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Architecture Library Staff Group

Architecture Library Task Group2

February 4, 2004
LIB 428


Present: Margaret Aquan-Yuen, Betty Graf, Sharon Lamont, Richard Pinnell (Chair), Linda Teather, Annette Dandyk (recorder)

Regrets: Susan Bellingham, Eric Boyd, Michele Laing, Ruth Lamb

  1. Approval of notes from Jan 22
    The notes were approved with the following changes:
    Pre-Launch Projects
    #2. change “Night staff” to read “User Services staff”; move the 2nd paragraph, beginning with “Richard will instruct…” to the first paragraph, after “… this project as time permits.”
    #3. change “the old BArch thesis will” to read “the BArch theses will”.
    #7. change “should be opened” to read “should be available”.

  2. Business Arising
    Computing at School of Architecture:
    Contrary to what was first believed, there will be some helpdesk service. Helpdesk support is written into the job description for the new position of Lab Instructor, Computing. The incumbent would likely support hardware, software, peripherals etc, but will likely not have the expertise to address specific software questions, e.g. GIS or CAD. The UMD Library staff may be able to provide some assistance in this area. Computing assistance may also be available remotely from MAD on the Waterloo campus.

    Pre-Launch:
    #1. Betty has created locations for Arch Stacks and Arch Periodicals Stacks. They will be suppressed from OPAC. She has not yet addressed the theses locations. Locations for Rare Book and Rare Book Periodical have also been created, and will be displayed in OPAC as Porter Rare Books.

    #2. Sharon confirmed that User Services can handle the project.

  3. New Business
    Additional Agenda
    7. UW Co-op Job Description

  4. Chair’s comments

    1. School of Architecture funding for library projects
      Geoff McBoyle and Dennis Huber have met and agreed that Dennis would set up a project account. Lorraine will contact Dennis and determine how best to proceed. When the account is in place Dennis will inform Rick Haldenby.

    2. MAD Helpdesk
      Covered above

    3. Branch Head’s job description
      The job description is being refined and is nearing completion. A draft has been forwarded to Lorraine and Mark.

    4. Library staff awareness of architecture developments
      There was brief discussion about information awareness for Library staff and how best to do this. Richard will contact Sandra about the possibility of combining an architecture move presentation with her third floor renovations update on March 5th. He will also contact Mark about the concept of an all staff meeting, combining a number of issues.
      Action: Richard

  5. Systems requirements report
    Richard, Michele, Carl and Linda met and drafted computing requirements for the Architecture Library. Linda distributed the draft meeting notes. Staff workstations must have PCs because some essential software (e.g. Trellis Voyager, Virtual Reference) only runs on PCs. The document recommends that they be on an Architecture subnet so that the Architecture/FES people can provide support (they won’t have administrative access to the Library subnet). Staff workstations also require access to Library subnets, and email accounts should remain on library.uwaterloo.ca.

    Mark had commented that the public machines will have no authentication, and that, because of the downtown location there may be a lot of walk-in traffic seeking internet access. Most of the public computers will be located near staff areas so it may not be an issue. It was suggested that Architecture Library staff could monitor workstation use if it appears that local traffic is making heavy use of the computers. Linda will talk to Carl about ftp and authentication. Mark has asked that the computing requirements document be summarized and sent to Brent Hall a.s.a.p.
    Action: Linda, Richard

    There was a brief discussion about ownership and responsibility for hardware upgrades and ongoing costs. The MOU seems to spell out that equipment (including computing) is the financial responsibility of FES, and that the Library would cover Library specific costs such as Voyager, Virtual Reference, and GIS. What is unclear is who would pay for upgrades if FES were to sign ownership of the equipment over to the Library. Richard will review the MOU and discuss with Mark.
    Action: Richard

    Issues:
    Wireless vs wired – there is a strong preference for wired in the staff areas (greater security and faster bandwidth). The preference is not as strong for public workstations but wired would be the first choice because of the faster bandwidth.

    There may be a need for a PC or laptop and video connectivity if a data projector were installed in the large open area.

  6. Prelaunch Library Projects
    #1. Purchase duplicate Architecture titles: required by Planning
    Budget arrangements will likely be in place by the end of the week. Richard will inform Margaret when this has been done. Locations have been created (for Cataloguing purposes).

    #2. Insert electronic security strips into Porter books and periodicals
    The project will likely be finished by June.

  7. Co-op Job Description
    Betty distributed copies of the UW Co-op Placement position description, and stressed the need to move quickly if we want to hire someone for May 1. Work to be carried out by the Co-op student is outlined in items 4, 8, 9, 11, 14 of the Prelaunch Library Projects list.

    Processing can occur in phases, likely beginning with Rare Books, and then the Annex and UMD. Betty and Ruth will manage project 4. Betty will coordinate the Annex project with the help of Heather Martin and Michele, and in consultation with User Services. The student will need access to a computer, a portable scanner, a typewriter, and shelving for the annex work.
    Action: Betty, Ruth

    Richard asked that committee members attending today’s meeting review the job description and send comments to Betty.
    Action: Margaret, Sharon, Richard, Linda

Next meeting is scheduled for March 3rd, LIB 428.

Architecture Task Group
rhpinnel@uwaterloo.ca
July 28, 2005