Upcoming Library Related Conferences

This great list of library conferences was just posted on DIG_REF:


http://homepage.usask.ca/~mad204/CONF.HTM

September Stats

Have you felt busy the past month? I think I may know the reason why! This past September, we have had 2480 reference questions, 2020 directional questions and 877 IT/printing queries at the Research Assistance Desk of Library West.

Information Pointers and Circ Staff: 1288 of the 2480 reference questions came to us at the second floor desk.

If you look at the chart above, the valleys are Fridays and Saturdays and the peaks are on Wednesdays.

Recently we started recording statistics in more detail at the Research Assistance Desk, to see if we could fine tune our service hours to the demand. Thank you for taking the time to record your statistics by the hour so that we can establish a more accurate snapshot of the days and hours that our services tend to be in demand. --Jana

Interactive Computer Map

Those of us assisting users in Library West have a wonderful new tool to direct people to open computers. As LeiLani Freund and Stephen Williams shared at the recent cross-divisional meeting, "the new interactive computer map for Library West... shows the public workstations on all floors." You can look at the map and see if computers are free in the third floor Info Commons, if the OPACs are in use in the stacks, and whether the computer has a scanner. Locations of the orange and blue printers are also marked.


This map is LIVE! It refreshes every 60 seconds! I have been using the beta for several weeks to direct users to open computers. When I see queuing for computers on the third floor, I take a look at this map and then walk over to direct users to the open spots. It is great!

Please bookmark the West Computer Map (http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/computers/) at the computers where you are assisting users, so it is easy to get to! And post your ideas for using the map here!



--Jana

Wiki driving you wacky?

Due to popular demand, I'm sharing instructions for setting the email preferences on the LibraryWestStaff wiki. PBwiki seems to default to hourly updates of changes. With all of the shift trading on Ask A, the InfoPoint and the Reference Assistance Desk, this can result in quite a few emails during the day. Luckily you can reset your wiki preferences to no email, or only a daily email. Here is how:

1. Sign on to the LibraryWestStaff wiki in PBwiki.
2. Navigate to the My PBwiki page. (If you are not at this page, click on your email address at the top right to get to it.)
3. Look for the Preferences pulldown, in the middle of the page. Set your email preferences to "never," or whatever time interval suits you.

Note that you can also edit your profile to include IM addresses or a photo, and to change your password. If you need help setting this, let me know. --Jana

Annals of Pharmacotherapy

From Rae Jesano: In case you get any questions from WPPD ( distance pharmacy students), the VPN is not working with this journal title. It is working with the EZProxy.

Cecilia and I are trying to find out what is going on with it.

Biology classes coming

The biology lab students in BSC 2011L should start working on their library assignment during these next 2 weeks. Tara created a libguide for them. See http://libguides.uflib.ufl.edu/BSC2011L .

Please contact Tara if you have any problems.

Reserving Rooms

Just a reminder... when you get someone who would like to reserve a study room for their group, be sure to record the information on the reservation sheet yourself. Those pagers are expensive and we don't want students walking off with them.

Club West

"So suck it up and skip '80s night in favor of Club West."

Quoted from the editorial, "Plus Side" in the Alligator, September 22, 2008, p. 2

Schedule moving to PBwiki

The InfoPoint schedule is moving this week. Watch for an email from Michael Dietz about the change and asking for your preferred email address. Let him know your preferred email, and he will send you an invite to join the wiki.

We are moving to PBWiki because it supports multiple levels of permissions, and is easier to edit and navigate. No ads either! --Jana

Student Government handing out study supplies

Student Government will have a table next to the Library West Circulation Desk on September 22. They are handing out free study supplies such as pencils, pens, postit notes and highlighters.

Printing Update

With our move to the main campus network, public computers can now print to either the blue or the orange printer. Both printers are installed on every computer.

Blue printer not working? Have the user pick the orange printer from the printing drop down menu, as pictured at right.

Orange printer not working? Have the user print to the blue printer.

When one printer is down for an extended time, IT will re-direct print jobs to the other printer so that users may get their prints.

Reference Universe

Got a tough reference question and you don't know where to start? Try using our librarian's helper, Reference Universe. Reference Universe is a database that indexes "more than 10,000 reference titles. Nearly 2,000 of these titles are online editions."

Recreation and leisure scavenger hunt

LEI 3140 students are doing the scavenger hunt again this fall. You can see a copy of the assignment online.

Here are some indexes to leisure, recreation and play articles:

• Leisure, Recreation and Tourism Abstracts, Library West Reference GV191.6.R86
• Physical Education Index, Library West Reference GV341 .P490 (online too)
• SportDiscus (online)

The Health and Human Performance subject guide is very useful for these students too.

Free online articles & info for non-UF folks

Did you know that the state licenses Gale databases for free access by citizens of Florida? The next time you get a query from an alum or non UF person who wants to use our databases remotely, try showing them the Florida Electronic Library (FEL). The url is: http://www.flelibrary.org/

The FEL includes electronic magazines, newspapers, almanacs, encyclopedias, and books, providing information on topics such as current events, education, business, technology, and health issues. Academic OneFile, General OneFile, US History eCollection, LitFinder and the General Reference Center Gold are a few of the databases included. You can see a list of the databases at: http://www.flelibrary.org/resources/licensed.cfm.

What's the catch? Users need a local library card to access the Florida Electronic Library.

Textbook thieves at work

There were several reports of textbooks being stolen from students at MSL yesterday. We are asking staff to remind students not to leave their belongings unattended. Research Assistance student workers on the third floor will periodically roam looking for unattended belongings and leave the "I could have been a thief" notice to warn the student(s).

Suggestions?

Tech Expo a Success!

Over 367 students attended yesterday's Tech Expo here in Library West. There were tables representing the Digital Library Center, Ask A Librarian, RefWorks, Mystery in the Stacks, library YouTube videos and games, Second Life, InfoCommons technology, course reserves and interlibrary loan, among others. Students also kept the librarians entertained by playing Guitar Hero.

New Handout on Services for Users with Disabilities

Stacey Ewing created a wonderful new handout on types of adaptive services we offer users here in Library West. If you have any free moments the next time you staff the InfoPoint, I encourage you to take a look at this guide.

First Day of Classes

Today's big question at the InfoPoint is, "How do I sign on the computers?" Thanks to LeiLani Freund for the following tips:

• Everyone needs a Gatorlink account. One can be created at: http://www.gatorlink.ufl.edu/
• The link to create an account sends users to PeopleSoft at: https://my.ufl.edu (Look for the link GatorLink Account Creation)

Problems?

• Even people who have passwords have trouble signing on. If they forgot ttheir password, they will need to contact CIRCA at 392-HELP, or walk over to the HUB to have a CIRCA consultant reset their password.
  

• Keyboard woes. If someone has trouble signing on, check to see if the computer keyboard has the caps lock on.
  

• Send non-UF folks who would like a computer signon to the Circulation Desk. Only a few people can create Guest accounts. Guest accounts are good for two weeks, and are not renewable.
  

IT Training with Stacey Ewing
Friday, August 29, 2-3:30 pm
Library West 212


I hope that you can come to this important training session. Stacey will cover these topics:

• General computing in Library West
• Logging on computers
• DeepFreeze
• Differences between general, OPAC, & high end computers with a quick review on software
• Submitting Grover Request for broken equipment in Library West
• Digital microform readers
• Printing overview
• How to print
• How to shake toner
• Submitting GROVER tix w/printing problems
• 'Unsticking' stuck copy cards
• Adding paper
• ADA/Media & 229 rooms review (checkout, equipment, etc).
• Troubleshooting Wireless Issues
• When to contact UF Help Desk
  

Wear comfty shoes because we will be out roaming, shaking printer cartridges and playing with microfilm!

--Jana

Info Point Meeting Rehash

Thanks so much for coming to the InfoPoint meeting yesterday! It was great to meet all of you, and to talk about the coming semester. Angela is going to be a tough act to follow, but I will do my best to help our team provide great service to the students and faculty of UF.

I thought it might be useful to post some notes from the meeting:

• Wiki Schedule - the fall semester schedule is now on a wiki, http://infopoint.wikispaces.com/. The advantage of a wiki is that we can have a truly live schedule. All of you can sign on the wiki and note your shift trades. (If you are not yet a member, email me and let me know. I will send you an invite, and will be happy to train you on using the wiki.)

• InfoPoint blog - other staff have found the blog so useful, that we are expanding the blog to other public service points. This will include the research assistance desk and the Ask A Librarian staff. The old blog will be migrated over to the new library blog server soon.
  

• InfoPoint web page will morph into an InfoPoint libguide soon.

• Training opportunities (to be scheduled soon)
  
• Circulation (including the fabulous self-check stations)
• Library West information and staffing changes
• Campus Update - where are the typewriters of yore? The faxes, Peabody Hall, etc.?
• Using Aleph Staff side
  
• Ares
  
• IT @ West (including "how to Grover," wireless troubleshooting, signing on with the new Active Directory and more)

• CIRC FAQ- Jim Stevens is pulling together a FAQ for us to use at the desk. Topics will include summer priveleges, proxy borrowing, fines, renewing rooms, laptops, etc.

• Vending Machine - We may get a vending machine to sell paper, headphones, white out and other popular office items soon. Users will be able to purchase items using their Gator1 card. Administration is in negotiation with the campus bookstore to set this up, and it is looking good!
  

--Jana

How does the Reorg effect the Information Point?

The reorganization does have some effect on all of us on the Information Point. I'm sure there are other issues that will come up over time, but for now, I've addressed the ones I've thought of below.

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With the reorganization we no longer have a Systems Liason in Access Services (or an Access Services for that matter).

The biggest change that will make when you're on the desk is probably in how to report Xerox problems. Before the reorganization we had a flowchart to follow in how to report issues with the Xerox equipment. Well it's a LOT simpler now actually!

If you have patrons reporting any problems with the card machines, printing or copyright equipment, just send a Syshelp email. Be sure to describe the problem, the type of equipment and the location of the equipment (including which floor and library it's in). Systems will handle it from there.

----------
Other things you might be wondering about:

If you have any questions about Circulation issues, study carrels or anything else relating to the circulation desk Jim Stevens is the guy to see (not Lori).

ILL and Reserves questions still go to their respective units.

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And the big question you've been wondering...what's happening with the Information Point?

As many of you know, I'm now a part of the Access Support unit in the Support Services division (cloud? box? you know what I mean). Since the Information Point is clearly a Library West service, it needs to be coordinated by someone in Library West.

I met with Shelley, LeiLani, Jana and Michael D. yesterday to talk about the transition. While Library West will definitely be taking over the coordination of the Information Point I will continue to coordinate until plans for the transition are complete.

We will also hold a Team meeting sometime this month so we can all meet with the new coordinator (still to be determined). You'll have a chance to ask questions and find out what if any changes are being planned for the future.

For my part, I'm definitely planning on continuing to serve on the Information Point, so I'll still be a member of the team!

Desk Schedule for Intersession

You can find the desk schedule for the Intersession Kiosk here.

If any corrections or changes are needed, please let Ben Walker know.

Tomorrow we start our "Library West is closed" procedures

Starting tomorrow, we'll be staffing the Information Point kiosk while Library West is closed to patrons for repairs. There are a few changes from the prior plan, the main one being that instead of the kiosk being right outside of West, we'll be inside Library East. I think this will be much more comfortable for everyone! It's just been so brutally hot lately.

As far as procedures and policies go, Ben Walker will be sending out an email with details soon.

I wanted to make sure you all know what lines of communication you will have available when staffing this kiosk:

You will have a walkie talkie with circulation staff on the other end at all times. The signal isn't great in East, so you may have to move closer to the door if you can't hear.

You will be able to email the Access Services Dept email address. This email address will go to all the Access Services staff (including ILL, EReserves, Stacks and ALF) so you'll definitely hear back from someone immediately.

We HOPE you'll also have a wireless phone available to call the main Access Services number 3-2525. We'll know more about whether they have the phone ready soon.

Keep and eye out for Ben's email about how we'll handle ILL pickups and the in-library use only items, reserves drop-offs, ILL drop-offs, Hold pickups (from storage and from West), and requests for unavailable materials in West (including current periodicals, reference, DVDs and Videos).

One more thing, as some of you know the IB students are hear doing research. The West books they are working with, or that they request from West, will all be moved over to Marston Science Library. So any IB student looking for their books will need to head over to MSL.

Any questions can be referred directly to me, Ben or emailed to the Access Services Dept email list.

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Side note: You'll notice the Meebo Room on the right side of the blog. We were testing this as another avenue of communication. It's public though, and so we couldn't rely on it if we had to discuss patron or other sensitive information. Feel free to play with it though!

Patron Laptops issue

When a patron checks out a laptop, to go on the internet they have to open the FireFox browser and log in with their Gatorlink username and password.

However, today when that login webpage tries to open it is timing out and giving an error message.

The work-around is for the patron to type in the main UF website address: www.ufl.edu and then they will get the prompt to log in with their Gatorlink username and password.

We have reported this to our system liaison, and hopefully it will be resolved soon. But in the meantime, when someone checks out a laptop, please tell them that to go on the internet they will first have to go to the main UF website and logon to the wireless network with their Gatorlink username and password.

Flooring Repairs Cancelled- What does that mean for us?

So we all just got the email saying that the flooring repairs are no longer happening during intersession.

This will make next week easier, but Library West circulation could still use our help on the desk. They have no student assistants scheduled next week, and are counting on us to help staff the desk.

If you need coverage for a shift, please email the group and we'll find someone to cover for you.

---------------
And of course the good news is that when we DO end up closing for the repairs we already have a plan ready to go!

Help is needed! Information Specialists to the Rescue!

Remember a few days ago when we got an email about Library West being closed for Intersession and that we wouldn’t staff the Infopoint?

Well scratch that.

Details will be forthcoming on how we’re going to provide services exactly, but we will somehow be providing library services from West during the flooring construction and we can really use the help of the Information Specialists!

I’ll know more about exactly what and where we’ll be during our shifts soon, but let’s all mark our calendars and plan on working our regular hours for intersession. If you need coverage for your shift that week, please send a call out to the list.

Thank you all so much for your flexibility!

Also, please remember if you have any extra availability during the extended hours April 19- May 1 from 8am to 4am your help on the desk would be appreciated. We’re especially having trouble filling the late night spots, but help anytime after 3pm would be wonderful! If you are interested, in working on the desk after 3pm anytime during the next two weeks, please contact Chris McHale at chrmcha at uflib.ufl.edu with your interest and availability.

Library Appreciation Month

Governor Crist has declared April to be Library Appreciation Month. The PR & Marketing Committee is putting together a display over at MSL and they've created bookmarks to gather patron comments about why they love their libraries.

These have been placed at the circulation desk of each branch. Please encourage patrons to take a bookmark, fill it in, and drop it off at any circulation desk. When you have any turned in, give them to the circulation staff person on duty so they can put it in Angela's mailbox. I’ll be transcribing them to be placed on a webpage linked to the library homepage.

If you’re running low on bookmarks, please let Angela know and she’ll request more.

Stress Reduction event upstairs Wednesday

There is a “Stress Reduction Before Finals” event in the InfoCommons tomorrow, Wednesday, April 9 from Noon – 1pm.

A speaker from GatorWell will be going over stress reduction tips including some breathing and visualization techniques.

Meeting Minutes

We had our mid-semester Team Meeting last week. We discussed the future of the Information Point along with a few other topics. Here are the minutes of the meeting:

With the budget crunch, Circulation could really use our help on the desk over Finals, Intersession and the Summer. Angela asked how many folks would still be able to continue to volunteer on the Information Point, and was pleased to hear that everyone in the meeting could stay. With this in mind, an email will be sent out to all the Information Specialists to ask if they are able to stay over summer on the same schedule or if they would like to modify their schedule. We anticipate keeping our same schedule of coverage (11am-3pm) through finals, intersession and Summer C.

There is a new handout to help patrons with the Wireless Network. Angela has only had 50 printed so far. If you find you're handing these out pretty regularly please let her know so she can request more.

New key fobs for the group study keys are being ordered. These will be larger and hopefully the barcode will be easier to scan. They'll also have the group study guidelines in the key fob itself so you will no longer have to write down the due time each time you check out a key. Angela mentioned she would handle this the same way she handles the laptops now that they have the laptop policy attached to them. She asks each patron if they would like the due time written down. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. (Several folks stated that they refer any group study questions or check out requests to Circulation, and this is fine too. But if you are checking out the keys, soon you'll see the new key fobs.)

Faculty laptops were briefly discussed. There are 4 faculty laptops on the bottom of the laptop cart that can only be checked out to faculty. They haven't seen a lot of circulation yet, but Angela encouraged folks to promote them to faculty, especially if they need to place Course Reserves or ILL requests. The student laptops can only be checked out to students, so these 4 are the only ones faculty can check out.

Self-check is coming soon. We will be getting one machine from FCLA in the next few weeks. (Later I found out it will most likely be installed during intersession.) We will hold several training sessions so that everyone gets a chance to practice with it. It will be installed right next to the Information Point, so we'll likely be the first responders for patrons with questions. Later there will be two more purchased for West and they will probably be placed on the other end of the desk near the lost and found.

Laptop batteries- it came up that folks haven't known what procedure to follow for changing the laptop batteries. Do you change them when they're checked in or when they're checked out? Angela went to Jim Stevens after the meeting and asked. He said, while they do charge faster being plugged into the cart, the procedure is to change out the battery when the laptop is checked in. Still, do check the battery status when you're checking out a laptop to a patron, but take the extra 30 seconds to change out the battery to a fresh one when you're returning a laptop.

Several folks brought up that they've noticed student assistants keeping a stash of laptops at their seats for easy access. This observation has been forwarded to the circulation staff so they can talk with their students about promptly returning the laptops to the cart. We talked about how, during busy times, you might have a few laptops handed to you as you're helping someone else, and that's understandable, but that we'll return them to the cart as soon as we can.

It was noticed that one of the keyboard feet went missing again. It has now been fixed. If you notice anything like this when at the desk, please email Angela so it can be repaired right away.

We also talked about how the monitor changes hue when moved. Angela has reported this to the system liaison.

These were my notes from the meeting. Did I miss anything? Thanks for coming!

New handout available!

Evan put together a Wireless Network Troubleshooting Guide to help folks having problems logging on to the wireless network.

He spoke with CNS and CNS has asked us to refer any patrons with wireless issues to their department- either via their website or Help Desk hotline at 392-HELP (this contact info is also contained within the handout).

Since students might have a hard time using the Help Desk website (especially if they are already having wireless connectivity issues) and because they also might not have a way to call the Help Desk hotline, Evan pulled troubleshooting information directly from the CNS website and compiled it into this handout.

Copies have been placed in the handout carts behind the circulation desk for easy access. I only initially ordered 50 copies. If you find you're handing these out a lot and running low, please let me know and I'll order more! This handout, along with many others, is linked to the Handouts page under Useful Links on the Information Point website.

Next Infopoint Team Meeting coming up

It's a good time for us to meet for our mid-semester check up and to talk about how all these budget cuts may affect the Information Point.

We'll meet in West 253 from 3-4pm on April 1st. I know it's April Fools' Day, but this time seems best for most folks. A few may need to leave a little early, but that should be fine.

And who knows, maybe some April Fools' humor will help us keep our chins up in these tight budget times.

(I know I've already got my April Fools' joke all ready to go for my spouse. I can't wait!)

Back to regular statistics

Our three weeks of the special self-check stats are finished. Thank you everyone for keeping those! We'll be back to our normal, easy reference statistics starting Sunday, March 2nd.

Have a great week!

The Pilot of the Week

This week Circulation is doing a pilot escort service. (I just couldn't resist)

Effective immediately, at the request of the directors, Circulation staff will be sending a staff member (or student) with each group when they check out a key in order to check the room for vandalism. They will also maintain a list of patrons who have checked out the rooms.

To manage this, there will be one station specifically designated for group study rooms only. This station will not be the Information Point. So during this week's pilot, if a patron is interested in checking out a room they will need to go to the designated station.

The revised policy soon will be placed online at:
http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/ps/circ/studyroompolicy.html

Please encourage students to fill out a comment card about the new policy/procedure.

"I just want something fun to read"

With the idea of promoting recreational reading, we have designed 8 bookmarks that highlight some "classic" books students might enjoy reading for fun. Even if students don't find that particular book on the shelf, they might find other items in that area that they would enjoy reading.

The bookmarks are in the acrylic brochure holders between the escalators and on either side of the New Books shelves. Feel free to grab some and distribute them as you like. If you notice they're running out or you think of other ways to use them let Angela know.

New Laptops for Faculty

You'll notice there are three new laptops in the laptop cart this week. These are for faculty to check out. The old laptops are only able to be checked out by students, and these new ones are only able to be checked out by faculty.

If you have a faculty member who needs to submit reserves requests or ILL requests you can suggest they can check out a laptop as an option. The faculty laptops have bright orange copies of the policy taped to the top.

That reminds me, late last week we also attached copies of the laptop policies (in white) to the student laptops. This way you no longer have to enclose a copy of the policy every time they check out a laptop. Still, do make sure to tell them the due time and offer to write it down on a scrap piece of paper (or the policy sheets we have left).

A new tidbit I learned at the ILL training

Maybe you knew this already, but I was happy to learn this at the recent ILL training and thought I'd share.

We have a lot of things that show up in our catalog that are not located in the Smathers libraries. Sometimes a patron is looking for something that is only at Mead, Law or an IFAS station. I found out that if that is the case, they CAN ILL the item. The only exception is Health Science. If the item is at HSCL they'll have to go there to check it out. But if the item is only at Law, Mead, one of the IFAS centers or somewhere else, we can suggest they use ILL. Good to know!

Sample Statistics for SelfCheck

Starting Sunday, February 10th you'll notice a new statistics sheet at the circulation desk.

These statistics are to show how many circulation transactions could be handled by a SelfCheck machine and how many would still require a staff person's help. We also need to continue tracking each Reference Question we answer for other library-wide statistics.

Basically for any customer coming to the desk, first ask yourself if they needed a person at all. If not, mark as "NO staff needed." If they did need a person, tally mark once in the "ANY staff needed" column AND tally mark as needed to indicate how many reference questions they had (if any).

Each stats sheet is for just one day, so there will be a new one each day. we're keeping these stats for 3 weeks only and then we'll be back to our normal ones. Thanks so much for helping us gather these sample statistics! If you have any questions please ask the circ staff on duty, or you can call back or email Angela also.

Ergonomic seating at the Information Point

So do you guys think this new kind of seating would be worth having on the Information Point? One hour a week could make all the difference!

(If the link above isn't showing the video clip try here.)

Thanks to Cool Librarian for the link.

Microfilm on Reserve

I've had two students already looking for microfilm put on reserve for Professor Ziegler's history class. The microfilm is NOT in Ares. It's shelved back next to the professor owned books by newspaper title and issue. The student will tell you the title, month and year and you'll find it on the shelf.

Clarifications on the new stats sheets

I've had some questions about what kinds of transactions/questions we record on the new statistics sheets and which ones we don't. I asked the Access Services managers and the clarifications are below. Please ask if you have more questions, I know it's hard for me to remember what to record and what to skip after over a year of using the old sheets!

Do we record ILL transactions? Nope. If it's a simple checkout or return of an ILL item we don't record it as a question. If they ask questions about the survey bookmark, the due date, renewals, etc. be sure to count those though.

Do we record reserves transactions? Not if it's a simple one. If they have the call number and you are just checking it out it doesn't count. BUT if you're having to go into Ares to find the class and call number please do count that! That's a lot of work and should be reflected on the stats.

Other departments might record their desk statistics differently, so if you have questions please ask. The way Lisa explained it to me was if the circ transaction didn't really require any questions or answers then they don't record it.

I hope this helps clarify things. You can always ask one of the circ staff or students if you have a question too.