Strength in Reserve (and Periodicals too)

Starting August 6th, we will have new guidelines for student use of computers at the front desk. Since this is a shift from what has been our normal policy down here, we want to explain our reasons for doing this, which are twofold:

First, our location (behind the walls of the reserve area) makes accessibility difficult for patrons. Patrons are much more comfortable approaching an open desk where they can see a friendly, welcoming staff person. Already working at the disadvantaged position of being hard to see, your focus on the computer screen (while intently surfing or typing) becomes even more of a barrier as patrons are not likely to “bother” staff workers who exhibit “closed” behavior (such as looking busy at a terminal).

While university-related and other resource and research sites are okay for the casual browse, answering email, participating in chats, or engaging in discussion groups online ( FaceBook, MySpace-type blogging community), take attention away from your principal role at the desk: which is as a customer service representative for the library. Your primary goal is to appear welcoming and to make eye contact with each passing patron. This is an important role and you don’t want anything to distract you from it.

Secondly, this is simply a library wide-policy which has not, until now, been enforced properly. It’s our responsibility to bring ourselves in line with the rest of the library departments.

Students please comment that you have read this post.

Posted by Becky A at 05:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Due to the last to fire alarms, it's time to review the library's emergency procedures! This is for everyone, supervisors included. You can either go to the link below or there is a printed version at the desk.
http://staff.lib.umn.edu/fom/Emergency%20Plans/wilsonemergency.pdf

Posted by Becky A at 02:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Message from Jerrie Bayer:

As a rule, staff should be aware that they should never hold onto personal materials for users. The Libraries should not be put in a position where they could be held liable if theft or damage occurs while an item is in the care of our staff.

Also of concern is the potential for criminal activity involving unattended bags, such as bombs or other harmful devices. Because of this potential danger, staff should not jeopardize themselves or other library patrons by accepting a bag from a patron.

If there are concerns raised by users or staff, please refer them to either me or Matt Bowers (mattb@umn.edu). Further information will be coming from the Safety Committee.

Posted by Becky A at 02:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is a reminder of what steps need to be taken if you end up missing or need to leave during a weekend shift.
1) Notify a student supervisor, then try to find a substitute
2) If your unable to find a substitute, contact Laurie (see numbers on contact information sheet)
3) If your unable to reach Laurie, contact Jackie Purdie
4) If your unable to reach Lois or Jackie, contact Lois
5) remember to also email wilsrsv@umn.edu with the date and reason for your absence

Students please comment that you have read this post.

Posted by Becky A at 01:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

It's time to fill out new availability sheets for the time starting August 6 until the fall. There are forms on the cart by my desk.
Also there are forms for the fall. Just leave the completed forms on my desk.
Please fill them out as soon as possible, you have a better chance of getting the shifts you want the sooner they come in.

Posted by Becky A at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The reminder: Summer is lazing along and I know it feels kinda dead around here, but remember to stay alert and professional while on desk duty. I know it's horrifically hot and having a cold drink up there is a little bit of heaven, but please keep drinks under the desk. Especially when you wander off to help a patron in the room, nothing looks worse than a service window with a sign telling a patron to ring the bell while the counter is all cluttered with drinks, magazines, crumpled tissues, etc. Try keep it tidy, everyone.

The tip: Leave Explorer or Firefox running while you're up there. Now, don't abandon it there while surfing YouTube, but keep a browser window ready either open to the reserve site or the library home page so that when a patron comes up you can type in their query. The desk computers are kind of pokey (as you know), so saving them that little extra bit of frustration of having to wait for the browser may seem minuscule, but it makes a difference. Your preparedness adds to the overall appearance that you are professional!

just say no to clutter

Okay, enough with the service announcements. Is everyone having a great summer?

: D

Posted by Elena Carrillo at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There were two incidents reported last week,

On 7/8, a Wilson staff member was in the building after closing and exited by the emergency door by the circulation desk on the first floor. The alarm sounded, the staffer called 911, and the alarm was disabled by UMPD. Staff in Wilson who leave after closing should exit by the secure door in the basement by Shipping and Receiving.

On 7/11, outside the front door, an individual was verbally abusive to Wilson staff members. UMPD was in the area looking for the individual based on a complaint from University staff in another West Bank building. The individual was charged with disorderly conduct.

Also on 7/11, a fire alarm sounded in Wilson due to smoke from burning microwave popcorn in the staff lounge. A memo was sent out reminding staff about library policy concerning microwave popcorn.

Many thanks to everyone in Wilson for the great cooperation during the fire alarm this morning. The alarm sounded during a regular maintenance check by Facilities staff.

Posted by Becky A at 03:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is a reminder sent out in response to the Wednesday night evacuation of the building.

Guide for use of microwaves:
Microwaves housed in the Libraries cannot not be used to make popcorn. (Approved by Libraries Leadership Council, December 12, 2002.)

Background:
In the past, one of our libraries had a building evacuation situation due to burned microwave popcorn. Smoke from the burned popcorn activated the alarms, staff and patrons had to evacuate the building, and the fire department arrived in full force. In another instance of burned popcorn, the alarms did not go off, but the disagreeable odor of burned popcorn lingered for a long time. Fortunately, the sprinklers were not activated in any of these instances, and the fire department did not back charge the libraries for the truck runs (which they normally do).

All students please comment that you have read this post

Posted by Becky A at 01:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Fortunatley for her, I am an expert in that very field. I have been slowly trying to perfect the art of world domination, and I think I am coming close to achieving absolute power. Every young protege needs a mentor, and I would be neglectful not to mention the power which Lois possesses. Not since Alexander the Great, Charlemagne, or Cleopatra has anyone known the power of Lois - when someone comes into periodicals and reserves, they know they have entered an area of total power. I hope that the part-time staffers recognize the incredible asset we have available to us. Whether we hope to reign supreme over 1.765 million serfs in Russia or snap our fingers and instantly recieve pina coladas and back massages, Lois may provide insight into how to achieve these goals. Keep your fingers crossed, continue to follow the domination mantra, and in time you too may come to know absolute power.

Posted by Joseph McNiel at 09:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While surfing the internet today I discovered something interesting and library related. Author Ernest Vincent Wright wrote a novel, "Gadsby" which contains over 50,000 words and never once does he use the letter "E." You can read about it and a few of the chapters at http://www.spinelessbooks.com/gadsby/

Posted by Jacey Berg at 06:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)