Ann Campion Riley, associate director for access, collections, and technical services at the University of Missouri, has been elected ACRL vice-president/president-elect. She will become president-elect following the 2014 ALA Annual Conference in Las Vegas, and assume the presidency in July 2015 for a one-year term. A full biography of Riley will be available on the ACRL website next week.
What is Occam’s Reader?
1. Occam’s Reader is a technology that allows libraries to loan eBooks to one another. The eBooks are made available as temporary and time‐limited loans that are made accessible via the Occam’s Reader server, hosted at Texas Tech University. Libraries use the OCLC network and the ILLiad request management software in conjunction with Occam’s Reader. The library patron views the eBook using a web viewer that can be accessed using any device with internet capabilities. The viewer provides access to a simplified image of the eBook content.
2. There are three main components to Occam’s Reader:
· Discovery Tool for Borrowing Library’s Interlibrary Borrowing Staff ILLiad add‐on to identify and request a specific eBook title from the holding libraries
· Processing Tool for Lending Library ILLiad add‐on and Occam’s Reader proprietary software to transmit and convert the eBook content to the Occam’s Reader server plus integrated email availability and authentication notification to borrower
· Web Viewer for Library Patron Viewer to read the loaned eBook via a link to a secure server which requires authentication using a temporary URL and password
3. The end result is one specific book title being loaned to one specific patron for a time limited loan period via a secure system where access is granted for the specified item.
After the loan period is finished, the file is automatically deleted from the secure server. This follows the model of interlibrary lending, where the book is “returned” (no longer available to the borrower) at the end of the loan transaction.
Many of the Springer eBook URLs are downloadable as full eBook PDFs already (thanks to Springer), which saves the trouble of binding the chapter PDFs together in many cases.
The total number of eBook items in the dataset is 964,655. This total is live-counted on the discovery tool in case we ever add or subtract from the dataset at a later date. The 964,655 eBook items represent 113,854 distinct eBook titles, meaning that many titles are available at multiple institutions. Springer’s eBooks may be found here.
http://www.springer.com/shop. There is an advanced search option which you can use to limit to format, content, etc. We do not guarantee that all are available through Occam’s Reader, but many will be.
To put it in more exciting terms:
Occam’s Reader allows the discovery and lending of nearly 1,000,000 eBooks, representing over 100,000 distinct eBook titles shared between 33 GWLA member institutions.
As a member of the Greater Western Library Alliance, MU’s Ellis Library’s Interlibrary Borrowing Unit is happy to offer this service to our patrons for a one year trial period beginning April 2, 2014. We will check for electronic access first when a request is placed so that service will be faster because of no shipping time and no cost involved for the borrowing library. For additional information: http://www.gwla.org/Home/Announcements/OccamsReader.
INFORMATION ITEM: LMT would like to create a communication plan to specifically coincide with the Renew Mizzou project. As Enrollment Management will have signage and tools to inform visitor how to find their departments located in Ellis Library, MU Libraries will also create signs to help patrons find library departments, study spaces and points of interest. The plan:
· Will take advantage of higher traffic/profile.
· Will likely remain even after Renew Mizzou.
· Will be coordinated with Pat Jones, the ELSFAC sign committee and Shannon Cary.
Communications Officer Shannon Cary will attend the May 13 LMT meeting to further discuss.
INFORMATION ITEM: The Fiscal Year 2014/2015 general revenue allocation has been received. The 2% give-back appears to include acquisitions budget. The amount is calculated at $353,000. It is hoped that this is just an over-sight and that the give-back will exclude acquisitions. Inquiries are being made.
· The funding does include additional amounts to close the “Acquisitions Gap” over the next four years.
· A new gap will be created if the current give-back amount remains.
ACTION ITEM: LMT will create an Ellis Library North Entrance Task Force to rethink a number of processes/policies regarding the North Entrance. Also to be considered by this group are changes to the Food and Drink Policy. Tentative members and stakeholders were discussed. The charge and membership will be announced after they are finalized.
ACTION ITEM: Jeannette Pierce will contact Shannon Cary to discuss again the possibilities of a big screen message boards in Ellis Library. Previous proposals made by the Communications Committee were delayed by concerns about ongoing content management and the ability to keep information fresh and up-to-date. Jeannette and Shannon will explore having Librarians help with content.
INFORMATION ITEM: LMT is exploring the possibility of moving the microforms/microfilms on the fourth floor to a different location. Discussion ensued about where that might be and the various service changes and opportunities that would be created. Meanwhile, an engineering study will be requested to ensure all possible safety concerns are being considered in regard to the weight of the cabinets and where they are or will be stored.
Sheryl Cullina will be pulling together a workgroup to address the issue of flextime for staff (non-Librarians and Archivists). If you are interested in working on this team, please send an email to Sheryl by May 9. Stay tuned for further announcements!
The MU Libraries is currently accepting applications for the following position:
Library Specialist, Job ID 13046
For additional information on this position, how to apply, and application deadlines, please visit the MU Libraries webpage at http://library.missouri.edu/about/employment/employopp/.
Web tip of the week, April 21, 2014: British Pathé
http://www.youtube.com/user/britishpathe/featured
Thank you Rachel for sharing.
All 85,000 newsreels filmed by British Pathé are now searchable and viewable on YouTube. This equates to 3,500 hours of filmed history. Genuine 1912 footage of the Titanic included!
See the full article for more information
Web tip of the week, April 28 2014
Submitted by Jack Batterson
RipeTrack helps you to find when your favorite fruits and vegetables are at their peak of ripeness.
Submitted by Jack Batterson
Special Collections started a Tumblr presence at the end of March, and three weeks later it was featured as a trending blog by Tumblr staff. This means that thousands of people around the world were introduced to the collections and services at MU Libraries via the Special Collections blog. Follow them at muspeccoll.tumblr.com.
Notable meetings from the calendar of Jim Cogswell, Director of MU Libraries
Monday, May 5th through Thursday, May 8th – Jim Cogswell will attend the Spring Meeting of the Association of Research Libraries in Columbus, OH.
Need some ‘fresh’ ideas for the kitchen?
The Root Cellar is a fresh-format grocery store located in downtown Columbia a few blocks north of the University of Missouri campus (1023 East Walnut in the newly renovated North Village Arts District). Root Cellar offers free delivery to offices with multiple subscribers. Contact Chelsea Davis at rootcellarmo@gmail.com for more details.
Are you “computing healthy”?
Do you experience back pain, wrist cramps or headaches from working at your computer all day? If so, a free Workstation Analysis, performed by the Adaptive Computing Technology (ACT) Center, may help alleviate discomfort and prevent long-term injury.
People are all shapes and sizes; therefore, not every workstation can consist of the same set-up and computing tools while providing the same level of comfort and productivity. An ACT Center staff member is able to evaluate your personal workstation, at no cost, as well as to provide suggestions on how to reduce strain and use alternative computing tools to make you feel more comfortable throughout your day.
The ACT Center believes that a Workstation Analysis can be beneficial in many ways: increase productivity, boost morale and reduce injury. Healthy computing starts with the proper posture and tools needed to make computing comfortable and productive. Visit the ACT Center’s Workstation Analysis webpage or contact the ACT Center at (573) 884-2600 to schedule an appointment.
Zumba class starting next week!
Apr. 29 – May 27 (Tuesdays). MU Hospital, Mid MO Gym. Class meets every Tuesday from 5 – 6:00 p.m. Please register and the cost is $15 ($3 per class) for the series or $5 drop-in fee. Class is taught by Megan Jones. For questions and to register please email Megan at jones.megan004@gmail.com.
Spring walking groups are still going on!
Please come join one of our spring walking groups. Walking is a great exercise; and with the beautiful spring weather around us, it’s a great time to get out and enjoy it! Here are two walking groups that are going on now:
· Apr. 2 – May 7 (Wednesdays): Walking Group. Take this great opportunity to get up and get moving on your lunch break with a 30-minute walk. Meet at Woodrail Building 7 (by the flag pole) for a short walk from 12:30-1:00 p.m. Walking group led by Emily. No registration is needed. Just show up and cost is free! For questions please email Sarah at elliss@umsystem.edu.
· Apr. 4 – 25 (Fridays): Walking Group. Meet at Peace Park from 12:30-1:00 p.m. Walking group led by Kailey. No registration is needed just show up and cost is free! For questions please email Sarah at elliss@umsystem.edu.
Eat plenty of fiber for good health
We often hear that we should get plenty of fiber to help with digestion, but fiber provides many other benefits as well, such as:
· Reducing the risk of heart disease.
· Lowering cholesterol.
· Lowering high blood pressure.
Can’t think of ways to add fiber to your diet?
· Try eating an orange at breakfast instead of drinking the juice. The orange provides three grams of fiber but the juice only provides a half of a gram.
· Add vegetables to your pizza.
· Be generous with the vegetables in casseroles and soups.
· Start the day with a whole grain cereal. One cup of cooked oatmeal provides around four grams of fiber.
· Switch from white rice to wild or brown rice.
· Beans are a great source of fiber—one half cup of kidney beans provides seven grams of fiber. Include beans in your meals two to three times a week.
· Add sunflower seeds, walnuts or almonds to salads or enjoy a handful for a snack.
University of Missouri Extension provides a great amount of information on this topic. Read the article “Eat plenty of fiber for good health” by Tammy Roberts, MS, RD, LD, a Nutrition and Health Education Specialist for MU Extension.
Healthy Habits recipes
Everyone likes to cook a new recipe once in a while, so why not make it a healthy one? It can be difficult to find a healthy recipe that actually tastes good, so for the next food day at work, try out one of these new healthy recipes offered by the University of Missouri Extension: Fox 4 Healthy Habits recipes. The webpage offers a long list of healthy recipes. Nutritional information is provided for most recipes.
Chronic stress leads to health problems
Because the daily stress in our lives can take its toll on our bodies, it is important to learn how to deal with stress in healthy ways. Here are a few tips:
· Make sure you have a good foundation by eating a healthy and balanced diet, exercising, and getting adequate sleep.
· Build healthy relationships with family and friends.
· Use relaxation techniques and make time for yourself.
· And try to have a sense of humor about things!
More information is available in the article “Chronic stress leads to health problems,” by Christeena Haynes, MS, RD, LD, a Nutrition and Health Education Specialist for MU Extension.
Getting and staying motivated to change health habits
Whether you are trying to control your blood sugar, lose a few pounds or lower your cholesterol, here are some tips that Lynda Johnson, nutrition and health education specialist with University of Missouri Extension, says can help you stay motivated toward your goal.
1. Cherish yourself and your health.
2. Commit to change. Be willing to move in a new direction.
3. Have confidence. Believe in yourself and your ability to change. Have a “can do” attitude.
4. Chart your course. Begin by keeping track of your activity and what you eat for a week
5. Be creative
6. Find a cheerleader.
7. Celebrate your progress.
There is much more to read on this topic published by Missouri Extension. Read the article “Getting and staying motivated to change health habits.”
"Permanent storage facility found for MU's moldy books"
Columbia Missourian, April 24, 2014
"Manuscript Road Trip: The Show-Me State"
Manuscript Road Trip Blog, April 27, 2014