SIRS (McKeldin Service+ Information & Research Services Desk Committee)
Minutes of meeting
March 31, 1999

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

1.      Other  work while at the desk.  We had a lively
discussion of the pros and cons of  taking "other" work to
the service desk.   We feel that our purpose while working
on the desk is serving users.  Providing the quality
service that we aspire to requires that we be actively
engaged in providing that service.  We feel that actively
engaging our users precludes doing 'other' library work
while at that desk.  Students, staff, and librarians are
asked to focus on direct service to users while at the
desk; do not bring other work to the desk.

2.      Ready Reference Circulation.  Chris B. proposed a
Ready Reference Circulation log to make it easier to maintain
those circulation statistics.  We discussed several ready reference
circulation practices and discussed alternative methods of
processing/recording circulation:  id cards, honor system,
currentcheck-out cards, a log.  We agreed to try an honor
system for circulating that material.  We will pull the
check-out cards from the books.  From now on when a user
requests material from that collection, we will simply
remind the student that it is for in-building use only, ask
them to return it to the desk, and place a "hatch-mark" as
a reshelving statistic on the daily statistics data sheet.

3.      What to do when students/staff do not show up on
the weekend.  Sonia reviewed student responsibilities for
meeting their desk schedule and for getting their own
substitutes whenever possible.  In an emergency, students
are to call the Information Desk and talk to a person and
are instructed to call Sonia's office phone and leave a
message.  In cases where a student(s) does not show up for
their assigned weekend desk schedule as expected , the
librarian on duty should call try to call the no-show
student to determine their whereabouts, if the librarian is
unable to reach the student the (1) Sonia, or (2) Cindy, or
(3) Deb at home.  The appropriate telephone numbers are in
the Security Binder (red) at the desk.

        There is a staff member assigned to the desk on
weekday evenings, that staff member should take care of
student "no-shows." However, if the staff member DOES not
show up on the weekday evening, then the above procedure
would be appropriate.

On a related matter, we agreed that we need to be
more pro-active in communicating "known" absences for desk
staff.  Therefore, Sonia will look into a way to create a
daily "log" of known absences for desk staff; we will have
it readily available at the desk.  (Sonia has done
this….see front of the "big grey flipper book" at the
Reference Desk.

Housekeeping:  Cindy distributed copies of the responsesto
the "Good Morning Commuters" question of the day that was
distributed at the March 17th commuter breakfast that the
library sponsored.
Next meetings: April 14, April 28, May 12, May 26, June
9,June 23, July 7, July 21  all 10:30-11:30 AM in 4100E

Proposed agenda for next meeting:
        Evaluation of student staff (continued).  Alesia,
Ross, Stephen toshare experience that they have had in this
area
        Reference Reserve Collection.  What is it? How is it being managed?
        Clean up for the April 24 open house.  What do we
need to do?
        Goals for the Service Desk.

----------------------
Cynthia Todd
ct15@umail.umd.edu