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PIC Minutes
May 11, 2004
Present: Dale Askey, Katie Bauer, Stephen Naron , Earl Roy, Andy Shimp, Kalee Sprague (recording), Tao Yang, Rick Zwies
Absent: Karen Reardon, Julie Linden, Debra Falvey

1. Announcements
None

2. Orbis Change Requests

A) The group approved the following OPAC changes for June:

· Add the word 'Yale' to the description for Morris in 'Library Catalogs' - Sue C-P: Morris (Yale Law Library Catalog)

· Add better instructions for logging out of a Multiple Library Catalog search - Tao:

"To disconnect from other library catalogs and return to Orbis, click "Logout" and then "Restart Orbis". You may also consult our list of Library Catalogs to link directly to these and other catalogs."

· Is it possible to change the way volumes are handled in the Request form; right now you have to check the radial button next to the text input to indicate volumes other than the default. Patrons are typing in the correct information, but getting the wrong volume because they forget to unclick the default - patron request via Sue Roberts. Answer: no. But we will try inserting the word 'OR' in front of 'specify an issue' to emphasize the fact that people need to click on the radial button.

· Can Japanese be moved up in the list of language limits? - Ellen Hammond (The top 12 languages will be added, including Japanese, Arabic, Latin, Portuguese, and Hebrew).

· Can we remove Genre/Form from the Advanced Search tab? - Emily Horning

B) Kalee will investigate the following issues further:

· Can the export format from Bookbag default to a spreadsheet? - patron request. This request isn't possible, but we might be able to export a comma delimited file.

· Can the default in the Place Requests menu be "Request staff search or delivery" instead of "Recall items checked out"? - CSG via Cindy Greenspun. This doesn't appear to be possible, but since it would generate a substantial improvement in the interface, it merits further investigation. One possibility is changing the wording so they would file later alphabetically.

· Open a separate window from 856 links in Orbis - Ellen Doon. Orbis doesn't have this capability by default, but there may be a way to use Javascript to get around it.

C) The following change requests are not currently possible in Orbis:

· Can patrons set a default 'pickup location' in My OPAC? -- Debbie Falvey

· Can the order of tabbed indexes be changed in the Simple Search screen so a keyboarder goes directly to 'Search in' from the text input box? --Stephanie Davidson

· Can the order of display for holdings locations change so SML and CCL always appear first? - Sue C-P. While technically possible, use of the Holdings sort groups function has a significant impact on system response time. This will be tested in the Unicode release.

3. PIC summer workshops

Earl volunteered to help coordinate the PIC summer workshops.
The group decided to drop the Advanced Dreamweaver class, since Dale will be leaving.
Volunteers for specific workshops included:

- Creating Web sites on Pantheon - WW&DCS?
- Introduction to the Library Web Server / Using Secure Shell / Understanding Permissions and Groups - WW&DCS?
- Web Design: Principles and Practical Aspects - Julie or Stephen
- Using Front Door Templates - Julie or Stephen
- Web Site Usability - Katie proposed that we hold off on hosting this class until the new usability space is operational.
- Possible new class - using standard validators (CSS, HTML, Javascript, etc)?

4. Databases & Article Searching page revision (Katie)

Katie proposed a substantial revision of the Databases and Articles page. The group discussed several possibilities for revising the page, including:

- Linking to Metalib from the top of the page
- Including the Citation Linker box directly in the body of the page
- Adding a link to Google Scholar
- Revising the list of Selected General Databases

The group agreed that the Metalib link will be added in time for the June 1 rollout, and will not wait for the overall re-design of the page.
Dale proposed sending a message to YULPUB inviting public services staff to vote on their top 5 selected general database (perhaps from a list of 7-10 proposed databases). Katie proposed selecting the 5 databases in advance, and sending them to YULPUB for approval.
The group will continue to discuss the D&A page re-design at a later date.

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