SIRS (McKeldin Service+ Information & Research Services Desk Committee)
Minutes of meeting
March 29, 2000
Present: Bunn, Foudy, Lindquist, Moreton, Nail-Chiwetalu, Todd,
Van Sant, Vikor, Winker, Yocco

· EBSCO source list.  Gerri has compiled a paper copy of the alphabetical
list of the titles in Academic Search.   The list includes coverage of each
title and indicates whether the title is full text within EBSCO.  Gerri
proposed that the list might be useful at the Info Desk and SIRS agreed.
The list will reside in the bookcase behind the desk.  We agreed to look
at the list again in 6 months to determine, 1) whether we are finding the
paper list a useful tool and 2) if so, is the list still up to date at that time.

· 2109.  Team representatives reported team ideas on plans to open up 2109
for public use during periods when that room is available AND when there is
queuing for public workstations on  McKeldin first floor. We agreed that service
in or from 2109 should be as good as our resources allow. We agreed on the
importance of maximizing the availability of library equipment and space,
especially when there is user need as the result of queuing.  We agreed that
our first response to queuing on the first floor should be to consistently
enforce our acceptable computer use guidelines; that is, patrons will be asked
to leave public workstations if they are engaged in activities not essential to
their academic pursuits (such as personal email, participation in chat rooms,
and playing games). The overwhelming majority of SIRS members (and subject
team members) believe that users would be better served by initial service at
the Gov Docs desk than by having the users call the Information Desk for assistance.
We propose that Gov Docs do as much service as the
expertise of their desk staff on duty allows on any given
question and that patrons needing assistance beyond that
should be referred to the Information Desk downstairs.
Additional rovers to serve in 2109 are unlikely at this
time, although it would be feasible to add 2109 to the
rover-territory.

· Lunch breaks during the weekend duty shifts.  Gerri reported on the Social
Sciences Team discussion on whether we need written guidelines on the appropriate
length of lunch breaks during weekend duty shifts.  Although SIRS was asked to
discuss this issue in relationship to librarians on duty, Evelyn provided a
review of expectations and procedures relating to student staff.  After
discussion, SIRS recommends a maximum lunch break of :30 during the weekend
duty shifts, but recognizes that if "business" permits and both librarians agree,
the length of that lunch break is negotiable.  SIRS suggests that during a lunch
break exceeding :30 minutes, the lunching librarian (or staff) be "on-call" so
that desk service is not compromised.

· Maryland Day plans.  We agreed to assign one additional member of the
Service + Core Staff to the 10-3 shift.  Marlene suggests that we have rovers
on that day, Cindy will see about this.
Glenn, Susanna, and Mary made proposals on handouts.  They will review the McK
glossy guide as a possibility, and see if there is a Friends of the Libraries
handout.  Cindy will follow-up with Marianne and see if Docs plans will effect
service from the Information Desk.

· C-Pen.  Cindy reviewed what is currently known about Library plans to cooperate
with testing a hand held scanning device called c-pen.  Reserves will circulate
three of these pens and McK 1st floor will provide 3 workstations to download
the contents of the pens.  We discussed service implications and training for
staff.  Cindy will try to obtain copies of the information that campus community
is seeing and more details on our role in the project.

· Meeting on serving users having difficulty finding materials in McK stacks.
Cindy announced the meeting that will take place on May 4 (room 4137) 1:30-3:00
and encouraged SIRS members to attend.  Email to staff will follow soon.

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