VCU Faculty Senate Unanimously Passes Library Resolution
Valerie Robnolt (School of Education) and Mary Secret (School of Social Work) of the Faculty Senate's Academic Support Services Committee introduced the following resolution concerning library space and funding at the April, 2009 Faculty Senate meeting, which was unanimously passed at the May, 2009 Senate meeting...
2009 Faculty Senate Resolution Regarding Library Spaces and Funding:
• Whereas the Faculty Senate recognizes and applauds significant advances in library support since 2005;
• Whereas there remains much to be done to bring VCU's library system to a standing commensurate with VCU's stature and ambitions, and similar to the libraries of VCU's closest-matching peer institutions;
• Whereas VCU has not constructed new library space since 1975, while nearly every other doctoral institution in Virginia has created new library buildings and space within the past decade;
• Whereas Cabell Library is uncomfortably crowded with tens of thousands of student users daily, offers the least space per student of any public academic library in Virginia, and houses collections that far exceed its original capacity and absorb space needed by students;
• Therefore, the Faculty Senate resolves that:
- The University assigns highest priority for renovation and capital funding to initiatives that expand and improve those spaces that have the biggest impact on the most people in VCU's academic community, such as space for student academic work in Cabell Library;
- The University make every effort to provide funding to create and operate an off-campus repository for lesser-used library materials, thereby freeing space in Cabell Library for student academic needs;
- The University create and implement a renovations and investment plan that will bridge the University from the present overcrowded Cabell Library to a new library/academic commons building on the Monroe Park Campus that will provide adequate new space for undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty;
- The University maintain as its second priority for new capital funding the proposed new library/academic commons building on the Monroe Park Campus, after the construction of the planned classroom building;
- The University continue its work in strengthening library budget allocations to advance its library system to a standing similar to that of VCU's closest-matching peer institutions