RESOLUTION ON LIBRARY FUNDING

Approved by the: University Senate - April 28, 2005
Administration - *See comment
Board of Regents - no action required
* I wholeheartedly agree that the library is a critical resource for the University and we are moving forward to increase our investment in this area. Specifically, we allocated significant new money for FY06 and we intend to allocate more in FY07. For example, for FY06, we allocated $2M for collections and acquisitions, $475K for SMART Commons, $700K to cover compensation increases, and $468K for a market compensation program for the libraries. For FY07, preliminary discussions include an additional $1.5M for collections and acquisitions.

Resolution on Library Funding

The Senate Library Committee has reviewed the data on the status of the University Libraries. The Committee has grave concerns about the continuing erosion of the Libraries’ resources. Funding decreases have led to a significant drop in the University Libraries’ North American ranking from its previously stable position of 14^th to 19^th in the last five years alone, and to only sixth among Big Ten Universities* We endorse the following urgent resolutions:

Library collections are fundamental to the University’s stated strategic goal of excellence. Increase the budget for collections and resources in order to reverse the dramatic slip in rankings and to restore lost ground.
Collections require access. Expand computer capabilities to provide access to resources, including electronic publications, which are an increasingly critical component of learning and research.
Knowledgeable, professional librarians ensure that the libraries’ resources have the greatest possible impact in the academic programs. Provide equitable compensation to recruit and retain librarians.

The University’s strategic goals cannot be realized without increased funding for Library collections, technology and human capital. The University’s excellence is linked to the Libraries.

*According to comparative 2003 data compiled by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) examining numbers of journals and books, staff and overall expenditures.

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