March 2024
EFC Reports
Emeritus Faculty Research Survey results—preliminary
3-20-24
Submitted by Shelton Stromquist
Surveys completed: 189
[Survey was sent to entire Emeritus Faculty listserv—1005]
Q1 Currently engaged in academic research, creative work or other scholarly activity, or plan to be in the future?
Yes 133 (71%)
No 54 (29%)
Q3 Research or creative activities that apply (could mark more than one—376 total).
Books 57 (15%)
Articles 90 (24%)
Professional papers 70 (19%)
Lectures 61 (16%)
Performances 5 (1%)
Exhibitions 11 (3%)
Consulting 55 (15%)
Other 27 (7%)
(editing, mentoring, clinical teaching, etc.)
Q4 Describe current scholarly research or creative activities.
[130 responses]
Q5 Does activity require internal or external grant funding?
Yes 39 (22%)
No 91 (51%)
Describe: 49 text descriptions
Q6 What funding do you currently have (internal or external). Describe.
Text responses 86 (a few refer to Q5 responses)
Internal: 10
External: 24
Self-funded 10
None 38
Q7 Would activity benefit from additional research support?
Yes 66
No 61
If yes, what type: 62 text responses
[travel and research grants, computer support, RAs, data collection and analysis,
publication expenses/subventions, survey research. . .]
Q8 Have you sought UI approval for external funding?
Yes 15
No 116
Q9 Willing to participate in Research Council survey?
Name 68
Email 70
University Libraries Committee Meeting Report
March 28, 2024
Submitted by Diane Huber and Russ Lenth
The University Libraries Committee met March 28, 2024. A welcome and introductions all around occurred.
John Culshaw, University Librarian, gave the University Librarian update. The Provost has decided to help with a study of library resources. Vendor: Brightspot (https://www.brightspotstrategy.com/). Site visit occurred over spring break. Information about how our libraries fit within others is a focus: how to adapt programming, services, etc. Stakeholder focus groups will be held soon. How libraries support academic endeavors (programmatic connections) is the focus (visioning exercise). Should be wrapped up by June. Program review and planning will be dovetailed.
Award: Arthur Benton excellence award and years of service recognitions (for staff) were given today. New fund in libraries: UI Librarian’s student worker fund (around 150 student workers in the libraries). 2024 One Day for Iowa: for Libraries: n=34 gifts; $6,700+. Partial $ to student worker fund.
Model Book Collection will be featured in Des Moines (history of construction of and production of books; e.g., Meredith Wilson’s original score). https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/conservation/book-model-collection/
Advisory committee will be visiting on campus soon.
Open house at Hardin Library on Thursday May 2, 2:30-4:30: major renovation to 4th floor. 50th anniversary of Hardin. John Martin rare book (history of medicine) room will be featured.
Speakers today: Paul Soderdahl (Interim Associate University Librarian for Distinctive Collections) and Patricia Gimenez (Director of Art Library) talking about GLAM (gallery, libraries, archives, and museums) collaborations.
Distinctive collections include a conservation lab, special collections and archives, Iowa Women’s archives, main library gallery, and other cultural heritage collections units. Working with Stanley Museum of Art and Pentacrest museum (Museum of Natural History). UI Librarians are trusted stewards of art and main library assets.
Seeing push back against all digital items: interest in and desire for tangible objects.
Collaborations are user-centric, front-facing; and infrastructural, back of the house (e.g., conservation care). Discussed 3 examples: academic outreach coordinator position (Kathryn Reuter), GLAM team: brainstorming sessions are being held, GLAM crawl: go to each others’ venues. Variety and types of arts organizations on campus facilitates collaborations.
Discussion about departmental collections/libraries. Will be future agenda item re: how to preserve the UI’s history in the best way possible.
April/May meeting date has changed from April 26 to Monday May 6 from 1-2 PM at the Main Library for in-person meeting and tour of the Mail Library Gallery.
Submitted by Diane Huber