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The Library’s New Information Technology Executive Committee


H. Thomas Hickerson

The members of the CUL Information Technology Executive Committee (ITEC) met for the first time on March 4, and a summary of the proceedings of that meeting was recently distributed library-wide. The formation of this new group charged with improving the coordination, quality, and efficiency of technology services across the library and the university is one more outcome of Library and Related Information Services (LARIS) Workforce Planning. As part of University Workforce Planning, CUL conducted a major review of principal activities across the library. An outside review of these findings was also conducted by the Stillwater Group. As part of LARIS, separate reviews were also mandated in principal functional areas, and the Technical Services Integration, now well under way, is a key outcome.

In the area of information technologies, Tom Hickerson, associate university librarian for information technologies and special collections, and Deb Gagnon, assistant director of the Division of Digital Library and Information Technologies (DLIT), prepared a report, “Pursuing Information Technology Efficiencies,” and submitted it to the Library Management Team in April 2004. The report drew on information compiled in the initial LARIS review and the Stillwater Report, but also on university-wide IT workforce planning (compiled by the Office of the Vice President for Information Technologies), a university study conducted by Gartner, Inc., and additional library IT data compiled by members of the Working Group on Library Information Technology Efficiencies.

The report submitted by Tom and Deb included twenty-three recommendations, and LMT examined each of these in detail during the late summer and fall of 2004. Of those endorsed by LMT, several have already been implemented. An important thread throughout the report was the need for improved managerial and operational coordination in supporting library-wide IT services. Outcomes have included the incorporation of IRIS support for public and staff computing within DLIT Desktop Services, and a similar integration is under way in Central Technical Services.

Library findings echoed similar recommendations adopted university-wide. These included “best practices” and the establishment of a university Information Technology Management Council (ITMC). ITMC comprises one representative from each of the university’s principal administrative units, and Tom Hickerson was named to represent the library. To enhance Tom’s ability to effectively represent all areas of library IT support, LMT established the new IT Executive Committee to advise on university and library technology issues. Even more importantly, however, ITEC will recommend common standards and technologies and facilitate their adoption, pursue efficiencies in the management and operation of library technologies, and endorse and support the employment of university-wide best practices.

The initial membership of this new IT management committee includes Adam Chandler, Jon Corson-Rikert, Terry Ehling, Oliver Habicht, Holly Mistlebauer, Michelle Paolillo, Oya Rieger, Marcy Rosenkrantz, and Tom Hickerson. In its effort to better coordinate IT management and improve the quality of services to staff and library users, the committee encourages suggestions from all library staff regarding topics that need to be addressed. Suggestions can be conveyed to Tom or to any other member. The committee also welcomes ideas on enhancing communication regarding library IT issues.