Magrath Circulation

New Time Clock Software

2013-05-06T18:31:36Z

As most of you already know we are now using a software package called Time Clock MTS instead of using our regular timecards. Be sure to correctly select yourself and the correct version of yourself, either PP for Plant Pathology or ST for NRL/Magrath/Vet-Med, and clock in and out using this software. If you have any questions let Steve or Nick know as soon as possible.

Change to Desk Tracker

2013-02-28T20:46:03Z

There has been a small change to Desk Tracker that you all need to be aware of. There has been a "Borrowing Privileges and Fines" choice added to Desk Tracker in addition to the "Reference" and "Not Reference" options you are all very familiar with. When you take a fines payment, answer a question about fines or borrowing privileges, or otherwise deal in fines or borrowing privileges use this instead of "Not Reference" from now on and make sure to put a short entry in the text field with what you did. You should always be putting a brief, even as short as one or two words, entry in the text field for "Reference" and "Not Reference" too. If you wish to get across more information about a transaction use the "Notes" box on the right side. Ask Nick if you have any questions concerning Desk Tracker.

Cybrarian Registration Glitch

2013-01-24T23:30:35Z

As you may have noticed on one of the library public computers sometimes Cybrarian asks to be registered and there is nothing you can do to use the computer. In the past we have attempted to fix this issue by shutting down and restarting the computers. This does not work in these situations. If you are having this issue follow these steps: hit Ctrl+Alt+Del on the keyboard and choose "Log Off." This will cause the computer to restart and Cybrarian should register properly. If you have any questions let Nick know.

GovDocs Update

2012-12-14T16:48:53Z

All the state documents that have been in the Magrath basement since the NRL Consolidation are now interfiled with the Magrath State docs up on 2nd floor. Congratulations and thank you to Wendy and her students for getting this job done!

However, while the former EFW/Forestry state docs are actually located upstairs, some of them may still think they are in the closed stacks (MAGR CLS in Aleph). Disregard this status -- they are upstairs, we promise.

Questions? Leave a comment or ask a full-time staff member.

Incident Report

2012-12-13T00:51:16Z

Hi all,

Here's a link to the Incident Report form:

https://www.lib.umn.edu/security/icf.phtml

Please be sure to use this if there are ANY unusual situations in the library -- attempted theft, sketchy patron, or anything that you think Libraries security should know about. When in doubt, fill it out!

And as always, please see a student supervisor if you have any questions.

Happy almost-break!

Elisabeth

Plant Path Printer

2012-11-30T19:37:18Z

(Try saying that three times fast!)

There have been some problems with the printer in Plant Path -- namely, that the CBORD (the thing where you swipe your UCard) screen is going blank. It is still able to read the cards, but there is no indication on the CBORD itself that the card is recognized.

Fortunately there's a quick fix to this problem. If you have this happen during one of your shifts, look at the back of the CBORD -- there's a large-ish black and silver connector cable in the middle. Try jiggling the connector back and forth, and then finally push it as far as it will go into the back of the box. We'll work on permanently fixing this problem soon, but for now, we'll go the low-tech route.

Please ask Elisabeth if you have any questions about this issue!

Unending gate counts

2012-11-10T00:07:02Z

Bad news . . . .

Due to the malfunctioning gate counter in the SMART Commons this week, we need to re-do the gate counts in the SMART, starting on Sunday, November 11. I appreciate your willingness to take yet another week of gate counts -- thanks, as always, for your patience!

Thanks,

Elisabeth

Plant Pathology CFANS Laptop Cabinet Moved

2012-11-08T22:32:38Z

The cabinet for the CFANS laptops at the Plant Pathology Library has been moved into the office behind the circulation desk so that we do not disturb patrons using the meeting room when we retrieve a laptop. This change more closely aligns Plant Pathology to how the laptops are used at the Natural Resources Library. If you must step away from the Plant Pathology desk close the door to the office so that the laptops and their cases are out of public access. There may be further changes to the exact location of the cabinet at a further date.

Circulation Desk Staffing Temporary Changes

2012-10-29T12:56:40Z

Due to the reconfiguration of the circulation desk at Magrath there will only be one computer station this Monday (10/29) through part of Wednesday (10/31). During the time of day when there would be two people at the desk, a student and a staff member, there will only be one student at the desk. During this time use Google Talk or the phone to reach an available staff member if you need assistance at the desk.

Happy Open Access Week!

2012-10-19T20:53:07Z

October 21-27 is Open Access Week!

In case you've never heard of it, Open Access refers to free online public access to the published results of research. There are many different ways of achieving Open Access, and many different funding models; and Open Access benefits authors as well as other scholars & researchers.

We will help celebrate Open Access Week at Magrath by placing an orange "Open Access" bookmark in every book checked out at the Circulation Desk. Please be sure to remember these bookmarks -- we'll have them handy at both computers.

If patrons have any questions about Open Access, direct them to: http://z.umn.edu/openaccess

If you have any questions about this, please ask Nick, Steve, or Elisabeth.

Unbound Journal Circulation at Vet Med

2012-10-17T12:44:50Z

Unbound journals are circulated at the Veterinary Medical Library. This is only location in St. Paul that normally circulates unbound journals. If there is an insistent inquiry about checking out an unbound journal at Magrath Library, Natural Resources Library, or Plant Pathology Library it may only be allowed by a supervisor.

In the Veterinary Medical Library you may check out an unbound journal to anyone with borrowing privileges. The manual circulation forms are to the right of the circulation desk in the top of the file tower next to the routing slips. These forms say "Magrath Manual Circulation" and should be completely filled out. The patron information including library number must be put on the form along with your initials and the relevant information about the unbound journal. If the unbound journal has a barcode on it write that on the manual form, but do not check out the unbound journal in Aleph. Unbound journals that are marked "current" are one day loans. Older unbound journals are one week loans. When an unbound journal is returned write "returned" and your initials on the manual form near where the due date was written and put the manual sheet in Lisa's office or give it directly to her. If anyone has questions ask Nick Fugate or Lisa Berg.

Voter Registration

2012-10-01T12:41:09Z

We are asking for your help in making our student employees aware of the voter registration drive taking place in the Libraries. Voter registration forms are available at all of the main service desks in the TC campus libraries, including all Branch locations and the Law Library. Completed forms will be delivered to the Secretary State's Office on a weekly basis.

Answers to common questions about how to register, where to vote, proof of residence needed at the polling place, and voting absentee can be found at: www.lib.umn.edu/vote.

On the library voting information page, an "I will Vote " pledge may be submitted to become eligible for one of two $20.00 iTunes card (in order to be eligible for the drawing a contact email address must be provided - email will not display)

Deadline to pre-register for the election is October 16.

In this election voters will help elect a new president, and in Minnesota we'll be voting to elect an entire state legislature, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives, a U.S. Senator, numerous other local elected positions, and on two proposed amendments to our State Constitution. Please help spread the word on registering to vote, whether the person is registering for the first time, or registering at a new address.

Thanks - Jerrie Bayer and Jim Stemper (Library Voter Registration Drive coordinators)

Closing duties at Magrath

2012-09-28T15:53:30Z

Hello all,

There has been some confusion in the past, when closing Magrath, about which duties belong to the Circulation staff and which belong to the security monitors. Here's an easy breakdown:

Circulation Staff: turn off monitors (public computers), shut down Circulation computers completely, unlock interior book drop, other Circulation-related tasks as noted in our closing procedures

Security Monitors: turn off lights in main room, close gates, key elevator

Please be sure to ask a Circulation Supervisor, and/or clarify with the guard on duty, if you have any questions about this.

Thanks,

Elisabeth

Policy for Leaving Branch Libraries When Alone for Restroom Use

2012-09-27T21:18:13Z

There are times at the Plant Pathology Library, Veterinary Medical Library, and Natural Resources Library in which you'll have to leave the library to go to the bathroom when there is no other student worker or staff member there. Because of the amount of time staff are in these locations and the fact that there are two students for evening and weekend shifts this should not be a common occurrence. If it does occur put out the sign which states you'll be back in five minutes, close the office doors, and be sure to be back in shortly. Be sure to stow your own valuables in the offices so that they are secure. This should not be a common occurrence but know that you are able to do so. For those of you who work in the Natural Resources Library please speak with Amy Gmur or Nick Fugate about what you should do if a patron wants an item retrieved from the closed stacks while you are alone. If you have any questions about this please let Nick Fugate know. If you need to know where the nearest bathroom is in Borlaug Hall, Hodson Hall, or in the Veterinary Sciences Building please ask staff there so you know where to go.

Gate counts

2012-09-21T17:29:06Z

Hello all,

If you ever work the Circulation Desk at 6 p.m. or close (whichever comes first), please be sure to NOTE GATE COUNTS! Here's what that entails:

Library gate count -- display is located near the bottom of the inside security gate (closest to the Circulation Desk)

SMART Commons gate count -- display is on a small grey box directly inside the SMART area, right outside of the up/down gate

Extended Study Area (ESA) gate count -- another small grey box, located downstairs to the left of the doors leading to the Buford Ave. parking ramp. The counter is positioned directly underneath the handicap access button.

Please enter the Library gate count on the main schedule, and the SMART/ESA counts on the designated spreadsheet (yellow/blue columns). If you have any questions about this, PLEASE ask Nick, Steve, or me and we would be more than happy to go over it with you.

Thanks for your attention to this issue,

Elisabeth