SIRS Minutes
September 8, 2004
10:30 a.m. – 12 Noon

Present:  Marian Burright (Timekeeper), Bob Garber, 
Lily Griner, Alan Mattlage, Yahaira Norris-Gonzalez, 
Debbie Stefany (Facilitator), Cindy Todd, Evelyn Yocco, 
Michael Zeliff (Minutes Taker)

Topic 1:  Adjustments to the Agenda

SIRS discussed items 3 and 4 in reverse order.

Topic 2:  Round Robin

Bob asked why the atlases in Reference are not in Gov Docs.  
Cindy explained that a previous SIRS/Gov Docs project had 
selected atlases that were transferred from reference to 
documents and added that SIRS could revisit the subject if 
it wished.

Deb suggested that “Grants and Foundations” be moved from 
the shelf sitting in front of Table 1 to the shelves on the 
wall to the left beside Controversial Issues.  SIRS concurred.

Cindy reported that Mark Wilkerson said technicians are coming 
to put our third printer online.  We are currently operating 
a pilot project and evaluating performance of the printers that 
are now in the Electronic Research area.  LEC will review the 
project shortly.  Once the contract has been signed, we can 
expect to see contract technicians servicing those machines.

Topic 3: Core Services

Alan explained that the Leaders’ Group Meeting divided into 
6-member teams to brainstorm Library services that might be 
reduced or eliminated.  Cindy asked SIRS to review the teams’ list.

Deb and Evelyn suggested that 24-hour service be reduced to 
October through Finals and March through Finals.  As an alternative, 
Cindy suggested that the Library close 2-6am when evidence shows 
that use is low.

Marian questioned the proposal to eliminate the New Books shelves; 
SIRS welcomed the ALEPH new books list being developed.

Marian also wondered if Chat and other electronic services are 
folded into a new reference model, will providing those services 
be voluntary or mandatory for those working Reference? 

Lily noted that the Welcome Desk doesn’t need professional staff 
and wondered if students could work there.  Cindy responded that 
the Desk needs authoritative figures, so undergraduate student 
employees may not be the best choice.  Cindy also reiterated 
that the Welcome Desk is a Library and not just a Public Services responsibility.

Deb agreed with the proposal to reduce loose-leaf services because 
they can get out of hand.

Alan suggested that a solution to the problem of policing the 
Library for food and drink is to tighten security at the Welcome 
Desk.

Deb wished the Copy Shop could stay open 9-5 through the semester.  
Evelyn asked if the Copy Shop will troubleshoot through the day.

Alan supported the proposal that Reference sites without high 
traffic be encouraged to participate in electronic services.

Bob, Deb, and Cindy agreed with others that Library Matters would 
be much less read if it were available only online.

At the conclusion of our discussion Evelyn asked how SIRS staff 
should prepare for the changes that are coming to Reference.  
What is the future of the organization?  Shouldn’t we be retrained, 
she asked, or must we do so on our own dime and our own time?  
Cindy recommended preparedness, and said librarians should practice 
this too.  We must take responsibility for our own development.  
If training opportunities are limited or inadequate here, then 
we must take it upon ourselves to make training better by 
participating in its creation.

Topic 4: Gathering Reference Questions

Bob explained that the Social Sciences Team had discussed the 
possibility of conducting a larger data gathering that would 
occur, for example, three or four times per week.  Rather than 
gathering MIS statistics, we would pull them out of a new form.

Lily asked about the purpose of this new form, and Alan replied 
that it would provide a clearer understanding of questions that 
come across the desk and so help improve staffing and training.

Alan wondered if gathering data for a whole year would become 
repetitive, but Lily and others felt that it should last an entire 
year since the semesters can be so different.

Cindy noted that a lot will depend on the complexity or simplicity 
of the form SIRS develops.

Marian suggested that SIRS divide the questions asked between 
those that are informational as opposed to reference.