such as confidence, commitment, charisma, enthusiasm, and a sense of vision. As librarians are familiar with committee activities and processes as well as the elements of teamwork, and as they are actively involved in services- related initiatives, they are qualified to be leaders on campus. We need to volunteer and generate a record of service. Serve conscientiously and become networked in the campus environment.

Elaine Didier, associate dean of the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Michigan, examined “Leadership, the Role of the Librarian on Campus.” We need to “think globally” and become a citizen of the university, Didier explained. It’s important to think beyond the library. Become familiar with the total campus environment, including classrooms, laboratories, and other facilities. Assess the culture of the organization, including processes of decision-making. Volunteer and cultivate a series of networks, locally and in the profession. Work on a diversified record of experience and skills. Visibility is important. Participation generates influence. So, develop a reputation for getting the job done. Continually refine communication skills. Be proactive. “Just do it.”—Don Frank, Harvard University sions for “Measuring Up! Improving Instruction through Evaluation,” the ACRL Bibliographic Instruction Section (BIS) program scheduled for the 1995 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. Topics sought include (but are not limited to): informal methods of evaluation, successful evaluation programs/methods, unsuccessful evaluation programs/methods, using transaction logs or other electronic analysis, ethical issues in evaluation, evaluation of instructors, evaluation of programs and/or courses, evaluation of point-of-use materials, evaluation of students, position papers—why we should (or shouldn’t) evaluate instruction, assessing outcomes, using survey results, and lessons learned. Presentations are 30 minutes and will be given three times. Proposals are due January 5, 1995, and should include: 1) a working title; 2) a 150-250-word abstract that describes the content of the presentation; 3) a statement describing the format of the presentation and the way(s) in which the audience will have the opportunity to be involved; and 4) presentation equipment (e.g., audiovisual) needs. Send proposals to: Daniel R. Lee, Head, Circulation Division, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112; e-mail: dlee@ alexandria.lib.utah.edu; (801) 581-8204; fax: (801) 585-3464. Submissions will be reviewed at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in February 1995 and applicants will be notified of the decision by March 15. For questions contact Daniel Lee at the above address or Loretta Rielly at Oregon State University: (503) 737-2642; e-mail: riellyl@ccmail.orst.edu.

Pauling collection will be on Internet

Oregon State University (OSU) is digitizing its collection of papers from two-time Nobel Prize winner and Oregon native Linus Pauling and his wife, Ava Helen Pauling. The Pauling Collection contains about 150,000 items stored in over 800 archival boxes. Documents are scanned and stored in both a facsimile image of the original document and the extracted text. Researchers can view the two images side-by- side on a single screen and will have the option of printing, faxing, or downloading the image and text. The system allows for keyword, easy boolean, and fuzzy word searches. For example, if a researcher wants to find all the correspondence between Pauling and Albert Einstein, the name “Einstein” may be entered as a key word. Then the computer will find every piece in the collection that mentions Einstein’s name. “There is no known collection in the world that lets a person search for any word on any page in the entire collection,” said project coordinator Ramesh Krishnamurthy. Although much of the collection has been digitized and is now available on OSU’s local area network, OSU must resolve copyright issues before it can be mounted on the Internet as 60% of the collection involves correspondence from other individuals. Krishnamurthy hopes the collection will be available on the Internet by December 1, 1994. ■

Ramesh Krishnamurthy displays Oregon State University’s new imaging and text retrieval project of Linus Pauling Papers.

Photo credit: Ted Rosenbalm, Oregon State Univ.