The Town Hall Presentation is the result of the Provost's charge letter to the LCWG, a campus wide committee of faculty. To paraphrase the Provost's letter, the LCWG is charged to review, discuss, and propose changes to both the Main and Undergraduate Libraries. Since late April of 2019, the LCWG has continuously met through the late spring, summer and now fall, to provide strategic input that addresses the collection preservation, enhancements to the Library building and interior, as well as scholar and student access to collections, tools, services, and programs that support creative inquiry across all areas of the campus. The LCWG is also considering access to and preservation of rare and archival collections, which lack dedicated space to ensure secure, climate-controlled storage, as well as first - rate exhibit and dedicated space.
The administration anticipates the Historic Library will be at the forefront of capital funding and other campus funding opportunities. Considering the antiquated condition of our facilities to house and preserve a pre-eminent collection that has long attracted faculty, students, researchers, and visiting scholars, it is a timely opportunity to propose a compelling, but economic plan that attracts critical funds and ensures access for future generations.
Specifically, the LCWG was requested to engage the following activities:
- Review stake-holder surveys and consult with library experts to consider preservation of and access to collections.
- Reimagine the Main Library building through replacement of the oldest and most problematic five stack additions to also house service activities, including those now found in the Undergraduate Library, including the Media Commons and large-scale library instructional activities.
- Consider the extent to which parts of the Library interior should be devoted to collections, to library services such as the Scholarly Commons, to readers, and to new activities and services that align with the Library's mission to serve campus, as well as the strategic plan.
- Review the campus strategic plan to ensure alignment of current and proposed library infrastructure.
Sincerely,
David M. Chasco, FAA, Chair
Library Consultation Working Group
