Building Update

I'd like to give an update on the status of new building planning for the UCSB Library.  You may remember that earlier in 1998, the Library and other campus departments proposed to the campus a new building that addressed library as well as other campus needs.  The campus agreed that the concept had merit and set up a Building Steering Committee to develop the proposal further.  The tentative name of the building is the Information and Instructional Technology Center (IITC). The IITC Steering Committee is chaired by Bruce Tiffney, current chair of the Academic Senate Library Committee.

  The IITC has three components: library space, high-tech electronic classrooms, and research offices to house individuals doing research into the effectiveness of teaching in a digital environment.  The Steering Committee must submit a full proposal to the campus this spring.  At that time the campus will decide on whether to place the IITC on the formal campus five-year building plan.

The Steering Committee has set up three subcommittees to work on the three building areas described above.  I am chairing the Library Building subcommittee.  Other members include librarians, library staff, faculty, and staff from the campus Office of Budget and Planning.  The task of the Library Building Committee is to recommend how new library space can best be designed and used.  Any move into new space will also involve moves of existing library departments and services, as well as the introduction of new services and user areas.  Finally, the Committee will consider areas of Davidson and the Arts Library that need rehabilitation in conjunction with the moves.

The Library Building Committee had two meetings in December.  Minutes, working documents, and other relevant material will be posted on the committee's website on InfoSurf.  The address is:

http://www.library.ucsb.edu/committees/building/

This site also lists the committee membership.  The committee members have been selected to represent various areas of the library and campus. Please feel free to contact any member of the committee with your thoughts or comments.  Remember that the website will contain draft material and documents in progress--not necessarily final decisions or recommendations.

Let me know if you have any questions.

John Vasi