Information Services Management Committee

Minutes of the Meeting of February 6, 2001
1:30-3:55 P.M.
Porter Conference Room

Present: Marlene Laurence, Maureen McCormack, Doug Morton, Susan Moskal, Shabiran Rahman, Susan Routliffe (Chair), Jackie Stapleton, Linda Teather, Rose Koebel (Recorder)

Regrets: Wish Leonard, Mary Stanley

Guest: Erin Murphy

1. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting



The minutes of the January 29, 2001 meeting were approved with changes.

2. Training for Roving

Doug and Maureen met with the Training Committee, which is planning to hold a session on roving on Tuesday, February 27. ISMC responded to the following questions the Training Committee had as follows:

1. When will roving start up again?

March 5, 2001.
2. Could the STAFF buttons be used instead of the ASK ME buttons?

ISMC suggested that the current STAFF buttons be used, but make the neckwear optional. Doug will ask Linda Hastings to make a reversible button for the neckwear.
3. Is a separate statistic sheet required for roving?

Keeping separate statistics for roving and information desk service is valuable for evaluation purposes. Two distinct sheets, in different colours will be used. The Committee felt that there is a need to emphasize having both sheets out at the beginning of a shift at the Information Desk. Maureen will speak with Jitka about organizing this for Davis.
4. Will roving be advertised or promoted?

No. Because roving is simply an extension of reference service, advertising does not seem necessary at this time.

The Training Committee thought that the framework within which roving takes place should be flexible. For example, Information Desk staff can judge when it is appropriate to approach patrons, and likewise when to return to the desk.

ISMC felt that two training sessions should be offered. Attendance is not compulsory.

3. PDF/HTML and Related Matters

ISMC agreed that HTML will be the usual format for the How To and Titles series. PDF will be still be an option if there is a specific need for it. The Committee received some feedback on the questions it put forward regarding numbering and maintaining two distinct series. The following was decided:

• collapse the two series into one
• continue numbering each item (some will need to be re-numbered)

Susan R. will speak with Esther, Helena and Yulerette about formulating a proposal for an action plan to implement this. It was emphasized that a publication will not be converted until it is reviewed. Anything to be converted should be updated first.
4. ACRL's Information Literacy Standards

Shabiran reported on the session she attended on information literacy (IL) at OLA. There were speakers from Brock University, Seneca College and Laurentian University. The library at Brock University will offer an interactive, web-based, credit course in 2002. Seneca College has approached its library about developing an interactive web-based tutorial. Laurentian University has developed a learning module, and has offered workshops in the library. Although there was no particular focus on ACRL's IL standards, the proposed courses or programs seem to include elements of information literacy. Perhaps with the exception of Brock, Shabiran gathered that IL programs are in the early stages of development. The philosophy and ideas are there, but nothing concrete is evident.

ISMC discussed the direction it should take regarding IL standards. The Committee noted that there is a need to do the following:

• become familiar with the standards
• see how other libraries are handling IL
• look at how the Library is currently addressing IL

Susan R. suggested that the next steps should include contacting WLU and UG to see what they are doing with IL standards, with a view to perhaps collaborating with them. Susan R. will contact Dianne Wilkins at WLU and Janet Kaufman at Guelph. In the meantime, she has distributed several articles about IL for the Committee to read. Further to seeing how other libraries are handling IL, Shabiran will talk to Judy McTaggart about surveying school librarians.

In terms of how the Library is addressing IL, there was a sense that library instruction programs could be better at reaching a greater number of students. The role of the Library Instruction Committee will be pursued. It was suggested that, in the meantime, ISMC members doing library instruction sessions use a standards checklist to determine what is and what is not being covered.

At present the discussion on information literacy will be confined to ISMC. After the Committee determines how to best approach IL, it will broaden the discussion.