A BIG little change on the UF homepage

I just found this today, and I know it's new as of last week when I was on the desk.

On the UF homepage, when you click "Libraries" it used to take you right to the uflib.ufl.edu page. But now it takes you to a page about all the UF libraries (which I can see does make sense). It just adds an extra step when showing patrons how to get to the library homepage, but I can see it really throwing someone for a loop the first time it happened.

So now you click "Libraries" and then on the left side of this new page you click "George A Smathers Libraries" to get to our homepage.

Xerox problem log & Illiad issues

Just to confirm what is below in the meeting minutes from our April meeting, the logbook for Xerox problems is actually a clipboard. It's located on the table behind the circulation desk. If you have any problems with the Xerox copiers or card dispensers reported, please follow the procedures outlined below and on the flowchart here.

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Illiad is having some authentication problems. So someone trying to use ILL, even if they've been in the system for years, might be getting errors when they try to login to Illiad. If you have a patron with this problem, call Michelle Foss at 3-2541, or if she is not available call the main ILL line at 3-2535 for help.

Government Documents are special

But you knew that right.

I found out today that items from the Gov Docs collection cannot be returned to other libraries, they must return them to the Gov Docs department. This doesn't seem to come up much, but we did have one item end up here at West today.

PK Yonge vs PK Yonge Library of Florida History

This came up last week. A professor came up to the Information Point and told us that library staff sent some of his students to the wrong library - they were asking for the PK Yonge Library of Florida History, which is housed in Special Collections in Library East, but were accidentally sent to the PK Yonge School. That's an awfully long walk to end up at the wrong owning location.

So, now we know there is a PK Yonge Library of Florida History in Library East. I learn something new everyday!

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Another topic that will be coming up more and more now that Summer is nearly here:
Question: If a student is graduating this Spring and starting Grad school at UF in the summer, will they have library privileges over the summer?

Answer: if they are here during spring, and enrolled for Fall, then the student can have library privileges during the summer. Usually their card access will expire in mid to late May, but if they bring it to the Circulation desk, Circ staff can give them access for the rest of the summer.

April Team Meeting Minutes

Minutes from today's meeting:

Statistics- We looked at the February and March statistics (which are available online).
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Schedule- We discussed the Summer schedule and a few folks have moved around. If anyone would like to move to a different time slot, or split their shift please just let me know. I'm sure we can find a schedule that works for everyone. There are several slots available since we have had a few folks who needed to drop off the schedule for the summer. (Although several are returning in the fall.)
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Reports- We discussed a few issues:

Reporting Problems with the Copiers, Printers, or Copy Card Dispensers:
Carol shared that it is very important that all service desks consistently report any and all problems we're having with the Xerox equipment. Even if it seems to be a minor issue we need to document it. A procedure has been put into place as of today.

When staff at the desk or within any branch location become aware of a failed Copier, Card dispenser or printer:

1.) Notify your Systems Liaison. (This is Scott Fagen for the Infopoint.)

2.) If the Systems Liaison is unavailable for immediate assistance:

a. Call Xerox at 366-4407 – if they don’t answer, leave a message.

b. Document the problem in the Xerox log book at the desk (It will be on the back table behind the desk)

c. Email the Liaison (Scott Fagen) of the steps you have taken.

3.) The Liaison will always submit a SysHelp.

So basically the end result will always be Scott putting in a Syshelp for us. That way they'll have consistent documentation gathered of all problems. If you have any questions about a copier/card dispenser/printer issue, you can ask one of the circulation staff members or contact Scott (or Angela of course). No problem is too small to report.

Phone calls:
It has come up a few times that a patron wants to either know where the closest pay phones are, or wants to use the Circ phone. After speaking to the Access Services folks I've gotten the following information.

Guidelines for patrons using the Circ phones: The circulation staff really don't let patrons use the phone unless it is a very unusual circumstance (the example was someone whose wallet was stolen and they were calling UPD). So if you have a patron who is adamant about using the phone and you're not sure it's permissible refer them to the pay phones, campus phones or to circulation staff.

Pay phones are located: Across the street in front of Target Copy

Working Campus phones are located: In Bryan Hall (east of us, past Anderson and Matherly halls) and in Criser Hall. The one that is outside of Library West does not work.

VHS vs DVD:
A few patrons have had this same issue where they are looking for a DVD but are searching in the VHS section or vice versa. To some patrons the word "video" is interchangeable with "DVD" and this can cause confusion. Just something to be aware of when an item isn't being found.

Also though, it is possible that an item is actually mislabeled or mis-shelved. If you find an item is mislabeled, Naomi requests that you send an email to the Cataloging Problems email address so that it can be fixed. If an item is mis-shelved or not found in the proper location, you can fill out an "Item Is Not On Shelf" form (on the back table) so that Access Services can initiate a search.

Fire Drill/Alarm Procedures:
The procedures for us to follow anytime the fire alarms go off are simply to lock your workstation and exit the building. However be aware that patrons with physical disabilities may not be able to leave the building via the stairs. You are not to wait with the person, but instead take their name and location (they may have an orange card with this information to give you) and report it to the first uniformed person you find outside the building.
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Training:
I've confirmed with the trainers that they are available and ready to hold training sessions during the week of May 7th-11th. I'll be sending out invitations to the sessions soon. If you haven't attended any one of these sessions before they are highly recommended. I've gotten excellent feedback on all of them. Folks have reported that they are highly relevant and useful when on the desk. Everyone is encouraged to attend each training at least once, although feel free to come for a refresher if you've attended before!
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Call for Volunteers:
The call went out via email yesterday. Please share with your colleagues how you've enjoyed working on the Information Point and encourage everyone to join us. The more the merrier! The only requirements are that they be a TEAMS or USPS position and that they have their supervisor's approval.

UPs and DOWNs

Fines going UP

Fines are increasing starting with Summer A/C this year. We have little information cards at the desk that can be handed out to patrons, and there is information online as well.

Semester winding DOWN:

The Spring semester is drawing to a close. The last day to staff the Information Point is Friday, April 27th.

Gearing UP for Summer:

It's time to think about the Summer!

Have you enjoyed working on the Information Point? Let me know if you're willing to volunteer again for the Summer!

Have you been looking for the opportunity to switch up your schedule a bit? Let me know if you'd like to change to a different shift!

Do you have some fellow officemates who have been jealous all Spring about all the fun you're having on the Information Point? Time to send them my way so that we can add them to our schedule!

Getting DOWN to business:

Finals Week is almost here. The Student Government is looking to offer free coffee and donuts in the 1st floor cafe area on April 26th. We don't have a lot of details at the moment, but more information should be forthcoming.

Training coming UP:

With Endeca on the way, a recently updated ILL interface, and now an upcoming new Electronic Reserves system coming this summer, we'll have lots of new training opportunities coming up as well. Watch this space for training dates! Well, I'll email you too. ;)

The HUB is now open- More spaces for students to study

The HUB is now open for students to use. There is an article on the Office of Academic Technology's website that details some of the features of the new space. There is also a link to their hours which are: Mon-Thurs 8am-10pm, Friday8am-5pm, and Saturday & Sunday closed.

The site says they have videoconferencing suites and workgroup spaces supported with multimedia and videoconferencing. I'm not sure how analogous those are to our group study rooms though. They have wireless access and walk-up internet access but don't say how many computers they have available. The reference to "laptop appointments" refers to their being able to help folks figure out issues with their personal laptops.

If anyone goes by there we'd love to hear more about how the new space looks!

Final two “Life Among the Romanies” events coming up this week!

Both events are open to the public. If you're not on the desk at these times stop by! The events have been great!

Wednesday, April 4th: 3–5 PM in East 100

Jennifer Hu Corriggio, Visiting Assistant Professor of Law, Florida Coastal School of Law, Jacksonville, FL: “The Spanish Roma: Gitano Cultural Identity, Flamenco and Legal Governance” (Lecture with a slide show)

Thursday, April 5th: 2–5 PM in East 100

Dr. Geoffrey Giles, Associate Professor of History, Department of History, UF: “Gypsies and the Holocaust” (Lecture and screening of Porraimos: Europe’s Gypsies in the Holocaust – a documentary film, 2002)

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Also, on a separate note, please push the Read-a-thon as much as you can this week. It's next week and we still have lots of reading slots available. We'd love staff, faculty and students to read and also come to listen and enjoy free 5Star pizza on the plaza! If you can sign up for a slot that would be great!

The website to sign up for a slot is linked on the library homepage under the announcements section on the right side. There should be handouts at the desk as well. Feel free to place one in any books you check-out or hand to anyone coming to the desk!

Three events today to be aware of

The Electronic Resources in Japanese Studies Workshop is being held today. There are three associated events to be aware of:

2pm in West 212: Global Interlibrary Loan

3pm in West 211: Digital Resources

4pm in East 100: Keynote Lecture and Reception to follow