Libraries Planning Retreat Updates

On Friday, Aug. 3, from Noon to 4 p.m., the Libraries Planning Retreat (Post R2 Follow-up) will take place in Waterman's Memorial Lounge instead of the Staff Lounge. Also new, a sandwich buffet lunch and cold beverages, as well as hot coffee and tea, will be served.

The Invites Are Out

Invitations to the Annual Faculty/Staff Award Luncheon went into mail boxes today. The event is Wednesday, Aug. 1 from 12 to 2 p.m. in the Given Gallery. Directions to come. Bring your appetite.

Patron Workstations Upgraded

The software for the 46 Groovix/Linux open access workstations in Bailey/Howe was upgraded yesterday (Thursday, July 19). The improvements include faster loading software and new Linux software versions for Firefox, Open Office, Acrobat Reader and Flash. Wherever applicable, the GAIM chat client was replaced with the Web-based Meebo instant messaging software. For questions, please contact Paul Philbin by phone (802) 656-1369 or email paul.philbin@uvm.edu.

Libraries Planning Retreat: Aug. 3 Waterman Memorial Lounge

During a special meeting of the Dean’s Council, Monday, July 16, eleven functional categories for further exploration were established for the Libraries Planning Retreat on Friday, Aug. 3 from 1-4 p.m. based on the May 17th R2 follow-up meeting.

The Retreat will take place in Waterman’s Memorial Lounge (instead of the Staff Lounge) and refreshments will be served. All libraries employees are encouraged to attend. Please check with department heads about scheduling and coverage issues.

Attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback at three different tables during the course of the session. Each table will address one category and will have a facilitator present. A more detailed memo outlining retreat activities and expected outcomes will be circulated next week.

The eleven categories/tables are as follows:

1. Acquisitions, Serials, Periodicals
2. E-Resource Management
3. Public Services Delivery
4. Bailey/Dana intersections and distinctions
5. Collection Development
6. CDI and Metadata
7. Emerging New Collections and Services (i.e., Informatics)
8. Cataloging Priorities and Workflows
9. Liaison Relationships
10. Weeding, Shifting, Stack Maintenance
11. Hidden Collection/Special Collections

Construction Updates From Scott Miller

Media and Gov. Docs duct work has begun on the ground floor.
New England Air will be cleaning the first floor in zones. Zone 1 will start on the 19th, but possibly the 18th. They will begin down the main corridor by the bath rooms. Zone 2 is the reference desk and the stacks. Zone 3 is the Reference offices. Zone 4 will displace the main office, systems, catalogers and serials. Even though NEAS is splitting this floor in zones everyone should be ready to move out as early as the 18th and not move back until NEAS is done. Have all fragile items put in drawers or under desks. All plants should be moved out of harms way. All desks will be covered in plastic. Each zone should be given two to three days for duct cleaning. With hole patching and cleanup to follow. End date to be determined.
When they start cleaning, the Bailey side will be closed to the public until the cleanup and patching are done. Staff will have some access to their desks. Make sure your computers are off when they get covered in plastic.
On a separate note: The road behind the Library will be closed for paving on the 18th and 19th. With line striping on the 20th. And it will be closed on the 26th for a Presidential Ribbon cutting at the Steam Plant.

Libraries Tour '07: Dana (Part I: Communications ) and B/H: Info & Instruction

The people who work at UVM Libraries get a lot done, as I continue to learn on my libraries tour. An hour with Laura Haines in Dana, in fact, taught me that I need to spend several more hours there to get a better working knowledge of their specific work. For now, I will say that I found their facts and figures fascinating. Dana folks had 934 "Liaison Interactions" through their liaison program. And what's especially extraordinary is that the information they are providing their patrons has the potential to be life saving.
Back in Bailey/Howe, I talked with Daisy Benson for an hour about how students learn to find information they can't find for themselves. I found out, as they inevitably do, that Google doesn't have access to everything -- what you need is someone in Info & Instruction Services to show you the multiple database paths to data. Daisy showed me how to find an article in an electronic periodical (one I didn't know existed) and a rare book (which actually was at Dana) -- both of which will make an enormous difference in a short story (about two rare medical disorders) that I have been working on for two years. So I can see how it would be genuine time saver for patrons of all kinds. Next week, I hope to see Angie and Tina at Dana as well as Lori in Bailey/Howe.

No Dean's Office Today

Monday and Tuesday, July 9 and 10, The Dean's Office is being abated for asbestos. Nancy will still answer the phones and is located in Mara's Office if you need anything.

Library Tour '07: Acquisitions, CDI, Maps & Government Documents

"The last thing you learn about yourself is your effect."
--William Boyd, "Brazzaville Beach"

I'm in shock. I'd say awe too, but they've gotten a bad rap when used together. When I set out to explore the libraries in an attempt to learn more about the place I work, I had no idea of the grandeur of what you all do. It's not that I don't have a big enough imagination, but some things you just have to see to believe. Since you all already know what you do, I will simply share the effect you had on me:

• On Monday, I visited Acquisitions where Albert explained that they "order books and pay for them." It's also where they fix them, as I learned. But despite Albert's relatively simple explanation, what they do seems more like managing a hedge fund in my opinion. Elaborate.
• On Tuesday, I went up the CDI to see Winona's World. Actually, she and everyone involved with the CDI are saving the world. Literally. The CDI is in the process of digitizing documents in the public domain so that we have a permanent electronic record of the life and times of all sorts of folks.
• On Friday, I ventured with Sharon into Maps and Government Documents, which is located in the basement but essentially offers a window to the world of politics and place. I could barely get my mind around the contents of the collection. I told Scott that it's a good thing I didn't have to make any speeches because I was speechless. (Stay tuned, my tour continues next week with a trip to Dana.)

Important Dates

Please put the following three events on your calendars:

• Libraries Open Forum, Wednesday, July 18, 10:30 to 11:30 -- Laurie Kutner will share ideas and images from her sabbatical in Costa Rica. Dean's Conference Room.
• Staff/Faculty Award Ceremony and Luncheon -- Wednesday, Aug. 1, from 11:30 to 1 p.m. in HSRF Gallery (Given Bldg.)
• R2 Retreat, Friday, Aug. 3 from 1 to 4 p.m., B/H Staff Lounge.