Reading Project

Though I've read a number of these books, I have not read as many as I would have liked. I'm going to set this as a reading goal for myself. I was going to say it would be my summer project, but I think I may need to allot a bit more time. Let's see how long it takes me to get through the list.

Amplify’d from www.guardian.co.uk

The 100 greatest non-fiction books

After keen debate at the Guardian's books desk, this is our list of the very best factual writing, organised by category, and then by date. See how closely it matches yours and tell us what we've missed

The greatest non-fiction books live here ... the British Museum Reading Room. Read more at www.guardian.co.uk

 

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Bill Gates v. Ford Motor Company

(From my MIL - I really needed this laugh!) For those of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way computers have enhanced our lives, read on.  At  a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared  the computer industry with the auto industry and stated,    'If Ford had kept up with technology like the  computer industry has, we would all be driving $25 cars that got  1,000 miles to the  gallon.'  In response to Bill 's comments, Ford issued a press release stating:  If Ford had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all  be driving cars with the following characteristics (and I just  love this part):  1. For no reason  whatsoever, your car would crash.........Twice a  day.  2.. Every time they repainted the  lines in the road, you would have to buy a new  car.   3...  Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason..  You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the  windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows  before you could continue. For some reason you would simply  accept this.  4. Occasionally,  executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to  shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to  reinstall the engine.   5.  Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was  reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but  would run on only five percent of the  roads.  6. The oil, water temperature,  and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single  'This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation' warning  light.   I  love the next one!!!   7.  The airbag system would ask 'Are you sure?' before deploying.    8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your  car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you  simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and  grabbed hold of the radio antenna.   9.  Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to  learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls  would operate in the same manner as the old  car.  10. You'd have to press the   'Start' button to turn the engine  off.   PS  - I 'd like to add that when all else fails, you could call '  customer service ' in some foreign country and be instructed in  some foreign language how to fix your car  yourself!!!! Please  share this with your friends who love - but sometimes hate -  their computer!

Common Sense

Over the past few years I seem to sense a decline in basic common sense.  I see it in the ridiculous lawsuits for products resulting in labeling that is even more ridiculous (i.e. do not iron clothes on body), watching people drive (left hand turn from the right hand lane - nice), and a myriad of other examples in every day life.  Has the ability to think for oneself been completely lost?  Not to mention the lack of ability to take responsibility for oneself when consequences arise from such no-brainer incidents. 

Today, I experienced another example of a complete lack of common sense - this time regarding using library materials.  First, let me explain how libraries work for those of you that are unfamiliar.  You borrow materials that belong to other people for a short time and then bring them back so that others may do the same.  Seems a simple premise, yet it seems to be quite difficult for many library patrons to understand.  Due dates, fines, and much more cause substantial consternation among library users who seem to not understand that these materials do not belong to them to use however and for as long as they want. 

Today, I received a complaint from a patron that was being charged a replacement fee for an interlibrary loan book she had decided to highlight.  Not only was it not her book, but it wasn't even our book.  I'd have felt bad enough if it had belonged in our library, but the fact that it was the property of another library made me feel even worse.  Her complaint was that she didn't feel entirely responsible as she had not been informed of a policy stating that patrons could not write in books.  Really????  Seriously????  This is something they have to be told????  Borrowing books that don't belong to you and you need this spelled out????  That's like saying hey you told me I could borrow your car but you didn't say I couldn't wreck it.  Is this not common sense?  I am used to the lack of responsibility exhibited in fine waiver requests (it's not my fault because....fill in the blank) but this goes far beyond that to the complete realm of WTF?!?!  Apparently common sense is becoming less and less common (whoever named it that was definitely an optimist) - maybe the phrase should be changed to the romantic languages translation of the phrase - "good sense." 

Where oh where can my outlet be?

This is a problem for our library as well. I feel the pain myself often searching for a plug or having too many things to plug in and not enough outlets, not to mention the bag of power cords I have to carry around with me. You see people sitting on the floor, cords snaked here and yon waiting for unsuspecting ankles, furniture moved to accommodate outlets - who knew a simple thing like power could be such a big problem. Glad to know we're not the only place dealing with this issue - hell it's even a problem at the Pentagon. The furniture options mentioned is a great alternative for those places that can't magically make a new building or reconstruction happen. I would also love seeing the longer lasting batteries developed. In the meantime, I wonder what other creative solutions are hovering out there.

Amplify’d from http://www.libraryjournal.com/

A Digital Generation Scours the Library for a Plug

By Michael Kelley

Dec 30, 2010

Thirty years ago, the only person in a library looking for an electrical outlet was a blue-smocked cleaning person who had to plug in a vacuum cleaner with a very long cord.

Times have changed.

Universities struggle to keep up The problem cuts across all library sectors.

"The lack of adequate power is a fairly big issue for [the Dimond Library]," Tracey Lauder, the assistant dean for library administration at the University of New Hampshire, told LJ. "Students frequently move large tables and soft seating closer to walls with outlets, or they bring their own extension cords, which obviously can be a hazard," she said.

"Plugs are popular" was number four on the list, because without them the digital generation cannot power the connection to information or with one another.

"It extends the social network, where students can sit and talk and collaborate," Stephens told UAB Magazine.

To complicate matters, installing new outlets is considered an extra, and Dimond Library has to dip into its operating budget to pay for them. And they aren't cheap. The recent installation of six wall and six floor receptacles would have cost $10,568, but the decision was made to install the wall receptacles only during the library's redesign since the floor outlets would have required drilling.

Redburn also noted that at public libraries it's not so much the collaborative nature of work, as it is at universities, but the hard economic times that drive more people to the library in search of an interface for their media.

"People can't afford Internet service at home anymore, they can't afford a print cartridge, so there's a causal relationship between the economy and the growth of people using the library," she said.

"Consider the need for additional floor electrical outlets at circulation and reference desks, workrooms, offices for staff use, audiovisual areas, and in reading areas for customer use," reads one example in section 3-5.4.

But when a library wants to raise the bar on its electrical infrastructure, the answer is two words: raised floor.

The main benefit with raised floors is that the power distribution does not run in a fixed conduit, so the library can change the configuration of outlets.

Still, the ultimate answer, several sources said, may be longer lasting batteries, a part of the natural evolution of technology and the many curious problems it brings. Down the road, the question may be what to do with all the unused outlets. Read more at www.libraryjournal.com

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A Librarian's Niche

This was a very interesting article, and I think underscores the need for librarians to really market our niche in information management. It is not that students can't find what they want (though many times it is and they don't realize it), but that they find so much they don't know how to parse the good from the bad. Critical thinking and resource evaluation are critical skills that we as librarians need to be focusing on in our work with students.

Amplify’d from http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/communityacademiclibraries/887833-265/survey_finds_students_often_use.html.csp?goback=%2Egde_1825084_news_406138424

Survey Finds Students Often Use Library Resources, But Not Services

A new report released this month from Project Information Literacy at the University of Washington (UW), "Truth Be Told: How College Students Evaluate and Use Information in the Digital Age," [PDF] finds that many higher-ed students struggle with sorting through the vast amounts of information available when doing research, but they tend not to ask librarians for assistance. Indeed, to keep the research process as simple as possible, many appear to fall back on predictable routines that may not produce the best results.

The report's authors, Alison Head and Michael Eisenberg, recommended that academic librarians emphasize teaching research strategies to students, rather than simply helping to find sources for a particular assignment. Read more at www.libraryjournal.com

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Libraries - More than just books

I came across this story this week while cataloging iPads that UNCP will begin circulating next week. Not only do I like the idea of the poochie, but I love that the library is doing something so unique. It makes me wonder what other types of unique items libraries circulate, and I would love to do some research on this topic. Probably the most interesting thing we circulate are some biology reserve items - namely the box of bones.

Amplify’d from http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2011/mar/11/law-library-offers-dog-check-out/?popup=true

Law library offers dog for check-out

By Nikita Lalwani Friday, March 11, 2011

Soon Yale Law School students studying at their library may be able to check out a dog in addition to books on Constitutional law.

In an email sent to students Thursday, librarian Blair Kauffman announced that the law library will run a three-day pilot program in which students can "check out" the certified library therapy dog — Monty — for thirty minute periods. He wrote that he hopes the program, which will begin March 28, will reduce student stress.

"We hope that making a therapy dog available to our students will prove to be a positive addition to current services offered by the library," he said in the e-mail. "It is well documented that visits from therapy dogs have resulted in increased happiness, calmness, and overall emotional well-being."

Kauffman added that although Monty is hypoallergenic, visits will be confined to a "dedicated non-public space in the library" to alleviate concerns other library users may have about dogs. Additional information regarding the program will be available with a sign-up sheet that will be released March 21.

If students respond well to the program, the library may institute it permanently during stressful periods of the semester. Law School Director of Public Affairs Janet Conroy said that no more information is currently available about the future of the program.

Two students interviewed said the therapy dog pilot program exemplifies the creativity and originality of Yale Law.

"I think it's a really fun idea and I'm sure that a lot of people will take advantage," Stephanie Turner LAW '12 said. "I definitely hope that they extend the program beyond the pilot period."

According to Therapy Dogs International, a volunteer organization dedicated to regulating and testing therapy dogs, studies have indicated that visits with therapy dogs help decrease blood pressure and stress levels, while providing a nice break from daily routine.

Aside from providing comfort to students, therapy dogs are most often used in hospitals, retirement homes, and nursing homes. Read more at www.yaledailynews.com

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The LISNews Blogs To Read in 2011

I love to see the wide variety of writing topics of librarians - especially the ones that break the stereotypical molds. This is always a good list.

The LISNews Blogs To Read in 2011

Just as I was learning FBML

Seems that every time I learn a new skill like FBML, a major change comes along making it obsolete. Facebook is especially guilty of constant mandated changes, and I'll be looking to see how this affects the Library's Facebook page. I wonder if the FBML I've already done will transfer over or have to be redone. I'm curious to experiment with the iFrames now. I hope this means designing in Dreamweaver first will be an option.

Amplify’d from sixrevisions.com

Ultimate Guide to the New Facebook Page Design

No More "Standard" Tabs

Note: the new tabs will appear in the form of a list (there will be a maximum of 6 above the fold).

New Photo Strip

Profile Picture

The maximum size for the profile picture has been reduced from 200x600px to 180x540px.

User Interface Changes

Admin View of Wall (See Hidden Posts)

Post as Your Brand

Your Brand Can "Like" Other Pages

Fans Count Has Changed

Categories

Now displayed on Facebook Pages is your organization’s category (which can be adjusted). We recently changed ours from "Local Business" to "Internet/Software".

Development Changes

Facebook iframes Now on Tabs

From a web developer’s standpoint, this is the biggest and best change Facebook has rolled out. What does this mean? No more Facebook Markup Language (FBML)!

To use iframes, you need the most up-to-date layout. First and foremost: in order to use iframes, the page must be using the new Facebook Page layout.

Custom HTML and JavaScript

Facebook API for Facebook Pages

Saving User Sessions

Summary

With the changes scheduled to take full effect March 10, 2011, you should now be ready to take full advantage of the changes.

Profile photo now has a max size of 180x540px. Display page category. Photo strip shows most recent tagged or posted photos. They are randomized. Watch out for inappropriate photos tagged with your Facebook Page. The dimensions of thumbnails are 96x67px. Admin view. Filter wall posts by your Facebook Page only or by everyone. Tabs are now on the left (under the profile photo) in the form of a list (maximum of 6 above the fold). Also, switch to Admin View to see hidden posts. If you’re an admin, you can view the people who have "Liked" your brand. We noticed it’s in order of most recent Likes. If you’re not an admin, you can no longer view those who have "Liked" the brand page. Your brand page can Like other pages. They’ll show up on your brand page.

Other changes not shown in the image above:

You can see a Newsfeed of updates from Liked Pages on your home page when using Facebook under your Facebook Page name. Pages now support iframed tab applications. Email notifications when users post or comment. Read more at sixrevisions.com

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Facebook Customizations

As part of my work with the Library's Social Networking Committee, I've been playing around with FBML to customize our Facebook page. I've managed to add custom tabs for our IM widget, a WorldCat search, and a stream to our Youtube channel and am now ready to tackle adding a new landing page with a customized image look. I've seen some really nice customized pages. Hoping I can do it in Dreamweaver first then add the FBML bits. Once I get this done, it's on to figuring out how to create a search widget for III to use on Facebook. This web page I found very useful as a start - but always on the look out for other sources of sample code.

I'd like to think the following libraries whose pages gave me ideas:

NYPL

Plainfield Public Library

Appleton Public Library

Southfield Public Library

WCPL

Kent District Library

Amplify’d from socialmediaseo.net

Customize Your Facebook Fan Page With FBML

Add Images To Facebook Fan Pages using FBML

1)  Installing the Static FBML App

2)  Working with FBML

3)  Defining Application Settings

4)  Adding Your Image & Custom Naming Your Tab

And that’s it!

Like I said, FBML is the key to really bringing your Facebook Fan Page to life and defining your brand on Facebook.

Enjoy and let me know if you have any questions!  As always, feel free to contact me directly with questions.

See more at socialmediaseo.net

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Things I Don't Have to Think About Today

A fan of the blog and the author, I have long loved this reminder to not complain of life's little inconveniences and be thankful for all that I have.

Also really love his blog's appearance...may have to do some redesign on mine.

Amplify’d from whatever.scalzi.com

Things I Don’t Have to Think About Today

Today I don’t have to think about those who hear “terrorist” when I speak my faith. Today I don’t have to think about men who don’t believe no means no. Today I don’t have to think about how the world is made for people who move differently than I do. Today I don’t have to think about whether I’m married, depending on what state I’m in. Today I don’t have to think about how I’m going to hail a cab past midnight.

Today I don’t have to think about whether store security is tailing me. Today I don’t have to think about the look on the face of the person about to sit next to me on a plane. Today I don’t have to think about eyes going to my chest first. Today I don’t have to think about what people might think if they knew the medicines I took. Today I don’t have to think about getting kicked out of a mall when I kiss my beloved hello.

Today I don’t have to think about if it’s safe to hold my beloved’s hand. Today I don’t have to think about whether I’m being pulled over for anything other than speeding. Today I don’t have to think about being classified as one of “those people.” Today I don’t have to think about making less than someone else for the same job at the same place. Today I don’t have to think about the people who stare, or the people who pretend I don’t exist.

Today I don’t have to think about managing pain that never goes away. Today I don’t have to think about whether a stranger’s opinion of me would change if I showed them a picture of who I love. Today I don’t have to think about the chance a store salesmen will ignore me to help someone else. Today I don’t have to think about the people who’d consider torching my house of prayer a patriotic act. Today I don’t have to think about a pharmacist telling me his conscience keeps him from filling my prescription.

Today I don’t have to think about being asked if I’m bleeding when I’m just having a bad day. Today I don’t have to think about whether the one drug that lets me live my life will be taken off the market. Today I don’t have to think about the odds of getting jumped at the bar I like to go to. Today I don’t have to think about “vote fraud” theater showing up at my poll station. Today I don’t have to think about turning on the news to see people planning to burn my holy book.

Today I don’t have to think about others demanding I apologize for hateful people who have nothing to do with me. Today I don’t have to think about my child being seen as a detriment to my career. Today I don’t have to think about the irony of people thinking I’m lucky because I can park close to the door. Today I don’t have to think about memories of being bullied in high school. Today I don’t have to think about being told to relax, it was just a joke.

Today I don’t have to think about whether someone thinks I’m in this country illegally. Today I don’t have to think about those who believe that freedom of religion ends with mine. Today I don’t have to think about how a half-starved 23-year-old being a cultural ideal affects my life. Today I don’t have to think about how much my life is circumscribed by my body. Today I don’t have to think about people wanting me cured of loving who I love.

Today I don’t have to think about those who view me an unfit parent because of who I love. Today I don’t have to think about being told my kind don’t assimilate. Today I don’t have to think about people blind to the intolerance of their belief lecturing me about my own. Today I don’t have to think about my body as a political football. Today I don’t have to think about how much my own needs wear on those I love.

Today I don’t have to think about explaining to others “what happened to me.” Today I don’t have to think about politicians saying bigoted things about me to win votes. Today I don’t have to think about those worried that one day people like me will be the majority. Today I don’t have to think about someone using the name of my religion as a slur. Today I don’t have to think about so many of the words for me controlling my own life being negatives.

Today I don’t have to think about still not being equal. Today I don’t have to think about what it takes to keep going. Today I don’t have to think about how much I still have to hide. Today I don’t have to think about how much prejudice keeps hold. Today I don’t have to think about how I’m meant to be grateful that people tolerate my kind.

Today I don’t have to think about all the things I don’t have to think about. But today I will. Read more at whatever.scalzi.com

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It's good to see SL get some good press. It's a very timely exhibit, but the principles hold true in other teaching and learning situations as well. With such immersion, learning possibilities are endless. As the article does point out, this is still very much in the exploratory phase for much of academia, but definitely worth the experiment in order to open new worlds not before possible to access.

Amplify’d from http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleynewsdispatch/s_723607.html

Second Life virtual-reality game: It's not time travel, but it's close

By Mary Ann Thomas, FOR THE VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH Monday, February 21, 2011

Not just an excursion into computer geek territory, Second Life is a computer-based tool that takes students into a virtual world where history comes alive.

"You're giving people an opportunity to time travel," Partridge says. "You put them into an environment to move around in a space where they can understand these places and what it feels like to be there."

Participating in a simulation such as Second Life can be a more interesting alternative to experiencing history than listening to a lecture or memorizing names and dates, he says.

The virtual world seems like a natural venue to provide new learning technologies and opportunities, for example, to learn a new language or meet with people sitting in different places around the world. But, according to Partridge, the technology hasn't gone mainstream yet; it still is in the developmental phase. For example, students need special software to access Second Life and other virtual-reality programs.

"Rather than just look at a picture in a book, you can get in and walk around," he says. Read more at www.pittsburghlive.com

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Delicious

As a long time user of delicious - both for sharing bookmarks and simply for organizing my bookmarks across browsers, platforms, and workstations - the possible loss of the software leaves me wondering which alternative I would turn to. I truly hope Yahoo decides to keep it up. However, if not, then like every other time I have become dependent on software or a piece of hardware and it is ripped away from me suddenly, I will move on to something for better or worse.

Amplify’d from web.vivavip.com

'Delicious' leaves a bad taste

Joanna Ptolomey

It seems that the rumours are true and that the social bookmarking site Delicious is to close, or perhaps just change. Whilst generally being regarded as a good product (by users) Yahoo! do not find it a ‘strategic fit’ for them and are seeking a life outside the organisation – i.e. they are looking to sell it (http://blog.delicious.com/index.htm).

Last week on many social media platforms the conversations followed with outrage and ‘what now’? Social bookmarking has become popular for storing, tagging, sharing and mashing community collaborations. Many users commented that Delicious was one of their favourite tools – including me.   So what now? Where to go from here? Well Yahoo! have announced that they're maintaining Delicious for the time being so bookmarks will not disappear overnight. But what are the alternatives?

Pinboard

Stumbleupon

Xmarks

So with Delicious possibly on its way out, if Yahoo! does not find a buyer, then I will plan for moving on. Read more at web.vivavip.com

 

Gaming for Success

Based on some of the quotes in the summary, I really would like to read this book and explore these ideas more fully. I'd also be interesting in seeing also whether social networking and non game virtual environments, such as Second Life, are included in this study of video gaming, or if the construct of gaming is limited to those avenues that are strictly a gaming format. I can definitely agree that virtual worlds, online social networking, and gaming can be useful, depending on context and application.

Amplify’d from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jane-mcgonigal/video-games_b_823208.html

Video Games: An Hour A Day Is Key To Success In Life

Jane McGonigal

The single biggest misconception about games is that they're an escapist waste of time. But more than a decade's worth of scientific research shows that gaming is actually one of the most productive ways we can spend time.

That's what I mean when I say -- in the title of my new book -- that Reality is Broken." The fact that so many people of all ages, all over the world, are choosing to spend so much time in game worlds is a sign of something important, a truth that we urgently need to recognize.

Fortunately, however, this temporary exodus is not a complete waste of time! When we play a good game, we get to practice being the best version of ourselves: We become more optimistic, more creative, more focused, more likely to set ambitious goals, and more resilient in the face of failure. And when we play multiplayer games, we become more collaborative and more likely to help others. In fact, we like and trust each other more after we play a game together -- even if we lose! And more importantly, playing a game with someone is an incredibly effective way to get to know their strengths and weaknesses--as well as what motivates them. This is exactly the kind of social knowledge we need to be able to cooperate and collaborate with people to tackle real-world challenges.

So what's the optimal level of gaming? For most people, an hour a day playing our favorite games will power up our ability to engage whole-heartedly with difficult challenges, strengthen our relationships with the people we care about most -- while still letting us notice when it's time to stop playing in virtual worlds and bring our gamer strengths back to real life.

To find out more about the scientific tudies and games described here, read Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World (Penguin Press). Read more at www.huffingtonpost.com

Generations and their gadgets

The full study is very interesting and I believe has a great impact on Access Services. Not only will these technologies impact how library services are sought and delivered, but the perceptions and attitudes of library patrons toward the applications of these technologies in service situations will greatly influence these trends.

Amplify’d from http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Generations-and-gadgets/Overview.aspx

Main findings

Many devices have become popular across generations, with a majority now owning cell phones, laptops and desktop computers. Younger adults are leading the way in increased mobility, preferring laptops to desktops and using their cell phones for a variety of functions, including internet, email, music, games, and video.

See more at www.pewinternet.org

 

Blame Game

As the supervisor of Access Services, I am the one that gets to handle the complaints that come in from patrons - mostly concerning fines for late or lost materials. They always have a reason, and seem quite offended that we dare charge them at all. As the patron I describe below said, they "take it personally." Well, so do I.

A patron came in recently to agrue over a fine for an overdue laptop. I explained to him the reason for the fine and my decision not to waive the $10 charge. His library record was not blocked, but he was still very unhappy. I told him he could appeal to the Dean of the Library if he so desired, but that I didn't think he had grounds for a successful appeal. His parting words to me were - "It's ridiculous, I know I'm right. And I think you know it too!!" He then went on to write the university provost concerning his fine, in an effort to go "above the heads of those who run the library in order to get this matter resolved." He ranted and raved about how this small fine for his negligence in returning a laptop on time were "against the founding principals of democracy in America,and plainly ridiculous." He continues saying that "to be disregarded in such a way, and processed as "automatically guilty" makes [him] sick to [his] stomach."

Well you know what makes me sick? The constant stream of students in and out of my office who are unwilling to take even the slightest responsibility for their actions. "I didn't know they had to be back at a ccertain time." (No libraries just let you keep stuff as long as you want.) "No one told me when they were due back." (Staff do this, and you can check online, and we send you courtesy notices and three overdue notices before you are fined.) "The fine is too high." (You sign the agreement form for laptops before you borrow them which clearly states the fine.)

Seriously people it's not that hard. Turn the materials in or renew them to extend your checkout or pay the fine already - but please stop coming to me blaming everyone but yourself for your own choices. This is a university - time to act like a grown up.

Epilogue: Thankfully, the Dean of the Library and the Provost supported my decision in the above case. I truly appreciate such supportive backing.

_____________________________

"How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?"

2011 Begins as a Blur

We're well underway into a new year, and what an interesting one it has been. Getting the semester off late due to more snow than I've ever seen in NC was just the beginning. The month was a rush, and I can't believe we've hit February already. Well per my normal MO, I am late starting the reinvention of this blog yet again. I'm back to random posts about the day in the life of a librarian who does a little bit of everything.

This past month was a perfect example of jsut that. I worked with another library to begin implementing the circulation of iPads here at the library. We're starting with a pilot project of 5 iPads. Our desk is already so busy I worry how much this will affect workload and morale. It often seems that circulation is the default place to start new projects, and while I like to explore new ways of serving our patrons, I also want to balance it with the needs of already overworked staff.

Wore my HR hat far too often in January, but that was to be expected with having to do new contracts for some of our assistants. There always seems to be a problem with one or two at the very beginning of the semester, but things have all smoothed out now. The online time reporting and fingerprint time clock have made it a lot easier to do time reporting for assistants, but it is still a big job and now done far more frequently.

I also have been working a lot on our virtual services - both in Facebook and Second Life. Have practiced my FBML and added some custom tabs to the Library's Facebook page, but I still want to work on customizing the look of the page via FBML. The newest tab I've added is a WorldCat search widget. I really wanted it to be a local catalog search widget, but that is going to take some serious studying of programming. I also began preparations for our African American History Book Club series for Second Life. Getting a lot more interest on this one than the one we did in November, which is encouraging. I hope for a decent turn out. I'm marketing it everywhere I can - Facebook, internal and external lists, print flyers, and within Second Life itself.

Another big project I had this month was working with my reserves staff member to finally get all the Mass Communication equipment records entered into Millennium in order to bring them into the system. I presented at the end of the month at SIUG (www.siug.org) on bringing campus departmental collections into a shared ILS system. This is our third department we've added to III - preceded by Music and Education. I can't blame them for wanting a satisfactory way of tracking such expensive equipment, but boy are we glad to have the hard part behind us. The loan rules are up and running, and they should be in operation sometime this semester.

Aside from my regular campus committee meetings (Faculty Development and Welfare and SPARC - Strategic Planning) I worked closely with my student group SAGA (Sexuality and Gender Alliance) in planning our event for February. Our Hands Over Hearts Gala will be held to bring awareness in the community about AIDS/HIV and other STDs. Working with the Robeson County Health Department, I feel this is one of the most worthwhile projects I tackled this month. I have high hopes for the event, and am glad for the chance to show that SAGA can tackle the serious topics as well as be fun.

In my "spare" time (lol) away from reference and access services duties, I managed to squeeze out two articles (late of course) for my editor for The Journal of Access Services and my last two submissions came out in publication. Time to start working on the next issue.

I did treat myself to an evening out seeing the Color Purple on campus - it was absolutely fabulous. Have been singing it ever since - especially "Hell No" - for which I also have the tshirt. =) There are some days that shirt will come in really handy.

Where Has the Summer Gone?

Hours of planning, implementation, and hard work over the spring and summer semesters were condensed into this article for my library's newsletter.

The summer months are often thought to be a quiet and peaceful time in academic libraries, a time to catch up from the frenzy of the fall and spring semesters. Since there are fewer students on campus, one might think there should be less to do. However, this was far from the case this summer at Access Services in the Library. New shelving and the shifting of thousands of volumes were just the beginning of the many transformations and modifications that took place over the summer months. Changes were also made to expand and improve our existing services to benefit both library patrons and staff.

Circulation Services updated several of its policies in order to keep current with the needs of the campus community and the trends of peer university libraries. The first of these updates was to eliminate renewals by phone. Today’s privacy concerns and the legal requirement that Social Security numbers not be used for identification purposes made this policy amendment necessary. Library patrons wishing to renew items now may do so online by logging in with their secure PIN or by coming by the Circulation Desk with their BravesOne card. Once the Banner system has been fully implemented and patrons know their Banner ID, we will revisit our phone renewals policy.

A huge transformation in Circulation Services was an overhaul of the fines and fees. The Library is eliminating daily overdue fines on certain items. The Library is more interested in having library materials returned than in collecting overdue fines. However, patrons and students will not be allowed to keep materials indefinitely at no charge. Instead of fines, replacement bills will be issued for severely overdue materials. A bill for a General Collection item will be issued 28 days after the item was due back to the Library. A bill for a media or bestseller item will be sent 12 days after the due date of the item. Each bill will include a nonrefundable $15.00 processing fee.

Because of this new system, and the desire to bring the Library in congruence with our peer libraries, the level of fines at which patrons are blocked from using library services and will have a hold placed on their student account was raised to $25.00. Previously, patrons were blocked when fines reached $5.00. This new level will be fairer to patrons and reduce the amount of staff time used in placing and removing blocks on patron accounts. All existing blocks for fees and fines involving less than $25.00 were removed from students’ accounts.

Interlibrary Loan Services also saw a number of modifications. The first is a new name – Document Delivery Services. Interlibrary loan, the lending and borrowing of materials between libraries, is still included in Document Delivery Services, but is only one component of the services now offered. Over the spring and summer sessions, an electronic delivery system was implemented that will now allow us to deliver requested articles electronically, rather than having patrons come in to pick up paper copies. Patrons can specify their delivery preference in their ILLiad account, the web interface used to make requests for materials.

Document Delivery Services expands this fall to include delivery of items owned by the Library. All library patrons may now place holds on available items in the Library’s online catalog, whereas they were previously limited to holds on checked-out items and items available elsewhere in our consortium. Library staff will now retrieve these items for patrons. Materials will be mailed to faculty and staff through campus mail, and to the home addresses of graduate and distance education students. Materials retrieved for undergraduates will be kept on the hold shelf at the Circulation Desk for one week before being reshelved. However, patrons should be aware that the pull slips take 24 hours to generate in the Library’s computer system, and materials needed sooner than 24 hours should still be retrieved in person by the individual needing the materials. Additionally, using an ILLiad account, article requesting is also now available. Faculty, staff, and graduate and distance education students may request electronic document delivery of articles owned by the Library. Library staff will retrieve, and digitize as necessary, requested articles for electronic delivery through ILLiad. This service is not available to undergraduate students. Undergraduates needing assistance retrieving articles owned by the Library should contact the Reference Desk.

Service expansions continued in Document Delivery with an extension of interlibrary loan services to Friends of the Library members. Previously limited in the use of this service through their local public library, Friends of the Library may now sign up online for an ILLiad account to request materials. Friends of the Library will be limited to the document delivery services currently available for undergraduates. This means that they will be eligible for electronic delivery of interlibrary loan articles and will be responsible for any costs incurred, but will have to come to the Library to pick up returnables and will not be eligible for local article delivery. Friends of the Library needing assistance retrieving articles owned by the Library should also contact the Reference Desk.

Access Services staff members think the recently implemented changes will be beneficial for our patrons and make the use of library resources more efficient and productive. If additional information is needed about any of the changes contact June Power, Access Services/Reference Librarian at unclassifiablelibrarian@gmail.com.

SRP 2007 - Eighth Book Review

Murder at the Feast of Rejoicing
Lynda S. Robinson
229 pages

I enjoyed the change of scenery in this installment of the Lord Meren series, as the Eyes and Ears of Pharaoh takes some time "off" at his "quiet" country plantation. Of course, if it were quiet, there wouldn't be much of a story, and this time Meren's family is involved. Not only do we get a change of scenery, but also a glimpse into Meren's past. It was refreshing to finally get some back story for this reserved character.





Totals
Books: 8
Pages: 1754

SRP 2007 - Seventh Book Review

Beatrice Letters
Lemony Snicket
72 pages

Before re-reading Lemony Snicket, including some of the Series of Unfortunate Events that I haven't read yet, I decided to read the Beatrice Letters because I was very interested in he love interest of Mr. Snicket, whom the series is addressed to. However, I was disappointed to find that this book raises more questions than it answers. I would discuss them but don't want to ruin the remainder of the series for anyone since the book is full of series spoilers. Frankly, there wasn't much too this book and I was hoping for more than what I found. Hopefully, reading The End will make it all clear. Wasn't at all sure what the picture inside the book is all about, or the letters cut out in the pages. I really felt like the whole thing was geared towards getting you to get the other books, which I don't mind reading, but was unsatisfying in its own right.





Totals
Books: 7
Pages: 1525