August 8, 2006

Present: Judith Anderson, Thomas Busey, Sandra Dolby, Hal Evans, Roger Levesque (recorder), Rosemary Lloyd and Simon Brassell

The meeting convened at 1:50 pm.

The committee met with members of the Digital Futures Study Group (Jerry Campbell – Chair, Jim Neal, Blaise Cronin, and Dick Rubin) and Amanda Ciccarelli (Dean’s Office).

We had requested this meeting with the Study Group to learn about its mission and to discuss a number of our concerns regarding possible changes in the digitalization of our libraries’ holdings.

We learned that it was the Study Group’s mission to provide Michael McRobbie, Interim Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs, guidance as the university sorts out the implications of digitalization for IU Libraries. These implications are expected to shape the impending search for the Dean of University Libraries at IU and to influence the allocation of library resources.

We emphasized the need for genuine faculty representation and voice in any significant effort to restructure our libraries’ holdings and reallocate their resources. We were especially concerned about the impact of digitalization on the humanities and other fields of study that would be most affected by any rebalancing of printed and digital ways to archive and deliver information. We highlighted the great diversity of needs across different disciplines, as well as within disciplines. We specifically noted the need to consider the humanities’ need for printed materials. We voiced strong concern for placing too much of the library’s budget in digitalization.

Members of the Study Group noted the challenges of hybridization that will be with us for the near future. They affirmed the continued need to support printed materials, including journals, even as we advance toward greater digitalization. They recognized the need to proceed cautiously and consider the wide diversity of faculty and student needs. They stressed that their work is in its initial stages and that their role is advisory.

We noted the peculiarity of not having IU library faculty directly represented in the Study Group. It was reported that IU library faculty and personnel are being heard, and that the goal of the Study Group is to step back and envision ways to address broad changes in the manner libraries can hold information.

We discussed the draft findings of the ACLS Commission on Cyberinfrastructure for the Humanities & Social Sciences. That discussion served to highlight the critical distinction between the creation of knowledge and its storage. The Study Group agreed with the significance of this distinction and asserted its concern that IU continue to make information most usefully available and offer its faculty and students the best resources they need to create knowledge.

The meeting adjourned at 2:31.

Roger Levesque, recorder

Questions or comments regarding the minutes and actions of the College Policy Committee may be addressed to its Chair, Judith Anderson (anders@indiana.edu – 855-3845). Past minutes and College Policy Statements can be found at the CPC web page: www.indiana.edu/~college/faculty/policy/policies.shtml.