STAFF RESOURCES |
The IRIS Public Access Committee (IPAC) is responsible for changes to and maintenance of the IRIS public catalog. Representing this important module of the library information system (LIS), the chair of IPAC participates in the LIS committee. Oversight of the IRIS Public Access Committee is the responsibility of the associate university librarian for public services and communications.
IPAC works closely with the systems department, other LIS committees, and the public services council to determine the need for and extent of changes to the IRIS public catalog. The committee tests and implements changes based on software updates and evolving needs within the user community. The committee implements minor changes in the public catalog, advises the Public Services Council on major public catalog changes resulting in software upgrades, and confers with and recommends to the Council significant, elective changes to the public catalog. In all cases, the Committee is responsible for documenting changes and communicating these changes to the Libraries and our users, as appropriate.
Specifically, the Committee is responsible for addressing concerns related to information display issues, screen design, indexing policy issues, writing IRIS help screens, search guides, and other documentation. IPAC is proactive in seeking improvements to the public catalog design both locally and with the vendor. The Committee submits suggestions for enhancements to the vendor and keeps abreast of upcoming changes offered by the vendor.
Membership of IPAC is comprised of representatives from a variety of constituencies within the Libraries, including public and technical services and the library systems department.