ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries May 1 9 9 6 /2 7 7 News from the Field M ary Ellen Davis George Mason creates new center of learning G eorge Mason University o fficially op en ed its new George W. Johnson Center on April 11 and 12. The $30 million building combines a 100,000-square-foot, state-of- the-art library with the meet­ ing, programming, and food service space often associated with a student union. Charlene S. Hurt, direc­ tor of libraries, described the building as triple the usual size of construction projects, with eight acres of floor space. Hurt said, “The size and loca­ tion alone enable it to be central to the cam­ pus; our goal was to cluster activities to assure that centrality, and thereby give a ‘commuter campus’ a heart.” As the largest building on the campus, the center brings together a technology-based un­ dergraduate library, generous spaces for both solitary and group study, and audiovisual rooms for group projects, as well as a movie theater, ballroom, bookstore, computer store, bank, and credit union. The building is wired so that stu­ dents can plug in their laptops almost anywhere they choose to sit (60% of the 1,000 library seats are wired for power and network connection). The new library encompasses four major ar­ eas: • an extensive multimedia collection with appropriate equipment and service desk; • a teaching/extended reference area for drop-in and scheduled instruction in various information sources and extended assistance in research (including a fully wired interactive classroom seating 40 at networked worksta­ tions); • a collection of books focusing on under­ graduate learning and multicultural content, in­ terspersed with a variety of seating; and • an Information Desk, jointly managed by the library and University Information Services that provides information about the library, the building, and the university as a whole via a series of networked terminals, and a University Center homepage. Hurt said, “The process of planning a library in a student union began with a desire to cre­ ate a new kind o f learning environment for undergraduates . . . and an interest in supporting new ways o f teaching under­ graduates that depended on collaborative learning, ex­ tensive use of media and technology, and an aware­ ness of the growing diver­ sity of our campus.” Library staff, computer services staff, student union staff, and auxiliary services staff w orked together to plan the building. Hurt praised these new relation­ ships outside the libraries and said that the new building was giving librarians a new role with both faculty and students: “We expect these relationships to grow now that w e’re actively occupying the building. Perhaps most signifi­ cant is our new partnership with faculty, espe­ cially with New Century College (G eorge G eo rge M ason U n iv ersity ’s n ew G eo rge W. J o h n s o n C e n te r su cce ss fu lly c o m b in e s a state- of-th e-a rt u n d erg rad u ate lib ra r y w ith se rv ice s m o re c o m m o n ly fou n d in th e stu d en t u n io n . 2 7 8 /C & R L News D ire c to rs o f th e lib r a r ie s fo rm in g th e n ew C h e sa p e a k e I n fo r ­ m a tio n a n d R e s e a r c h L ib ra ry A llia n ce a re (1 to r ) : Su san M artin, Mod M ekkaw i, A nn M acLeod, B a rb a r a Sm ith , Su san B ry te s o n , a n d Ja m e s Neal. Mason’s innovation in undergraduate educa­ tion), and our evolving role as part o f the team of mentors students rely on as they work their way through college,” Take a virtual visit of the center at http:// ulcweb.gmu.edu/communities/library/about.html. Alliance formed in Chesapeake Bay Six research institutions in the Chesapeake Bay region have formed the Chesapeake Informa­ tion and Research Library Alliance (CIRLA). The founding members of CIRLA are the University of Delaware, Georgetown University, Howard University, Johns Hopkins Uni­ versity, the University of Mary­ land at College Park, and the Smithsonian Institution, all mem­ bers o f the Association o f Re­ search Libraries. The following individuals were elected as of­ fic e r s : Ja m e s N eal (Jo h n s Hopkins), president; Susan K. Martin (Georgetown), vice-presi- dent/president-elect; and Bar­ bara Smith (Smithsonian), secre­ tary-treasurer. The overall goal o f CIRLA is to enhance education and re­ search at member institutions through collaborative develop­ ment o f library collection and service programs and expanded use of information technology. Compilers needed for new CLIP Notes ACRL’s College Libraries Section’s CLIP Notes Committee is seeking volunteers to compile CLIP Notes. The CLIP Notes (College Library Information Packets) series, in its 16th year, provide data and sample documents from col­ lege and small university libraries on topics of interest to academic librarians. The CLIP Notes committee wants your ideas for topics to cover. Recently and soon-to-be- published CLIP Notes have investigated alloca­ tion formulas, patron surveys, reference train- Lib rα ry facu lty w o rk lo a d : Im plem entation of a teaching facu lty m odel The issue of developing an appropriate model for library faculty workload has often been difficult and contentious at many uni­ versities. Western Illinois University (WIU) Libraries has addressed this concern in an ap­ proach that differs from the traditional struc­ tured clerical workweek. All campus faculty are issued workload guidelines that include both the traditional classroom as well as per­ formance and activity classes (e.g., physical education, art and music studio instruction) that vary in size and preparation demands. For both performance and activity classes, the usual model has been taken from the Na­ tional Association of Schools of Music which emphasizes a 2:3 ratio for private lessons, i.e., two hours of classroom instruction is equated with three hours of private instruction. At WIU this equals up to 18 assigned hours plus four office hours. This same model is also applied to the library faculty. As with teaching faculty, research and service requirements are con­ ducted outside any teaching or primary du­ ties assignment. A more detailed explanation of this model is provided in ERIC (ED 385291). Other ques­ tions can be answered by writing to Frank Wm. Goudy at Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL 61455; (309) 298-2749.— F ra n k Wm. Goudy, Western Illinois University May 1 9 9 6 /2 7 9 N ew sletters th at w o rk On January 21, 1996, at the ALA Midwin­ ter Meeting in San Antonio, ACRL’s Public Re­ lations in Academic Libraries (PRIAL) Discus­ sion Group sponsored the first of an intensive two-part workshop on publishing “Newslet­ ters That W ork.” The workshop was con­ ducted by newsletter professionals Barbara Blake and Barbara Stein, coauthors of Neal- Schuman’s C reating Newsletters, B rochures, a n d P am phlets: A How-to-Do-It M anual. This first session of the workshop focused on the technical aspects of design, layout, and production. Several representative newsletters submitted by participants were selected for close analysis. Blake and Stein view newslet­ ters as the present-day equivalent of the per­ sonal letter; they should be brief, warm, con­ sistent, portable, and easy to recognize, read, and absorb. They should provide the quick satisfaction of a note from an old friend. Most suggestions emphasized easy read­ ability, using the “keep it simple, stupid” ap­ proach. Use an 8 º x 11” format, no covers, and aim for a length of four to six pages. Select high-quality white, cream, or light gray paper with black or blue ink, and avoid bright or fluorescent colors. Choose one typeface, preferably serif, and use it in a maximum of three sizes, with 12-point as the predominant type size. Use additional color cautiously, no more than one, and in the same place every time (the nameplate, for example). Divide the page into two columns whenever possible. Be simple and consistent in page layout, main­ taining the same structure within each issue and among successive issues, so that your newsletter develops a unique, instantly rec­ ognizable look. Blake and Stein emphasize the importance o f title, logo, nameplate, and masthead. They recommend a short, descriptive title without trendy terms that will date. Include copyright notice, volume and issue numbers, editorial staff, page numbers, and a brief table o f con­ tents for a professional appearance. Again, be consistent in use of these elements and in their placement within successive issues. Caution was also advised in the use of graphics, which can be counterproductive if poorly done, purposeless, cliched, too cute, or disproportionate. Bar charts are generally more legible than pie or line charts. Most novices fail to leave enough white space. The second part o f “Newsletters That Work” will focus on writing and editorial con­ tent and will take place at the ALA Annual Conference in New York. Check your pro­ gram for details, and join PRIAL for what is sure to be another practical, “hands-on” ses­ sion, focusing directly on improving your pro­ fessional performance. For more information, contact PRIAL chair Jennifer Paustenbaugh at jp a u s t@ O k w a y .o k s ta te .e d u .— M a r g a r e t Gordon, University o f C aliforn ia, S an ta Cruz ing, tenure and promotion, displays and ex­ hibits, and searching and hiring procedures. Older CLIP Notes looked at newsletters, inter- library loan procedures, staff development and continuing education, emergency planning, and managing student employees. To suggest a topic or volunteer to be a com­ piler contact: Elizabeth Sudduth, CLIP Note Committee Chair, Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, VA 23005; (804) 752-7258; e-mail: esudduth@rmc.edu. C h o ice Ethnic Studies on sale The Ethnic Studies series, compiled by the edi­ torial staff of C hoice‚ is on sale for 50% off, through August 1, 1996. Each volume contains carefully selected re­ views of recent scholarly titles dealing with a single American ethnic group. The four tides are: A frica n a n d A fric a n A m e r ic a n S tudies ($12), A sian a n d A sian A m erican Studies ($11), Latino Studies ($11), and Native A m erican Stud­ ies ($8.50). Send prepaid orders (include $5.00 fo r s/h) to: Steven Conforti, C h o ic e , 100 Riverview Center, Middletown, CT 06457. Censorship exhibit available “Censorship in Public Colleges and Universi­ ties,” a new exhibit developed by the Long Is­ land Coalition Against Censorship, is ready for distribution. The exhibit examines more than 20 incidents o f censorship from McCarthyism in the 1950s through the present day. Incidents such as censoring lectures, films, plays, student newspapers, and sex discrimination are de­ scribed. Twenty-three 11” x 14” illustrations (21 mailto:esudduth@rmc.edu 2 8 0 /C&RL News SIU L ib ra ry ’s sy stem sta ff m e m b e r C h ris Novy d e m o n stra te s th e W orld W ide W eb to a v is ito r at th e In fo rm a tio n Fair. are in color) are accompanied by text. Copies of the exhibit are available for $48 by sending a letter or purchase order to Donald Parker, Co-coordinator, Long Island Coalition Against Censorship, P.O. Box 296, Pt. Washington, NY 11050; or call Parker at (516) 944-9799. UM establishes School of Information The School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Michigan has been replaced by a School of Information whose purpose is to educate graduate students for professional and teaching careers in human-centered infor­ mation access, management, and systems. “We will continue our commitment to edu­ cating graduates as librarians and provide them with the knowledge and skills required of emerging information technologies,” said dean Daniel E. Atkins. “By offering an expanded cur­ Reminder: Use ACRL’s n e w e-ma il addresses The ACRL staff wants to hear from you and our volume of e-mail messages has been a bit lighter than usual. Please be sure that you have updated your nicknames files and address books to use our new e-mail addresses. ALA’s new node is @ala.org. Staff addresses gener­ ally take the form of first initial last name @ala.org. For example, contact Althea Jenkins at ajenkins@ala.org. For staff with more than one first name try the first initial of each, e.g., reach Mary Ellen Davis at medavis@ala.org. riculum that includes librarianship, next gen­ eration systems architecture, human-computer interaction, organizational information systems, archives and records management, and digital publishing, we are creating an academic pro­ gram that brings together in a synergistic way these different specializations.” Additional details about the new school are available at http://www.si.umich.edu/. ACRL Instruction Section unveils Web site ACRL’s Instruction Section (IS) is the latest ACRL unit to offer a Web site. The site, currently hosted by Colgate University Libraries at http:// www2.colgate.edu/instruction/ is also linked from th e ACRL h o m e p a g e at http:// www.ala.org/acrl.html. The project was originally conceived in 1994 as a gopher site offering access to policy state­ ments, conference and committee information, and section publications. The Web-based site allows IS to link to other useful sites and create interactive forms. The site now offers a com­ mittee volunteer form, detailed conference and committee information, and a growing list of section documents, including the current draft of “Guidelines for Instruction Programs in Aca­ demic Libraries.” The section plans to include a history of the section and feature a unique “oral history” of the Miriam Dudley Instruction Librarian Award winners. The site was devel­ oped under direction of the IS Communication Committee with design and technical assistance from Jeffrey O ’Connell, Colgate Library techni­ cal specialist. At press time, other ACRL sections linked to the ACRL homepage include Rare Books & Manuscripts, Education and Behavioral Sci­ ences, Western European Specialists, Science and Technology, and Women’s Studies. Other ACRL units interested in linking to the ACRL homepage should contact Mary Ellen Davis at medavis@ala.org for information. Information Fair a success at SIU More than 200 Recreation Center users visited the Southern Illinois University Morris Library’s Information Fair on February 28. Visitors were treated to demonstrations of the Netscape soft­ ware, the library homepage, several multime­ dia products, and about two dozen ERL SilverPlatter databases that can be combined for searching. The Information Fair, staffed by members of the library affairs faculty and staff, http://www.si.umich.edu/ http://www.ala.org/acrl.html mailto:medavis@ala.org mailto:ajenkins@ala.org mailto:medavis@ala.org May 1 9 9 6 /2 8 1 was a collaborative effort with the Recreation Center staff. UnCover and National Writers Union create copyright royalty system The UnCover Company and the National Writ­ ers Union (NWU) have created a transaction- based writers’ royalty system using electronic media. Under the agreement, NWU will clear copyrights and distribute royalties to writers for fax delivery orders from UnCover. With more than seven million citations from 17,000 peri­ odicals, and with more than 4,000 entries added daily, UnCover has one o f the largest maga­ zine and journal article databases. To handle the royalty system, the NWU has formed Publication Rights Clearinghouse (PRC), which will operate out of the NWU’s Oakland, California, office. Both NWU members and non­ members are eligible to enroll. “We have always been diligent about copy­ right fees,” said Rebecca Lenzini, president of CARL Corp., which created and continues to offer the UnCover service. “This exciting ar­ rangement . . . uses existing technology to make sure creators receive a fair share o f the rev­ enue from the emerging information industry.” VCU establishes new endowment Several years ago, the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Friends of the Library Board committed to raising money to create an en­ dowment to support staff development activi­ ties. Donations to the fund now total more than $10,000, and the endowment is officially estab­ lished. The VCU Friends o f the Library Staff Development Endowment Fund will support training and development activities for the VCU library staff, including seminars, workshops, and other training programs. Donations have come from board members, library staff, friends, and fundraising projects. Most recently, the Circuit City Foundation made a $2,000 donation. Sirsi’s UNICORN system installed The Itawamba Community College Learning Resource Center in Fulton, Mississippi, the Jones .County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi, the University o f Calgary in Alberta, Canada, and the Carroll Technical Institute in Carrollton, Georgia, have all recently selected the Sirsi Corporation’s UNICORN Collection Manage­ ment System. The UNIX-based system uses cli­ ent/server technology to improve the process o f managing and accessing library holdings. “UNICORN was chosen on the strength of customer recommendations,” explained Sandra Broadhead, library director at Jo n es County Junior College. “Other junior and community colleges in Mississippi have used UNICORN since the 1980s and they are still very pleased with what they are able to do with the system. We also want to be able to share resources easily with other Mississippi colleges, and UNI­ CORN will allow us to do that.” Network of Alabam a Academic Libraries to use Information Access The 28 member institutions o f the Network of Alabama Academic Libraries (NAAL) have de­ cided to provide access to Information Access Company’s InfoTrac SearchBank service, which provides 24-hour Internet access to a wide range o f indexed, abstracted, and full-text periodicals in a variety o f disciplines. C om m enting on th e new serv ice, Sue Medina, NAAL director, said, “Budget cuts have forced academic libraries in Alabama to cut more than 5,600 journal titles. This statewide license is a significant benefit because NAAL members save money over individual subscrip­ tions and restore some o f the titles their own budget cuts forced them to cancel.” ■ Correction The report o f “Actions: ACRL Board of Directors, January 1996” (March 1996) re­ garding the endorsement by the Board of the ACRL Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) draft document “Electronic Access In­ terpretation o f the Library Bill o f Rights” should have said that the Board’s transmit­ tal letter indicated the Board’s appreciation o f C andace M organ’s resp on ses to the Board’s comments, indicated the Board’s de­ sire to continue to work with IFC on future documents, and encouraged the adoption of the Interpretation. (Ed. note: Morgan is chair of the ALA Intellectual Freedom Com­ mittee.) The Board action regarding joint conferences was worded: “Agreed to con­ sider a joint ACRL/LITA National Conference for ACRL’s next conference and asked staff to inform the Board of what it would mean to undertake such an arrangement, and to investigate the possibility o f a future joint conference with AAHE.” 2 8 2 /C&RL News May 1 9 9 6 /2 8 3