February 8th, 2010

News from Around the Libraries

Diversity Outreach Collaborative Blog

The Diversity Outreach Collaborative has developed a blog for diversity events and resources available at the University of Minnesota.  You can access this blog at: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/grayjl/doc/ .  We encourage everyone to take a look.  This is a work in progress - if you have any suggestions or comments please contact Jody Gray at: grayjl@umn.edu .

- Jody Gray

Greening the Libraries Fun Fact

Green How You Eat On Campus!  Environmentally Responsible Food Options on Campus: Organic, Locally Grown, Fair Trade, and more.  University Dining Services (UDS) continues to expand their Environmental Sustainability program on campus and offers a number of locally grown and organic foods into menus, local restaurant partnerships, recycling, composting and more.  Check out the UDS site for more information on campus locations and offerings at: http://www1.umn.edu/dining/awareness.html

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

- Greening the Libraries Project

Help us Name the Media Repository

The media repository team seeks input from staff and student workers in helping to name our new rich media initiative.  We ask that you take a few moments to offer us your thoughts on a few potential naming options.  We also ask that you share your ideas with us.

https://umsurvey.umn.edu/index.php?sid=68582&lang=um

This survey is open to both staff and students so feel free to share the link with others.  Thank you for taking time to help us out.

- Jason Roy

Libraries IT News - February 2010 Monthly Update

UMN Bibliographic Data to HathiTrust
The University of Minnesota Libraries is now caught up in providing bibliographic records data to the University of Michigan for inclusion in the HathiTrust digital repository ( http://www.hathitrust.org/ ).  These records describe the government documents and duplicate items that have been scanned by Google thus far and that will be discoverable in the HathiTrust catalog, as well as in Google Book Search.  Library Enterprise Operations (LEO) will continue to provide records to the repository on a monthly basis beginning with materials shipped to Google in February 2010.  For more information, please contact Heather Hessel or Connie Hendrick.

Exploring Virtualization Strategies
"Virtualization" allows you to run multiple computer operating systems from a single physical computer, providing a kind of "making many computers out of one" opportunity.  Michael Winters, Info Tech Professional for Walter Library, has joined an Office of Information Technology (OIT) committee looking at how virtualization technology will be implemented on campus.  In addition, he is leading a University Libraries pilot project examining how desktop virtualization can be implemented within the Libraries.  Michael has a strong background in this area, having been systems administrator for a Microsoft virtual server environment at his last position outside the University.  For more information, please contact Peter Weinhold or Michael Sutliff.

Urchin Web Statistics
The Libraries joined OIT's Urchin Software web statistics pilot project and have already put in data for the main website ( www.lib.umn.edu ), PlantInfo ( plantinfo.umn.edu ), and UThink ( blog.lib.umn.edu ).  More servers/domains will be added as we migrate to the Drupal web content management system.  Urchin Software ( www.google.com/urchin/ ) is produced by Google and is replacing the Sawmill web stats application.  For more information, please contact Shane Nackerud.

New Computer Science Graduate Assistant in the Lab
Pradeep Gali, graduate assistant, has recently joined the Digital Library Development Lab (DLDL).  Pradeep is a first year grad student, with research interest is in the field of data mining.  We are very excited to get him working on Drupal and converting some of our most popular applications (like myLibrary) into the Drupal CMS.  For more information, please contact Shane Nackerud.

Disaster Recovery Planning for MetaLib
LEO and OIT staff successfully completed the final step in the Disaster Recovery (DR) planning process for the MetaLib (OneSearch / Articles search) application.  The work completed by the MetaLib DR team ensures that we will be able to efficiently switch to an alternate environment in case of an emergency with our production environment.  The scope of this project includes the MetaLib systems that LEO supports for the Twin Cities, Duluth, and one consortial customer.  For more information, please contact Heather Hessel.

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

Libraries Planning Speaker Series

Thanks to all of you who took the time to complete the post-speaker presentation surveys developed by the working groups.  Please visit the Speaker Series wiki page if you'd like to review the survey results at: https://wiki.lib.umn.edu/Staff/UniversityLibrariesSpeakerSeries

- Jennifer Reckner

Peer Research Consultants

Peer Research Consultants are available during the evening hours spring semester 2010.  For the current schedule: http://www.lib.umn.edu.floyd.lib.umn.edu/services/prc .

- Jody Gray

Staff Recognition Event - Call for Volunteers

The Staff Recognition Planning Group is starting its work for 2010 and we'd love your help.  Each year, the group has come together with veteran and new members, so we're always glad to have more Libraries and Minitex staff join us.  If you're interested in this year's staff recognition, please let me know via email at: reckn001@umn.edu or via telephone at 4-9338.

- Jennifer Reckner, on behalf of the Staff Recognition Group

Tech Services Ten Cents: January 2010

Who doesn't have money on their mind these days: making it, spending it wisely, saving it?  Technical Services is always very aware of costs.  As a result, they have been: Shopping the sales... Staying on the money... Making valuable contributions...

See what they did at: https://wiki.lib.umn.edu/TS/Newsletter

- Technical Services

UMN Quality Fair

The TCF Bank Stadium was abuzz on February 4, 2010, with over 1000 participants in the University of Minnesota's fourth annual Quality Fair.  Jackie Gulbranson, Lois Stuedemann, and Jerrie Bayer participated in the fair with a poster describing an updated work flow implemented in Wilson Library which reduced book re-shelving turnaround time significantly.  The Quality Fair was a great opportunity to highlight the good work of the Wilson Stacks unit and to talk to hundreds of UMN staff about the project and to discuss the success and challenges of the process.  A special thank you to Elena Carrillo who helped with poster design and Jennifer Swedberg  who provided valuable feedback and image resources for the poster.  Look for more information on the success of this project in an upcoming IADS "Check It Out" newsletter.

Thanks to Jackie, Lois, and Jerrie for their effort to let others know what good things are going on in the University Libraries.

- Sue Hallgren


Upcoming Events

Announcing Open Sessions on Proposed New Preservation/Conservation Strategies

Consultant Sam Demas and the Preservation and Conservation Planning Task Force have been studying the needs and options for providing enduring access to the UMN Libraries collections.  The resulting strategies will guide fundraising for and implementation of a greater preservation capacity over the next few years.
 
Your input is needed!  Two Open Sessions have been scheduled to discuss proposed strategies for the Libraries' new Preservation/Conservation program.  Draft copies will be made available for your review on the staff wiki before the first session.  Please check your schedule and plan to attend one of the sessions.
 
Monday, February 8, 2010
1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Room 120A, Elmer L. Andersen Library

Friday, February 12, 2010
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Room 120A, Elmer L. Andersen Library
   
Don't miss this important opportunity to provide feedback!

- Preservation/Conservation Task Force: Charles Spetland, Kris Kiesling, Scott Marsalis, Amy Boemer, Arvid Nelsen, Linda Greve, and Sam Demas, consultant

Library Technology Conference 2010

Registration is now open!
March 17 and 18, 2010
Macalester College, St. Paul, MN

To register, go to: http://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/libtech_conf/2010/
 
This year's conference is again intended to provide an opportunity for library professionals and the technologists who support them to discuss the technologies that are affecting library services, to see examples of what libraries are doing with these technologies, and to provide a venue where participants can learn specific skills or knowledge that they can take back and adapt for use within their own libraries.  The number of conference participants will be limited to 400 in order to help ensure a quality conference experience and to help facilitate the interactive and hands-on nature of many of the sessions.

During the two-day conference, more than 70 traditional lecture-style sessions, hands-on and workshop sessions, panel discussions, and poster sessions will be offered on a wide range of library technology-related topics.  In addition to these concurrent sessions, we are also very pleased that Michael Porter and Anne Zarinnia will be joining us as keynote speakers.  Michael, who is the Communications Manager at WebJunction.org, is a librarian, blogger, technology fan, and author who was named one of Library Journal's "Movers & Shakers" for 2009.  His professional focus is on practical technology, community, library futures, training, and planning.  Anne's research focuses on working with technology in libraries and school media centers in small, rural communities.  As Associate Professor and Chair of the Educational Foundations department at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Anne is interested in how technologies - specifically social media - change the information landscape and necessitate learning new technology skills.  In 2009, Anne and a colleague received a nearly $1 million grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to help school librarians become familiar with changing technology.

At the suggestion of Anne Zarinnia, and in line with the Library Technology Conference's continuing efforts to support library technology awareness by library staff working in rural communities and to encourage participation by staff who have not previously attended the Conference, a limited number of scholarships will be offered.  For more information on these scholarship opportunities, visit: http://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/libtech_conf/2010/scholarships/

We hope that you and other staff from your library will make plans to join us for this conference!  For more information, visit the conference web site at: http://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/libtech_conf/2010/

- Mary Parker

Save the Date for A Reference Renaissance 2010

A Reference Renaissance 2010: Inventing the Future, co-chaired by Marie Radford and Rivkah Sass, will be held August 8 through 10, 2010, in Denver, Colorado.  This exciting event will feature numerous presentations showcasing the latest reference trends and techniques that will give you new ideas and tools to better serve your customers.  Also included are vendor exhibits, presentations specifically focused on products and services of interest to reference and information staff, and plenty of opportunities for networking and sharing with colleagues.

More information about the conference, including the Call for Proposals may be found at: http://www.bcr.org/referencerenaissance .

To receive email announcements about the Call for Proposals, registration, or other information about this event, please send an email to: refren@bcr.org .

- Carla Steinberg Pfahl


Exhibits at the Libraries

Against the Odds: Making a Difference in Global Health
Through Friday, February 19, 2010
Second Floor, Diehl Hall
Monday, February 22 through Friday, February 26, 2010
Magrath Library
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/lib-web/events/2010/05/against_the_odds_making_a_diff.html

The Machine That Changed the World: ACM and the History of Computing, 1947-2010
Through Friday, March 5, 2010
Exhibit Gallery, Elmer L. Andersen Library
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/lib-web/events/2010/05/the_machine_that_changed_the_w.html

Native View Points: Paintings and Drawings by John Koepke
Opens Friday, February 12, 2010
Through Friday, may 14, 2010
Room 210, Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library, Rapson Hall

Nothing Unattempted: The Voyages of Captain James Cook
Through Sunday, March 7, 2010
T. R. Anderson Gallery, James Ford Bell Library, Wilson Library
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/lib-web/events/2010/05/nothing_unattempted_the_voyage.html

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

Tangible Digital Matter
The Art in the Libraries 2010 exhibition celebrates digital media in the work of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff from the Department of Art at the University of Minnesota.
Through Sunday, May 15, 2010
Basement, First, and Fourth Floors, Wilson Library
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/lib-web/events/2010/05/art_in_the_libraries_tangible.html


Workshops, Training Sessions, Brown Bags, Etc.

Civil Service Performance Appraisal Workshops

The performance appraisal form for Civil Service employees has been greatly streamlined and improved.  Feedback from staff and supervisors resulted in a revised form that combines the essential components of the Employee Input form and the Performance Appraisal form into one document.

Sessions for Supervisors of Civil Service Staff
In these sessions, the roles and responsibilities of the supervisor and staff member will be discussed.  Supervisors of Civil Service staff are strongly encouraged to attend.  Register for one of the following supervisor sessions at https://onestop2.umn.edu/training/courseDetail.jsp?course=LB0257 .  All workshops will be in room S30A, Wilson Library.

Friday, February 12, 2010
9:00 am to 10:00 am

Friday, February 19, 2010
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Monday, February 22, 2010
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Wednesday, February 24, 2010
8:00 am to 9:00 am

Sessions for Civil Service Staff
Is it difficult for you to write about your job performance?  This workshop will review the redesigned Civil Service Appraisal form and also take time to discuss and share tips and techniques for effectively reporting about your work over the past year.  Register for a Civil Service employee session at: https://onestop2.umn.edu/training/courseDetail.jsp?course=LB0258 .  All workshops will be in room S30A, Wilson Library.

Friday, February 12, 2010
10:00 am to 11:00 am

Friday, February 19, 2010
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Monday, February 22, 2010
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Wednesday, February 24, 2010
9:00 am to 10:00 am

- Denise Gamble

NISO Webinar

purchased National Information Standards Organization's (NISO) 2010 webinar series as a package.  Among the important topics that will be addressed are: assessment, interoperability, preservation, identification, RFID, metadata, and accessibility.  Coming next....

What It Takes To Make It Last: E-Resources Preservation
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
Minitex Conference Room, Andersen Library

"Thirty years into the Digital Revolution, we are still grappling with how best to preserve electronic content.  Whether born digitally or the electronic version of analog content, electronic resources are relied upon more and more, and their long-term usability must be ensured.  This webinar will provide attendees with an overview of current digital preservation standards, as well as a closer look at the PREMIS standard for preservation metadata.  Attendees will also hear about the work being undertaken by HathiTrust to build and preserve a comprehensive and cooperative digital library.

Although there is no charge, register is required.  For more information or to register, go to: http://www.minitex.umn.edu/events/niso/ .  The 13-part webinar series will be archived.  If you're unable to attend this on-site event, Minitex participants will have access to the links following the presentations.

- Mary Parker

Office 2007: The Ribbon

February 11, 2010
10:00 am to 1:30 am
Room S30C, Wilson Library

This class is an overview of the new features and changes introduced in Office 2007, changes in each application (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), as well as a few major changes that affect all applications and all Office 2007 users.  Register at: https://onestop2.umn.edu/training/courseDetail.jsp?course=LB0202

- Jan Roseen

Spring Emerging TechShop Series

The exploration continues!  As a next step to the highly successful Fall 2009 Emerging Tech Expo, the IT Council and Staff Education and Development (SED) are sponsoring a workshop series that will delve deeper into an "emerging" technology and help you decide how you might use it in your work

Save the date for the first Emerging TechShop: UMConnect
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
3:00 om to 4:30 pm
Room S30A, Wilson Library

Look for more information on all upcoming TechShops later this week!

- Emerging Tech Expo Planning Group: Liya Ai, John Butler, Francine Dupont-Crocker, Denise Gamble, Lisa Johnston, Jan Roseen, Scott Spicer

Webinar, Group Viewing: TechTrends: Midwinter 2010

Thursday, February 11, 2010
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Room S30B, Wilson Library

Analyze and discuss the Midwinter meeting from a library technology perspective.  A panel of experts will share what they've learned from the conference and what trends they think stood out.  Participants will also have a chance to participate in a Q&A session with the panelists.

The panel includes:
- Jason Griffey, Head of Library Information Technology, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
- Kate Sheehan, Open Source Implementation Coordinator, BibliomationInc
- Greg Landgraf, Associate Editor, American Libraries
- Sean Fitzpatrick, Associate Editor, American Libraries

More information at: http://www.alatechsource.org/blog/2010/01/techtrends-mid-winter-2010.html .  Sponsored by Staff Education and Development (SED) and the IT Council.

- Denise Gamble

Webinar, Group Viewing: Alliance Library System and Learning Times Offer Handheld Librarian 2

February 17 and 18, 2010
10:00 am  to 5:30 pm
Room S30B, Wilson Libnrary

More people than ever are using mobile devices for a wide variety of purposes including communication, internet access, text messaging, and entertainment.  Learn more at: https://www.handheldlibrarian.org .

The conference will feature four exciting keynote talks:
- Joan K. Lippincott, Coalition for Networked Information, "Mobilizing Libraries for Today's Students"
- Joe Murphy, Yale University, "This is Now: The Mobile Library"
- Alison Miller, Internet Public Library, "Mobile Trends and Social Reference"
- Tom Peters, TAP Information Services, "Morphing with Mobile"

Sponsored by Staff Education and Development (SED) and the IT Council.

- Denise Gamble

What you Should Know About the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

February 24, 2010
1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Room 314 Walter Library

March 3, 2010
1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Room 120A, Elmer L Andersen Library

Register at: https://onestop2.umn.edu/training/courseDetail.jsp?course=LB0104

This session will provide a refresher for understanding the eligibility and notification requirements of FMLA and clarify the relation of FMLA to other leave policies.  These items will be addressed:
- the legal framework of the FMLA
- how the FMLA interacts with University policies, rules, and contracts
- what rights and responsibilities the University and employees have regarding FMLA
- when to involve Disability Services in FMLA issues

Presenters: Mike McGlynn, Office of Human Resources (OHR) Consultant, and April Narcisse, FMLA Specialist, OHR.  Supervisors are strongly encouraged to attend.

- Jan Roseen

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 University Libraries Monday Memo, please send all announcements to monmemo@umn.edu, before 12:00 pm the preceding Friday.