2007 Annual Minutes

COMMITTEE: Reference Services in Public Libraries Discussion Group

SECTION: RSS

CHAIRPERSON: Adrianne Peterson

DATES: 6/24/2007

MEMBERS PRESENT: Adrianne Peterson (chair), Amy Harmon (vice-chair)

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

VISITORS: approximately 15 visitors

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the discussion group is to discuss current issues impacting reference services in public libraries.

SUMMARY: The group discussed many items including: Does your library use reservation software? If so, what brand and how well do you think it works? How do you handle rowdy teens in the library? Does your library have a teen area, teen librarians, teen programs? Is your library facing deep budget cuts? If so, where are you planning on making the cuts and how will reference services be impacted?

EVALUATION: The meeting was extremely effective in giving attendees a forum in which to discuss current services, trends, issues, and challenges to providing reference services. There were at least two repeat attendees from ALA Midwinter 2007.

PROBLEMS: The room was not set up as requested.

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