INFORMATION ITEM: The MSA Presidential elections and the vote for the Student Library Fee was delayed one week. The Libraries will not campaign during this period as the campus continues to process and work through the events that led up to the resignation of the university president and chancellor. We will resume handing out flyers and encouraging students to vote during the new polling period (11/16/15 at 5 p.m. through 11/18/15 at 5 p.m.). Acting Director Ann Campion Riley has invited staff to one of two open meetings the day after the election ends to discuss the outcome of the ballot measure and the plans for Library funding going forward.
UPDATE – On 11/18/15 we learned that the fee did not pass. The election results were 46% in favor, 54% opposed.
INFORMATION ITEM: Now that the plans to create space in Ellis Library for the Kinder Institute have changed, the Libraries are in the process of returning material to the fourth floor. Preparations were underway to vacate a significant portion of that floor to make room for the new institute. Those plans will now stop. Also the students study area known as The Nook will no longer be relocated. For now, the recorded sound collection will stay in the northeast corner of the fourth floor.
INFORMATION ITEM: A survey of overnight library users has been developed to collect feedback from the individuals who use the building during the recently expanded hours of Ellis Library. Jeannette Pierce presented a draft to LMT. The survey will be administered around 3:30 a.m. Candy will be offered to participants who turn in a completed survey. The survey asks the students questions such as; What times did they come in? How long do they plan to stay? What services would students like to see offered overnight? etc.
INFORMATION ITEM: LTS is developing a computer program that uses information from Sierra to pull up the first and last names of MU students when a valid student ID is scanned. The system will be used by the security officers stationed at the Ellis Library entrances between the hours of midnight and seven a.m. to verify that individuals entering the Library are current MU Students. Security and LTS are still looking into the process and costs of eventuality using a door swipe system.
INFORMATION ITEM: The Libraries will explore keeping the upper floors of Ellis Library open until 2 a.m. during the week starting the Spring Semester of 2016. (We currently close floors two through four from midnight to seven a.m.)
INFORMATION ITEM: Six computer work stations will be put into Room 114 Ellis Library. This will provide a quiet computer area that will remain open past midnight. The target setup dates will be during the Thanksgiving break.