Members Present: Carol Turner, Jan Swanbeck, Carol Drum, Rich Bennett, David Hickey, Gary Cornwell

Guest:  David Fuller

David Fuller reported on the ILL department. He said the majority of requests coming in were still in paper format, rather than the new electronic forms that are available. The ILL has been encouraging patrons to use the electronic forms for about a year. One advantage of the electronic form is that patrons receive a copy of their request through email to confirm that the request went through and that all the information was included.

David said the goal of ILL is to have all requests come in using the WebLUIS form. This will save staff time because the patron information is already on the request form and the WebLUIS information automatically is filled in. Currently, it takes one hour to process requests in the paper format. Eventually, the paper forms will be eliminated. The feeling is that patrons don’t realize the electronic format is available.

Jan Swanbeck suggested adding a notation to the paper request form indicating that a request could be made electronically.

Carol Drum suggested pulling the cards on the service desks and using them only for emergencies. The staff could then educate patrons about the electronic forms. She said the paper forms were clunky and a great deal of time was cut out of the cutting and pasting the information, allowing staff more time to process the orders

Carol Turner said they had hoped the switch would take place during the fall semester, but it didn’t. Information about the electronic forms needs to get out. She said staff should be encouraged to put the paper forms away and teach patrons how to use the electronic forms.

Carol Drum reported that many problems occurred when the fourth floor was closed. The floor and ranges were covered with plastic. Staff had to move under the tents to get to the books. All forms have been moved from circulation to reference. Another staff member has been working reference on the fourth floor.

There will be a problem when the second floor lighting is replaced because while lights behind the circulation desk are replaced the desk can’t be used. One suggested possibility is to set up a circulation desk in Library West and retrieve books for patrons.

Gary Cornwell suggested setting up a desk in the MSL entrance. Carol Drum said they hadn’t considered using the entrance, but she would look into it.

Bill Covey said that the number of systems liaisons meeting has been reduced.  He also said the role of the PSITC may change.

Rich Bennett said that PSITC would continue to meet as planned. A training session with the public service group is planned.

• David Hickey reported that new entrance doors would be installed in Library West during the week between Christmas and New Years.

• Rich announced that FCLA is going to convert all pages to the new WebLUIS page over the intersession.

• David Hickey said that preliminary results from the space survey indicate that faculty and staff like the idea of electronic journals, but the undergraduates are not in favor of them. Other results indicated that eliminating the study pace in Room 100 was acceptable, as was using compact shelving on the first floor.

• Carol Turner reported that the SUS distance learning committee would meet on Friday, Dec. 3. In response to a request for information to take to the SUS meeting, Sue Legg requested a survey on people’s opinions on distance learning and how it could be improved.  Carol developed and sent her a brief survey.  At its Dec. 3 meeting, the SUS committee will look at its initial charge. They will go over weak areas, set goals and decide where to go from here.

• Carol Drum brought up the issue of the Law Library wanting help in distributing documents. Jan said the law library receives items they don’t need to keep for their own collection, but they send them out to other libraries. They want a certain number of help hours to help with that processing. Jan said it would be a big help if everyone reviewed the list. Many of the items are available through electronic distribution anyway. We will talk to Betty to try and work things out.

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