Meeting of cpd25 Task Group 3: Operations Management

7th February 2012 at 2.30pm

LSE Library: R301

Present: David Archer, Ian Clark, Alan Doherty, Andy Ekins, Caroline Fletcher, Aniska Kumra, Nikki Randall (Administrator), Catherine Phillpotts (Chair), Rob Wannerton and Judith Wells. 

1. Apologies

Martin Carbonell, Claire Hackshall and Peter Williams sent their apologies.

2. Minutes of the last meeting (14th December 2011).

These were accepted as an accurate record.

3. Matters arising not covered by the agenda

Ian Clark raised an issue regarding the blog he wrote about the ‘Sink or Sync’ event. Following posting the blog online, he received an email from a company requesting him to remove any reference to Sink or Sync as they claimed it to be a breach of trademark. Ian Clark asked if anyone else had come across a similar issue before. Further question; if you create a name for an event and then a similar issue presents itself (in terms of a trade marking issue), the task group should notify the cpd25 administrator who will raise it with the M25 be the first point of reference for any queries? Action: Administrator to raise this issue with the M25 Steering Group.

4. Articles for CILIP Update

A discussion evolved about the reason behind the CILIP articles and it was suggested that this is an opportunity to showcase cpd25 and all of the task groups. M25 will be featured in the March edition and cpd25 columns will be presented in the months following. An idea from Aniska Kumra was to report on the really successful events that we have already run (such as Sync or Sink) as well as the future events we intend to run. We could then ask people for ideas about training that they can’t track down but would be interested in attending because if they have a need for specific training then surely others would have the same need. Action: Catherine to go back to Antony to ask for more information about exactly what is required for the columns; what do CILIP want us to report on and was does cpd25 want to say as a whole? 

5. Reports on any events held since the last meeting

Space Planning

Space planning was held on 19th January 2012 and David thought it went really well. The room was slightly too small given the popularity and the large number of people attending. The numbers also had to be capped. Space Planning should be run again with an additional theme or slight change in the theme. Perhaps a focus on working with what you have got, consolidation with no money, might be a useful theme. Action: David to do a bit of investigation about the possibility of running this event again and to see how many were on the waiting list from the previous event.

6. Update on 2011/12 events being planned 

Business Continuity Planning Event

Thursday 15th March 2012. We have received 5 responses to date and there are placements for 30 people. We need to encourage advertising of this event.

Boutique Library (Caroline Fletcher)

Caroline Fletcher has been exploring the training for Boutique Library or even personalised library services, but thinks it actually comes down to the marketing of services. Andy Parisoner (?) might be a good keynote speaker for this event. Caroline Philpott noted that we need to be careful as TG4 cover marketing events. Action: CF to email Sally Faith from TG4 to talk about a possible marketing event.

Models of IT Support for Libraries (Andy Ekins and Ian Clark)

Andy Eskin has contacted the guys at Northumbria who mentioned they would be more than happy to do a presentation for our event, however, they did mentioned that they  had already given a similar presentation in June 2011 and that any presentation they give, would be a showcase of what they can offer. Andy thought it was a better idea to get a perspective of a library using their service rather than a marketing plug for a company.

Andy has contacted the following people to gauge if they would be happy to do a presentation:

* Nada from Anglia Ruskin is more than happy to discuss Anglia Ruskins’s experience using the service;

* Gail from Christchurch – Manager Integrated Support Services – would be happy to do a talk on an integrated support service within a Library;

* Fiona from The Open University – how to support students with IT issues from a Distance.

Alan Doherty volunteered to support Ian and Andy on this event. Peter Williams name is also listed against this event. A point on scheduling, please no-where near the Olympic and avoid last minute scheduling.

Gadget Show and Mobile Services (Rob Wannerton and Ian Clark)

Further investigation needed. Suggestions include presentations on QR codes, a presentation on smart phone apps and there could be a presentation on lending of ipads/e-readers. Should we try and demonstrate the gadgets/devices being discussed? This would make a big difference for staff who are unfamiliar with the gadgets. We need to pick our target audience. It is most likely going to be people who are already familiar with the devices. Perhaps we could ask Apple to come and demonstrate their devices and ask people from other companies to discuss their products. Catherine Philpotts has a contact from London Met for the Campus M app. Action: Rob and Ian to investigate further and select a tentative date. 

Engaging Students for Better Feedback (Andy Eskin)

Scheduling should be end of 2011/2012 or early 2012/2013. We should explore operational aspects of comments, complaints, suggestions, surveys and improving NSS scores. A discussion was held about the way in which the different institutions collect complaints/suggestions. Action: Caroline Philpott to contact Peter Williams to find out if he is interested in taking the lead on this course.

Collection Showcase

Needs further investigation. This has potential event has already been mentioned to TG5 in case there is overlapping.

Visit to National Monuments Records

Catherine Philpott to chat with Alan Doherty and investigate further.

Visit to Horniman Museum

Action: Alan Doherty to arrange for this visit to be advertised.

Future Events for 2012/2013:

* Space Planning – David Archer and Alan Doherty

* Staffing Models – Rob Wannerton and Caroline Fletcher to discuss

* 24/7 Opening: Post Brown Review – We should book the venue very early and book a key-note speaker. Expectations of the students will be far greater given the increased cost of their tuition.

* There is a difference between 24/7 opening and 24/7 service being provided. Caroline Fletcher and Alan Doherty to start investigating.

* Managing the Learning Environment – This should be repeated as an all-day event. Alan, Martin and Peter to run this event again. Catherine Philpott recommended reading the SCONUL Autumn Conference presentations.

* Visit to Senate House – Catherine Philpott to investigate.

7. Future Meeting Dates

The next meeting will be held on 25.4.12 pm at Brunel University. A decision was made to combine the June/July meeting 2012. Action: Catherine to email out potential dates for the June/July meeting.

8. Any Other Business

N/A.