Present: Stephanie Bartz (recorder), Jeris Cassel, Ron Jantz, Penny Page, Pat Piermatti, Matthew Sheehy (Guest), Gracemary Smulewitz (Guest), Myoung Wilson (chair)

Absent: Kevin Mulcahy, Ferris Olin

1. Approval of Minutes

Minutes of the December 11, 2003 meeting were approved.

2. Seamless Information Task Force

Jeris outlined the highlights of the report after which there was a discussion of various points. Suggestions included:



• Adding a section on methodology to clarify the statistics
• Adding a list of expected outcomes
• Adding additional charts to represent hours at service points in main libraries vs. branches
• Creating an organizational chart as an additional attachment
• Including the SCC Data Center information desk as an Alexander service point
• Clarifying the language in various parts of the report
• Including hiring and training of Reference/Information Assistants as part of the responsibilities of the position
• Adding additional competencies (e.g., PCs, CD-ROMs, NBL site, CKDB) as part of attachment 4



There was general agreement that the intent of the document was worthwhile and that the position described was needed. A revised version will be distributed to ISSG for review.

3. Temporary line

The line vacated by Angel Falcon is available for Information Services use from the end of February until July 2004. Hiring 2 part-time librarians is also an option. Information on staffing needs and names of possible candidates should be sent to MCW as soon as possible. Kilmer Library is most in need of this position since Angel was originally assigned at Kilmer with one reference desk shift per week at Alexander.

4. Standardizing voucher rates across NBL
• Some years ago it was agreed that the starting rate for a reference/information assistant would be $10.00 across NBL. When students graduate with an MLS they do not automatically move up to a professional rate, but can be given a raise of $1.00 or so as recognition of their new status with the expectation that they will soon leave to find a professional position. The voucher allocation is set each spring for the following year, so funds are not available for large unplanned raises.
• The starting rate for part-time professional librarians is $20.00 budget permitting.
• The Chair of ISSG should be consulted with/informed of any raises/changes in rate in order to allow for better coordination across NBL.
• Voucher allocation requests for the next fiscal year should be sent to Myoung before the April ISSG meeting.


5. Instruction coordination

English 201 and 301 classes were scheduled in January and a list of classes was sent to both Kevin Mulcahy and Eileen Stec. Many of the classes are already covered.

6. 2004/2004 ACIC

Because the information about ACIC was so late coming out this year, ISSG is not coordinating the proposals. 3 separate proposals are being submitted to Farideh for review before they are subsequently sent to Marianne for final ranking/decision on submission.

• Eileen Stec is submitting a proposal to expand the Douglass classroom
• Rebecca Gardner and Marty Kesselman are submitting a proposal to upgrade the infrastructure at Chang to support NetOp and create a dedicated classroom area
• Stephanie Bartz and Ron Jantz are submitting a proposal to replace the computers in IHL 415


7. Reports

• Public Services Council –
• ILL/DD Services statistics were distributed
• Current discussion centers on service to undergraduates


• Unit Reports -
• Alexander – 1) Heather Huey has returned to work and has begun observing BIs. 2) Most of the materials from the index tables is being incorporated into the reference collection and the collection is being shifted. All but two index tables will be replaced with comfortable seating.
• Douglass – 1) D21 is moving ahead and the redesigned space is due to open after spring break. 2) Mary Gadek is retiring and Roger Smith will be taking over at Douglass.
• Kilmer – 1) Ann Bemis was hired for the full-time position. 2) Reference statistics are being analyzed based on subject.
• LSM – The entire collection including Special Collections is being weeded.
• Branches – An ACIC proposal to establish a library classroom at Chang is being submitted (See 6 above).


• Instruction activities – 1) The Website listing NBL instruction materials is being worked on. Please send any additional materials to Jeris. 2) The RUL instruction group is working on an information literacy tutorial.
• CKDB – Heather Huey is reviewing and revising the records in the database and has been asked to add any that she feels would be useful.
• NB Faculty Council (reported by Jeris Cassel)– 1) President McCormick is forming a task force on undergraduate education. 2) The new Route 18 construction scheduled to begin later this year will effect class locations and schedules because of changing traffic patterns between the campuses.
• Miscellaneous – 1) (Smulewitz) The new Jazz Institute web site is up and worth taking a look at. 2) (Bartz) Training for the new AAL software begins next week and should greatly reduce the number of email messages being received by those who participate. 3) (Wilson) LinkSource OpenURL will be available soon.

2/12/2004sb, revised 2/24/2004