Ref Committee: Plan of Service 2009-2010

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PLAN OF SERVICE 2009/2010
CLSA System Reference Program, Component:
General Improvement of Local
Reference Service
(5 Calif. Admin. Code Sec. 20155)

1. Service specification(s) adopted:

a. Member library staff will expand their knowledge of information tools that are available on the Internet.
b. Member library staff will improve their reference skills through additional reference sources and services training opportunities.

2. Performance objective(s) adopted:

a. At least one reference workshop (the annual Hands-On) will be held in FY 2009/2010, attended by at least 45 reference staff from all member libraries in the region.
b. The Reference Committee will schedule ten meetings, rotating among member libraries.
c. Reference resources and union lists, including the MOBAC Services Survey, will continue to be updated.
d. The Reference Committee will identify and evaluate electronic resources for possible system purchase.
e. MOBAC will sponsor at least two workshops for reference librarians and staff of member libraries. The Reference Committee will choose possible workshops from a number of sources, including local organizations and agencies, the list of Infopeople workshops available for contract, and recommendations from member libraries, and select two that best fit the training needs of the area.

3. Reason(s) for choosing 1. and 2. above:

Based on the goals and objectives of the MOBAC Strategic Plan, 2005-7, and from input from individual library staff, the MOBAC Reference Committee selected these priorities.

4. What would the service described above be without this component? State in the same terms as the performance objectives above.

There would be few opportunities available to local library personnel for training, professional growth and face-to-face networking. A lower level of expertise and awareness of collections, materials, and resources outside local libraries would result in a decreased level of service to users. Reference services would suffer because of lack of training and communication opportunities.

5. One-paragraph description of the methods to be used in providing this component, and the principal resources to be used. Indicate system and member library staff involved.

The Reference Committee will plan and present the annual Hands-On Reference Workshop. Reference Committee members who belong to other MOBAC committees will act as liaisons to those other committees and facilitate communication among the groups in order to work together on joint projects. Reference committee representatives will provide training to member libraries’ staff on improvements as they are added. The Reference Committee will bear the primary responsibility for investigation of content and usability of online databases for potential purchase by member libraries. Any resulting contract negotiations will be carried out by staff of Califa, the statewide services bureau.

6. What evidence of benefit will be provided, and how will it be gathered?

Those attending workshops and training sessions will be asked to complete written evaluations. Use of online tools will be monitored.
PLAN OF SERVICE 2009/2010
CLSA System Reference Program, Component:
Improvement of Reference Services
to the Underserved
(5 Calif. Admin. Code Sec. 20156)

1. What underserved group(s) were identified during the current fiscal year for improvement of reference services?

Non-English and limited English speaking and specifically Spanish speaking

2a. What potential services were identified at the System level for the improvement of reference service to these underserved groups?

a. Sponsorship of a Spanish Language Book Fair in FY 2009/2010.
b. Development of an online guide to highlight resources and services that are available to limited English speaking library users.
c. Expansion of information regarding foreign language collections and resources included in the MOBAC Special Services Survey

2b. Which of these services was evaluated as achievable and beneficial for the improvement of reference services to the underserved?

We believe that items a, b and c are achievable in FY 2009/2010.

3. Based on the above, what service specification(s) are adopted for the coming fiscal year?

a. The MOBAC Reference Committee will strengthen and build on existing partnerships for collaborative projects.
b. The MOBAC Reference Committee will explore new technologies for delivering information to library users.

4. What performance objective(s) are adopted and why did you choose them?

a. Sponsorship of a Spanish Language book fair.
b. Development of an online resource guide.
c. Enhancement of Services Survey.
These objectives were selected to identify and highlight resources and services that are available to limited English speaking library users. Our intention is to share local knowledge amongst the member libraries and create or improve online resources that can be used by all MOBAC libraries.

5. Describe briefly the methods to be used in providing this(ese) service(s) and the principal resources to be used. Indicate system and member library staff involved.

The MOBAC Reference Committee has undertaken planning for a Spanish Language book fair in 2009/2010. Additionally, based on resource sharing at committee meetings and presentations at the annual Hands-On workshop the committee has identified a number of resources and services that will be included in the guide to be developed during 2009/2010. The committee recently began to explore the use of a wiki that can be used to develop this guide as well as other resources. Discussions are underway with the MOBAC web site administrator to explore improved methods of updating and enhancing the MOBAC Services Survey as proposed.

5a. Amount of System Reference allocation budgeted for this component (5 Calif. Admin. code Sec. 20156(c)):

$1,500.00 – $3,000.00

6. What evidence of benefit will be provided, and how will it be gathered?

The MOBAC Reference Committee will solicit feedback at the monthly reference meetings, investigate the possibility of tracking use of online resources and conduct evaluations at workshops and events.
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