Agenda

• Facilities and Services Survey results (tentative)
• Update on web and digital library issues
• Evaluation of committee/project team participation
• Circulation and Access Committee procedures review and consistency across the library
• Training needs (Please bring your copy of the survey from the Staff Development Committee)
• Updates on individual library happenings

Meeting Notes

• The results from the facilities and services survey are still being compiled.
• Flo mentioned the upcoming reference interview webcast on Thurs, Feb. 23 and suggested that any service desk staff might benefit from this session, not just reference staff.
• Campus Planning has completed the first phase of the Zoning Feasibility Study for expanding the Annex. Significant variances would have to be requested and approved. Further information will be developed that will identify potential cost and potential storage volumes to see whether this is worth pursuing.
• Flo shared with library directors some of the conversations about the revision of the library's web site, the potential for use of a tool something like Primo or NC State's new catalog interface, and the development of a brief checklist for providing performance evaluation feedback to supervisors for those staff who have participated in committee and project team work.
• The effort of the Circulation and Access Committee to identify procedures that can be made consistent across the library system is likely to identify areas where changes in practice may be required. Library directors discussed how we could be supportive of changes in the direction of consistency. The conclusion seemed to suggest trying to better understand how we can provide optimum service to patrons and trying to understand the full nature of the problems in coming up with solutions. We may need to better understand our broader user needs rather than relying on anecdotal evidence. Using email notification for placed recalls was discussed as an example and led to two shared views:
  • our goal should be to get the books to people as fast as we can, and
  • Athena and Kudzu should be actively considered for alternative means of managing recalls.
• The library directors discussed the training needs survey being conducted by the Staff Development Committee. The highest priority areas for training, beyond the three established already by the committee are Time Management, Setting Priorities/Goal Setting, and Customer Service Skills. Technology training is definitely needed, but it's hard to define the specifics of what's really needed.

Announcements

• Special Collections has an exhibit in place of all student publications.
• Central is beginning a project to address student assistant training. Other libraries thought that this would be useful for broader planning; Owen and Peabody have been working on their student training; HR has some basic information for students. This was also a topic high on the CAC list of priorities for the year. We will see if we can develop this into a broader group to think about common aspects and needs.