Posted to several lists; please pardon the duplication.

The ALCTS Technical Services Administrators of Medium-Sized Research
Libraries Discussion Group will meet at ALA Midwinter in Seattle:
Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Hilton Seattle, Sound View Room

Topic: Changes in Responsibilities, Organization and Staffing in Technical
Services Departments

There will be as many as six round tables, with a facilitator from the
Discussion Group Steering Team at each. Individual tables can choose to
focus on specific questions from the following list or discuss each of the
questions:

1. What new tasks and responsibilities are technical services departments
taking on now and in the next 3 years?
2. What tasks will technical services departments give up/reduce/outsource
in order to take on these new responsibilities, and how?
3. How will technical services departments be organized to take on these
new responsibilities?
4. How do we start training now for a future that isn't totally clear?
5. How will we help existing staff transition to new roles?
6. What kinds of staffing will be needed in the future (e.g. MLS?;
paraprofessional vs. professional?; programming skills?). What duties are
assigned to which staff?
7. How will libraries recruit to fill these positions?

Each table will identify a reporter and a note-taker. 30 minutes will be
set aside at the end (12-12:30) for individual tables to report to the
larger group, about 5 minutes for each table. The note-takers should give
their notes to the Steering Team facilitator at the table. The chair will
write a report to appear in Technical Services Quarterly that summarizes
the discussions and credits the note-takers and facilitators.

Thanks for considering taking part in what we hope will be a stimulating
and timely discussion.

Michael Boock, Discussion Group Chair.

Jack Hall
114L University of Houston Libraries
Houston, TX  77204-2000
telephone:(713) 743-9687
e-mail: jhall@uh.edu
fax: (713) 743-9748