August 30, 2017 Meeting of User Services Advisory Committee (USAC)

Time and Location of Meeting

August 30, 2017

Agenda Details

Agenda

Agenda not yet available.

Minutes Details

Attendees

Cherie Weible, Sarah Christensen, Joe Lenkart, Janelle Sander, Beth Sheehan, Jason Strutz, Robin Woodall

Minutes

1.  Library-wide retreat/ Holiday Gathering/ Staff Awards/ Cleaning Day

  • Bill took the subject of events to cabinet and there is talk of one event a year during winter/holiday season.  The one event would be a meal and include staff awards.
  • May have separate faculty and staff recognition events.
  • There will be no retreat this year.  They will continue the work from information gathered from previous retreat.
  • Because of negative feedback from patrons and cost, libraries will not shut down for cleaning day.  Each department will schedule cleaning time as they see fit.
  • It has been suggested to EC that there may be lower cost events – will be discussed.
  • As a lower cost alternative to keep social events happening, Joe Lenkart suggested that there be a library-wide potluck.  Dave Ward suggested perhaps a “Passport to Potluck” where you go from department to department.
  • A cookout was suggested as another option.
2.  Office of User Services Staff Update
  • Beth Woodard is retiring and will be gone as of August 31.
  • A job description for Beth’s position was approved by EC.  It differs from her current job description.
  • As of September 1, Staff Development will report to Greg Knott – (Beth’s replacement and Zoe Revell)
  • Lisa Hinchliffe will begin a 9-month sabbatical on September 15.
  • Susan Avery will do coverage for Lisa during her sabbatical.
  • User Experience position is vacant.
3.  Budget Update 9/13 from 2:00 – 3:00 at 126 iSchool
  • Presenting will be Bill Mischo, Tom Teper, Cherie, Greg Knott.
  • May be streamed.
  • The Library has absorbed a $2.2 million budget reduction in the operations budget over the last three fiscal years and a $2.8 million budget reduction over the last five years.
  • Optimistic for 2019 since the State currently has a budget.
4.  Research Spotlight – Joe Lenkart
  • A series on the research process of scholars.  Engaging them to find out what technology and resources they use.  What factors, interests led to their research.  Follow their methodology.
  • Three scholars per semester
  • Each department working on the project will have control of how the project is developed.
  • Robin suggested that this would be helpful to Advancement to be able to share w/ donors/possible donors.
  • Davids suggested brochures
5.  Photo Contest – Sara Christensen
  • CITL is having a contest akin to  “Image of Research”.
  • Robert Baird is the contact.
  • An example – Krannert is doing a “Learning in the Arts” contest.
  • Would like the library to sponsor a track and prize.
  • Need to gather ideas for how the library can get involved – what contest they will run.
  • Sarah will ask Robert about a timeline.
6.  PPP/Communications
  • Would like to increase/improve communications across the library
  • Northwestern study
  • Good communication examples  – emails that Tom Teper sounds out about searches; Jason about printing services.  Also they both come out consistently with is helpful to people who use the information.
  • Communications plan –
  • PPP letters – Opportunity to write a positive performance letter.  The letter will go into their personnel file.  Library HR will share with SHR.
7.  Photoduplication Update
  • Photocopiers – JoAnn put together a report of photoduplication needs.
  • Copiers are going away and scanners will be used.
  • SSHEL, MPAL, and RIS need scanners.
  • Plan for SSHEL to receive a medium flatbed scanner.  They currently has 2 basic scanners.
  • Should have at least one overhead scanner in the main library.
  • Next steps are ordering and finding spaces.
Additional Discussion topics:
  • Jason – Half way through Tech Points, which is a pop-up help desk.  Had pop-ups at ACES and UGL.  UGL was highly attended.
Topics to discuss in next meeting:
  • Jason – Calendaring and scheduling.
  • Sarah – a database is being created to events easier – a list of who has what materials and where they are located.  Cherie will talk to Jeff Schrader about a  space to store events materials