Active or Ongoing Task Forces/Teams
Assessment Project on Faculty Liaison Responsibilities and Effectiveness
Bibliographic Services Council
Born Digital Workflow Initiative
Collection Development Priorities for Digitization Task Force
Collection Development Team for Law
Content Management Expert Team
CMS Reserve Committee
Desktop/Laptop Task Force
Electronic Reference Resources Committee
Google Book Scanning Project
Image Testing Work Group
Leisure Collection Task Force
MetaLib Steering Committee
Office of Digital Scholarly Publishing (ODSP) Pilot Products Team
Open House Steering Committee
Planning Options for a Knowledge Commons
Public Printing Task Force
School of International Affairs (SIA) Task Force
Services Planning Committee
U-Design (Universal Design)
University Park Facilities Task Force
Virtual Reference Service Team
Wage Redesign Task Force
Web Steering Committee
Assessment Project on Faculty Liaison Responsibilities and Effectiveness
Appointed by: Nancy L. Eaton
Chair: Laurie Probst
Membership: Joseph Fennewald, Eric Novotny, Amy Paster
Charge: In collaboration with Jim Self and Steve Hiller, visiting ARL Program Officers for the ARL "Making Library Assessment Work" Program, plan and implement an assessment project to investigate faculty liaison responsibilities and their effectiveness. Analyze the data collected and prepare a report, including recommendations for improvements to current practices.
Specific activities might include:
• Identify initial assessment questions
• Work with Jim Self and Steve Hiller to identify appropriate assessment methodologies and data collection strategies
• Provide a preliminary report by December 1, 2006, outlining the methodologies selected for the project
• Consult broadly with faculty across the Libraries to identify current liaison practices
• Collect and analyze data using chosen instruments and from other identified sources
Deadline/duration: Report due June 1, 2007Report:
Bibliographic Services Council
Appointed by: Lisa German
Chair: Rebecca Mugridge
Membership: Robert Alan, Paige Andrew, John Attig, Yurong Jade Atwill, Ann Copeland, Robert Freeborn, Susan Hamburger, Judy Hewes, Debra Jones, Virginia Lingle, Richard Paone, Gail Partin, Christopher Walker
Charge: The Bibliographic Services Council will consider matters of policy and management related to the intellectual access of library materials through the online catalog (the CAT) or other search and retrieval interfaces. The Council will develop and document policy that adheres to national standards while also addressing local needs.
Deadline/duration: Ongoing
Report:
Born Digital Workflow Initiative Work Group
Appointed by: Mike Furlough and Lisa German
Co-Chairs: Gary White and Stephen Woods
Membership: John Attig, Joni Barnhoff, Mike Bender, Jamie Jamison, Sue Kellerman, Linda Klimczyk
Charge: Selectors are acquiring born digital materials to meet the needs
of our users. Some of these materials are delivered to the libraries
on physical media, presenting cataloging, preservation, and access challenges
because we have no consistent way to deliver these to our users. Just
as we have a workflow from selection to preservation for electronic journals
or print materials, we need a workflow for those materials we acquire
that are born digital. These types of materials include, but are not
limited to, pdfs, excel or other data files, or dual media materials
such as books with an electronic or physical data file. A well developed
workflow, from selection to acquisitions and licensing, cataloging, accessibility,
and preservation of these types of materials will ensure their access
and preservation for library users.
The goals of this project are to:
1) Benchmark other library workflows for these types of materials
2) Make a recommendation for workflow and accessibility methods to IT Strategies
and the Collection Development Council.
Deadline/duration: Preliminary report due May 31, 2007; Final report due August 15, 2007
Report: Final Report
Additional Information: Born Digital Workflow Initiative Charter
Collection Development Priorities for Digitization Task Force
Appointed by: The Collection Development Council
Chair: Henry Pisciotta
Membership: Heidi Abbey, Linda Friend, ex-officio, Sue Kellerman ex-officio, Linda Musser, Nonny Schlotzhauer, Lee Stout
Charge: The group will guide curation of our locally-created digital collections by identifying three or four key collection areas from which we will focus the bulk of our digitization activity. Working with subject specialists throughout the libraries, the team will draft a document that we will use to prioritize how to use ongoing funding for digitization activities, and to evaluate gifts or other opportunities for digital content creation that may emerge. Such a document cannot prioritize each of our collection’s strengths, and it will necessarily be selective. However, there will also be emerging services, experiments, or unexpected needs that will affect how we curate our digital collections. It is expected that we will re-evaluate these priorities in two to three years.
Starting assumptions to guide the group:
•
We are aiming to build a substantial coherent collection of online materials
that represents a substantial mass of content for maximum usage by relevant
communities.
•
To achieve this, we will focus the bulk of our ongoing digitization efforts
in only a few areas for a couple of years.
•
We will also have to focus on material formats that we have experience
developing and can most efficiently produce at scale. The group should identify materials
or formats that we should experiment with in order to gain facility in digitization and
management.
•
In making choices, the needs of the Penn State user community will be
most important, but our university’s outreach mission and potential worldwide user
community is also important. The potential value to teaching, as well as research, should
be considered.
•
We should attempt to avoid replication of materials that are already
being digitized by other libraries, whether in small scale projects or in mass-digitization
activities. But we should consider if we have collections that would complement any of those
activities and which could be contributed to such efforts.
•
For the long run, a document outlining areas of focus for digitization,
or criteria for identification of materials for digitization, will be more useful than
a list of potential projects. (Even if the document might need revision within a few years.)
Deadline/duration:
• Optional: Benchmarking with other institutions (comparable statements,
etc.) – March 31, 2007
•
Statement of existing (traditional) collection strengths –
May
1, 2007
•
Suggested collection development criteria for evaluating digitization
opportunities – May 15, 2007
•
Optional: Recommendations for process of identification and prioritizing
digitization work within criteria recommended by the group – May
15, 2007.
Report: Final Report
Collection Development Team for Law
Appointed by: Nancy Eaton, Sally Kalin, Jack Sulzer, Lisa German
Chair: Cecily Giardina
Membership: Bob Alan, Cecily Giardina, Kevin Harwell, Steve Hinckley, Gail Partin, Vernon (Nonny) Schlotzhauer, Helen Sheehy
Charge: To address collection development
issues related to law arising from 1) the full integration of the Dickinson
School of Law Library into the University Libraries, and 2) the plan
to construct new Law School Buildings at University Park and Carlisle,
each incorporating a law library. The Dickinson School of Law also is
expected to develop strong working relationships with the Smeal College
of Business and a new School of International Affairs, which will initially
report to the Dean of the Law School.
Deadline/duration: Ongoing (as of 4/30/07)
Report: Not available
Content Management Expert Team
Appointed by: Future of the Web Group
Chair: Ann Copeland
Membership: Ann Copeland, Brian Hoffman, Cheryl McCallips, Eric Novotny, Nonny Schlotzhauer, Helen Smith, Dawn Walton, Carol Wright
Charge: To examine the various aspects
of content management within the Libraries and make recommendations for
improving it.
Deadline/duration: Ongoing. While some items have an
initial deadline, they all need to be examined in an ongoing basis.
Report:
Additional Information: See CMS Related Groups.
Appointed by: Ann Snowman
Chair: Chris Holobar
Membership: Darla Baker, Gwen Catchen, Chris Holobar, Anne Hummer, Andrew Marshall, Fay Youngmark
Charge: To produce a Course Reserves form, or suite of forms, that will be available for use by any instructor, University-wide, that can be managed within the Libraries' Content Management System (CMS); while streamlining and automating the request processes to the extent possible.
Deadline/duration: August 2006
Report:
Appointed by: Lisa German
Chair: Betty Nirnberger
Membership: Dace Freivalds, Amanda Maple, Betty Nirnberger, Mark Saussure, Sam Stormont
Charge: To explore the feasibility of providing staff/librarians with the option of choosing either a workstation or laptop as their primary computer station based on job responsibility and inclusion criteria. The group must work within the constraints of the current life cycle budget.
Deadline/duration: December 31, 2006 - (Extended by IT Strategies, January 2007)
Report: Final Report
Electronic Reference Resources Committee
Appointed by: Collection Development Council
Chair: Eric Novotny
Membership: Amy Deuink, Janet Hughes, Glenn McGuigan, Sylvia Nyana, Michelle Tomaszewski, Susan Ware
Charge:
Under the direction of the Collection Development Council, the goal of this standing committee is to build the Libraries' collection of networked electronic reference resources to serve the information needs of the Penn State community. Responsibilities of the committee include:
1. Identify electronic reference packages and individual titles that are available to the academic market.
2. Evaluate products, comparing content, usability, cost, access limits, and related factors.
3. Support the continuous updating of Serial and Acquisition Services' wish list of electronic databases and use it as a basis for acquisition decisions.
4. Assume responsibility for selection and deselection of electronic reference titles and overall management of the electronic reference fund.
The committee will be allotted a budget each fiscal year, which may be supplemented from time to time depending on specific needs and availability of funds. It should use standard procedures for ordering electronic resources and, when possible, reference should be made to the report of the E-Reference Packages Task Force of March 31, 2005 for details regarding procedures and evaluation criteria.
The committee should work closely with the Electronic Resources and Copyright Librarian to keep informed of prices, deadlines, and consortial opportunities (particularly within the CIC). The needs of librarians who offer virtual reference and the programs of Penn State's World Campus should be included in the committee's decisions.
One of the goals of networked resources is to save money that would otherwise
be expended on multiple copies of print resources. The committee should
monitor possibilities for canceling print subscriptions rendered unnecessary
by digital resources, and should publicize among selectors the availability
of digital resources to minimize purchase of equivalent monographic reference
works.
Call for Nominations: To do our job well, we need your help and input. We are asking selectors and public service librarians to submit recommendations of titles for purchase on the electronic reference sources fund. Nominations can be sent to any of the committee members. We welcome general comments (e.g. "we could use more psychology resources") as well as specific recommendations ("we need the Encyclopedia Judaica"), and any other thoughts you'd care to share. Recommendations can be sent at any time.
Deadline/Duration: Standing Committee
Report:
Additional Information: Minutes
Appointed by: Lisa German
Chairs: Lisa German and Ann Snowman
Membership: Bill Brockman, Kevin Clair, Dace Freivalds, Judy Hewes, Sue Kellerman, Trish Notartomas, a representative from DLT
Charge: Team will lead the process to undertake collection management and maintenance activities in preparation for the Google Book Initiative concentrating on the Collections of Distinction and moving into the general collection in order for materials to be digitized and included in electronic repositories.
Deadline/duration: As yet unknown
Report:
Additional Information: Google Book Scanning Project Charter
Appointed by: Lisa German and Laurie Probst
Chair: Betty Nirnberger
Membership: Tim Arnold, Steve Baylis, Ellysa Cahoy, Janet Hughes, Shane Markley, Andrew Marshall, Ignacio Sanchez, Russ Souchak, Kathy Strenko, Jeanette Ullrich
Charge: The goal of the Image Testing Committee is to gather input from all units and departments about requests for changes to the workstation image, make recommendations, and test images for staff, public, and instruction workstations. This group should monitor recommendations throughout the year in preparation for the image review process each spring.
Deadline/duration: Ongoing
Report:
Additional Information: Image Testing Committee Charter
Appointed by: Sally Kalin
Chair: Bob Alan
Membership: Roberta Astroff, Anne Behler, Chris Holobar, Gary White
Charge: To establish guidelines and procedures for the development, management, and circulation of a general "leisure collection" in Pattee/Paterno Libraries.
Deadline/duration: June 1, 2007
Report:
Appointed by: Lisa German
Chairs: Jack Orlandi, Laurie Probst
Membership: Bob Alan, Becky Albitz, Alexia Hudson, Jamie Jamison, Justin Patterson, Karen Schwentner, Helen Smith, Carol Wright
Charge: The Libraries and DLT are moving into a new phase of implementation and development of the Meta Lib software. As we mover forward with the implementation of the content management system, and look at new ways to build interoperability between CMS, MetaLib, X-Server, and SFX, we are charging this new group to oversee implementation, to provide leadership in setting development priorities, to collaborate with Libraries, DLT staff, and working with other existing teams in the library as needed, on issues related to ongoing maintenance of these products.
Deadline/duration: Ongoing
Report:
Office of Digital Scholarly Publishing (ODSP) Pilot Products Team
Appointed by: Mike Furlough
Chair: Linda Klimczyk
Membership: Linda Friend, Ben Grissinger, Rebecca Mugridge, Jennifer Norton, Karen Schwentner, Larry Wentzel
Charge: The group will work as a project team to publish two pilot projects of the Office of Digital Scholarly Publishing using the DPubS software. The primary goals of this group are
1. to develop a project plan and timeline for their work by January
26, 2007.
2. to use DPubS to publish the backfiles of the Annual Proceedings of
the Women and Engineering Programs Advocates Network (WEPAN)
3. to use DPubS to publish the backfiles of the Pennsylvania Magazine
of History and Biography (PMHB), a publication of the Pennsylvania Historical
Society
4. to begin conceptualizing the functionality and design of a “Pennsylvania
journals” archive that will allow for search and browse across
the PMHB, Pennsylvania History, and other planned Pennsylvania related
journals and publications.
In doing so they will
1. work with clients in the Pennsylvania Historical Society and Women
in Engineering Programs Advocates Network to establish the specifications
for the web delivery of these publications and to review progress.
2. communicate regularly with clients and ODSP managers.
3. identify issues in the implementation of DPubS that will need to be
addressed as we operationalize DPubS.
In doing so, the group will be in a position to investigate functionality in DPubS, such as metadata publishing, search options, or usage statistics, and to make recommendations about best practices and processes that should be implemented with future projects. The pilot publication projects will assist the Libraries and ODSP in understanding issues that need to be tackled in operationalizing the DPubS software as a basic content delivery platform. Because this is a pilot project, the group may have to do their work in ways that would not necessarily become parts of the standard workflow in the future.
Deadline/duration: June 2007
Report:
Appointed by:
Team Leaders: Anne Behler, Ellysa Cahoy, Wendy Girven, Emily Rimland, Heather Ross and Debbie Shelow
Membership: Appointed as needed by each Team Leader
Charge: The Open House is a highly visible
and vital
student-centered event, connecting students with the
Libraries' resources, services and collections in a fun,
party-like atmosphere. The Open House Steering Committee,
in partnership with the University Libraries’ Departments
of Instructional Programs, Public Services, Special
Collections & Access Services, will facilitate the
development, production and assessment of the Fall
University Libraries
Open Houses. The Open House
Steering Committee serves as a leadership group,
communicating information about the Open House throughout
the Libraries, and functioning as a support to all
participating Libraries units.
Deadline/duration: Ongoing
Report: Not available
Planning Options for a Knowledge Commons
Appointed by: Nancy Eaton
Chair: Kimlyn Patishnock
Membership: Michelle Dzyak, Dace Freivalds, Jennifer Gilley, Sally Kalin, ex officio, Laurie Probst, Ronald Servello, Loanne Snavely, Ann Snowman
Charge:
Phase 1: Evaluate the possibility of moving the Maps
Library into the basement of Central Pattee and I-Tech into the current
Maps Library space. In looking at this issue, consider whether we might
need to re-conceptualize the space and services of the Maps Library and
what that would entail. Evaluate how to maximize the space available in
the basement of central Pattee for the Maps Library. Similarly, consider
whether I-Tech can fit into the old Maps Library space and whether other
things from Central Pattee would also have to be relocated to this space.
Also consider whether we would still need some sort of small student lounge
in Central Pattee and where that might be placed. Please provide a draft
layout and estimate a budget for executing such a plan. Report due by
November 22, 2006.
Phase 2: Assuming that Phase 1 is workable, consider how the first floor of Pattee might be reprogrammed to accommodate the new department that will combine Gateway and Instructional Programs and how these functions might be reconfigured into a knowledge center, with particular focus on first and second year undergraduates, partnering with other appropriate units on campus. [Assume that Instructional Programs will move off the third floor of the Tower in order to accommodate Scholarly Communications in the Tower.] Consult with the services task force as appropriate. Provide a draft layout for the first floors of Central and West Pattee, an estimated budget for renovations and ongoing operations, stages in which this could be implemented, and estimated staffing requirements. Report due by May 1, 2007.
Deadline/duration:
Phase 1: November 22, 2006
Phase 2: May 1, 2007
Report: Phase 1 Report
Appointed by: Sally Kalin
Chair: Russ Souchak
Membership: Darla Baker, Susan Morrissey
Charge: Determine how the public services units at University Park can provide printing for the general public.
Considerations:
•
Some of the options that have been suggested are: printing at service
desks; providing the public with flashdrives in order to take content
to a remote printer; using Short Term Access Accounts (STAA’s),
formerly called RAD’s.
•
Consult with your colleagues in forming your recommendations. Each of
you represents a different physical area of the Libraries.
•
Feel free to consult with DLT, which will be responsible for the new
student printing “solutions”.
•
You may consider multiple options. What will work in Pattee and Paterno
might not work for the branches.
•
Printing as service for the general public is more important than charging
a fee for the service.
•
Please estimate expected costs involved in implementing your recommendations.
•
Feel free to consult with Kimlyn Patishnock in preparing cost recommendations.
Deadline/duration: June 20, 2007
Report:
School of International Affairs (SIA) Task Force
Appointed by: Nancy Eaton
Chair: Steve Hinckley
Membership: Linda Musser, Gail Partin, Helen Sheehy, Nonny Scholtzhauer, Gary White
Charge: To evaluate the Libraries' International Affairs resources to examine existing strengths in comparison to the proposed program for the SIA and to establish estimates of the cost of additional resources that might be needed to support the new school's programs. This would involve:
Analyzing strengths and weaknesses of the Libraries' collections in terms of their ability to support the core and interdisciplinary programs described in the proposal.Measuring the Libraries' ability to support the School's programs against the membership requirements of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs.
Comparing existing Penn State Libraries collections with those of similar programs in the country, such as those mentioned on page 8 of the report: Yale, Tufts, Georgetown, and Berkeley.
Conferring with key faculty on the planning committee to understand the scope of the curriculum being proposed and the resources key to supporting that curriculum.
Deadline/duration: March 31, 2007 Preliminary Report Due, September 15, 2007 Final Report Due
Report: Preliminary Report
Appointed by: Sally Kalin
Chair: Lesley Moyo and Loanne Snavely
Membership: Peggy Augustine, Anne Behler, Lisa German, Chris Holobar, Gwen Lougy, Amanda Maple, Lesley Moyo, Nicole Nicastro, Emily Rimland, Beth Roberts, Jean Roman, Loanne Snavely, Ann Snowman, Gary White
Charge:
1. Review the proposed services the new unit would undertake. Determine
if anything has been left out that should be considered, and conversely,
whether any listed activities would be better undertaken by the subject
libraries or other units.
2. Explore collaborations with Access Services, Public Services, and other Libraries' units to enhance services.
3. Review the partnerships with ITS, the Learning Centers, and other University units listed in the proposal. Confirm these partnerships, or identify missing partners and why.
4. Benchmark against other institutions that have successfully implemented new models for undergraduate services, such as learning commons.
5. Determine how we can create a learning environment that is both appealing and attractive, and provides the kinds of services that today's students need and demand.
6. Create an implementation plan and timeline, and identify what resources would be necessary to implement the plan.
Deadline/duration: May 2007
Report:
Appointed by: Jack Sulzer
Chair: Karen Schwentner
Membership: Tun Chin, Carrie Friday, Linda Friend, Linda Klimczyk, Brian Hoffman, Wilson Hutton, Ann Snowman, Jack Sulzer
Charge: J. Sulzer was asked to assemble a team that would come up with a solution for the University Libraries to serve visually impaired patrons because the new SIRSI Telnet version of the Enhanced CAT is not serviceable for supporting "talking LIAS" for the visually impaired. Since then, the group has expanded to encompass the broad spectrum of ADA issues that relate to online technologies.
Deadline/duration: Ongoing (As of April 2007
this group is being reorganized per K. Schwentner.)
Report: Policy UL-AD15 Web Accessibility was created from recommendations made by the U-Design Task Force.
University Park Facilities Task Force
Appointed by: Sally Kalin
Chair: Bill Joyce
Membership: Sandy Ball, Bill Brockman, Kimlyn Patishnock
Charge: To review and make recommendations on the use of University Park facilities, in particular Mann Assembly Room and Foster Auditorium, by groups external to the Libraries.
Considerations:
• Define what “co-sponsorship” means
•
Identify the expectations expected of librarians and staff
who arranged the co-sponsorships
•
Review the usage patterns of Mann and Foster
•
Consult with colleagues who have served as sponsors
for external groups, e.g., S. Stelts, D. Cheney, D. Mack
•
Talk to DLT and Mediatech to determine what computer and
media assistance we should offer to external groups and how it should
be managed
•
Examine the policies of similar facilities located in other
University units (Palmer Museum of Art, HUB, Spiritual Center, etc.)
•
Consider whether a cost model would help to defray the
costs of support
•
Determine whether we need to implement more process, e.g.,
contractual agreements, cancellation policies, and a system
for advanced bookings
•
Review our policies relating to food and receptions in
conjunction with Foster events
Deadline/duration: July 1, 2007
Report:
Virtual Reference Service Team
Appointed by: Jack Sulzer
Chair: Sam Stormont and Susan Ware
Membership: Tim Arnold, Paula Contreras,
Kay Harvey, Linda Klimczyk, Amanda Maple, Sara Whildin,
Courtney Young
Charge: The Virtual Reference Service (VRS) Team
will coordinate the development, implementation, training,
and assessment of a virtual reference service across
the University Libraries system. VRS
is envisioned as an integral component of a suite of
onsite and remote user services provided at all campuses
and through the LIAS network and
seeks to incorporate leading edge technology in providing
point-of-need support to the Penn State community.
Deadline/duration: ongoing
Report: VRS Team Charge and VRS Annual Statistics
Appointed by: Angela Johnson-Tisdale
Chairs: Cathleen O'Connell and Wendy Stodart
Membership: Robyn Dyke, Joyce Harwell, Judith Hewes, Deena Morganti, Sandra Morgart and Gillian Roland
Charge: To review, evaluate, and make recommendations related to the following: the manner in which wage and work-study employees are used throughout the Libraries, the criteria for evaluating wage positions, and alternative structuring of the wage scale.
Deadline/duration: Preliminary recommendations due December 21, 2007; Final report due February 11, 2008.
Report:
Appointed by: Lisa German and Laurie Probst
Chair: Ann Copeland
Membership: Ellysa Cahoy, Barbara Coopey, John Meier, Julie Meyer, Jennifer Nace, Martha Ney, Helen Smith, Carol Wright, Andrew Calvin, ex officio, Binky Lush, ex officio
Charge: The Web Steering committee will work collaboratively to provide oversight for the Libraries’ website to ensure cohesiveness and consistency across all the pages on the Libraries' website and to communicate decisions and policies to University Libraries' staff.
Specific responsibilities:
• Manage the consistency of content, terminology and appearance
of the University Libraries website.
•
Foster partnerships throughout University Libraries to
encourage the sharing of content on the website to reduce redundancy.
•
Monitor gaps in Libraries web pages and request the creation
of new content from Libraries faculty and staff.
•
Recommend and oversee assessment activities related to
the Libraries website including usability testing. Share results of web
assessment activities.
•
Work together with other groups such as the MetaLib and
Sirsi Steering Committees, the Universal Design Team as well as across
departments and locations and with DLT and I-Tech to make sure that all
parts of the Libraries Web presence continue to be effective and user
centered.
•
Monitor other web systems in which the Libraries has a
presence, e.g., the Penn State Portal.
Deadline/duration: Ongoing
Report:
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