We combined desks a little over a year ago, but over the past four years the media department (service desks, equipment lab, collections) has moved three times physically, and the collections and services have been re-worked more than I care to think about. So a lot of "adjusting" has been going on for quite a while. Combining the service points has been okay, but it has created stress for the staff handling it all. And additional stress for the collection.
Although we have had our media in open stacks for a number of years, we now have an increase in lost and missing items. I'm particularly concerned about the number of materials that are checked out or returned/checked in with missing pieces. And, for the first time we now have materials go missing when they are supposed to be on room use reserve, and shelved behind the desk. The personalized services we used to provide to our patrons have been significantly reduced out of necessity. Training is critical, but much of the Circulation staff (particularly part-time desk staff) is constantly changing. And, all the standard services for both print and media are still needed and expected, including basic information services, normal circulation, all course reserve processes, media and study room use coordination, scheduled media use, laptop check-out, etc. And that's just the "public stuff". The staff really does a great job, but I feel it has been very hard on many of those involved. I think as much advance training and streamlining of processes is important. And just being aware of what might be potentially effected regarding your specific patrons' expectations may help avoid staff being overwhelmed. I would say that we are a year in, and still working through the transition. Rue Rue McKenzie Coordinator of Media Collections Academic Resources University of South Florida Library 4202 Fowler Ave., LIB122 Tampa, FL 33620 813-974-6342 / [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Maureen Tripp Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2010 10:43 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [Videolib] media circulation at same desk as regular circ? There's talk here of getting rid of the media desk, and merging it with the regular circulation desk, in an attempt to same money on the staff budget. I don't like this, but I'm not sure why. We have two collections--one which circulates to students, and I'm sure that could be handled at the circ desk. But we also have a teaching collection, which is booked for faculty in advance--or, which happens often, faculty can call us and book titles on the spot. These videos don't circulate outside of the Library, except for use by faculty in classes, or for faculty preview. It seems to me that having two service desks is a good idea, to relieve stress and congestion. But I don't have any evidence for this, and I'm a committee of one, the only Media Librarian here, and thus, I have a vested interest in keeping a separate media desk. Has anyone gone through this? Does anyone have any ideas pro or con for merging media operations with the print circulation desk? Any help/feedback would be much appreciated! VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors. VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
