IRPC-Documents Subcommittee
Minutes
November 12, 1998

Recorder: Martha Walker

Present: Martha Walker (chair), Deb Joseph, Angi Faiks, Lori Micho, Marty Schlabach, Marianne Hansen, and Brendan Wyly

Introductions and Review of Charge: This was the first meeting of the newly formed Documentation Committee. After a round of introductions, we reviewed our charge (as posted on CU-LIB on 11/4). A few questions arose, which Martha will discuss with Katherine Reagan (IRPC Steering Liaison) before our next meeting on November 19. Martha pointed out one change to the charge involving committee membership: John Fereira will continue to provide technical support (as needed) to Angi Faiks and the Gateway Help Working Group, however, John is not a regular member of the Documentation Committee. It was also pointed out that Marty Schlabach (in his role as Gateway Editor) will attend our meetings on an occasional basis. Angi Faiks, as Chair of the Gateway Help Working Group, will inform Marty of online documentation changes to Gateway Help. Marty will also receive any significant recommendations and reports put forward by the Documentation Committee.

Meeting Matters: We discussed the timing and frequency of our meetings and decided to start out trying to meet twice a month. Our next three meetings will be on Thursday afternoons, 2:00-3:30. We agreed to vary our meeting locations and to rotate responsibility for meeting minutes, which will be posted on CU-LIB. Concern was expressed that we may need to meet more often and involve more people. We agreed to modify our planning as and when needed. Our next meeting will be held on November 19, at ILR. Our December meetings will be on the 10th and 17th at the Engineering Library Electronic Classroom.

Review of Gateway Help: Angi Faiks reviewed the history of Gateway Help. The current Gateway Help screens have their origins in the Mann Gateway help pages. The help pages from the Mann Gateway migrated (with adaptations) to the Library Gateway when it went public (last January). The help pages were reviewed before migration and wording was changed to address broader needs. Angi has had prime responsibility for the development of the current Gateway Help pages and has been assisted by individuals in Mann Library's Information Technology Services Dept. (ITS). ITS will continue to asssist the Gateway Help Working Group when needed.Brendan Wyly will be added to this team. Angi explained that a thorough review of the Help pages is needed. She is hesitant to add materials until Help has been redesigned, unless proposed documentation is considered essential to patrons and staff. The Documentation Committee will be working with Angi and Brendan to redesign the Help pages.

Martha Walker

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Posted November 19, 1998 [KAD]