Web tip of the week for June 20 2011 – All About Birds

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1189

This is the web’s most comprehensive resource for North American birds, bird watching, and bird conservation that is maintained by Cornell lab of Ornithology. The wonderful bird guide includes bird sounds for each bird along with the usual bird information. Another section that would be of special interest are the photography articles that give wonderful tips on taking better bird pictures.
Submitted by Jack Batterson

February 2011 Spotlight Co-Winner: Wayne Barnes

Our February 2011 Spotlight Co-Winner is originally from Mountain View, Missouri and is the Education/Psychology Librarian at Ellis Library: Everett Wayne Barnes!

Wayne has been with MU Libraries for 30 years, the very institution where he obtained his MLS. Prior to that, he obtained his BA in History from School of the Ozarks. Post-MLS, Wayne has taken courses in French, Portuguese, and has also obtained an additional Master’s degree in Public Administration. Très bonne!

When he’s not at the reference desk, Wayne enjoys learning more about business opportunities, design, logistics or relaxing with a good sudoku puzzle. In a movie about Wayne’s life, expect to see Patrick Stewart starring as this MU Librarian. Said movie will likely be set in Las Vegas–Wayne’s pick for the coolest place he’s ever been.

Web tip of the week, June 6 2011 – costhelper

CostHelper.com
This is a growing online community which provides objective information on more than 1,000 products and services, and lists what people are actually paying nationwide. A team of professional journalists carefully researches topics, conducts interviews, and evaluates sources to craft articles about an ever-increasing range of subjects. It has a lot of information on Home/Garden and Health/personal care.
Submitted by Jack Batterson

December 2010 Spotlight Co-Winner: Mark William Ellis

Our December 2010 Spotlight co-winner is the Executive Staff Assistant for MU Libraries Administration–Mark William Ellis.

Though he was born in St. Paul, MN, Mark grew up in Joplin, MO.  He obtained his BA in English from Mizzou and worked his way through MU Libraries as a student in various work-study positions before Administration hired him in 1998.  Since then, he has served as an OSIII and a Human Resources Assistant before assuming his current role as Executive Staff Assistant. Altogether, he has been with MU Libraries for 20 years.

During his free time, Mark likes to read, write, bike, or spend time with his family. Mark has two sons: Syd, 14 and Simon, 11. The Ellis household also has quite the collection of pets: 1 dog, 4 cats, and 1 bird.

If you’re ever out at Table Rock Lake, you might even spot Mark indulging on another of his interests: sailing his boat. This isn’t your ordinary boat though. His boat is named the Puddle Duck Racer, and was built by Mark using a free design he found online. That was two years ago, and the boat is still going strong!

Of course, when the wind stops blowing, it’s a different story. Mark’s nieces and nephews chide from shoreline that the Puddle Duck Racer becomes the Wind Killer. Then, the crowd waits patiently for a benevolent breeze to bring Mark back to shore.

 

November 2010 Spotlight Co-Winner: Sharon Gaughan

Our November 2010 spotlight co-winner is Sharon Gaughan. Sharon works in Physical Processing in the Acquisitions department at Ellis as a Library Information Assistant. She has been with MU Libraries for just about 5 years.

Sharon programs in her free time. She also considers herself an art enthusiast. She also loves horses, especially her pet horse Gwen. She shares that love with her other pet: a rabbit named Cinnabar.

Sharon listed Hawaii as the coolest place she’s been to. If you’ve been to our 50th state, be sure to say “Aloha!” the next time you see her!

web tip of the week, May 23 2011 – PayNearMe

http://www.paynearme.com/
This is a rapidly growing alternative way to pay bills for those who do not have a bank account. They can pay online without using a credit card.

Techcrunch described it in a May 10 article:
Here’s how PayNearMe works. On participating partners, e-commerce or merchant sites, consumers can use the PayNearMe option to pay for purchases or debts owed. You simply place your order with PayNearMe and print out the given receipt. You then take that receipt into a 7-Eleven and they scan it and you pay in cash. Once you pay, your order with the retailer or merchant will be fulfilled.

The process is based on a new, free Ria Card, available now at 7-Eleven stores and which can be used to pay more than 3,000 US billers. This card also can facilitate sending remittances to family and friends.

Submitted by Jack Batterson

Web tip of the week, May 13, 2011 – Staff recognition week seminars

http://hrs.missouri.edu/training/all-employees/staff-recognition-week-seminars/index.php
The 2011 Staff Recognition Week is scheduled for May 16 – 20.
Human Resource Services is once again coordinating training programs for Staff Advisory Council that will be offered free to employees.

Of special interest are “Understanding Retirement” by HR and the two Bob Almony workshops.
Submitted by Jack Batterson