November 9th, 2009

News from Around the Libraries

Customer Service Survey in the Branch Libraries

Information Access and Delivery Services (IADS) Customer Service Training has been offered since 2006.  The past three Novembers, we have conducted a survey of users in the Branch libraries and in the Law Library to gather baseline data of user perceptions of service.  It is time to repeat that survey for this year to see if user perceptions of service have changed relative to the baseline.  The survey will be an overall effort to measure customer satisfaction and will not be intended as critiques of individual units.  In order to get a good response rate while classes are still in session, this one-page customer service survey will begin Monday, November 16 and run through Sunday, November 22, 2009.  Surveys will be distributed in:
- Architecture & Landscape Architecture Library
- Entomology, Fisheries & Wildlife Library
- Forestry Library
- Law Library
- Mathematics Library
- Music Library
- Plant Pathology Library
- Veterinary Medical Library

Please contact Jerrie Bayer at 4-8530 or Steve Llewellyn at 5-7940 if you have any questions.

- Jerrie Bayer and Steve Llewellyn

Greening the Libraries Fun Fact

Save Energy at Night
By turning your computer off when you leave for the day, you can save enough energy to power a 100 watt light bulb for 10 hours.  Over the course of a year, the energy you save could power that same light bulb for nearly six months or keep an electric oven going for four days straight!

For more resources and information on how to go green at work and at home, visit the Greening the Libraries Project website at: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/greenlibraries/

- Greening the Libraries Project

Libraries IT News - November 2009 Monthly Update

October 24 to 25 Data Center Outage
Libraries Information Technology (IT) staff worked in close coordination with various Office of Information Technology (OIT) staff to provide continuity of service to several high-use library systems during the recent extended downtime period.  This was made possible through weeks of careful planning that leveraged the recently completed disaster recovery plans for Aleph and SFX, and new library systems architecture implemented within the OIT data centers.  This accomplishment was due to the considerable efforts of Libraries' staff:  Janet Arth, Erik Biever, Betsy Friesen, Connie Hendrick, Heather Hessel, Chris Rose, John Barneson, Paul Bramscher, Shane Nackerud, and Jen Tantzen; and OIT staff: Bob Baker, Pragati Tripathi, Dack Anderson, Patton Fast, Douglas Lochowski-Haney, and Alina Rimbu.

Library Systems Added to "Systems Status" Site
As part of efforts to improve campus-wide communications about library systems availability, eleven enterprise-level library systems and their statuses are now represented on the University's System Status web site at: http://systemstatus.umn.edu/view/Main .  In the future, we will explore the use of RSS feeds to make system status information viewable within the Libraries web site.

Upper Midwest Ex Libris Users' Group Meeting
Library Enterprise Operations (LEO) was well-represented at the recent Upper Midwest Ex Libris Users' Group meeting in St. Paul as panelists, presenters, and planning committee members.  Both Janet Arth and Connie Hendrick shared their wisdom and experience as "Walk Up Session" experts; Erik Biever offered his expertise in a presentation on Unix; and Betsy Friesen wins the grand prize for presenting on multiple topics, as well as contributing to the planning effort.  Thanks to all!

IT Master Calendar
The IT Division maintains a high-level calendar of major project implementation, upgrade, and deployment milestones in Libraries IT at: https://wiki.lib.umn.edu/IT/MasterCalendar .

- Submitted by John Butler, on behalf of the Libraries IT Directors

Tech Services Ten Cents: October 2009

October was a chilly, gloomy month, with more rain than sunshine and unseasonably cold.  The sun didn't light the sky very often or warm the air so very much, but Technical Services staff members warmed to their work in the Libraries and shone in regional venues.  They faced October like the trees facing the rain by: Dropping information like leaves... Standing flexible in the winds of change... Staying rooted in providing intellectual access...

Details at: https://wiki.lib.umn.edu/TS/Newsletter

- Technical Services

University of Minnesota Becomes Member of Project Bamboo

The Libraries have teamed up with the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) and the Office of Information Technology (OIT) to become a member of the Project Bamboo implementation effort ( http://projectbamboo.org/ ).  Project Bamboo defines itself as a "...community-driven cyberinfrastructure planning project ... supporting research, teaching and learning in the arts, humanities, and interpretive social sciences."  It has also been shorthanded as "support for digital humanities" and "shared technology services for the arts and humanities."  The project is led by the University of Chicago and the University of California, Berkeley, and is poised to submit a major proposal to the Research in Information Technology (RIT) division of the Andrew Mellon Foundation.  University staff who have been involved in Bamboo discussions and planning have included Linda Jorn and Brad Cohen (Digital Media Center, OIT); Jen Mein (CLA); and John Butler and Karen Williams (Libraries).  A few CLA faculty have also contributed to the Bamboo planning effort as well.

- John Butler and Karen Williams


Staff Tidings and Kudos

Community Fund Drive: Thank You!

Many thanks to Libraries staff for their generous support during last month's Community Fund Drive.  In the four weeks of the Drive, 28.81% of our staff contributed a total amount of $39,122!  With 98% of last year's participation rate (29.46%), we were unwavering even in light of a restrictive economy.  Pat yourself on the back, because this will surely make a difference for non-profit charitable organizations throughout the Twin Cities.  The International Institute of Minnesota will also be receiving the scarves, hats, and mittens that you donated for first-winter refugees.  While leaves fall outside, our Giving Tree is thriving!  Check it out at: https://wiki.lib.umn.edu/CFD/HowToGive .  Thanks again!

- Charlie Heinz and Kristen Mastel, Lead Volunteers

Lisa Johnston Presents Paper

Lisa Johnston recently presented a paper entitled, "How Deep Are Geoscientists Willing to Dig: A Citation Analysis of Changing Information-Seeking Behavior in the Digital Age," at the annual conference of the Geological Society of America.  In her talk, Lisa discussed the results of a citation analysis she conducted of geology dissertations at the University of Minnesota over the past 100 years.  Lisa plans to offer a brown bag about her results, but in the meantime, her presentation slides are available on her blog at: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/ljohnsto/geology/2009/10/gsa-meeting-presentation-slide-1.html .  It's a very interesting project!

- Janice Jaguszewski


Upcoming Events

HSL to Host Global Health Exhibit in January 2010

The Health Science Libraries (HSL) will be hosting a traveling exhibition from the National Library of Medicine called Against All Odds: Making a Difference in Global Health ( http://apps.nlm.nih.gov/againsttheodds/exhibit/index.cfm ).  The exhibit will be on view from approximately January 18 to February 26, 2010.  HSL staff are in the midst of planning some program events around this exhibit, so watch the Monday Memo for further announcements.

- Lisa McGuire

International Education Week Library Information Fair
November 16. 2009
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Room 101, Walter Library

The Diversity Outreach Collaborative needs your help in making the University Libraries International Education Week Information Fair a success!  We will highlight library resources for International Students and international library resources for all students.  Help us to introduce students to those resources and sign up for a one hour shift during the Fair.  We especially encourage staff with language expertise to join us in working with our diverse, international communities.  It was a fun and successful event last year and we hope you can help us with this year's event.  Please sign up for a one hour time slot on the wiki page at: https://wiki.lib.umn.edu/SciEng/InternationalFair

Any questions, difficulty signing up on the wiki?  Contact Jody Kempf at: j-kemp@umn.edu

- Jody Kempf

NOMMO African American Authors Series

In this series, host and moderator Alexs Pate, University of Minnesota professor and author of Amistad, takes you on a journey into the consciousness of two luminary writers.  These dynamic events feature the authors reading from their work and engaging in spirited dialogue with Pate about the state of the art of African American literature.

This week: Ishmael Reed, poet, publisher, editor, and author of 25 books, including Conjure, which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
7:00 pm
Theater, Coffman Memorial Union

Tickets are $15 each or $25 for the series.  Complimentary tickets for U of M students and members of the Friends of the University of Minnesota Libraries (limit two).  Order tickets at: https://www.tickets.umn.edu

- Communications Office

Opening Reception: Kerlan Collection's 60th Anniversary Exhibit
Sunday, November 15, 2009
2:00 pm
Elmer L. Andersen Library

Sixty years ago, Dr. Irvin Kerlan donated his collection of children's books to the University of Minnesota.  Dr. Kerlan chose what was best and representative of each current year and, when he could afford it, bought children's classics and past Newbery winners.  Soon he began pursuing the background material that went into making the books, writing letters to authors and illustrators, and they replied by forwarding their original manuscripts, artwork, and selected correspondence with editors and children.  From the halls of a Washington DC  brownstone to the caverns of the University, the Kerlan Collection now contains over 110,000 children's books, as well as original manuscripts, artwork, galleys, and color proofs for more than 18,000 titles.

Join us as we commemorate sixty years as one of the world's greatest children's literature research collections.

If you are planning to attend the opening reception on Sunday, November 15, featuring Leonard S. Marcus, please contact Lanaya Stangret at stangret@umn.edu or 612-624-9339.

- Communications Office

Research Support Group Event - Dr. Christine Pawley Presentation

Please join the Research and Publication Committee - Research Support Group in welcoming our first speaker in a new series of events.
Friday, November 13, 2009
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Room S30B, Wilson Library

Dr. Christine Pawley, Director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Library and Information Science, will be presenting "Librarian-Researcher: Getting Started on the Road to Research and Publication".  Dr. Pawley will be examining such issues as choosing a topic that can be built up into the research journey, dealing with road blocks in your path, how to change direction without losing focus, and being realistic in your research pursuits.  Refreshments will be provided.  This event is open to all library staff whether you are research newbie, an experienced author, or just interested in the research process.  For more information contact Kirsten Clark via email at: clark881@umn.edu or Meghan Lafferty via email at: mlaffert@umn.edu.

- Kirsten Clark and Meghan Lafferty, Research Support Group co-chairs


Exhibits at the Libraries

A Century of Accomplishment
A Century of Accomplishment, 1909-200: The One Hundredth Anniversary of the University of Minnesota School of Nursing
Through December 15, 2009
Wangensteen Historical Library, Diehl Hal

African American Studies & American Indian Studies - Celebrating 40 Years
Through December 5, 2009
Atrium Gallery, Elmer L. Andersen Library
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/lib-web/events/2009/10/african_american_studies_ameri.html

Dewey Thorbeck: Travel Sketches
An Architect's Recordings of Natural and Human Landscapes
Through December 27, 2009
Architecture Library, Rapson Hall

Kerlan Collection's 60th Anniversary
Opens Thursday, November 12, 2009
Through December 31, 2009
Exhibit Gallery, Elmer L. Andersen Library
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/lib-web/events/2009/12/kerlan_collections_60th_annive.html

Nothing Unattempted: The Voyages of Captain James Cook
Through December 31, 2009
T. R. Anderson Gallery, James Ford Bell Library, Wilson Library
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/lib-web/events/2009/10/nothing_unattempted_the_voyage.html

Robert Bly Revealed
Online exhibit
http://digital.lib.umn.edu/pachyderm/robertbly/

Winter Celebration
Opens Thursday, November 12, 2009
Through December 31, 2009
Andersen Gallery, Elmer L. Andersen Library


Workshops, Training Sessions, Brown Bags, Etc.

Webinar: Bringing Research Data into the Library: Expanding the Horizons of Institutional Repositories
Presented by MacKenzie Smith (from MIT University)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Room S30B, Wilson Library

The webinar will last approximately one hour, but please plan to stick around for a brief discussion, led by Philip Herold, of recent efforts to include data in the University Digital Conservancy.
- E-Science and Data Services Collaborative and the University Digital Conservancy

Webinar: Data, Data Everywhere: Migration and System Population Practices
You are invited to attend the NISO webinar entitled "Data, Data Everywhere: Migration and System Population Practices"
Wednesday, November11, 2009
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
Room S30B, Wilson Library

The scope and scale of metadata repositories continue to grow, with increasingly heterogeneous data and complexity both on the ingest side (e.g., bibliographic metadata) and in inter- and intra-organizational exchange of usage, patron, purchase, and accounting data.  While data format and exchange standards are a given, how do policies, implementations, and standards interact?  What are some examples of effective alignment of standards, policies and implementation, and what challenges remain?  Please see: http://www.niso.org/news/events/2009/datasystems09 for information on the speakers.  The webinar is sponsored by Ex Libris and registration costs were covered by Staff Education and Development (SED).  Feel free to bring your lunch.

- Betsy Friesen

Staff Education and Development

Check out upcoming classes offered by Libraries Staff Education and Development (SED) at: https://wiki.lib.umn.edu/SEDP/HomePage .

Minitex

Minitex offers a dynamic schedule of webinars and training sessions.  The full schedule may be found at: http://www.Minitex.umn.edu/events .
For items to be included in the Libraries Monday Memo, please send all announcements to monmemo@umn.edu, before 12:00 pm the preceding Friday.