Information Services Management Committee

Minutes of the Meeting of November 13, 2001
1:30 – 3:30 pm
Davis Conference Room

Present: Helena Calogeridis, Judy McTaggart, Doug Morton, Sue Moskal, Jim Parrott, Richard Pinnell, Susan Routliffe (Chair), Mary Stanley, Linda Teather, Melanie Watkins, Rose Koebel (Recorder)

Guests: Eva Havlik, Larry Helfand, Michele Laing, Carol Steele

1. Minutes of Previous Meeting
   The minutes of the meeting of October 30, 2001 were accepted as written.

2. Ask Us/Tell Us Page
   The Committee had a final look at the revised page, and suggested the following modifications:
   Eliminate Library Jobs under the About the Libraries category temporarily until work on that page is completed.
   • Replace “Borrowing” with “Getting” in the links for borrowing non-UW books and journal articles.
   • Remove the explanation point after Ask Us/Tell Us!
   • Perhaps consider placing the sidebar items across the top of the page to prevent having to scroll down, when the entire Library Web site is being re-designed.

   Two links are yet to be completed:  Placing Holds/Recalls and UW Theses.

   Action items included

   • Michele will follow up on the links, Borrowing Non-UW Books and Borrowing Non-UW Journal Articles (i.e. anchors; contact names on Send Comments page). 
   • Michele will e-mail an invitation to all library staff for feedback on the revised page, after the modifications are made.
   • Michele will collect all/any feedback and consult with Susan R. to ascertain whether ISMC needs to review the Ask Us/Tell Us page again.

3. Library Catalogues and Home Pages
   ISMC reviewed the proposed Library Catalogues and Home Pages and made these suggestions:
   • If Cambridge and Guelph public libraries have online catalogues, include quick links to them.
   • Add a quick link to Conestoga College.
   • Include NRC Library in the description for CISTI.
   • Insert (USA) after Library of Congress.

   Action required:
   • Helena will send an announcement to all library staff about the new page, after the TUG Electronic Reference Shelf Group has met on November 30.

4. Conflicting Demands for Laptop Spaces
   It has been noted that study space in DC library has been in high demand recently, so much so that students wishing to use a laptop station can’t, because all available spaces are occupied, sometimes by patrons not using a laptop. Staff would like some direction on what to do when this happens.  ISMC considered possible ideas, such as re-wording the signage and placing it more prominently at laptop docking stations.  The Committee will not take any action at this time; study space remains on a first-come, first-serve basis.  It was suggested that:
   • Library staff exercise judgment when responding to patrons seeking space at occupied laptop stations, and perhaps check for available space in group study rooms or elsewhere.
   • Doug take this issue to the next ISR meeting.

5. Virtual Reference
   The Committee reviewed the work it began at the October 30 meeting on the Project Charter for Virtual Reference Feasibility Study at the University of Waterloo.  The next section falling under Project Objective was begun.

   Measurable Success Indicators
   ISMC determined that the following things could be used to indicate the success of the feasibility study:

   1. Completion of report by the target date.
   2. Acceptance of report by the intended audience.
   3. Sufficiency of information supplied by ISMC to enable implementation of the pilot.
   4. Persuasiveness of report.

   Scope Includes/Excludes
   A discussion was begun on what the feasibility study project should or should not include.  ISMC will continue this discussion at its next meeting by reviewing each deliverable to see what they suggest as includes and excludes.  Several preliminary items were identified.

   The project will not include:

   1. A review of the library’s reference service.
   2. The development of the pilot.
   3. User surveys.
   4. A collaboration with TUG partners, church colleges, or anyone else.
   5. Identification of specific staff involved in delivering virtual reference.

   The project will include:
   1. An assessment and recommendations of available software and associated hardware requirements.
   2. A budget.
   3. Multiple mutually exclusive recommendations and options.