SIRS minutes
Meeting of April 14, 2004
10:30-noon
McKeldin Library Room 7113

Present:  Michael Zeliff, Ross Laguerre, Debbie Stefany, 
Alan Mattlage, Bob Garber, Yahaira Norris-Gonzalez, Cindy Todd 
(recording)

ROUND ROBIN:

Bill to bill changer.  Michael asked about the purchase of a 
bill to bill changer for McKeldin.  Cindy confirmed that there 
plans to purchase one.  Cindy, Nancy Caldwell, and Albert Cherer 
have been discussing service strategies and technical requirements 
with Dave Cooper and Mark Wilkerson.
  
Supplies at the desk.  We discussed the frequency of desk supplies 
“walking” from the Information Desk.  We agreed that staff would 
ask users to use scissors and white-out while working at the desk 
rather than allowing them to walk away and use these supplies elsewhere.

Lost and Found.  1) We discussed a recent incident in which a 
logged-in lost and found item disappeared from the lost and found just 
prior to being claimed by rightful owner.  Desk staff are reminded that 
the procedure is to have an owner legibly sign the lost and found 
property book upon claiming ownership.  2) We discussed and agreed 
that it is a bad practice to invite users behind the desk to peruse 
the lost and found items in search of their lost objects.  3) We 
discussed and agreed that it is a bad practice for staff to “borrow” 
unclaimed umbrellas from the lost and found.  Debbie will investigate 
with Mary Dalto to see if a system can be set up whereby umbrellas 
unclaimed after 30 days can be made available for staff back at the 
“staff entrance” doors.

ETIC.  The ETIC collection is now in the Service Plus Office.  We 
are still trying to do some clean up for material missing barcodes, 
call number labels, etc.

Media Cabinet cd-rom.  Info Desk service providers are reminded to 
put user’s ID cards in the envelopes in the Administrative Drawer 
rather than in the jewel cases.  Alan tells us that we no longer to 
take ID’s for CommSearch.

Instant Messaging.  IRS-T is setting up a pilot project to experiment 
with the use of MSN Messenger on the service desks.  The goal is to 
set up a message system that will allow database outages, weather 
emergencies, computer system status changes to be communicated 
directly to service desks RATHER than relying on email and the 
telephone tree.  Reda has set up the MSN Messenger account for 
the Info Desk on the machine on the Mall Side of the desk.  Cindy 
will be testing this out.  If this works, the messenger account 
will stay open during hours of desk operation and the messages 
from ITD will “pop-up” upon arrival.  More on this as we learn more.  

PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE on DELLs.

We discussed the presence of the Microsoft Office Suite on the 
new Dells.  Cindy had the software installed primarily to see 
if the presence of the software improves users’ capability to print 
from our computers (thereby reducing need for our mediation).   At 
the same time, the software also presents the opportunity for Service 
Plus staff to learn the issues that arise and techniques for managing 
a few public workstations with productivity software.  After discussing 
Cindy’s goal in loading the software and learning that no decision 
has been made to make the software configuration permanent, SIRS 
agreed that we will not put up signage announcing the presence of 
the productivity software.  We agreed that we will refer users to 
the Dell’s if that equipment best meets their need (printing needs, 
word processing needs, USB ports, etc).

Alan expressed an interest in learning what is loaded on the regular 
public workstations.  Since Cindy has just received a listing from 
Dave Cooper as part of IRS-T’s work, she agreed to forward the list 
to SIRS.  (This has been done)



Next meeting is scheduled for April 28th.  Facilitator: Alan, 
Notetaker: Lily, Timekeeper: Yaharia

Agenda items:  SIRS Workplan