As usual, we think it's a slow time, but actually it's always busy. As usual, I will summarize a few things going on in IRT/LS to provide some context for what you will be hearing and seeing this summer.
Round Rock
is a go! And the Steering Committee is busy finalizing a space allocation. The full service campus will be built in three phases, IRT will have significant presence in Phase I and then completed in Phase II. At the conclusion of the buildout, it will be the largest ACC IRT/library space and it will have a complete curriculum and support services for Health Sciences - hopefully - at the end of Phase I. Although I sit on the Steering Committee, Margaret (Health Sciences) and Leigh (RRHEC) are both attending when appropriate and vetting all IRT/LS space planning with me.
LS will have - as we did with South Austin - an Ad Hoc Collection Management Team to select resources. Paul Mason is the ACC Facilities project manager for RR and I think he is wonderful...so we are full steam ahead. I have put together a PPT of library/media/computer environments that we like/have discussed in the past year or so, received input from LLT and then moved this through Herb and Bruce and Marshall and together we all have a "look" for how the space might look. We'll see what happens.
LS Work/Product Timelines
LLT members have asked for accelerated timelines to make work product go more smoothly and a smaller group is working to produce those. These new dates/timelines should make all LS work in several areas (ex. selection, team goals' development) go more smoothly this year. We will evaluate these new timelines next year and strive to keep improving.
In addition, I am asking for reformatting in Team Goals proposed and completed this year. All Teams should separate out those goals that are "ongoing" or maintenance from those that produce something separate and distinct. Literally, Team documents should have two headings for goals or outcomes that are "Ongoing/Maintenance" and "FY '09 Completed."
LS Files/Documents
Although I have said this in a variety of venues over the years, we need to make sure our documents and files are standardized across IRT/LS and that we have our working documents available. That being said:
1. Two years ago we embarked on a project to standardize all reference desk files, same subject headings, etc. This is good business practice and makes it much easier for adjuncts to be successful at individual campuses or as they move between or among campuses. We then moved to circ desks for standardizing files and then HL management documents. We are well on our way to be completed and my goal is by the end of this calendar year, all of these areas are standard.
2. The Wiki has brought great order and opportunity to us and it is probably the single greatest management and office productivity tool I have worked with EVER! Kudos to the LS wiki team (led by Margaret) to make our Wiki come alive and be one the of best anywhere.
3. Library staff have limited space to accomplish their work. We all know that. We must strive to weed our files, maintain our office space, and keep on top of issues relating to our work and productivity environments. I have said before in many venues, ACC work stays at ACC. Staff are not to create duplicate or keep original sets of their ACC work files at any other location than their ACC office. I don't know how many times I have outlined this for different groups and we review this when we hire new people, build new environments and renovate existing spaces. At times, I have sat next to people and reviewed files/archives and tossed items that people are unsure of - that is - do we keep or throw? Rosemary has assisted staff in this endeavor as well. Typically we have standard work environment furniture that includes and given space constraints - per librarian - one or two shelving units, one four drawer file cabinet and desk drawers. Often librarians also ask for a small cart to keep ongoing projects that they then take back and forth to the reference desk if their documents are print rather than available through VPN/their desktop.
I am reminded of how much we do as I try to finalize the consolidate and distribution of Toma's files and Jeanette's files...both of whom..after being here for many years...had wonderful up-to-date work arranged neatly. It put me to shame! If you enter my office you will see stacks of papers, labeled for final perusal by me and some will be distributed, some refiled by Rose and me and some shredded. Thanks to hourly worker Kelly for assisting with this and all should be completed by August 1st (yes, of this year.)
Group Discussions
We had our full time librarian retreat this last month and had great presentations on our new resources along with excellent discussions.
I have a Senior Library Assistant retreat scheduled for next week and - in our first - we will concentrate on the role and relationships of SLAs in LS. These R and R's will be explored in the context of LA's and HL's.
Have a great summer. I will continue to update you as we move along.
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