UA Libraries Committees
Shared Faculty and Staff Governance in University Libraries
University Libraries is committed to the concept of shared faculty and staff governance and actively seeks input from the library faculty and staff on a regular basis through standing committees, task forces, and working groups. Faculty librarians are encouraged to participate in strategic planning that helps advance University Libraries. Faculty and staff are also represented on several committees and task forces as well as through attendance at regular planning meetings. The following list identifies some important ways in which library faculty and staff are regularly engaged within University Libraries, and where applicable provides names of current committee members.
Faculty search committees
Faculty and staff with University Libraries are regularly called upon to serve on search committees. Faculty search committees are charged with reviewing potential candidates, helping to manage the search process, and making recommendations throughout the search. Search committee members are invited by the Dean of University Libraries and are often selected based on their expertise and interest in the position.
Membership: Faculty and staff are appointed to search committees by Dr. Donald Gilstrap, Dean of University Libraries.
University Libraries AI Task Force
The University Libraries AI Task Force is charged with investigating and making recommendations to the Dean on the uses of artificial intelligence, language models, and accompanying technologies, as well as prioritizing associated human and technology investments. This would include integration into our teaching curriculum used for various forms and mediums of instruction, workflow analyses and implementations to improve business efficiencies in processes across University Libraries units, uses for marketing and public relations content, and various vibe and agentic coding language initiatives, as well as in emerging areas. The AI Task Force will also provide periodic training to UL faculty and staff on use cases and best practices.
Membership: Dr. Vin Scalfani, Chair; Dr. Rachel DuBose, Jeremiah Colonna-Romano, Catherine Smith, Karleigh Riesen, Gaby Marcks, Steven Turner, Lindsey Lowry, Maryam Fayazi, Anne Druhl.
University Libraries Assessment Task Force
The University Libraries Assessment Task Force is charged with building upon and helping to reinforce a culture of assessment within University Libraries. Meetings of this group provide a forum for assessment-related communications and planning across all library areas.
Membership: Dr. Kevin Walker, Chair; Dr. Alice Daugherty, Karleigh Riesen, Lindsey Lowry, Dr. Sarah Sahn, Lance Simpson, Jessica Robertson, Michael Arthur.
University Libraries Collections Management Team
The Collections Management Team provides senior level leadership and planning related to selection, purchasing and access to library resources in all formats. The team works collaboratively as needed with librarian liaisons to ensure that University Libraries continues to support the teaching and research needs of The University of Alabama. The team assumes responsibility for budget planning and collection policies. The team oversees all operations related collections management including the regular creation of cost and use reports across a wide selection of resources to help guide decision-making.
Membership: Dr. Alice Daugherty, Chair; Lindsey Lowry, Emily Wilburn, Nelia Koontz, Michael Arthur, Dr. Donald Gilstrap (ex officio), Dean of University Libraries.
University Libraries Instruction Working Group
The Instruction Working Group is charged with reviewing, assessing, and recommending best practices in library instruction services. This group meets on an as needed basis to discuss issues pertinent to library instruction and information literacy. The group also maintains discourse through a dedicated listserv to sustain conversation between meetings.
Membership: All University Libraries faculty with liaison responsibilities are part of this working group.
University Libraries Circulation Working Group
The University Libraries Circulation Working Group provides leadership and guidance in all areas of circulation and enables the University Libraries to provide excellent user experiences through the development and implementation of coherent circulation-related policies, practices, and procedures. The group facilitates communication and problem-solving among all library staff with circulation responsibilities and recommends Library-wide changes for consideration by Library Administration. The group also organizes and provides training on circulation-related procedures and functions with the general goal of discussing current practices and moving toward standardized procedures when feasible.
Tenure and Promotion Committees
Tenured faculty within University Libraries may serve on Tenure and/or Promotion committees. Tenure Committee elections are held annually and both tenured and tenure track faculty are eligible to vote. Representation on tenure and promotion committees is determined based on the policies found within the Faculty Handbook and University Libraries procedures.
Membership: Membership on both Tenure and Promotion committees is by both election and appointment following established procedures.
Tenure Track Writing Sessions
Tenure track writing sessions are scheduled three times per month as an opportunity to provide assistant professors with guidance toward meeting the requirements for tenure and promotion, while also providing scheduled time for advancing their research initiatives.
Membership: All tenure track faculty are encouraged to participate in the tenure track writing sessions, and supervisors of tenure track faculty often join as well to participate in relevant discussions about publishing opportunities and professional service.
Department Heads and Coordinators (DHAC)
This group meets with the Dean of University Libraries monthly to discuss issues pertinent to management and leadership within University Libraries. Agenda items are requested prior to each meeting.
Membership: Catherine Smith, Jessica Robertson, Karleigh Riesen, Dr. Kevin Walker, Lindsey Lowry, Dr. Vin Scalfani, Dr. Sarah Sahn, Cornelia Davis, Michael Pearce, Bob Pucko, Steven Turner.
University Libraries Virtual Reality Task Force
The Virtual Reality Task Force is charged with identifying commonly used equipment and software that can enhance student learning and research experiences. The use of virtual reality can add to creativity in research and student projects, making our graduates more competitive in the global workforce as they matriculate. Special emphasis of the task force will be on evaluating, testing, and prioritizing different types of equipment and commercially available software, as well as identifying spaces within our libraries for use and experimentation with virtual reality. The task force will also continue to scan the environment as new technologies and devices become available on the market.
Membership: Dr. Sara Whitver, Chair, Melissa Herzberg, Shane Miesse, Taylor Smith, Steve Wilcer, Jeremiah Colonna-Romano, Carly Rivera.
Faculty Meeting
This group meets with the Dean of University Libraries monthly. The topics are pertinent to management and leadership within University Libraries. Faculty are provided with the opportunity to express ideas and agenda items are requested prior to each meeting.
Membership All tenure, tenure track and renewable contract faculty are invited.
All Staff Meeting
Two times each year all faculty and staff within University Libraries come together to discuss several issues related to management and assessment of library services and collections. These meetings often focus on strategic planning and provide faculty and staff with the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.
Membership: All tenure, tenure track and clinical faculty are invited.
Last updated September 24, 2025, dg/ma/ad