Committee Work

The Enhancement Chair compiles the submitted requests into a spread sheet, by cutting and pasting directly from the form.  The example shown below comes from a list that had over 600 request entered. We do not make changes to any request. This is sent to Polaris for their comments. When returned the list is sorted by subsystem and each request is given a number. 

This is sent in full to each of the committee members for review to determine if any requests may be better associated with a different subsystem and to start thinking of categories.  We work from a list but also add new ones when needed.

Last year the committees spent about 42 hours on the phone working on finalizing the list of requests for the voting process.  This does not include seeking clarification, moving “like” requests into categories, identifying requests that are already in place or in the process of being implemented – all the work done by committee members on their own to bring to the conversation.

VOTING

Polaris commits to giving priority to the number of top categories shown below and they try to implement as many requests listed in each category as feasible as they formulate their development plans.  The Polaris User Group members review and vote for their top categories. This information is submitted by the voting representative of the PUG member on the ballot form.

The ballots are received and compiled by the Enhancement Chair – multiple volunteers are recruited to review and check for accuracy and the final document is sent to Polaris for upload to the extranet.  At this time an announcement is sent to the PUG members on how to access it and the process starts all over again.

Subsystem Committees

SUBSYSTEM CHAMPION COMMITTEES:
1. Acquisitions
2. Serials
3. Cataloging
4. Patron Services/Circulation
5. PACs (ActivePAC and PowerPAC)
6. System Administration and Reports
 

SC COMMITTEE - DESCRIPTION

The Subsystem Champions committee will communicate with Polaris users and Polaris Library System to:

1. Eliminate duplicate requests for enhancements
2. Clarify meaning of requests for enhancements
3. Resolve conflicts between requests for enhancements
4. Re-state requests in consistent language and manner for the web site and Polaris Library System
5. Review/note any minimum specifications required for enhancements, and review any prototypes available from Polaris Library System
6. Develop a list of all proposed enhancements, with those having the most benefit to the most users appearing at the top of the list.
 

COMMITTEE SIZE - 3-4 people (minimum)
 

SC COMMITTEE VOLUNTEER "SKILLS"

1. Knowledge of Polaris functionality and library operations for the subsystem
2. Ability to commit the necessary time to keep the enhancement process moving forward according to the timetable
3. Willingness to work with other committee members and achieve consensus
4. Respect for others' points of view
5. Access to the Internet with an e-mail account recognized by Polaris Library System (for participation in the subcommittee listserv)

REPRESENTATION

It is preferred for each SC committee to have the representation of each type of Polaris customer: Academic, Public, and Special Libraries, plus Consortia.

Enhancement Process