Approved Library on [the] Line Plan
Submitted by mkellogg on Thu, 05/04/2017 - 16:27
The Alignment Planning Committee approved the Library on [the] Line plan today at the Alignment Committee meeting. This plan was prepared by the Call Center/Virtual Library workgroup.
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I have to disagree with the committee that “Library on the Line” is a simpler and all encompassing name for the Call Center/Virtual Library. Library on the Line doesn’t tell me what this department does. It sounds like the library is in trouble actually (ex jobs are on the line). Also, do we really want to make this department the laughing stock of the library system? Pun intended. http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/291168?isAdvanced=false&result=2&rskey=SbA...
Can we just stick with something simple like Virtual Library? Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County calls theirs Virtual Information Center (VIC). That tells me more of what the department does than LOL.
I'd like to hear thoughts from others.
Those are some interesting points! Just to throw in my (unprompted) two cents...
When I read it as "Library On [the] Line," I took it to mean Library Online, or library services provided online/through technology/etc. The LOL I thought was just a cute nod towards the new division, as LOL is fun, generally innocuous internet slang. In fact, as I opened the page, a coworker looked at the top and said "They should call it LOL. That would be fun!" We had a laugh before we scrolled down and saw that the acronym was indeed LOL.
I, personally, wouldn't be embarrassed working for a department that refers to itself as LOL (actually, can I? ;D) , but I understand we're all different! :D
Well, as a former cataloger (admittedly trained using AACR2 rather than RDA), I'm not fond of using square brackets for a department title, as those were used to transcribe inaccuracies.
Yet RDA now allows catalogers to transcribe inaccuracies as they appear on the source of information (according to library.yale.edu), and, if necessary, "a note may be made correcting the inaccuracy, and the title as corrected may be recorded as a variant title if it is considered important for access." (But anyway, that digression is for the cataloging nerds among us.)
So if this is the preferred name, what about Library ONtheLINE -- which removes those pesky square brackets? Or just Library Online?
Your comments are all appreciated! While the name and its acronym were intended as Megan described, the group realizes not everyone will share our enthusiasm for it. [Jana - The brackets were my bright idea. Consider them gone.]
What other aspects of the plan caught your attention? One question I continue to get is whether or not staff will be *allowed* to share the library's direct line with members. We recognize there will be certain times when you need to give out the library's number. Examples include program performers, reps from other organizations you are collaborating with, family members, etc. I recommend being selective and using an office or back room phone - not public service points - in order to preserve the benefits of having a Library On the Line and ensuring that local engagement (face to face) occurs the way it is intended.
This might be a small issue, but I had never heard the term "warm transfer" before. The adjective "warm" conjures up images of chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven. I did some research and found that "warm transfer" is an actual, technical term in customer service, so I more readily accepted the workgroup's use of it. That being said, I think it would be helpful to define the term at some point in the document for neophytes like myself :)
Katherine, absolutely we should define "warm transfer"! Thank you for bringing it to our attention.