Cabinet Response to the Libraries Route 18 Task Force Report Recommendations

Cabinet acknowledges the excellent work of the Rt. 18 Task Force, chaired by Farideh Tehrani and endorsed many of the recommendations. The majority will be referred back to the specific units for plans to implement. With others we agreed that we needed to assess the impact of the work before making major changes. This was most important related to flexible workweek. We will most likely not make any specific changes until after January when the impact is known. Our goal is to be as flexible as possible with changes that allow us to meet the needs of the university - class times, weekly schedules, and needed office hours. To that end, the compressed workweek may not be suitable, as it will restrict the number of staff available throughout the week. Cabinet responses to specific recommendations are as follows:

General Recommendations

• Cabinet supports the recommendation to reduce the number of meetings and use e-mail, telephone and videoconferencing in all units. It is advantageous to make sure that videoconferencing equipment is available on all campuses; most libraries have equipment; of the two without, Douglass is a priority; LSM is second. We will plan to purchase one, and if funds permit, another. Establish a small task force to prepare guidelines on the use (technical and social) of the equipment.
• Need to assess current status of meetings and potential redundancies; Cabinet members will compile a list of all meetings that fall under their responsibility; list the name of the group and how often it meets.
• Workstations are available in New Brunswick in the four major libraries - a "home away from home." Cubicles are available in Libraries Administration. Agnew will investigate at TAS.
• Not practical to establish meeting free days; goal of the report is flexibility and this would make it more difficult to conduct business.
• Principles for the development of flexible schedules need to be developed that will take into consideration accountability, workloads, safety, security, supervision, and direct impact on our users. Implementation will not take place until we assess actual impact after January.
• Establish a small task force to consider viable options for delivery and review of approval plan books; problems with the TF recommendation as presented.
• May put together a small group to plan advertising campaign to promote remote services, including advertising on the university website.

Resources

• Cabinet previously endorsed acquiring Wilson Omni File Full Text, Mega Edition and Encyclopedia Britannica Online contingent upon available money. Knowledge Initiative may free funds if University does not make special funding available.

RDS

• Shipping & Receiving should consider appropriate schedule changes for delivery.
• Judy Gardner to determine financial impact and make a recommendation as to the web article delivery fee.

Course Reserves

• Endorsed the suggestion to drop restrictions on placing multiple copies of items (duplicate course listing) on different NBL campuses; Sewell/Collection Development Council will need to determine financial ramifications.

Student Staffing

• Will not coordinate part time student staff's employment with the campus where they reside but leave as a decision for student workers who must be able to maintain their agreed upon schedule.

Late Night Study

• Make adjustments in late night study hours, if necessary, based on student need and use.
• There is one facility on each campus with late night study hours; make sure patrons are aware of each location.

Reference and Instructional Support Issues

• Unsure if recommendation for additional librarian instructors and change in hours is a staffing issue or to fill demand. NBL is recommending more instructional librarians.
• Public Services Council suspended Ask A Librarian Live; Ask A Librarian may suffice.
• Endorsed placing more tutorials and instructional materials beyond the basic tutorial online in principle. Decisions on librarian scheduling to be left with NBL faculty.

Imaging Services

• Endorsed all recommendations except establishing a service point at Douglass Library, as it may not be needed. Imaging services to implement plans as appropriate.