Bio-Med Library Access Services Blog

Locate & Notify forms (I used to call them Search & Destroy forms) have been replaced with the Search forms used by the rest of the University Libraries. The new form allows patrons to choose their pick up library, so it's a little more user friendly. Drop completed forms in the blue bins behind both Circulation desks.

Speaking of the blue bins, you may have noticed that I replaced the cardboard Circulation boxes we used to use. Since we've updated a number of procedures, here's a review of what should be placed in them: returned ILLs, books to be routed to other libraries, and search forms. However, books that have patron holds on them should not be left there. Books that have patron holds that need to be routed to another library should be brought up to the third floor, flagged with the appropriate hot pink routing flag, and set on the transfer shelf (next to the check in station that the shelvers use). Books that have patron holds that will be picked up here should be handled as explained in the previous post.

If you have comments or suggestions on any of this, comment on the post or otherwise let us know.

Thanks!
Emily

Posted by Emily Reimer at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Starting today, we will be instituting a new policy for managing holds, Point to Points, recalls, and anything else that may end up being placed on the 3rd floor hold shelf. Instead of routing these types of items to Joel's inbox, please fold the printout lengthwise, write the patron's name (last name first) and pull date on the slip, and place the item on the shelf by name alphabetically. Use one of the current holds for a model or ask if this is confusing. Please respond in a comment with your initials with any feedback or questions you have so we can confirm you've read this post. Danke, Emily

Posted by Emily Reimer at 03:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

Although we've never really admitted it, we've tended almost every summer, especially as August winds down and the regular classes are mostly over, to relax our rules about playing games at the desk. Then we remind everyone about the rule against games once fall semester starts up. But I had a complaint that the puzzles scattered across the 2nd floor counter looked unprofessional, and I'm inclined to agree that it looks like we're having too much fun. It's also harder to do work on the desktop without disturbing the solid puzzled surface. If you want to put one puzzle at a time together, and it doesn't interfere with your ability to pay attention to the desk and the patrons wandering in or by, o.k. for the rest of August. But let's keep it down to one at a time.

Posted by David Lenander at 04:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Hi Everyone,

There is a farewell card for everyone to sign for Joel in the back.

Thanks,
Melissa

Posted by Melissa Aho at 05:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Farewell & Congratulations to Joel Morrison

Joel Morrison will be leaving the Health Sciences Libraries/Bio-Med Library to take a library position at the College of St Paul.
Located in the heart of Saint Paul's Cathedral Hill, Saint Paul College is the oldest of the metro area's public two year colleges. SPC was recently recognized as one of the top 50 fastest growing public two-year college in the nation.

Joel's last day at HSL will be Friday, August 17. Stop by to offer your best wishes. -Steve Llewellyn

Join us to say good-bye on Friday, August 17, at 1:00 PM over lunch at the Big Ten.

Posted by David Lenander at 06:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Alas, the Computer Help Desk has finally met its end. Please assist any patrons (as you're able to) who seek help with computer problems. In those cases when you're unable to assist, send them to Reference or call Matt at (4-5989, Server Room - 10 am to 4:30 pm) , Chacko (4-9921, Room 281 - 8:15 - 4:30 pm), or Peter (6-4185).

Also, if anyone can work a Saturday on any of the next several weeks, you'll have my undying gratitude.

Thanks!
Emily

Posted by Emily Reimer at 01:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Periodic Hourly Counts will run all week -- Sunday, August 12th - Saturday, August 18th. Remember to check the gate count at both desks and record it on the sheet every hour on the hour, open to close!

Please post your initials in a comment to indicate you've read this post.

If you open in the morning please put the old sheet in my mail box.

Do you have questions, comments, feedback? I'd love to hear it!

Thanks,
Melissa

Posted by Melissa Aho at 01:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Bound journals now circulate for one day (due at closing the following day). Unbound journals will continue to circulate as usual - available after 3:30PM and due back before 8:30AM. Patrons may renew loans of bound journals up to three times for a total of a four day loan period.

There may be cases in which we need to make an exception, since we are effectively reducing the loan period for many items. You have the authority to do this, just make certain to let a supervisor know (email's fine) when and why you made the decision you did. That way we can keep track of how the new system is working and gauge whether our users are experiencing any inconvenience.

Thanks!
Emily

Posted by Emily Reimer at 02:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On Wednesday, Aug. 1, at about 6:05 p.m., the 35W bridge spanning the Mississippi River near the Twin Cities campus fell into the water. The casualty toll is still unknown. "We all feel the pain and suffer this loss that hits so close to home," says University President Robert Bruininks. Campus police and emergency management people helped with recovery. For more information, including traffic reroutes, see a special Web page devoted to this disaster. (Photo by Brian Peterson)

http://www1.umn.edu/twincities/index.php

Posted by Emily Reimer at 04:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'm pleased to announce that we've finally filled the staff opening for an evening supervisor. Today Melissa Aho joins us as a Library Assistant 3. She will be sharing the office in 278A with me, and working days for at least the next couple of weeks. Sometime in September she'll switch to the evening shift. Please stop by and introduce yourself to Melissa, and if you're around today (Wednesday, Aug. 1) between 2 and 3, join us in room 555 for a meet & greet with some light refreshments.

For the past four years, Melissa has been the Campus Librarian and Business Resources Librarian at the Minnesota School of Business-Brooklyn Center, as well as a Weekend Reference Librarian at the Metropolitan State University in St. Paul. Besides her MLIS, Melissa also has an M.A. in Anthropology and is pursuing another M.A. in Art History.

Posted by David Lenander at 04:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We have a number of open shifts coming up. Please let me know if you're able to help out, especially with the upcoming weekend shifts:

Saturday(!), 8/4/07, 9:00AM-6:00PM
Sunday(!), 8/5/07, 11:45AM-4:00PM
Sunday(!), 8/5/07, 5:00-9:00PM

Tuesday, 8/7/07, 2:00PM-3:00PM
Wednesday, 8/8/07, 6:45AM-3:00PM - Covered. Thanks Kim!
Wednesday, 8/8/07, 4:00PM-7:00PM - Covered. Thanks Kim!
Friday, 8/10/07, 3:00PM-6:00PM
Sunday, 8/12/07, 11:45AM-10:00PM
Monday, 8/13/07, 3:00PM-10:00PM

Saturday, 8/18/07, 9:00AM-6:00PM
Saturday, 8/25/07, 9:00AM-6:00PM
Sunday, 9/5/07, 5:00PM-9:00PM

Also, remember that if you've been awarded a Work Study award, you must accept it and notify Gina McKenzie in our Admin office, so that we can claim it.

If you can help pick up a shift or have any questions about WS, give me a shout!

Thanks,
Emily

Posted by Emily Reimer at 02:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)