Technical Services Committee
Meeting Summary
December 9, 2004
Previous minutes available at: http://library.osu.edu/sites/techservices/tscomm.php.
Present: Eleanor Block, Laura Blomquist, Wes Boomgaarden, Tschera Connell, Magda El-Sherbini, Marsha Hamilton, Lynda Hartel, Mary Rider, Sally Rogers (chair), Beth Russell, Laura Tull, Noelle Van Pulis.
Meeting Summary
December 9, 2004
Previous minutes available at: http://library.osu.edu/sites/techservices/tscomm.php.
Present: Eleanor Block, Laura Blomquist, Wes Boomgaarden, Tschera Connell, Magda El-Sherbini, Marsha Hamilton, Lynda Hartel, Mary Rider, Sally Rogers (chair), Beth Russell, Laura Tull, Noelle Van Pulis.
- Due to the absence of John Bennett, Eleanor Block will prepare the minutes of this meeting.
- Update on the TS Communications Survey (Print version, Online version).
Mary Rider distributed two handouts showing the tally of responses to the survey and the highlights of the survey. The first analyzed the areas of responsibility, library affiliation, meeting attendance, receipt of announcements, and the evaluation of these and other TS forms of communication from the 42 respondents. The second called Highlights of the Survey includes specific comments from the respondents. Mary noted that no respondents were from regional campuses while those in the Law Library responded in high numbers. The most highly rated category was informal discussion as a means of communication. People do want information on fund reports and similar reports online. A discussion about this revealed that at this time this is not possible and that records are kept for five years for legal purposes. Another significant response concerned the clarity of communications. A number of respondents said that sometimes messages are unclear (e.g., due to use of jargon) and that information shared at meetings is often very repetitive. Others said that TS should not assume that all staff have the necessary computer skills. The TS web site was also judged as difficult to use. A discussion of these findings suggest that the TS site be revamped and that older and more archival information should be stored elsewhere after a review.
The following are some points made during the discussion after Mary's presentation:- A customer service attitude is important. People need to know who to contact in TS and how to make requests.
- Lib Rush is no longer done and there currently are no plans to reinstate it.
- The TS web site should be reviewed and reorganized for easier access to information.
- There should be targeted training sessions for new employees. Representatives of TS will request to attend Public Service and Main Library meetings to discuss relative topics and training opportunities.
Other topics discussed were the role of a TS liaison, a role which was instituted years ago and to some extent still exists for some locations, and the topic of withdrawals.
- Update on the Implementation of the Electronic Resources Management (ERM) module.
LauraTull announced that the ERM module should be made live next week although database titles are not in alphabetical order due to a system issue that has not yet been resolved. The database titles will have two records, bibliographic and resource. This implementation should be seamless to users. Database Name and Subject are now new search options. The ERM group meets monthly and additional members (e.g., from the Health Sciences and Law libraries) are added when appropriate since some collection managers have control of their own licensed databases.
- Focus of Technical Services Committee.
Sally Rogers led a discussion of the history and purposes of this committee. It was founded in 1998 to address TS policy issues. She distributed the original proposal for the Technical Services Committee (revised January 21, 1998). A discussion felt that many people do not realize that this group and its meetings are open to all. It is agreed that documentation and policy issues should be brought before the group for discussion and advice.
The enforcement of TS policies is an issue that should be discussed by the group, as should policies and procedures that are no longer in effect. The meetings should be about policy and should also involve information sharing. This is important in light of the fact that we are dealing with local, national, and international policy issues.
- Next meeting.
TSC membership will be an agenda items at the TS Committee meeting in February as will Wes Boomgaarten's presentation about labeling issues.
- Next TSC meeting: February 9, 10:30-noon, Main Library 124 (minutes to be taken by John Bennett, as next in alphabetical rotation)
