Libraries: Research, Instruction, and Outreach Committee : Minutes February 11, 2008

02/14/2008
Minutes February 11, 2008

RIO Meeting Minutes – Monday, February 11, 2008

Present: Bryan Goodwin (chair), Susan Kimball (recorder), Beth Lang, Barbara Polowy, Bonnie Vigeland
Absent: Sherre Harrington (FCLD liaison)

ACRL Statistics for catalog use
Following up on Bryan’s message regarding how we might go about counting numbers of virtual visits to the OPAC, Beth offered to ask MJ to get from the ALEPH search logs.

Ex Libris Visit to FCLC 3/3 Meeting
Susan will ask Sherre about the timeline for distribution of the ALEPH Audit Report. Will the report be distributed prior to the 3/3 meeting? Prior to RIO’s 3/10 meeting? Susan will ask Sherre to attend next RIO meeting so that we can discuss next steps.

Recommendations from usability testing report
Beth and Barbara reported that the OPAC Task Force met on 1/17. The minutes of the meeting list the status of tasks delegated to RIO: (Italicized notes decided at this meeting)

- Revise help – in process
RIO decided to wait until further changes were made to the OPAC interface
- Integrate SFX into OPAC – needs further discussion and study
Susan will look into to find examples
- Usability testing – completed
- New titles/RSS/SDI – will pursue SDI. Other applications (e.g., RSS) are up to local site
Barbara will send out examples of SDI. Everyone should look at those and SDI on Test and send field/label suggestions in to Barbara prior to our next meeting. She will collate and distribute.
- Systematically test OPAC functionality, language, etc. – to be done
RIO plans to do in spring
- Customize more page – will pursue
- Make serial holdings less confusing – abandoned! RIO has recommended using SFX to address this issue
Susan will look into loading print holding in SFX and report back at the next meeting

Many of the other recommendations from the usability testing report require a more comprehensive evaluation about how to move forward with revamping the public interface. General consensus was that RIO didn’t have the expertise to make specific design recommendations in a vacuum. Strong support was made for hiring an interface design consultant who has experience working with ALEPH. Considerations were also made about timing of the ALEPH manager position and Audit Report. Tabled discussion until next meeting when we can have Sherre present to get FCLC perspective.

Serial holdings display change
UMass requested that we make a change to the Call #s and Availability screen for serials. Change order of fields in summary holdings area to place Note field at the end. Also asked to change the word Holdings to Lib Has. Resulting order and wording will be:

Location
Lib Has
Online:
Note:

Possible timing for initiating focus group studies on ALEPH
Bryan brought this up to avoid losing track of it. Everyone agreed that we had gathered enough feedback from users about our current interface. Focus groups would be useful as we approach a larger redesign for the OPAC, preferably with the help of a consultant.

Next meeting
Monday, March 10, 2008, 9:00am, Hampshire College Library


	02/14/2008 Minutes February 11, 2008 RIO Meeting Minutes – Monday, February 11, 2008 Present: Bryan Goodwin (chair), Susan Kimball (recorder), Beth Lang, Barbara Polowy, Bonnie Vigeland Absent: Sherre Harrington (FCLD liaison) ACRL Statistics for catalog use Following up on Bryan’s message regarding how we might go about counting numbers of virtual visits to the OPAC, Beth offered to ask MJ to get from the ALEPH search logs. Ex Libris Visit to FCLC 3/3 Meeting Susan will ask Sherre about the timeline for distribution of the ALEPH Audit Report. Will the report be distributed prior to the 3/3 meeting? Prior to RIO’s 3/10 meeting? Susan will ask Sherre to attend next RIO meeting so that we can discuss next steps. Recommendations from usability testing report Beth and Barbara reported that the OPAC Task Force met on 1/17. The minutes of the meeting list the status of tasks delegated to RIO: (Italicized notes decided at this meeting) - Revise help – in process RIO decided to wait until further changes were made to the OPAC interface - Integrate SFX into OPAC – needs further discussion and study Susan will look into to find examples - Usability testing – completed - New titles/RSS/SDI – will pursue SDI. Other applications (e.g., RSS) are up to local site Barbara will send out examples of SDI. Everyone should look at those and SDI on Test and send field/label suggestions in to Barbara prior to our next meeting. She will collate and distribute. - Systematically test OPAC functionality, language, etc. – to be done RIO plans to do in spring - Customize more page – will pursue - Make serial holdings less confusing – abandoned! RIO has recommended using SFX to address this issue Susan will look into loading print holding in SFX and report back at the next meeting Many of the other recommendations from the usability testing report require a more comprehensive evaluation about how to move forward with revamping the public interface. General consensus was that RIO didn’t have the expertise to make specific design recommendations in a vacuum. Strong support was made for hiring an interface design consultant who has experience working with ALEPH. Considerations were also made about timing of the ALEPH manager position and Audit Report. Tabled discussion until next meeting when we can have Sherre present to get FCLC perspective. Serial holdings display change UMass requested that we make a change to the Call #s and Availability screen for serials. Change order of fields in summary holdings area to place Note field at the end. Also asked to change the word Holdings to Lib Has. Resulting order and wording will be: Location Lib Has Online: Note: Possible timing for initiating focus group studies on ALEPH Bryan brought this up to avoid losing track of it. Everyone agreed that we had gathered enough feedback from users about our current interface. Focus groups would be useful as we approach a larger redesign for the OPAC, preferably with the help of a consultant. Next meeting Monday, March 10, 2008, 9:00am, Hampshire College Library