Friday, June 29, 2007

Celebrate the Winners on Aug. 1



The date for the awards ceremony and luncheon has been set for Wednesday, Aug. 1. The location will be announced shortly. Please make plans to come honor Marcie Crocker, Angie Chapple-Sokol, Frances Delwiche and Sandra Aldrich.



Thursday, June 28, 2007

A Message from Mara


I am thrilled to announce the recipients of the second annual UVM Libraries' faculty and staff excellence awards for 2007: The Delmar Janes Staff Excellence Awards go to Sandra Aldrich and Marcie Crocker. The Award for excellence in faculty research and scholarship goes to Frances Delwiche. The Award for excellence in faculty educational mission goes to Angie Chapple-Sokol. Congratulations to each recipient for this well-earned recognition. The Libraries' staff and faculty are particularly dedicated, enthusiastic and conscientious in their work, highlighted this year by the remarkable accomplishments of Sandy, Marcie, Fran, and Angie. I want to thank the award committees for their careful review and consideration of the nominations--I know it was a difficult yet inspiring task--and to the Staff and Faculty Development Committee for planning the celebration and award ceremony to be held later this summer. Pics and bios of everyone to come.

Good Call Angus

After consulting with the Dean, Continuing Education and the Registrar, reports Angus Robertson, B/H is correcting its hours of operation for the upcoming holiday period. There are classes in session next Monday and Tuesday (July 2nd and 3rd) requiring the following updated hours:

Changes:

We WILL be open 10am - 5pm on Sunday July 1st (previously reported as being closed that day).
  • We WILL have normal summer hours of 8am - 10pm on Monday, July 2. (Previously reported as closing at 5pm).

Staying the same:

  • We still plan to close early on Tuesday, July 3rd (we are open 8am - 5pm).
  • Obviously we will be closed on the 4th of July which is a UVM Holiday.
  • Normal hours resume Thursday, July 5th.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

It's Scott Miller's World, We Just Live In It

Scott will be out for the next two weeks and it's hard to imagine how we'll manage without him. Echoing the emails of yesterday, the Dean's Office share in the appreciation of Scott's tireless efforts and enthusiasm. We have a thank you card for him that all are welcome to drop by and sign.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Pop Culture




Anyone feeling the heat is welcome to enjoy a popsicle fest in the staff room today at 1 p.m. Thank you Daisy for making this possible.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

R2 Retreat in Planning Stages


An R2 Retreat for the entire faculty and staff of UVM Libraries will be scheduled soon for either late July or early August. Stay tuned.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Libraries Tour '07

Dear Everyone,
After joining the staff of the libraries three months ago, I am still learning what each of you do. In an effort to educate myself, I'd like to spend some time in each department. I will write about my experiences here and, hopefully, emerge from the experience with a better understanding of the people and positions in UVM Libraries. If you'd be willing to host my hour in your department, please send me an email.
Thank you,
Nancy

Monday, June 11, 2007

Strategy for Cleaning the Air Duct System in Bailey/Howe

The process of cleaning the air duct system in Bailey/Howe begins tomorrow and should be completed by the first week in August. New England Air Systems will initiate the plan on June 12 and 13 by cutting access points to the duct system on each floor. On June 13 or 14, the first of five phases will commence.
Phase 1, expected to be the most disruptive, will take between five and eight days. During this phase, Physical Plant will take Bailey (not Howe) off the air handling system and New England Air will clean the air return part of the system. The Info & Instruction Classroom (B/H 123), which is used for UVM Orientation, will be fitted with temporary air conditioning and dehumidification. On June 22, the air handling system at B/H will be brought online again.
In Phases, 2, 3, 4 and 5, the air handling system will be shut down one floor at a time. People working on that floor can re-locate to Howe or another floor of Bailey. Each department head will have a plan for managing disruptions. Phase 5 will begin on June 25 and is estimated to take five days. During this phase, the air handling system on the 3rd floor of Bailey will be shut down. Public access to the 3rd floor stacks will be limited to a staff retrieval system. The air system will go online again on June 29. Phase 4, July 9 through 16, will affect the second floor (Periodicals and ILL) for six days. Phase 3, July 17 through 26, will affect the first floor (Dean’s Office, Systems, Cataloging, SMCV and I&I). Phase 2, July 27 through August 3, will affect the ground floor (Documents, Maps, Collection Development and Acquisitions).

Friday, June 8, 2007

Bailey Beach Steps Under Construction Next Week

The three front steps in front of B/H are being demolished and rebuilt early next week, June 11-13. The construction will be noisy but access to the building will not be affected.

Dean's Council Minutes, June 7

DEAN’S COUNCIL MINUTES

A Meeting of the Dean’s Council was held on Thursday, June 7, 2007, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. in the Dean’s Conference Room.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mara Saule, Marianne Burke, Paul Philbin, Birdie MacLennan, Keith Gresham, Selene Colburn, Peter Blackmer, Jeff Marshall and Nancy Bercaw.

ABSENT: None.

I. Duct/Air Situation in B/H

Peter Blackmer reported on a meeting, held Thursday morning, with Roland Dion, buildings coordinator with Physical Plant, to discuss New England Air System’s proposal to clean the duct system in Bailey/Howe. (Scott Miller, Terry Robbins, Barbara St. Gelais of Risk Management, Keith Gresham and Paul Philbin also attended the meeting.) The proposal consists of five phases. The first phase – cleaning the ducts for the return air – is the most important and potentially the most disruptive because it requires the entire air system to be shut down for several days. (Phases 2-5 will close only one floor at a time.) The time frame is under review in an effort to condense phase one to the shortest period with the fewest interruptions. Concerns were raised about the wellbeing of employees, patrons and collections, as well as issues surrounding contingency plans and disaster preparedness.

Dean Saule will speak to the Provost on Friday about the situation. A follow up meeting with Roland Dion and library representatives will take place on Monday, June 11. At the Libraries’ Open Forum on Wednesday, June 13 at 10 a.m., libraries employees will have the opportunity to review the proposal and get the latest information about the duct cleaning process.

II. Business Meals/Amenities and Independent Contractor Policies

Peter discussed the guidelines for using general-fund dollars for business purposes in regard to business meals and amenities. The University no longer pays for lunches on one-day business/professional events. Regarding on-campus professional development events, Blackmer said that the business purpose must be evident and clearly articulated, and his colleagues in other departments are facing the same scrutiny and accountability. The Council agreed that the guidelines need to be communicated clearly. Blackmer will address the issue at the next Libraries Open Forum. The policy statements can be found at http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmppg/ppg/procure/businessmeals.pdf
http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmppg/ppg/general_html/campus_speaker.pdf.

III. R2 Follow Up

Eight to 10 working topics were established at the post-R2 Report Open Forum in May. After July 4, the Dean’s Council will meet to discuss the working groups and to carve out strategies for the larger framework. Dean Saule encouraged department heads to keep the ball rolling on the recommendations that can be easily implemented.

IV. December Intersession Schedule

The President’s Office is considering closing the university between Christmas and New Year’s again this year. Dean Saule asked department heads to start thinking ahead about the libraries’ status during this period.

V. Libraries Tagline

Selene Colburn reported on the Communication Team’s survey results on several proposed taglines. She related concerns about the value and purpose of a tagline. Dean Saule commented that a tagline “enlivens UVM Libraries” and should be about communicating our spirit more than what we do.

VI. Voyager

Paul Philbin reported that the Voyager will be down August 13 and 14 while the system is being upgraded.

VI. WebFeat Express Task Force

Keith Gresham reported that the WebFeat Express Task Force is considering launch. Implementation is moving ahead.

VII. Creation of B/H Library Liaison Program

A Library Liaison Program, under consideration by the Information & Instruction Department, is moving ahead to implementation.


VIII. Offsite Storage Project

Birdie MacLennan said Peter Spitzform has identified more than 30,000 books for the Williston Annex (formerly known as Deep Space) to be moved in July. In the event they are requested, the existing daily loop system also can be used for retrieval.

IX. Electronic theses and dissertations

Birdie reported that CMS has developed a system for including UVM thesis and dissertations as part of the libraries’ electronic collection.

X. Insurance Valuations

Risk Management has requested a value for collections. Albert Joy will complete the valuation evaluation.

XI. Updates

Jeff Marshall said a talk and exhibit by Susan Johanknecht, a protégé of Claire van Vliet, is being planned. Also, David Richardson, a descendent of H.H. Richardson, is giving part of his personal collection (in Woodstock) to UVM. Connie Gallagher will spearhead that effort.

Peter Blackmer said that FY 08 has been built and submitted. Salary letters for the entire university will go out the third week in June. He reminded department heads that every employee is required to submit hours.

Keith Gresham noted that Karin Bell will be leaving B/H in early July. Margaret Hull is leaving as well.

Selene Colburn said she is now operating from a “mobile office” and can be found in the CDI space. She can be reached by cell phone or email.

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Orientation Stations

The month of June is upon us and so is UVM Orientation. This year, as in others, B/H is participating in this University-wide effort by providing workstations and advising space. The dates and times for Orientation in the Bailey/Howe Library are Sunday, June 10; Friday, June 15; Monday June 18; Saturday, June 23; Tuesday, June 26; and, Friday, June 29, from 8 am-2 pm. Most of the traffic occurs between 8-11am. Orientation staff will cordon off the Cyber Café, McCrorey Gallery, and 27 computers near or around the Reference Desk on those days and times to support the Orientation effort.
In addition, the Instruction Center computers are also committed for this purpose. UVM Orientation staff and faculty from schools and colleges are on site to answer questions and advise students. The entire process is scripted and students are moving in and out very swiftly. Access and Technology Services staff will be on hand to provide any assistance. Please direct any questions by email or phone to Paul.Philbin@uvm.edu (6-1369) or Peter.Blackmer@uvm.edu (6-3293).

Monday, June 4, 2007

Coffee Cart in front of B/H



If you've been missing the CyberCafe, there's some good news: Throughout the summer, a coffee/snack cart will be parked in front of B/H from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. and then again from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. It's a brief window of opportunity, but certainly better than no window.