Vanderbilt University Library
Time Study

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

Where do I record my breaks?_ 1

Where do we record email time and Time Study time?_ 1

A question has been raised about SPAM mail.  Unfortunately, I think all of us spend time each day dealing with this issue.  Is there a category we should use for this task?_ 2

Should the preparation time for Committee meetings be included in the Meeting category, xx04, in the appropriate Centers or should Meeting Time be limited to actual time in meetings?_ 2

Where should system-wide or multi-divisional meeting time be recorded?_ 2

I don't see an appropriate task in the Center that I think I should use.  Where should I record it?_ 2

I don't see the task that I think I'm performing in the description of that task, should I use it anyway?_ 2

Where should I record the machine and computer maintenance tasks such as refilling printers with paper and cleaning computer screens?_ 2

I'm assigned to a service desk, but I'm not circulating materials nor assisting users.  How should I record this time?_ 2

We spend lots of time helping users with using the various kinds of equipment we have.  Where should that go?_ 3

Where should I record reshelving of videos and microforms?_ 3

Selectors monitor material budget funds, authorize adjustments, evaluate current and projected expenditures throughout the year, etc.  I would have included my activities in this area in CD03 Collection Development and Management--Administrative Work.  Is this correct or should we record these tasks in the Acquisition Center, AC?_ 3

Where can I record manuscript and archives processing?_ 3

 

Where do I record my breaks?

·     Breaks don't get recorded as such, so you should just merge break time into your estimates of task time during the day.

Where do we record email time and Time Study time?

·     Use AS09, Administrative & Support Services Time Study Activities for time spent on the Time Study (where it accounts for more than 15 minutes during the day).  Use AS05 Other to deal with email that doesn't fit elsewhere.  BUT, most email will fit in another task; the format is not the issue, it's the nature of the task associated with the email.  Some may fall in a number of the different AS tasks, e.g., AS03, AS06, AS07, AS09, AS10, and some will fall in product centers.

A question has been raised about SPAM mail.  Unfortunately, I think all of us spend time each day dealing with this issue.  Is there a category we should use for this task?

·     If people feel as if they spend 15 minutes or more during the week on dealing with spam, the best place to put it would be AS05 Other.  Make a note on the back of a data sheet about using this for spam email.

Should the preparation time for Committee meetings be included in the Meeting category, xx04, in the appropriate Centers or should Meeting Time be limited to actual time in meetings?

·     Yes, if this time is specifically targeted toward a particular meeting.  This is a change from fall 2003.

Where should system-wide or multi-divisional meeting time be recorded?

·     If the meeting is primarily related to one product/service center, use the Meeting Time in that Center, e.g., ISAG--UA04 or IN04; CAAG--CR04; CDAG--CD04, CAAG--CA04, Strategic Planning--MP04.  If the meeting is not so focused, use the meeting time category in AS, AS04.

I don't see an appropriate task in the Center that I think I should use.  Where should I record it?

·     If the Center is right, check the list of administrative types of activity given in AS03 and if that fits, use the xx03 task (in the center you've decided on).  Reviewing the Common Definitions may be helpful.  If the task really doesn't seem to fit anywhere, use the Other (xx05) category.

I don't see the task that I think I'm performing in the description of that task, should I use it anyway?

·     The descriptions are meant to be illustrative and not exhaustive for that task.  If that task name/function is the closest fit for what you're doing, use it.  You may want to be familiar with all the other related centers and tasks so that you're aware of other possible places to record time.

Where should I record the machine and computer maintenance tasks such as refilling printers with paper and cleaning computer screens?

·     AU06--Solving Problems and Maintaining Software/Hardware.  Include machine maintenance for photocopiers and reader/printers here as well.  If you're helping users with machines, though, put it in UA02 User Assistance Consulting and Problems

I'm assigned to a service desk, but I'm not circulating materials nor assisting users.  How should I record this time?

·     Record the type of task you're performing while you wait for someone to help.  You may be performing administrative tasks, CR03 or UA03 or AS03, or you might be doing selection, CD06, etc.  However, if while you're waiting, no library-related work is being performed, use UA11 General Desk Coverage--No library work performed; this might be true of students studying, for instance.  Or surfing the web unrelated to any other tasks or library work.

We spend lots of time helping users with using the various kinds of equipment we have.  Where should that go?

Where should I record reshelving of videos and microforms?

Selectors monitor material budget funds, authorize adjustments, evaluate current and projected expenditures throughout the year, etc.  I would have included my activities in this area in CD03 Collection Development and Management--Administrative Work.  Is this correct or should we record these tasks in the Acquisition Center, AC?

·     Activity that's related to the evaluative part of your collections kind of work should probably go in CD--what disciplines need more money, will a particular transfer negatively affect the balance of the collecting, are we spending the right amount on monographs vs. serials vs. e-resources, etc.  If it's just statistical reports, moving money from place to place, creating fund records, etc., then it's more acquisitions activity.

Where can I record manuscript and archives processing?