Minutes of November 5, 2009 Meeting

Present:

Ed Berger, Natalie Borisovets (co-chair), Jeris Cassel, Melissa De Fino, Mary Fetzer, Judy Gardner, Melissa Gasparotto, Tom Glynn, Rebecca Gardner, Sara Harrington (co-chair), Marty Kesselman, Sam McDonald, Eileen Stec, Chris Sterback, Ryan Womack (recorder)

Excused:

Grace Agnew, K.N. Au, Stephanie Bartz, Susan Beck, Françoise Puniello, Caryn Radick, Wen-Hua Ren

1. Agenda approved at 9:33 am

2. Discussion with Jeris Cassel re. RIOT (Related to Goal 3)

• RIOT (Rutgers Information Literacy Tutorial) addresses first three ACRL Information Literacy Competency Standards. RIOT has been integrated into 70 sections of the First Year Interest Groups. Students received pretests and will receive posttests to evaluate their information literacy gains. Peer instructors are trained in how to incorporate information literacy into their activities.
• RIOT is being used in some sections of English 201/301, but not comprehensively yet. This is one of the primary places where RIOT is likely to be used, but evaluation from the FIGs will help guide implementation.
• RIOT supports the mission of the libraries and the university in providing instruction and teaching information literacy.
• SAS Deans are excited about the tutorial and found it cost effective. Student feedback has been positive.
• Other comments – some students do not like that the pretest and posttest are the same. This is something that can be changed in the future. It could also be automated, although the FIGs wanted a paper and pencil test. If it is automated, access to computers during the class session becomes a problem. Automated system helps require answers to questions. Students really had trouble with the pretest, and don't know a lot of library basics.
• How can we publicize RIOT and let a wider range of faculty know about it? A publicity postcard has been developed. RUL Marketing is working on this. A sample plan for integrating RIOT into the writing program will be provided for instructors in January.
• Tutorial creation could be funded by a class gift. There are concerns about the longevity of the tutorials for such a purpose. PALS program and the Step Up program run by Cathy Scott (develops interest in the sciences from Middle School through Rutgers) have expressed interest in tutorials.
• Applying knowledge learned in tutorials to later learning is a challenge.
• Can we identify open systems for the creation of modular tutorials that are easy for many librarians to contribute to?
• Searchpath has lasted longer than we expected.

3. Update on DIG discussion of ethnographic study comments on federated search product and vendor issues (Jeris Cassel)

• Jeris distributed a summary of the comments. The most common comment is that our system is too complex for usual article searching. Difficulties in choosing databases. Difficulties understanding Serials Solutions screens. Awareness of services that we already provide is a problem. Users want more convenience, more full-text access, easier access to JSTOR, Google Scholar. Not much difference between graduate and undergraduate comments.
• How do we satisfy these needs? Create an undergraduate portal? Highlight some of the databases and change web design to address comments? Add Web 2.0 tools? Customizable interface? Make it clearer what content is available, e.g., “Get it at Rutgers”. WAC will address these recommendations.

4. Update on discussion of ethnographic study comments on citation managers; ASC findings on circulation and ILL (Judy Gardner, Susan Beck)

• Judy summarized comments on citation managers. Users do not know which resources we have (e.g., that we have a citation manager available). EndNote was the most often requested. RefWorks needs to be more identifiable (even though it is already on the home page). Link to Zotero and tutorials. Most comments dealt with the service, but not something that can be addressed via the website. Can we pass on comments to the vendor?
• On circulation, users want convenience, single login, real-time information, and simplicity. Users are unaware that we already have many of the services they are requesting. Paging of books within a building, and maps of locations are the most common requests. They want more faculty items on reserve, longer loan periods for reserves/ILL/EZBorrow. Recommendations include single login (in progress). Separate portals for graduate and undergraduate would help simplify presentation of options. One request button and in-house requests are being recommended. Extended loan periods where possible. Routing patrons to EZBorrow instead of Recalls.
• On ILL, EZBorrow has built a following. Users who have been trained or learned the system are effective users. Make it easier to autofill forms with article information (this is being implemented). Simplicity again – users want a single login with NetID. Users want better linkage to their options. Article Linker causes confusion. Favorable comments on ILL speed and article delivery.

5. Update on discussion of ethnographic study comments on instruction (Sara Harrington, Tom Glynn, Eileen Stec)

• Sara summarized recommendations: more simplicity, easier access, more tutorials, more video formats. Ranking the services that would be best served by How-to's is important. Surface the instructional content. Don't understand the ArticleLinker. Non-discipline specific library workshops on research, scheduled and drop-in, would be useful. Several semesters may elapse between research projects. More outreach.
• Other comments on organizing the web page include making the focus of database list on individual subjects rather than defaulting to the alphabetical lists. Other suggestions. Tagging as a way to organize – Marty will investigate. Make database descriptions searchable with extra metadata, applied by cataloging department.

6. Update on discussion of ethnographic study comments on AAL (Natalie Borisovets)

• Meebo is viewed positively, and also has a positive reputation (some comments were from users who had only heard of it and never used it). Although some people did not like the prominent placement of the widget, that feature is part of its success and wide use. Users wanted to see the hours of the service displayed clearly. Recommend that this be added. Changing the text within the Meebo box will also be investigated.
• Users wanted late night hours – some 24/7, but late night especially. More staffing. Text, voice, and video were all mentioned as enhancements. These can be investigated.

7. Update on formation of joint USC/LRC task force on mobile devices (Related to Goal 2) (Sara Harrington)

• A task force is being formed to examine the implications of mobile devices for RUL collections, public services, and the website. Before forming this task force, the AULs who sit on USC and LRC have been asked for their feedback.

8. Updates / information sharing from AULs serving on Council, if applicable (Grace Agnew, Mary Fetzer, Françoise Puniello)

• Representatives should provide a way of reporting back to their constituencies.

9. Announcements

• Composition of Councils has been tabled until the Spring. RUL Faculty meeting will look at other bylaws changes.

10. The Council adjourned at precisely 11:30 am.