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Subject: TSD Transition Team Update
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001 10:07:37 -0500 (Eastern Standard Time)
From: Carlen Ruschoff ruschoff@deans.umd.edu
To: library-staff@umail.umd.edu

All-

Last week, the Transition Team entertained a proposal merge the Adaptive/Fast Cataloging Production Group and the Special Processing Production Group into a single production group. The advantages of making this change include: 1) the core competencies for the staff within the two groups is similar. Staff in both groups need to be familiar with bibliographic standards, MARC tagging, and holdings information; 2) the similarity of the work provides an opportunity for cross training; 3) merging the two smallest Production Groups, (Adaptive/Fast Cataloging has 6 staff and 1 leader; Special Processing has 4.5 staff and 1 leader), brings the size of this group into line with the other groups in the new TSD structure; 4) one 1 Production Group Leader line is saved, which can be used in another area within TSD.

The proposal was discussed with TSD staff on December 7th. Most of the comments on the recommendation were positive, however, there was a general sense that supervision within the merged Production Group needed to be addressed. Some concern was expressed that the oversight of the newly formed Production Group would be unwieldy.

This morning, the Transition Team devoted its entire meeting to discussing the comments garnered from the staff meeting, e-mail, and personal comments. The Team concluded that it is advisable to merge Adaptive/Fast Cataloging and Special Processing Production Groups into one. We agreed that the newly configured Production Group would consist of two teams: the Adaptive/Fast Cataloging Team, and the other is Special Processing. Government Documents processing will be included in the Adaptive/Fast Cataloging Team activities. We propose that each team have a team leader classified as an LTIII. The upgrade is not a "given" and will need to be passed through the University Human Resources Office for approval.

A new job description for the Production Group Leader of this group has been drafted. The Team agreed that this position description should be shared with the library staff and offered to anyone who might wish to express an interest in the position. If you would like to express interest, please fill out the attached form and drop it off in my office no later than no later than December 21st.

If you have any further questions, please let me know.

Carlen Ruschoff
Director of Technical Services

Transition Team update
January 2, 2002

At the January 2, 2002 meeting of the Transition Team, the following topics were discussed:

Job descriptions. The Team reviewed two new LTIII job descriptions in the newly merged Adaptive Cataloging/Database Maintenance Production Group. The team agreed to review the LTI & II job descriptions via e-mail.

Interim Leadership for the Acquisitions Dept./Production Group. On December 14th, 2001, Carole Bell announced that she would leave the University Libraries for another position. A search for the vacant post of Acquisitions Production Group Leader will be conducted later this year. A proposal to provide interim leadership for Acquisitions was discussed. An announcement concerning the interim leadership will be made as soon as details may be worked out.

Revisions to the Transition Team Placement Time Line. The posting of job descriptions has fallen behind the projected dates in the time line published in early December. The Team revisited the schedule and made the following updates:

Notetaker: Carlen Ruschoff

Transition Team update
January 9, 2002

At the January 9, 2002 meeting of the Transition Team, the following topics were discussed:

The Team identified 5 areas for continued work in the transition to the new structure.

The Team agreed to establish an interim training team to begin work in identifying areas of training and planning training sessions in the first stage of the transition. Sue Koutsky was designated to invite members identified by the Transition Team and call for 2 additional volunteers from the division.

Notetaker: Alesia Wilson

Transition Team update
January 16, 2002

At the January 16, 2002 meeting of the Transition Team, the following topics were discussed:

  • Official announcement of new Production Group Leaders was shared.
  • TSD New Structure Implementation, Phase I time-table was reviewed and revised, (see attached EXCEL file).
  • Volunteers for the Space Planning Advisory Team were reviewed and members selected. They are: Christine McCarthy, Jan Siar, Lulu Barnachea, and Beth Guay. Carlen Ruschoff will chair the Team and Mary Dalto will be a Consultant.
  • The process of forming an Interim Training Coordinating Team was discussed. Jane Williams was asked to flesh out a document that outlines a process, charge, and the general operation of the team for discussion on Jan. 30.
  • Discussed questions about implications of the Budget on reorganization were discussed. Ray was asked to write an FAQ response to share the Transition Team's decision to move forward with planning.
  • Recent staff questions and possible additions to the FAQ were discussed and assigned to team members to a draft response.
Note taker: Julie Arnold
Transition Team update
January 30, 2002

-Transition Team welcomed Arlene and Yvonne as new production group leaders and future members of the Planning and Leadership Team.

-Transition Team reviewed and adopted the latest draft of the Interim Training Team's charge. The team members are: Lulu Barnachea, Sue Baughman, Heidi Hanson, Sue Koutsky, Johnnie Love and Marlene Vikor. Additional members can be recruited in the future for special projects as needed.

-Transition Team began to lay groundwork for forming Authorities Coordinating Team and Cataloging Policy Coordinating Team. It also identified interested parties outside of TSD for future discussions on forming of Continuing Resources Coordinating Team and Federal Government Documents Processing Coordinating Team (formerly known as Government Documents Coordinating Team).

-The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2002.

Notetaker: Gordana Ruth

Transition Team update
February 6, 2002

At the February 6, 2002 meeting of the Transition Team, the following topics were discussed:

  • The Team reviewed, revised and finalized the draft Authorities Coordinating Team charge and description. Robert will compose the final draft.
  • Began working on the Cataloging Policy Coordinating Team charge and description. Bobbie will draft a charge and description.
  • Discussed communications among Coordinating Teams. The Blue Ribbon Committee proposed a structure that had various shared team members or liaisons. The Transition Team determined that these Coordinating Teams were too large, and the logistics of having shared members and the time required of them was impractical. The Transition Team decided that communication and coordination among the Coordinating Teams will be done through the Planning & Leadership Coordinating Team.
  • The Team needs to schedule two separate meetings to discuss: Continuing Resources, and Government Documents. Carlen is arranging meeting times with Public Services.
  • Topics that will be discussed at the next meeting:
    • Agenda topics for the Continuing Resources and Government Documents meetings.
    • The charge and the method of populating either the Continuing Resources Team or the GovDocs Processing Team.
    • Composing the Transition Team's final report.
    • Update on the placement process.
    • Staff questions.
  • The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 20, 2002.

Notetaker: Robert Bratton

Transition Team update
February 20, 2002

Below are the outcomes of the Feb. 20 meeting of the Transition Team:

  1. The Exempt and LT Placement Committees reported on their progress.
  2. The team approved the description for the Cataloging Policy Coordinating Team.
  3. The team liked TSSAC's proposal for a celebratory tea, but suggested finding an alternate date.
  4. The Interim Training Team has started to meet.
  5. The team began developing the final report.

Notetaker: Susan Koutsky

Transition Team update
February 27, 2002
  1. Goetsch, Spohn and Caldwell were guests for a discussion on the composition and function of the new Continuing Publications Coordinating Team. At the culmination of the discussion, Mallet and Siar volunteered to pull together a draft statement on the team for the next meeting.
  2. There was a report on the progress of staff placement and an update on the planning done by the Planning & Leadership Coordinating Team for the phased in implementation of the Blue Ribbon Committee's recommendations. All TS staff have been placed in positions. The team targeted the week of 4 March to announce the placement to the staff. Klair will relinquish some of her MOSS coordinating responsibilities to Mashoori who has been temporarily detailed to the project for the next six months. Plans were also made for a TS Staff Meeting on 4 March to announce the completion of the placement process and plans for an interim phased-in transitional period (Phase I) for TS. (A handout which detailed the Planning & Leadership Coordinating Team's Phase I transition period was distributed at the 4 March TS Staff Meeting.) Job descriptions may be modified to reflect changes in duties and responsibilities for the Phase I implementation.

Notetaker: R. Foster

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