IRIS News & Notes
     January 2003

Contents:

Peter Hirtle Named Director for Instruction and Learning
Preliminary Findings from Library Hours & Services Survey
IRIS Cabinet Approves Performance Expectations and Evaluation Criteria
Facilities Updates
   Space outside Libe Café
   Move of Icelandic circulating collection to Olin Lower Level
   Uris Electronic Classroom facelift
Update to Technology Page on IRIS Web Site
Laptop Renewals in Olin
New Staff

Winter with attitude!

I’m a collector of collective nouns. Some of the best-known ones apply to birds of a feather. Most wordsmiths know that a group of owls is called a parliament and a flock of crows is a murder. Then there’s the alliterative gaggle of geese, flamboyance of flamingos, and pride of peacocks. Some collective names are ominous sounding, such as a troubling of hummingbirds, a conspiracy of ravens, a mutation of thrushes, and a pitying of turtledoves.

The collective noun for IRIS senior management is cabinet, which is now complete. Late last month Peter Hirtle accepted the position of Director for Instruction and Learning. I can think of no better person for this job. Peter has a well-deserved international reputation for his work on copyright, digital librarianship, and archival theory—and a very long track record with instruction. He has taught at the University of Alabama, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins, and has conducted numerous workshops on digital imaging, digital preservation, rights management, project management, and Web resources. Peter is a Fellow and current President of the Society of American Archivists.

In addition to Peter, the nascent Department of Instruction and Learning will consist of Tony Cosgrave, Lance Heidig, Ira Revels (see below), and an administrative assistant, to be hired as soon as possible. Peter will take up his new post on January 6. His first task will be to coordinate the production of a grant for a continuing education program in digital librarianship that will be submitted to the Institute for Museum and Library Services by February 1.

Here’s what else is new from the past month.

Preliminary Findings from Library Building Hours and Services Survey
In December, we reported that the Convenient Business Hours Study Working Group contacted 36,000+ library patrons by email, using a subset of the Voyager patron file, inviting them to complete the Library Hours and Services Questionnaire. We were gratified that 10% of those contacted (3,623) took the time to complete the questionnaire. The working group will be analyzing the returns over the next month, but here are some preliminary highlights:

The user category graph below documents significant representation for each patron category:

The primary library identification also shows broad representation:

And, an encouraging 65% of respondents expressed satisfaction with current hours:

The working group plans to submit their detailed findings to PSEC by February and then to Sarah Thomas and LMT soon thereafter. Breakdowns by user group and unit library will also be provided upon request once the report has been approved. The final report will be made broadly available via the staff Web site.

IRIS Cabinet Approves Performance Expectations and Evaluation Criteria
Last month, the IRIS cabinet, with the assistance of Susan Markowitz and Linda Bryant, developed a set of seven criteria for setting job expectations and performance assessments for IRIS professional staff. The seven criteria are:

•  Job Knowledge
•  Constituent Relations
•  Resource Management
•  Adaptability
•  Teamwork
•  Initiative and Creativity
•  Interpersonal Relations

Additional criteria will be applied to those with supervisory/management responsibilities. The complete statement is available on our policies page. These criteria will be used in reviewing job descriptions, in setting individual performance goals and terms of reference, and in the coming years to assess the quality of an academic/professional staff member's contribution through the annual performance review. The IRIS Management team reviewed these criteria at their December 10th meeting. Questions about their application and use can be directed to members of the IRIS Cabinet or the Management Team.

Facilities Updates:

Space outside Libe Café
We’re still trying to find a good solution for the space right outside the Libe Café in Olin. This tends to be a place where people congregate, and the noise levels can get high by early afternoon especially when classes are in session. The spillover from the Café and the indiscriminate use of cell phones adds to the disruptive atmosphere. So, with the help of architect John Barradas, we’re trying to re-conceive this space. Our aim is to establish a sense of place that connotes the role of the library in research, study, and teaching—and to achieve this on a very limited budget. So for the next week or so, we’re trying out a new configuration that is one-part USAir Club and one-part relaxed reading room. And yes, the Counter Thrust Statue has been moved once again. Let us know whether you think the layout will contribute to creating a new ambience. We're also open to other suggestions for this space.

Move of Icelandic Circulating Collection to Olin Lower Level
To make space on the mezzanine in Kroch Library for a staging and processing area for the Asia Collections, the circulating portion of the Icelandic Collection is being moved to the Olin lower level adjacent to the card catalog. Just before the holiday break, Tom Cotton and crew installed posts and shelving in this space. The electricians are currently installing the necessary lighting, and we anticipate that the Icelandic Collection can be moved before the beginning of the new term. Work will then proceed on the Kroch mezzanine, where the Asia holdings located there will be shifted so that a caged processing area can be created next to the stairwell.

Uris Electronic Classroom Facelift
The Uris Electronic Classroom is getting some badly needed repairs, renovations, and equipment upgrades. These include plastering, painting, new carpet, and a new ceiling-mounted computer projector. This work should be completed before the first "Learning and Teaching with Technology Expo," scheduled for January 16-17, 2003 in Uris Library.

Update to Technology Page on IRIS Web Site
Take a look at the updated IRIS IT page created by Chris Bucko and Valerie Jacoski. The page now includes suggestions and links that may help in troubleshooting hardware and software problems. It also provides access to Smartforce online classes that are required for all local IT support providers.

Laptop Renewals in Olin
Prompted by requests from a number of laptop loan users and thanks to the flexibility of the Access Services staff, patrons will be able to renew laptops at both the Uris and Olin circulation desks. The laptops and all peripherals must be presented at the circulation desk for renewal. All laptop checkouts and equipment returns will continue to take place in Uris. This new policy will take effect by the beginning of the spring term.

New Staff
Ira Revels will complete the last six months of her two-year program as Library Fellow in IRIS, working in the new Department of Instruction and Learning. She has also accepted a one-year appointment as Instruction Librarian in that department, beginning in August 2003. Among other things, she will participate in CUL’s technology-mediated instruction efforts, contribute to the development of the continuing education program in digital librarianship, tested innovative partnerships and programs to encourage minority participation in formal and continuing education programs, and collaborate with other units within CUL, the university, and beyond in support of instruction.

Judy Barrett will join the Fine Arts Library staff on January 9 as a Public Services Assistant III. Among the credentials Judy brings to this position is a BS degree from Cornell's College of Architecture, Art and Planning, where she majored in Urban and Regional studies.

That’s it for this month. Remember to send us your thoughts on the space outside the Libe Café and, as always, if there are other things on your mind, please let me know.

Thanks, Anne

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