Archive for the ‘User Services’ Category
November 5th, 2009 by Mary Backus
Dean proposed a template for any/all blogs that we submit reflecting results of the weekly meetings.
Elin Waagen will perhaps give us a few how-to’s on this.
1)Discussion of reduction in services proposals and ramifications.
With the rollout of new website in early 2010 it was determined that important service level updates be included in this
Scott will be writing draft of Videotaping guidelines with cost analysis and brought up possible charging for services
His DLA team is also looking at needs and guidelines
Stewart has been charged with writing a draft on revised screening policy
Possible training of designated students( by professor) in booth projection spaces.
Dean and Charlie will be writing a draft for equipment loans
Each of these drafts will be due on the 18th of November
2) Charlie will take responsibility for meeting with language school directors during the winter around equipment distribution needs in the past /present and future. Will be working closely with a computer tech who will oversee the distribution of computers and peripherals
3) Room 140 was discussed as an upgrade option and several ideas were discussed;
Using slim-clients and a virtual machine.
Black box?
Eliminating laptops in that space entirely and having students ( if needed) take from circ.
The future of ILC 1, 2, 3, 24 hour lab SDL 202 and possible reductions in computer lab space.
4)Emergency line coverage was discussed with the understanding that we will be down to 3 people
The importance of phone coverage from 8 -5:00 pm was discussed with an increased awareness that this is a priority of Media Services. We, as a group, must be aware that emergency phone coverage is crucial.
5)Discussion of the Arts Technical Support group and its impact on us as a group if this becomes a sanctioned process.
October 16th, 2009 by Julie Tumminia-Tomsuden
The “display name” (or alpha name) shown in the web directory, Outlook address book, etc. has in the past been set so that it could only be corrected or changed by a manual process. This will soon be modified so name changes entered into the Banner database will flow through the Active Directory table and subsequently update the web directory, Outlook, etc. where the alpha name is displayed in the format Last, First Middle.
There is much work being done by data stewards of the Banner database to ensure that people who have requested a specific “display name” in the past won’t have that name replaced by this change. Look for the “display name” changes to be automated as soon as this work is completed.
One enhancement as a result of this change which should help people out involves the “Preferred First Name” field in the Banner database. For records that have had this data entered into Banner, the “Preferred First Name” will be appended to the “display name” and will be enclosed in parentheses in the format Last, First Middle (Preferred First).
October 9th, 2009 by Cynthia Slater
For those who utilize our Element K online training modules, our rep recently let me know that new content has been added for Oracle 11. Entourage modules will be released in a few weeks (at last!) and Mac Snowleopard (10.6) operating system courseware is currently in the development phase.
You need an account to access Element K. Contact the Helpdesk to request an account or if your login credentials are no longer valid.
September 14th, 2009 by Elin Waagen
Submitted by Elin Waagen
Senior thesis carrel sign-up started today – Monday, September 14. The first senior to be assigned a carrel arrived at the Main Library at 4 am; the 64th person arrived at 7 am for the 7:30 am opening of the library. By 10 am, 130 (out of 202) carrels had been assigned to the early-birds. Maura and Steve organized the event – with Morgan, Joanne, Rich, and Cassidy providing on-site support – ensuring another successful and orderly Carrel Monday – many thanks! I dream of the day that this process can be automated – much in the same way that we reserve our own airline seats 
Thesis carrels at the Main Library can be reserved by seniors who are enrolled in a 500-, 600-, or 700-level thesis or independent project – and thesis carrels are first-come, first-served.
September 14th, 2009 by Elin Waagen
Submitted by Elin Waagen
To ensure quality and availability, films that are scheduled to be screened by Media Services staff are set aside by Circ staff – after cleaning, repairing (by P&P staff if needed) and verifying availability. On the day of a scheduled screening, films may not be borrowed prior to the screening. Students may borrow films after a screening, or on any day prior to the day of the scheduled screening, and regular reserve loan guidelines apply. This only applies to films that are listed in the daily Media Services screening schedule. Films are listed in the daily film screening schedule only when a faculty member requests that Media Services staff provide technical support to a class screening.
If a faculty member has a film on reserve and will be screening the film themselves, this policy does not apply.
September 14th, 2009 by Elin Waagen
Submitted by Elin Waagen
I am sorry to have to report that retrieval services for on-campus borrowers will be discontinued within the next two weeks.
Due to decreased staffing resources, Circulation Services will no longer be able to retrieve web-requested materials from library stacks for on-campus borrowers. This change in service will take effect within the next couple of weeks. It has been a valued and much appreciated service, but sadly we are unable to continue retrieval services in light of current staffing changes. Thank you for your understanding. Please feel free to contact Elin with any questions or concerns.
September 14th, 2009 by Elin Waagen
Submitted by Elin Waagen
Borrowers can place holds (web-requests) on materials that are currently checked out. A hold request will not shorten the due date (recall the item), but it will ensure that the item is held when returned. For items needed before the due date, try NExpress (usually here within days ) or Interlibrary Loan. If the title is not available though NExpress or ILL, Circ can initiate a recall. Feel free to contact Circ with any questions.
July 24th, 2009 by Elin Waagen
Submitted by Elin Waagen
 Congratulations to Rich Church on the completion of the huge book shift project on the upper level at the Main Library. This project utilized creative collaboration with other work areas and was completed ahead of the August deadline without incurring additional budget costs.
Approximately 19,148 linear feet (or almost 4 miles) of books in the A – K group were shifted to accommodate growth and classification changes.
July 16th, 2009 by Elin Waagen
Submitted by Elin Waagen
Planning a trip to the Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center, at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain? Borrow the ECHO Library Pass from the Main Circ Desk and save your $. The Library Pass will give you a reduced rate of $2 admission each – for up to 2 adults and 3 youth. Fun!
July 16th, 2009 by Elin Waagen
Submitted by Elin Waagen
Middlebury now participates in the VCAL reciprocal borrowing program. This program allows faculty from Middlebury to walk-in to participating libraries in the state and borrow materials from them as if they were full guest borrowers of that library.
*Faculty need to fill out a form and get a VCAL card from Main Circ
*Faculty are expected to return borrowed items to the owning library
*Faculty are expected to abide by the owning library’s guest circulation policies
Please feel free to contact Terry with any general VCAL questions and Elin with any specific borrowing questions.
May 8th, 2009 by Elin Waagen
Submitted by Elin Waagen
In collaboration with NExpress partner libraries, LIS has recently implemented a couple of very nice enhancements to the NExpress service we offer.
NExpress now offers a third renewal to accommodate research needs.
Midd now loans out DVD’s from the Browsing Collection – and we can now request DVD’s from NExpress partner libraries.
Books – 28 day loan
DVD’s – 7 day loan
Pass the Word!
Midd staff, faculty and students who will be living or traveling near our NExpress partner libraries during the summer can borrow directly from them – Colby, Bates, Bowdoin, Northeastern, Williams and Wellesley – with their Midd ID.
April 10th, 2009 by Elin Waagen
Submitted by Elin Waagen
LIS is pleased to announce that we will once again be offering 24/7 services at the Main Library during the last week of classes and the exam period May 4 – 18.
The Music Library will maintain regular semester hours during this period.
The Armstrong Library will extend hours during exam weekend 5/15-17.
Library Hours.
March 27th, 2009 by Elin Waagen
The Yellow Cable Program is rapidly drawing its last breath!
Please spread the word: Encourage the return yellow Ethernet cables to the bins at the Circulation Desks. Unless we see an immediate return to sharing the yellow cables, the program will have to end.
March 2nd, 2009 by Elin Waagen
Submitted by Elin Waagen
We are testing a new procedure this spring to improve internal workflow and availability of media scheduled for film screening support.
Films that are scheduled to be screened by Media Services staff will be set aside the morning of the screening by Main Circ staff – after cleaning, repairing (if needed) and verifying availability.
On the day of a scheduled screening, films may not be borrowed prior to the screening.
Students may borrow films immediately after a screening, or on any day prior to the day of the scheduled screening, and regular reserve loan guidelines apply.
This only applies to films that are listed in the daily Media Services screening schedule. Films are listed in the daily film screening schedule only when a faculty member requests that Media Services staff provide technical support to a class screening.
This change does not apply to films that faculty members will be screening themselves.
There were no problems noted with this change during Winter Term trial, and initial feedback from Circ staff and student employees at the front desk has been positive.
Please pass along questions and concerns.
Elin
March 2nd, 2009 by Elin Waagen
Submitted by Elin Waagen
The cost of replacing library materials has gone up.
After careful consideration and collaboration between Collections Management and Circulation Services, we have updated default replacement values to match the increased cost of replacing lost or damaged library materials.
Please note that effective March 1, 2009, the following changes will be in effect:
Books (including ILL and NEXpress), Music scores, Gov Docs – $100
Media – $40
Browsing Collection Books – $30
Equipment – $25-$2000, depending on the item
Default replacement values include a processing fee of $20
February 6th, 2009 by Doreen Bernier
Submitted by Linda Knutson
Beginning this Spring term the Helpdesk will be testing a new licensing management product called KeyServer. This product allows Middlebury College to provide software licenses for applications in a much more efficient way than we are today.
What is KeyServer?
KeyServer is a tool for managing software licenses over the network.
Why is it being implemented at Middlebury College?
KeyServer will help us make better informed decisions regarding software license purchasing and allow us to invest in more site/concurrent-use licenses instead of individual licenses. This will give more of our users access to certain software and save the college money by sharing the licenses and purchasing only what is needed to support concurrent users.
Do other colleges and universities use KeyServer?
Yes. Some of the organizations using KeyServer are:
- Brown University
- Cornell University
- Dartmouth College
- Georgetown University
- Harvard University
- MIT
- Princeton University
- Stanford University
- University of Arizona
- University of Massachusetts
- University of Vermont
- Wellesley College
- Yale
How are we implementing KeyServer?
We are testing KeyServer on some of the helpdesk computers and a few labs. The next step will be installing KeyServer in Axinn computing labs and the Wilson Media lab. When that pilot program has been running successfully for a semester, we will implement KeyServer in the rest of our computing labs. Finally, all college-owned computers used by faculty and staff will use this product.
How will this project impact faculty, staff and students?
KeyServer installs a program on each individual computer. This product will have very minimal impact on users and the network. We will be providing documentation to assist with the use of KeyServer. People who use software while travelling will be able to access software licenses through KeyServer.
We are currently in the process of completing a FAQ document which addresses questions and concerns. As we move forward, your input into this process will be helpful. Any feedback can be directed to Lisa Terrier at terrier@middlebury.edu.
January 19th, 2009 by Elin Waagen
Submitted by Elin Waagen
During the past year, Circulation Services expanded the use of shared departmental mailboxes, folders, calendars and wiki pages to include a departmental blog. This proved to be an easy to use, easily searchable format for staying current with frequent updates – and reduced the barrage of inter-departmental email considerably.
In the past few months we expanded the use of the blog to include updates and reminders to Circ student staff at all branch locations. Circ staff post updates/info on the Circ blog as needed and student employees read – and comment on the blog – when they arrive on shift, rather than being inundated by work related email when not at work. We utilize categories to make content relevant to the home branch of the student employee, making it easy for staff to push out updates.
If you have any reminders, updates or information relevant to any/all of the Circ desks, Circ staff and/or Circ student employees, please pass it along – we’d be happy to post it on the Circ blog.
January 9th, 2009 by Adam Dobucki
Submitted by Adam Dobucki
Please join me in congratulating Petar on his promotion to Senior Technology Specialist. Petar’s contributions to the Helpdesk, his troubleshooting skills, development of the student consultant staff, and dedication to excellent service make this promotion very well deserved. Since our vacant position remains frozen, Petar will shift a portion of his time to working with Brian Foley in the support of public computers, computing labs, and classrooms. Petar will continue to be an active member of the Helpdesk. Congratulations Petar!
December 5th, 2008 by Elin Waagen
In order to accommodate the large amount of returns at this time of year we have designated 2 overflow areas for recently returned library materials – 1 on the upper level and 1 on the main level of the Main Library.
All recently returned library materials in A-N classes, and the oversize group, can be found in the upper-level re-shelving, first range of stacks at SW end of upper floor. Please note – this is a new area – not the shelves used in previous semesters.
Recently returned materials in the P-Z classes can be found on the Main Level in the regular re-shelving area -around the corner from the media viewing rooms.
Please be aware that materials in re-shelving areas are shelved in general alpha order, not in exact call number order.
December 5th, 2008 by Elin Waagen
From the LIS web pages – a few changes for our users – in response to a suggestion from the LIS Suggestion blog.
Need help finding a book?
If you can’t find the library material you’re looking for, try these steps:
Check the listing in the library catalogue to make sure the item is listed as status available.
Make sure you’re looking in the correct library: Armstrong (McCardell Bicentennial Hall), Main Library, Music Library (CFA).
Check the “Location” of the item, it might be part of a specific collection: Reference, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Oversize, Vermont Collection, Reserves, Media, Government Documents, Mini-scores, or Special Collections. Each of these collections is housed together in separate areas in each Library, not with regular books on the shelves.
Check the Library Map to make sure you’re looking in the right place.
If you still can’t locate the item you’re looking for on the shelf, please report it missing.
There are several ways to do this:
Web:
Place a request through the library catalog, MidCat. This will initiate a search and we will hold the book for you if found. We will notify you by email if not found.
Email:
Library Circulation at library_circulation@middlebury.edu,
Call:
Main Library Circulation Desk at 802-443-5494
Music Library at 802-443-5218
Armstrong Library at 802-443-5449
In person:
Stop at one of the Circulation Desks in person
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