SECT Minutes, December 11, 2007

Present: Sue Baughman, Bob Kackley, Jenny Kinniff, Susan Koutsky, Johnnie Love, Liz McAllister, Maggie Saponaro, Jane Williams, Denise Wright

Guest: Irma Dillon

Topic: Adjustment to the Agenda and Approval of November Minutes

Outcome: A Round Robin was added to the agenda. The November minutes were approved.

Topic: Learning Curriculum Evaluation Project

Outcomes: Irma Dillon of MIS discussed the evaluation project with the team. She suggested adding one question (How effective is the OBE as an evaluation tool?) to our list of evaluation questions (see November minutes for details).

Irma also recommended the group consider using an on-campus consultant from the Center for Teaching Excellence, the College of Education, UMUC, or contact CLOC to recommend others. This will give the Libraries a chance for cooperative work and possible co-publication of results. The specific tools used for the evaluation (surveys, focus groups, etc.) will be determined by the consultant we select. Irma and her GA are researching precedent for this type of evaluation at other libraries and academic institutions generally, and will share what they learn.

It was suggested that the evaluation take place in summer/fall 2008 so as not to conflict with the OCDA survey. Jane noted that the project will likely not begin until FY2009, and the budget for the future is still uncertain.

The group discussed ways to proceed with the project. Suggestions included:

• developing an RFP;
• developing a pre-RFP proposal to get LEC support (and a budget range) before releasing the RFP;
• looking into grant funding for part or all of the project;
• looking into off campus consultants (who might be more cost-effective);
• asking around at ALA midwinter to see if any other institutions have done a similar project;
• finding a way to incorporate or separately conduct the Computer Training survey.

NEXT STEPS: First, Maggie will draft a project proposal for LEC and get feedback from the team. Irma will, at the same time, get in touch with campus groups to gauge their interest in the project. Jane and Sue will take the finished proposal to LEC, possibly in late January.

Topic: TERP Tips in the Learning InterSECTion

Outcomes: The group decided on the following schedule of contributors for the spring:

Topic: Round Robin

Outcome: Maggie distributed a list of upcoming programs. Jane thanked the group for letting her attend the meeting. Jenny noted that she will be attending a workshop on blogging in libraries this Friday.

January Meeting Planning

Outcome: The next meeting will take place January 8, 1:00-2:00, McK 7121 (Facilitator: Kinniff; Notetaker: Love; Timekeeper: McAllister). Topics include: Updates on the Learning Curriculum evaluation, Spring Program Schedule, Blogging Workshop recap (Kinniff), Round Robin.

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