LSA Exec - Minutes - September 23, 2021

LIBRARY STAFF ASSEMBLY (LSA)

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING MINUTES

September 23, 2021

 

 

Committee Members Present

  • Chris Bañuelos
  • Dyamond Hutton
  • Mary Raple
  • Marianne Reed
  • Greta Valentine
  • Jules Woodrick

 

Guests Present

  • Natalie Mahan

 

 

Absent

  • N/A

 

Opening

  • Meeting commenced at 2:00 pm

 

Agenda

 

  1. Approve minutes of the last meeting
    1. Approved by unanimous consent (with changes)
  2. Watson Centennial focus group
    1. Mary asked for feedback about the focus group on 9/13 to provide input to the architects responsible for the Watson Centennial renovation. Attendees expressed several concerns:
      1. Some of the branding suggested by the architecture firm was problematic, such as labeling Watson the “scholarship” library – didn’t feel inclusive to patrons who may not identify with that terminology
      2. The focus group was held with little notice
      3. Mary indicated that she was not aware of further opportunities for input on the planning process
    2. Mary and Jules to ask Kevin whether there will be (or can be) more opportunities for staff and others to provide input on the project
    3. Mary asked whether there were suggestions she could pass along to Kevin/the renovation planning committee. Dyamond suggested the following:
      1. Patrons often request places in the library for individuals to hold Zoom meetings
      2. Look at reference desk transactions to see what patrons are asking for
  3. General discussion about staff positions, temporary staff, and staff departures
    1. Attendees discussed several concerns that have arisen in conjunction with staff leaving the library over the past year+
      1. Lack of replacements for vacated positions
      2. Compensation for those taking on extra duties from vacated positions – especially staff taking on faculty’s duties
    2. Attendees also discussed several issues regarding remote work
      1. Discussed procedures being developed in relation to remote work for temporary and student employees, and using KU devices remotely
    3. Mary and Jules to ask Kevin about the procedure for approving remote work for temporary staff and students
    4. The group discussed the potential of charging Salaries & Benefits into looking into some of these issues surrounding compensation and employee designation
  4. An additional agenda item was added to discuss an issue brought to governance by a staff member
    1. Staff member raised a concern about morale and mental health as someone who worked remotely during the pandemic
    2. Attendees discussed the concerns of mental health and burnout in an environment where staff are taking on additional duties after a stressful year, in a context that continues to be stressful
    3. Mary and Jules to ask how governance can help address these concerns at their next meeting with Kevin

 

Adjourn

 

  • Meeting adjourned at 3:28 pm