Minutes of September 14, 2012 Meeting

Present:: Joe Abraham, Joseph Deodato, Rebecca Gardner, Tom Glynn (chair), Melissa Just, Triveni Kuchi (remote), Mei Ling Lo, Kevin Mulcahy, Jill Nathanson, Jim Niessen, Andrew Ruggiero (recorder), Jane Sloan, Gene Springs (remote) Karen Hartman, Tao Yang, Ryan Womack

1. Chair's Report: (Tom)

Tom reported that there hasn't be any progress in changing the URL for the libraries' website to "libraries.rutgers.edu" from "www.libraries.rutgers.edu". The reason cited by IIS was the additional workload in keeping the alternative updated when servers are changed or updated.
The new version of Netops called has been installed in the NBL instructional spaces. New documentation should be placed alongside all of the teacher PCs in their respective e-classrooms.
The VALE trial for 'Easybib' is available thru September. Tom suggested participants try the service and bring comments to the next NBISG meeting. Go to easybib.com.
The ALEX reference team suggested setting up a reference outpost at the new Barnes & Nobles store to increase the exposure of the libraries in the new space, but decided not to pursue this. Another suggestion is to at least leave bookmarks and other marketing material, as the store has been reported to be a popular new study space for students.

Megan Lotts and Rebecca Gardner are going to be joining the Web Board.
The window for launching the new libraries website is scheduled to be the month of January 2013.
Megan Lotts had a very successful booth entitled "Mapping Rutgers" in front of the Art Library during the opening week of classes. Other events that attracted visitors were caricatures at KLMR, Open Mic at Douglass and the reopening of the Scarlet Latte at Alexander.
RIS UCS report - Melissa reported on a recent meeting between herself, the RIS UCSs, and their supervisors regarding the need to define clear boundaries for the work that they do for IIS, and how these duties have shifted considerably in the last few years. She reported that she will meet with Tibor soon to discuss these, and related issues. One suggestion was changing their title from the Unit Computing Specialist to Instructional Support Specialist, as defined by UHR.

Marianne and Judy Gardner have created a number of subcommittees to look into specific issues that will need to be resolved regarding the integration between the RUL and UMDNJ libraries. Melissa is the chair of the services commission, which is investigating the integration of various policies, systems and tools, among other things.
RUL is receiving direction from the consultancy group Pricewaterhouse Coopers, which has dealt extensively with mergers. A question was brought up on whether there has been any talk of layoffs, since this has been a hallmark of corporate mergers. Melissa reported that there has been no discussion on the topic at present date.

Tom reported that reference stats have dropped at twice the rate in the current year in comparison to the trend over the past 3 years. He reported that Joe A., Mary F. and he are looking into the possible reasons why this might be the case, including recent changes in the way stats are recorded. The group decided not to change the software with which the units record stats, which is called Gimlet. Joe reported on the challenges in tabulating stats in Gimlet from the different units into one report.
Joseph D. suggested the group rethink what kind of data the group wants to collect first, and then go ahead and tailor the technology to fit the need.
Melissa reminded the group of the USC plan to implement the READ scale at service points using Gimlet by the end of the fiscal year. Presumably this will increase the accuracy of our reference statistics.

Central Phone number for Reference:
Tom reported that the central phone # for reference is active, but has not been publicized as yet. The group discussed the different places in which the number will eventually appear, including main website, the mobile site, bookmarks and other paper goods.
Fieldwork with student groups:
Gene suggested we keep on progressing with this activity, but not categorize it as a formal goal
Stats - Ongoing
NBL Toolkit
The group decided that developing the NBL Toolkit will be a goal this year.
Indicators:
Outcome: The toolkit is used in training
Guide on the Side: Despite protests that there are parallel investigations ongoing with this product, the group decided that Joseph D. should prepare a 15-20 minute demo of this product for the next month's NBISG.
Instruction: Examine online and offline instruction
The group decided this will be a goal

We are currently in the 3rd year of the centralized effort to train graduate Information assistants. This year we had trainees from Kilmer, Douglass and Alexander Libraries participate. Jim, Gene Springs and Eileen Stec served as the trainers.
Representatives from Access Services and DTS came to talk to the new assistants about security and book delivery, as well as troubleshooting database access issues. Jim will look into adding new tabs on the NBL Toolkit libguide for these topics.

'Students in Transition' is a required class for transfer students. Jill is responsible for 51 sections of this class, and has made substantial changes in the structure and pedagogy. For instance, students will no longer watch RIOT while in class. The participants will do much more hands on activities in class, researching Rutgers professors' current publications.

The Reforks and Zotero liguides are active and updated
There is a refworks channel now available on YouTube featuring many instructional videos and demos.
CSTAAR will be hosting workshops on Refworks on September 25 and October 23.

Jill - Eileen and Jill hired two part time librarians to help with reference and instruction at Kilmer and Douglass Libraries.
Mei Ling - Jill and Mei Ling have launched a course on eCollege for instructors who want to learn more about our library services. Jill and Mei Ling will be teaching a course for Center for Online and Hybrid Learning in Dec. Date is to be determined. The course is about how to integrate libraries resources into the course shells.
Joseph D. - There will be an info session on Searchlight on 9/27 @2pm in the Pane room. It will probably be recorded and there most likely will be a second session announced soon.