In case of emergencies--including water leaks and library closings--a copy of the Wilson Library Emergency Procedures in PDF format is saved on the desktop of both reserve desk computers. Take a look! It couldn't hurt to look it over too. A print copy is pinned to the wall near the Courtesy Gopher Gold Cards.
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Here are two good reasons not to use flash drives at the desk:
1) It could be damaged by improper removal (loss of $20-50)
2) Its use might be against department policy
As for the first reason, our computers are not set up to allow us to safely remove hardware from the computer, and the department staff have made a decision not to change the computers. So plug those flash drives in at your own risk!
Improperly removing flash drives is not a sure way of corrupting it; the danger only comes when the computer is currently using your flash drive (whether you know it or not). Most sources will recommend using safe removal techniques to protect your hardware. If you have all ready plugged your flash drive in, the safest way is to unplug it when the computer is off, but this should not become common practice.
As for the second reason, our primary concern at work should be work. While we are on the desk, personal tasks (e.g. reading) are generally permitted when they are light in nature, but as soon as they interfere with our ability to serve the library patron in the best way or our activities give our patrons the impression that we are not approachable, we should set these tasks aside. Tasks involving a flash drive will usually fall under the "too involved for work" category.
In my opinion, there can be uses of a flash drive that involve light tasks (e.g. reading from pdf files saved on your flash drive.) Nevertheless, each supervisor will judge for herself whether your task or use of a flash drive is appropriate.
The Libraries' Food and Drink Policy http://www.lib.umn.edu/site/fooddrink.phtml has not changed with the opening of the Wilson coffee shop this week. Covered beverages are permitted in most areas (unless prohibited), but food is not. Food is limited to the basement between the doors to the Periodicals Room, the doors to Bus Ref/Gov Pub, and the doors to the stairs and elevators. The Libraries policies will be reviewed after we have experience with the impact of the cafe.
-- Peggy Johnson, Associate University Librarian
This means that no food or uncovered drinks are allowed within the Periodicals room.
All students please comment that you have reviewed this policy. Thanks!
Law students are "racking" journals this week. "Racking" - where a periodical is checked out to the student for a year - only applies to certain Law Library materials.
Please read Charlie's previous post about racking which provides details about what to do and the purpose of "racking" from the customer's perspective.
"Racking" does not apply to Wilson Library periodicals. We cannot extend the loan period of journals for Law students.
Some Law students believe that they can get Wilson periodicals for a year because that's what happens at the Law Library. This is simply misinformation based on an understandable assumption that all Libraries on campus have the same rules.
Tips to follow:
1) A clear explanation of our policy is usually all that's necessary.
2) Calling on staff to handle this is always an option.
3) Sometimes it can help to refer them Law library staff (Paula Seeger, Circulation Librarian at 612-625-1547), who are perhaps the best "racking" resource.
See Law Library "Racking Procedure" if interested in the details.
Check out the 2006-2007 borrowing privileges chart, a good reference when patrons have questions about what they can borrowo and for how long.
http://staff.lib.umn.edu/iads/procedures/bpf_patron_records_borrowing-privileges-guide-2006-2007.pdf
The Ad*Access Project presents images and database information for over 7,000 advertisements printed in U.S. and Canadian newspapers and magazines between 1911 and 1955.
Ad*Access concentrates on five main subject areas: Radio, Television, Transportation, Beauty and Hygiene, and World War II, providing a coherent view of a number of major campaigns and companies through images preserved in one particular advertising collection.
See http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/adaccess/
All students please respond and share something interesting you found in this resource.
After considerable planning and implementation efforts, Archives and Special Collections (ASC) and the Digital Library Development Lab are pleased to announce the release of the Online Finding Aids system at: http://discover.lib.umn.edu/findaid/ .
This system unifies for searching and browsing over 3,300 Encoded Archival Descriptions (EAD). This makes it among the largest collections of finding aids by a single institution in the country, and will significantly enhance the potential for researchers to discover specific materials held deep in our archival collections.
More about the "EAD Implementation" project, as well as about EAD itself, can be found at: http://wiki.lib.umn.edu/Staff/FindingAidsInEAD.
Search for a topic that interests you and make a brief comment about what you found. All students must comment and include a tidbit about their search results. Thanks!
Direct deposit makes it easy for you to get your paycheck quicker and faster. The money goes right into the bank account of your choice. No waiting to pick up your check. No finding time to cash it or take it to the bank. It's quick and easy, and we encourage you to look into it, if you haven't already done so.
To bring the magic of direct deposit into your life today, simply go to http://onestop.umn.edu and click on the secure "Direct Deposit" link on the right-hand sidebar.
Let full time staff know if you have any questions about how to take advantage of this feature.
What's the last thing to do before closing the reserve desk? Flip all of the light switches off, right? Nope! Make sure that you only flip the switch with orange tape on the far left; the other light switches control the lights in the whole periodical room, and that stays open as long as Wilson Library is open. On sleepless nights, I have seen the Library after close, and I think the lights stay on through the night. So, as I said, in the Periodicals Room, there is only light!
To all students working when full-time staff are not (nights, weekends), if there is some need for Facilities Management, you can call ext. 5-0011. This would be for emergencies like when water is leaking from the ceiling or non-emergencies like when a patron spills soda all over the floor. The operator will explain to you what you should do. If full-time staff are around, you can refer any problems to them.
Again, the number for Facilities at night and during the weekend is (612) 625-0011.