SIRS (McKeldin Service+ Information & Research Services Desk Committee) March 17, 1999
Minutes of meeting
March 17, 1999

Present:  Bernardo, Bunn, Edwards, Laguerre, Lindquist, McManus, Stetson,
Todd, M.Vikor, Winker
Absent:  Mauro

Those present introduced themselves.

1. Referrals to subject specialists.  We agreed to the following guidelines
for referrals to subject specialists:

        a. If the user's question is beyond the expertise
of the student/staff member at the desk, the question is
referred to the librarian on duty.  The librarian on duty
will handle the question or may choose to refer the
question on to the appropriate subject specialist.
In-depth consultation via appointments is available only to
UM faculty, staff, students, and administrators.  UMUC has
its own reference librarians available for consultation.
        b. If no librarian is on duty and the user's
question is beyond the expertise of the student/staff
member at the desk, the user will be encouraged to return
at a later time when librarians are on duty.
        c. If the user insists on speaking with a subject
specialists or if the student/staff member judges that the
question is of sufficient complexity that the subject
specialist is required, the student/staff member should
encourage the user to return when that particular
specialist is due to be on duty at the desk.
        d. If the user requests the subject specialist BY
NAME, the staff person/student/librarian should telephone
the requested librarian directly.  If the requested
librarian is not there, that librarian's telephone number
(or business card) should be given to the user.

For the record:  in response to the question raised at the meeting I (ct)
have looked at the homepage listing of the subject specialists and at the
printed directory of subject specialists.  The Information & Research Services
page limits "in-depth consultation" by librarians on
subject teams to UM faculty, staff, students, and
administrators.    The "online directory of subject
specialists" defines that listing as a resource for
teaching classes.  The printed Directory of Reference &
Instruction Subject Specialists also defines the list as
being for "faculty who wish to consult with a librarian...or
ask a librarian to conduct an instruction.

2. Evaluation of student staff.  We began discussing the
issue of evaluatingstudent staff so that we assess
our training routines and so that we can identify and
improve skilllevels.  Sonia distributed a synopsis of ideas
on student employee training and evaluation.  She generally
described how we verbally communicate our expectations to
student staff.  Julie pointed out that in all of our
discussions we need to consider the skill levels that
student staff actually bring to the jobs, for example, CLIS
students bring skills to their jobs that we might better
utilize through job assignment.  We agreed that a list of
skills needs to be formalized.  Stephen, Ross, and Alesia
will share experience in the area of student evaluation at
the next meeting.

Housekeeping:  Cindy distributed the official SIRS
committee descriptionand a copy of the article "Helping
Teams Work: Lessons Learned from the University of Arizona
Library Reorganization," Library Administration and
Management, Winter 1999 (v.13 no.1), pp.27-36.

Next meetings:  March 31, April 14, April 28  all 10:30-11:30 AM in 4100E

Proposed agenda for next meeting:
        Evaluation of student staff (continued)
        Appropriate activities while working at the desk

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Cynthia Todd
ct15@umail.umd.edu