THE DEAN'S LIST

Friday Fun: The Joy of Books

2012-02-02T07:13:00.001-08:00

As found by Susan Mower and worth sharing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SKVcQnyEIT8

Happy Retirement Andrea

2012-01-31T06:55:00.000-08:00

...and many many thanks for all your years of great company and service to your colleagues. You will be missed. And keep wearing mismatched shoes----it suits your delightful self!

--With admiration from us all.

Dean's Council Minutes: January 17, 2012

2012-01-19T11:00:00.000-08:00

I. JSTOR

Liaisons will review the JSTOR website and start formulating communications with faculty once everything is in place. A letter will go to faculty at beginning of February, and the deadline for feedback is prior to spring break. Mara will make “heads-up” phone calls to those who may need more direct contact regarding JSTOR.

II. Collection Management

Birdie, Marianne and Paul are reviewing the vacant position, previously occupied by Tina, and trying to determine what kind of changes should be made. They will share their findings with the Dean’s Council at next meeting.

III. Presidential Candidates

Open fora begin Thursday. Alison is taking questions for the faculty panel.

IV. New Employee Orientation Packet

The Council was asked to give feedback to Nancy about the new employee orientation packet.

V. PRIMO/SFX

PRIMO is expected to have a Beta site up by mid semester. Publicity push would then begin in spring. Talk about catalog being classic but going to new interface in fall. SFX is alive and well. The troubleshooting group will receive EX LIBRIS training at the end of the month.

VI. Learning Commons

We are close to having a final report from the architects on the feasibility study.

VII. Special Collections

Special Collections will have a special birthday party in February to celebrate 50 years. The event will include a PechaKucha-style presentation of materials. Other events are forthcoming, as well. Special Collections has new policies on security.

VIII. Open Searches

There are three open staff positions: one Library Support Generalist and two Library Support Senior. Two are now closed to applications and interviews will commence post haste.

IX. Capital Campaign

All submissions have been made. Selene is undertaking an “environmental scan” of libraries’ assessment to get a better sense of what’s happening in each area and what commonalities are.

X. TIF Fund Proposals

Paul and Aaron submitted several requests for funding from the student technology fee, including increased group study spaces, and 50 replacement computers.

XI. Web Advisory Group

The Web Advisory Group is on hold, except in case of emergencies, while people are tied up in PRIMO/SFX.

XII. Tech Update

All the computers have been re-imaged, and we have a number of new printers for patrons. E-copy scanners can be found in the café, Reserves and second floor of B/H, as well as one in Dana.

XIII. VNDP

Birdie and Tom have prepared the grant proposal for Phase II, and should learn the outcome in June or July.

XIV. Institutional Repository

A general proposal report has been submitted to Mara about projects.

XV. DANA

Donna O’Malley is on sabbatical. The search for a business manager to replace (the irreplaceable) Andrea, who is retiring after many years of great service to UVM and the Libraries, will commence. Also, a search to fill the open faculty line (Angie Chapple-Sokol) will begin as well. In other news, Dana has created electronic/print study guides to enhance the medical students’ preparations for board exams.

FRIDAY FUN: Courtesy of Tom and Mary

2012-01-19T10:11:00.003-08:00

Important Satefy Information from Officer Roberts

2012-01-11T05:45:00.000-08:00

For those who can't attend today's showing of Police Services' Safety Videos, you may view them here. Also, the following are links to the handouts provided by Officer Roberts:

Domestic Abuse and Violence Prevention Response
Active Shooter Community Response Checklist
Personal Safety and Security
Personal Response Team
UVM Blue Lights
No Trespass Orders
Vermont Emergency Numbers
Cat Alert System
Emergency Procedures for Bailey/Howe
Weapons Policy at UVM

Emergency Preparedness Videos

2012-01-10T08:58:00.001-08:00

Many thanks to the Emergency Preparedness Committee for bringing Sue Roberts to speak with us today. Her talk was very informative and I'll put some notes and the handouts on the Dean's List Blog as soon as I can. We'll be sending her a formal thank you letter.

At the end of her talk, Sue mentioned a series of five short videos on the Police Services website. Afterwards, Lori and I decided that we'd follow up the presentation with an opportunity to view three of those videos together in the media technology classroom. Turns out these films are longer than you might feel comfortable sitting at your desk to watch.

So, tomorrow, Jan. 11, from 2 - 3 p.m., we offer the chance to watch the following videos:

"Flashpoint: The Path Towards Violence," about recognizing and preventing violent behaviors, which is 21 minutes long.

"Shots fired in the Workplace," about responding to a workplace shooting, which is 17 minutes long.

"Silent Storm," about intimate partner violence and stalking, which is 23 minutes long.

Also, Sue suggested that we put the direct line to Police Services into our cell phones. That number is 656-3473.

Please join your colleagues tomorrow in the media lab to see the films recommended by Sue.

Best,
Nancy and Lori

Dean's Council Minutes: Jan. 3, 2012

2012-01-05T13:08:00.000-08:00

I. Substitute Attendance

Mara instituted a new policy that Council Members can send a substitute to meetings in the event that they are unable to attend. In the coming months, Peter Spitzform and Albert Joy will take turns attending meetings while Tina’s position remains open.

II. Time Reporting for Non-Exempt Staff

An Open Lab with Tara Messier will be held on Friday, Jan. 13 at 8 a.m. in the I&IS Classroom. Please read the Mini Manual before attending the Lab session as it will not be a step-by-step instruction session. http://www.uvm.edu/hrs/?Page=info/general/timereporting.html If you would like to attend an Open Lab but this session does not work for your schedule, please go to www.uvm.edu/hrs for more times. Sample of other Open Labs times, held in Billings 165: Jan. 9th 1-3pm; Jan. 13th 9:30-11:30am; and Jan 18th 1-3pm.

III. Faculty Promotions

Applications for promotions have been turned in to the Provost’s Office. Results will be announced in May. Faculty reappointments are next on the to-do list.

IV. Campaign Priority Submissions

The Council spent most of the meeting reviewing priorities for the fundraising campaign. Submissions were due electronically to the UVM Foundation on Jan. 4. These specific submissions are program-based not “bricks and mortar.” The priorities will be announced in the Spring. After much vetting, and reviewing of projects, goals, initiatives, Libraries’ submissions included support for Digital Initiatives/Institutional Repository; Learning Commons Programming; Billings Programming; Promoting Diversity and Global Outreach; and the CTL.

V. Presidential Search

The candidates will be announced mid January and will begin arriving on campus on Thursday, January 19.

Welcome to Dan in His New Role

2012-01-04T06:20:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Dan DeSanto in his new role at the UVM Libraries as the Information Literacy and Subject Liaison Librarian. Dan's liaison responsibilities cover the College of Education and Social Services and he will play an important role as UVM's General Education initiative
continues to unfold.

Dan received his Master of Library & Information Science from the University of Alabama in 2010 and, in 2006, he earned a Master of Arts in English Literature from the University of Vermont, his BA, also in English Lit is from St. Mike's.

Dan brings library experience from St. Michael 's College, Brownell Public Library in Essex Junction, and from the US Supreme Court Library! Dan has teaching experience as a UVM graduate teaching fellow and as the I&IS staff person responsible for coordinating and teaching much of our instruction for area high school students.

Dan worked in I&IS as a Library Support Senior from 2007-2011 and from 2009-2011, Dan worked in the CDI as Metadata intern and a part-time staff person.

Dan's office is now located in B/H 122C.

OPEN FORUM: Dealing with Difficult Patrons

2012-01-03T06:09:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, January 10 (2012!), Sue Roberts from UVM's Police Department will host an open forum for all libraries' colleagues about dealing with "problem" patrons.

Please join her, and us, in the Staff Lounge of Bailey/Howe at 10 a.m. on the 10th.

Special Thanks to the Emergency Preparedness Committee for organizing this important and valuable meeting.

Video Roll

2011-12-20T06:58:00.000-08:00

Just a visual reminder of our 2011 Award-Winning Colleagues.

Welcome Amber!

2011-12-20T06:27:00.000-08:00

We are delighted to welcome the newest member of our Libraries' community: Amber Billey.

Amber received her MLIS from Pratt Institute in 2009 with certificates in Archives and Museum Librarianship. At Pratt, she focused on metadata standards, cataloging, and digital libraries for cultural heritage institutions.

Most recently, Amber served as the metadata specialist and content strategist for Whirl-i-gig, the software firm behind the design of CollectiveAccess an open-source collection management system for museums, archives and historical societies.

Amber moved to Burlington from Brooklyn with her spouse. We are so pleased to have her join us as an assistant professor, catalog/metadata librarian. Please say hello when you can. (She's in Tina's old office for now.)

New Staff Orientation Packet

2011-12-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hello friends,

The Dean's Office is making a staff orientation packet for new members of our Libraries' family. Inside, we'll try to feature the things that incoming employees need to know. But we need your help!

Committee chairs: please send me the name of your committee, its members and a short description of the work you do.

Answer this question (especially newer folks): what would have been helpful for you to know in your first days here?

Thanks everyone. I'd really like this to be a truly useful guide, so any and all suggestions are not only welcome but encouraged.

Best,
Nancy

Food & Friends: The Greatest Gifts

2011-12-08T09:55:00.000-08:00

Friday Fun: Santa Tracker

2011-12-08T07:50:00.001-08:00

Further proof that we're rocking and rolling inside and out

2011-12-01T12:26:00.001-08:00

Now That's a Room with Class!

2011-11-30T10:47:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, Nov. 30, the department of Information and Instructional Services had an open house to show off their new digs and give thanks to those who helped them improve the classroom and their offices. If you haven't seen the beautiful renovations yet, go by and check them out. This is the way of the future!

Congrats to Dan DeSanto

2011-11-30T10:31:00.000-08:00

I&IS is delighted to announce that Dan DeSanto has accepted the position of Information Literacy and Subject Liaison Librarian effective Jan. 3, 2012.

Thank you to the search committee (Scott Schaffer, Chair, Trina Magi, Aaron Nichols, Donna O'Malley and Sharon Thayer) for doing an excellent job.

Seen here is Peter Spitzform congratulating Dan.

Party Time

2011-11-29T06:34:00.001-08:00

It's that time of year again. The Library Winter Party will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2011 in the Bailey/Howe Staff Lounge from Noon to 2 pm. Come mingle with your current and former co-workers and enjoy some great food.

Go to http://library.uvm.edu/libstaff/committees/social/foodform.html to sign up to bring food and coolers, help set-up, clean-up or decorate. If you can't get to the form for some reason, you can email me at marcie.crocker@uvm.edu. You can also let me know if you are undecided. Cash donations are always welcome.

Go to http://library.uvm.edu/libstaff/committees/social/menu.html to check on the menu so far.

Check out the donated recipes from past parties and picnics at http://library.uvm.edu/libstaff/committees/social/Recipes/index.html to help give you ideas if your undecided.

Hope to see you there.

Marcie Crocker
Library Social Committee

Love this.

2011-11-16T13:24:00.001-08:00

The Annual Meeting 2011

2011-11-10T07:57:00.000-08:00

By Chris Krupp

Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, 9 – 10:30 a.m.

The directors’ reports were collected and made available online, in advance of the meeting. At the meeting itself, (following refreshments), Mara spoke. Then she and the directors answered questions from the audience.

Comings and Goings

Mara welcomed this year’s new library personnel: Sarah Gordon, Alice Stokes, Tom McMurdo, Sally Blanchard, Aaron Nichols, Arron Thomas, and Fred Pond. Amber Billey will be joining us in December. Nancy Bercaw was welcomed back. This year we said farewell to Peter Blackmer, Wichada Sukantarat, Lida Douglas, Shiela Phillippe, Robin Katz, Sybil Schaefer, and Bonnie Paquette. Kathy Bohan will be retiring at the end of this month.

University Trends

Mara said that the theme for this year is Transformation. Our core values remain, but we are rethinking our relationship with our clients and our collections. At the University level, the Strategic Initiatives Project (SIP) is underway – this is a mandate to find $12 million in new revenues, and to reallocate $24 million. Five committees have been formed: Research, Student Success & Satisfaction, Diversity & Internationalization, Net Revenue Enhancement, and Cost Reduction & Productivity Enhancement. -- Question: Do the new Chinese students on campus impact our library operations? A: Mara and Alison are looking into this. There are certainly implications with cultural differences and language skills. – Question: How can staff get involved with SIP? A: The Staff Council has heard a presentation on this, and the students are also engaged at their own level. -- Question about timeline for implementation of SIP policies? A: Some of the more concrete proposals will be quickly put in place, but the ones that are hard to define will take longer.

Mara said she is chairing a committee to explore academic-related technologies on campus. The committee is examining priorities for investments across campus. These expenses are funded by the technology fee that is charged to each student. Mara reminded us that we can suggest library-related uses for these technology funds.

Planning is underway for the FY13 budget. The Libraries are asked to identify a 1% contingency reduction (about $75,000). We might or might not need to actually carry out this reduction but we need to be prepared – we’ll know more in May. It’s not clear where in the budget this money would come from. We need to identify challenges we are currently facing, and how we will address them with our current resources.

Libraries: Trends and Initiatives

..We are taking a leadership role on campus with our Digital Initiatives projects – digitalized newspapers, the CDI, and the Institutional Repository. Question: Can we get a definition of “institutional repository”? Mara said that this would be a collection of digital or digitized material, including University-related reports, publications, theses and dissertations. These would be made searchable on Google.
..We are seeing a continuing strong emphasis on curriculum and pedagogical issues, including student writing and information literacy.
..We are rethinking our public catalog - how we access the information, through Primo, SFX, and web redesign.
.. We are studying the preliminary information for the proposed Learning Commons, and studying its feasibility. The architects will show us some conceptual slides on Nov. 16. It is not yet clear which programs would be included, or how Bailey-Howe would be reconfigured as a result. It’s possible that a 50,000 sq. ft. building might be built on as an addition facing Davis, but there’s no firm design yet.
.. We successfully emptied the former Cook Library, a complex and massive undertaking.
.. Fundraising for the new Billings Library is well underway, and there’s an increasing feeling of optimism that this will actually happen.
.. The infrastructure (heating and air) of Bailey-Howe needs upgrading, but the expense and inconvenience are major factors.
.. Multimedia and “new media” are emerging as student priorities.
.. The Vermont Integrated Curriculum is a four-year medical curriculum, divided into three stages: classwork, clinical work, and advanced integration (which is teaching, research, and preparation for Medical Boards)

Questions and Discussions

Question: What about the Governor’s press conference yesterday? A: Mara said this probably had two purposes. First was to ask people to put aside concerns and animosities about the former President Fogel’s retirement package and other large administrative salaries – instead, the people of Vermont should be focusing on the value of UVM to the state of Vermont. And second, what’s the relationship between UVM and the State, and what *should* it be? This has significant implications. It’s possible that after all is said and done, nothing will change. Mara also said that the governor emphasized “science, technology, engineering, and math” (or maybe medical), possibly because these fields can bring economic activity to Vermont, but she has been assured that the governor also understands and values the Liberal Arts.

Question: What are the future steps for the Learning Commons? A: Selene responded that there are two more meetings with these consultants, during which they will present a conceptual proposal showing which groups and services will inhabit the Commons. The presentation for us in the Libraries will be next week; then they’ll make their presentation and submit their final written report to the President and senior leadership of the University in early December. Assuming this proposal moves forward, work then begins on fundraising, a timeline is prepared, and much discussion is had with the larger University community. Mara said there is no shortage of University student programs that would like to be included in the Learning Commons.

Question: What about the recent “busy library” article in the Free Press? A: The students interviewed in the article said they came to the library to focus on their studies. Apparently the Davis Center didn’t “kill” the library as was feared by some at the start. The Davis Center has high usage numbers too, but they are collected in a different way, and students are clearly using the DC for different purposes than what they use the Libraries for. Paul said we’re starting to gather statistics for how the library computers are being used, numbers of authenticated users, some density studies. What are the specific reasons that students choose to study in the Libraries, and how will this shape the Commons? Marilyn noted that students vote with their feet – they will go where they find support and services. Selene mentioned that the consultants held focus groups with students, and that report should be very interesting. Also, the SGA will be focusing this year’s survey on the undergraduate students’ library experiences – this should provide some explicit data for us to consider.

Treasurer’s Report

Darcelene reported that our balance is $274.38. (This covers dues collected, minus expenses for our two annual parties, and any outlays for bereavements or get-wells.) Also, she has collected more than $270 from the Libraries for the Thanksgiving Project, and is collecting until Nov. 17.

Burlington Free Press Article about the UVM Libraries

2011-11-09T09:51:00.000-08:00

Check it out. Lots of our fine folks are featured.

Annual Libraries Report, Thursday, Nov. 10

2011-11-08T12:21:00.000-08:00

Annual Report 2011

Please read the report prior to the meeting at 9 a.m. on Thursday morning in the B/H Staff Lounge. Bring your questions with you to the meeting. Refreshments will be served.

--NSB

Ask. Discover. Create.

2011-10-31T07:24:00.000-07:00

Our tagline applies to our colleagues, as well.

Dean's Council Minutes: October 18, 2011

2011-10-27T12:39:00.001-07:00

I. Welcome Sarah Gordon

Mara introduced Sarah Gordon as the new Assistant Dean of the Libraries.

II. Personal Copies of Theses

The Council considered the value of continuing to bind patrons’ personal copies of their theses or dissertations. There are other options out there, as in Kinko’s and the Print and Mail center. Tina will speak with the Grad College about expectations. The Libraries will continue to bind for departments and archives.

III. JSTOR

The Dean’s Council decided that it was important to create a strategic plan and timeline to increase JSTOR acumen among campus colleagues.

IV. Upcoming Events and Updates

Reminders about the Staff/Faculty Awards Luncheon at Noon on Thursday, Nov. 3 in the Davis Center’s Silver Maple Ballroom (4^th floor); and, the Annual Report Meeting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10 in the B/H Staff Lounge.

Media is now streaming its first video, “Unnatural Causes,” hosted on Voyager.

V. Future Agenda Items

New Libstaff

New micro-opaque readers/machines

Friday Fun: Should We Have Another Development Half-Day?

2011-10-27T05:28:00.000-07:00

Click here to take this poll.

Burning Down the House (or blob, as it were)

2011-10-26T15:33:00.000-07:00

Last week, Scott led a session on how to use the fire extinguishers. A good number of colleagues turned out for the course. Here they are in action. Nice aim Arron and Emily.

Is it just me or does everyone in the background look like they're in a band?

Wendy's Fiendish Friends

2011-10-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

Our colleagues have many talents, and today we were privy to the delicate and delightful, ghoulish and smallish figurines by the one and only Wendy Gunther. (Is it just me or does Wendy look like a rock star in this picture? Am I seeing a new trend in libraries' faculty and staff?)

Who else has a hidden talent to bring out in the open? Email me if you know who should be featured next!

Friday Fun: Did You Know?

2011-10-20T11:43:00.000-07:00

(Info compiled from web sources yesterday when I had a spare brain cell and wanted to provide entertainment to you.)

Barbara Gordon (of DC Comics fame) was the daughter of Gotham City's Police Commissioner James Gordon and the city's Head Librarian.

One evening, dressed in a home-made "Batgirl" costume on the way to a policemans' masquerade ball, she encountered the Killer Moth trying to kidnap wealthy industrialist Bruce Wayne (alias Batman). Luckily, being a brown belt in judo, she was able to drive him off. From then on she became Batgirl by night and librarian by day.

After being shot by the Joker, Batgirl became ORACLE, the premier information broker for the superheroes of the world. The best and smartest asked her for help to handle the tasks too big for their superpowers. (Is that why Oracle is called Oracle?)

Librarians, the greatest superheros of them all. KA-POW.

The 300th Post: Welcome Sarah

2011-10-13T08:19:00.000-07:00

This is the 300th post on the Dean's List, and what a delight to be able to use it to welcome Sarah Gordon to the Libraries. Sarah comes to us from the Davis Center where she was the business manager. Of note, Sarah is a huge fan of Cirque du Soleil and has seen the company perform 12 times--all different shows. Her favorite was the most recent one about Michael Jackson called "The Immortal World Tour."

Patron Responses to Flip Chart Questions

2011-10-11T07:27:00.000-07:00

Colleagues,

We promised to share the comments
posted on the flip charts around B/H a week ago. So here they are!

Click on the image for a larger view.

Best always,
Nancy

Friday Fun: Introducing the Little Free Library

2011-10-07T07:53:00.001-07:00

Read the story from the Utne Reader!

Fiendish Figurines

2011-10-06T06:12:00.000-07:00

Come check out Wendy Gunther's handmade collection of spooky and sweet Halloween figurines. She'll put them on display in the Dean's Conference Room on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 11 a.m. She forms these tiny works of art based on a vintage collection of ghouls.

Pop in for a real treat. I promise.

Two Great Events in Novemeber

2011-10-04T05:50:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, November 3, the Libraries' will fete their own during the Annual Faculty/Staff Awards Luncheon. This year's event will take place in the Silver Maple Ballroom in the Davis Center, from Noon to 2 p.m. The committee is planning a few surprises, along with the long-standing tradition of excellent cake. Mark you calendars to celebrate the work of award-winners Daniel DeSanto (seen here as Batman), Laura Haines and Roger Wiberg.

Also, in keeping with tradition, the Annual Libraries Meeting will be held in the Staff Lounge in Bailey/Howe on Thursday, November 10 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Pastries and coffee/tea will be served. Reports will be handed out ahead of time, and the meeting will be used for comments and questions. We look forward to seeing you all at this informative yet social event.

Dean's Council Minutes: Sept. 20, 2011

2011-09-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

I. Strategic Initiatives Meeting

Mara asked directors to attend a Q&A between Department Chairs and the President and Provost regarding Strategic Initiatives. The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. in the Grand Maple Ballroom of the Davis Center. See http://www.uvm.edu/provost/strategicinitiatives/ for more information.

II. Learning Commons

The architect consultants are narrowing down space ideas, options and footage in the proposed Learning Commons. They will return at the end of October to review preliminary sketches with the steering committee.

III. JSTOR

At issue, is how to approach faculty about transitioning from print to electronic collections. Selene to create talking points to help frame the conversation in a positive, strategic manner: archives do have color images; digital image of quality has greater possibilities; safe digital collection. The issue can contribute to philosophical debates: Digital storage would have preserved book content from the burning of the Library of Alexandria. Yet, ultimately, can we trust digital preservation?

IV. Panic Button at Service Desks

Alison shared her experience when a student came to tell her that another student was having a seizure. It led her to wonder what would happen if the person in front of you is posing the threat. It may not be possible to call 911. She will revisit the idea of panic buttons with Scott Miller and Angus Robertson.

V. I&IS Search Update

Four people scheduled for interviews: Sept. 30, Oct. 5, Oct. 10 and Oct. 17.

VI. Gen Ed

The new committee, on which Alison serves, has been convened. The focus this year is on piloting a writing initiative.

VII. SFX & PRIMO

Mara will convene the SFX & PRIMO implementation teams.

VIII. Elsevier

Our next contract with Elsevier will contain a cancelation allocation, which allows for cancelations up to 3 percent over the three year contract.

IX. Dana Changes Policy

Dana Library staff will scan and send, as email attachment, articles in print journals housed in the Dana Library to UVM and Fletcher Allen faculty students and employees at no charge. There has been a $5 per article charge for the service for many years. Patrons request this service using the document delivery form on the Dana Library website. Some charges for Document Delivery will still apply such as requests for numerous full-text articles as PDF's available to UVM/FAHC as e-resources. Charges also still apply for unaffiliated and community patrons.

Patron Feedback on Flip Charts

2011-09-28T05:38:00.000-07:00

The flip charts for patron feedback will be up until Friday. So far, we've gotten very good constructive criticism and positive input. Of course, there are a few odd comments (like the need for small, quiet animials in B/H), but for the most part this has been a valuable exercise. Selene and I will compile the results and share them next week. Click on her name to see the short video we did for Facebook and YouTube.

Check This Out

2011-09-26T12:33:00.000-07:00

In Circulation Newsletter in an easy-to-read format!

Click here.

Congrats Long-Standing Staffers

2011-09-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

On Friday, September 23, the University held its 45th Staff Recognition Dinner in the Grand Maple Ballroom. A number of Libraries and Learning Resources folks were among those honored for their many years of hard work.

15-Year Honoree: Angus Robertson

25-Year Honorees: Catherine Cooper, Alan Howard, Wesley Wright

Congrats to each of them!

And, just in case you were wondering, there is one 50-Year Honoree: Clayton Warren II of the Physical Plant! If you see him, say thanks on behalf of us all.

We also enjoyed some delightful Mirabelle's pastries on Friday afternoon, in the Staff Lounge, to appreciate the Libraries' staff and their daily/weekly/monthly/yearly contributions. Pamala Smith and Marie McGarry each won a $20 gift certificate to Mirabelle's in the raffle.

Home Sweet Bailey/Howe

2011-09-22T05:35:00.000-07:00

By now you know Bercaw is back.

After testing in the hot waters in New Orleans, it turned out that I longed for the cool Green Mountain State, and my dear colleagues and friends here.

I thought it appropriate that my first re-entry blog, during Staff Appreciation week, should say how much I appreciate the staff of the UVM Libraries and Learning Resources. (Faculty, you know I adore you too, of course, and this pertains to you as well.)

What I like about our workplace the most is that we are free to be you and me.

I love being surrounded by thinkers, doers, dancers, writers, musicians, mermaids, singers, activists, problem-solvers, dog-lovers, cat-lovers, golfers, runners, bikers, travelers, hikers, brewers, farmers, collectors, artists, horse wranglers, privacy-protectors, genealogists, programmers, bakers, ultimate Frisbee players, ferry commuters. There's a place for all of us here. We are a rare collection of history and interests, just like the tomes in our home away from home.

This is a place where debate is valued and people are cherished. We might disagree from time to time, but the bottom line is that we respect each other as much as our work. In fact, this a place where take interest in each others' joys outside of work.

I look forward to seeing my co-staff at this afternoon's gathering in B/H Staff Lounge at 3 p.m. It's so very good to be among you again.

Always,
Nancy

P.S. Here's my New Orleans story in a nutshell: http://www.7dvt.com/2011house-swapping

Kwaheri, Annyeong, Adios

2011-06-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

Well, this doesn't happen to me very often: I'm at a loss for words.

I wrote "goodbye" in all the languages I know in the title line. Now, here I sit wondering how to express what I am feeling. Perhaps I should use the wrong words, then.

This picture is me saying "Merry Christmas" in Tagalog. I chose it to illustrate my departure because I don't really want to say goodbye in any language. Instead, I want to wish you all merriness every day of the year. May you find joy in your work and friendships here, just as I have.

Devotion doesn't change with location. You've been a part of me for the past four years, which means a part of you is coming to New Orleans with me. We'll have fun, I promise.

Fortes fortuna adiuvat,

Nancy

RSVP: Tour of the Melosira Research Vessel

2011-05-31T08:28:00.000-07:00

The Libraries' Faculty and Staff Development Committee invites you to a tour of UVM's*Melosira Research Vessel* of the Rubenstein School of Environmental and Natural Resources.

Erin DeVries, Outreach Professional and the Coordinator of the
Watershed Alliance Program, will provide us with a tour of the docked boat. She plans to review the equipment, run through an abbreviated lab, and talk about current research happening on the lake. The tour will last about one hour and, of course, we will have to allow time to get there and back.

*DATE*: Thursday, June 9th

* TIME*: 10:30-11:30 (on the boat)

* LOCATION*: Melosira Research Vessel docked adjacent to the Leahy
Center at the Burlington Waterfront

***Please RSVP to Elinor Avery as we have a maximum of 20 attendees.***

Let's hope the sun shines that day!

Thank You, Linda Brew

2011-05-23T08:30:00.001-07:00

Linda Brew’s dedication, hard work and good company have been a staple at the Bailey/Howe Library since her arrival here in 1983. The lives she’s touched through her first-rate work in the classroom and service at the reference desk are too numerous to count and yet each and every person she has worked with—students, faculty and colleagues alike—are all the better for having encountered her. Linda helped answer questions, satisfy curiosity, build new knowledge and ultimately, help students follow their academic dreams to fruition.

Upon her retirement, Linda reflects on her experience:

As library liaison to the College of Education and Social Services and the Psychology Department, I have enjoyed working with faculty to develop outstanding information resource collections in education, human development, counseling, social work and related areas.

It has been rewarding to be a bridge between the teaching faculty and my talented colleagues who acquire, organize, and maintain the variety of materials offered through the University Libraries.

The core of my work has always been helping people find information, primarily through teaching classes and providing individual assistance in person or via email, telephone or chat. My research interests have focused on teaching with various forms of technology, so I have been able to apply my findings to my own practice, as well as sharing them with other educators through publications and presentations. I value the synergy created by teaching, scholarship, and service, as these activities give the academic life its special character.

London Calling

2011-04-26T11:04:00.000-07:00

by Laurie and Alison

LILAC is the Librarians Information Literacy Annual Conference held in the UK. This year's conference was held in London at both the British Library (photo) and at the London School of Economics. There were about 400 attendees (delegates as they are known in the UK) and about 1/4 of us came from abroad -- from over 25 countries. We attended an international delegates reception near the London bridge.

In our presentation, we discussed how our role as academic librarians may be changing with regard to what it means to focus on information literacy in a global world. In this context, we reflected upon the strengths and weaknesses of existing higher education information literacy standards. The implications of considering a shift away from what is largely, in our experience, a skills-based teaching paradigm can have profound implications for our daily work.

We discovered that our colleagues are grappling with many of the same issues we are as regards to challenges librarians face as teachers, the strengths and weaknesses of information literacy standards, mobile technology and collaborating with campus colleagues.

You can visit the conference website at: http://lilacconference.com/WP/

Eat the Cake Exhibit: A Feast for Your Eyes, Mind and Stomach

2011-04-08T09:27:00.001-07:00

There were lots of winners, but Jeff's "Metasmore" took the cake for "best visual presentation." Wendy Gunther took the cake for "best in show!"

Eat the Books

2011-04-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

EDIBLE BOOK FESTIVAL–Friday, April 8, 2011–WID Seminar Room, Bailey/Howe Library (3rd floor)

The International Edible Book Festival began in 1999. Edible book festivals are held around the world on or about April 1. This year, Special Collections is sponsoring the first festival at UVM.

Rules

The rules are simple! Create an edible book or an edible object that is in some way related to books.
Visit these sites for inspiration:

Schedule

10:30-11:30 Bring entries to the WID seminar room, 3rd floor of Bailey/Howe Library.
12:00-12:30 View entries and vote for best of show.
12:30-1:30 Award prizes. Eat our words and play with our food!

Registration and Information

To register in advance and for more information, email uvmsc@uvm.edu. Please mention the name of your book

Everyone is invited to view and eat.

Friday Fun: The Final Four + One Librarian

2011-03-31T12:27:00.000-07:00

Check out this story: librarian correctly books improbable Final Four

Scenes from an Exhibition

2011-03-11T10:13:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday, March 3, the Friends of Special Collections enjoyed a wonderful reception in celebration of the new "Beyond the Text" exhibit of artist's books in Bailey/Howe.

At the podium is Claire Van Vliet near Robert Ruben. If you'd like to read more about Claire's work and history, check her out on Wikipedia.

Others, including Connell and Nancy Gallagher, William Lipke, Chris Burns, also enjoyed the show as well as commentary by Jeff Marshall.

Dean’s Council Minutes: February 22, 2011

2011-02-28T11:48:00.000-08:00

I. Learning Commons Planning

For the past few months, Mara, Peter, Selene and Nancy have been working to frame a RFP (request for proposal) for B/H Master Planning. The Provost and President decided that planning for Learning Commons should be done at the same time and be part of the RFP. The RFP, it should be noted, is for feasibility-study purposes only. A Libraries’ planning group will be convened as the project moves ahead.

II. Going Global

UVM wants to aggressively pursue internationalization. Within weeks, conversations will be launched around campus about the implications of increasing the international undergraduate study body.

III. Department Meetings

Mara would like to attend a department meeting with each division this semester. Nancy will work with department heads to schedule Mara’s visit.

IV. Updates

Mara had a meeting with the SGA leadership who want to see B/H open 24 hours, at least the main floor.

Jeff noted that the “Artist Book Collection” opening reception is Thursday, March 3, from 3-4:30 p.m. in the B/H main lobby. The reception may impact some services, as well as the space for a short time. Refreshments will be provided.

Tina said that the E-book order on demand is being piloted and to please send her or Peter Spitzform any feedback.

Marianne noted that Dana has a mobile pilot project underway. They have four devices for faculty and staff to test out. They are also taking a 5-class course about how to operate mobile devices.

A Mid-Winter, Mid-Day Pick-Me-Up Multi-Media Moment

2011-02-25T08:02:00.000-08:00

Wow, it's really snowing out there & I am totally sick of winter. I thought we could all use a little-pick-me-up today. This is a "video thingy" I made for part of an upcoming annual report thingy that Selene and I are working on together. I figured everyone might like a preview. It's just for fun, and just for you!

CANE TOADS: A UNNATURAL HISTORY ( with popcorn)

2011-02-22T10:46:00.000-08:00

The Staff and Faculty Development Committee, in conjunction with the Media Dept, invites you to attend "CANE TOADS: A UNNATURAL HISTORY", the latest in our continuing series of videos showcasing our diverse Media film collection.

"If Monty Python produced a National Geographic Special, it would be Cane Toads!
This odd documentary is for the audience that can't get enough of off-center, real-life tales akin to those captured by Errol Morris (Gates of Heaven). In the 1930s, Australian sugar-cane farmers imported the bufo marinus, or cane toad, from Hawaii to destroy the crop-damaging greyback beetle. In short, the descendents of the original 102 toads virtually took over half a continent. We hear from all sides about the problem: the scientific studies of their mating habits (bruising), defense systems (poison that can kill a predator), and their eating habits (almost anything). Told with a great amount of wit, this documentary illustrates that the strangest things on film are always true."

Wednesday, Feb 23th
Noon-1:00pm
Media Projection Room

Popcorn will be served!

Mark Your Calenders for a New Voyage

2011-02-18T07:53:00.000-08:00

by Peter Spitzform

The time has finally arrived to assess commercial OPACs and discovery tools that will replace our Voyager front-end OPAC. These new products enable greater discovery of our vast and varied collections, allow us to provide more information about the materials we offer, and simplify the search process for our patrons. The Discovery and Delivery Council wrote an RFP that has resulted in 4 vendors being invited to Bailey/Howe to demonstrate their products.

These demonstrations will occur during upcoming Library Forums in the next couple of weeks. PLEASE come to these important demonstrations, if at all possible. We want as many people to weigh in on evaluating these products as possible so D&D can make the most informed decision about next steps.

The first Forum will be this coming Wednesday, February 23, at 11am in the Dean's Conference Room. Representatives from EBSCO will be demonstrating their product called EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS). Please feel free to explore several sites where EDS has been implemented so you can get an idea of its functionality prior to the vendor's visit. http://www.lib.jmu.edu/, http://gilfind.uga.edu/vufind/Search/Home.

As a reminder, I'm attaching a copy of our criteria that we're using to evaluate each discovery tool.

Future forums: OCLC Worldcat Local demonstration, Tuesday, March 1, 2pm, Deans Conference Room. See http://www.lib.washington.edu/, http://www.library.cornell.edu/

Serials Solutions Aquabrowser demonstration, Tuesday, March 8, 1-3 p.m., Dean's Conference Room. See http://pittcatplus.pitt.edu/, http://aquabrowser.lib.ed.ac.uk/

Ex Libris Primo Discovery demonstration, Thursday, March 10, 3pm, Dean's Conference Room. See http://library.sbts.edu/, http://discoverlibrary.vanderbilt.edu/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?dscnt=1&dstmp=1298043607503&vid=VANDERBILT&fromLogin=true

Please mark your calendars for these important presentations.

You say goodbye, I say hello

2011-02-11T05:20:00.000-08:00

The Libraries have enjoyed the presence of some wonderful colleagues who are now en route to be wonderful somewhere else,just as we welcome some new wonderful arrivals. (That's using the word "wonderful" three times in one sentence. A new personal record. Thanks for giving me this opportunity, you wonderful people.)

In honor of these comings and goings, Birdie has organized a breakfast reception on Wednesday, Feb. 23, from 9am to 11am, in the B/H Dean's Conference Room. Henderson's café will supply pastries and coffee and tea/juice.

Come join us say goodbye and hello.

Hello to: Arron Thomas (mailroom); Aaron Nichols (access services); Fred Pond (Dana); Tom McMurdo (Vermont Newspaper Project).

Goodbye to: Robin Katz (CDI).

From Scott Miller, regarding "spill kits"

2011-01-31T10:50:00.000-08:00

We will be rolling out the spill kits for each department in two phases.

In the first phase, each department will receive a container with cleaning products for the average drink spill.

The second phase is more health and safety orientated. With the volume of students we are seeing each day, and the fact that we are open sixteen hours a day, we felt compelled to examine what other facilities our size do for their health and safety concerns. The result is a blood-borne pathogen clean up kit. These are standard one-use self-contained kits. The kit would be used if someone had a bloody nose or cut themselves. There are also supplies to clean up vomit.

You are under no obligation to clean any Bio hazard.

The Custodians are usually called in to take care of these issues, however if an incident occurs after first shift, there could be a delayed response. The second shift is minimally staffed.

Anyone using the blood-borne cleanup kit will need a very informal training from Risk Management. Go to UVM A-Z. Under L, select Laboratory Safety. Half way down you will see a link to the Online training entry page. Entry your user name and password, then select Safety around Blood Borne Pathogens. There are thirteen questions. When you get to number four click yes. Once you finish the test, forward the certification email to Peter Blackmer.

We will also be getting four AED (Automated External Defibrillator) units. The Red Cross will provide the training for these, although the AED does give instructions through an audio prompt for use. The Athletic Complex and the Davis Center already have them. Risk Management is recommending them to any building with high student/patron volume.

Got nametag?

2011-01-28T05:56:00.000-08:00

I'll be putting in an order for more name tags, so let me know if you lost yours, or your name has changed, or anything. I will be ordering for our new employees as well, of course. If you are new, please let me know how you would like your name to read, i.e. a nickname or shortened version of your full name.

Dean’s Council Minutes: January 25, 2011

2011-01-26T12:31:00.001-08:00

I. Portico

Council reviewed the Collection Team’s recommendation to purchase Portico for the Libraries. Portico is, essentially, an insurance policy to protect electronic resource archives. After a short discussion, the Council approved to purchase Portico beginning FY12.

II. Link Resolver

The Link Resolver Group recommends that the Libraries move away from EBSCO’s product, which isn’t meeting our needs. They suggested two good alternatives: Serials Solutions or SFX. The Council agreed that the Libraries should move away from EBSCO and Mara asked the directors to discuss with their departments whether there is a preference for one product over another. An Implementation Team is needed to consider all implications for migration.

III. I&IS

There have been issues with guest log-in ability and durations: specifically, non-UVM scholars who come with laptops. Paul suggested supplying them with temporary passwords that can easily be changed after an established timeframe. At a later date, the responsibilities of the Admitted Student Visit Tours in the Libraries will be reviewed.

IV. Access Services

To minimize abuse by non-UVM affiliates, many computer stations now have some limits on access. Public access stations on the first floor remain open, as do the ones outside of Media. Others on the second and third floors have been signed as “research stations” with access to research-related websites only. These first efforts are on an experimental basis, and will be reviewed for adequacy.

V. Diversity Committee

Mara thanked Alison and Shiela, who will co-chair the newly created Diversity Committee.

VI. Budget

Mara and Peter have a budget meeting with the Provost on Feb. 2, 2011.

Open Forum: The E-Book Experiment at Bailey/Howe Library

2011-01-05T12:56:00.001-08:00

Join Peter Spitzform for an informative forum on Friday, January 14, from 10:30 - noon, in the Dean's Conference Room.

He will lead a discussion on how the UVM Libraries will be instituting a pilot program whereby our existing Order on Demand system will be enhanced by records for e-books whenever they are available. Starting soon, and running as a Pilot until June 30, 2011, we will load MARC records into Voyager for e-books from the three publishers we currently provide Order on Demand services for, whenever e-books exist. Publishers have dragged their feet in providing electronic versions of their books at the same time they release the print editions, but that lag time is growing shorter.

Come hear how the Libraries will be integrating records for e-books with records for print books, whichever edition is available upon publication. Included in the presentation will be a brief overview of the trends of e-book acquisition and use in academic libraries.

Cake? Photos? Let's go!

2011-01-04T11:47:00.001-08:00

Celebrate the Wrap Up of the
McAllister Photographs Digitization Project

Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011
3:00 - 5:00 pm
First floor Bailey/Howe

Enjoy cake, see sample photographs, and chat with the people who worked on the collection.
http://cdi.uvm.edu/collections/getCollection.xql?pid=mcallister

Friday Fun: These People Know How to Party

2010-12-10T09:51:00.000-08:00

The only thing the UVM Libraries' employees do better than their work is to host a party! Thank you Marcie and Sharon for organizing the efforts in addition to the whole social committee: Chris Krupp, Sue Bishop, Sylvia Bugbee, Darclene Lewis-Wedge, Katie Cooper, Jake Barickman with Wendy Gunther as an extra bonus helper! In this season of giving and gratitude, I'd like to take a moment to say how much I appreciate these events that bring us all together--and especially when Brussels sprouts and chocolate cake are both on the menu. Thanks everyone for making our work so very delicious.

Food for Thought Day

2010-11-30T05:52:00.000-08:00

Libraries colleagues enjoyed a great half-day of food and food for thought, featuring Karen Hunt and Anna Post.

If you were away, please see Lori Holiff for a copy of the DVD that Roger kindly made.

Thanks also to Marcie and Scott and Peter Blackmer for helping with the details of the day.

New Liber Newsletter

2010-11-30T05:51:00.001-08:00

Check it out!
http://library.uvm.edu/sc/newsletter/liber_46_final.pdf

What are Scott and Selene Looking At?

2010-11-22T12:15:00.000-08:00

The new chum line!

Why?

2010-11-18T07:09:00.000-08:00

I have been asked why we are having a staff/faculty development half-day, and I thought I'd take a moment to explain.

Essentially, from my point of view here in the Dean's Office, I see our Libraries' colleagues doing a heck (can I say hell?) of a lot of work. And it occurred to me that we need a half-day to be entertained, and maybe even learn something new--outside our normal experience--as a reward. I proposed the idea to Mara and the Dean's Council and they said, "go for it."

So, next Tuesday, we can all relax, share some food and some food for thought. I've found a few interesting speakers: Karen Hunt who is coming up from Duke (at no charge other than airfare, as a favor to me) to talk about Diversity in Libraries. I served in the Peace Corps in Kenya with her, and I assure you that she is fascinating.

Also, Ron Citorik, who works for Office Environments, will tell us how to make our work stations more comfortable. His tips have helped me improve my posture and keyboarding position. I hope he can have the same effect on you.

Then, Anna Post from the Emily Post Institute (which is right here in Burlington!) will give us a bit of advice for dealing effectively with unwanted patron behavior. She is a UVM alumni and is very excited to return to campus just for us.

And, to be sure we all know what to do when the alarm goes off, Albert Joy and Lesley Boucher will review emergency procedures with us. I was a little iffy on that protocol myself, so I decided to seize this opportunity for that purpose as well. Thanks Albert and Lesley!

Roger Wiberg has kindly agreed to video tape the whole thing for those who are traveling next week. And Marcie is going to help me with tech support.

So, I hope that helps clarify an even that is meant, above all, to be fun. Why? Because you deserve it.

Bonus Time with Karen Hunt: Brown Bag Lunch on Monday, Nov. 22

2010-11-17T05:08:00.000-08:00

Next Tuesday, November 23, is our staff and faculty development 1/2-day featuring
Karen Hunt, Director of the John Hope Franklin Research Center at
Duke, as our keynote speaker. Karen will ALSO host a brown bag lunch on
Monday at Noon in the Dean's Conference Room for anyone who would like
to spend some informal time with her.

Here's a bit more about Karen:

Before her current position, Karen Jean Hunt was the African Studies
and African American Studies Librarian at Duke University. Hunt grew
up in Detroit, Michigan. A graduate of Mumford High School, Class of
1974, she enlisted in the United States Air Force at 17. Stationed at
Norton Air Force Base, in San Bernardino, California, she was an
active member of the Norton AFB Honor Guard and Drill Team.

Leaving the military in 1980, she attended California State University
Long Beach. Hunt graduated with a B.A. in English (Creative Writing),
in 1983, and enrolled in a graduate English program at Wright State
University in Dayton, Ohio.

In 1985, Hunt joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Kenya for two
years. Returning to Wright State in 1988, Hunt received her M.A. in
Public History in 1989.

After a year at the National Archives and Records Administration, Hunt
relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1991. In 1992, she returned to
Michigan to attend graduate school at the University of Michigan.
Graduating from the School of Information and Library Studies in
eleven months, Hunt began work at The College of William and Mary in
the fall of 1993.

In 1996, she became the California State University Archivist and Head
of the Department of Special Collections and University Archivist for
California State University, Dominguez Hills.

In 1997, she created the California State University Archives
Association. Leaving California in 2002, Hunt moved cross-country,
relocating to Durham, North Carolina. Along with her employment at
Duke, Hunt is a volunteer for the American Red Cross.

Staff Development Day: Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

2010-11-05T05:57:00.000-07:00

Staff Development Day is good to go! Join your colleagues at 8:30 a.m. in the Bailey/Howe Staff Lounge for a half-day of entertainment and enlightenment. For those who cannot attend, we will record the speeches by Karen Hunt and Anna Post. We regret, however, not being able to save the leftover food.

For more information on the Duke University Libraries, where Karen is the Librarian for African Studies and African American Studies, please click here.

For more information on Anna Post and the Post Institute's Business Seminars, please click here.

Friday Fun: Library Noise Video

2010-10-29T06:05:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTuc3yNrX1c

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-22T08:18:00.000-07:00

This is part of Wendy Gunther's extensive collection of vintage-inspired characters. Please note that Wendy makes all these herself!

Monday Talk About Health and Wellness

2010-10-21T12:16:00.000-07:00

A reminder of the talk Monday, October 25th, on healthy diet, exercise and wellness by Caryn Davis. Ms. Davis is a registered dietitian and has worked as an educator and counselor in the field of nutrition and wellness for the past 30 years, and as a weight loss group facilitator for Vtrim for the past 5 years. Please join us on 10/25 from 10am-noon in the Dean's Conference Room at Bailey/Howe Library for this event - just in time to help you handle the upcoming holiday temptations!

-Wichada Sukantarat and Sharon Thayer
on behalf of the Staff & Faculty Development Committee

Friday Fun: Guess Who?

2010-10-21T06:31:00.000-07:00

Guess who is singing at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday, December 7, at 8 p.m.? Oh wait, there's more. This person is singing with the New York Choral Society and with special guests Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary. Hints: This person works in Bailey/Howe. Please "reserve" your tickets now.

Kiosk Images

2010-10-21T06:26:00.000-07:00

If you have an image about an upcoming event, or one featuring a specific libraries' collection, please let me know so that I may put the image on the kiosk near the circulation desk in Bailey/Howe. (The me is Nancy.)

Proposed Learning Commons

2010-10-08T07:26:00.000-07:00

This is a description of the proposed Learning Commons which President Fogel has included in a preliminary discussion draft for the next Capital Campaign. Be aware that this is not a specific plan for the Commons, but a conceptual vision used to test the idea with potential donors. Actual programming for the Commons with happen in the future.

Learning Commons Draft

Dean’s Council Minutes: October 5, 2010

2010-10-08T07:18:00.000-07:00

Present: Mara Saule, Nancy Bercaw, Peter Blackmer, Birdie MacLennan, Alison Armstrong, Jeffrey Marshall, Paul Philbin, Jeanene Light (in for Marianne Burke).

I. President and Provost Meeting with Libraries’ Faculty

The Libraries’ Faculty will meet with President Fogel and Provost Knodell during a faculty meeting Thursday, Oct. 7, from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m, in the Dean’s Conference Room. Dean Saule recently met with President Fogel to discuss libraries’ issues including: space, the scholarly communications initiative, information literacy, digitization, and academic planning. (Of note, regarding space, Bailey/Howe recently had 7400 visitors in one day—1000 more than on the same day last year.)

II. Annual Meeting

The Annual Libraries’ Meeting will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 19 in the B/H Staff Lounge from 9 to 11 a.m. Breakfast treats and drinks will be served. Reports from department heads (assembled in one document) will be distributed no later than Friday, Oct. 15.

III. Strategic Planning

The Council made minor adjustments to the Strategic Plan. The revised document is now on the Libraries’ website and on Libstaff.

IV. OPAC

Still at issue, is who decides what is in the OPAC and how it’s provided to our patrons. Where are the boundaries of existing working groups? Mara will convene a small group to discuss and clarify communication channels.

V. Vendor-Supplied Cataloging Data for e-books

Birdie distributed a document about how cataloging is being done for incoming e-books.

VI. Digital Measures

Paul reported on his recent meeting with Larry Kost regarding the software to be used for faculty annual activities and workload reports. Questions remain about security, privacy and workflow.

VII. Other

The Dean’s Council Meeting on Sept. 21 was devoted to the Strategic Plan, as well as the Collection Growth Committee Report. During that meeting, Mara extended her appreciation to Tina Kussey and Jeanene Light, the co-chairs of the committee, along with members Elizabeth Berman, Chris Burns, Andrea Hammond, Patricia Mardeusz, Scott Miller, Scott Schaffer, and Peter Spitzform. Mara will be meeting with them to discuss the report.

Friday Fun: Paperback Writer (Well, actually, Hardcover Writer)

2010-10-08T05:27:00.000-07:00

Guess what's back in Circulation? After being checked out 40 years ago, "In His Own Write," by John Lennon has been returned to the library after being found in an apartment in Burlington. And whose name was it checked out to? Our very own Michael Breiner!

Click here for the letter.

Click here for the book.

One More Super Staff!

2010-10-07T06:05:00.000-07:00

We inadvertanly left John Printon off the list of outstanding, long-standing Libraries staff. He was included in the dinner party at the Davis Center last week. Congrats John on 15 years of fine work!

Congrats to our long-standing, outstanding staff

2010-09-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

On Friday, September 24, a large number of libraries' staff were saluted at the University-wide Staff Recognition Dinner at the Davis Center:

35-Year Honorees
Kathy Bohan
Darcelene-Lewis Wedge

25-Year Honorees
Scott Edelstein
Jane Hendley
Marie McGarry
Brenda Nelson
Susan Bishop

20-Year Honorees
Sandra Aldrich

15-Year Honorees
Andrea Hammond

Friday Fun: Libraries on YouTube

2010-09-24T06:12:00.000-07:00

Public Librarians Create "I Will Survive" Video Spoof

Study Like a Scholar

(The penguins are just for effect.)

The Winner's Circle

2010-09-20T12:32:00.000-07:00