Library Impact
Statement
At the request of the University Library and
in consultation with the Faculty Senate Library Committee, the
Curricular Affairs Committee has endorsed the use of Library Impact
Statements by faculty members in concert with submitting proposals
for new courses and proposals for new degree programs. The request
for information on Library resources has been on the course proposal
form for over two decades. It will now be possible to answer the
question more fully and in consultation with the University Library.
The Impact Statement will be available with the Course Proposal
Form and the New Program Proposal
Format on the web and in other
electronic formats.
Rationale: The University Libraries wish to create a Library
Impact Statement for use when new courses, programs, majors or
degrees are proposed. Our objective is to work with faculty to
evaluate the needs of new programs in advance of their adoption.
Working actively rather than reactively, we may assure that our
collections and services provide the support necessary for our
students in all programs. We may also plan a budget accordingly,
without reallocating funds from existing areas.
Procedure: As faculty prepare to submit the Course Proposal [or
other] forms, they should complete the questionnaire designed by the
Libraries and submit it to the Subject Selector or Collection
Development Manager.
The librarians will then prepare an assessment
of:
- the suitability of existing
resources;
- the new resources required to
support the program;
- the information skills
education required by the students; and
- the funds needed for library
materials and services.
The Curricular Affairs Committee and Graduate
Council, not the Library staff, will be the adjudicators of the
proposed programs. However, The Curricular Affairs Committee and
Graduate Council will expect a sign-off from the Library by
attachment of the completed Impact Statement.
Summary and Conclusion:
The Libraries endorse the concept of
expanding or redesigning the curriculum as a vital and necessary
aspect of academic work. Particularly as trends emerge which
universities wish to adopt, we should be advocates for the creative
and futuristic ventures devised by our faculty. At the same time, it
is the Libraries' responsibility to assure that the corresponding
materials and services required by new programs can be met
effectively by the University. Failure to plan and budget
appropriately can result only in shortchanging students and
diminishing the potential of the new programs. We also must be aware
of the growing challenge of distance learning clientele and be
prepared to offer a broader range of services than before. Thus, now
more than ever, the Library Impact Statement affords the opportunity
for collaboration and prospective planning to the University, its
faculty, and its students.