DCP Dean opposes Architecture and Fine Arts Library relocation

Text of email dated August 23, 2011 from Christopher Silver, Dean of the College of Design, Construction and Planning to Judy Russell, Dean of University Libraries:

On Aug 23, 2011, at 4:17 PM, "Silver,Christopher" <silver2@dcp.ufl.edu<mailto:silver2@dcp.ufl.edu» wrote:

Lucinda and Judy:

I have had an opportunity to discuss with our College administrators (including some of the affected the faculty) the general notion of relinquishing the Architecture and Fine Arts Library for some other use, and shifting the collection and services someplace else. The overwhelming sentiment is in opposition to the concept, not just to be oppositional, but because it will create far more problems than it will solve. Let me explain. First, one of the rationales for considering shifting the AFA Library to another use is because of space concerns expressed through accreditation visits, most recently in one of the Fine Arts programs. In the case of Art History and also in the case of our School of Architecture and our School of Landscape Architecture and Planning, we are able to count that space as dedicated space for our programs, and have done so in previous accreditation visits. If the collection is shifted to the West Library and blended in with the general collection in any way, we lose the ability to count that space. In other words, our space problem with accreditation gets worse, not better. And like the programs in the Fine Arts, we are perpetually being challenged by the accrediting bodies for not enough space. So relinquishing that space will only add to our deficit, not help it. On the positive side, we generate through the availability of a dedicated collection, dedicated space, and dedicated staff significant plus points in our accreditation ranking system. Indeed, the quality of the AFA Library during the last accreditation visit for Architecture several years ago helped us to have a nearly perfect score of excellence, except of course on one criterion, namely space. But we satisfy their concerns about our inadequate square footage by employing creative ways to reorganize our space more efficiently. Indeed, we would be happy to assist the Fine Arts programs to come up with innovative space saving actions that can likely satisfy your accrediting bodies like we have done with ours. In addition, we are about to undergo an accreditation visit for our graduate Urban and Regional Planning program. That program also is able to maintain its national stature among other planning programs because like the best one, we have dedicated libraries to support research and instruction (such as at Illinois, Chapel Hill, Texas, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Ohio State, Cornell, etc.) It is no coincidence that the lower ranked programs in planning simply draw upon the general library services to support their educational enterprise. Our planning, landscape architecture, interior design, and architecture faculty all use the AFA Library extensively, and push their students there on a regular basis.

I myself routinely use the AFA Library for my own teaching and research, and on a recent visit (first day of classes this past Monday afternoon), the place was in heavy use, and relied upon the two-decker carrels to handle the students. While I did not make any sort of scientific assessment of the spaces in the 2nd Floor of the Rudolph Weaver Building to possible areas of the West Library, I cannot imagine any spaces sufficient in size for the full collection, the reference materials, the study spaces, the service areas, and the librarians in the West Library. And in terms of the quality of the space as a place for study and research by our students and faculty, being incorporated into the mass activities of the West Library would be a very different environment, and one that would not at all be an improvement. While I have never visited the Music Library, I am told that there are significant structural challenges with that space that may warrant attention, and that the Music Library collection might be compatible with available spaces in the West Library.

Given the quality of the existing space for our library and value it holds for our programs on so many levels, any contemplated changes should be to improve the conditions. I cannot imagine how that would be accomplished by the various suggestions that have been floated regarding transferring the AFA Library to another location. I hope there are ways to meet Fine Arts needs without creating unnecessary problems with four of our DCP programs.
Thanks for your consideration.

Chris
Dean and Professor
College of Design, Construction and Planning
University of Florida
331 Architecture Building
Gainesville, FL 32611
Tel: 352-392-4836
Fax: 352-392-7266
Editor, Journal of Planning History