Agenda
- OAK (Jody)
- E-classroom policy review (Melinda)
- Instruction developments (Melinda)
- Heard web pages review for content
- Updates--Service priorities, others?
- Priorities developed in December (please review)
- World Cat
- ACORN log possibilities
- Refworks
Minutes
Present: Jason Battles, Leslie Boyd, Melinda Brown, Sue Erickson, Teresa Gray, Janet Hirt, Amy Limpitlaw, Robert Rich, Flo Wilson Guests: Cindy Franco, Jody Combs Absent: David Carpenter, Kitty Porter
Flo called the meeting to order and confirmed that the new day and time (2nd Thursdays 12:30-2:00) would work for everyone.
OAK (Cindy and Jody)
Cindy and Jody provided an overview of the library’s new role in the management of OAK. Cindy gave a brief history of her evolution from OAK Manager, to becoming more involved in training and technical support. She views the movement to the library as an opportunity to generate the momentum needed to move OAK forward to the next level. Jody expressed his hope of integrating Course Management Software (CMS) with library resources in a more seamless way (ex. single authentication).
At Flo’s request, Cindy outlined the support levels associated with OAK (Tier I, Tier I Plus, Tier II, and Tier III). Flo mentioned that library staff are interested in using OAK within the library for some committee work, project teams, etc. By creating a way to use it actively, we will reinforce and expand our knowledge of the system.
Melinda asked a question about the content system available from Blackboard. Cindy explained that this piece was not purchased. It would help manage multiple section courses where students in different sections needed access to the same content. It would also be useful for e-reserves and other library resource applications. “Backpack” is a new feature of OAK that allows students to download course materials, including e-reserves, offline. This has not been implemented yet because it raises issues related to intellectual property. This and other technologies are part of a larger movement toward mobile computing.
E-classroom policy (Melinda)
Melinda, Amy, Kitty and Teresa have been working on a policy for the use of the electronic classroom. The basic policy has been drafted, but there are still some issues to be ironed out, namely how to balance the needs of librarians teaching semester-long courses with the other instruction sessions needing hands-on space. Amy suggested adding to the classroom reservation page information about alternative spaces for hands-on classes to be considered when the classroom is already booked for the desired time. Flo mentioned that librarians teaching for-credit courses have the option of signing up with the registrar for a classroom space. There are apparently some classrooms with hands-on capabilities.
Instruction developments (Melinda)
Melinda and Jody met with Center for Teaching (CFT) staff to discuss possible collaborations. Melinda and Patricia Armstrong of the CFT submitted a topic related to Information Literacy for a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) https://virg.vanderbilt.edu/sacs/closed.aspx. Their topic was selected to move to the proposal submission phase and has been grouped with three other proposals related to undergraduate and graduate skill building.
Heard web pages review
The Web Update Team (WUT) has been formed http://wiki.library.vanderbilt.edu/committees/pmwiki.php/DLSC/HeardWebSiteUpdateProject. Amy is a member. Flo wondered if the RSC should look at terminology changes and other content while the WUT looks at design issues. Amy explained that the WUT plans to do usability testing, so it may make more sense for the RSC to wait for initial results of testing before getting involved.
Sue mentioned that she will be working with Suellen on a small project to create a page describing available equipment for persons with disabilities. Sue will send a message to the Reference Forum requesting information about such equipment across the libraries.
Service priorities (Flo)
The Library Director’s Council (LDC) would like better library-wide definitions of “service”. The LDC is drafting a statement for a library-wide statement of service and in doing so, have gathered together previous discussions and research (SQIT, customer service workshop by Sharon Weiner and Dennis Clark, etc.). The statement will be used as the basis for customer service training.
Updates and announcements
- Factiva training on Friday
- An in-person Primo demo will be scheduled
- Sue reported that the Reference Forum planning group (Amy, Kitty, Amia Baker, and Sue) held a very successful brainstorming session. We decided that we would like to aim for monthly events that will include open discussion and database demonstrations. Our first discussion will be an informal “get to know you” hour in which we’ll introduce ourselves and tell about our database or software expertise. We’ll also share stories of tough reference questions and discuss referrals.
Priorities from December (Flo)
In preparation for the Strategic Planning progress report (March 29th, 3-4:30, Buttrick Hall 101), Flo wanted to discuss two items we set as priorities in December that we have not yet addressed. Regarding the issue of conducting needs assessment for current services, we decided to wait until the LibQual http://www.libqual.org/ results are available before determining the need for further assessment. Regarding the issue of balancing workloads and managing priorities, we have no real plan, but we hope that we can benefit from the work of the Staff Development Committee.
Worldcat
Jason agreed to investigate the “try your search in Worldcat” link from Acorn to determine whether there might be other options for executing that search.