User Interface Task Group
The User Interface Task Group was established by the Council of
Library Directors, to begin in September 2005.
Email reflector: USMAITGINTERFACE@umd.edu
Meeting Minutes
Task Group Documents
Resources for group members
Charge (Updated 09/25/08)
The task group is charged with responsibility for recommending priorities, courses of action, and policy for the functional areas under its purview. This includes design, testing, and implementation of the consortium’s public interfaces; conducting user research and usability testing as part of this process; and creation of help screens and documentation. Members should also expect to respond to requests from CLD for research and work on priorities and initiatives and from ITD for feedback or testing on priorities and projects that the task group as put forward. Task groups will also respond to requests from member libraries submitting requests for changes and determine if there are system-wide implications. For specific tasks refer to the annual work plan.
Scope
The UITG will focus work on functionality connected to all public user interfaces. The group may also be charged with consideration of mechanisms for providing training and/or support to consortial libraries in the areas covered by the group, communicating with CLD, ITD, member library faculty and staff, and vendors when appropriate, and contributing ideas and information about initiatives, new products and services, or other advances in areas connected to the group’s area of responsibility.
Membership
Membership in the task group will be by application to the CLD chair. The group should have a minimum of 5-7 members with expertise in the functional areas. Membership should be staggered in order to create continuity. Task Groups are encouraged to use a co-chair arrangement and to be sure that there is representation from the task group on any sub-group that is formed. Sub-groups members may be selected by the task group in consultation with the CLD chair (no applications necessary). All task groups will have a liaison in ITD who will attend meetings as needed. Membership should reflect the diversity of institutions within the USMAI.
Group Reporting and Communication
- Meetings: Meeting dates, agendas, and minutes should be posted on the web site created for the group. Group meetings are open. Guests should contact the group co-chairs in advance to indicate interest in attending.
- Web Site: The task group web site should contain an up-to-date membership list, charge, access to minutes, calendar of meetings, and links to other documents or sites used regularly by the group or of interest to others. Web sites have open access.
- E-Mail List: The email discussion list for the task group is a closed forum for discussing issues, vetting ideas, etc. The CLD recommends that these lists be used for group-only communication.
- COIs: The CLD strongly recommends that the COIs be used to generate discussion of specific issues, solicit feedback, etc.
- Wiki: A wiki can be set up for each task group to facilitate work on documents, provide for public viewing of work in progress, etc.
- Campus Contacts: The Campus Contacts should be the point of contact for responses to surveys. Be sure to include a deadline for response.
- CLD Chair: The co-chairs should communicate with the CLD chair when new members are needed or at any time to report problems or ask for assistance.
- Annual Report: An annual report should be submitted to the CLD chair by January 31 of each year. The report will also be posted on the group web site.
- Work Plan: A work plan for the year should be submitted to the CLD chair by January 31 of each year. The plan will also be posted on the group web site.