I was typing a comment along the same lines as Forrest's---
"Our technical services department (Acq, Cataloging and ERM) has been told
we are candidates to move off-site because we do not interact directly with
students and faculty. I am arguing that we do interact, indirectly. What
does everyone else think?"
Given that the context as stated originally is a decision to move tech services off-site, in my opinion, perhaps the focus needs to be on services provided, period, by Tech Services, not necessarily, whether that service is a 'public' service, or provided to students and faculty (only) - directly or indirectly.
Technical Services has both internal and external customers--library users and library staff.
TS staff frequently respond to and troubleshoot questions/concerns that come up from 'public services' staff--how will moving off-site impact Tech Services' ability in this arena?
What about the professionals who are moved offsite? Will they be expected to participate/interact with their colleagues onsite? If so, how's that going to work? Via email only? Mostly?
Moving 'tech services' to remote sites or housing them in the basement or in a warehouse is not new, but if the work...the service...provided is viewed by administration as 'assembly line' how will that affect staff/librarian morale, qualifications, future recruitment, for example? (I'm not saying this always scores high on the list for administrators, but it may be an issue).
That said, I've managed CD/Acq/Serials in a few libraries--some of my staff worked the 'desk' for some hours per week, filled in at ILL as needed, and interacted with faculty and students (and librarians) both in person and via phone/email many times a week. If that's the case, then showing how moving offsite would impact these duties, if not already done, might be important.
On the other hand....if email/internet is how the majority of tech services work is done--an argument can be made that licensing/acquisitions/CD/ troubleshooting all can be done online--then, perhaps the thinking is, does location matter? I'm not advocating for this, but it may have factored into the decision.
Reeta
--
Reeta Sinha, MPH, MSLS
Resource Management Librarian
Lane Medical Library
Stanford University Medical Center
Stacey,
Based on your interest in seeking arguments for keeping Technical Services on-site, I would suggest that you are asking the wrong question. More specifically, you need to demonstrate that your physical presence offers a greater benefit to the library's mission than whatever other plans exist for that space.? Interaction with students and faculty is a red herring.
Cheers!
--Forrest
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Received on Wed Aug 28 2013 - 12:52:06 EDT