On June 13, Kate Anderson presented a Pre-Symposium Workshop at the Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Association conference in Pomona, California. Her invited workshop was titled “Finding the Evidence: How to Search and Access the Literature.”
The MOBIUS Annual Conference was held in Columbia, June 1-17. In addition to the many people from the MU Libraries who attended, several people played other roles, too. Karla Geerlings served as the MERLIN alternate on the MOBIUS Annual Conference Planning Advisory Committee. This is the committee that works with MCO to plan and execute the conference, so we can thank Karla for helping making this successful conference happen. Mary Aycock and Amy Lana presented a session on MOspace: Welcome to IR Land: Adventures with MOspace (http://mobiusconference.org/sessions/welcome-ir-land-adventures-mospace). Felicity Dykas and Wayne Sanders presented a cataloging session: What’s New in Cataloging: Changes You Can Implement Now (http://mobiusconference.org/sessions/whats-new-cataloging). Rachel Brehkus and Felicity Dykas had a poster presentation: Innovative III-WebPAC Designs (http://mobiusconference.org/sessions/innovative-iii-webpac-designs).
PowerPoints and handouts from many sessions are available on the conferene web site: http://mobiusconference.org/.
Book Club Discussion of Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
July 8, 2010
1 p.m.
159 Ellis
Summer Upgrades to the Information Commons in Ellis
The Information Commons will soon be sporting several new changes. The silver iMacs running Windows on the east side of the Commons, are being upgraded to Windows 7. The OASYS computers maintained by DoIT, have been upgraded to Windows 7.
Virtual Computing Pilot Project – Ellis Library
Last fall DoIT gave us the opportunity to take part in the initial testing phase of their new virtual computing environment. There were four Wyse “thin clients” that were installed in the Oasis area and were configured in a way that was very similar to the other DoIT run stations in that area. There were a few road bumps, but for the most part the test was a success and has now ended, and the four thin clients removed. DoIT has again approached us with another pilot opportunity. They have offered to purchase and give us as many virtual terminals as we would like for use in the pubic computing areas throughout the library. We will be installing 47 HP thin clients throughout the library in public areas. These machines are small terminals that run the operating system and programs from a centralized server that DoIT maintains. They are inexpensive, and have fewer parts to go bad. Their life expectancy in a public lab is supposed to be about 6 years. They will begin by running Windows XP and will be upgraded to Windows 7 once the system has been certified and tested for compatibility. As part of our agreement with DoIT LTS will retain the right to customize the software, configuration and preferences as necessary to fit the specific needs of the Library.
This is very exciting. With the cost of the terminals covered by DoIT the cost to the library for participating in this project is nearly nothing. In addition, one of the primary benefits of virtual computing is that it significantly reduces the amount of time spent on the administration of each individual desktop computer. Every virtual session is a duplicate that has been pulled from a master image. It has the potential to offer huge time savings on the staff in LTS, and should free up time to spend on more library specific projects.
Update on New Staff Computers
The new staff computers and monitors are here! Staff persons with Dell GX620 computers will have their machines replaced with Dell GX680 computers and new 20” flat panel monitors. These machines will run the new Windows 7 operating system, and the new Office 2010 suite. I realize that staff is very excited about getting the new machines into production as the GX620s are not always able to perform at an acceptable level. There are a significant amount of “under the hood” changes in Windows 7, and we have had to make significant changes in our deployment and management processes. We are in the process of finishing our deployment strategy for Windows 7 and will distribute the machines as soon as we are certain that our image is stable.
Update on Existing Staff Computers
There have been a few questions asked about the plan for Windows 7 and Office 2010 on the staff computers that are not replaced this year. The deployment of new staff machines is my primary concern, and although in the past there have been massive efforts to ensure that all machines were running the same operating system, and Office version I no longer feel this is necessary. The cross platform compatibility issues that have existed in the past simply no longer exist. Moving forward we will be evaluating the remainder of the staff workstation models, and for those machines that are able to run Windows 7 we will stop maintaining our Windows XP image and build a new Windows 7 image. That new image will be used to reinstall the OS on computers that require it during repair, and it will be deployed on an as needed basis. There is currently no plan for a massive upgrade of all staff to Windows 7 or Office 2010 at this time. If you have a particular need for an upgrade to Windows 7 and or Office 2010, and you are not expecting a new computer this year, please send a note to asklts@missouri.edu.
Discounted Office 2010 for Windows and Office 2008 for Mac available to MU Faculty and Staff
For a fraction of the retail price, Microsoft now offers enrollment in Software Assurance Home Use Program (HUP) to University employees. Under HUP, you may purchase Microsoft titles that are volume-licensed by the University, like Microsoft Office Professional. Software if for personal use and has no restrictions to any work at home policies.
A digital download costs just $9.95. You may also purchase a backup disc (includes packaging, shipping, and handling) for an additional $12.95. The license is valid as long as you are a University employee.
To request a copy, log on to My Services and follow all instructions. https://myservices.missouri.edu/
UPDATE: Symantec Anti-virus Software for Home Use
The campus license for Symantec Anti-virus software has not been renewed and will expire in December. Libraries staff are asked to remove Symantec from their personal computers by January 1, 2011.
DoIT has suggested replacing your existing install of Symantec with the free Microsoft product called Security Essentials. “Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.”
Find it here http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx
Want to Quit Smoking?
Are you or someone you know ready to quit tobacco once and for all? The FREE QuitNet Smoking Cessation Program is offered by the University health plan to UM Choice Health Care Program members. selected medications are available through the UM Prescription Drug Program. Click here for more information. Volunteers are also needed to take part in an online study which involves reading several consumer reviews of quit-smoking products and takes about 25-30 min. You can join a raffle for one of several $50 gift cards from Amazon.com. To participate, go to www.EcklerResearch.com If you have questions, e-mail the researcher at ecklerp@missouri.edu.
Become a Wellness Ambassador
Healthy for Life is now recruiting volunteers to serve in their departments as a Wellness Ambassador. Being an Ambassador takes little time to make a big difference. Aside from disseminating information and bringing wellness into their workplace, Ambassadors will also have volunteer opportunities such as health fairs, wellness walks and more. We would love it if you would put Healthy for Life on your next staff meeting agenda. If you wish to become an ambassador please send Jaclyn Heider an email including your department, t-shirt size, and campus mailing address.
Tips for Mindful Eating Blog
‘Tips for Mindful Eating: It’s more than just about food’ is a new blog that offers a weekly post with tips, articles, research, reflections, and opportunities to practice mindful eating and living through the way that you eat, move, work, play and relate to yourself, others, and the world. It grew out of the ten week program entitled “Eat for Life” developed by Dr. Lynn Rossy and Hannah Bush, M.A. offered through the wellness program. Click here to subscribe to weekly posts.
Employee Assistance Program Workshops
MU EAP provides an ongoing program of education and training designed to both increase employee awareness of stress and enhance their stress management capacity. To take advantage of these free workshops listed below, please register by e-mailing Tammie Tilmon or call her at (573) 882-6701.
Workplace Fitness Opportunities
Take advantage of these classes that fit your budget. Full payment is due at the beginning of the first class and space is limited. Please contact the instructor directly to register or for questions. All classes are designed so that exercises can be performed in work clothes.
Help Columbia Help You
The Columbia/Boone County Health Department would like your help in understanding how we can best help you to reach optimal health. Two ways to accomplish this goal include healthy eating and regular physical activity. Please help us improve our programs by giving us your opinions about these topics in the following survey. Upon completion of the survey, you can enter to win a gift card. This survey is sponsored by The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services.
Summer Cycling Opportunities
Summer time and bike rides go hand-in-hand. The Ride to Wellness program encourages movement for those riding bicycles or using wheelchairs. For $20 participants receive an odometer and log book. When you reach 500 miles, turn in the booklet for a prize and receive a $20 refund. To enroll, send or bring a $20 check (our cost, made payable to Healthy for Life) to 205 Heinkel Building. Click here for more information.
Check out the GetAbout Columbia’s website for multiple cycling opportunities such as commuter skill classes, family fun rides, and guided rides.
Walk-a-Hound, Lose-a-Pound
Are you looking to make a new friend or two? Help a shelter dog get some much needed exercise and fresh air while walking for better health in the Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound program! Friendly, adoptable dogs from Central Missouri Humane Society & Columbia Second Chance will be available for exercise walks on Bear Creek Trail. Participants receive a program t-shirt and may participate in a study of the benefits of dog walking. Leashes and dog treats provided…just bring your walking shoes! To register, call Parks and Recreation at 874-7460 or go online.
There are many serial records in MERLIN for which we catalog the volumes separately as monographs. The serial records can be confusing, because they don’t have an item records for each volume. This is especially a problem when someone wants to request a volume via MERLIN.
Catalog Department staff have been working with others to come up with something better. Below is a proposal. It involves improved notes, plus a link that executes a title search of the series which retrieves the monograph records.
Example:
Loc MU ANNEX & MU ELLIS QH7 .S78
Lib Has 1-162,164-168,170-185
Note Volumes have unique titles and MERLIN records. To determine the title and location of a
specific volume click on “MU” Search for individual volumes.”
Link to web version MU: Search for individual volumes
See this in MERLIN: http://207.160.154.35/record=b1320314
Please let me know what you think about this proposal. We hope to start implementing this in MERLIN starting in July. For a comparison see the examples below which show our current practices.
Current practices:
Example: Below is the information included in MERLIN when volumes have separate classification numbers.
Loc MU GEOLOGY SEARCH BY SPECIFIC TITLE
Lib Has no.38(1997)-43(2005), 45(2007)-
Latest Received: 2007 no.45
See this in MERLIN: http://207.160.154.35/record=b4208482
When volumes are assigned the same classification number, we don’t provide any clues about the lack of item records.
Example:
Loc MU ELLIS GN1 .S54
Lib Has no.1-32, 34-44,46-47-
Latest Received: v.47
See this in MERLIN: http://207.160.154.35/record=b1337406
–Felicity Dykas
We have plenty of interest to support registering for the ALA Virtual Conference, July 7-8, 2010. For details, see http://www.ala.org/ala/conferencesevents/upcoming/annual/programs/Virtual%20Conference%20Programs.pdf. Room 4G41 Ellis has been reserved for viewing the virtual conference; space is still available for more employees to attend. Release time is available with supervisor approval.
Hello to Russell Matthews, part-time Delivery Attendant. Russell has experience with MU Campus Mail and the company DHL in terms of mail/package delivery. He also has several hours of college-level credit in computer science.