Committees and Councils-The Library-University of California, Berkeley

Photograph: Jean Gray Hargove Music Library

Committees and Councils

Committees by Type
Alphabetical List of Committees
Overview
Benefits of Membership
Demographics and Organization
Responsibilities

Committees by Type

UL-advisory / Decision-making groups
ADMIN Group
Roundtable

Subject Councils
Arts and Humanities Council
Sciences Council
Social Sciences Council

Function Councils
Administrative Services Council (disbanded July 2012)
Cataloging & Metadata Council
Collection Services Council
Educational Initiatives Council (disbanded July 2012)
Public Services Council
Technical Services Council (disbanded March 2011)

Alphabetical List of Committees

ADMIN Group
Administrative Services Council (disbanded July 2012)
Affiliated Libraries Administrative Group
Arts and Humanities Council
Berkeley Technical Services Discussion Group
Cataloging & Metadata Council
Circulation Services Group
Collection Services Council
Educational Initiatives Council (disbanded July 2012)
Exhibits and Interpretive Programs Committee
Faculty Senate Library Committee
Free Speech Movement Cafe Programs Committee
Instruction Services Group
Integrated Library System Steering Committee
LAUC-B
Charlene Conrad Liebau Library Prize for Undergraduate Research Committee
Mellon Steering Committee
Public Services Council
Reference Services Group
Roundtable
Sciences Council
Social Sciences Council
Staff Development Committee
Technical Services Council (disbanded March 2011)
Web Advisory Group
Web Implementation Group (disbanded July 2009)

Overview

In order to facilitate good decisions, the Library regularly seeks input from its constituents and staff. The Library has seven councils as listed above: three subject councils and five functional councils. Each Council may charge a subcommittee(s) to help in their work. On occassion, Library Administration may also name ad hoc groups to address issues that do not clearly fall to one of these councils.

The Library's councils and committees variously advise on policy and program implementation and may have have decision-making powers as agreed to with the Library Administration.

For more information on the design and impact of the council and committee structure, see the Library's organization chart.

Benefits of Membership

Membership on councils and committees provides Library employees with opportunities:

to influence library policies and practices;
to meet and work with other staff with whom contact is otherwise limited or non-existent; and
to broaden, experience, skills and/or perspective by performing tasks for committees that are not part of the employees normal assignment

Council and committee members may request formal evaluation of their committee contributions from chairs to be included in peer review documentation and performance evaluations.

Demographics and Organization

Members are selected with the intention to broadly represent aspects of Library life that are relevant to the council's or committee's purpose. An appropriate balance is sought between librarian's and staff; levels of classification; resource groups; areas of expertise, etc. Such broad representation is intended to facilitate information-gathering, constructive discussion and productive recommendations concerning the issues at hand.

Most committees elect a chair (see responsibilities, below) and make some decision on how minutes will be taken, approved and disseminated.

Most Committees have direct links to Library Administration via their ex officio members.

Responsibilities

Chairs

provide direction for the work of the committee. S/he should distribute or assign committee work among the members in an equitable manner, encourage participation and discussion and delegate or take charge as appropriate
meet with or submit a written report to the Library Administration and the LAUC-B Executive Committee as requested, advisable, or as needed to solicit advice
meet at least once with the newly elected chair to provide a smooth transition and an information orientation to their respective duties and to continue committee business
maintain liaison with the Library Administration or with the committees ex officio link thereto
ensure that meeting minutes are kept and disseminated appropriately
consult with their AUL/Director on issues/agendas and procedures as necessary to enhance commitee effectiveness and further the committee's agenda
organize recruitment of members
provide evaluation of member's participation when requested by the member or his/her supervisor.

Appointed Members

attend all committee meetings or notify the chair in advance of an absence, and, if absent, contact the chair or another member for an update on the meeting
support and participate in the committee by preparing for meetings; forming and articulating opinions in discussions; contributing ideas, solutions and analyses to issues or problems; volunteering to work outside the committee, gathering information or input, writing proposals, drafting reports and other such activities that further the progress of committee work
disseminate information back to their resource group or unit as appropriate
respect and hold confidential information as appropriate.

Ex-officio Members

represent committee issues to those who may be influenced or effected by committee recommendations
bring information from units they represent and help forge workable solutions and procedures
AUL/Director liaisons: maintain clear and timely communications between the committee and ADMIN Group.