Information Services Management Committee

Minutes of the Meeting of April 6, 2004
1:35 – 2:20 pm
Needles Hall, Room 1121

Present: Helena Calogeridis, Judy McTaggart , Richard Pinnell , Susan Routliffe (Chair), Linda Teather (Recorder), Melanie Watkins

Guests: Susan Bellingham

Regrets: Christy Branston , Jim Parrott , Mary Stanley , Jackie Stapleton , Rose Koebel

1. Minutes of Previous Meeting

   The minutes of the meeting of March 9, 2004 were approved.

2. Staff Questionnaire about Reference Service

   The Committee discussed and revised the draft questionnaire distributed by Helena via email on April 5. Helena will revise the questionnaire to incorporate the suggested changes. She will also draft an introductory message to accompany the questionnaire. This message will ask staff to think about all of the ways in which reference service is offered (information desk, telephone, chat, email, individual consultation) as they respond to the questionnaire. It will also indicate the distribution of the questionnaire and the method by which the results will be gathered and compiled.

   The Committee agreed that the questionnaire will be sent to everyone who provides reference service in Porter, Davis , Optometry, Special Collections and UMD, as well as the User Services weekend and evening supervisors since patrons may ask them to provide reference service when the information desks are not staffed.

   Paper, email and web alternatives for distribution were discussed briefly and the Committee agreed that the questionnaire will be distributed by email. If respondents have concerns about anonymity, they may print the form and return it on paper.

   Linda volunteered to receive the returned questionnaires and compile the responses. Upon receipt, all identifying information will be stripped from responses as the data is compiled.

   The questionnaire will be sent out by Helena on April 12, with an April 23 deadline to respond. It will be sent to:

   • Porter Information Desk staff (LibPInfodesk)
   • Davis Information Desk staff (LibDavisInf)
   • Special Collections staff who provide reference service (Susan B., Ruth, Jane, Dianne)
   • UMD staff who provide reference service (LibraryUMDref)
   • Optometry staff who provide reference service (Tim and Patti)
   • User Services evening and weekend supervisors (Leah Haisoch, Margaret Baran, Derek Scoular, Mark Spencer)

Next Meeting: April 20 at Davis .

Topics for discussion: Focus group report (identify findings that require further investigation or translate into recommendations); Reference philosophy/goals (finalize statement); Skills necessary for reference work (consider how to distribute the list for feedback)