HSL Access Notes - September 12th

Hello,

 

A few notes for the week……

 

Staff Contact List Updated

Welcome to HSL, Nicole!
Nicole can be reached at 220-8099 and by email at: nicole.talsma@ucalgary.ca

Term Loans

Clients with term loans checked out are now able to renew.  These books have a current due date of September 15^th , and clients will be receiving another reminder to renew or return items.  As long as there are no holds on the items they will renew for another term with a due date of January 15, 2015. 

 

Term Loans and Medical Graduate Records (PGME)

We have had some problems this year with Medical Graduate records updating properly in the library system, and systems administrators are investigating.  In the meantime, please continue to flag clients with privilege or access issues for me  –  I am pleased to follow up with the client and these examples are helpful in learning more about common system issues.

Most PGME who have not updated properly will show with an expiry of Sept. 30^th, 2014 rather than January 31, 2015.  If they are trying to renew their term loans these will only renew to the end of their privilege, for example, Sept. 30^th.  Staff can extend client privilege manually for PGME (medical residents who are still active in the program) to January 31, 2015, as a temporary measure while we investigate – but if this is done, please also add a note to the extended info field in Sirsi and also flag the client name and User ID for me – I am keeping a file of these clients.  If residents are caught in this situation, once the privilege is extended, items can then be renewed with a proper term due date.

Thanks.

 

Thesis Formatting

I am a bit delayed in sharing this information from the staff Thesis Formatting session that Chelsea provided a few weeks ago.   As Chelsea pointed out, one key resources for clients with thesis formatting questions that come to the desk include Leslie Potter’s libguide,   http://libguides.ucalgary.ca/thesisformatting

The graduate website also has thesis  information and the templates: http://grad.ucalgary.ca/current/thesis/resources

Chelsea has created a print handout that can be given to clients.  These are filed in the cabinet behind the service desk

 

Office 2013

Please let me know if you have any install issues with Office 2013.  Please share tips and tricks as we start to use the programs.  Staff are asked to activate the Lync program that will connect us on ‘chat’ .  Lync also offer screen sharing and meeting options.

 

Updated IM chat webclient

Bookmark url:  https://us.libraryh3lp.com/webclient/#/client

Logins and passwords remain the same

 

New Moneris Terminal

We have a new Moneris terminal installed at the front desk for credit and debit payments.  It is more streamlined, with a brighter display and updated buttons.  It operates much the same as the previous terminal, and has very clear prompts for transactions. 

As in the past, staff start by entering the amount of the transaction.

 One new feature is the ‘Tap’ option for cards.  So clients, have the option to swipe, insert or tap card.  Cards need to be activated for this function and often there is a transaction limit associated with this function.

The paper rolls for the terminal are a bit smaller and the supply is in the cabinet behind the service desk.

The blue ‘admin’ button that we were used to on the previous model is now replaced with the # button.

 

Coming Soon

Audio –Digest titles in MP3  (online) format.

Doing Right  2014 edition – the popular medical ethics title.

 

SPSS

Our SPSS license has now been updated on all the workstations in the Commons.

 

HSL Access notes - August 8th

Hello,

 

 

Away

I will be away next week, August 11 – 15^th.  Many thanks to all who are assisting with extra coverage and assignments while I am away.  See you on the 18^th!

 

Clocks

We are continuing to have problems with our satellite clocks in HSL.  Facilities have indicated that they are seeing similar problems in certain parts of campus, however they are doing their best to re-set or replace our clocks as needed.

 

Exchange Upgrade

The exchange upgrade seems to have gone quite smoothly.  Minh is still available to assist with any upgrade set up issues  (minh.le @ucalgary.ca or 220-7198)

Staff logging into the service desk Station #3 for the first time will also need to go through the upgrade process.  Student assistant staff will also need to be upgraded on this station eventually, however for the present time they are able to login using the libuser account.

 

Quarantine and Zendesk

Since the exchange upgrade I have noticed that some of my replies from Zendesk are showing up in my quarantined mail messages.  Just click on “Release to Inbox” option to allow access to the email.  Staff may wish to briefly scan their quarantined messages to check for any Zendesk messages.  IT and ITS are aware of the issue that seems to be connected to a spam filter issue.  They hope to have this resolved soon.

 

Generic Emails

Another issue that has been identified by ITS is a slight problem with generic  email addresses.  We have confirmed that the emails are still routing correctly, but may show incorrectly in the To: field.  For example typing in the plcinfo email will display as Paul Pival, but still route to plc!

 

Ergonomics

Staff wellness has a webpage devoted to ergonomics. With much of our time spent at our desk working at our computers, staff may be interested in taking a look at their online information on workstation set up or their simple workplace stretches.

http://www.ucalgary.ca/staffwellness/healthwellness/ergonomics

 

SPSS

The statistical software program SPSS 20 is loaded on our Computer Commons workstations, however the license has expired.  We are currently working on a new license, and in the meantime SPSS 20 is only available on workstations 740, 741 and 742 in 1460A.

 

UCLASS

TerriLynne has been working on the HSL electronic files and has moved the follow files following recommendations from UC Archives staff. 

 

Below are the files that have moved:

 

FILES	Old Location	New Location
Dartmouth	AD 300	CR 175 – 3 Dartmouth
History of Medicine	AD 300	CI 050 – 2 Case Files > History of Medicine
Organizational Chart	AD 300	GV 540 – 3 Organizational Charts
Annual Health Sciences Library reports	AD 300	GV 700 – 2 Case Files > HSL Annual Reports
Statistics	AD 300	CI 050 – 3 Statistics
Safety Warden	AD 500	GV 610
Faculty Medicine Library council	AD 300	GV 700

 

Hope all have a great week!

Mary

HSL Acess Notes - July 31st

A few notes for the end of the month….

 

 

Summer Scheduling

With staff enjoying well-deserved vacation time over these summer months, our service desk schedule is far from usual!  We are single staffing more often at the desk and staff may be asked to offer back up assistance at times.  Many thanks to all who have been so willing to offer this extra coverage at the desk.  The desk schedule should be up to date and staff are encouraged to check this daily in SharePoint.  Thanks so much.

 

 

Zendesk

It is nice to know that any IT related issues with our library computers can all be directed through our LCR IT zendesk email : itshelp@lcrit.zendesk.com

 

 

 Exchange Upgrade

 

·         Login at your desktop:  No need to worry about typing in any domain prefixes.  Just login with your login name and password!

·         Login at service desk station #3:  The first time you login to this station (just use login name and password), the system will go through the upgrade process.  You should  see the computer updating , with status bars showing on your desktop screen.  Please allow the system to work through the upgrades – it could take some time (up to 40 minutes or so but likely much less).  This includes student assistants logging into this station.

·         Login to webmail at:  mail.ucalgary.ca  or…

·         Login to webmail through MyUofC:  When the “please select your mailbox type” window appears, use the drop down menu and select New Exchange Environment (for migrated users only).  You may need to authenticate once again, but then you will be in the updated webmail version that has some much improved functionality.

·         Calendar Overlays:  Under the overlay the calendars heading, it outlines how to do this. (Unfortunately it only works on the desktop version of Outlook)

http://office.microsoft.com/en-ca/outlook-help/view-calendars-side-by-side-or-overlaid-HA010354941.aspx

·         Shared calendars are now available in webmail.  This means that when logged in at Station #3 at the service desk, Computer commons availability can be checked and space booked!  

·         SharePoint:  Have you checked you SharePoint login?

 

 

 

Moneris Upgrade

I have just heard that a Moneris upgrade may be coming soon.  More details to come.

 

Memo from Distribution Services

In an ongoing effort to provide accurate mail delivery throughout campus and to prevent delays, Distribution Services would like to remind each Department that all internal mail requires the following information on the envelope:

·         Name

·         Department

·         Building and Room Number

·         It is the sender’s responsibility to address internal mail correctly to prevent delays.

 

Clocks

 The clock in the public service area is losing time and has been reported.

 

I will be away tomorrow, but wish all a lovely holiday weekend.

See you on Tuesday!

Mary

HSL Access Notes - July 26th

Hello,

A final set of Notes for the month of July!

TAL – flood and renewals

Claudette has confirmed that items returned to CPL close the time of the flood may still be sitting at the main CPL branch awaiting processing.  CPL  hopes to clear the backlog of this processing soon, but in the meantime, Claudette asks that if someone identifies that they are a TAL user and returned their book to a CPL branch around the time of the flood, please extend their loan period in Sirsi so that they do not continue to receive overdue notices.

Self Check Audio

This week we noticed that the 3M self check that has a pleasant audible tone for transactions became overly loud, almost startling clients!  There is an adjustable dial for volume control along the bottom edge of the monitor, close to the monitor on/off switch.  Staff can you can adjust the Self Check volume as necessary.

Touch Table

• Abode Illustrator has been added to the touch table to allow students to add notes to the images and  export notated images. 
• We have noticed that the desktop does not load properly in the mornings, and requires a "Restore".  We have asked the technician about this and he recommends a full shut down at night.
• 1.  Close the Lindsay Atlas program (red box with X in top right corner).
• 2.  At the desktop (should see large skull), click on wavy Windows icon in top left corner.
• 3.  At bottom of drop down menu, click on shut down.
• 4.  Wait for screen to go black.
• 5.  Turn off power bar.

Computer Commons Software

• The latest version of EndNote has been installed on our Computer Commons workstations this week.  We only have a training license for the software, so LCR ITS requires advance notice to activate the software for any training sessions. 
• Optimo software to support podcasting has also been installed.

Service Desk

There is a new larger monitor at station #3 of the service desk.

Literature Searching Clinics

A client this week asked if members of the general public can attend the summer literature searching clinics.  Helen has confirmed that all are welcome to attend.

New Undergraduate Medical Education Students

As one of only two three-year medical schools in Canada, the Faculty of Medicine doesn’t break for the summer and 155 new medical students have arrived on the Foothills Campus to start a week-long orientation session.   Groups of these new students have been introduced to the library this week.  Staff may see ore questions from new students at the desk.  Caitlin and Chelsea provided new students with information at library booth at the UME Info Fair in the atrium today.  Caitlin in the liaison librarian for the UME students.

The Dartmouth Institute

UofC is hosting the Dartmouth Institute August 6th - 9th at TFDL: 

Supporting Clinical Care: An Institute in Evidence-Based Practice for Medical Librarians. 

This is an intensive, introductory, 3 day course for Medical librarians who want to learn evidence-based clinical practice concepts in order to comfortably support and teach EBCP at their institutions.

Many thanks to all those involved in preparing materials and those who have volunteered to assist.   Caitlin, Michelle and Yongtao will be instructors at the Institute, and many other HSL/KRS staff will be involved throughout that week.

Small Group Study Rooms

We are investigating the possibility of adding LCD screens and technology to the small group study rooms, so that students can use the rooms to practice presentations and more. 

Access Personal Drive from Home

Did you know you can access your personal drive from home?  This does involve downloading some software and mapping your personal drive on your home computer, but a quick call to the IT help desk, and they can assist you with the set up customized for your personal computer in a few easy steps.  IT Support does have weekend hours.  At the moment they are open 10 - 2, both Saturday and Sunday.

The Alberta Library Card (TAL ) News

A message passed along by Andrew Waller....

Starting in fall 2013, a new TAL Online will enhance how Albertans search for and find what's important to them, creating even more seamless connections to library resources.

The new TAL Online will be an Alberta-wide group catalogue powered by OCLC's WorldCat platform, making over 25 million items more accessible to Albertans.

The new TAL Online will benefit public, post-secondary and special libraries. For example, Albertans will be directed to library resources through Google and other websites that are already an integral part of their lives.

The new discovery tool will also improve access to provincially licensed e-content and library resources for new Canadians. It will also expand the presence of libraries on social media networks such as Facebook.

Other benefits of OCLC's WorldCat platform include:

• demonstrated performance as a union catalogue in large scale installations from Alaska to Florida
• ability to search over 2 billion records from OCLC's 20,000 worldwide members
• multi-lingual interfaces and metadata for non-Roman scripts which will enhance access to library resources for new Canadians
• text-to-speech functionality improving access to library resources for print-disabled Albertans
• improved process for placing interlibrary loan requests

The OCLC Group Catalogue was chosen after months of consultation and analysis. APLEN staff consulted with members of Alberta's public library network and the Public Library Services Branch and reviewed proposals by OCLC and EBSCO.

Libraries are currently being advised on how to integrate their collections into the OCLC Group Catalogue.

OCLC's Group Catalogue operates on an annual subscription basis and will be paid for through 2016 by the Alberta Government's provincial library technology plan funding.

More information on the new TAL Online is available at http://www.thealbertalibrary.ab.ca/newtalonline.html.

Please let me know if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions.

Have a great summer weekend.

Mary

HSL Access Notes - November 9th

Hello Everyone,

A second batch of notes for the week…. 

Remembrance Weekend Hours - HSL

Saturday, Nov. 10^th          OPEN  10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 11th                  OPEN 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 12^th                   OPEN 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

·         The electronic programming for the doors has been adjusted for the holiday hours on Monday.

·         Thanks for covering our holiday shift on Monday, Amy and Winnie.  Please enter the timesheet code HOT for your Nov. 12^th hours.

·         Regular salaried staff who work M-F  do not need to add any code for November 12^th, this is done automatically by the system. 

Computer Upgrades as HSL

·         Workstation #1 (circulation station with RFID)& 2 at the service desk counter have both been upgraded this week. 

·         Both machines have been set up to allow for individual log in or the regular generic login.

·          If logging in individually, you will have access to your regular Outlook, calendars and network drives. 

·         Generic login should still allow staff to access webmail.   Generally during regular daytime hours station #1 will be logged in as libuser.

·         The My Documents folders will stay specific to the machines, that is, individual my documents folders will not appear when logged in as an individual.

·         Generic Login username: libuser   password:  p4irsc..  computer: (this computer)

·         Individual Login username: (personal email surname)  password: (personal password)  computer:  uc_admin

There may be some small adjustments required if you are using Sirsi when logged in with your individual login, for printing hold slips properly, etc.  Let me know and I can assist.

·         *** On Station #1 Workflows and RFID pad will come up automatically when you start up.  If you find the systems are not operating properly, close down both Workflows and RFID software, then restart Workflows first, then RFID pad.

Since these are new settings for our service stations, please let me know if you notice any problems and I will follow up.

AHS Online Access

At HSL AHS clients can access HIN online resources on the computer commons workstations without  authentication (HIN barcode and pin) since this step has been overridden internally.  If they are accessing HIN online resources on our other public computers they do require their HIN authentication numbers, though we are hoping to have this step removed soon.

In the Knowledge Centres and throughout most Calgary AHS sites, AHS employees can access all HIN online resources without authenticating since the system recognizes AHS IP addresses.

The HIN barcode and pin is still required for AHS staff to access the online HIN resources from home.

Alumni

When alumni go to the Campus ID Office for an Alumni photo ID card, their records are no longer being automatically loaded over into Sirsi.

Generally, the old student record is still in the system and can just be updated, but when it is not, the record should be created into Sirsi manually.

So if an Alumni comes in with a card that has the same number as their student record we can just update the student record, and if they come in with a new barcode that does not match any other record, we simply create a new record with the new barcode.

Current Titles moved to Backsets

January – June issues of Nature and Journal of Neuroscience have been moved to the backset shelves due to space issues on the Current shelves.

Persons of Interest (POI) Forms

People who are not student, staff or faculty of the University, but are in some way associated with a department, can apply for status  and a University Associate ONECard through the department with which they are associated by using a POI form.   These forms used to be available online on the ONECard webpage, however they are now only available to staff from the HR webpage.  Persons seeking this type of access, or indicating that they are associated with the university, but not showing up in Sirsi should be directed to their department.  The POI forms are completed by a department staff member and processed by HR.  While there are dozens of types of POI statuses, only a handful are actually eligible for library access.  Having an Associate card does not guarantee library access.  If there are any client or card questions or concerns, please flag for me and I will follow up.

Clean Holds Process

We are now checking our hold shelf for any  items listed on the  'clean hold shelf list' by client name (list does print alphabetically by client name).  This should help manage holds that are on our shelf from any location that may be cancelled before the hold expiry date.

Program Update Messages on Public Computers

When program upgrade messages come up on the public computers (eg. Java), ITS has recommended that we ignore these and just let them sit on the taskbar.

  

Facility

Doors:  We hope to have cracked windows in the library front door repaired soon.  If a technician comes to work on the doors, please contact myself or Susan.

Security Gate:  A panel in the security gate has slipped down inside the gate upright closest to the 1456B classroom.  We have tried to readjust it temporarily and have reported to 3M.  In the meantime, please try to monitor the gate as usual and re-set as necessary.  

 Lost and Found Items

A number of lost and found items that have not been claimed have been passed along to the HSC Security desk lost and found.  This includes single earrings, several rings, a calculator, a pair of sunglasses, and a Bluetooth type of earpiece.  Items lost in October remain available for claiming in the lost and found cupboard behind our service desk.

Please let me know if there are any concerns, questions or suggestions.

Mary

HSL Access Notes - Dec. 16th

Hello,

A few notes to end the week…

Christmas Closure
As noted in a number of emails this week, the libraries will be closing at noon on December 23rd, with regular hours resuming on January 2nd.
AUPE staff who are not working that day will use the appropriate leave code (Flex, PLD, Vac, etc.) for the full day. Those working that day until noon, will code the day as a regular work day (no flex earned).
Staff do not need to enter any special codes for the Christmas break dates, Dec. 24th – January 1st.

Timesheets
Staff are asked to submit their timesheets for the Dec. 16 – 31 pay period by December 22nd at noon.

Auto Responses while Away
We will be adding auto ‘Away’ responses to HSL generic email accounts and phones to respond to clients during the break.

Tech updates
The Xerox technician was in this week. The network printer has been fixed and configured to pick up paper from all the trays. When tray 5 (bottom) becomes empty, trays 4, 3 & 2 should push jobs.
The Circ Desk printer has also been remedied to pick up jobs from both trays.
Public Workstation 767: This computer has been displaying the following message:
Windows detected a hard disk problem. Back up your files immediately
to prevent information loss and then contact the computer
manufacturer to determine if you need to repair or replace the disk.
The computer can still be used, but will likely fail soon. This has been reported, and should be replaced in the near future.
Please let Lourdes know if there are any printer or computer issues.


Computer Installation
ITS staff may be over this coming week to install a few more computers at HSL:
· 4 stand up stations (these are the towers I believe) The stations are in the stacks.
· 4 public access desktop stations on the table closest to the library entrance, along the side closest to the bookshelves.
· 1 desktop station on the middle table side that only has 3 public access computers.
· 1 desktop station on the new accessible table in the public access area.
I will be the contact for this, but please let me know if there are any questions.

Reno updates
· Accessible furniture: New accessible furniture arrived in HSL yesterday. This includes one study table in the public computer are of the library, and one study carrel near the WZ 100 area of the collection. The carrel may still need some adjustment. Both pieces of furniture have moveable table tops to accommodate wheelchairs. Buttons on the desktop control the movement. The table in the computer area will have a computer added soon.
· Stand up stations: Four pedestal tables have been installed in the stacks. These will accommodate workstations that will allow staff and clients easy ‘express’ computer/catalogue access in the stacks.
· Flat panel: One flat panel has been installed on the wall beside the service desk. It is not yet operational. Watch for further details.

Holds
· There have been a number of holds over the past week that have gone ‘missing in action’. This can happen when the hold items going to another branch are not placed on the ‘in transit’ card.
· Also, it is important to always check the ‘mail to’ location in Sirsi’s ‘Display Item Holds’ function. Please ensure that any holds being placed on our hold pick up shelf display HSL as the mail to location.
· We are now using a 7 day stamp to indicate the pick up by date on the hold slips. All items being placed on our hold shelf should have a flag with a pick up by date stamp.
· Remember if we receive holds from other locations they must be discharged to activate the hold and trigger a hold notice to the client.
· If a staff person is placing a hold for a client in workflows remember that there is an extra step needed. Check the box : ‘Select branch for delivery’ and choose branch from drop down menu.

RFID
The RFID pad at the service counter seems to be operating well. The gates still need a bit of adjustment.
Please remember to follow up with clients when the alarm sounds. Please continue to let me know if there seems to be anything out of the ordinary happening with the gate.
Please remember that items returned at locations other than TFDL, will still need to be RFID sensitized at HSL before being shelved.

RFID Inventory
We have completed one range of monograph scanning in the main stacks. The mobile RFID reader, or Digital Library Assistant has picked up books out of order, books from other locations, books with bad tags, books needing to be sensitized, books with issues in their records.
And of course it is also collecting data for our first ever inventory.

History of Neuroscience Collection
With threats of floods and leaks behind us, we are now receiving more of this special collection. Twelve boxes of materials have been received and will be sorted and shelved over the next weeks.

Please let me know if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions.

Mary

Windows 7 at HSL

Six machines at HSL now have Windows 7 load. In the new load Office 2003 and 2007 is replaced by Office 2010, Mozilla is updated to version 5 and IE to version 9. These workstations also have a new login password.
The new password will be used on all LCR public computers as they are updated to Windows 7. Generally if machines are turned off and restarted they will automatically login to the desktop, however if a client logs off after a session the password will be needed to log back in.
The new Windows 7 login password: lcr,info2

Odd Web of Science behaviour on Internet Explorer 9

Hi all,
I don't know if this is a problem with the client's laptop or if it a Web of Science and/or Internet Explorer 9 problem but this is a FYI in case you encounter something similar.

I ran a search in WoS on my desktop, which my doc tried to duplicate. However, on his computer, the search results did not display (that part of the screen remained blank) even though the other parts displayed properly. He was running IE 9 while I was running IE 8. I clicked the Compatibility View icon on his computer and that fixed it! In case you're not aware of it, it's the little box beside the URL line that looks like a broken page icon.

Formatting a Thesis Training

Leslie Potter will be at HSL to present a training session for HSL/HIN staff on Formatting a Thesis.

We hope you can join us in 1460B on June 28th from 10 am – 12pm for this session.

HSL Access Notes - June 17th

Hello,

A few notes to end the week.....

HSL Summer Holiday Closures

HSL will be closed over two holiday weekends this summer as follows:

Friday, July 1^st

Saturday, July 2^nd

Sunday, July 3^rd

Weekend staff are asked to remind clients of our closure, and all renewal and return options especially in regard to any books borrowed this weekend and coming due on July 2^nd or 3^rd. Thanks.

Saturday, July 30^th

Sunday, July 31^st

Monday, August 1^st

Holds for HIN clients

There had been a problem lately with KC location for hold items showing up in clients online accounts as ‘ucalgary’. This has now been resolved by ITS, and individual KC locations should display for each hold item.

Please let me know if there are any other concerns.

Formatting a Thesis Session

Leslie Potter will be at HSL to present a training session for staff on Formatting a Thesis. Remember, this session has moved from the afternoon to the morning.

We hope you can join us in 1460B on June 28th from 10am – 12pm for this session.

Stampede half day

Full-time support staff employees (Regular, Sessional, Limited Term, Fixed-term and Temporary) are entitled to a one-half (1/2) day holiday to be observed during the period of the Calgary Stampede (July 8 - 17, 2011).

Full-time employees who are on vacation, sick leave, workers' compensation, or any other leave during the period of the Stampede are not eligible for any benefit in respect to this holiday. The employee must be at work a minimum of one-half day during the period of Stampede to qualify for the holiday.

Part-time employees (Regular, Sessional, Limited Term, Fixed-term, Temporary and Recurring) are NOT entitled to the Stampede Holiday on a prorata basis.

Printing upgrade

Our new network printing system has been operating well. Thanks Lourdes for creating the new instructions posted for clients by the print station. Lourdes also did a Science Direct test print and found that the article did print properly, though with one extra page of 'tech text'. We are following up with IT on this.

Please let me know if you hear of any client issues, questions or concerns with the new system for follow up.

· Wireless printing from both PCs and Macs (does require eid login) is much easier now and steps can be found at: http://print.ucalgary.ca/

· The printer has been adjusted so that it defaults to double-sided printing, but clients can choose the option for single-sided printing from the print dialogue box at their workstation.

· When clients select print option at a public computer, the HSL network printer will display as Health_Sciences_Library.

· Jobs sent to the printer will remain in the queue for 30 minutes. IT is working on creating an override to allow staff to delete items in the queue when necessary.

· It is important to know that if a client has a card that was issued before May 2007, it will not read in the new network Printer swipe machine. These cards need to be re-encoded. We have a temporary set up using the laptop and swipe bar a the end of the counter by the POS for re-encoding cards. Step by step instructions are provided.

· Remember clients still have the option of using the back up Reference workstation and printer when necessary.

New Books

A message from Rob regarding the status of new books. We have seen our first ‘available soon’ items arrive at HSL this week.

Starting on Wednesday, June 8, we will begin to use the “available soon” feature in Sirsi. This means that shelf ready books that come in will say “available soon” rather than “available” in the catalogue. This will stop frustrating library users who place holds on books that aren’t really on the shelf and expect them to be on hold right away. “Shelf ready” books can take anywhere from one day to two weeks after arrival before going to the shelf.

What this means is that starting on June 8, new University of Calgary library books cannot go straight to the book shelves. New books will need to checked in, before going to the shelves. Since our users can place holds on “available soon” books, this also means that we can process any holds before they go to the shelves. If we don’t check in new books, they will continue to have the status of “available soon” rather than “available.” While library users can continue to place holds on “available soon” books, the holds won’t be filled because the holds aren’t “available.“

Podiums

Thanks Kelly for creating the classroom A/V instructions and for providing the mini training sessions. A copy of the instructions has been stored in each podium.

We also now have the connection for Mac computers installed on the 1460B podium. This will be coming soon for the 1460A podium as well.

Rooms

Room 1459 (south of Computer classroom) is now just about complete. We are just waiting for the table to be fully wired. This room, with a table that seats 14 comfortably, will be reserved as a staff meeting room and may be booked through Annley.

Room 1453 will be added to the online booking system for student use.

IS2

Starting Aug. 1, 2011, staff will submit timesheets online. Individuals who currently complete paper timesheets will report, modify and submit their timesheets directly in PeopleSoft through Self Service. The iS² website will provide further details as soon as they are available. This will include student assistant timesheets.

Online training will be available beginning June 21st. Staff should receive an email recommending the type of training that would best suit their needs.

Check out the IS2 website for more info at: http://www.ucalgary.ca/is2project/

RFID

The RFID project continues. We are now tagging in the WG call number range. During this process carts of tagged books may be sitting in the open area by the digital wall waiting to be shelved. We are pleased that at times clients are browsing through the titles on these carts. However the more browsing these carts see the more important it will be for staff reshelving these carts to do a quick scan of the books before shelving to ensure proper call number order. Thanks.

History of Medicine Room

The second shipment of the Mackie special collection has arrived, and is being shelved in the History of Medicine Room. Thanks to all who are assisting.

· There is a summer student working with Dr. Stanisch who will need access to the History of Medicine Room at times (last name Lefevbre). Staff are asked to open the room for her as needed, with a reminder that this is a no food and drinks area.

· The plastic covering has been removed from the shelves. While it continues to rain, staff are asked to check the room once a day for any signs of leaks in the ceiling.

· There is a History of Medicine conference beginning on the 16th of June and we may get some extra requests to view the room and collection over the weekend.

HSC Interactive Maps

Have you had an opportunity to use the UofC interactive room finder feature at: http://www.ucalgary.ca/map/interactive

The HSL renovated space and new rooms are now displaying.

Also, University of Calgary contacts directory has been updated to include links to interactive maps. When you click on a person's location, the map pops up showing you not only the building they're located in, but also the room location!

Clocks

We have a new clock in the service area, and one in each of the Computer Classrooms.

Please let me know if there are any questions, concerns or suggestions.

Have a great weekend.

Mary