Public Services Council Meeting
March 3, 2000

Present: Paul Burnam, Deb Carter Peoples, Danielle Clarke, Chuck Della Lana, Bernard Derr, Tom Green, Joy He, Carol Hallenbeck, Carol Holliger, Marsha Zavar

  1. Announcements:
    2.
    1. Deborah Peoples is running for an ALAO Board position. Do not forget to vote.
    2. Tom reminded us that there is a PS Operating Supplies Fund available for our use. Please fill out a purchase request form. Past expenditures included display case refurbishing, National Library Week kits, posters, marker boards and literature racks. Tom added that the money needs to be spent before the end of the fiscal year.
    3. Paul will be presenting a netLibrary demo in Benes Room C before the upcoming faculty meeting on March 20th. Information Systems suggested that we test our laptop computer with the network line prior to the presentation.
    4. Tom asked for Spring Activity reports to be completed and submitted to him by Friday, May 12. Reports should include all statistical information through April, 2000.
    5. Tom announced that the NC 2000 theme is: "A Wired World: The Internet and Beyond." Theresa Byrd will serve on the advisory board. John Boos and Dennis Prindle will be coordinators.
    6. Deb Peoples stated that the reference evaluation data collected is still being tallied. Her final tallies are due in early May 2000. She also shared several "unsolicited" comments; "Librarian was Fabulous!" "Now I know why I chose a small school." "Tom Green was very helpful." No negative comments were noted.
  2. Goals And Objectives Discussion
    3.

    The PS Council reviewed Theresa’s PowerPoint slides and Tom reviewed Dr. Courtice’s "Plan to Enhance Quality of Ohio Wesleyan Program and To Assure Our Place as a Top National Liberal Arts College." Theresa is expected to contribute to this plan by March 20th.

    Staffing:

    Deb Peoples commented on the need for a full-time science librarian position to include full employee benefits.

    Technology:

    Deb and Carol Hallenbeck discussed the need for a web terminal in the music branch. Bernard Derr suggested scanners to help facilitate E-Reserve.

    Physical Plant:

    Deb suggested the purchase of a new reference desk. Carol Holliger expressed the need for cosmetic updates, new desk, and shelving for the periodical area. She also expressed a long-term goal of having her office moved out into a more visible/service-oriented location.

    Paul Burnam mentioned that the creation of a digital classroom should be a top priority. He is currently making use of a corner of the Beeghly Microlab with some success.

  3. Area Reports
    4.
    1. Reference: Paul stated that reference questions/activity is down 12%. 16 new reference titles have been added.
    2. Online: Paul reported on recent access problems with Academe Today and Index to Journal Articles. Apparently there have been connectivity problems around campus. Mike Upfold is in the process of updating I.P. addresses to correct this.
    3. Library Instruction: Danielle Clarke announced that Marysville High School students would be returning for a workshop on March 14th. One of their main research topics will be "Important Artists of the 20th Century." Tom will explain CONSORT, Danielle will provide information on periodicals, Paul will conduct an introduction to reference and Joy will cover online periodical databases. Danielle "pre-thanked" everyone for his or her help. Danielle also reported on the Info Lit Web Tutorial Project. She stated that the progress is slow and that other members of the project team are suggesting more major changes.
    4. ILL/PS: Marsha Zavar provided a handout detailing lending and borrowing figures for January 2000. She also presented information on recent room reservations speaker presentations in the Bayley Room.
    5. Government Documents: Joy He has found a good automatic check-in software called "DocAssist." One of her student assistants has used it for the last two months to create labels with Sudoc numbers. She reports that the program is easy to use and currently free of charge. Joy also mentioned that she recently reviewed the government documents collection and created a discard list. It has been submitted to the State Library for approval. Beginning next month, Joy will provide periodical statistic reports for Tom Green.
    6. Circulation: Bernard Derr and Chris Yates are getting up to speed on the E-Reserve system. Bernard mentioned that Theresa wants more faculty to get involved. Chris Yates has gathered copyright policies/information from other libraries as they pertain to e-reserve. Bernard has also been working with his staff to "clean up" our patron database. (He’s getting rid of the "dead wood.") Bernard has also taken some time to teach himself the Adobe Photoshop software package.
    7. Branches: 1. Music Branch: Carol Hallenbeck was pleased to report that the music branch was able to "run itself" during her recent absences. She also noted an increase in ILL/CONSORT requests during this current semester. 2. CRC: Danielle reported that Judy Orahood has cataloged 1,086 books. (Approx. 1/3 of the collection.) Danielle also announced that the part-time Librarian Assistant for the CRC has resigned. A search committee is expected to be formed this spring. Deb Peoples expressed concern about the current title of "Librarian Assistant." She feels that it is inappropriate. She plans to brainstorm and suggest a new position title. 3. Science Branch: Deb Peoples expressed concerned about her limited student help this semester. She plans to add a new student worker later this month. She reported that several organic chemistry students have expressed frustration with Bielstein. Deb has been helping students and faculty to understand the benefits and limitations of this database. 4. Biology Branch: Deb Peoples informed us that Charlene Howison is applying for a fulltime greenhouse position. Charlene is currently working part-time there. Deb has absorbed some of her library duties. A new clerical worker has been hired. She will be checking materials in and out as well as continuing the periodical study.
    8. AV Center: Chuck Della Lana reported that the satellite system is being repaired and upgraded this month with the assistance of funds from the Journalism Department. Chuck was pleased to announce that the Mock Convention 2000 was a success. A videotape of the event will air on the campus cable TV channel this month and be available for circulation later this semester. It was also noted that a collection of children’s educational software is available on closed reserve at the AV center for student use. Chuck also distributed a list of new software acquisitions for the current fiscal year.
  4. Tech Services
    5.

    Carol Holliger displayed the new periodical labels supplied by JSTOR. Carol reported that the additional hours added to the periodicals desk have be "validated" by the many questions being answered in the late evenings. Carol also reminded us that journals may be checked out. (Including bound volumes.) Students may check them out for one day. Faculty and staff are granted a three-day circulation period.

  5. Action Report Follow-up: Tom Green reported on the need for all staff members to take on authority during problem situations. He noted that there are not many articles/resources that address these issues. He did offer a few tips:
  • Get as much information as possible. Take time to think.
  • Look to others for advice/suggestions (when possible)
  • Examine good and bad points of each solution (risks/benefits)
  • Select best solution
  • Occasionally, no action is best
  • Do not agonize over making a bad decision. Just make the best one you can based on the facts.
  • Feel free to call Tom Green at home (363-3482) if you need advice for a difficult situation

Tom and Danielle also discussed the recent "Bat" situation in Beeghly. Several council members expressed concern about Public Safety’s lack of response to this situation. Carol Holliger suggested that we follow up with Public Safety to express our concerns. Danielle suggested that we find out who handles "pest extermination" for OWU.

Tom concluded this discussion with a quote from Dr. Benjamin Spock, "Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do."

submitted by Chuck Della Lana
3/7/00

 

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