Attending: Annemarie, Laura, Suzanne, Maureen, Michael, PatV, Oliver (scribe). Also, special guest Jesse Koennecke for 2 agenda items: "Overdue fines" and "Lost and found items" (12:20-12:45)

Summary

1. Constructively handling patron requests for software and features within the Library's public computer environment.
   
   
2. Working around the cap on fines for expensive or otherwise precious loan items.
   
   
3. Articulating a plan to give Library staff guidance in dealing with lost and found items such as USB drives.

Announcements

1. Patron's public computing feedback.
   Oliver and Laura noted that Desktop Services has a Feedback web page linked from the Start menu of their public computers.
   Recent entries include a request for Dvorak keyboard layouts and OpenOffice (see discussion below).
   
   
2. PSEC representation. Pat Court is expected to continue to be out. Michael continuing to work with Anne Kenney to ensure we have proper representation.
   
   Outstanding topics put before PSEC include PCAC's Public Access Computing Policies (from 12/8/05) and confirming membership process.
   
   
3. Michael let people know of net-admin-l announcement: Jan 9th's training by MS on MS Vista. For end-users (AM) and IT staff (noon and afternoon).
   
   
4. Oliver and Laura let folks know that CUL Communications may request putting promotions on CUL's public computers.
   Issues include: technical (ex. what s/w required), timing logistics (roll-out dates; end dates), and relevance for units (content).
   A recognition that PCAC can serve as a valuable resource to CUL Communication in their efforts.

Main discussion

1. Minutes approved: November meeting
   
   
2. Requests for special software (such asOpenOffice)
   
   A reminder to all that CUL (thanks, Maureen!) maintains a library-wide software list so if a patron requires software not locally available, advise the patron of alternative locations.
   
   Maureen can accept changes at any time to update the list, and explicitly solicits updates right before the fall semester (August).
   Proposed action: PCAC members are asked to post at the PCAC wiki patron requests for software in their unit, whether available elsewhere or not. This can help inform trends in needs in an informal but library-wide manner.
   
   Other library staff are invited to let their PCAC representative know of patron requests. If that's not possible, staff can also send a note to the PCAC mailing list <cul-pcac-l>.
   
   For items that are requested for which we might not wish to resource, deploy or support at the time, we recognized the value of having a place that reflected this decision which captures the considerations. The PCAC wiki could serve as this repository of information.
   
   
3. Laptop overdue fines (with special guest Jesse Koennecke)
   
   Issue: The $35 maximum fine for overdue fine seemed too low to thwart abuse regarding the loans of laptops and other expensive hardware. Basically, may represent a cheap rental to some of our patrons. Example: Eng. Lib. has a 4 cents/minute fine, but a 5 day late return only yields a $35 fine. Abuse has been rare (but has happened!), but potentially could grow quickly if the word gets out.
   
   Jesse reported that the Access Services Committee decided against direct action. Noted that only the Engineering Library loaned laptops for explicit use out of the Library and for overnight use. Options include:
   
   - If the Eng. Lib. (or any unit) decides on a rate, they can draft a proposal for the Access Services Cmt to consider it. The Cmt will determine the technical feasibility, potentially getting PSEC input, and then decide for that specific request.
   
   - Mann Lib. "re-loans" over-due items multiple times to trigger loan penalty proportional to how late something was returned within a single instance. This seemed a particularly attractive solution since it is already being successfully used and represents a logical match between the degree of lateness in a return and the total fine.
   
   Note: Considerations for total fine amounts should be sufficiently above market loan rates (ex. The Campus Store) to discourage abuse by patrons.
   
   
4. Lost and found items (again, with special guest Jesse Koennecke)
   
   Question: If someone leaves behind their USB key, do we have the right to look on it to find info to contact the owner?
   
   At last month's meeting Michael suggested we formulate a policy that states that items left in the library are subject to investigation by staff in order to locate ownership information. We decided that Michael will draft a policy for PSEC review, and if OK'd, policy would live with other patron policies available off the Gateway. PSEC may need to obtain legal counsel's input. We anticipate a recognition that local units may elect to do something else, but we felt it important to codify a default position to protects staff attempting to fulfill a good deed.
   
   A distinct topic regarding Library staff helping patrons with patron's defective equipment was broached, but no action taken at this time.
   
   Fun quote: "No good deed goes unpunished."
   
   
5. Set meeting date/time for next month.
   Michael will look within OCal for January date and time.

Topics near the top for consideration in the near future:

1. Our hardware inventory list is now fairly old and needs to be updated; Suzanne asked if we could set a due date for this task. Oliver suggested we compile this in a spreadsheet such as Google's spreadsheet, because that way it could be done collaboratively. This may be better than sending an MS Excel spreadsheet back and forth. Oliver will find out what is needed.
   
   
2. Desktop authentication - Oliver circulated the IT Security minimum standards list a while back.
   
   
3. Getting to know ourselves better. Our committee used to meet in different units around campus.