Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Unbound Periodicals -- from Mykie

A while back I mentioned that I would have Kevin wait to pull unbound issues from the shelf for bindery until the NEXT issue arrived. This is the only month that doesn't apply. I had Kevin pull whatever he could (especially the titles that we went e-only for so we could clear space on the shelves to shelves to shift) since we will not have many people using our collection for the next month. They'll be back the Wednesday of the week in which classes begin. So, I just wanted to let you know...

Mykie

Monday, December 10, 2007

Artwork Brochure

There is a new brochure and handout detailing the MMA artwork that we have on permanent loan. They are in the pamphlet display holder by the Reference Desk, close to the top.

Let me know what you think. I have just printed a few until we see how popular they are going to be.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

CQ Researcher

The web interface for CQ Researcher has had a face lift. Check it out. Also, CQ Press is launching a new product called CQ Global Researcher. It is just like the regular version except it offers reports on international topics. Is anyone interested? You can read the Choice review (in the Choice Reviews Online) by searching on the Choice Review # 45-1213. Let me know what you think of it. Thanks.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

The Visitor Card

The copy/print card is missing from the Reference desk. Does anyone have it?

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

PHAROS Print Stations

Today the 2 print stations on the 1st floor and the one in Ref. were not working. They took people's money off their cards, said they printed on the screen, and then no paper would come out of the printers. If this happens again, just turn them off and on. It fixes the problem, according to Scott Johnson at IT. (Wish I had known that sooner!)

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Lexington Herald-Leader

I have updated the link into the Herald-Leader in NewsBank. Previously there was an extra page to click through. Now you go directly into the search.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Tenure Portfolios in Seminar A

Starting today members of the Tenure Committee will be stopping at the Ref Desk to gain access to Seminar A and the study carrels containing the portfolios.

Please carefully review the Procedure for Tenure Committee's Use of Seminar A. It is in the left-side drawer of the Ref Desk in the envelope labeled 'Tenure Committee'. It has also been distributed via e-mail.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Key #2

I have fashioned a key chain, for the new interior key for student use, that should make it difficult for somebody to absent-mindedly pocket it (assuming that that is what happened to key #1). It is now in the drawer. Any student using it should understand that if this one disappears there probably will not be a replacement.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Certificate Fixed

There should be no further proplems with off-campus users being confronted with a "certificate expired" message. For details see my recent e-mail. If anyone experiences or hears reports of such problems, please notify me.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Firefox issue resolved

Firefox is once again functional at the reference desk. The problem was due to malware. I downloaded a program to remove the malware, reinstalled Firefox and the problem was solved!

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Sabbatical portfolios on 5th floor

Just in case it comes up...

Members of the Professional Development Committee will be visiting the library between Tuesday, Oct. 30, and Monday, Nov. 5, to review sabbatical leave applications. The key is on reserve at the CIRC desk under PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. Only the people listed on the envelope are allowed to view the portfolios. If anyone asks for directions to the carrel, they are listed on the back of the envelope.

[Alternately, you can direct them to the 5th floor of the tower. The carrel is along the left-most wall (as you get out of the elevator) near the fourth column. It's labeled with a note that says, "PDC."]

I am the main contact for this committee, but I'll be out of town Sun-Wed of next week.

Thanks.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Name Change?

Are we supposed to say "Camden-Carroll Library Research Services Desk, This is ___..." now when we answer the reference phone?

I'm still saying Reference Desk out of habit.

Friday, September 28, 2007

Tower Revamp

The tower furniture has been reorganized recently. The 3rd floor study area is now less inviting to big groups. And 2nd and 4th are more viable options for groups, especially 4th. Check it out and if you have any suggestions, please pass them along!

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

"Out of Order" signs

After something has been fixed and it is time to remove the "Out of Order" half-sheet, please place these in the front of the instruction box along with Special Permission sheets.

Thanks.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Music

The Music Collection is officially at it's new home on the 4th floor of the Tower. The listening station will be following soon.

Catalog Acting Screwy

Ghost records are appearing as blank lines in a catalog search. The real records will display somewhere in the list. Granuaile is working on this problem. Stay tuned.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Athena's Spear

It was noticed today that Athena's spear was missing. It was hidden in the stacks. Elsie will be alerting the library staff about the situation. So, be on the lookout!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Initialing student timecards

When initialing student timecards, please try to be aware of the time. Time should be entered quarterly such as 1:00, 1:15, 1:30, 1:45. You can round the time to the nearest quarter. I have brought this issue to their attention but your help is very much appreciated.

Music move

The Music collection is moving to the 4th floor of the tower. If you cannot locate an item on the shelf in Rm 204, please direct patrons to the tower. The move should be complete within 1-2 weeks.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Chronicle Campuswide

We are still waiting to hear if our strategic budget request for the Chronicle Campuswide (aka The Chronicle of Higher Education) has been funded. However, there are some faculty who need access immediately for the classes they teach. For this reason, we have arranged for preview period until we hear about whether the funding has been approved. We are not yet linking to it, and we are not yet telling people about it.

Naturally, people will discover it and be asking about it. When they do please be sure that they understand that it is a preview period and that the deal is not yet sealed. If they have any questions more specific than that, they should be referred to me.

Important Info From Elsie

Elsie came to the desk at 10:30 am today (9/13/07) to report that:
* The fire alarm may sound briefly, but this is just routine maintenance--no need to evacuate.
* Due to HVAC issues, the entire tower will be very cold today.

Ray

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Sign in and Sign out sheet for Study Tables??

Does anyone know where the sign in and sign out sheet for the Study Tables in the Reference Department are? I had a student come up and ask where the sheet was so she could sign out, but the sheet was missing in the notebook. I tryed to look for the sheet on the reference desk but couldn't find it. Thanks so much!

Friday, August 31, 2007

IIMP up - finally!

IIMP is working now.



Wednesday, August 29, 2007

MSU 101 Homework Activity

Extra copies of the MSU 101 Homework Activity, Library Survivor, are in a manilla folder here at the reference desk (near the phone books) should someone ask for one.

Shifting in the Stacks

We have started a shifting project in the Stacks. If a student has performed regular duties and asks for something to do, please send them to the stacks to shift books.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Schedule for Bindery Shipments

Mykie has created single sheet to help you interpret catalog records so that you can tell a patron when something will be back from the bindery. You will find it under the plastic right in front of you when you are sitting at the desk.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Ground Floor of Allie Young

Presently, there is an out-of-order sign on the library's machine for putting money on cards. The nearest functioning one is in Allie Young on the ground floor.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Change in the phone menu

We've streamlined the options for patrons when they call the 3-2200 number. Give it a listen about 3:00 today and let me know what you think.

Thursday, August 9, 2007

1-800 number

The toll-free regional campus number (1-800-423-0884) has been moved. Anyone dialing this number will no longer go directly to Sherry's phone, but will ring to the Reference Desk instead.

If someone calls and needs items sent to them at a regional campus location (they must take all their classes online or at a regional campus), please forward them to Sherry. If there's any question about their eligibility for this service, transfer them to Sherry.

Note: Please do not forward calls just because the person mentions being in Mt. Sterling or Prestonsburg or mentions the words "off-campus." A lot of the calls can be answered by *anyone* at the reference desk (password issues, finding articles, etc.). This change was made to reduce student frustration (i.e., having to leave voice mail when Sherry and I are out)... not increase it (being transfered all over the library to get a simple question answered).

Thanks for your help!
Jason

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Moved Plastic Display Rack

I moved the plastic display rack for bookmarks and handouts over to counter high shelf in the East room. In its previous location it seemed to me to be almost invisible. Let's try it this way and see if it might get noticed more.

Monday, August 6, 2007

Handicap Door Key

I can't seem to find the Allen Wrench for the handicap door. Anyone know where it is?

Ray

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Dial-Up

Granuaile has told me that our dial-up service Yes Connect seems to have folded up its tent and gone out of business. She is investigating the options for another dial-up service. Any attempts to use Yes Connect will not work.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Key Missing!

Well. It didn't take long for the key to go missing from the Ref Desk drawer. Please mention this to all of the student workships. Someone probably absent-mindedly pocketed it.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Reference Desk Supplies

Extra Ref. Desk supplies are available in the far left drawer. There are extra pens, pencils, post-it notes, staples, tape, rubber bands, etc., etc.

Also, in the bottom metal cabinet drawer on the left side of the desk there are extra scrap paper note sheets for students/patrons to use. We have an abundent supply.

Let me know if I have not put something there that we need.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Minolta Cartridges for Microform Machines

The cartridges for the microform machines are now housed in the Ref. Office Supply Closet, left side on the bottom. Supply Closet Queen does not know how to change said cartridges if one of the cartridges runs out! Sorry!

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

IKON Copier Paper for 2nd floor Copier

One ream of 8 1/2 X 11 and one ream of 8 1/2 X 14 IKON copier paper will be housed at the Ref. Desk on top of the two metal drawers on the left hand side of the desk.

Extra paper will be kept (hoarded ;>) in the Ref Office Supply Closet. You may enter and confisicate some only with the secret password from the newest Harry Potter movie.

OK, OK, I have to spice this blog up some how!!!

Staplers and Tape Dispensers-Ref Desk and Periodicals

I have an electric stapler that I have placed in the Ref. Room next to the electric pencil sharpener. Staples are on order for it and I have put a note on it so that students won't try to use it prior to receiving staples for it.

If someone has an idea of a better place to house it, let me know. I am open to ideas.

I have put nicer/newer staplers and tape dispensers at the Ref. Desk since I had surplus.

I have taken the old stapler and old tape dispenser downstairs to "old" Periodicals and placed them next to the printer station down there. They are very ugly and VERY heavy and I don't think anyone would steal them ;>)

Perhaps they can be moved with the print station if it is moved anywhere.

If anyone has any ideas of where to sit/house these items, let me know.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

GSP--Key on Friday

Around 1pm on Friday (7/20/07), Ms. Schlich of GSP may need the desk key to open the LTL. Please let her have the key if she needs it.

Thanks,

Ray

Friday, July 13, 2007

Spring Update for Reference Universe

Reference Universe continues to add indexing for new reference books to its database. Please remember to use and to recommend this database. It allows you to search across a large number of our print reference books. The list for this spring shows the degree to which that indexing has expanded recently. Not all of the books listed are ones we have, but some of them will be.

http://refuniv.odyssi.com/spring2007.pdf

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Where are additional computers?

Ginger Hall 111 now has 30 computers for student use (open 8:00 - 4 pm weekdays). And the Rowan County Public Library now has 14 laptops to sign out for use inside the library. Evidently they are very popular!

REF DOCS -- Temporary Locations

As we have been moving the unbound periodicals into the West Reference room the Reference Documents were displaced. Temporarily, the federal ones are on two book trucks in Map Room. The KY ones are shelved next to the KY docs. After I've weeded the REF-KY we will find a new place for them.

New Key

We have a new departmental key. It will be in the drawer at the Reference Desk. The key has "CCL4" stamped on its side and is on a beaded key chain which spells out "I Love Kentucky"

As with the previous key it should be returned to that drawer whenever it is not being used.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Promotion Committee Envelope

Do we still need the Promotion Comm. envelope and keys in the Ref Desk drawer anymore? I don't want those to get misplaced also.

Lost Key???

For a week or more, I have noticed the key on the red, white, and blue keychain is missing from the Ref Desk drawer. Does anyone have any idea where it is?

Monday, June 11, 2007

GSP Students

Jennifer reports that by the end of this week everyone associated with the Governor's Scholars Program should have a record in the system.

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Ian's Surgery

Julie just called and said Ian is doing fine. He handled the anaesthesia very well and is not in unmanageable pain. She'll keep us posted if anything changes.

Geneology Books / Questions

In reviewing the recent batch of weeding Donna told me she will accept any geneology related reference books that we would want to send her. Since there aren't that many I am just going to send her all of them. So in the future just refer geneology questions upstairs. That's probably what most of us have been doing anyway.

Monday, June 4, 2007

Upward Bound

An Upward Bound class will be using the library classroom from 1:30-5 M-Th June 4 - July 5. We can still schedule classes during that time, but please give me as much notice as possible so that they can make other arrangements. Thanks!

Friday, June 1, 2007

InSight

We have several visually impaired students who are here on campus with the InSight program. They may be in quite a lot duing the evenings next week and may need help finding/getting items. One thing to be aware of is that we have a Subject Heading: Large Type Books that will give you a list of all the large print books we have, which may come in handy.

Friday, May 25, 2007

YesConnect

The modem is not working at the moment. It's giving the message that the username and/or password is invalid on the domain. I've called it in to Automation.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

RSS in EBSCOhost

You will notice now that for any search results page in the EBSCOhost interface there is displaying an RSS button with the label "Create an alert for this search." The RSS button also displays for each search listed in the search history. This what EBSCO calls 'one-step alerting.' Check it out.

New Gov Doc Microfiche

New Government Document Microfiche that has not yet been interfiled into the orange cabinets in the Gov Doc section can be found in a white box at the Ref. Desk. It will be sitting on the book cart for return books through the next couple of weeks. As I work on the Ref. Desk I will interfile them, but if a patron is looking for a Gov Doc microfiche and you cannot find it, check the white box.

Thanks!

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Reference Desk Transactions

From May 14th forward, when you open in the mornings or close at night, the reference transactions sheet needs to go in the folder marked Reference Transactions Completed. I will be tallying those from now on.

Thanks,

Julie

Friday, May 11, 2007

USCA volume MIA

If anyone sees title 11 Bankruptcy 1129 to 1320 please give to me. I have a pocket part update for it.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Special Collections Headcount Statistics

I have been told to leave a blog message about Special Collections being out on Friday 11, 2007. The Reference desk shift people will need to do the counts for 4th and 5th floors on Friday. A headcount statistics sheet has been left for the opener on Friday morning for their area. Thanks.

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

WorldCat -- Cite this Item

WorldCat records now include a "Cite this Item" link. When users select “Cite this item” from within records, they will see the citation for a selected record in the reference standard for five common styles: APA, Chicago, Harvard, MLA and Turabian. Users may copy and paste the needed format into a bibliography.

Monday, May 7, 2007

Lost Items in Reference Dept.

There have been many items left in the Reference Rooms, etc. over the past few weeks. They have all been moved to Lost and Found downstairs next to Linda Wilson's desk.

2 Student ID's
Coffee Mug
Headband
Sunglasses
Bookbag full of books
CD RW
Jump disk drive cover

The textbook that had been left was reacquainted with its owner prior to his final on Monday morning. :>)

Friday, May 4, 2007

Trial Access to Classical Scores Library

Elsie sent an e-mail with the login and password. Rather than repost them here, where they would be publicly accessible, I will be placing them under the plastic sheet at the ref desk.

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Students Needing to Print With No Money

Tonight I had a student who needed some information out of a reference book and she had her card, but she had no money. It was 5:45 and it dawned on me that she could take the book to LTL and they could scan the pages for her and email them to her email. This may not be something we would want to advertise but when you have a student in a bind, it may be helpful to suggest that. I suppose copyright is not an issue, since it was the same as copying it on a copy machine. Any thoughts?

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

"Ask a Librarian" form -- Revised

Please notice that I've eliminated most of the verbiage on the "Ask a Librarian" form. It's not nearly as officious as it was.

Monday, April 16, 2007

Ref Weeding -- Literature

I have begun weeding the literary Reference Books. Some have been moved to the weeding shelf next to the music listening station, but none have been sent upstairs. If any student asks about any literary title that should be in Reference but isn't, please remember that this is the case.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Leaving messages when getting the after hours message

Both Barry and Bridget phoned in before 7:30 and was unable to leave a message. I talked to Barry Lyons, our phone guy, and he has fixed that. The directions to access the after hours mailbox are under the clear desk blotter. The mail box # is 15491. The password is also 15491. Should be easy to remember, huh?

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Westlaw Campus Research changes -- April 14

On April 14, Westlaw will launch a revamp of the web interface for Westlaw Campus Research. You may want look again at the search interface sometime next week after the change occurs.

Tom

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Trial Access for Granger's World of Poetry

We have a trial through April for this.
This one is really worth looking at, I think.

http://www.columbiagrangers.org/grangers/

Monday, April 9, 2007

Workstudy Appreciation Week!

Just a reminder that tomorrow is our designated day to bring snacks for Workstudy Appreciation Week! There is a sign at the student desk with all the info. But could you please mention it to them as they are signing in. Either point out the sign or tell them to get a snack in the staff lounge or both.

Thanks!

Friday, April 6, 2007

Messages left on the Reference Desk V-Mail

After checking a v-mail message Julie was prompted to listen to a skipped message. Since the person didn't leave a date and time of message she didn't know how long the message had been there. We need to remember to delete messages after we have taken care of the patron's needs. Does anyone remember calling a patron back about helping with course reserves?

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Chronicle of Higher Education

There has been a change in the terms of our subscription to the Chronicle of Higher Education. Previously, in conjunction with our print subscription, we had a password that we could give out to faculty and staff who wanted access to articles on the web site. We may no longer distribute such a password. If a faculty member calls the Reference Desk asking why the old password no longer works you can explain the situation to them. You should mention that we anticipate having funding to open up campuswide access some time over the summer. And you can refer them to me if they have any further questions.

What they do allow is a password which can only be used by reference staff at the Reference Desk. This fact is probably not worth mentioning if you are talking to someone who is upset about not being able to get in. But if you find that you need to have access in order to answer a question, then the password is given below. We have an excellent chance of securing the funding for the site license, so this inconvenience should only last for several months.

Tom

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Chronicle of Higher Education
Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2007 11:44:24 -0400
From: Mykie Howard
To: 'Tom Kmetz'
Tom,

Here’s the new info. I’ve also included a reminder of the rules. Please make sure all of the Reference staff members are aware of this.

Your username is: myho9432
Your password is: hetabarY

“Please note that the publisher offers free single user access to Libraries. However, the password may not be shared and access is available to reference librarians only. ”

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Service Committee Portfolio Reviews

The University's Service Committee will be in the library (through Monday, April 9) to review Distinguished Service portfolios. Commitee members were sent the following instructions:
Go to the front desk of the Library on the FIRST floor. Ask for the key to the SERVICE COMMITTEE CARREL that is on reserve. Follow the directions on the package or ask the staff to point you in the right direction. The carrel is located
on the THIRD FLOOR of the LIBRARY TOWER just outside of the elevator (and is near the windows). It is clearly labeled, but ask for help if you can't find it.
I am the chair of this committee, so if there are problems, please let me know ASAP. Thanks!

Sunday, April 1, 2007

Seminar Room A Projector

When you go up to lock Seminar Room A after each use, please check to make sure the projector is turned off. Also check when you are closing the library.

If you need the remote to turn the projector off, or for any other reason, it is available at the Circulation Desk.

Ray

Monday, March 26, 2007

The lameness of Wikipedia

According to Morning Edition today, co-founder of Wikipedia, Larry Sanger, knows that his website is both bogus and lame. He's starting a new website, Citizendium, which will require contributors to use their entire name and provide information pertaining to their expertise.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Promotion Committee Portfolios Have Moved

Due to the locks breaking on the cabinet in Seminar Room A the portfolios have moved to the carrels in that room. The carrel keys are in the Reference desk. All of the keys work however they tend to stick.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Monday, March 12, 2007

Promotion Committee in Seminar Room A

To all who work the Reference Desk:
You should have all received this information via email, but I have been asked to also post it here.
The University Promotion will be reviewing portfolios in Seminar Room A starting March 8. They have scheduled the room a couple of evenings for the entire committee to meet. The individual committee members will have to schedule time to use the room under the same rules as everyone else. We are basically operating under the same rules that we did with the Tenure Committee back in November. The good news is that there are only 7 portfolios (as opposed to 25 with the Tenure Committee) so they will all fit in the cabinet and we won't have to use the carrels. Therefore, there will only be one key in the drawer that you will sign out to the committee members when they come over. As before, you will need to go up and let them into the room and go back and lock it back when they get through and have returned the key to you. I am attaching a sheet with the procedure so you can review it. This also contains the names of those who should be given the key. There will be a copy of this procedure in the envelop with the key in the little drawer at the reference desk (where the passwords and allen wrenches are kept).

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Handicap Door Alarm

When doing the 3pm count, I noticed that the 2nd floor tower handicap door alarm was not on.

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Reference Universe

Please be aware that now there is, on the opening search screen for Reference Universe, the option to check a box that will:

Restrict Search to Titles in your Library

This is a considerable improvement in the usability of Reference Universe. If you have discounted RU in the past, please look at it again and keep it in mind as an option when you are helping patrons.

It can be a very useful tool. Xrefer titles are accessible via Reference Universe, and any reference e-books that we purchase in the future will be too.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

East Tower Elevator / Handicap Door Alarm

The East tower elevator is apparently out of order according to the posted signs. Upon opening this morning, the 2nd floor tower handicap door alarm was not on.

Friday, March 2, 2007

Procedures for Promotion Committee

I have placed a copy in the reference desk drawer with all of the other important stuff (allen wrench, passwords, etc).

Thursday, March 1, 2007

West Elevator

PER: Dean Pritchard

PATRONS MAY HAVE TROUBLE CALLING THE ELEVATOR TO THE 2ND FLOOR.

AS A COURTESY, YOU WILL NEED TO RETRIEVE THE ELEVATOR FOR THE PATRON.

IF THIS OCCURS AND THERE IS STAFF ON 3RD FLOOR (7-4:30), PLEASE CALL AND ASK THEM TO PRESS THE 2ND FLOOR BUTTON AND SEND THE ELEVATOR DOWN.

IF IT IS AFTER OFFICE HOURS, YOU WILL NEED TO GO TO THE 3RD OR 1ST FLOOR, CALL THE ELEVATOR, AND THEN GET ON IT AND RIDE IT TO THE 2ND FLOOR.

MAKE SURE THE PATRON STAYS BY THE ELEVATOR SO THEY CAN GET ON WHEN THE DOOR OPENS.

Using the PHAROS printers with laptops

When I was working at the desk a week or two ago a student came up with his lease program laptop and was wondering how to send a print job to the nearby PHAROS printer. However, the nearest printer that came up on his list was the one in the ground floor lab. I did not know what to tell him. Now I do.

I should have told him to launch a browser session on his laptop and go to the following address.

http://www.moreheadstate.edu/printers

From there is is easy to figure out. Just select the printer you want and install it.

This will only work for laptops.

Tax Forms -- Finally!

We finally have all of the tax forms that we should have. It is no longer necessary to refer people to the IRS web site. If the form needed isn't available right there, then it can be photocopied from the reproducible copies in the binders.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Kleenex

As of today, we have only 6 boxes of kleenex left until July 1. I do not believe that will last us through spring and hay fever season.

If, perchance, you took a box of kleenex to use at your personal office desk, would you consider replacing it in our Reference Office Supply closet? And I promise to replace all the rolls of toilet paper that I have used for kleenex :>)

Thank you.

Monday, February 26, 2007

Allen Wrenches

Allen wrenches at the Ref desk are going AWOL. Did you happen to carry one off in your pocket?

Thanks for checking!

Friday, February 23, 2007

Scissors and Rulers

Not only are the scissors multiplying in the Ref Desk drawer, but rulers are also. Has anyone lost a ruler of late. Perhaps it got carried off by mistake or left at the desk.

Check with me! I also have one pair of red handled scissors. Any takers???

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Computer messing up

One computer by the printer in the refernece room is not opening the msu web mail page, pdf files, or black board I will put an out of order sign on it, but could someone look at it and call it in? Thanks!
It is the computer facing the printer, on the right.

Quilt in Reference Room

The quilt that hangs on the wall facing the Reference desk is being displayed in a show. It is my understanding that it will be replaced with another one.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Fax Machine for Students to Use

The University Bookstore has a fax machine that students may use. They charge $1 per sheet.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

EBSCOhost Interface enhancements


http://support.epnet.com/support_news/detail.php?id=311&t=r&page=&private=true.

Fax Machine for Public To Use

I often have requests (mainly by phone) for a fax machine for students or the public to use. I have always referred them to Good Shephard Printing and Holbrook Drugs. I believe this was received via a mind meld with Bill Malone.

Today I discovered that the public library DOES have a fax machine for the public to use. Cost may vary, but it is $1.00 per page to send.

Does anyone know, by chance, who you would send a suggestion to on campus about having a fax machine for the students/faculty to use? And, also, the renting of equipment that Neil Wheeler use to do before he retired?

Thanks!

Monday, February 12, 2007

Whatta virus!

Apparently a nasty trojan virus has been unleashed throughout the University. Lowell should be able to have this problem fixed for us tomorrow. Right now the four older computers against the wall are not able to access the internet. There are signs posted on them saying as much. Also we are having some printer problems that can be attributed to the same virus. I spoke to Debbie White in the lab down in the basement and those computers appear to be working fine as well as printer.

The artwork from the Law Room

Both pieces have been moved to their new home in the Map Rm. Physicial Plant will be coming to hoist and secure them to the wall. Props to Barry and his posse!

Federal Tax Forms

All of the tax forms and instruction booklets from the state of Kentucky have been received and have been put out for the public. The federal tax forms (including the reproducibles) have been delayed but should be arriving in about a week. If any patrons need federal forms please refer them to the IRS web site and/or let them know that we should have them by the middle of next week.

Monday, February 5, 2007

MSU TV on Tuesday Feb 6

Tom,

Expect to see a crew from MSU TV in the Reference area tomorrow, filming some commericals. I gave them permission. Let people know to expect them.

Elsie

Friday, February 2, 2007

Lisa's Birthday

Let's meet on Feb 9 at 9:00 a.m. in the staff lounge. The only item on the agenda will be Lisa's birthday.

Thursday, February 1, 2007

West Elevator Ground Floor Access

Due to an incident this afternoon, I requested that Luana supply the Ref Desk with a key to access the ground floor lab. We should not advertise that we have a key. But it is for the convenience in case someone who is handicap were to come to the desk asking to go downstairs.

Food and Drink at Reference Desk (Not!)

This is just a reiteration of what we talked about at the Reference meeting last week: please refrain from eating and drinking at the reference desk. It is ok to have a drink (non-alcoholic!) at the desk as long as it is in a covered cup or bottle. Please keep the cup or bottle under the desk except when you take a sip. With the exception of mints or small candies, please do not bring food to the desk. Reference is the "primary information desk" in the Library and it just doesn't look very professional if the desk attendant is eating and drinking. Thanks for your cooperation in this.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Workstudy Schedule

FYI, there is a workstudy schedule posted on the wall next to the scanning computer station.

Monday, January 29, 2007

Are you seeing dots?

I have updated the blue dots on the light switches that should be turned off in the stacks at closing. Dots had peeled off the switch at the last row on the 4th level. Please make a mental note and remember to turn off this row. Thanks!

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Zotero

One of the faculty told me that he is now happily using Zotero. When you have the time please read the about page to learn what it is. If you are using the Firefox browser, then it is fairly simple to download it and play around with it. I've downloaded it to the PC at the Reference Desk.

http://www.zotero.org/about/

Friday, January 26, 2007

The per-gov directory

All web pages in Periodicals and GOVDOCS will be unavailable this weekend due to technical difficulties. Ray will address these problems on Monday.

Micro Reader Instructions / Troubleshooting

There is a copy of the instructions in the Ref Desk drawer plus with the machines in the Law Room. When you have problems with the machines that the troubleshooting does not fix, move the patron to another machine. Place an out of order sign on the machine and make sure to note the problem on the sign. Then notify me by either email or you can leave me a phone message. I will try to service the machine as soon as my schedule allows.

Headcounts on Weekends

Please notice that there are now at the ref desk copies of headcount sheets for LTL and Special Collections. On Sat and Sun we will need to use all three sheets to do headcounts.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Phone list

I've placed an updated phone list next to the phone in the classroom.

Micro Machines

The microform machines are officially at their new home. We have already had a patron use them! I will be moving a small table to the area for a return box for materials. The microform collection will be moving soon as well. Bridgette has sent an email as a refresher on the use and troubleshooting of the machines. Just a heads up of the goings on.

Monday, January 22, 2007

Let's Meet This Friday

As Pam and Jason suggest let's have a training session for this log blog. In the classroom at 9:00 a.m. this Friday (January 26th).

In-house Statistics

With the Voyager system up and running, we can now resume normal scanning procedures. I will post a memo on the computer for the students.

Thanks!
BWS

Thursday, January 18, 2007

An idea for a reference meeting

Maybe we should do a short training session on how to use the blog in one of our upcoming reference meetings.

JV

Creating a new post

Unless I'm wrong (and please tell me if I am) you'll need to go to cclrefdesk@blogspot.com and then type in your userid and password to create new post.

Old log books and desk calendars

Tom has all of these in his office.
PSM

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Reference Desk LogBlog

This blog has been set up to replace the print log book at the Reference Desk. Use this as you used the our old log book. Anything you need to share with the Reference Dept. please post here.