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Library Web Review Group

Notes for March 28, 2007 Meeting

Porter 428
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Present: Christy Branston, Rachel Caldwell, Helena Calogeridis, Marian Davies, Sandra Keys, Esther Millar (Recorder), Bill Oldfield ( Chair), Dan Sich

  1. Minutes of Meeting, March 14, 2007
    Accepted with minor corrections.

  2. Business Arising
    #4. Journal Searching on Homepage: Helena is currently preparing the "about" text.
    #5. Updating the Public Workstation Web Pages: Marian has updated the ssi and clarified the Printer Programme. The appropriate web page has been updated.
    #6. LibX Update: ACTION: Dan will check with Wolf about updating the Adobe Flash Player plugIn and LibX Firefox add-on on conference room and public workstations.

  3. Agenda Review
    Add Librarians: UW Space as item #9.
    Add Around the Table as item #10.

  4. Links to "Laptop Printing in the Library"
    The new help pages for laptop printing in the Library need to be linked to our web site. The group decided to link to them from the current printing pages.
    ACTION: Esther will change the "Printing" link to "Printing Instructions" on the right navigation of the Services page and ask Rose to add a link to the Site Index.
    ACTION: Marian will add "Laptop Printing in the Library" to the right navigation on the "Printing Instructions" pages.
    ACTION: Sandra will talk to LINC about linking to these pages from "How Do I?"

    It was brought to our attention that the initial PrinterOn page for the online printing services contains 6 links that go to pages prepared by PrinterOn. We would like these pages to go our help pages.
    ACTION: Esther will talk to Jackie about creating pages that we can link to.

  5. Library Web Site Survey
    Marian and Christy have completed "ORE Form 101/101A Online" on the Office of Research Ethics web site. It has been prepared so that the survey can be used for 4 years and requires only the verbal consent of the participants.
    ACTION: Marian will prepare the required script and survey questions. She will inquire as to whether questions can be posed such that we can insert a blank field with the name of a particular service or resource, thus preventing the need to resubmit the ethics form every time our questions change. Marian will also send us the URL to review the online form.

  6. Flickr/PictoBrowser Library Tour
    Dan demonstrated the library tour he prepared using PictoBrowser
    (http://www.libtest.uwaterloo.ca/flickrtours/
    davistour.html     ). He noted that the code has been examined by Chris Gray who has deemed it safe. The group gave their approval and encouraged him to continue with its development. Because the photos are being mounted on Flickr we are using photos Christy took with the library camera. Release forms were signed by the library patrons appearing in the photos.
    ACTION: Dan will talk to Jennifer about the next steps. Do we need a library Flickr account? Dan will also work at adding the Library's CLF to the pages.

  7. Widgets for Quick Searches
    Dan demonstrated widgets he created for users of Google Personalized homepage, Netvibes, and Pageflakes. The group liked the idea of widgets, but was undecided on how best to link them into the site.
    ACTION: Dan will send out a message to the ISR departments for their feedback after he finishes tweaking the pages, and after we have gone live with the homepage Scholars Portal quick search.

  8. Research Databases by Subject Drop-Down
    Dan showed a version of the home page that did not include the research databases by subject drop-down menu. The group liked the simpler feel and less cluttered look and decided this is the way to go.
    ACTION: Once the 'About" text is completed, Dan will send a message to ISR staff for their feedback on this new proposal. The widgets will not be included at this time.

  9. Librarians: UW Space
    Bill received approval for including librarians documents in UW Space. We need to plan the organization and structure, and promotion to librarians.
    ACTION: Esther will place this on the agenda for the next meeting.

  10. Around the Table
    - Dan is working on blogs with Chris Gray. They are making progress.
    - WebOps approached Allan Bell for a policy for blogs and wiki's in the Library. Allan would like to see a plan on how the Library plans to use them.
    ACTION: Bill will refer Allan to Rachel's document on blogs she prepared last year.
    - Dan & Chris provided Wiki training at both ISR meetings last Friday. Contact Chris for an account. Dan and Esther will provide future training as required.
    - Rachel is looking at Facebook as an alternate way to communicate with undergrads. Almost 20,000 students/groups on the UW campus have a Facebook account.

Next Meeting: April 11, 2007


April 11, 2007