TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION
HIGHLIGHTS - DECEMBER 1999 MONTHLY REPORT
1. The next meeting of the CORC working group is 1/6 at 9:30. Stephen Westman will be joining us that day so we can provide an update on the project to date. As the project progresses and comes to an end on 6/30/00, we will need to be making a decision about whether to continue using the system and if so, in what fashion. How CORC fits into our overall goals for web resources is an important aspect of this decision. Stephen will be a key player with technical services plus public services input about how to proceed.
2. Beth Russell, Head, Special Collections Cataloging, will begin on 1/10/00. We're looking forward to her coming.
3. Hee-sook Shin's start date has been delayed due to delays in getting her work visa. Linda Gonzalez has been tracking this diligently but we're still not sure when the actual paperwork will be completed and she will be allowed to start. We hope soon!
4. The search committee for the Cataloger position has completed its work and provided its recommendations to Magda and me. We have decided to reopen the search after the first of the year.
5. January is often a tough month for technical services in general due to the backlog of mail received during the holidays. As usual, I have full confidence that currency will be restored in most areas by the end of January (our usual goal and pattern). However, SER faces an additional challenge this year with 2 vacancies as well. Our attention will continue to be on first priority activities such as serials check-in. Other activities will show some inevitable delay until the positions are filled and training underway. Please bear with everyone -- times like these are always stressful for everyone.
6. The department heads and next level supervisors in technical services will be beginning a series of CQI training workshops in January. These trainings will focus on discovering customer expectations and analyzing work processes. I expect this sessions will give us new tools and ways of thinking about the work we do and the customers we serve.