Transferring calls on the cordless phone
Although there is no transfer button on the new cordless phone, it is still possible to transfer calls, please see our reference desk wiki (phone page) for details:
Although there is no transfer button on the new cordless phone, it is still possible to transfer calls, please see our reference desk wiki (phone page) for details:
I've put together a guide with some options for non-affiliates who would like to find chemistry-related information. There is also a print version that I had Charlie put in the communications kiosk (spinny thing) by the desk.
I have had 2 questions about the Cambridge Structural Database (as a source of crystal structure data) this week so I thought I'd pass along what I know about it. The Chemistry Department's X-ray Crystallography Lab has a license, and people can contact Victor Young (http://www.chem.umn.edu/services/xraylab/) for more information. I am talking to him about partnering on a site-wide license so this may change in the future, but for now, send U of M people there if they want access to crystal structure information.
Someone contacted the reference desk this morning about where to access ChemDraw. If anyone else asks, ChemBioDraw (as it is now called) is licensed by the Chemistry Department and can be accessed from http://www.chem.umn.edu/services/microlab/software.html. Users need to have a umn.edu e-mail address.
For affiliates, SciFinder is a good place to go to find sources for where to buy chemicals. Otherwise, one good source is emolecules.com. People might also try suppliers' websites (e.g., Sigma Aldrich).
Su Chen from the East Asian library was kind enough to send over a bunch of their library handouts. They are located on the low table to the left of the desk (with the other handouts). I have used them twice this week already so I thought I'd mention it.
I was asked by a library patron about how to access his H Drive. He is a Metropolitan State University student, and they have a network drive called the "home directory" or "H Drive" that can be accessed on and off campus. In case we get another similar question in the future, I thought I would post relevant information on the blog. Here's what Metro State U IT Staff had to say:
{-----------------
Charlie,
We have what is called a home directory (H:) where students have
personal, backed-up network storage space. Students can access their
home directory through the online NetDirect portal. They can upload to
or download files from their home directory.
Students can access NetDirect form the home page (www.metrostate.edu)
by clicking on the NetDirect Student and Employee portals.
Let me know if you have questions.
-May
-------------------------}
We've talked to circulation about having their students shelve as many reference items as they can, leaving difficult ones such as standards behind on our truck to be shelved. So, there's no need to re-shelve regular LC reference books.
The rationale behind leaving these books for circulation is so that books browsed in our room get counted in IADS statistics, thus showing how much use our materials are getting. If we shelve our own books without passing on statistics, no one will ever know that they were browsed. Stats are compiled into reports.
If you think our truck hasn't been visited at least once per day by circulation, please let me know. Thanks!
~Charlie
I had a question today about what rocks Northrop is composed of. After the student left I found this website which would have been very helpful to her. I suspect it is a class assignment so here's the link: http://www.geo.umn.edu/courses/1001/campus/pages/index.htm
[Note: this is a post from our old Reference Tips blog]
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Direct Link to MNCAT
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2005 15:20:01 -0600
From: Gary Fouty
Subject: direct connection to MnCat
As we were reminded again yesterday, we are dependent on the Library servers to access the catalog, even though the catalog runs on a different server run by OIT. Here is a direct link:
http://umnlib.oit.umn.edu/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b&local_base=tcmncat
that will work even when Library server is down.
If the Reference Room needs anything--perhaps the desk needs more scratch paper--feel free to send an IM to Charlie (umcharlielib) or Maria (ummarialib), and we will drop by as soon as possible for support! If IM isn't working, our office number is 4-7899. We're here to keep the wheels turning!
We are set up with AIM, Google Talk, MSN, Yahoo, and Jabber. Our screen-names are consistent in each account: umcharlielib and ummarialib.
Several of you had mentioned that users have approached the reference desk seeking film/videos on specific subjects. Johann has created a search interface to facilitate such searching in MNCAT. It is linked from the "Film Studies" Research Quickstart page and can be found directly at: http://www.lib.umn.edu/site/videos.phtml
Janice
As discussed at our last staff meeting, the ref desk stats forms have been moved from the file cabinet to a tray system on the counter top above it. To help prevent valuable data from being inadvertently used as scratch paper, I have put the new sheets on the top tray and the completed forms below. Just as a teaser, a paperless statistics system may be in our future (talk to Leslie or I for details).
Thanks,
-Tony
On-Campus Video Camera Rental Info:
Staff and Faculty:
http://www1.umn.edu/ucs/camcorders.php
Students:
http://www.lib.umn.edu/smart/wilson/hardware-a.phtml
The liaison's business cards have been moved from the wooden tray in the top ref desk drawer to a business card holder on the main desk (located at arms reach, next to the scratch paper and handouts). Please keep an eye on your cards and make sure they are stocked.