SIRS (McKeldin Service+ Information & Research Services Desk Committee)
Minutes of meeting
November 8, 2000
Present: Glenn Moreton, Ross Laguerre, Barbara Lay, Barbara Nail-Chiwetalu,
Debbie Stefany, Evelyn Yocco, Cindy Todd, Susanna Van Sant, Bill Stanek

1) Discussion of next steps for completed SIRS survey forms.  We received 19
responses to the SIRS survey of Info Desk staff members.  Glenn and Barbara N-C
will collate the responses.

2) Large set/run transfers from the McKeldin Reference Collection.  Within the
A-G section of the classification, Susanna and Gerri have identified two types
of "sets" for group consideration.  These are encyclopedias and biographical directories.

RE:  Encyclopedias.  We discussed encyclopedia sets and retention of old encyclopedias
in the McK Stacks.  We agreed to explore the practices of other libraries in retaining
old encyclopedia sets; Susanna will send out a question to a heads-of-reference listserv
to begin gathering collecting/retention policies from other libraries.  Some other questions
that we would like to examine are:

· Could we ask for space in moveable shelving for superceded encyclopedias?
· Could we combine superceded encyclopedias with the national bibliographies?
· Should we weed superseded encyclopedias from the stacks?
· Should we move encyclopedias to STOR?
· Some of the McK Stk encyclopedias are circulating, some are non-circulating.
Shouldn't we be consistent?
· How many linear feet of encyclopedias are there in the stacks?
· Is CIRLA doing any cooperative programs that would allow members to "share"
a superseded encyclopedia collection?

RE: Biographical directories.  We discussed retention of
superceded biographical directories.  SIRS asked Cindy to
send out an email proposing that we retain latest year only
in the McK Ref collection and that earlier volumes go to
the McK Stacks.  (this email has been sent...ct).  SIRS
subject team members agreed to propose discussion on this
plan at team meetings.  SIRS will re-examine this issue
after email responses and subject teams have had time to
discuss the plan.  SIRS will then decide how to proceed.

----------------------
Cynthia Todd
Coordinator for Information & Research Services
McKeldin Library
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
ct15@umail.umd.edu