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Chat Reference Operational Group (CROG)

Notes from meeting of July 24, 2002
Davis Conference Room
9:30-11:15

Present: Doug Morton (chair); Paul St-Pierre; Carol Steele (recorder); Marina Wan.

  1. Virtual Reference webpages:
    - Group looked at flow of various webpages : Ask a Librarian top page, FAQ/handy information page, current AskUs/TellUs page, webpage seen by patrons when they sign on to virtual reference.
    - Doug will investigate possibility of drop-down menu for patron affiliation.
    - Doug will do mock up of these pages on VRIG website.

  2. Button placement:
    - on the new library homepage, "Ask a Librarian" will be on drop down menu on nav bar; "Ask a Librarian" button should be added to some pages as well; staff will be asked for opinion at next ISR meeting.
    - staff can be given directions for adding button to their subject pages, etc.

  3. Afternoon response time problems:
    - Jenny Marvin reports no major problems with U of Guelph Library's implementation of latest version of software.
    - ERL server will be freed up after ERL disappears; explore option of getting LSSI software on local server? OCUL initiative? Traffic would be inside Onet, hence response time would be improved.

  4. Basic vs Interact:
    - LSSI finally changed some settings requested in June - added link for Basic sessions.
    - staff need to try Basic, compare it to Interact and decide which option to use at service start-up.

  5. Update for ISR (at next ISR meeting):
    - reminder to test databases and send problems to Doug for posting at http://www.lib.uwaterloo.ca/
    staff/vrd/databases.html.
    - try Basic & give feedback to VRIG.
    - speed not fixed - discuss other options related to use of ERL server down the road.
    - Ask staff for opinions on where to put "Ask a Librarian" button.
    - Refresher session-when & where.
    - When to start service?
    - Reminder to keep practicing.

  6. Assessment:
    - not a priority for start-up.
    - group deferred to Shabiran's expertise.
    - we will want to know what ISR staff offering service think of virtual reference.
    - Carol will fill Shabiran in on this discussion.

  7. Development of manual:
    - Should contain troubleshooting info, contacts, including guidelines for reporting VR problems.
    - Carol to work on making inventory of this info when she returns from vacation???

  8. Review of progress on minimum requirements for start-up:
    a. Brush up session. Date & location pending.
    b. Our homepage: created by Helena & Marina.
    c. Problem reporting : page created by Marina & reviewed by members of VRIG today.
    d. Button design & related links, FAQ page: created by Helena & Carol; Doug to create mock-up.
    e. Email problems. Possible solution identified.
    f. Marketing: Group discussed techniques such as use of bookmarks,
    doorknob hanger (U of G); agreed that we are advertising the entire suite of services, not just the virtual reference part; noted that email service (currently AskUs/TellUs) traffic may increase with marketing- staff offering this service need to be apprised.

  9. Leftovers:
    Paul will add to VRIG page instructions for recovering a crashed session.

Next meeting: TBA.


November 16, 2005