It looks like AOK is planning to utilize some $80,000 worth of budget carry forward funds in order to make the library’s programs more resilient in the face of expected cuts and pressure to cut services and subscriptions.  The library is requesting comments on some of the proposed uses for these funds, including an ebook project, “in which the user receives one-time use of an e-book at Library expense, or Library purchases permanent access to an e-book at time of first user request.”

Many of these proposals (eg. JSTOR and Web of Knowledge acquisitions) revolve around the goal that “the UMBC Library will not attempt to grow to be another UMCP or JHU library,” adding more online resources in an effort to reduce costs and increase efficiency simultaneously.

Other steps towards managing the budget are contained in the reports of the Blue Ribbon Committee, available at the same link, including the closure of the library on Saturday during Winter and Summer sessions (already in effect), and a previous plan to begin charging for the use of study rooms and lockers, which was suspended in the face of negative feedback (proposed fees were $50/semester for study rooms, $10 for lockers, $20 for bins).

Of interesting note was a large incidence of suggestions in a survey to save energy by reducing lighting of the library and shutting down computers overnight, but no updated remarks are found for these items in the June BRC report.

It’s your library, UU, make sure you take a look and make yourself heard.  What do you think?

SEPTEMBER 2010

-Preparing for Ph.D. Candidacy: Rules, Regulations, and Forms

Friday, 9/17/10, 12 noon – 1 PM, Commons 331

-Success Seminar (Funding/Fellowships)
Wednesday, 9/22/10, 1:00-2:30 PM, AOK Library, 7th Floor Open Area

-Dissertation House for UMBC Employees (only)
Friday, 9/24/10, 9:00 – 5:00 PM (Part I), Commons 329
Friday, 10/1/10, 9:00 – 12 noon (Part II), Commons 329

-PROMISE Opening Meeting

Friday, 9/24/10, 4:30  – 6:30 PM, Public Policy 206

Dissertation House for UMBC Employees (only)
Friday, 9/24/10, 9:00 – 5:00 PM (Part I), Commons 329
Friday, 10/1/10, 9:00 – 12 noon (Part II), Commons 329

DISSERTATION HOUSE APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The on-campus setting provides Dissertation House participants with productive and rewarding scholastic engagement. Students who participate in this program will spend each day thinking, writing, and sharing ideas about their doctoral dissertations. Students will learn effective time-management skills; learn how to set small manageable goals, and will meet with a dissertation coach in one-on-one consultations to discuss and address obstacles that might prevent them completing their degrees.

This is a Friday (9 a.m. – 5 p.m., non-residential) commitment to focus on the doctoral dissertation. The Dissertation House activities focus on areas where students typically have difficulty: conceptualizing a topic, writing a literature review, transitioning from a proposal to a dissertation, analyzing data, writing the last chapter, and editing.

To apply to attend the Employee 2010 Dissertation House, submit a brief description (maximum 2 pages, font size 11-12 point 1 inch margins) that describes the project that you wish to accomplish during the Dissertation House period. Please use the following guidelines:

(1) Summary of the project, including research question(s), data or texts, and method;

(2) Amount completed on the project to date; and

(3) Any obstacles that you are encountering that hinder completion of the dissertation. Include the following header information with the description:

Name:
Address:
Telephone numbers (home, office, and fax):
E-mail address:
Academic Program:
Year in Program:
Degree Sought (Masters or Doctorate):
Expected Defense Date:
Expected Graduation Date:

DATES/LOCATION

• University of Maryland at Baltimore County (UMBC): Sept 24, 2010, (9-5) Room in Commons TBA
  
• University of Maryland at Baltimore County(UMBC): Oct 1: 9-12 (follow-up Session)
  

APPLICATION PERIOD

Monday, September 13 , 2010 – Friday, September 17, 2010.

Email applications to promisestaff@gmail.com with the subject line: “Dissertation House”