Status Report on e-Journal problem form

By Tina Kussey

It’s been about a month since the University Libraries started using a unified list and form to report e-journal problems, so I thought a few statistics would be a good way to provide an update on how this process is working out. Since November 24th, 21 problems have been reported. Of these, 13 have been resolved – ten within 1 business day, two within 2 business days, and one within 3 business days.

• 1 problem is in the process of being fixed.
• 7 problems are waiting on vendors or publishers to fix (e.g. add missing content).
• 11 problems reported via Bailey Howe affiliation, 10 via Dana/FAHC affiliation.
• 3 problems reported directly by a patron.
  9 problems reported by Bailey Howe Instruction and Information Services.
• 6 problems reported by Dana DD/ILL.
• 1 problem reported by Bailey Howe DD/ILL.
• 1 problem reported by Dana Reference.
• 1 problem reported by Dana Circulation.
• All problems were responded to within 1 business day of receipt.

Thank you for all the feedback – please continue to send comments to me or anyone in the serials group (Birdie, Tina, Sandy, Shawn, Susan, Jane, Juliet and Brenda).

Farewell Lisa

Lisa Beaulieu has been a treasure for the Dean's Office and the libraries. We were lucky to have her for a year and we wish her the best in her new position!

Thank Lisa, for being a great friend and colleague to all of us.

Winter Solstice Party

The Libraries Holiday Gathering provided a feast for old and new friends alike.
Many thanks to the Social Committee for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Bon Voyage, Larry!

After 36 years of devoted and outstanding service to the UVM Libraries, Larry Dubois is retiring. We wish him well
and hope that he will come back--and maybe even work the grill at the summer picnic.

Strategic Planning: The Final Chapter

In the first week of the first month of the new year, members of the Dean's Council will host open sessions to discuss each of the proposed Strategic Plan's four goals, as well the mission and core values of the libraries as represented in the Plan. Please join in one of the conversations, all of which will be held in the Dean's Conference Room, to share your insight and ideas.

Goal #1: Information Access, Tina & Jeanene, Mon., Jan. 5, 1:30-3 p.m.
Goal #2: Programs & Services, Marianne & Paul, Tues., Jan. 6, 1:30-3 p.m.
Goal #3: Facilities, Selene & Peter, Wed., Jan. 7, 1:30-3:p.m.
Goal #4: Digital Initiatives, Birdie & Jeff, Thurs., Jan. 8, 10-11:30 a.m.
Mission & Core Values: Nancy & Marianne, Fri., Jan. 9, 1:30-3: p.m.

A libraries-wide retreat will follow in February.

Thank you Dana Library

Thank you Dana Library for sharing this beautiful bookcase with Bailey/Howe. It, and two others, replace the old metal reference shelves. And thanks to Scott and Brett for setting them up!

DEAN’S COUNCIL MINUTES: Nov. 18, 2008

A meeting of the Dean's Council was held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 2008.

Present: Mara Saule, Peter Blackmer, Selene Colburn, Marianne Burke, Birdie MacLennan, Tina Kussey, Jeanene Light, Paul Philbin, Nancy Bercaw

Absent: Jeff Marshall

I. Strategic Planning

Members of the Dean’s Council will host sessions for feedback on specific goals of the proposed 2009-2013 Strategic Plan. The sessions will focus on the action steps, strategies and outcomes for each goal. Dates and times to be scheduled after the Thanksgiving break.

1. Info Access: Tina and Jeanene

2. Programs and Services: Marianne and Paul

3. Facilities: Peter and Selene

4. Digital Initiatives: Birdie and Jeff

5. Mission and Core Purposes: Nancy and Marianne

II. E-Troubleshooting Form

Tina announced that the Serials Implementation Team (SIT) has been working with the D&D Council and Information &Instruction Services to customize the E-troubleshooting form so that it can be used by both libraries, and deciding where to locate the form on the web. The SIT group is consolidating the separate listservs into a single UVL listserv: eresources@list.uvm.edu. The individual groups at Bailey/Howe and Dana that were working to resolve these issues, will be working together to address all of the problems that are reported to this unified listserv.

III. Budget Matters

Mara commented that no news has come out of the President’s Office, but that President Fogel had assembled a group to create principles for guiding any budget cuts.

Strategic Plan Work Groups

As discussed yesterday, we need volunteers to help revise/adjust/change the proposed Strategic Plan for the libraries. If you are willing to help, please hit the comment button and let us know which group you'd like to join:
1) Information Resources & Access Strategies
2) Programs and Services
3) Facilities
4) Digital Initiatives

New Study Space in BH

The new study space between the WID and the CDI is ready for use--and clearly is being used already. Head up to the 3rd floor and check it out.

Libraries Display

Located outside the Government Relations Office in Waterman.

Happy Halloween

Wendy Gunther has been making these Halloween figurines for years. We thought they were worth sharing today, in addition to these frighteningly wonderful libraries colleagues.

The University Libraries: Coming Together

Libraries Annual Meeting: Notes from the Dean's Remarks

I. Welcome, and thanks to:

· Larry, Darcelene, and the Library Social Committee

· Dean’s office: Peter, Annette, Nancy and Lisa—especially for the slide show.

II. Themes

· Every year we have a theme, which we discover largely in retrospect—we don’t always know what theme we’re making as we’re working. The past year seems to have several themes: change, collaboration and coming together. We are evolving to new levels of service.

· Thesaurus.com defines “together” as: calm, cool, in sync, well-balanced; as one, collectively, in unison, side by side, with one voice; and, in a state of preparedness.

III. What has come together over the past year in the Libraries?

· The evolution of the R2 report in very practical ways:

o Tech Services re-visioning, through the work of the Technical Services Working Group (TSWG) and the Serials Implementation Team (SIT)

o Discovery and Delivery Council

o Newly-constituted Collections Team

o Bringing Dana and Bailey/Howe processes together

o Materials budget realignment

· The evolution of our organizational structure.

o Collection Management Services (CMS) into Resource Description and Analysis (with Birdie as Director) and Collection Development and Acquisitions (with Tina as Interim Director)

o Jeanene Light as Interim Director of B/H Instruction & Information Services

· The evolution of our Web site to something that is aesthetically pleasing as well as flexible and functional with a January 2009 release.

· The evolution of our communications and marketing initiatives: LOGO design and ASK campaigns. Also connecting with our users through our various new and re-energized liaison programs.

· The evolution of our facilities.

o Evolution of Dana as an even faster and flexible research machine: informatics, no ILL fees, etc.

o Evolution of B/H: renovating a better building

o Including partners: Writing in the Disciplines (WID), ETS Help Desk

o Devolution of Cook to a largely virtual library

o Billings becoming a reality

o Our virtual space: CDI and institutional repository

· The evolution for the future in a newly created Strategic Plan.

o The Strategic Plan has been circulated, and there will be an open forum to discuss on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

IV. The Libraries’ evolution amidst economic uncertainty. We need to be even more flexible and focused. The budget implications suggest that we must be streamlined.

· Better shape than many other institutions:

o So far, no hiring freezes or layoffs

o Paychecks covered

o Near-term and longer term concerns:
Enrollment uncertainties, Retention, Research focus

· Strategic planning and University Planning Council

· New student learning outcomes

· Accreditation

· New vision/mission statements:

Vision Statement: To be among the nation’s premier small research universities,

preeminent in our comprehensive commitment to liberal education, environment,

health, and public service.

Mission Statement: To create, evaluate, share, and apply knowledge and to prepare students to be accountable leaders who will bring to their work dedication to the global community, a grasp of complexity, effective problem-solving and communication skills, and an enduring commitment to learning and ethical conduct.

In closing, this will continue to be a year of evolving together. In fact, the new libraries’ group photo represents the convergence of all our efforts and the progress we have made. Seeing all our colleagues pictured together under Billings represents the past as well as the future –all of which is coming together for the UVM Libraries.

DEAN’S COUNCIL MINUTES: October 21, 2008

Present: Mara Saule, Peter Blackmer, Paul Philbin, Jeff Marshall, Tina Kussey, Jeanene Light, Selene Colburn, Nancy Bercaw

Absent: Marianne Burke, Birdie MacLennan

I. Libraries Strategic Planning

Departments are encouraged to review the draft Strategic Plan, which was developed by the Dean’s Council over the past 8 months, and to give feedback directly to Nancy. An open forum to discuss the document will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The Strategic Plan can be seen at http://www.uvm.edu/~pblackme/Draft%20of%20Strat%20Plan%20Oct%2010%202008.pdf

II. Vermont’s New State Librarian

Marty Reid, recently named Vermont’s State Librarian, will visit the UVM Libraries on Friday, October 24.

III. Budget Matters

Mara announced that the Board of Trustees Executive Committee approved the Elsevier contract Monday and thanked Tina for helping organize materials for the last-minute meeting. On Friday, October 24, Mara and Peter will meet with Richard Cate, the new vice president for finance, as well as Associate Provost Jane Knodell, to talk about last year’s budget.

IV. Libraries Annual Meeting

The Libraries Annual Meeting will take place in the B/H Staff Lounge on Tuesday, October 28, 2008. Directors’ reports can be read now at http://www.uvm.edu/~pblackme/Libraries%20Annual%20Meeting%202008.pdf

V. Updates

· Shawn Biegen has accepted the staff position in serials and will start Nov. 17.

· Interviews for the staff position in Special Collections are underway, with the final interview scheduled for Monday. The position is expected to be filled by November.

· A bindery working group will commence soon. Albert Joy will serve as chair.

· The search for the Outreach Digital Initiatives Librarian has attracted 16 applications thus far.

· The College of Education received a grant from the Center for Inclusion to help CTL expand faculty development around universal design principles.

DEAN’S COUNCIL MINUTES: October 7, 2008

Present: Mara Saule, Selene Colburn, Paul Philbin, Jeff Marshall, Marianne Burke, Peter Blackmer, Tina Kussey, Birdie MacLennan and Nancy Bercaw

Absent: Jeanene Light

I. Annual Libraries Meeting

The Annual Libraries will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Staff Lounge in B/H. This year, the dean and department heads will send their reports via email a week before the event, and then take questions at the meeting.

II. Strategic Planning Documents

The Council has completed an inaugural draft of the Libraries’ Strategic Plan for 2009-2013. Drafts will be circulated through department heads, this month, and an open forum will be scheduled for November to discuss the document.

III. Capital Planning

Mara, with the assistance of Selene and Jeff, submitted a package to the Provost’s office, which reflects libraries’ capital priorities for the future. All new construction and renovations costing more than $1 million is being reprioritized by UVM. The cover letter outlines the domino effect that Billings will have on all three libraries, as well as ongoing storage issues.

IV. Updates

Jeff Marshall: Four people will be interviewed for Prudence Doherty’s former position. There were 150 applicants.

Marianne Burke: A medical librarian from Rutland Medical Center, Clara LaForce, is joining the Dana faculty one day a week. The position for a cataloging and acquisitions professional will be advertised in listserv and regional library associations. Dana also has two openings for temporary visiting librarians: content development librarian and informatics digital libraries. (The question came up as to the definition of informatics. Marianne explained that it is “the applied juncture of content and technology.”) Also of note, Marianne is working as a producer and writer on the latest installment of Dr. Carney’s public health series. The show, shot last Tuesday, involves a doctor and a standardized patient discussing health information available on the Internet.

Birdie MacLennan: The search committee for Toni’s position has interviewed four candidates and has forwarded a recommendation to Mara and Peter. Birdie will be away until Nov. 3 and coverage is divided amongst Jane, Juliet and Tina.

Selene Colburn: For Homecoming weekend, Selene and Prudence curated an exhibit featuring UVM. Selene also led a workshop on “searching” for information and hosted an open house for the CDI. The ASK campaign is gearing up for new models and images. The Communications’ Team is working on a short list of local and national consultants for the signage project.

Paul Philbin: E-resources portal still a work in progress for the web team. The new website is expected to launch between the end of fall semester and prior to the beginning of spring semester. Paul and the team will link a beta test from current page.

Peter Blackmer: New flooring will be installed in the entry-way to B/H during winter break. The flooring is made of 37-percent recycled materials. Also, Scott Miller will be “test driving” wooden caps on the ends of shelving down reference alley in an effort to improve the look and feel of the main floor. New computer tables are on order, as are 30 additional computers.

Tina Kussey: The department had conference with Yankee Book Peddlers about the feasibility of bringing invoicing into Voyager. YBP will set up a test with Lyman. Tina is putting together a collections team to work on a policy first—it was last revamped in 1986. Peter Spitzform will serve as chair.

An Award-Winning Party

The Annual Faculty and Staff Award Luncheon was a party worth waiting for this year! Congratulations to Susan Mower, Scott Miller, Karl Bridges and Peter Spitzform. And special thanks to the committee --Angie, Joanne, Angus, Scott, Karl and Lori--for hosting such a great party in the perfect location.

And now something really different...

Pamala Smith is taking Art 101 and one of her assignments was to draw a building from the Green in front of the library. The requirements were to use only red, orange, yellow and blue to denote variations in lighting/darkness/lightness of color. She chose B/H, and this is her picture.

She submits it to us with a few disclaimers: I would say that I know that tree on the right is wrong way wrong - obviously I was supposed to make it darker but I couldn't get my head around that because it seemed the same level as the color of the building.

Regardless, it's lovely and worth sharing.

Discoveries by the D&D Council

Over the past year, the Discovery and Delivery Council has made a number of changes to the online catalog, the library home page, and LinkSource, our link resolver. We decided last spring to conduct usability testing of these changes, as well as several other aspects of the libraries' online presence. A subcommittee of D&D conducted the testing, and spent the summer writing up and analyzing the results. The full report can be found here http://libstaff.uvm.edu/committees/DandD/2008_usability_study.pdf , which includes an overview of the methods used in the test, a list of the Council's priorities for making changes based on the test results, and the full set of tasks we tested and the observed results. Each task in the report includes an overview of the findings, as well as the detailed observational notes. (Remember that a login is required to view materials on the staff web site.)

Note that the highest priority item we will be addressing is the linking infrastructure (including the "Find it@UVM" button, ensuring that LinkSource is working optimally, and re-designing the "no results" page that patrons land on when LinkSource does not locate the full text of an article.) We will not be changing these things in the middle of the semester, however. We will work on fixes during the fall, and implement changes over the winter break.

We will be making changes soon to the Order on Demand ("Get This Book!") interface, however. The changes we are considering should make the service more transparent to patrons without being overly jarring.

A separate analysis of the Order on Demand pilot will go forward later this fall, unrelated to the D&D usability testing, to examine broader implications of the experiment on the collection, and the overall desirability of continuing the pilot (or not), modifying it, etc.

Also, a separate usability test will be administered relatively soon on the pilot study of linking out from the catalog to additional information in Google Books. The current report on usability predated the implementation of the Google Books experiment, so a similar sub-committee of D&D will be designing and implementing that testing this semester. (On a related note, we collected 96 completed surveys on the Google Books links [that is, those who responded who had linked out to Google Books], with 93% of respondents reporting that they agreed [42%] or strongly agreed [51%] with the statement "Google Books provided useful information about the book I was looking at.")

Overall, we found both disappointing and heartening results in this round of testing. We view even the disappointing results to be really valuable, though, because we now have tangible data to help us steer toward better technological and design solutions. One of our wider aspirations as a committee is to encourage a climate of testing in the libraries with the idea that, try as we might, we cannot fully anticipate how patrons will actually use the things we create for them, and usability testing is an ongoing way to improve the patron's experience with the libraries' points of access.

--Peter Spitzform for D&D

Lisa "Asks"

by Lisa Beaulieu

The last time that I wrote a research paper the big news at the library was that the card catalog had been computerized. Recognizing that there have been many changes since then I was feeling a little unsure of my library skills. As a library staff member I realized that it was high time for me to get smart on how to use the library.

Each morning, I walk through the front doors and I pass by a poster that states, quite simply, “Ask.” Next I pass the newly relocated Reference Desk where a librarian gives me a friendly nod. I realize that the answer to my uncertainty is right in front of me—all I need to do is stop and “ask.” I explain my situation to Laurie Kutner who informs me that I can request an individual consultation and that I can do so online. That afternoon I complete the online form for a consultation. Within hours I receive a response from Pat Mardeusz that my request has been forwarded to the science librarian Elizabeth Berman. Elizabeth makes an appointment with me and suddenly I have another reason to look forward to Friday!

Elizabeth had done some preliminary searches prior to our meeting and was able to recommend three databases from which I could search my topic: Health & Wellness Research Center, Pub Med and Psych Info. She demonstrated how to access these databases from the library website and offered me some tips on searching—using different combinations of terms and keeping track of what combinations I had used. Psych Info actually shows the user the query that it built. It does a smart search and adds terms/descriptors to expand the search.

I realize that with all of these resources available on-line that I need not be physically seated in the library to do my research—thanks to EZProxy!

Things have changed since my last research paper—for the better! Just ask me.

Mug Shot

This morning, as part of staff appreciation week, the libraries' staff received their choice of either a coffee mug or tote bag emblazoned with the new libraries' logo. Libraries' faculty are now welcome to come to the Dean's Office in Bailey/Howe and pick up one or the other for themselves.

Both gift options were selected for environmentally and/or socially conscious reasons. The coffee cups are stainless steel, and by using them instead of paper or plastic cups, your coffee will be cheaper and our landfills will be lighter. Also, the tote bags were made by BMG Wholesale, a division of the Work Training Center, an American-based, 501-c(3), not-for-profit corporation that employs adults with disabilities.

American Libraries Article by Trina Magi

The September 2008 issue of American Libraries features an article by Trina Magi titled, "A Privacy Victory in Vermont: A New Law Protects Patron Confidentiality." Check it out. And congrats to Trina for a great piece.

Dean’s Council Minutes: Aug. 26, 2008

A meeting of the Dean's Council was held Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Dean's Conference Room.

Present: Mara Saule, Marianne Burke, Birdie MacLennan, Paul Philbin, Jeanene Light, Nancy Bercaw, Selene Colburn, Jeff Marshall, Peter Blackmer

Mara welcomed Jeanene Light to the Council, and thanked her for agreeing to serve as Interim Director of Information and Instruction Services at B/H. Jeff will chair the search for a permanent director.

Dana Library is now waiving ILL fees for UVM students, staff and faculty and for FAHC employees, including nursing staff. The waiver applies to routine loans of journal articles, books, and audiovisual materials, up to and including 25 items per semester. UVM and FAHC users exceeding the 25 per semester limit will pay the standard UVM rate of $5 per transaction.

The first phase of the University’s re-accreditation process is nearing completion. Mara thanked the Council, as well as the libraries, for their patience during the process. Dr. Phil Austin, the former president of UCONN has been named the chair of UVM’s visiting team, which comes to campus April 19-22, 2009.

The libraries have a tentative plan to participate in a LIBQUAL survey this fall. More information is forthcoming.

B/H Building Update: There is new flooring on the Bailey side of the main floor, in addition to new tables and chairs for increased seating and work space. I&IS continues to assess the best place for the reference desk, although it will stay near the stairs for the first semester. The front entrance redesign is scheduled for December. On the third floor, the space between the WID (Room 303) and the CDI has been cleared to create a third-floor lounge space. Both entries to the CTL and WID have been upgraded, as well, to be ADA compliant. CIT has expressed an interest in putting a help desk in B/H, but at this point there are no further details or timeline.

EBSCO prepayment has been approved by the Board of Trustees. The larger question for UVM, according to Mara, is long-standing relationships for big-ticket purchases. The whole institution may be under close scrutiny while the Board explores systemic budget issues. The next Board meeting is Sept. 4 and 5 in the Davis Center.

Position News: The search to replace Toni Fortini is underway, as the search for a temporary visiting librarian to back fill Trina’s position while she is on sabbatical. The search for the staff position in Special Collections and the temporary position in the CDI are underway as well.

Thanks to shifting efforts, Special Collection now has room to shelve 2000 rare books donated by David Richardson, the grandson of Henry Hobson Richardson who designed Billings.

Dana Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Fee waiver goes into effect

Effective September 2, 2008 , Dana Library will waive ILL fees for UVM students, staff and faculty and for FAHC employees, including nursing staff. The normal $5.00 UVM fee is waived for routine loans of journal articles, books, and audiovisual materials, up to and including 25 items per semester. UVM and FAHC users exceeding the 25 per semester limit will pay the standard UVM rate of $5.00 per transaction.

The additional fees for non-clinical rush requests, other special handling, or copyright fees are not waived. In the event of copyright charges, the ILL Department will always contact the patron first. This is a pilot program until the costs and personnel effort are evaluated after one semester, at which time policies may be changed or modified. The limit of 25 free ILL’s per person per semester is based on our best estimate of a reasonably acceptable impact on budget, but this also will be evaluated at the end of the pilot period.

The waiver does not apply to UVM emeriti and AHEC users who will continue to pay the UVM rate of $5 per transaction. Additionally, the waiver does not apply to Health Research Affiliates, unaffiliated users, or contract borrowers such as the Porter Medical Center, whose current rates will continue.

There is no change in the fee for pull and copy, or article delivery service for Library owned items (DARTS).

Please contact Marie McGarry or Elinor Avery if you have any questions regarding the implementation of this new procedure, and feel free to contact me as well. Joanne Montanye can answer questions on any concerns about the DARTS process.

Marianne Burke invites all libraries colleagues to join her in thanking the DD/ILL staff and Head of Access Services Jeanene Light (now on an Interim appointment at Bailey-Howe Library) for the work and effort that has gone into making the new policy workable. This will be a great benefit to our users, especially faculty and those without departmental accounts.

"I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate the DD/ILL staff and especially lending specialist Elinor Avery for making 2008 the year that Dana Library became a NET Lender," Marianne adds. "That means that we loaned more than we borrowed from other libraries; saving dollars for the Dana Library budget and contributing more to health sciences patrons across the country. Congratulations Elinor!"

First Floor Shifting

You've probably seen June, Ryan, Angus, and many others shifting the collections on the main floor. The goal, according to Scott, is to free up space in the back rows (removing the shelves marked as 44 and 45) and a few rows in the front as well, to provide more computer and work space for patrons.

Taking the Cake

On Wednesday afternoon, Libraries' colleagues showed appreciation for Keith's work at UVM and celebrated his new gig at Princeton. The cake was large enough to feed all the libraries from Vermont to New Jersey. Emily Frost(ing) from Scott Miller's department captured her affection for Keith and the cake in her grin.

Changes in I & IS Departments

Keith Gresham has accepted a position as Associate University Librarian for Research and Instructional Services at Princeton University. We congratulate him on this exciting opportunity, and a special event will be held to show our appreciation for his time here. Stay tuned.

Jeanene Light has agreed to serve as the interim director. She is an experienced UVM Libraries manager, and has just finished a successful run as Interim Director of Dana Medical Library.

Although Jeanene will assume official duties on Monday, August 18, she will be consulting with Keith on transitional issues and on-going departmental initiatives previous to his departure; similarly, Jeanene will need to spend a few days a week in Dana Library, until Labor Day, in order to tie up projects and facilitate the transition there.

Please extend a hearty welcome to Jeanene as she assumes this critically important role in the Libraries.

Latvian National Librarian Coming to UVM

All libraries colleagues are invited to an informal reception for Mr. Andris Vilks, the director of the National Library in Latvia, at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6 in Special Collections. Mr. Vilks previously was director of the rare books and manuscripts division of the National Library of Latvia. He's also very involved in the consortium of European national librarians, recently elected treasurer.

Vermont artisan cheeses and vegetable crudités, as well as tea and lemonade, will be served.

Dean's Council Minutes, July 29

A meeting of the Dean's Council was held Tuesday, July 29, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Dean's Conference Room.

Present: Mara Saule, Marianne Burke, Birdie MacLennan, Paul Philbin, Keith Gresham, Nancy Bercaw

Absent: Selene Colburn, Jeff Marshall, Peter Blackmer

I. The libraries’ EBSCO account is being reviewed by the Board of Trustees during an executive session on Monday, August 4. The invoice was first questioned by the new VP for finance because the total is more than $3 million. Mara, Birdie and Albert drafted a memo justifying why we use EBSCO and what the company does. The trustees will consider a resolution to go ahead with EBSCO.

II. Strategic Planning

The Council has developed a working draft of a 5-year strategic plan for the libraries and is considering next steps for library-wide engagement in the process. Possible venues include departmental meetings, a special forum or a half-day retreat.

III. Updates

• The new Writing in the Disciplines Director, Dr. Susanmarie Harrington, begins mid August.
• Brenda, Sandy and Birdie comprise the search committee for Toni’s replacement.
  Access services is deploying 24 new machines on the second floor of B/H. They will feature a “Save your work” message on middle of screen.
• The servers in Bailey/Howe are moving to Tech Park, where environmental and security conditions are more conducive.
• Dana had made a decision in principle to drop ILL fees. Implementation and impact issues are now being considered.
• Enrollment for the fall is higher than anticipated. Some of the social and study space in the dorms has been converted into housing, which could impact the number of students coming to the libraries.
  
  
  

Upcoming IFLA Conference News

Birdie will be giving a talk with Émilie Paquin, currently media librarian at Radio Canada in Montréal, formerly a library student intern at Bailey/Howe, at the IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations) satellite preconference and 1st International Conference of the International Association of Francophone Librarians and Documentalists (AIFBD), which will be held at the Grande Bibliothèque du Québec, Montréal, Aug. 3-6.

http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla74/satellite-en.htm#14
http://www.aifbd.org/congres/conferenciers.htm

The talk, to be given in French, is entitled, "Entre tradition et modernité : les transformations structurelles et procédurales d'une bibliothèque universitaire."

Previews of the submitted text and Powerpoint (still in progress) will be available in conference proceedings. Previews are available at
http://www.uvm.edu/~bmaclenn/AIFBD/

Bailey/Howe Construction and Design Updates

General Notes

• A fire alarm went off yesterday in Bailey/Howe and the sound was different than it had been previously. Employees and patrons did not recognize the sound, and many did not evacuate. A fire drill is needed, and will be pursued.

The Third Floor

• The Writing in the Disciplines (WID) Space construction is on schedule. UVM’s Department of Facilities Design and Construction has been leading the efforts with Scott’s onsite assistance. The rough outline is in place, and the plumbers have done their work. Lighting won’t arrive until the end of August. Temporary lights will be installed until then. The construction is scheduled to be complete August 15^th with the new Director, Susanmarie Harrington, arriving on the 18^th. The CTL Commons area also will be finished by then.

• The third-floor book shift, between the WID and CDI spaces, is on schedule, as well. It should be completed by Aug.1, at which time the shelving will come out (Aug. 4-8) and abatement will begin (Aug. 11-15). Access to CDI will be nonexistent during the abatement week. Soft seating will be ordered to fill the area after the carpet is installed the last week in August.

The Second Floor

• New wood chairs (with a 10-year guarantee) have replaced the old decrepit chairs from the late seventies. The chairs match new wooden carrels which will arrive in mid August.

• The amount of space use for current issues in periodicals could be reduced by getting vertical displays with back issue space underneath. Long-term planning for the floor will commence, in the context of strategic planning for the entire facility.

• The major book moving project is complete. Some clean up needs to be done in LRA. There are 801 feet of linear space left at the Williston site. Scott is looking into costs for expansion there.

The Main Floor

• Reference abatement is scheduled to be complete by Friday. Once two rounds of air testing are complete, the tent will come down. Carpeting and painting will begin on July 28. The painters will work very early in the morning. There will be full access to the area for staff and patrons. After all the work is finished, custodial services will perform a thorough post-construction cleaning. Scott believes that the library is entering a new phase of custodial care, as promised by that department.

• Information and Instruction Services is considering experimenting with keeping the reference desk in its current (abatement-induced) space for the fall semester. A few infrastructure problems will need to be addressed in order to make this work: dim lighting, network connections, noise, signage, traffic flow, and relocating the ready-reference materials. The former space of the reference desk could be used for additional computer stations during the fall, but would be available to reference if they decide to move the desk back.

• The classroom work was pushed back due to campus demands on Department of Facilities Design and Construction.

• Changes to the B/H entry have also been pushed back and may take place during winter break. Custodians and local flooring vendors are looking at various flooring products that are both green and cleanable. A lot of criteria must be met before a decision can be made. (For example, cork was a choice, but it wouldn’t hold up to book carts.) The new entry will have improved “walk off” zones to decrease the amount of salt and dirt coming inside B/H.

The Ground Floor

• Another viewing bay has been added to the existing three bays in media. New chairs have replaced the old worn ones in the bays.

Examples of Learning or Info Commons

Mentioned in the "Info Commons: 101" Webcast yesterday, were these models of Information or Learning Commons. We thought everyone might like to see some of the best examples out there, at least according to the webcast expert.

The long wide shot without people is from the Hardin Medical Library at the University of Iowa. The wide picture with numerous students is from the Montesquieu Learning Center in the Netherlands. And the aerial photo was taken at the Learning Commons at North Carolina State. For more NC State photos, follow this link:
http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/learningcommons/images.php

Info Commons 101 Webcast: Tuesday, July 22 @ 2 p.m.

All libraries colleagues are invited to attend a special webcast lecture, "Information Commons 101: Principles and Good Practices," on Tuesday, July 22 in the Dean's Conference Room. The session runs from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

The webcast, which is sponsored by ALA and hosted by Joan Lippincott of the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), will explore:

* Visions and goals for information commons
* Linking the information commons to learning
* Elements of an information commons
* Campus partners
* Staffing
* Understanding collaboration in an information commons setting
* "Quick fixes" while waiting for construction/renovation
* Assessment of an information commons

More information about the session can be found at http://www.acrl.org/ala/acrl/acrlproftools/infocommons101.cfm

Joan K. Lippincott has provided leadership for programs such as New Learning Communities, Assessment of the Networked Environment, Working Together, and collaborative facilities and learning spaces. She has written articles and made presentations on such topics as networked information, learning spaces, collaboration among professional groups, assessment, and teaching and learning in the networked environment. Her chapter on “Net Generation Students and Libraries” in an EDUCAUSE book on Educating the Net Gen www.educause.edu/educatingthenetgen/ has received wide distribution. She is past chair of the editorial board of College & Research Libraries News and is on the board of the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD).

Farewell Toni

Today, the UVM Libraries say goodbye to a wonderful colleague--one of our best workers, friends and caption writers. In fact, on the eve of Toni Fortini's departure, we invite everyone to write a caption for this picture in honor of her.

The Uncommon Denominators

Here are your award-winning colleagues! The Delmar Janes Staff Excellence awards this year go to Susan Mower and Scott Miller. The Faculty Excellence in Educational Mission Award goes to Peter Spitzform. The recipient of the Faculty Excellence in Research Award is Karl Bridges. Details on the party, and cake, to come!

What Happened Here?

In honor of our short week and holiday weekend,
it's time to have a little photographic fun. Caption, anyone?

Summer Construction Schedule for Bailey/Howe

CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO SEE A LARGER, MORE LEGIBLE VERSION:

Scott Miller created these charts to help keep us informed about the work that's going on in Bailey/Howe this summer. It's good to know what improvements are being made, and when the work will be happening. Thanks Scott, again!

Upcoming Disruptions and Access Restrictions to the B/H Reference Room and Collection

A large section of the first floor of Bailey/Howe Library will be closed to the public from July 14 to August 1 as part of an asbestos-abatement and re-carpeting project taking place in the Reference Room. Carpeted sections of the Reference Room (west and south sides) will be sealed off, existing carpet and underlying floor tiles and mastic (glue) will be removed, and new carpeting will be installed.

Throughout the duration of this project, the Bailey/Howe reference desk will be temporarily relocated to the entrance lobby, and access to approximately 27 computer workstations on the first floor may be disrupted. Access to the Bailey/Howe print reference collection will be restricted during this period, although it is anticipated that library personnel will be available to retrieve items from the reference collection upon request. The Bailey/Howe Instruction Center (Room 123) will also be unavailable for use.

Specific phases of the project are (please note that dates are subject to change):

July 14 - July 28: Removal of existing carpet, underlying floor tiles, and mastic (abatement project)
July 28 - Aug. 1: Installation of new carpet

Gimme Shelter

The Annual Libraries' Picnic was an inside/outside event this year thanks to orientation's big tent. We didn't have to cram into the staff lounge or brave the rain. The venue was perfect, and the food was plentiful. Special thanks again to the social committee for another great event.