Digital Reference Committee
Meeting Minutes
February 9, 2006 (MCK 7113)
Present: Jenny Hatleberg (Facilitator), Niyati Pandya (Notetaker), Kim Ricker, Kari Schmidt, Joan Stahl, Cindy Todd, Nedelina Tchangalova
This was Kari Schmidt’s last meeting as she will be leaving Maryland libraries to take up another job. Committee wished her the best and thanked Kari for her active participation and for serving as the committee’s webmaster. We will miss you, Kari!
Membership (Joan):
Committee has received letters of interest from two more librarians. One person will be invited.
Outcome: Joan will draft a letter to the two librarians.
Review draft of redesigned UM Chat web page (Jenny):
http://www.lib.umd.edu/JUNK/chatnew.html
Web page looks nice. Some small changes were suggested:
- Add some color to “ASK US”
- Shrink the page to avoid scrolling
- Add Privacy policy link and FAQ to the "top" page
- Work on headings and add links to graphics/icons
- Provide links to key terms like Chat, e-mail
- Remove Staff Directory and Library Division links
Outcome: Jenny will work on the changes.
E-mail form and FAQ:
Review the e-mail form to make it simple yet effective; revise the FAQs
Outcome: Cindy will review sample e-mail forms from peer institutions and Library of Congress for appropriate changes and bring them to committee; Joan and Niyati will revise the questions, share them w/ group, Jenny will move them on the main page (may not be complete before the shift to new service)
Discuss procedures for monitoring new chat calendar (Cindy):
Cindy explained how she monitors the calendar for chat and AUN slots. Committee discussed reallocation of slots after we shift to new software. It was proposed to have double coverage during busy hours. Volunteers can provide double coverage.
Outcome: Cindy will work on the calendar and if needed, create a volunteer hours on calendar. Kari will schedule a rotation of Dig Ref Committee members to monitor the calendar.
FlashChat Practice Sessions for Staff (Joan):
Team members can participate in the practice sessions. We can offer morning and afternoon practice hours. Joan will send an e-mail to Chat reflector with details if anyone is interested. She will also include the computer settings information in the message.
Update on the transition to new software (Joan):
We will know more about this after Feb 12th upload. Joan will share the information; Committee looked at the gift bags. Jenny, Kim, Nedelina will be happy to stuff the bags with candies and small gifts promoting the service.
"Netspeak" program (Joan)
The program is set for April 5th. It will be part of our digital Dateline Series with collaboration from UES. It is on the Library’s events calendar. We may need to request RSVP looking at the past experience; Joan will work w/ Jenny on LM piece as ssoon as she receives Caroline’s bio. We need to start working on marketing the event as soon as possible. We will talk more about this in next meeting.
Assignments:
- Kim and Nedelina: flyer and publicity (ListServ)
- Niyati will e-mail Kari’s list of reflectors to which we can post announcements
- Jenny & Kim and Nedelina (if needed): refreshments (Joan will check w/ Tanner about budget for this)
- Photo pool: Cindy
- Jenny: LM article
- Joan: check on RSVP possibility
- Joan: AUN reflector
- Web page presence: Jenny
Next meeting: March 9, 2006
Facilitator: Niyati, Note taker: Kim
McKeldin Library 7113
Tentative agenda for next meeting:
- Discuss mentoring and training program for GAs
Outcome: Develop procedures to assure quality service - Review the workplan/list of tasks that the committee discussed during this fall’s team evaluation process (Redirection of Effort)
Outcome: Develop our 2006 Workplan, with priorities
