Malka Helfman, California State University East Bay presentation at VRA 26 San Diego for the "Throwing the Cat Among the Pigeons" session.

1. Valuing the CSU VRSs M. Helfman 1
VRA San Diego 2008
San Diego 2008
Visual Resources Association (VRA) Conference
Session 7: Throwing the Cat Among the Pigeons: Keeping
Visual Resources Positions Viable through the Digital Transition
Valuing the California State University Visual Resources Specialists
By: Malka Helfman
Visual Resources Specialist
Department of Art
California State University East Bay
March 2008
1

2. Abstract
This paper will assess the value of the Visual Resources
Specialists (VRSs) of the California State University (CSU)
system. It incorporates the results of a survey that was e-
mailed to the CSU VRSs. It includes an environmental
scan, the contributions of CSU VRSs to digital and library
management work, output measures, and compensation.
The paper also offers suggestions for promoting the
Visual Resources (VR) library and the VR profession in the
CSU system.

3. Valuing the CSU VRSs M. Helfman 3
VRA San Diego 2008
Valuing the CSU Visual Resources Specialists
The wave of changes in libraries and information science
has reached the department libraries in academic institutions.
However, the lack of understanding by administrators who
allocate funding and the lack of resources, makes the job of
the VR professionals very challenging. The work of the Visual
Resource Specialists (VRS) in the California State University
(CSU) system is complicated and requires experience and
knowledge in the management of visual resources. The
compensations for the CSU VRSs are far below the national
average and jeopardize the retention and recruitment for these
positions. To obtain recognition and the appropriate
compensation, VRSs need to educate administrators of their
worth, the work they do, and their contributions to the CSU
system as well as to the profession.
The paper offers insight into the complicated work the
curators do on a daily basis, and talks about the need for
recognition and adequate compensation. This knowledge can
induce the administrators to create favorable working
conditions with attractive compensation for the purpose of
retention and recruitment. This will attract and retain good
employees who in turn will strengthen the art curriculum and
3

4. contribute to the standing of the department by offering and
developing visual literacy programs. It is worth noting that
accreditation is granted to institutions with Visual Resources
Specialist. The value of the VRS working in the CSU system will
be assessed and suggestions for promoting the Visual
Resources (VR) library and profession within the system will be
offered.
To help determine the state of VR positions in the CSU, a
survey was e-mailed to professionals who manage image
collections. 9 out of 15 VRSs took the survey, though not all the
questions were answered. The CSU has a classification for the
VR professional entitled, Visual Resources Specialist I and II.
Typically the CSU VRS independently manages a facility or
library, in an academic department.
Environmental Scan
The changing of the educational model from analog
resources into the digital environment is the expected norm in
higher education (Kodak discontinued production of analog
slide projectors in June 2004.) The VRS must keep abreast
with new developments in technology and collaborate with

5. Va lu in g t h e C SU VRSs M . H e lfm a n5
VRA Sa n D ie g o 2 0 0 8
o t h e r in s t it u t io n s t o s h a r e d ig it a l in fo r m a t io n . In t h e la s t d e c a d e
VR lib r a r ie s m o v e d fr o m a n a lo g t o d ig it a l o p e r a t io n , w it h a
u s e fu l d ig it a l d a t a b a s e , t r a in in g p r o g r a m s fo r fa c u lt y a n d
s t u d e n t s t o fa c ilit a t e t r a n s it io n t o t h e d ig it a l a g e , a n d t h e
e s t a b lis h m e n t o f v a r io u s c o m p u t e r w o r k s t a t io n s fo r u s e b y
fa c u lt y a n d s t u d e n t s in t h e VR lib r a r y .
Current data:
a There are 23 California State University campuses.
T There are 15 Visual Resources Specialists at the California
State University campuses.
S 2 campuses have 2 VRS each (Art Department and
Architecture).
A 1 curator who was classified as a VRS is now reclassified
as Instructional Support Technician III.
a 1 former VRS position was advertised as Information
Technology Consultant and was recently filled.
T The annual budget for individual VR library ranges from
$1,000.00 to over $9,000.00.
Contribution
Curatorial duties of Visual Resources Specialists include
administrative and management responsibilities, archiving,
conservation and preservation of materials, cataloging,
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6. c o lle c t io n d e v e lo p m e n t , c o p y r ig h t a n d p e r m is s io n
m a n a g e m e n t , d a t a b a s e d e v e lo p m e n t , m a r k e t in g a n d p u b lic
r e la t io n s , p h o t o g r a p h y a n d d ig it iz a t io n s e r v ic e s a n d
m a n a g e m e n t , p u b lic a c c e s s a n d r e fe r e n c e s e r v ic e s , t e c h n ic a l
s e r v ic e s a n d w e b s it e d e v e lo p m e n t (C SU H R, VRS J o b
D e s c r ip t io n ).
Digital Work
The principal contribution is reflected in the major shift
from analog to digital operation. Analog production is minimal,
five curators continue to acquire 35mm slides, three are
producing slides in house, one curator engaged in repairing
slides, and another in cataloging and filing slides donated by
faculty.
Digital production is at 100%, time spent on task is anywhere
between 10 to 75%. Digital work includes:
b CATALOGING: Curators catalog digital images, they use
Digital Assets Management (DAM) software like Embark
and Extensis Portfolio. Other software used to store and
present information include iPhoto, iView, Power Point
Presentation, and Microsoft Excel.
P IMAGE WORK: More than 50% of the CSU curators that
participated in the survey capture digital images; they use

7. Va lu in g t h e C SU VRSs M . H e lfm a n7
VRA Sa n D ie g o 2 0 0 8
d ig it a l c a m e r a s , s lid e s c a n n e r s , a n d fla t b e d s c a n n e r s .
Th e im a g e s a r e m a n ip u la t e d in P h o t o s h o p fo r c o lo r
c o r r e c t io n a n d d a t a e n t r y , o r ig in a l im a g e s a r e a r c h iv e d ,
a n d s u r r o g a t e im a g e s a r e r e s iz e d a n d p r e p a r e d fo r w e b
p u b lis h in g o r c la s s r o o m p r e s e n t a t io n . Th e im a g e s a r e
u s e d in t h e v a r io u s p r e s e n t a t io n t o o ls m e n t io n e d a b o v e .
u W EB W O RK : C SU c u r a t o r s d e v e lo p a n d m a n a g e lib r a r y
w e b s it e , p r e p a r e w e b b a s e d s t u d y g u id e s t o b e p u b lis h e d
in d e p a r t m e n t / c o u r s e w e b s it e s , o r t o b e u s e d in c o u r s e
m a t e r ia l o n B la c k b o a r d . Th e y a ls o s e a r c h t h e w e b fo r
im a g e s o n b e h a lf o f fa c u lt y o r fo r c o u r s e m a t e r ia ls .
Re s o u r c e s r a n g e fr o m W o r ld im a g e s t o A RTs t o r a n d o t h e r
c r e d it e d s o u r c e s w it h b ib lio g r a p h ic in fo r m a t io n . So m e
c u r a t o r s p r o v id e t e c h n ic a l s u p p o r t fo r a r t c o u r s e s o n
B la c k b o a r d .
B A RTs t o r : Fe w C SU c a m p u s e s s u b s c r ib e t o A RTs t o r a n d
fe w c u r a t o r s u p lo a d lo c a l im a g e s t o it . Th e c u r a t o r s t r a in
fa c u lt y a n d s t u d e n t s h o w t o u s e A RTs t o r , h e lp fa c u lt y
p r e p a r e p r e s e n t a t io n s , a n d d o w n lo a d im a g e s fo r
in s t r u c t io n . Th e m a in u n iv e r s it y lib r a r y o n t w o c a m p u s e s
m a n a g e A RTs t o r fo r t h e c a m p u s .
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8. Other VR Library Duties
s REFERENCE & TECHNICAL SUPPORT: The curators offer
reference services to faculty and students, they also offer
technical reference and support in the VR library and in
the classrooms. Some curators support department
computer labs, and some manage additional facilities
outside the VR Library.
o TRAINING: Curators offer group and one-on-one digital,
ARTstor, software and hardware trainings.
A TEACHING: One curator teaches art history courses.
VRSs prepare instructional materials for classroom and
online presentation.
VR Library Management etc.
c The CSU VRSs offer employment to student assistants
throughout the year. The VR library provides a positive job
experience to students, and prepares them for the job
market outside the academic environment. Students may
rely on receiving references from the VR curators for
future jobs or a letter of recommendation to graduate
school.

9. Va lu in g t h e C SU VRSs M . H e lfm a n9
VRA Sa n D ie g o 2 0 0 8
V A y e a r r o u n d in t e r n s h ip p r o g r a m is in p la c e t o
a c c o m m o d a t e g r a d u a t e s t u d e n t s o f t h e Sa n J o s e St a t e
U n iv e r s it y (SJ SU ) M a s t e r o f L ib r a r y a n d In fo r m a t io n
Sc ie n c e (M L IS) p r o g r a m . Th e in t e r n s a r e e x p o s e d t o a n d
g a in e x p e r ie n c e in t h e p r o fe s s io n a l o p e r a t io n o f a s m a ll
a c a d e m ic a n d s p e c ia liz e d lib r a r y . Th e in t e r n s a r e
s u p e r v is e d b y t h e VR c u r a t o r s .
s Th e VR lib r a r ie s a c r o s s t h e C SU s y s t e m o ffe r t r a in in g a n d
s e r v ic e s t o g r a d u a t in g s t u d e n t s in b u ild in g a n d p r e s e n t in g
t h e ir p o r t fo lio .
t Th e VR lib r a r y r e s o u r c e s s e r v e n o t o n ly t h e d e p a r t m e n t
n e e d s , b u t a ls o t h o s e o f fa c u lt y a n d s t u d e n t s fr o m t h e
c a m p u s a t la r g e . So m e s e r v e t h e lo c a l c o m m u n it y ,
in c lu d in g K - 12 t e a c h e r s a n d s t u d e n t s a n d c o m m u n it y
c o lle g e s t h a t a r e la c k in g in r e s o u r c e s a n d v is u a l
m a t e r ia ls .
m Th e lo n e c u r a t o r c o lla b o r a t e s w it h o t h e r c u r a t o r s in t h e
C SU s y s t e m . So m e c o n t r ib u t e t o t h e b u ild in g o f a d ig it a l
im a g e d a t a b a s e a v a ila b le t o a ll o n t h e W o r ld W id e W e b
(Th e IM A G E p r o je c t d ir e c t e d b y D r . K a t h le e n C o h e n , SJ SU
A r t D e p a r t m e n t ) (W o r ld Im a g e s , 2 0 0 8 ).
A A n o t h e r d ig it a l p r o je c t w a s a c c o m p lis h e d in c o o p e r a t io n
w it h t h e C SU c u r a t o r s t o b u ild t h e C IEL O (C SU Im a g e
9

10. Ele c t r o n ic L ib r a r y O n lin e ) w e b s it e . C IEL O w a s a
c o lle c t io n o f c o p y r ig h t fr e e im a g e s fo r t h e C SU
c o m m u n it y t h a t s u p p o r t e d t h e a r t a n d a r c h it e c t u r a l
h is t o r y s u r v e y c o u r s e s t a u g h t in t h e C SU s y s t e m (C IEL O ,
2 0 0 8 ).
2 Th e C SU c u r a t o r s a r e w o r k in g t o s h a r e r e s o u r c e s a n d
in fo r m a t io n in t o d a y ’ s b u d g e t c h a lle n g e d e n v ir o n m e n t .
i Th e d ig it a l t r a n s fo r m a t io n w a s p o s s ib le d u e t o u p d a t e s in
t e c h n o lo g y . Th e C SU VRSs p r o v id e h a r d w a r e a n d
s o ft w a r e r e c o m m e n d a t io n s t o u p d a t e t h e VRL e q u ip m e n t .
So m e VR lib r a r ie s h a v e t h e m o s t r e c e n t t e c h n o lo g y (G 5
M A C c o m p u t e r O S X, M A C d e s k t o p a n d la p t o p s
c o m p u t e r s ). P e r ip h e r a l e q u ip m e n t c o n s is t s o f fla t b e d
s c a n n e r s w it h film s c a n n in g c a p a b ilit y , film s c a n n e r s ,
d ig it a l c a m e r a s , m a n u a l a n d d ig it a l c o p y s t a n d s , a n d
d ig it a l p r o je c t o r s . So ft w a r e a p p lic a t io n s in c lu d e
P h o t o s h o p fo r d ig it a l im a g e m a n ip u la t io n , M ic r o s o ft
P o w e r P o in t , K e y n o t e , iP h o t o , iVie w , a n d Ex t e n s is
P o r t fo lio fo r d ig it a l c la s s r o o m p r e s e n t a t io n , File M a k e r P r o
fo r d a t a b a s e o f t e x t r e c o r d s (w it h a m a in fu n c t io n o f
p r o d u c in g la b e ls fo r 3 5 m m s lid e s ), Em b a r k , a d a t a b a s e o f
d ig it a l im a g e s , a n d w e b a p p lic a t io n s lik e D r e a m w e a v e r .
d N ETW O RK IN G : N e t w o r k in g c o n t r ib u t e s t o t h e s t r e n g t h o f

11. Valuin g the CSU VRSs M. Helf m a n 11
VRA San Die g o 20 0 8
a lone VRS. Apa r t fro m the existin g CSU VRS lists e r v ,
cur a t o r s en g a g e in net w o r k i n g in a varie t y of w a y s. Mo s t
parti ci p a ti n g VRSs are me m b e r s of pro f e s s i o n a l
ass o c i a ti o n s , me e t with colle a g u e s , and ma k e
con n e c t i o n s with local art co m m u n i ti e s . So m e cura t o r s
publish arti cl e s in prof e s si o n a l pu bli c a ti o n s , and so m e
org a n i z e or exhibi t their o w n w o r k.
o MAR KETIN G: VRSs pro m o t e their servi c e s by atte n d i n g
me e ti n g s on ca m p u s , distri b u ti n g ne w s l e t t e r s , sen di n g
e m ail to infor m of VR Libra r y servi c e s , givin g VRL
orie n t a ti o n s , and via VRL w e b si t e s .
o COLLA B O R A TIO N : Colla b o r a t i o n is imp o r t a n t to the
w o r ki n g solo VRS. It save s tim e and res o u r c e s , and it
ma k e s po s si bl e the ex c h a n g e of ide a s, exp e ri e n c e s , and
kno w l e d g e . The IMAGE proj e c t , dire c t e d by Dr. Kathl e e n
Coh e n fro m San Jos e Stat e Unive r si ty, is a colla b o r a ti v e
ven tu r e tha t the VRSs are involv e d with for the pa st
de c a d e . Cura t o r s cat al o g u e ima g e s (re c e n t l y digitiz e d
ima g e s ) of cultu r al obje c t s take n by CSU faculty and staff
on loca ti o n . Thes e ima g e s are ad d e d to the Wo rl di m a g e s
dat a b a s e and are availa bl e to be use d for edu c a t i o n a l
pur p o s e s . By parti ci p a ti n g in the proj e c t , res o u r c e s su ch
as fundin g for equi p m e n t , stu d e n t assis t a n t s , soft w a r e ,
11

12. etc. are bro u g h t to the individ u al ca m p u s .
Output Measures
s The CSU system employs more than 46,000 faculty
members, and has approximately 450,000 students on
23 campuses. There are about 240 subject areas that
offer 1,800 bachelor and master degree programs. The
CSU is a major source of prepared workforce in teaching,
art, science, engineering, agriculture, and nursing (CSU,
2003). The faculty and students across the system enjoy
the technological advancements and the services the VR
library offers, either through the use of visual materials in
the library, on the web, and through art history courses in
class or online.
c The VRL databases across the CSU system include tens
of thousands of digital images with attached bibliographic
information produced at considerable cost. The digital
images are being used many times by instructors in the
classrooms, and countless times by students on secured
websites. The images are offered via digital assets
management software available at all time locally at the
VR library. Most databases are searchable, allow for
multimedia presentation, and conform to professional

13. Va lu in g t h e C SU VRSs M . H e lfm a n13
VRA Sa n D ie g o 2 0 0 8
c a t a lo g in g s t a n d a r d s .
c Th e C SU VRSs w o r k in c o lla b o r a t io n t o a d v a n c e
p r o fe s s io n a l d e v e lo p m e n t a n d e d u c a t io n a l g o a ls .
C u r a t o r s c o n t r ib u t e t o t h e IM A G E P r o je c t , a Sa n J o s e
St a t e U n iv e r s it y (SJ SU ) b a s e d d ig it a l p r o je c t h e a d e d b y
D r . K a t h le e n C o h e n , b y d o n a t in g im a g e s , c a t a lo g in g , a n d
s u p e r v is in g SJ SU Sc h o o l o f L ib r a r y a n d In fo r m a t io n
Sc ie n c e (SL IS) in t e r n s . Th e C SU VRSs a r e a c t iv e
p a r t ic ip a n t s in t h e Vis u a l Re s o u r c e s A s s o c ia t io n (VRA )
p r o fe s s io n a l a c t iv it ie s .
Compensation
According to the California State University job
specifications, the Visual Resource Specialist (VRS) minimum
compensation for a full time position is at $2,791 a month, and
the maximum compensation is at $4,784 a month ($33,492 to
$57,408 annually), (CSU HR web site, 2006).
13

14. Tw o C SU c a m p u s e s r e c la s s ifie d t h e c u r a t o r p o s it io n t o r e t a in
a n d / o r a t t r a c t c a n d id a t e s w it h c o m p e n s a t io n p a c k a g e s t h a t
r e fle c t t h e c h a n g e s in m a r k e t s a la r y . A fo r m e r m e m b e r o f t h e
C SU c u r a t o r s w a s r e c e n t ly r e c la s s ifie d a s In s t r u c t io n a l Su p p o r t
Te c h n ic ia n III w it h s a la r y r a n g e s b e t w e e n m in im u m o f $ 4 0 ,5 3 6
t o m a x im u m o f $ 7 2 ,9 6 0 a y e a r .
A n o t h e r VRS p o s it io n w a s a d v e r t is e d a s a n In fo r m a t io n
Te c h n o lo g y C o n s u lt a n t w it h a s a la r y r a n g e b e t w e e n $ 4 1,0 8 8 t o
$ 118 ,8 0 0 a y e a r . (A ft e r 11 y e a r s o f s e r v ic e a n d m in im a l
im p r o v e m e n t in c o m p e n s a t io n , t h e p r e v io u s VRS le ft fo r a
h ig h e r p a y in g p o s it io n .) Th e jo b d e s c r ip t io n fo r a ll t h r e e
c la s s ific a t io n s is s im ila r .
A s u r v e y c o n d u c t e d b y t h e A r t L ib r a r ie s So c ie t y o f N o r t h
A m e r ic a (A RL ISN A ), s h o w s t h a t t h e h ig h e s t lib r a r ia n s a la r y in
a n a c a d e m ic s e t t in g is $ 10 0 ,0 0 0 , t h e m e d ia n is a t $ 4 6 ,4 6 6 .7 3 ,
a n d t h e lo w e s t is a t $ 12 ,0 0 0 a n n u a lly (D o o d s , K . & B a ll, H .,
2 0 0 5 ). H o w e v e r , a VR c u r a t o r ’ s n a t io n a l h ig h e s t s a la r y s t a n d s
a t $ 6 4 ,0 0 0 a n d lo w e s t a t $ 12 ,0 0 0 a y e a r (p r e s u m a b ly fo r a

15. Valuin g the CSU VRSs M. Helf m a n 15
VRA San Die g o 20 0 8
par t tim e po siti o n ). The fact is that the annu al natio n al salary is
$6, 5 9 2 high e r than the CSU ma xi m u m co m p e n s a t i o n for the
sa m e posi ti o n (CSU, 20 0 8 ) . Belo w you will find tabl e s to
illustr a t e this infor m a t i o n .
The Califo r ni a Stat e Unive r si t y offe r s the follo w i n g ben e fi t s:
fa mily me di c a l , den t al and vision co v e r a g e , pre tax savin g
15

16. ac c o u n t s , vario u s retir e m e n t plan s, me d i c a l leav e plan, sick
leav e and vac a ti o n , and oth e r leave plan s. A fee w aiv e r
pro g r a m is offe r e d to e m p l o y e e s with per m a n e n t sta tu s (CSU
Em pl o y e e ben e fi t s, 20 0 8 ) .
Conclusion
n Over the last few years digital work has increased while
analog work still continues (though to a lesser degree)
a There is no CSU system wide image delivery and storage
technology.
t There is a need to promote the VRS profession and the
VRL services on the CSU system level as well as on local
campuses level.
Only two campuses recognize the need to upgrade the
curator’s position, due to the position reclassification the
compensation gap is increasing within the CSU VRS group
members and within the VRS profession at large.
Promoting VR Library – Suggestions
s VRSs are encouraged to do a self-evaluation with the
following elements: Environmental Scan, Contribution,
Output Measures, and Compensation. This format of self-
evaluation will educate supervisors and department
chairs of the VRSs value to the department, and will
exhibit the complexity of duties and services
accompanying this position.

17. Va lu in g t h e C SU VRSs M . H e lfm a n17
VRA Sa n D ie g o 2 0 0 8
V U s e a ll p o s s ib le c o m m u n ic a t io n t e c h n o lo g y t o a d v e r t is e
a n d a d v o c a t e fo r t h e VRL . U s e W EB 2 .0 t e c h n o lo g ie s lik e
b lo g s , w ik is a n d o t h e r t o o ls lik e w e b s it e s , n e w s le t t e r s ,
a n d a lin k t o m a in lib r a r y w e b s it e s t o in fo r m o f lib r a r y
s e r v ic e s , a n d t o e n c o u r a g e c o m m u n it y in p u t .
s In c r e a s e n e t w o r k in g w it h a d m in is t r a t o r s .
I Re q u e s t a s e s s io n w it h A RTs t o r r e p r e s e n t a t iv e s t o fin d
w a y s t o m a x im iz e t h e u s a g e o f t h is r e s o u r c e . P a s s
k n o w le d g e t o o t h e r s b y o ffe r in g c o n t in u o u s t r a in in g
s e s s io n s t o s t u d e n t s a n d fa c u lt y m e m b e r s o n h o w t o u s e
A RTs t o r .
A C o lla b o r a t e w it h t h e u n iv e r s it y lib r a r y fo r s h a r e d
r e s o u r c e s , a n d t o e x p a n d n e t w o r k in g w it h in flu e n t ia l
in d iv id u a ls o n c a m p u s .
i In c r e a s e fu n d in g b y g r a n t w r it in g .
I O ffe r v is u a l a n d m e d ia lit e r a c y in s t r u c t io n t o s t u d e n t s a n d
fa c u lt y .
f U s e p r o fe s s io n a l t o o ls t o e n h a n c e VR lib r a r y p o s it io n
(St r a t e g ic p la n a n d fiv e y e a r p la n ).
( A d ju s t t o u s e r ’ s n e e d s , e m b r a c e y o u r r e s o u r c e s
(A RTs t o r , G o o g le , u n iv e r s it y lib r a r y ).
( A b o v e a ll r e a c h o u t t o t h e c o m m u n it y : C O M M U N IC A TE
a n d C O L L A B O RA TE.
17

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19. Va lu in g t h e C SU VRSs M . H e lfm a n19
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