Present: Marian Burright, Bonnie Chojnacki, Barbara Nail-Chiwetalu (facilitator), Sylvia O’Brien (notetaker), and Beth Roberts (timekeeper)

Topic: Hiring of student assistant(s) Outcome: Other subject teams are using student assistants to help with pre-order searching and with updating guides (checking links, looking for new editions, etc.). Team members discussed if this would be useful to them, assuming Lori was able to provide a small amount of L & A money for the remainder of the fiscal year. The question was raised if we could also use the same SAs that were already trained and working for the other teams. [Note: After the meeting, the Humanities Team offered to share some of their L & A and their student assistants with us.]

Topic: Team Web page and calendar Outcome: There was discussion about creating a Web page for the team. Members indicated they would find it very convenient to locate meeting minutes, roles rotation calendar, and meeting dates on a Web page. Beth volunteered to set up the page for the team. Eventually, the names of team members and their contact information will also be added.

Topic: Upcoming library initiatives Background: In the context of developing subject team work plans, Lori had mentioned to subject team leaders having team members housed in McKeldin some major library initiatives for the next few years. She asked the leaders to bring the topics to their teams to consider what the teams might be able to contribute and to raise whatever questions they had.

Outcome: The team discussed the first initiative, which related to reference services. (Examining and proposing alternatives for rethinking reference services to incorporate all forms of reference delivery into our service model) The following points were raised:

· Some departments are introducing a more interactive model using WebCT, in which more people have input on what is relevant. The librarian is no longer the one who knows all about the resources on a Web page. Students also suggest resources and the contents are vetted by the class.

· Only a small number of people are participating in electronic reference service (Chat). Participation may be required of all reference librarians. The question was raised if Chat service would be in addition to, or instead of, desk shifts. It was suggested that forcing people to provide reference service in a way that is not inherently comfortable for them would undermine the quality of service. Staff can contribute equally even if the form of service is different. Staff in different locations have different expectations.

· Reference is often tied with instruction. Having reference hours in one’s department, such as Lily and Zaida are doing with the Business School, seems to have a lot of merit.

Topic: Round Robin Outcome: Information sharing. Bonnie mentioned the symposium being held on March 12, 9:30-4, called “Commodore Perry and Beyond”. It will include a topic on medical knowledge and the “opening” of Japan.

Topic: Agenda setting Outcome: The next meeting is April 7, (WEDNESDAY), 2-3. Discussion will resume on the other library initiatives.