Strength in Reserve (and Periodicals too)

Date: 29 sept 2006 Time: 1:20 Location: wilsonType of Incident: Other noise complaint
Unit: reference

Problem: Patron stopped at reference desk to complain that people on the 2nd floor were talking loudly on cell phones, disturbing others who were trying to study. No guard on duty, so I went up the second floor. Walked through entire floor without seeing or hearing anyone using a cell phone at all.
Action Taken:Other, checked out floor

Reminder: Use the incident report form at http://staff.lib.umn.edu/security/ Report these types of problems to the security monitor and your supervisor. Call 911 for criminal behavior. Never endanger your personal safety.

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 03:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Date: 28 sept 2006 Time: 2:40 Location: wilson, second floorType of Incident: Other noise
Unit: wilson reference

Problem: Patron leaving the library reported that someone on second floor was walking about, talking on a cell phone so loudly as to distract others. I started up to second floor as a person talking fairly loudly (but not exceptionally so) on a cell phone came down the stairs and exited the building. I went up to second and didn't hear anything out of the ordinary so assume that was the person reported.
Action Taken:Other, security monitor not on yet, so I checked out floor

Reminder: Use the incident report form at http://staff.lib.umn.edu/security/ Report these types of problems to the security monitor and your supervisor. Call 911for criminal behavior. Never endanger your personal safety.

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 04:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Date: 9/27/06 Time: 5:50pm Location: Wilson Library
Type of Incident: Other loud patrons Unit: General Reference Dept.
Problem: I received a call at the Reference Desk from a very annoyed patron who said that she had just left Wilson Library because a group of kids had descended on the third floor making noise and logging each other in with what she thought was a borrowed id. I explained our increased security and assured her that the security guard would go right up and investigate the problem. I also encouraged her to use the red phones if she ever had the problem again. The security guard went up and as soon as the people in question saw her they headed out the door. The security guard said that she would continue to monitor the situation every few minutes to be sure they don't come back.
Action Taken: Contacted Security Monitor

Reminder: Use the incident report form at http://staff.lib.umn.edu/security/ Report these types of problems to the security monitor and your supervisor. Call 911for criminal behavior. Never endanger your personal safety.

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The videotape Battle of Algiers was checked out from Wilson Course Reserve on 9/25 without the accompanying envelope sleeve. The sleeve has the barcode on it, so the item is out there in limbo. It should be returned to Reserve by tomorrow.

Keep your eyes open for this item, and put it in the envelope that is up by the front desk once it's returned.

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 05:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The following is a message from Wendy Pratt Lougee, University Librarian for all University Libraries.

The new academic term is in full swing. The increased traffic and energy in our libraries is evident!

With the fall term, we have also experienced continued problems related to disruptive behavior within Wilson Library. I want to let you know what actions are being taken. Last week, meetings were held with the UMN Chief of Police and a representative of his staff to request assistance in addressing this problem. We agreed to additional steps to increase security presence in Wilson. Beginning this past weekend, policy alerts and statements were posted and distributed in Wilson, informing our users that the first instance of disruptive behavior will result in removal from the library. Those of us in Libraries Administration were also on hand on Saturday and Sunday, circulating throughout the building and working with scheduled staff to deal with incidents that arose.

Beginning today, additional security monitors will be in place. This will allow us to have greater security presence on each floor and address disruptive behavior immediately. We have also had assurance from the police that they will include the interior of Wilson in their security rounds. If these additional steps are not successful, we are prepared to take more restrictive steps, including the potential of requiring identification from both affiliated and unaffiliated users who enter Wilson Library.

Over the summer, a Libraries task force reviewed policy and practice related to security in our library facilities. Chaired by Kris Fowler, the group included Joan Mouchet, Mike Sutliff, Kathy Allen, Sharon Folk, Jody Gray, and Mark Desrosiers. Linda DeBeau-Melting was administrative liaison to the group. Their report was just submitted last week and we will be posting it to the Libraries staff wiki this week. We will review this report in the coming weeks and also solicit feedback broadly. The recommendations will be critical as we continue to deal with the problems associated with maintaining an effective environment for our users and for our staff.

Thank you for your continued support in dealing with these difficult issues.

Wendy

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 03:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Date: 9/21/06 Time: 4:30 p.m. Location: 3rd floor Wilson LibraryType of Incident: Conflict
Unit: Wilson Reference Sex: male
Problem: Female student tried to use an unused computer near 4 non-University males, one of whom swore at her and turned off the monitor.

2 First Responders talked to the males and were told to use open access computers.
Action Taken:Called Geographic Facilitator or Library Designee

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Date: 9/21/06 Time: 7pm Location: Wilson Library, several floors
Type of Incident: Other Inappropriate behavior by young patrons; Unit: Wilson General Reference
Problem: At least six times from 5-6.30 pm, the Security Monitor had to ask teenage library visitors, who were using computers on the upper floors, to quiet down so others could study. Two patrons (one, a caller on the Red Phone; another, in person at the Reference desk) complained about the noise they were making. At one point, a General Reference staffer had to go upstairs and ask the youngsters to be more quiet, too.
Action Taken:Contacted Security Monitor

Reminder: Use the incident report form at http://staff.lib.umn.edu/security/ Report these types of problems to the security monitor and your supervisor. Call 911for criminal behavior. Never endanger your personal safety.

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 03:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On the Info Desk, I have had two law students who work on law journals come in and ask about checking out journals from our library and "racking" them at the Law Library.

What to do: If you get this question, tell the student that only certain Law Library materials can be "racked" in this way, and they should talk to the Reference Librarian at the Law Library about getting materials that are outside the Law Library. Most importantly, if they decide to check the sources out anyway, remind them that they are still personally responsible for the materials, and they must bring the materials back by our due dates.

The all-important Why: If you're curious, these law students are gathering source texts that have been cited in articles that are soon to be published in law journals. The Law Library has set up a special arrangement with their own collection so that these students can have materials on a special reserve shelf, to be used by journal editors. Once the editors are finished with these materials, they get sent back to the regular shelves. For materials that the Law Library does not own, Reference Librarians guide them in using other means such as Interlibrary Loan.

Posted by Charles Heinz at 05:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Date: 9/19/06 Time: 3:35 Location: 2nd Floor of Wilson Lib. SW corner
Type of Incident: Other indecent exposure/masturbating
Unit: Wilson Reference Height: 6ft Weight: medium Hair Color: black Sex: male
Description of clothing: tan pants and dark shirt
Problem: Student came to the desk to report that a man was masturbating on the second floor.
Action Taken:Called 911

Remember: The on-line incident report form is located at http://staff.lib.umn.edu/security/ Report these types of problems to 911, and never endanger your personal safety

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Date: 9-15-06 Time: 1:00 PM Location: Wilson LibraryUnit: Circulation
Sex: male
Problem: While doing a book search on the second floor, two girls studying in private group study rooms flagged me down and complained that a man had been in their room harassing them, touching them, and talking to them while they were studying. I called the university police service, met the officer at the library entrance, and showed them where the girls were still studying. They found the man and made him leave the library.
Action Taken:Called Police

Remember: The on-line incident report form is located at http://staff.lib.umn.edu/security/ Report these types of problems to 911, and never endanger your personal safety

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For all students who have started new this semester, please register for the following training:

Unravel 1: Orientation to the Libraries & Tour of Wilson Library

This training is on paid time. Register for the training outside of your normal shifts, if possible. If not, you can attend the training when you are already scheduled to work.

The training covers: There are almost 2 dozen libraries at the University. How do you know which one to use? What services do the libraries offer to make a patron's research easier? Get the inside scoop from library staff themselves. This session includes an orientation to services and resources available through the Libraries, an overview of the Libaries website and MNCAT, the library catalog, and a tour of Wilson Library.

Go to http://www.lib.umn.edu/registration/ to register and follow the Unravel 1 link.

All new students, please comment with what date/time you have registered for. Thanks!

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 05:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

This week, please welcome three additional new students: Stephanie, Kyle and Marge.

With these new students on board, the schedule is filled out and now (hopefully!) in its finalized form. A copy of the finalized schedule will be emailed to you today and posted in the office.

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 12:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The following is a message from the University Police. While it doesn't directly relate to the Libraries, it is something the entire campus community should know about.

In the early morning hours of September 9th, there were two unprovoked
assaults of students near campus. Local media covered the two assaults
over the weekend. Yesterday, the University of Minnesota Police
Department received a report of a 3rd assault that took place on campus
near 16th Ave SE and University Ave that same night. There have been no
additional similar cases since the 9th. However, we believe it is
important that the campus community be made aware that these assaults
have taken place, especially with the weekend coming up and the
likelihood of students socializing off campus. This information is also
posted at the UMPD website, www.umn.edu/police and includes additional
safety advice.

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 11:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Welcome back to John and Brent who are back after summer break.

We also have four new students who have started this week: Marie, Shaylee, Justin and Daryn (that's right, we now have two Darin/Daryn's!).

Make sure to welcome these new faces that you will see and help them out as they are learning the ropes.

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 06:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

...which wasn't too clear in my previous post where i switched "sensitize" and "desensitize" in one place. my bad.

sensitizing schmensitizing!

please glance over the corrected "Be Sensitive!" post below. but there is no need to again comment that you've read it.

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 06:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Desensitize all materials -- including reserve books -- when checking them out.

All day today, reserve items were not desensitized when checked out. Thus, many library users have been stopped at the gate when trying to exit the library.

Reserve materials need to be desensitized when you check them out because right now, many are new to the reserve collection. Having come from the library's general collection, they are currently sensitized.

Please remember to desensitize!

All students please comment to indicate you have read this post.

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 02:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (17)

Registration for the Information Access and Delivery Service (IADS) customer service initiative is now available. All students are expected to attend this training, except those that attended this summer. To register, you must enroll online at:
https://onestop2.umn.edu/training/courseDetail.jsp?course=LB0174

All training will be on paid time. Enrolling in a training that is outside of normally scheduled work hours is just fine; just consider it extra paid time for that week. To make sure that you are paid for this time, either punch in/out when attending the training session or inform staff about when you are attending.

Classes will be offered beginning September 13 and continuing through October 3. There will be a total of eight sessions on both the Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses and run approximately three hours in length. Note that there are two early evening sessions beginning at 5:00 pm.

When registering please keep in mind:
1) the Walter sessions will be held in 101 (the IT Dean's conference room).
2) The Diehl session will be in room 555
3) The Andersen sessions will be in 120C

All students please respond and indicate what training you will be attending. If you are not able to make any of the trainings, please see Margaret.

Posted by Margaret Ostrander at 02:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)