Tech Support Meeting Minutes for October 2008

Tech Support Meeting Minutes

Date: October, 28 2008

Attendance: Kay Bauman, Janet Brooks, Denyvetta Davis, Kathy Dunn, Anne Fischer, Teresa Goggins, Buddy Johnson, Aaron Killough, Karen Marriott, Katrina Prince, Pauline Rodriguez- Atkins (guest), Jimmy Welch

New Business

1. Jimmy Welch gave a presentation on the interlibrary loan functions that are scheduled to be added to V-Circ and CyberMARS . Jim shared print outs of several screen shots and sample labels.
1. After discussion, the timeframe for release was scheduled.
• On November 12th , IT will demo the updates at the manager’s meeting
• The ILL functions will go live on December 1st.
2. Member Terms
• The following positions rotate every 2 years - Manager of Library Operations, Circulation, Librarian and cataloging
1. Katrina Prince will be the new representative Manager of Library Operations
2. Kay will send out an email to request replacements for Buddy Johnson and Kathy Dunn.
3. Pauline will have someone from cataloging replace Aaron Killough.
3. Next Meetings
1. Next year’s meetings are scheduled for the following dates:
• January 27th
• April 28th
• July 28th
• October 27th
4. Standing Topics
5. Internet/Intranet – Teresa Goggins
1. Intranet – Teresa highlighted many of the updates/changes that are on the intranet such as the volunteer page, the safety page and the information about the telephone survey. She presented the new photo gallery of MLS Adult Volunteers for Volunteer Services page. Janet requested that the volunteers be filtered by branch as well. The group commented on how they liked the new scrolling banner on the homepage.
2. Internet – Teresa presented the endowment page and the guest speaker for the literary voices dinner. Teresa partnered with Kay to make strategic plan available on the internet as well. Teresa urged members to email her feedback and constructive criticism whenever necessary.
6. ILS Issues:
1. A suggestion was made to add shelf numbers to the reserve list printout.
1. Implications for this addition were discussed at length. Having a shelf number is often not all that is needed to locate an item. The location code and when the item was returned can be needed as well, and looking the item up will give more information. Ultimately, Tech Support does not recommend adding this suggestion.
2. A suggestion was made to add a code for foreign language paperbacks.
1. Janet and Karen will investigate this further and report back.
3. A suggestion was made to have an audio signal from V-circ that designates an item that belongs to another branch.
1. Tech Support does not recommend implementing this suggestion. There are visual alerts in V-Circ for items belonging to another branch. We already have an audio alert for “hold for reserve” and feel that if we had audio alerts for everything, it would be harder to distinguish for the user. They would still need to look back at the screen to see which title it is as you can checkin multiple items at a time with RFID.
4. A suggestion was made to implement a program on teaching computer labs that will shift the control of the computers from the instructor to the students.
1. Tech Support discussed the possible need of this program and the different learning and teaching styles that would or would not find this  program useful. Anne explained that this product can be purchased, but it will need to be budgeted for the following year.
5. An inquiry was made about implementing relay services for deaf customers.
1. Tech Support discussed this at length. Kay will research the last time this was an issue and will bring information about system-wide  implementation. Research will be done by Buddy and Anne to compile information about developing a resource page for hearing impaired  customers to send to Kay.
6. A suggestion was made to add a pop-up to the CyberMARS screen when a library will be closing.
1. This information was added to main login screen within CyberMARS. It will also be added to the checklist for future closings so that closings are posted on CyberMARS consistently. The RSS feeds and main page already have notifications about closings in place.
7. Action Items
• Pauline will be working on the wording for the email button on CyberMARS for customers to communicate with ILL for pricing when they have damaged or lost an ILL book.
• Kay will send out an email to request replacements for Buddy Johnson and Kathy Dunn.
• Pauline will have someone from cataloging replace Aaron Killough.
• Teresa will work on adding a branch filter to the adult volunteer photo page.
• Janet and Karen will investigate the need to code foreign language paperbacks.
• Kay will research the need for system-wide implementation of relay services.
• Buddy and Anne will compile information for a resource page for hearing impaired customers.

See October 2008 Tech Support Meeting Minutes for Tech Suggestions/Concerns