SIRS (McKeldin Service+ Information & Research Services Desk Committee)
Minutes of meeting
June 23, 1999

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

1. Reference/Reserve procedures.  Ross  presented
draft procedures for managing this collection.  The group agreed
that a brief statement of purpose for the Reference/Reserve process
should be added to the beginning of the procedures.

The following suggestions were made:  when we identify a classroom
assignment that results in many photo copies of the same
text being made can we create a master photocopy to the
target text so that the original document is not so
vulnerable to destruction?  We need to carefully review the
wording of book blocks to see that they are informing users
of the correct information.

2. Changes to SIRS.  Cindy reviewed the purpose for the group and
described the intention behind the membership structure.  She
reported that the subject teams have recommended a different
membership structure and that SMaCC has accepted a proposal that
each subject team will now have 2 representatives on SIRS.  We
discussed the challenges of working with a group of this large size.

3. Merger of Ready/Quick reference.  We reviewed and discussed subject
team feedback on the proposal to merge our Ready and Quick reference
collections.  Consensus among teams and SIRS is to merge the collections.
We will merge as Quick Reference.  The subject teams should review both
existing collections to verify that the collections are ready for merging
and that there is no weeding or transferring to be done.
Cindy is willing to do the proper transfer paperwork to
merge the collections if the teams will tell her when they
are satisfied that the "collection" is ready for merger, can
the Teams make this decision by August 1?  We discussed the
placement of the collection and decided to try first the
location currently occupied by the Quick Reference
Collection.  We discussed the use of colored tape on the
collection.  The consensus was that the colored tape
presents preservation problems.  Cindy will talk with
Preservation to see if colored dots would be a preferable
AND workable alternative.  The group felt that it would be
extremely useful to have a place for users to sit and use
the resources: a small table and/or bench would be helpful
if space permits.  (We now have a bench.  ct)   In order to
accommodate the bookcases/table/bench, we discussed the
idea of reducing or moving the guides display.  (Maybe
putting some of the guides with the relevant alcoves???)
We agreed to put up signage directing users to return the
Quick Reference materials to a specified location…a table,
a truck, a marked shelf?  Whatever we have room for.   We
decided that the proposal to set up a special and select
"behind the desk collection" defeated the purpose of
merging the collections, so we agreed not to create such a
collection.

We agreed to try shelving the Reference/Reserves as a separate
collection in the same bookcases as the merged Quick Reference
if space permits.

Steve and Mary will come up with a draft description defining
Quick reference.

Round Robin

Hours in the Fall.  Cindy reported that desk service hours will
be extended to 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays starting with
the Fall semester.  She also reported that librarians will
serve at the desk until 9 PM on Sunday-Thursday beginning
in the Fall.  We discussed the 24 hour services planned for
McKeldin.  The group asked if more cameras will be placed
in the 24 hour area.  The group asked for more signage
regarding food/drink policy.  Cindy encouraged the group to
think about additional security needs for the desk,
equipment, and collection and to send any ideas or
questions to her.

This is Steve Spohn's last SIRS meeting, and we all thank
him for his good humor, abundant ideas, and hard work

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