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CUWL Reference Coordinators’ Committee

RE: Report of RCC activities

TO: Council of University of Wisconsin Libraries

FROM: Valerie Malzacher, Chair

November 7, 2002

The Reference Coordinators’ Committee met on March 28, 2002 via conference call (due to UW-System travel restrictions) and on October 22, 2002 in Madison.

On March 28, the group reviewed the University of Wisconsin Libraries Strategic Directions for 2001-2003 and CUWL’s charge to the RCC. Based on these documents, RCC members identified the following important issues that should be pursued by the committee.

• Priority should be placed on activities best achieved by a group effort rather than by a single library.
• Work with the CDC to evaluate online sources, emphasizing reference type sources.
• One search software
• Web based reference service; “24x7” (or “18x16” etc.) reference service.
• Interactive guides and tutorials for shared online products.
• Service to remote users (including but not limited to DE students).
• Portal technology
• Assessment tools

The above priorities formed the basis for discussions at the October 2002 meeting, which included discussion of virtual reference, partnership with the CDC to evaluate shared electronic resources, one search software, web based instructional materials and tutorials, and an Illiad update.

Virtual Reference

• Steve Frye, UW-Madison, demonstrated Madison’s Librarian Live service and supporting Convey Software
• Kirsten Houtman, WILS, demonstrated QuestionPoint software and summarized the AskWisconsin pilot project
• Discussion focused on technical as well as “social” issues (e.g., hours of service, staffing, the dynamics of internet chat, etc.) related to virtual reference services. UW participants in the AskWisconsin pilot project will evaluate the QuestionPoint software as well as the feasibility of extended virtual reference hours through cooperative efforts. Discussion about possible ventures among the UW libraries will continue at future RCC meetings as participants in the pilot project gain experience and expertise with virtual reference service.

Relationship between the CDC and RCC
The RCC liaison will provide information to the RCC membership as the CDC selects and deselects shared electronic resources.

The following are some specific ways the Reference Coordinators’ Committee can assist the CDC:

1. Provide content comparisons of different databases that cover similar academic areas.

2. Review use statistics and make recommendations on titles to be discontinued.

3. Review new titles offered for a trial period and make recommendations as a group as to whether the product should be considered for purchase. Such recommendations would be based on coverage, ease of use, availability of existing titles, academic discipline, etc.

4. Recommend titles that should be added (or substituted) and/or academic disciplines that need additional coverage.

5. Provide tutorials and training materials for titles in the shared collection.

One-Search Software
The RCC will investigate “one search software” to facilitate access to our varied electronic resources. Ed Van Gemert will keep the RCC apprised of UW-Madison’s current evaluation of one-search products.

Web based instructional materials and tutorials
RCC members will share URLs, by November 1, for effective tutorials or training materials that they currently maintain for titles in the shared collection. Members will evaluate these materials as a first step in developing a plan to maintain and update shared training materials. Discussion to develop a plan to share materials will continue on the cuwlref list.