Libraries: Research, Instruction, and Outreach Committee : Minutes July 9, 2007

07/18/2007
Minutes July 9, 2007

Five College Libraries

Research, Instruction and Outreach Committee (RIO)

Minutes of the July 9, 2007 Meeting

Present: Bonnie Vigeland (chair), Bryan Goodwin, Margaret Groesbeck (recorder), Barbara Polowy, Sherre Harrington, Beth Lang

Guest: Janet Ewing (DEDCC)

Chair of RIO: At the next meeting, the chair of RIO will rotate to Bryan Goodwin of Mount Holyoke.

ALEPH Catalog: The Five College Librarians Council has appointed a small “task force” to address fixes and enhancements in the ALEPH public catalog that can be actually realized by the beginning of the fall semester. Chris Hannon of Smith will chair the task force; Beth Lange and Barbara Polowy will represent RIO. FCLC empowers this smaller group to review, prioritize, and then implement features without the wide consultation that usually accompanies Five College committee decisions. Beth will be on vacation for part of the task force's work; Barbara will decide for RIO alone - or with quick, minimal checks with the committee.

Janet Ewing pointed out that the Syndetics project approved by DEDCC should have top priority. It should be mounted first on the test server and then on the production database. The license for Syndetics is set for July 16; features can be implemented anytime after that. The small task force will decide among options and oversee the process. Who will write the script for local implementation? RIO had favored Syndetics information in a new window; DECC has advocated a pop-up. There is a question of how a new window works with all settings on all browsers. Janet pointed out that features are supposedly easy to change. DEDCC can provide contacts at other schools that already use Syndetics in their catalogs.

RIO w ill organize usability testing after changes have been made in ALEPH and before focus groups which will now be planned toward the last week of October, perhaps the week of October 29. That would put usability testing after courses are well underway at the beginning of October.

Would it be a good idea to have one focus group earlier, before any enhancements are decided to concentrate on public opinion on what needs to be changed in ALEPH? Barbara will check with Susan Kohler-Gray, who will be hired to facilitate the groups, to see what her schedule is for the next few weeks. (Note: The task group later concluded that, given the pace of the work needed, no early focus group was possible.)

Sherre Harrington briefly discussed the ALEPH Management Committee's proposal for a system manager for Ex Libris.

Meeting of Five College reference librarians: Margaret Groesbeck will look into reserving the Amherst College Alumni House for a fall meeting of Five College reference librarians on either 9/24 (1st choice) or 9/17 (2nd choice).

Orientation for new librarians: Orientation to Five College libraries for new librarians will probably be scheduled mid-January 2008. New librarians and other library staff who have frequent contacts with other Five College libraries have usually attended this orientation. Each Five College library decides attendees from its institution.

DEDCC conference: DEDCC has been running a survey on possible topics for a meeting in the spring. It seems that the committee will propose a conference on Web 2.0 to which librarians from beyond the Five College area will be invited. Sherre suggests that RIO be in touch with DEDCC about taking part in planning and staging this meeting.

Next meetings:

8:30 am, Monday, 8/20

9:30 am, Monday, 9/10 - at which RIO will schedule meetings for fall semester 2007

Margaret Adams Groesbeck, Recorder


	07/18/2007 Minutes July 9, 2007 Five College Libraries Research, Instruction and Outreach Committee (RIO) Minutes of the July 9, 2007 Meeting Present: Bonnie Vigeland (chair), Bryan Goodwin, Margaret Groesbeck (recorder), Barbara Polowy, Sherre Harrington, Beth Lang Guest: Janet Ewing (DEDCC) Chair of RIO: At the next meeting, the chair of RIO will rotate to Bryan Goodwin of Mount Holyoke. ALEPH Catalog: The Five College Librarians Council has appointed a small “task force” to address fixes and enhancements in the ALEPH public catalog that can be actually realized by the beginning of the fall semester. Chris Hannon of Smith will chair the task force; Beth Lange and Barbara Polowy will represent RIO. FCLC empowers this smaller group to review, prioritize, and then implement features without the wide consultation that usually accompanies Five College committee decisions. Beth will be on vacation for part of the task force's work; Barbara will decide for RIO alone - or with quick, minimal checks with the committee. Janet Ewing pointed out that the Syndetics project approved by DEDCC should have top priority. It should be mounted first on the test server and then on the production database. The license for Syndetics is set for July 16; features can be implemented anytime after that. The small task force will decide among options and oversee the process. Who will write the script for local implementation? RIO had favored Syndetics information in a new window; DECC has advocated a pop-up. There is a question of how a new window works with all settings on all browsers. Janet pointed out that features are supposedly easy to change. DEDCC can provide contacts at other schools that already use Syndetics in their catalogs. RIO w ill organize usability testing after changes have been made in ALEPH and before focus groups which will now be planned toward the last week of October, perhaps the week of October 29. That would put usability testing after courses are well underway at the beginning of October. Would it be a good idea to have one focus group earlier, before any enhancements are decided to concentrate on public opinion on what needs to be changed in ALEPH? Barbara will check with Susan Kohler-Gray, who will be hired to facilitate the groups, to see what her schedule is for the next few weeks. (Note: The task group later concluded that, given the pace of the work needed, no early focus group was possible.) Sherre Harrington briefly discussed the ALEPH Management Committee's proposal for a system manager for Ex Libris. Meeting of Five College reference librarians: Margaret Groesbeck will look into reserving the Amherst College Alumni House for a fall meeting of Five College reference librarians on either 9/24 (1st choice) or 9/17 (2nd choice). Orientation for new librarians: Orientation to Five College libraries for new librarians will probably be scheduled mid-January 2008. New librarians and other library staff who have frequent contacts with other Five College libraries have usually attended this orientation. Each Five College library decides attendees from its institution. DEDCC conference: DEDCC has been running a survey on possible topics for a meeting in the spring. It seems that the committee will propose a conference on Web 2.0 to which librarians from beyond the Five College area will be invited. Sherre suggests that RIO be in touch with DEDCC about taking part in planning and staging this meeting. Next meetings: 8:30 am, Monday, 8/20 9:30 am, Monday, 9/10 - at which RIO will schedule meetings for fall semester 2007 Margaret Adams Groesbeck, Recorder