Tuesday, July 21, 2009
University of Arizona - Tucson: Signage
It's easy to find a book at the library, just request it and it's put on the hold shelf for you.
University of Arizona - Tucson: Signage
This is a terrific sign in that the messages are exceedingly clear.
University of Arizona - Tucson
The entrance to the Library, off to the right under the eaves is the coffee shop.
The weather in March was fantastic! The open air seating under the eaves provides protection from the sun.
From the library, looking back to the coffee shop.
The weather in March was fantastic! The open air seating under the eaves provides protection from the sun.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tucson Public Library
Click on photo to go to the larger size on Flickr
This was a great sign for publicizing branch libraries!
Tucson Public Library
Self check with a rack that holds grocery bags for patrons to use to carry books.
Arizona State University - Tempe
Excellent signage!! I think students really get the idea of the stoplight.
Arizona State University - Tempe
Instruction lab configured into pods or groups to facilitate groupwork. Lots of space around pods so that librarians can navigate between with ease.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Clark County Public Library - Nevada
Another instance of segregating and labeling reference books onto tables.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Do and Don't signage outside of library. To see the verbiage go to my original photo on flickr at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/2318979664/sizes/o/
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Information commons at UNLV. The computer tables are in this huge atrium area and have glass umbrella like things over them. These umbrellas are allegedly useful at keeping the sound levels down.
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Space saving measure: put the government document collection into compact shelving.
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
This was an interesting way to honor donors. Notice the plaque at the end of the table.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Utah State University: The Barn: FAQ's
Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions. Click on the picture to go to the larger one on my Flickr account.
Utah State University: The Barn
Here is a picture of the automated storage and retrieval unit taking a shelving stand away. Instead of bins the books are stored on shelving units. Each unit is kept in call number order on these shelves.
Utah State University: Fossils
Each service desk has a pair of fossils embedded in the surface. The fossils are from Utah digs.
Utah State University: Gallery Space
Looking down from the second floor at the gallery space near the entry of the library. They were mounting a cowboy poetry display.
Utah State University: Lockers
A popular item, located througout the library. Checked out to students by the semester for a fee.
Utah State University: Natural Light
The volume of natural light penetrating into the library is phenomenal.
Utah State University: Instruction Lab
Here we see their (Utah State University library's) instruction lab. Notice how slim the computers are. The decision to go with Apple was made in part because of the ability to remove the tower that all PC's seem to have. Very slick.
This picture is taken from the "front" of the room near the instructor station.
This picture is taken from the "front" of the room near the instructor station.
Utah State University: Cool computer stations
These are designed for students to check their email. They are stand up stations located near the entry to the library.
Utah State University: Chairs
One of the things I really loved about the library was the plethora of seating of different sizes, shapes and locations. Surely there is a spot for everyone to sit and read or study.
Utah State University: Old and New
A view looking out over the lower stacks area. The hanging art globes are light fixtures added during the expansion of the science library into the main library. They are from the former social sciences library which was demolished.
Utah State University: Advertising Services/Events
There are two of these TV's mounted in the library. On one the content is controlled by the library, on the other the content is controlled by the university. Both promote the services, activities, and resources of the institutions.
Utah State University: Info Commons - Utah State
150 computers scattered through the library. Here is the largest concentration in the information commons area.
Reference Road Trip to Utah State Univ. Logan
We left early (7:00 a.m.) in the morning, no shining required, and arrived around 9:00 a.m. First was the tour where we saw & learned many interesting things. I'll post more specific blog entries based on my photographs soon. Then was the meetup with several of their public services librarians. This meetup and conversation was fascinating.
Here are my notes from that conversation.
- Have IM reference up and running, pondering text messaging.
- Blackboard
- Facebook: don't friend students unless you already have a relationship with them, it borders on creepy. Do friend them if they friend you first.
- Webfeat (federated searching) was being funded by the state. They will be losing this in the current round of budget cuts.
- Will be using Ebsco Group Search as their federated search.
- Promoting the use of Zotero (http://www.zotero.org/) a free Endnote like product
- Have a yearly "staff day" held on lawn, in the library, or other part of campus.
- 15,000 FTE (students)
- The reference desk is staffed by librarians, computer lab techs, and the peer mentors.
- Yearly luncheon for IT & Library
- Check out PRIMO indexing information literacy/library tutorials on the web
- Librarians in the reference/instruction department teach an average of 130 classes/year
- They are also embedded in online classes through the bulletin board function in Blackboard.
- Tracking consultations that happen because of classes.
- Tracking prep-time for instruction sessions
The Office for the Academic Vice President for Research has been funding undergraduate teaching stipends, including 3 for the library.
These students are trained to help at the reference desk, teach the in the first year experience and assistance in the classroom with some of the freshman English classes.
Reference in the Business Building
Britt and Wendy were invited by the college of business to provide reference service in the business building. The college supplied the laptop and desk which was situated in a busy area. They are hoping for better signage this coming semester but were surprised by the traffic they did receive. Professors recommended students stop and use their services after class. Average time spent with a student was approximately 25 minutes. The average at the main library is 6 minutes.
Libstats
A PHP based statistics tracking system designed for libraries. They are tracking who answered the question, the status of the patron, nature of the question, time/date (automatic), length of time spent with patron, the query, and the answer.
20 minutes in class sessions to introduce self, brainstorm topics & research questions. It breaks the ice and integrates the library experience. There is also the perception that the library is important because the professor brought them to the class.
Check out my full photo set from the trip at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157619124300863/
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Crows and Pickup Trucks
Driving in to work one morning in May I spied a crow on the back of a pickup truck parked in the lot. This crow was having the best time walking around the edge of the bed checking out the contents. Every now and then he'd hop and swoop down to inspect the contents with his beak. Crows are great foragers in our urban environments. I'm hoping he found some tasty leftovers. -- Jenny
Under the Eaves
So many of our libraries now include cafe's that I feel mine has been left out of the revolution. University of Arizona in Tucson has such fine weather that the coffee spot is enclosed under the eaves with the dining space out in the open, though still under the eaves in the shade. It was a delightful place to have lunch in March. -- Jenny
Handouts
While visiting libraries I found myself dithering about taking handouts. As I analyzed this inhibiting feeling I discovered a few things. First that proximity to authority made a great deal of difference. If the handouts were located ON the desk, I was less likely to take one. If they were located (as the ones are in this picture-Provo City Public Library) away from the close supervision of librarians, I would take one of everything. (Ask me about my binders of handouts sometime).
Another factor was number of handouts available. If there were only a few, say 5 or so, I was less likely to take a handout for fear of shorting someone who really needed one. On the other hand, if it was a spectacular handout such as the "Squeaky Clean and No Caffeine" I'd take it anyway. So style/substance did make a difference. If it was more generic/informative I would leave it if there were only a few.
Lastly, and building on the above if the handouts were branded with the library logo/info in an attractive way I definitely wanted it. I was also fascinated by the different donor type brochures, though few libraries included these items in their general handout racks in the public areas.
In summary:
1. Make your handouts/brochures attractive and give them appealing or catchy names/titles.
2. Locate them in visible areas away from the official service desks.
3. Include the types for making donations/gifts to the library.
My two cents.
Jenny
Who never changed her behavior about taking handouts as she went along. Too worried that someone else might really NEED that last handout/brochure.
Another factor was number of handouts available. If there were only a few, say 5 or so, I was less likely to take a handout for fear of shorting someone who really needed one. On the other hand, if it was a spectacular handout such as the "Squeaky Clean and No Caffeine" I'd take it anyway. So style/substance did make a difference. If it was more generic/informative I would leave it if there were only a few.
Lastly, and building on the above if the handouts were branded with the library logo/info in an attractive way I definitely wanted it. I was also fascinated by the different donor type brochures, though few libraries included these items in their general handout racks in the public areas.
In summary:
1. Make your handouts/brochures attractive and give them appealing or catchy names/titles.
2. Locate them in visible areas away from the official service desks.
3. Include the types for making donations/gifts to the library.
My two cents.
Jenny
Who never changed her behavior about taking handouts as she went along. Too worried that someone else might really NEED that last handout/brochure.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Idaho Library Association Northern Region Meeting
Keynote: Dr. Darin Saul ‘Improving the Sustainability of Your Library’
What I got out of it:
Session 1: Gina Persichini – Rethinking Resource Sharing
What I got out of it:
Session 2: I was teaching this one so …
Session 3: Michael Greenlee – Free Legal Research Tools
What I got out of it:
Review of who produces legal materials
P.S. Answers to legal questions often require using more than one source.
Session 4: Ramirose Attebury – Cultural Stereotypes of Librarians in YouTube Videos
What I got out of it:
Probably the most fun session there, certainly my favorite.
8 stereotypes
To change the image of a profession it is suggested that Parody may be more effective than fun/positive.
Psycho is only found in customer service aspect
For a look at her presentation on slideshare at: http://www.slideshare.net/rosebudy23/librarian-depictions-on-youtube
However, her YouTube video selections are not included. Sorry. Maybe she’ll add that later.
Great conference!
Jenny
What I got out of it:
- Little things can add up to a big difference i.e. reusable bags, turning off lights, energy efficient light bulbs.
- Check out the LEED system for green buildings (http://www.usgbc.org/)
- Change the default power settings on computers to have them hibernate instead of standby.
- Buy energy rated appliances – including copiers
- Minimize use first
- Double sided printing
- Prefer electronic to paper
- Purchase recycled content
- Lease computers so they are recycled by manufacturers instead of purchase
- Sometimes if you have a large or voluminous amount to recycle special arrangements can be made with the recyclers to pick up and deal with it. i.e. big piles of books
Session 1: Gina Persichini – Rethinking Resource Sharing
What I got out of it:
- More availability fewer restrictions
- User choice on format
- Access from anywhere anytime
- Share resources with all types of cultural institutions (i.e. archives, museums…)
- Do we need to catalog ‘expertise’ or maybe keep some kind of log
- Perhaps more Mr.Oboler type delicious accounts for experts in the area
- No findable object should be totally unattainable
- Offer service for a fee rather than refusing service
- See: http://rethinkingresourcesharing.org/manifesto.html
Session 2: I was teaching this one so …
Session 3: Michael Greenlee – Free Legal Research Tools
What I got out of it:
Review of who produces legal materials
- Federal
- State
- City/County/Local
- Judicial
- Executive
- Legislative
- Constitutions
- Statutes
- Case Law
- Regulations
- Practice materials and secondary sources (encyclopedias, treatises, ALR, AmJur, forms…)
- State of Idaho http://www.accessidaho.org/
- Idaho Legislature http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/
- Idaho Judiciary http://www.isc.idaho.gov/
- Court Assistance Office http://www.courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/
- Idaho Administrative Rules http://adm.idaho.gov/adminrules/
- Idaho Administrative Agencies http://idaho.gov/agency/agency_a.html
- Idaho Executive Branch http://www.idaho.gov/government/executive.html
- Idaho Governor http://gov.idaho.gov
- Idaho Attorney General http://www2.state.id.us/ag
- USA.gov http://www.usa.gov
- GPO Access http://thomas.loc.gov
- CRS Reports http://opencrs.com
- U.S. Supreme Court http://www.supremecourtus.gov
- Law Library of Congress http://www.loc.gov/law
- Electronic Information System for International Law (EISIL) http://www.eisil.org/
- Cornel Legal Information Institute http://www.law.cornell.edu
- Findlaw http://lp.findlaw.com/
- LexisOne http://law.lexisnexis.com/webcenters/leixone/
- Georgetown Law Library http://www.ll.georgetown.edu/
- University of Idaho Law Library http://www.law.uidaho.edu/
P.S. Answers to legal questions often require using more than one source.
Session 4: Ramirose Attebury – Cultural Stereotypes of Librarians in YouTube Videos
What I got out of it:
Probably the most fun session there, certainly my favorite.
8 stereotypes
- Old maid
- Policeman
- Inept (socially awkward or bad customer service)
- Hero/heroine
- Parody
- Really fun/Positive
- Sexy
- Psycho
To change the image of a profession it is suggested that Parody may be more effective than fun/positive.
Psycho is only found in customer service aspect
For a look at her presentation on slideshare at: http://www.slideshare.net/rosebudy23/librarian-depictions-on-youtube
However, her YouTube video selections are not included. Sorry. Maybe she’ll add that later.
Great conference!
Jenny
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