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MASTER GARDENERS OF MERCER COUNTY Information Resources Committee

2012 Annual Report

COMMITTEE CHAIRS: and Alexandra Radbil

COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Lesa Aldridge, Pam Betterton, Kay Danbury, Cathy

Deschu, Sally DeSantis, Cindy Dixon, Susan Finch, Suzanne Keeler, Pat Lagunas,

Greenie Neuburg, Betty Scarlata, Trish Verbeyst, Theodora Wang, Linda Ward.

COMMITTEE DESCRIPTION: The Information Resources Committee is responsible

for organizing, maintaining and updating the manual and electronic rolodexes, the

Rutgers Fact Sheet files, Barbara Bromley’s Information Sheet files, the Master Gardener

Fact Sheet Notebooks, the Helpline, Reference and Lending Libraries, the Outreach

Notebook, the Master Gardener’s Bulletin Board, and other resource materials such as

donated books and articles. The committee generally meets the third Monday of the

month.

COMMITTEE GOALS FOR 2012: The priority goals set for the year were to: find a

way to buy a new laptop dedicated exclusively for the electronic rolodex data base;

evaluate fact sheets not available electronically to determine whether to scan or replace

them so that eventually all materials will be electronic documents; evaluate the quality of

documents in Wildlife Control (Wildlife Pink #12) and replace if necessary; determine

the future of the Commercial Fact Sheets in the file drawers; and to investigate sturdier

“Fact Sheet” Helpline notebook binders.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE YEAR, INCLUDING PROJECTS IN

PROGRESS:

1. Electronic Rolodex Projects:

a. Dedicated laptop: Thanks to Pat Lagunas a laptop was donated for the exclusive

use of the e-rolodex database. Theodora Wang and Betty Scarlata assisted in the

installation of the laptop in the Helpline office. An instruction sheet on use of the e-

rolodex laptop was developed and placed in the Helpline office.

b. Keywords: To enhance the search capability of the e-rolodex, committee

members were tasked with developing a list of “key words” to incorporate into the

database. To expedite the process, members were divided into teams. Each team reported

its recommendations to Theodora Wang for consideration. Theodora with assistance from

Pat will update the database with the appropriate “key words.”

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c. Potential addition of e-rolodex to MGoMC private website: Committee co-chairs,

Alexandra Radbil and Sharon Ainsworth recommended that consideration be given to

adding the e-rolodex database to the private MGoMC website. This would allow fellow

Mercer County Master Gardeners to access the database from home and that could

expand its use by members as well as increase their familiarity with this valuable

resource. A key factor is that the database must be protected from any unauthorized

changes. The MGoMC officers are conducting a review of the website so a determination

on whether to proceed with this proposal is outstanding.

d. E-rolodex training: The committee has discussed ways to encourage use of the e-

rolodex. Theodora Wang gave an update of the database at the March General Meeting

and she (and other IRC members) continue to work with the Helpline Mentoring

program. The IRC suggested to the Helpline co-chairs that a few of the 36 questions used

to train interns might be designed to encourage use of the e-rolodex as the research tool.

The Helpline co-chairs may incorporate this idea in future intern training.

2. Evaluation of non-electronic Fact Sheets: Theodora Wang and Alexandra Radbil

tabulated the list of non-electronic Fact Sheets. Committee members have been assigned

fact sheets to check and note publication date, to review and recommend whether to

replace, retain or remove. The committee will discuss dated fact sheets at the December

meeting, and based on the committee’s recommendation, research to replace fact sheets

deemed dated will be carried out in 2013.

3. Helpline Log Sheet Analysis: Each month Betty Scarlata compiles data from the

Helpline Log Sheet to classify and quantify public inquiries. Under the leadership of Pat

Lagunas, the data has been tabulated using 3 years of data (the current analysis cycle

began July 2010). The preliminary results show a large number of insect related inquiries

and suggest the need for more training. It was also noted that many of the log sheet

entries provide insufficient or illegible information. This is a topic that the Helpline co-

chairs have sought to address.

4. Wildlife Notebook: Pam Betterton with assistance from Linda Ward and Lesa

Aldridge, plan to complete the Wildlife Notebook review by January 2013. Their

recommendation is to combine into one notebook all the relevant resources including the

Mercer County Wildlife pamphlets and various website links. Pam is developing a

synopsis of the materials added and deleted. When approved by the committee, it will be

shared with BJB for final approval.

5. BJB “Horticultural Activities and Expectations”: Theodora Wang has updated all of

BJB’s “Horticultural Activities and Expectations” material for the Helpline Manual.

6. Invasive Plants Notebook: Kay Danbury has made good progress on the Invasive

Plants Notebook update. Volunteers may be sought to assist Kay with the project targeted

for completion in 2013.

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7. Lending Library co-chairs: Pat Lagunas and Sally DeSantis, after several years of

managing the Lending Library, announced their desire to step down. Pam Betterton and

Cathy Deschu have volunteered to take on this responsibility in 2013.

7. Outreach Committee Notebook: Outreach Committee co-chair Jeanne Mroczko met

with the IRC to discuss the notebook compiled by IRC for their use. She and co-chair

Sheryl Shupel plan to quantify the types of inquiries they receive at events to better

inform the notebook contents. She noted that a frequent question is how to compost.

After thorough review and discussion, BJB recommended that the Outreach Committee

should select from one of the existing documents (BJB’s Composting at Home, RCE

Sources for Home Compost Bins, RCE Backyard Leaf Composting, RCE/MG Back Yard

Composting flyer). Follow up with the Outreach Committee in 2013 is recommended.

Items purchased or donated:

The IRC began the 2012 calendar with a balance of $172.69. In partnership with the

Helpline Committee, IRC contributed $123.07 toward the purchase of replacement

binders for Helpline. The remaining IRC balance of $49.62 was returned to the MG

account at the end of June. The IRC began the new fiscal year with a $400 budget. In

October, the IRC spent $97.73 for a new, hard cover edition of the Dirr Manual of

Woody Plants, $158.02 to purchase additional bookends for the Helpline Library and

library materials, for a total expenditure of $255.75. The current balance is $144.25.

(Note: the old Dirr Manual has been moved to the Lending Library).

The IRC processed 4 boxes of donated books. Only 3 books were deemed of sufficient

value to add to the Lending Library. The remaining books will be made available for the

Plant Sale in the spring. Any damaged or books not sold will be given to the Bryn Mawr

Book Sale by Pat Lagunas as has been done in the past.

Note: As previously stated, IRC received a laptop donation for the Helpline electronic

rolodex.

Plans for Next Year:

Pat Lagunas will return as IRC co-chair in 2013 (the other co-chair announcement is

pending). The above summary of 2012 projects may offer useful guidance for the

upcoming year.

INFORMATION RESOURCES (IR) COMMITTEE 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

COMMMITTEE CHAIRS: Pat Lagunas and Angelika Muehleisen

COMMITTEE MEMBERS (17): Lesa Aldridge, Pam Betterton, Kay Danbury, Cindy Dixon, Susan Finch, Jackie Johnson, Suzanne Keeler, Pat Lagunas, Greenie Neuburg, Betty Scarlata, Theodora Wang, Linda Ward and Bruce Young. Four new members, Roberta Gernhardt, Bonnie Patterson, Catherine Swango, and Don Vosburgh joined the IR committee.

Goals for 2013: • Compile IRC Survey Analysis of Helpline data for 2010-2012• Analyze data as to concerns most frequently addressed by Helpline• Determine whether existing documents cover topics of high frequency• Locate documents on topics that need information/place on file after BJB gives

approval• Present findings to members• Complete key word addition to the Electronic Database• Complete non-electronic fact sheet review

ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE YEAR, INCLUDING PROJECTS IN PROGRESS:

1. All Helpline Log data for 2010 – 2012 was entered onto the IRC Survey Analysisspreadsheet. The Helpline Topics of Insects, Other, Plants and Turf were identified asto category and subcategory. For example, Plants were placed into the category ofDisease, Pruning, Shrubs, Vegetables, Wildlife, etc. Once categorized, the categorywas further delineated into subcategories; for example, Disease was identified asanthracnose, bacterial leaf scorch, powdery mildew, rust, etc.

2. Using the IRC Helpline Survey of 200-2007 and 2010-2012, the weeds that weremost frequently questioned by the public were identified. Fact sheets were thenreviewed as to whether documents existed to identify each of the weeds. Once thefact sheets were identified, a set of criteria was established to determine whether thefact sheet addressed each weed individually, contained a visual of the weed, gave itsbotanical name, identified it as to whether it was an annual or perennial weed andthat the document provided for a variety of controls from manual to chemical. If thefact sheet did not meet the criteria, the committee went to the internet to finddocuments that met the criteria. The documents were compiled into a notebook to bethen shared with BJB for her approval for placement into the file drawers, the Helplinenotebooks and the electronic rolodex. Through an article in the newsletter themembership will be informed of our findings. The review by BJB and the newsletterarticle will take place in 2014.

3. Nineteen (19) new/revised Rutgers fact sheets were processed. The generalmembership was notified of the publication of those published from January to June in the July/August 2013 MG Newsletter. Notification of those published since July 2013 will appear in the January/February 2014 Newsletter.

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4. Two other fact sheets outside of Rutgers were identified and filed for use:Impatiens Downy Mildew published by Cornell and Rose Rosette publishedby Virginia Tech. All fact sheets, both Rutgers and others, were filed in thefile drawers, the Helpline Notebooks and the electronic rolodex by TheodoraWang.

5. Nine (9) BJB Information Sheets were reviewed without change. They were thenturned into pdf documents and placed on the Rutgers MGofMC website by TheodoraWang.

6. Four (4) new Helpline books were processed by Pam Betterton and Sue Finch andadded to the Helpline Library. The Gardener’s Guide to Common Sense Pest Controlwas a revision and was cataloged and placed adjacent to the original. A second,Peterson Field Guide to Insects, was a replacement of a copy in poor condition, andtwo others were new, Fruit Key and Twig Key to Trees & Shrubs and How toEradicate Invasives.

7. A process was established to determine which book recommendations to considerforplacement in the Helpline Library. A set of criteria was also established to be used inthe evaluation of the book.

8. Roberta Gernhardt reviewed two (2) Helpline books for the MG Newsletter.

9. The Helpline Log sheet was reviewed and revised by Betty Scarlata. It was thenshared with BJB and the Helpline Committee for their input. A revised version wasagreed upon that provided for the recording of both the problem coming into Helplineand the solution recommended. The newly revised log sheet was placed intooperation in November 2013.

10. The Lending Library is being maintained by Pam Betterton. In January the ReferenceLibrary was absorbed into the Lending Library. At that time, books were culled tomake room for those in the Reference Library and those recently donated. Aninventory also took place. The spreadsheet of the contents of the library was updatedand sent to Tom Miller for placement on the website. Books that were removed fromthe Lending Library were donated to the Bryn Mawr Wellesley book sale.

11. The co-chair of the Outreach Committee is to make the IR Committee aware of anydocuments needed. No contact was made this year.

12. It was suggested that the Invasive Notebook be updated every year. Kay Danburyand Cathie Swango worked on this during the year.

13. Throughout the year, fifteen (15) IR committee members volunteered to monitor theirassigned file drawers to assure that at least five (5) copies were available for each ofthe documents and each file folder was properly filed. These members were LesaAldridge, Pam Betterton, Kay Danbury, Roberta Gernhardt, Suzanne Keeler, PatLagunas, Angelika Muehleisen, Greenie Neuburg, Bonnie Patterson, Betty Scarlata,Cathie Swango, Don Vosburgh, Theodora Wang, Linda Ward and Bruce Young.

14. Ten (10) committee members volunteered to maintain the Helpline bulletin boardeach month.

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15. Budget 2012/2013 (July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013): Approved $400.00 Spent $297.80 Balance $102.20

Budget 2013/2014 (July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014): Approved $400.00 Spent $ 67.96 Balance $332.04

Purchases: Since 1/1/13 • 4 books• 1 Cartridge

PROPOSED 2014 PROJECTS:

• Analyze Helpline data collected from 2010 to 2012 to identify problems mostfrequently addressed.

• Present weed documents collected in 2013 to BJB to determine which of thedocuments are to be placed in the drawers/manual and electronic rolodex.

• Review the books in the Helpline Library in collaboration with BJB to determine whichare to be purged.

• Review the RR books in collaboration with BJB to determine whether thosedesignated RR are to maintain that designation.

• Create a procedural handbook.• Review the status of identifying key words carried over from 2013.• Complete the non-electronic fact sheet review carried over from 2013.

Submitted by: Pat Lagunas and Angelika Muehleisen

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INFORMATION RESOURCES (IR) COMMITTEE 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Committee Description Information Resources Committee is responsible for organizing, maintaining and updating the manual and electronic rolodexes, the Rutgers fact sheet files, Barbara Bromley’s information sheet files, the Rutgers Master Gardener fact sheet notebooks, the Helpline reference and lending libraries, the Master Gardener’s Bulletin Board; and other resource materials such as donated books and articles. We usually meet on every third Monday of the month at 10 am.

COMMMITTEE CHAIRS: Pat Lagunas and Angelika Muehleisen

COMMITTEE MEMBERS (21) Lesa Aldridge, Pam Betterton, Kay Danbury, Susan Finch, Roberta Gernhardt, Suzanne Keeler, Greenie Neuburg, Bonnie Patterson, Betty Scarlata, Cathie Swango, Don Vosburgh, Theodora Wang, Linda Ward and Bruce Young. Six new members, Karen Bennett, Dorothy Donnelly, Barbara Gliddon, Diane Hennessy, Jane Murphy,.Karrie Prager and Keith Sagers joined the committee.

Goals for 2014 Analyze Helpline data collected from 2010 to 2012 to identify problems most

frequently addressed. Present weed documents collected in 2013 to BJB to determine which of the

documents are to be placed in the drawers/manual and electronic rolodex. Review the books in the Helpline Library in collaboration with BJB to determine which

are to be purged. Review the RR books in collaboration with BJB to determine whether those

designated RR are to maintain that designation. Create a procedural handbook. Review the status of identifying key words carried over from 2013. Complete the non-electronic fact sheet review carried over from 2013. Review the Ag documents in the file drawers with BJB and Meredith Melendez and

reconsider where to file.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE YEAR, INCLUDING PROJECTS IN PROGRESS:

1. The analysis of the Helpline data from 2010 to 2012 is ongoing. In exploring the mostexpedient way to enter the data from the Helpline log sheets two different formatswere used. Once the data is changed to a common format in 2015 the analysis canbegin.

2. The weed documents collected from edu sources on the internet in 2013 andaddressing the most common queries about weeds were shared with BJB to get herapproval to use. BJB approved the use of one document and suggested that anydocument to be approved must contain chemical controls. The committee isreviewing all weed documents as well as books on weeds to identify where chemicalcontrols are stated.

3. The committee worked with BJB this year in reviewing the books found in the HelplineLibrary. Barbara requested that 49 books be removed and 88 be reviewed by the

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committee. Of the 88 reviewed, 31 were removed by the IRC. All books were renumbered and the spreadsheet listing all the books in each category is being revised. Books removed from Helpline were placed in the Lending Library. In conducting the review we came to realize 37 books were in poor condition. Thanks to donations by RMGs and purchasing all but 4 were able to be replaced. Four no longer available are to be rebound by Kate Dresdner.

4. BJB reviewed the RR books and made changes.

5. A procedural handbook is being created by Pat Lagunas and will be presented to thechairs in January 2015.

6. The review of identifying key words for each document on the electronic rolodex wastabled until a future date.

7. Completing the review of the non-electronic fact sheets was tabled for a future date.

8. Reviewing the Ag documents in the file drawers and determining where they shouldbe filed is to be conducted in 2015.

9. Eight new Rutgers Fact Sheets were written. Two additional ones were revised. Allwere placed in the file drawers, the Helpline Notebooks and the manual andelectronic rolodex.

10. Seven BJB Information Sheets were reviewed without change and two were revised.They were then turned into pdf documents and placed on the Rutgers MGofMCwebsite.

11. Roberta Gernhardt reviewed one (1) Helpline book for the Newsletter.

12. Books removed from the Helpline Library as well as some recently donated bookswere placed into the Lending Library. An inventory was conducted and the LendingLibrary spreadsheet revised to reflect new entries and those missing. Books removedfrom the library were given to the Crisis Ministry as a donation. Some donated bookswere given as gifts to the membership at the December Meeting.

13. A meeting was held with the Outreach chairs to discuss how the IR Committee couldbe supportive. The IR Committee suggested that Outreach use BJB’s Expectationsas a guide to determine what handouts they offer at events.

14. The Weed and Invasive Notebook continues to be updated every year. At thepresent Cathie Swango is responsible for its maintenance.

15. Throughout the year, fifteen (15) IR committee members volunteered to monitor theirassigned file drawers to assure that at least five (5) copies were available for each ofthe documents and each file folder was properly filed.

16. Eleven (11) Committee members volunteered to maintain the Helpline Bulletin Board.

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17. Budget 2013/2014 (July 1. 2013 – June 20, 2014) Approved $400.00 Spent $211.06 Balance $188.94

Budget 2014/2015 (July 1 2014 – June 30, 2015) Approved $400.00 Spent $65.88 Balance $334.12

Items purchased: books, rolodex cards, book ends, and book binding materials.

PROPOSED 2015 ROJECTS:

Format the Survey Analysis of 2010-2012 to run a high low frequency of horticulturalproblems addressed by Helpline during that 3 year period.

Review existing documents for those problems with the highest frequency in 2010-2012 and determine those areas where documents are lacking. Identify documentson the internet to fill in where needed.

Review the process for analyzing the Helpline data and come up with a new modelusing the data from 2014. Publish the results to make the membership aware of thesignificance of the accuracy of the data in the identification of documents to addressclient concerns.

Create a weed research document that indicates sources for the identification ofweeds and a listing of controls.

Review Ag Documents in the File Drawers with Meredith and BJB to determinewhether to any could be removed from the Helpline files in the front office.

Workings with the RMG membership determine whether the Lending Library is to bemaintained.

Submitted by: Pat Lagunas and Angelika Muehleisen

Information Resources Committee

Co-Chairs: Jane Murphy, Barbara Gliddon, Keith Sagers

January 10, 2016

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ANNUAL REPORT 2015

1 Chairs

Barbara Gliddon Jane Murphy Keith Sagers

All three are new co-chairs.

2 Members

Adrian Hyde Angelika Muehleisen Barbara Gliddon Betty Scarlata Catherine Swango Diane Hennessy Don Vosburgh Dorothy Donnelly

Greenie Neuburg Jane Murphy Jessica Irons Karen Bennett Karrie Prager Kay Danbury Keith Sagers Linda Ward

Pat Lagunas Roberta Gernhardt Sue Finch Tara Motto Theodora Wang Ursula Wooley

New members: Adrian Hyde, Jessica Irons, Tara Motto Retired members: Pam Betterton, Bonnie Paterson

3 Description

Information Resources Committee is responsible for organizing, maintaining and updating the Helpline reference material including the Helpline library, the Rutgers fact sheet files, Barbara Bromley’s information sheet files, the Rutgers Master Gardener fact sheet Notebooks, the manual and computer Rolodexes, a Helpline Bulletin Board, and other resource materials such as the Lending library and donated books. In 2015, IRC created the Helpline Relational Database and the Helpline Information Display and will maintain and enhance these tools.

4 Did committee goals reflect RMGofMC mission and goals

Yes. We maintain and improve the information available to RMGs, especially for use on Helpline.

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5 What are the accomplishments and challenges this year, including projects in progress?

1. Keith Sagers researched and made the Mercer County Extension WiFi hotspotavailable in the MG Helpline office allowing MGs to bring their laptops to connect tothe Internet.

2. Adrian Hyde has built a relational database from ten years of Helpline log data thatBetty Scarlata has put into Excel spreadsheets over the years. The database will allowus to study trends and recurring problems.

3. Keith Sagers created a slide show of the BJB Expectations with detailed photos of allspecific insects and diseased plants mentioned for the month of August with the planto provide photos for all months. IRC purchased a Smart TV for use as the InformationDisplay in the Helpline office to display the slide show.

4. Barbara Gliddon and Diane Hennessy relabeled all Helpline library books making iteasier to find, put back and inventory books. They covered new books and repairedothers.

5. IRC bought three books to replace those in the Helpline library that were falling apart:Identifying Diseases of Vegetables by Alan MacNab, Ortho Problem Solver by Michael D.Smith and Dirr’s Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs.

6. To make space in the file drawers, Diane Hennessy worked with Meredith Melendez toreview 237 Ag documents to determine which copies could be removed or reduced.

7. Roberta Gernhardt submitted BJB Expectations to the Newsletter each month.

8. Kay Danbury and Cathie Swango updated the Weeds and Invasives Notebooks (11A &11B in the Helpline library) according to 2015 NJISST. A survey conducted by CathieSwango at an MG monthly meeting confirmed that the Weeds and Invasives Notebookswere used by many MGs and those not yet familiar with them would start using them.

9. Theodora Wang updated the Helpline Notebooks, manual and computer rolodexes andfile drawers with 3 new Rutgers Fact sheets and 12 reviewed with 1 revised BJBinformation sheets. She also reported this in the Newsletter.

10. Theodora Wang worked with BJB to update the BJB Expections, last updated in 2012.

11. Pat Lagunas completed a handbook of procedures for tasks performed by the IRC.

12. Angelica Muehleisen and Don Vosburgh maintained the Lending library and itsinventory and reported that the library is being used, especially by the new class.

13. New Co-Chairs for 2015: Jane Murphy, Barbara Gliddon and Keith Sagers.

14. Debbi Kanter donated garden books that had belonged to her father, Saul Kanter. Theywere distributed to MGs at the December MG Monthly Meeting by lottery.

15. Reinforced Helpline library bookshelves, maintained File drawers and Bulletin boards.

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Others who contributed to the accomplishments, challenges and projects in progress were: Pam Betterton, Dorothy Donnelly, Karen Bennett, Karrie Prager, Ursula Wooley Bonnie Paterson, Sue Finch, Linda Ward and Greenie Neuberg and Tara Motto and Jessica Irons from the new class.

6 What are the plans for next year?

1. Move forward with the technology added in 2015.

a. Install the new Information Display in the helpline room.

b. Complete the BJB Expectations with photos for every month.

c. Add links to the fact sheets in the BJB Expectations.

d. Buy a computer to connect to the Information Display to access more information.

e. Provide statistics from the new relational database including: top ten problems ina year, top ten problems in each month and more as requested.

f. Work with others to improve entry and analysis of the helpline logbook data.

g. Use the digital camera on the stereoscopes to make photos of what’s coming intoHelpline.

2. Work directly with Helpline, ID&D and Computer Committee co-chairs by exchangingagenda and minutes, meeting regularly and attending meetings when needed foroverlapping projects.

3. Increase communication with other committees through presentations at monthlymeetings.

4. Continue to maintain and improve the Helpline library, Notebooks, File drawers andLending library.

930 Spruce StreetTrenton, NJ 08648-4584

609-989-6853

IRC Committee Annual Report

Co-chairs

Barbara Gliddon, Jane Murphy, Keith Sagers

Contributing Members

Karen Bennett, Maggie Bruno, Kay Danbury, Dorothy Donnelly, Sue Finch, RobertaGernhardt, Diane Hennessy, Darion Jackman, Pat Lagunas, Angelika Muehleisen, GreenieNeuburg, Karen Prager, Betty Scarlata, Dan Valentine, Don Vosburgh, Theodora Wang, LindaWard, and Ursula Wooley

Adrian Hyde, Jessica Irons, Tara Motta, and Cathie Swango have left the committee

Description

The Information Resources Committee maintains and updates information available toRutgers Master Gardeners. This includes Helpline Library, Rutgers Fact Sheets, BJB InformationSheets, Rolodexes, various bulletin boards, and donated books. We also support other internalgroups when requested. As technology changes, we will adopt new methods to fulfill our mission.We usually meet the third Monday of the month at 10 AM.

Do Committee Goals Reflect the RMGofMC Mission and Goals?

Yes to both requirements

What Are the Accomplishments and Challenges This Year, Including Projects in Progress

1. Jane Murphy and Theodora Wang completed the hyperlinks for BJB’s MonthlyExpectations and installed them on the Helpline computer.

2. The Helpline Data Analysis Project stalled and has been temporarily abandonedmostly due to the departure of member Adrian Hyde.

3. The Slide Show Project was restarted from scratch in order to rename the files towork with the hyperlinks. The installation of the hardware has been deferred until wemove to the new building. This project is ongoing.

930 Spruce StreetTrenton, NJ 08648-4584

609-989-6853

4. In the Helpline Library we purchased a newer copy of “Weeds of North America”and Diane Hennessy generously donated a second, more pristine copy of “Weeds ofthe Northeast”. “Northeast Vegetable and Strawberry Pest Identification Guide” wasreplaced with a new 2016 copy. We replaced “Common Sense Pest Control” with anewer version courtesy of Susan Stone. We purchased new Dirrs and Ortho books.They were installed in the spring and the older copies were placed in the LendingLibrary.

5. In the files there was one new Rutgers Fact Sheet and one was revised. Three BJBInformation Sheets were revised and one was reviewed. Dan Valentine scanned in 18Rutgers Fact Sheets for the Electronic Rolodex.

6. The purchase of the smart television in January caused us to go over our $400 budget.In March a $100 supplemental increase to the IRC budget was approved. We endedthe fiscal year having spent $425.64 or $74.36 under the new budget. At the midpointof FYE ending June 2017 we have spent $28.91 which leaves a balance of $471.09.

Goals for 2017

1. Ensure a successful move of files and libraries to the new RMG Helpline location.We will work with the Helpline Committee to maximize functionality of the newspace

2. Install the BJB Expectations video slides and hardware in the new Helpline location

3. Integrate the hyperlinks with the video slides

4. Revisit the Helpline data analysis project to see if we can find a way to better analyzethe Helpline Logbook data we have accumulated

930 Spruce Street

Trenton, NJ 08648-4584

609-989-6853

2017 IRC Committee Annual Report

Co-chairs: Dan Valentine, Keith Sagers

Committee Members: Salma Alikhan, Kay Danbury, Barbara Gliddon, Jim Hurly, Jessica

Irons (new), Carol Lee, Angelika Muehleisen, Jane Murphy (Executive Board Liaison), Greenie

Neuburg, Kellan Peck (new), Karrie Prager, Betty Scarlata, Theodora Wang, Linda Ward, and

Ursula Wooley.

Description: The information resources committee maintains and updates information

available to Rutgers Master Gardeners. This includes Helpline Library, Rutgers Fact Sheets, BJB

Information Sheets, Rolodexes, various bulletin boards, and donated books. We also support

other internal groups when requested. As technology changes, we will adopt new methods to

fulfill our mission. We usually meet on the third Monday of the month at 10:00 AM. In January

and February federal holidays often fall on that date so we frequently move to fourth Mondays

for those months.

The goals of the IRC Committee reflect the goals of the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer

County.

Challenges and Accomplishments in 2017:

Merger of IRC and Helpline Committees

In January we examined the merits of combining the two committees. Following a discussion

that extended over several months it was decided not to merge the groups. The primary reason

being that helpline is a closed committee and all members are mentors to the new MGs. You

must be vetted and asked to join the helpline group. With IRC being an open committee, anyone

can join, it was felt that this would lessen the ability of the Helpline Committee to control who

became a mentor. The motion was vetoed by the helpline side. Acknowledging that we did need

to improve our communications it was determined that the co-chairs should sit in on the other

committees meeting and formal liaisons would be named. They are Ursula Wooley and Keith

Sagers. This issue could be revisited in the future if the committees choose to do so.

930 Spruce Street

Trenton, NJ 08648-4584

609-989-6853

File/Document Review

A comprehensive review of all documents in our file cabinets as listed on the rolodex was begun

in May. The goal was to weed out all obsolete documents and to search for more current

information if available. The review was finally ended in December. The list will be discussed

with BJB in January 2018 as to which documents she wishes to replace.

Data Analysis Project

We reopened this project started by Jane Murphy and Adrian Hyde in 2016. The goal is to find a

way to automate the collection of information currently entered in the helpline logbook and then

compile this into answers for predetermined categories. A questionnaire sent to all co-chairs

elicited only two responses as to what they might want to do with the helpline data. Further

inquiry revealed that few of the co-chairs actually use the Excel spreadsheet that Betty Scarlata

produces each month from the handwritten logs. We did determine that the programming skills

to implement this do not currently exist within the IRC group. If it is to be done we will require

an outside programming vendor to write the code. The question arises if no one is using the

information why should we spend the effort and funds to accomplish the task? We plan to have

one last discussion at the executive committee meeting in January of 2018. If the executive board

decides it is not worthwhile we will shelve the project. If the group decides it is in fact worth

doing this we plan to develop a “scope” document outlining what we want the software to do.

This would allow us to get bids from vendors so as to ascertain the cost/benefit feasibility. We

would then ask the entire MG organization to approve the expenditure of funds for the project.

Website Links

In the spring a group was put together to look at the internet links we provide on our website; a

significant number were no longer active. Jane Murphy, Carol Lee, and Karrie Prager reviewed

the links in conjunction with ID&D and the website group. A revised list of useful links was

developed and a procedure to update the list was implemented through BJB.

930 Spruce Street

Trenton, NJ 08648-4584

609-989-6853

Weed Sources and Controls

We attempted to find an appropriate list of chemicals authorized for horticultural use by the State

of New Jersey. We never found such a list but thanks to Theodora Wang and Carol Lee for

working on this.

Invasive Species Notebooks

At the March committee meeting it was decided to update the notebooks for invasive species

only. This will be done at the time NJISST releases the new list. We will just copy the lists

released by NJISST. Thanks to Kay Danbury for the years of effort on the notebooks.

Move to the New Offices

The IRC committee has been heavily involved with the Helpline and Move Committees in

planning the new space for a more effectively functioning helpline office. This will continue

until we settle into the new building.

Lending Library

The value of the lending library has been debated often this year. By our records an average of

less than two books per month are taken out. An audit of the library in October; conducted by

Salma Alikhan, Prasanthi Mahendra, Angelika Muehleisen, and Keith Sagers, showed that a

large number of the books were missing. Since the bulk of the library is comprised of donated

books from other MG’s it does not always reflect current information. The maintenance of this

library takes up a fair amount of time and effort. When we move to the new office space we hope

to move the lending library to an area near but away from the helpline office. It will still be

available to members but IRC will greatly reduce the effort we spend administering this library.

930 Spruce Street

Trenton, NJ 08648-4584

609-989-6853

Slide Show

The slide show was not actively pursued for much of the year after it was decided not to install

the new smart TV in the current helpline office. A location with proper electrical connections has

been designated in the new office space. In November IRC was approached by the speakers

group to use the material in conjunction with a program they are putting together for the

Hopewell Library. We expect this project to be completed during the coming year. Keith Sagers

is assigned this project.

Electronic Printing of All Documents in the Rolodex File

We are trying to develop a method to be able to print any document we have on file for a client

and from any computer in the new helpline office. This would allow us to retain/move a single

copy of all documents now in our file cabinets. We are looking at two methods of doing this. If

we cannot get this to work satisfactorily the backup plan is to move 7 file cabinets to the new

office. Dan Valentine and Theodora Wang are leading the project.

Personnel Issues

The committee has lost a number of members; some through normal attrition while others may

be a bit hesitant of the move to more electronic avenues of information. The addition of Jessica

Irons and Kellan Peck at the final meeting of the year was very well received. A few more

members who possess good computer and organizational skills would be welcomed. We also

need new co-chairs. Dan Valentine became the new treasurer for the RMG of MC organization

as of January 2018 and would like to step aside ASAP as co-chair. Keith Sagers has been a co-

chair since 2015 and is also co-chair of the herb garden committee. He would like to step aside in

2019. Both Dan and Keith will likely remain on the IRC committee. No volunteers for the co-

chair jobs have stepped forward as of yet.

930 Spruce Street

Trenton, NJ 08648-4584

609-989-6853

Challenges/Goals for 2018

1. Find a good method to print out documents from our Rolodex files. This is a priority for

the committee as stated by the RMG of MC president.

2. Completion of the slide show

3. Wrap up the file review

4. Work with other groups to continue the successful move into our new office space

5. Work to improve communications and assist other MG projects

6. Build the IRC group with a few new members and identify individuals that will step into

the co-chair positions.

930 Spruce Street Trenton, NJ 08648-4584

609-989-6853

Information Resources Committee Annual Report 2018

Co-chairs: Keith Sagers, Dan Valentine (Jan-Aug), Jessica Irons (Sept-Dec)

Committee Members: Salma Alikhan, Kay Danbury, Chris Danser, Barbara Gliddon, Jim Hurly, Carol Lee, Angelika Muehleisen, Jane Murphy, Greenie Neuburg, Karrie Prager, Betty Scarlata, Theodora Wang, Linda Ward, and Ursula Wooley. Nora Sirbaugh attended several meetings to facilitate interface with the helpline committee.

Description: Information Resources Committee is responsible for organizing, maintaining, and updating the manual and electronic Rolodexes, the Rutgers fact sheet files, Barbara Bromley’s information sheets, the Rutgers Master Gardeners fact sheet notebooks, the helpline reference and lending libraries, the Master Gardeners bulletin board, and other materials such as donated books and articles. We usually meet on the third Monday of each month at 10 AM. Please check the events calendar as our schedule varies when federal holidays fall on a third Monday.

The goals of IRC reflect the goals of Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County. IRC ensures that scientific, research based materials disseminated to the public by Garden Core are based on the most accurate, up-to-date information possible.

Goals and Accomplishments in 2018:

1. Find a good method to print documents electronically from our Rolodex files. This is astated priority of the RMGofMC president. A method was developed and work begun byCarol Lee. When Carol moved out of the area the baton was picked up by Jessica Ironsand is now two thirds complete. This project was affected by the move to our new offices,retirement of Barbara Bromley, and trying to develop a good working definition ofobsolete information.

2. Complete the slide show. The slide show based on Barbara Bromley’s monthlyexpectations has been completed and is waiting installation in our new office space. It iscurrently in PowerPoint format but could be adapted to other formats if needed. Theproject will continue into 2019 with modifications as needed to expand it for training andoutreach uses.

930 Spruce Street Trenton, NJ 08648-4584

609-989-6853

3. Wrap up the file review. The preliminary file review was completed and then put on hold.The issues are mainly whether older Rutgers and USDA information should be replacedwith newer information from other sources. The other option would be to keep allRutgers and USDA information in our files but then augment it with newer informationfrom outside sources which would be scientifically based. This issue will be revisited in2019 after the new office is occupied and a new horticulturist is hired.

4. Work with other groups to continue the successful move into our new office space. TheIRC co-chairs have participated in all meetings of the committee engineering the move.At this point our materials have been packed since mid-November awaiting the issuanceof a “Certificate of Occupancy” for the new building.

5. Work to improve communications and assist other MG projects. The IRC co-chairs andthe Helpline co-chairs regularly attended meetings of the other committee. The IRC co-chairs attended the Move committee meetings and helped plan the transfer to the newoffice space.

6. Rebuild the IRC group with a few new members and identify individuals who will stepinto the co-chair position. In 2018 five members and three observers from 2017 did notreturn. We lost an additional member in 2018 and will lose one more in 2019. There wasone new member in 2018, she attended two meetings, and in September Jessica Ironsaccepted the co-chair position held by Dan Valentine. We need to do better in 2019.

Educational Programs

The slide show based on the BJB expectations will be used for educational purposes.

Goals for 2019

1. Complete the move into our new offices ensuring that all files, libraries, and otherreference materials are organized and available for MGs to use for training, research,and public distribution.

2. Complete the file review. Work with the new horticulturist to determine whichinformation should be removed or replaced with more current information.

930 Spruce Street Trenton, NJ 08648-4584

609-989-6853

3. Complete the process to print information directly from the Rolodex file and makethe file cabinets unnecessary.

4. Work with Helpline committee to train MGs on using online Rolodex for researchand printing.

5. Improve IRC member skills in Microsoft Office products including Excel, Word, andPowerPoint.

6. Increase committee membership by identifying and recruiting people with goodcomputer skills and an interest in this work.

7. Long term goal – look at ways to better analyze helpline log data.