**RISG Meeting 12 November 2008 at Concord Library, Canada Bay** Welcome by Philip Edney Canada Bay is looking at new services and new collections for community promotion, developing. They are developing a reference training manual for staff so that all staff will be kept up to date with resources. **1. Information Guides** Jo Hennock and Dinah Millar * · one to many service delivery module * · using the opportunities presented by technology * · online service guidelines based on the knowledge of clients, tailored around client needs and expectations and strengthened by research and usability studies * · example of HSC English guide http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/navigators/hsc_english/index.html * · consistent, high quality service based on best practice * · asking people to test out the HSC guides and provide feedback * · other guides available include convicts http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/navigators/convicts/index.html and business http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/navigators/business/index.html **2 Planning for HSC changes in 2009** * · ordering books – some of the new titles are hard to obtain * · HSC students have started borrowing already * · Hornsby Library has developed a good HSC guide http://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/library/index.cfm?NavigationID=911 * · Inside break – northern beaches collaboration http://www.insidebreak.org.au/ * · State Library – HSC service team, provides tours for HSC students and database information – students will need to register for a readers card for off site access to databases * · Hornsby – trying to evaluate the different help guides that are coming around * · Canada Bay asked a question about your tutor and essay writing skills courses in Hornsby and Fairfield lecture series * · Canada Bay, City of Sydney, Auburn, Marrickville using your tutor for essay writing skills for HSC students ** 3 Slam the boards** * · From discussion this is worth continuing to be involved in as a professional development tool, and to promote reference and information services in public libraries. * · Fairfield – tried staff on it for training - useful for teaching staff to do a reference question line * · Good to use as a training tool **4 Roving reference – what are people doing?** * · Auburn “floor walkers” when it is busy – proactively approach people to offer assistance – good response * · Wollongong – 11-1, 3-5 (busy times) person roves between the two floors – find that people would rather approach while shelving rather than being approached. * · Newcastle – 1 staff rostered on desk, 1 out back with phone, desk staff now doing desk work not own work. Desk staff now do reference shelving so are approachable for questions. * · Campsie – intermittent issues around access to computer for searching - need the right staff with the right attitude * · Canada Bay – more browseable reference collection with improved signage – upstairs desk staffed 3-5 only staff encouraged to walk around. * · Ref-ex team to add to relevant part of module on reference excellence * · roving reference mixed responses – some very positive – encouraging people to walk all around the library to provide help. * · Lane Cove – small space so no need to rove at present - staff developing skills. * · Fairfield provided training for roving reference, giving staff hints about for body language to watch for. * · Wollongong rover carries a mobile phone so can be called to help someone else. * · Smaller reference desks seen as a model to follow. **5 ref-ex wiki update** * The ref-ex wiki is available from http://wikitest.libraries.nsw.gov.au/index.php/Reference_excellence * Feedback requested * Permanent URL will be available in January. * Libraries asked to contribute photographs of their reference collections or reference areas – thanks to the libraries who have already contributed photographs. ** 6 Following up from the ALIA Conference – report from any attendees** See attachments 1 and 2 and end of minutes – this is highlights only **7 General business** Discussion about number of non-fiction items on one topic which can be borrowed, no perfect system exists to manage this. Discussion about disrupting the pattern for more challenging borrowers – aim for an individual solution. Gabrielle was thanked for all her work in hosting the meeting. A tour of the library followed. **8 Next meet**ing. The next RISG meeting will be at Lithgow 24 February 2009. Name Organisation Signature * Philip Edney (welcome address)City of Canada Bay Library * David Sansome City of Canada Bay Library * Claude Broomhead City of Canada Bay Library Apology, replace-ment Lim Godarzi * Gabriele Winter City of Canada Bay Library * Ellen Forsyth State Library of NSW * Jo Hennock State Library of NSW * Dinah Millar State Library of NSW * Michelle Sibthorpe Newcastle Region Library * Jennifer Wilson Fairfield Library * David Griffith Fairfield Library * Helen Perry North Sydney Library * Philip Williamson City of Canterbury Library * Ruth McJannett Wollongong City Library * Jane Broadbere Mosman Library * Andrea Pakchung Liverpool City Library * Geraldine Walshe Castle Hill Library * Ion Sloggett Kogarah Council Library * Lydie Bacot City of Sydney Library * Will Coombe Lane Cove Library * Marion Saw Leichhardt Library Service * Cynthia Methven Hornsby Shire Library * Jennifer Blume Newcastle City Library apology, * Ken Klippel Marrickville Library * Annetta Kucharska Auburn Library * Kerry Counsell Willoughby City Library * Kathy Maltby Ryde Library * Ross Balharrie Manly Library apology ---- Back to [[reference_and_information_services_working_group|Reference and information services working group home page]]