Guidelines/Policies
[Public web]
[Staff web]
DIRC
Committee
dirc-lib@MIT.EDU
Digital Instruction Resource Center (DIRC), 14N-132
Meetings | Questions | Scheduling | Access | Hardware/Software | Physical Setup
Use Guidelines/Policies
The Digital Instruction Resource Center (DIRC) is intended primarily for instruction to faculty, students, and staff in the use of library resources such as subscription databases and Barton, and other library-supported software (e.g. GIS, Refworks, Aleph). The priorities for room use are:The DIRC is not available for teaching, meeting, demonstrations, or training by persons or groups not affiliated with the Libraries. Other public rooms available to non-library groups and individuals may be booked through the MIT Schedules Office (E19-334, 253-4788, schedule@mit.edu). For a list of public rooms, see the Schedules Office web page.
- Instruction for library users normally takes precedence over library staff training when conflicts arise.
- Hands-on PC-based computer training for groups
- Small group hands-on training and group project work.
- Space for lecture and demonstration of library resources and software for both MIT community and library staff.
- Space for seminars, meetings and demonstrations.
- Sessions lasting more than 4 hours should get prior approval from the DIRC committee (dirc-lib@mit.edu).
Exceptions can be made in instances where the person or group works with a library staff member in accordance with these policies and procedures. Contact the DIRC committee (dirc-lib@mit.edu) for approval. If an exception is made, the requesting library staff person is considered the sponsor of the event. The sponsor is directly responsible for opening DIRC, making sure everything is running properly, orienting the instructor to DIRC, and following proper closing procedures when the session has been completed.
If the DIRC is not scheduled for instruction, it may be used occasionally for meetings. The room cannot be booked for standing meetings and staff are discouraged from booking the room for non-instructional events. (One exception: the Computer Support Group (CSG) uses meeting times for DIRC maintenance). If the agenda of a regularly scheduled meeting includes hands-on activity or a significant lecture component, that specific meeting would be treated as an instructional session.
Room use policy questions should be addressed to the DIRC committee at dirc-lib@mit.edu.
TechTime Scheduling: Anyone may schedule the DIRC for instruction sessions. Scheduling will be handled via TechTime (TT) on a first-come, first-served basis. DIRC is an invite-able resource in TT. When booking the DIRC, please indicate who is booking the session, who the audience is, and type of instruction (hands-on, lecture, etc).
Sessions lasting more than 4 hours should get prior approval from the DIRC committee (dirc-lib@mit.edu). If at all possible, these sessions should not be scheduled during peak times during the semester, namely September – mid November and February – mid April. If you need to schedule a session lasting longer than 4 hours, please get approval from the DIRC committee at least 1 month in advance.
Scheduling Conflicts: In the event of a scheduling conflict, contact your colleague and make every reasonable effort to negotiate a satisfactory resolution. Play close attention to the room use guidelines, but also take into account the nature of the audience and the amount of lead time you're giving to the person that you're asking to reschedule.
The DIRC will be accessible to all library staff via your MIT identification card. The card reader has been programmed to allow entry by any library staff member, excluding casual employees and student workers.
If you discover that your ID does not work, please contact Mike Smith, 3-7096, masmith@mit.edu, for assistance.
A key to DIRC will remain at the Hayden Circulation Desk as a backup in cases when your card may not work or the card reader is inoperable.
Systems and Technology Services (STS) is responsible for maintenance of the DIRC's equipment. If you experience technical problems, contact the STS at fix-lib@mit.edu. Software upgrades will be completed twice annually, in late July/early August, and again in late December, in preparation for the fall and IAP. If a software upgrade is needed between these regularly scheduled upgrade periods, requests should be made to the DIRC committee (dirc-lib@mit.edu) at least 4 weeks in advance.
Staff using the DIRC are responsible for checking that the equipment and software programs are working properly in advance of the scheduled activity, at least 1 hour prior to teaching or by 4pm for evening sessions. In addition, for software packages that are deemed "specialized", a champion for the software will be assigned (for example, software for SciFinder Scholar will be championed by the Chemistry Librarian). It is the responsibility of the champion to ensure that the software runs properly on all of the computers in DIRC, especially after an upgrade. The champion's responsibilities include:
- Keeping up with the latest versions of the software they champion and alerting the DIRC committee when new versions are available and an installation is desired. Software upgrades that are required outside of the normally scheduled update times need 4 weeks advance notice to dirc-lib@mit.edu.
- Adhering to testing deadlines during the biannual update cycles. These deadlines are put in place so that DIRC will be down for maintenance for a minimum of time.
- Understanding how the software they champion works, or knowing who is available to test the software they champion, to make sure that it functions optimally before imaging.
Check the software page to find the current software installations in DIRC.
Physical Arrangement of the Room:
Any person or group who moves the furniture in the room must return it to its original configuration. Instructors or groups are also responsible for keeping the room clean and secure (removing all handouts and other materials brought into the room; erasing the board; locking the door; etc.)
