Staff Directory

AI Task Force

Charge

The AI Task Force is charged with exploring and recommending thoughtful, ethical, and practical approaches to the integration of artificial intelligence within the NIU Libraries. Specifically, the task force will:

• Identify opportunities to incorporate AI into library operations, services, instruction, and user engagement.
• Recommend policies and guidelines for the ethical, transparent, and responsible use of AI by library staff, faculty, and patrons.
• Develop strategies and resources to support staff and faculty adoption of AI tools in ways that enhance efficiency and creativity, while mitigating bias and misuse.
• Coordinate with campus partners as appropriate to ensure alignment with institutional values and compliance standards.

AI Sandbox Team

Charge

The AI Sandbox Team works with the AI Task Force and is a community of library staff and faculty committed to learning about artificial intelligence through hands-on experimentation, shared discovery, and peer support. The group will:

• Work with the AI Task Force to identify a small set of AI tools (e.g., writing assistants, image generators, coding copilots, transcription tools) to explore each semester.
• Test the tools in real or simulated library tasks (e.g., metadata creation, reference interactions, outreach campaigns, personal productivity).
• Share discoveries, use cases, and lessons learned with colleagues in approachable, non-technical formats (e.g., "show & tell" sessions, short guides, 1:1 partner learning).
• Foster an environment where curiosity, questions, and a range of tech comfort levels are welcomed and supported.

Assessment Committee

Charge

The Assessment Committee leads efforts to measure and communicate the impact of NIU Libraries. It develops meaningful metrics and KPIs, coordinates surveys, and supports data-informed improvements. The committee develops and maintains a library "Beyond the Stacks" metrics dashboard, conducts studies on student and faculty outcomes, and helps articulate the Libraries' return on investment (ROI) to the university.

FY26 Deliverables

1. Develop and recommend a core set of KPIs aligned with university goals to track library performance and communicate ROI.
2. In connection with the web team, launch and maintain a public-facing University Libraries “Beyond the Stacks” library metrics dashboard highlighting KPI and other metrics.
3. Work with library administration to coordinate and analyze annual surveys and focus groups to inform library planning.
4. Working with the AD for Public Services, implement regular "customer service" feedback options as needed.

Digital Collections Steering Committee

Charge

Set strategic vision for digitization, metadata practices, and digital preservation. Prioritize new digitization projects (e.g., archives, rare books, institutional history). Ensure accessibility and interoperability via portals/repositories. Explore grants and partnerships to expand digital collections.

Discovery Task Force

Charge

This task force will prepare a report with recommendations for rollout of Primo's Next Discovery Experience. Among other topics, these recommendations will address how NIU Libraries' use Primo's AI tool, Research Assistant; what role new user analytics play in library assessment and discovery; how we use linked data in NIU Libraries Search; how we configure the Next UX; and reviewing our custom modules (ILLiad, Chat with a Librarian, Broken Link Reports, etc.) for compatibility. As appropriate, this group will also immediately address the following outstanding issues related to discovery: the search slots used and how they're scoped; how the A-Z list of databases are discovered in Primo; how results are ranked; which local fields are displayed in brief and full records; how holdings and items for physical titles are displayed; wider implementation of Resource Recommender; and the use of discovery import profiles for HuskieCommons, the NIU Digital Library, and ArchiveSpace. The report will be shared with the Library in Spring FY26. The task force will use their discretion to implement solutions during this time, consulting with stakeholders as appropriate, otherwise the report will include a timeline for rollover to the NDE with implementation to follow later.

Founders Library Association (FLA)

Charge

The Founders Library Association fosters a positive and inclusive workplace culture by promoting morale, collegiality, and social connection among library faculty and staff. The FLA is responsible for:

• Organizing social events such as membership drives, seasonal gatherings, retirement celebrations, and other special occasions.
• Supporting wellness and community engagement efforts.
• Managing shared staff resources, including lounge supplies, bulletin boards, and hospitality funds.
• Encouraging broad participation across departments to strengthen a sense of belonging and shared identity within the Libraries.

FY26 Deliverables

1. Organize and promote a library-wide volunteer day in partnership with a local nonprofit or campus service initiative.
2. Host at least three social events (e.g., fall kickoff, winter celebration, spring gathering) to build camaraderie across units.
3. Refresh the Staff Lounge bulletin board quarterly with rotating themes or highlights that support engagement and wellness.

Green Team

Charge

The Green Team promotes sustainable practices and environmental awareness across NIU Libraries. The group focuses on improving operations, supporting library events and spaces like the pollinator gardens, and partnering with the campus sustainability office to advance shared goals.

FY26 Deliverables

1. Coordinate the Libraries' participation in Earth Fest through a themed activity or display.
2. Maintain and promote the pollinator gardens with updated signage or a seasonal engagement opportunity.
3. Create a simple "Green Tips for the Library" guide to share practical, sustainable practices with staff.
4. Develop a user-focused program to encourage recycling and other green activities for students and faculty.

Library Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Charge

The Library Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (LEDI) Committee works to develop and promote a diverse work force at the Library, foster EDI in library policies, practices, programming, and services, and partner with campus groups to promote, support, sponsor and celebrate EDI at Northern Illinois University. A central mission of the Committee is to educate and support library employees, campus and local partners in understanding that EDI work is the responsibility of everyone as we work toward creating a welcoming and supportive community. The Committee acknowledges that EDI work includes discussion and activity around challenging issues and trusts that all members are committed to learning and helping one another and our colleagues in that learning process. The creation and maintenance of a safe space for a diverse and multicultural community of respectful persons is essential to the educational mission of this library and university.

FY26 Deliverables

1. Coordinate or co-sponsor two interactive sessions focused on topics such as cultural humility, accessibility, anti-racism, or LGBTQ+ inclusion - emphasizing practical applications in library work and fostering a shared learning culture.
2. Create a flexible tool or checklist that departments can use to assess and improve inclusivity in signage, collections, displays, services, and physical spaces.
3. Organize or support at least two library exhibits or programs that affirm and reflect the experiences of NIU's diverse student and faculty communities. These may align with university heritage celebrations (e.g., Black History Month, Pride, Latinx Heritage Month) or respond to current events. Collaborate with campus partners to ensure authenticity and shared ownership.

Space Planning Committee

Charge

The Space Planning Committee leads efforts to reimagine and improve library spaces in support of student success, faculty research, and inclusive community engagement. The committee gathers user input and collaborates with partners to ensure our spaces are accessible, flexible, and aligned with the Libraries' strategic priorities. This includes advancing hybrid learning, supporting interdisciplinary research, showcasing collections and exhibits, and fostering sustainability through smart design choices.

FY26 Deliverables

1. Develop a prioritized space improvement roadmap for public and staff areas.
2. Work with the Assessment Committee to include students and faculty focus groups to gather input on current library spaces and share results with leadership to inform future renovations.
3. Make recommendations every semester for improvements to library spaces for students, faculty, and staff.

Student Engagement Committee

Charge

The Student Engagement Committee strengthens the Libraries' role as a welcoming, student-centered hub by designing inclusive programs, co-curricular partnerships, and outreach initiatives that foster belonging, curiosity, and academic success. The committee collaborates with student organizations, campus partners, and internal units to ensure that all students - especially those from historically underserved groups - see themselves reflected and supported in library spaces, services, and events.

FY26 Deliverables

1. Pilot a student ambassador initiative focused on peer-to-peer outreach, library awareness campaigns, and input on collections, spaces, and services.
2. Organize at least three student-centered programs or co-sponsored events aligned with major student celebrations or needs (e.g., welcome week, finals wellness, cultural heritage months).
3. Launch a rotating student exhibit space or spotlight feature to highlight student art, writing, or research, reinforcing the library as a place of student voice and creativity.
4. Collect student feedback through event evaluations or focus groups and report engagement outcomes in an annual summary to leadership and staff.

Website Committee

Charge

The Library Website Committee guides the continuous improvement of the NIU Libraries' web presence to ensure it is user-centered, accessible, inclusive, and aligned with the Libraries' mission and strategic priorities. Working closely with the library's website administrator and relevant stakeholders, the committee ensures that the Libraries' digital interfaces - including the main website, LibGuides, discovery systems, and digital collections - are cohesive, discoverable, and supportive of both academic success and community engagement. The committee is also responsible for reviewing web content and design practices to support transparency, usability, and effective communication with internal and external audiences.

FY26 Deliverables

1. Develop a strategy for integrating and maintaining LibGuides to ensure consistency, accessibility, and alignment with the Libraries' branding and instructional goals.
2. Conduct a UX audit of the library website and core discovery platforms (e.g., catalog, digital collections), identifying opportunities to improve navigation, accessibility, and mobile responsiveness.
3. Create a governance model for managing web content and interface updates, including recommendations for review cycles, contributor training, and coordination between units.

Personnel Committee (Faculty/Elected)

Charge

To review and make recommendations for Library Faculty regarding annual personnel evaluations, tenure, promotion, and sabbatical leaves. To establish calendars for personnel decisions in consultation with the Library Council. (See the Northern Illinois University Libraries Policies and Procedures for the University Libraries Faculty for complete charge.)

Membership

The Personnel Committee shall consist of five elected members of the library faculty who are on full-time tenure or tenure-track appointment, including at least one member from each division. At least four of the five members shall be tenured, at least one member from each division shall be tenured. All members of the Personnel Committee shall have served at least twelve months from time of appointment as full-time faculty at University Libraries by the time their committee terms begin. The untenured members shall absent themselves during consideration of promotion, tenure, and sabbatical applications, but shall participate fully in the annual evaluation process.

Library Council (Faculty/Elected)

Charge

To function as a college council, as a governance and advisory body, and as an oversight body for personnel decisions. To conduct end-of-term review of the Dean and Associate Dean(s). (See the Northern Illinois University Libraries Policies and Procedures for the University Libraries Faculty for complete charge.)

Membership

The Library Council shall consist of five elected members of the library faculty who are on full-time tenure or tenure-track appointment. Each member shall represent the library faculty as a whole. Terms shall be for two years, staggered.