SIRS (Service Plus Information and Research Services) Meeting Minutes July 25, 2001 Present: Susanna Van Sant, Yahaira Norris-Gonzalez, Robin Whitt, Bill Stanek (Stan), Bob Garber (facilitator), Mary Winker, Ross Laguere, Eric Lindquist (timekeeper), Paula Hayes (substitute for Glenn Moreton), Cindy Todd, Debbie Stefany, Barbara Nail-Chiwetalu (notetaker), Suvanida Absent: Chris Bunn, Evelyn Yocco Topic: Welcome to Suvanida Suvanida was introduced to the SIRS group. She is a student working at the McKeldin desk in order to make observations for a case study as well as to participate in information desk work. Topic: McKeldin Desk Fall Schedule The group reviewed the desk schedule from spring 2001 to determine if any changes should be made for the fall. Some considerations included: * UM may be adding classes later in the day to accommodate the increase in freshman enrollment this year. These classes may increase our desk traffic. * There needs to be a reliable student working at the desk on Saturday mornings when there is only one librarian on duty. * Exam week should have single librarian coverage designated by a sign-up sheet. In October, SIRS will decide whether the sign-up should be on the honor system or by formula to ensure equity. * There will be two librarians per shift on Sundays until October. Three librarians will be scheduled for October and November. In December, librarian coverage will be reduced to one librarian per shift through the end of the semester. The McKeldin desk schedule for librarians for the fall 2001 semester will remain the same as the spring 2001 schedule which is as follows: Sundays SEPT: 12-5 (2 libr.), 5-9 (1 libr.) OCT.- NOV.: 12-5 (3 libr.), 5-9 (1 libr.) DEC: 12-5 (1 libr.), 5-9 (1 libr.) Mondays-Thursdays 9-10 (1 libr.) 10-9 (2 libr.) Exception: Thursday nights 6-9 (1 libr.) Fridays 9-10 (1 libr.) 10-4 (2 libr.) Saturdays 10-12 (1 libr.) 12-3 (3 libr.) 3-5 (2 libr.) Note: The shifts will still be 10-3 and 12-5. The 12-3 designates the overlapping of the two shifts. Topic: Cindy's To Do List for the Fall Cindy sent out an e-mail to SIRS members on July 18, 2001 that included a list of things that needed to be done in McKeldin reference before the fall 2001 semester. Each item on the list was reviewed. The sequence of changes is anticipated as follows: * The walls surrounding the Social Sciences Team office and the team leader office are currently being taken down. * After the walls are taken down, shelves will be mounted outside of Room 1109. * Six ranges of 1/2 height shelving will be installed. * Five EIC computers will be moved into the old Social Sciences Team office "footprint". The configuration will be 3 modular units facing 3 other modular units. * After moving the alcove furniture, six ranges of full height shelving will be installed in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences alcoves. NOTE: Alcove books are being integrated into the reference stacks tomorrow (July 26). * The 12 public workstations removed for safety during the wall destruction will be reinstalled. * The computer security system will be reinstalled. In addition, staff should be aware that the floor renumbering in McKeldin will take place next week (around July 29). Computer lab room numbers as well as offices will be renumbered. Topic: Referrals to Subject Librarians A couple of librarians have reported that they are receiving referrals from desk staff for questions that could have easily been addressed at the time the customer came to the desk. All desk staff are reminded to review the Referrals guidelines on the SIRS page. From the SIRS page [http://www.lib.umd.edu/UMCP/SIRS/ ], click on Staff & Procedures, then Procedures [http://www.lib.umd.edu/UMCP/SIRS/procedures.html ]. Evelyn should remind the students to follow referral guidelines. Topic: Best Practices (continued) In the previous SIRS meeting, guidelines for two issues - telephone vs. walk in customers and amount of time spent with a customer - were developed and accepted via the SIRS reflector. Mary Winker volunteered to draft the guidelines for today's issue, which was bringing or doing work other than reference work at the desk. Mary will draft the wording of the guidelines and send it to the SIRS reflector for final approval. Next SIRS Meeting: August 8, 2001 Facilitator: Stan Notetaker: Debbie Timekeeper: Yahaira