SIRS (McKeldin Service+ Information & Research Services
Desk Committee)
Minutes of meeting
July 5, 2000
Present: Bunn, Edwards, Foudy, Hooker, Laguerre, Nail-Chiwetalu,
Stefany, Todd, Van Sant, Partap Verma (S+ student assistant), Winker.
Guest: Dan Newsome, Assistive Technology Lab

· Statistics.  Cindy reported that it has been suggested that she
include desk statistics on the SIRS pages.  The committee expressed
reservations about doing that.  We engaged in a very lively discussion
of what kinds of statistics we would actually like to collect for better
desk management.  We discussed the pros and cons of sampling.  We agreed
to bring this subject back for further discussion.

· Periodicals Unit.  SIRS agreed to invite a member of the McKeldin
Periodicals Unit to join SIRS.

· Dan Newsome of the Assistive Technology Lab (McKeldin first floor)
described lab services and explained the process whereby DSS (Disability
Support Service) authorizes the user population that the lab serves.
The Lab is available to authorized students, faculty and stuff during
normal library hours.  Dan's hours available for appoinments are 10 AM-9 PM,
Monday through Friday (and occasional availability on weekends).  He
went on to describe some lab changes that he hopes will occur in the near
future.  These include:  key card access for authorized users,  lab orientation
sessions for authorized users, TTY line for library users, and specially
trained assistants to help expand lab hours.

We discussed the Info Desk's current procedures vis-a-vis the Assistive
Technology Lab and agreed to the changes on the attached document.  Dan
agreed that the "list of authorized users" is poorly updated; he is trying
to get us an updated list from DSS and will pass on our suggestion that a
WEB version of the list might be useful.  Key card access will relieve that
problem somewhat.  SIRS reminded Dan that the Info Desk is available to provide
reference service to the lab population and that he should feel free to call
on us.  Debbie reminded all present that she will continue to pull materials
from stacks and assist with photocopy for users requiring this kind of assistance;
users must call her 24 hours in advance to arrange for the service.  Dan
will provide the Info Desk with a list of lab regulars who may require special
assistance from the desk and their specific need...for example, to turn on
equipment in the lab, who require special forms of communication, and who
require a call to paratransit.  We discussed training desk staff on the Info
Desk TTY equipment.  Debbie confirmed that the equipment is operational...if
very dirty.   Debbie reminded all of us that there is a public telephone with
TTY in the row of telephones across from the Photocopy Center.  Marti reminded
us of the services of the Maryland Relay through which a hearing volunteer acts
as intermediary on a telephone transaction with a hearing impaired user.

We had a very brief discussion of the appropriate methods and language to
consider when approaching and engaging users requiring special techniques
for service.

SIRS asked Cindy to investigate the possibility of getting a CCTV in the
public area.

SIRS subject team members agreed to invite Dan to team meetings for the
purpose of tours of the facility and wider dissemination of information
about lab services.

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