The Library Management Team recently created the Ellis Library Sign Task Force, which has been tasked with analyzing the current directional signs in the library and making recommendations for consistent, library-wide way-finding signs and directories.
The task force consists of Shannon Cary (chair), Grace Atkins, Ryan Bish, Cindy Cotner, Edwin Davis, Tim Perry, Sean Witzman and Kate Wright. The group has done research on best practices for signs in libraries and other public buildings. One of the first tasks of the group will be to create guidelines for signage that will be informed by the research. Next steps include determining areas of the library that need to be listed on directories, analyzing existing maps of the library, and acquiring adequate graphic design services for prelimary work.
If you have any questions about the work of the task force, please contact Shannon Cary (carysn@missouri.edu) or any member of the task force.
Please check out the latest version of the Library Connections newsletter. Don’t miss the interview with our very own Freddy Martinez-Garcia!
You can find all of the online issues of Library Connections here.
Central MarComm needs your help! Next week we are filming our image campaign, which will also serve as our SEC commercial spot, and we need volunteers to serve as extras from 4:30-7:30 a.m. Thursday, June 16 and Friday, June 17. I know this is early, but we’re hoping to get around 100 people to fill the shots, so please consider participating.
All you have to do is come bright and early to walk the quad and around other historic monuments on campus. Bring your family and friends; all ages welcome. FREE breakfast will be provided. Even if you can only join for a portion of the time slot, that’s ok too. We’ll take whatever we can get!
For more details and to reserve your spot(s), please complete this form. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to let me know.
Thanks in advance for your consideration,
Stephanie Kubas
Director of Internal Communications
skubas@missouri.edu
Phone: 573-882-8446
The Libraries have an immediate opening for a Reference and Instruction Librarian.
For additional information, including salary, responsibilities, and how to apply, please visit the Libraries’ webpage at http://library.missouri.edu/about/employment/employopp/.
On June 8 the MU Libraries Government Information Department hosted its 31st annual Missouri Federal Depository Library Program Conference. The following libraries sent representatives: St. Louis Public Library, Washington University, Saint Louis University, St. Charles City-County Public Library, Missouri University of Science and Technology, MU Law School Library, Rockhurst University, William Jewell College, Truman State University and the Missouri State Library. Marie Concannon spoke on “Maximizing the Benefit of your Depository Status.” MU Libraries Director of Advancement Matt Gaunt was a special guest presenter, speaking on how to use FDLP collections and services to attract private donations for the library.
Hello everyone,
At yesterday’s MOBIUS membership meeting, the MERLIN cluster (the four UM campus libraries, at Columbia, Kansas City, St. Louis and Rolla) made an important announcement in regards to our approach to MOBIUS. We made a strong statement of support for MOBIUS, and we affirmed our intention to participate in this important consortium. However, we also stated that our ability to pay more than market rate for an ILS has ended. A final decision regarding the transition of MERLIN to a stand-alone cluster has not been made. We will be working closely with MOBIUS in order to determine how best to move forward. A few months ago, I sent out a message to all of you about this, telling you that MERLIN was going to be renegotiating with MOBIUS, as you probably remember, as a response to our financial issues and to be good stewards of university funds.
I have heard through the MOBIUS rumor mill that an announcement was made yesterday that MERLIN will be withdrawing from MOBIUS. This, of course, was not what was said, but I predicted some people might jump to that incorrect conclusion. So please help stop this rumor if someone repeats it to you. MERLIN remains committed to state-wide cooperation and fully participation in MOBIUS. MOBIUS may have to change and update itself a bit more, just as all its members do.
Thankfully summer appears to be starting peacefully otherwise. So far our Collections Steering Committee (CSC) has been working hard on plans for our big cuts in acquisitions of both serials and monographs in this coming fiscal year that starts in July. We owe the CSC a big round of thanks for the very difficult work they have undertaken. This work will help us avoid further staff reductions, so thank them (Jeannette, Corrie, Rhonda, Anne B., Diane J. and Alla) if you get a chance. They are also working to communicate with faculty and get as much input as possible to help us make decisions.
In exciting news, renovations to the Bookmark Café and painting (not behind the books) in Room 202 should be starting soon. Also, some replacement carpet has been laid on the third floor walkway overlooking 201, and few more spots may get some sprucing up, too.
LMT meets for part 2 of our retreat soon, and Library Assembly meets next week to ponder its future and consider how best to keep trying to improve the Libraries’ internal communication. One way to improve communication is of course to communicate with others around you, and people whose work may be affected by yours. We can all work together to improve communication, and really, that’s the only thing that works in the long run.
Ann
Present: Ellen Blair, Shannon Cary, Sheryl Cullina, Michael Holland, Corrie Hutchinson, Pat Jones, Jeannette Pierce, Ann Riley, Ernest Shaw, Deb Ward
Discovery Tool Recommendation
Jeannette summarized the work of the Discovery Tools Review Team.
ACTION: LMT approved the Discovery Tools Review Team’s recommendation that the Libraries subscribe to EBSCO Discovery Services (EDS) to replace Summon as its discovery tool.
ACTION: LMT decided that the current team should manage the implementation of the new tool for the fall semester.
ACTION: A new group was appointed to look at the link resolver that is available through EDS. The suggested members are Corrie Hutchinson, Diane Johnson, Rhonda Whithaus, Dave Walsh and Ernest Shaw.
Committee Membership
LMT discussed this year’s process for appointing library committees.
ACTION: Sheryl will send out a general call for membership. LMT will appoint the members.
ACTION: LMT reconstituted the Faculty Lecture Series Committee and decided that recording equipment would remain in room 114A except when it is being used elsewhere.
ACTION: LMT eliminated the Space Planning committee from the current list of committees since it became the Long Range Planning Committee. LMT also eliminated the Preservation Committee, but may reconstitute the committee if a preservation librarian position is created.
ACTION: LMT established a Scholarly Communications Committee. Deb Ward and Jeannette Pierce will work on a draft charge for LMT to discuss at a future meeting.
Collections Steering Committee (CSC) Report
The CSC met last week and approved a rough budget.
ACTION: Decided to stop all approval in DDA for next year, to cut $500,000 from Wiley and other serial packages, cut around $50,000 titles identified as high cost/low use, cancel EBSCO e-book package, cancel 360 Counter and cancel Libraries’ CLIR membership.
ACTION: All subject funds will take a 20% cut. If DDA and approval cuts are greater than 20% in a specific fund, the fund will receive additional money that can be used for firm only orders.
Planning Retreat 2
ACTION: LMT will hold a second retreat on June 8 from 9 am to 3 pm.
Update on Projects from First Retreat
ACTION: Small group has been formed to look at food and drink policy. They will meet next week.
ACTION: Pat is going to have Environmental Health and Safety look at rooms 303, 304 and 406 because there is concern about humidity levels in these rooms.
Update on Searches
INFORMATION:
Miscellaneous Discussion
INFORMATION: It has been recommended the Libraries continue the 3D printing service that is currently running in Ellis Library. LTS student workers will help run the service. The students who were currently running the service with a grant will gift us the equipment, leftover material and around $2,000 of leftover money. The Libraries will continue to charge, which should cover materials and some machine depreciation.
Find information about the display "Visualized Anatomy," at http://library.missouri.edu/news/events/exhibits/new-display-the-art-of-brittany-williamson and on Facebook.