Digital Reference Committee
Meeting Minutes
April 13, 2006, McKeldin Library 7113
Attended: Jenny Hatleberg, Niyati Pandya , Kim Ricker (facilitator) Joan Stahl (notetaker), Cindy Todd
Topic: Changes to the agenda (Kim)
Two pop-ups were added; see below
Topic: Approval of minutes from 3-16-06 (Kim)
Approved
Topic: Review of "Netspeak" program (Committee)
The "Netspeak" program was well received. Jenny distributed a draft of an article for Library Matters and asked for feedback before submitting it; Jenny's text will also be submitted to The Crab. Joan shared the survey/feedback forms. Joan will send a "thank-you" to Joe and Caroline and enclose copies of the survey/feedback forms.
Topic: March 18 transition to FlashChat (Joan)
Joan reported that the transition has gone relatively smoothly. Several UM librarians have expressed interest in getting training; Joan is working with them one-on-one, and they will be registered for training with Joe, as soon as the next round of classes are scheduled.
The group discussed ways to disseminate useful information with UM chatters. The group agreed on:
- So as not to overwhelm staff with email, Joan will collect QP and AUN announcements and send out one composite email, once or twice a month
- Brief tips will be submitted to Library Matters and posted on the Dig Ref page on a regular basis. The following topics were identified: My QuestionPoint, QP Settings, Policies, Resolution / Descriptive Codes, Personal Scripts, IM.
Topic: UMCP Policy Page in QP 24/7 Reference (Joan)
With the switchover to FlashChat, there is a need to review and revise UM's policy page; Joan will distribute UM's policy page and ask for suggestions.
Topic: Email integration into QP (Joan)
The group reviewed Joan's draft proposal "Email Integration into QP," attached. There was consensus that the integration of our email makes sense, but some expressed concern about training staff in this function. At Cindy's suggestion, the Committee decided to undertake a pilot towards the end of May, 2006. The Committee will take responsibility for answering the email questions received to get a better idea on the best way to incorporating other librarians (including, perhaps, Special Collections staff) into the routing. Travis, who now routes e-mail questions is agreeable to relinquishing this responsibility and the Summer months, when email is less active, is a good time for the pilot. Joan will draft an email explaining the pilot to staff.
Topic: Calsnet calendar monitoring (Cindy)
Beginning May, 2006, the Digital Reference Committee will assume responsibility for monitoring the Calsnet schedule. Jenny will create a rotation and post it on the Committee Web page. Cindy will share a list of email contacts for the teams.
Topic: 2006 WorkPlan (Joan + Cindy)
Topic was postponed, due to lack of time.
Popup #1: HumanClick
Before we stop our HumanClick subscription, Cindy asked if we want to extract any data or reports from our account. The Committee thought that could be useful. Cindy will investigate to see what reports are available and useful.
Popup #2: Research Port access for QP Librarians
Joan reported that the QP Backup librarians are having difficulty assisting our users because they are unable to even see a list of the databases that we have available in Research Port. Cindy will follow-up with E-Content and IT to see if the list of titles, subject categories, and descriptive info about each database can be made available.
Next Meeting:
Thursday, May 11, 9:30-11am, MCK 7121
Facilitator: Joan; Notetaker: Jenny
