October 9, 2012 Meeting of User Services Advisory Committee (USAC)

Agenda not yet available.

Mr. James P. Dohle III [Director of Library IT Production Services. Note: new member], Prof. Kelly McCusker [Behavioral Sciences Librarian, Note: new member], Prof. Lisa A. Romero [Communications Librarian, Note: new member], Mr. Geoffrey Ross [Collections and Services Specialist], Ms. Susan Schnuer [Associate Director of the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs, Note: new member], Associate Dean Sue Searing [Chair, Interim Associate University Librarian for User Services], Mr. Joe Lenkart [Reference Specialist]

Committee charge revision: As of October 9th, 2012, the committee’s role has been modified.  This committee is still tasked with generating ideas for, and providing feedback to, the Interim Associate University Librarian for User Services, but it no longer includes ex officio members.  The charge is as follows [Public record note: Prof. Sue Searing requested edits to the paragraph concerning the committee charge revision.  The charge was revised by the Library Executive Committee (Members: Dean Paula Kaufman, Prof. Mary Laskowski, Prof. Nancy O’Brien, Prof. Carissa Phillips, Prof. Chris Prom, Prof. Lynne Rudasill, Sarah Shreeves, Prof. David Ward, and Prof. John Wagstaff)]

• Creating and/or updating library service policies and practices
• Communicating with users about library services and policies
• Exploring new service opportunities and “retiring” outdated services
• Setting priorities for the AUL for User Services [Source: http://www.library.illinois.edu/committee/advise/charge.html]

Access to public computers:

The hub managers are currently discussing two profiles for public computers: 1) UIUC users 2) guest users.  Questions were addressed to the AUL for Services [Prof. Searing] and Mr. James P. Dohle III [Director of Library IT Production Services] about the level of access for each profile [will the guest user have full access to all of the electronic resources owned, managed, and subscribed by UIUC Library?].  Mr. Dohle mentioned security and unlawful acts as the reasons setting up authenticated user profiles.  Unfortunately, Mr. Dohle did not specify what types of unlawful acts or security breaches encountered by Library IT.  Several members of the committee were uncomfortable with the idea of limiting access to a state funded facility and to generations of visiting scholars from around the world.

Wayfinding tools

Since the creation of conglomerate libraries, the need to update the library’s wayfinding tools was brought up by the chair of the committee, Prof. Searing, who will be contacting the “principals” [department heads] to correct and update wayfinding tools [For example: hallway signs, online staff directories, etc.]  Discussion catalysts: the entry for the Main Stacks in various directories and administrative usage.  Moreover, the need to incorporate Lync contact information into the staff directory is urgently needed.  Ms. Schnuer and Prof. Romero highlighted the need for defining “scholarly commons.” A clear definition of its scope, name, and services is needed.  USAC’s recommendations regarding the draft principles for wayfinding tools will be taken to the Administrative Council meeting on October 15.

Ethics

As part of the ethics awareness week, Mr. Ross suggested to Prof. Searing and the committee that we showcase ethics in librarianship and professional conduct when interacting with patrons and staff members.  Specifically, Mr. Ross mentioned the ALA Code of Ethics and suggested a message via LIBNEWS.  For the public record, the ALA Code of Ethics is as follows:

• We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.
• We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.
• We protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.
• We respect intellectual property rights and advocate balance between the interests of information users and rights holders.
• We treat co-workers and other colleagues with respect, fairness, and good faith, and advocate conditions of employment that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees of our institutions.
• We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.
• We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.
• We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession.

Ms. Schnuer suggested that this approach via LIBNEWS might be too direct.  In response to Ms. Schnuer’s remark, Prof Romero stressed the importance of connecting the campus wide theme [ethics] to the historic role of ethics in librarianship. Mr. Ross suggested “service focused ethics”:

1. Protecting patrons’ concerns and reference transactions
2. 2.       Library surveillance cameras and collection statistical data, which might be contrary to librarianship.

Lastly, some members would like to see an ethics page via services and policies page.

Communication and Civility

During the course of this meeting, the topic of improving library communication and civility was discussed.  Prof. Romero, Prof. McCusker, Mr. Ross, and others pointed out the various forms of communication: email, phone, in person, chat, etc.  Members of the committee would like to elevate the topic of communication as theme for the next retreat.  Prior to the retreat, a survey assessing communication [ways to improve it] at UIUC Library was suggested.  Moreover, a panel on civility was proposed.  This proposed panel will include: library security personnel, personnel from the Champaign Public Library, and additional staff from the UIUC Library.

Library retreat

Prof. Romero and other committee members would like to revamp the retreat format as it is practiced today.  Due to low attendance from library faculty, Mr. Ross suggested revising the format.  Prof. Romero would like to see relevant [based on discussions via surveys prior to the retreat] themes for the retreat or forming smaller groups [based on actual concerns and issues].  Bringing in a speaker was suggested by Ms. Schnuer.  Most importantly, the members raised the issue of retreat location.  Some would like to see the retreat held at the library.