university
Board of Regents of the University of Michigan

Chapter XII. The University Libraries

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Sec. 12.01. The University Library

The University Library shall be organized as one administrative unit including all branch and divisional libraries, except such libraries as are specifically designated as independent of its jurisdiction by the Board. It shall comprise all books, pamphlets, periodicals, newspaper files, manuscripts, maps, charts, music scores, prints, micro-reproductions, slides, recordings, and other library materials purchased with University funds or acquired by the University in any other manner, except the library materials committed by the Board to other University authorities. Branch libraries or departmental or divisional libraries may be established only by approval of the Board on recommendation by the president.

Sec. 12.011. The University Library: The Dean and Library Council (revised November 1993)

The University Library shall be in the charge of a dean responsible to the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, appointed by the Board on recommendation by the president. The dean shall be advised by a Library Council in the allocation of funds appropriated by the Board for the University Library, in formulating the policies of the University Library, in developing the educational values thereof, and in cooperating with the several schools, colleges, and other units within the library. The council shall report annually to SACUA and the Senate Assembly.

The Library Council shall consist of seven members of the University Senate appointed by SACUA, from nominations invited from deans and executive committees of the schools and colleges, two members of the senate selected by the dean of the University Library, and two students, one undergraduate and one graduate, appointed by MSA. Appointed senate members shall hold office for terms of three years each, so adjusted that three shall expire each year. They shall not be eligible for reappointment until after the lapse of one year. Student members shall serve for a term of one year each.

Sec. 12.012. The University Library: File of University Publications (revised September 1990)

The dean shall maintain in the University Library a complete file or files of all official publications issued by the University. At least five copies of all official publications and of all publications issued by the University of Michigan Press or by any other unit of the University, which bear the name of the University of Michigan and are intended for distribution outside the campus shall be delivered to the dean for the use of the library.

Sec. 12.013. The University Library: Library Rules (revised September 1990)

The dean shall make appropriate rules concerning the use of the books and other materials, library loans, library hours, replacement or payment for lost or damaged books, and other matters of library administration, and the dean shall fix the penalties for violations of regulations.

Sec. 12.02. The Law Library

The Law Library shall be maintained and administered as a part of the instructional and research operation of the Law School. The dean of the Law School shall prepare the annual budget for the Law Library and make recommendations for the appointment of a director of the Law Library and other members of the library staff.

Sec. 12.03. The William L. Clements Library (revised September 1990)

The William L. Clements Library shall be maintained as a separate unit of the University for the purpose of promoting interest in historical research and creating interest in bibliographical and cartographical subjects. The library shall be administered by a director assisted by a Committee of Management.

The Committee of Management shall consist of (1) the president of the university, ex officio chair, or the president's delegate; (2) the dean of the University Library, ex officio, chair in the absence of the president; (3) one professor of American history in the University of Michigan; and (4) two members at large recommended by the Committee of Management and appointed by the Board for terms of four years each, one member to be appointed every two years. The members at large shall be paid their expenses for attendance at meetings of the committee, and the committee may engage them to do historical work in conjunction with the general work of the library, in which event they may be paid an honorarium.

The director shall be appointed by the Board on recommendation by the president. The director shall have charge of the library and act as secretary to the committee.

Sec. 12.04. The Bentley Historical Library (revised November 1993)

The Bentley Historical Library shall be organized as one administrative unit to include the Michigan Historical Collections and the University Archives and Records Program. The Michigan Historical Collections shall be maintained for the purpose of collecting, preserving, and making available to students manuscripts and other materials pertaining to the state, its institutions, and its social, economic, and intellectual development. The University Archives and Records Program shall be maintained to collect, preserve, and make available the records generated by the University in the conduct of its business. The Bentley Library shall be in the charge of a director, responsible to the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, who shall be appointed by the Board on nomination by the president.

The director shall be assisted by an executive committee, charged with the formulation of policies in matters in relation to the budget, promotions, appointments, the collections, publications, and other activities.

The executive committee shall consist of five members, who shall be appointed by the Board, upon recommendation by the president, for terms of five years, the terms to be so adjusted that one vacancy will occur each year.

Sec. 12.05. Libraries Advisory Committee (revised September 2004)

There shall be a Libraries Advisory Committee to serve as a medium for discussion and advice respecting matters of common interest to the several libraries on the campus. The advisory committee shall consist of the dean of the University Library, the director of the Law Library, the director of the Clements Library, the director of the Michigan Historical Collections, and the director of the Kresge Library in the School of Business Administration. The dean of the University Library shall be chair, ex officio. The advisory committee may call into consultation other library authorities and faculty members. It shall advise the several librarians as well as the president and the Board concerning matters within its jurisdiction.

Sec. 12.06. The Kresge Library in the Stephen M. Ross School of Business (revised September 2004)

The Kresge Library in the Stephen M. Ross School of Business shall be maintained and administered as a part of the instructional and research operation of the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. The dean of the Stephen M. Ross School of Business shall prepare the annual budget for the Kresge Library and make recommendations for the appointment of the director of Kresge Library and other members of the library staff.

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Bylaws updated: April 2008 (Section 11.07)