Hi all. Our McGraw-Hill rep will be doing a Webex demo of AccessScience on Friday, March 7, 2008 at 2:00pm. It should take about an hour or so, and all interested parties are welcome to take part. Here's the info the rep sent me. Just drop me a line if you need help.
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Topic: AccessScience Demo for GA Perimter College
Date: Friday, March 7, 2008
Time: 2:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time (GMT -05:00, New York )
Meeting Number: 355 016 384
Meeting Password: science
Please click the link below to see more information, or to join the meeting.
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To join the online meeting
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1. Go to https://mheducation.webex.com/mheducation/
j.php?ED=106374532&UID=0
2. Enter your name and email address.
3. Enter the meeting password: science
4. Click "Join".
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To join the teleconference only
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CALL DATE: March 07, 2008 (Friday)
CALL TIME: 02:00 PM Eastern Time
CALL DURATION: 60
LEADER: CHRIS MCKERROW
Toll-Free Number: 888-323-2712
PASSCODE: 62094
For security reasons, the passcode and the leader's name will be
required to join your call.
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For assistance
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1. Go to https://mheducation.webex.com/mheducation/mc
2. Click "Assistance".
3. Click "Support".
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Friday, February 08, 2008
Troubleshooting Problems with Off-Campus Database Access
If you get a call from a patron saying that they're not able to access our databases from off-campus, unless EZproxy went down at that very second, it's highly likely that the problem resides with the patron's computer or network, not with us.
Of course, if you get these calls, please feel free to just refer folks to me, by phone or email. But, if it's after my office hours and they don't want to wait to talk to me, first get their contact info so I can get back in touch with them if I need to.
Then, ask them where they're trying to connect from. 9 times out of 10, it's going to be their workplace, so it's probably a firewall thing. Most of the calls I've gotten were from students who couldn't connect from major corporations like Morgan Stanley and Comcast. After consulting with our EZproxy administrator, I learned that, for security reasons, many companies are restricting Internet traffic on anything other than port 80, but EZproxy uses another port, so our databases are blocked. We just have to tell folks that, until something changes, they won't be able to access the database from their workplace.
If they're trying to connect from home, and they're not running some major firewall, the next most likely scenario is that their browser isn't set to accept cookies. Gotta accept cookies for EZproxy to work correctly. Have them set that up and see if it works.
If it's neither of those two things, have them clear the cache and try again. It's highly unlikely that it would go further than that, but, if it still doesn't work it may be a genuine problem with the DB and I'll need to speak to the vendor.
Again, you don't have to do any of this. If it's during my office hours, or they don't mind waiting until I am back in the office, just send them my way, but I thought you all might like a little more background info too.
Of course, if you get these calls, please feel free to just refer folks to me, by phone or email. But, if it's after my office hours and they don't want to wait to talk to me, first get their contact info so I can get back in touch with them if I need to.
Then, ask them where they're trying to connect from. 9 times out of 10, it's going to be their workplace, so it's probably a firewall thing. Most of the calls I've gotten were from students who couldn't connect from major corporations like Morgan Stanley and Comcast. After consulting with our EZproxy administrator, I learned that, for security reasons, many companies are restricting Internet traffic on anything other than port 80, but EZproxy uses another port, so our databases are blocked. We just have to tell folks that, until something changes, they won't be able to access the database from their workplace.
If they're trying to connect from home, and they're not running some major firewall, the next most likely scenario is that their browser isn't set to accept cookies. Gotta accept cookies for EZproxy to work correctly. Have them set that up and see if it works.
If it's neither of those two things, have them clear the cache and try again. It's highly unlikely that it would go further than that, but, if it still doesn't work it may be a genuine problem with the DB and I'll need to speak to the vendor.
Again, you don't have to do any of this. If it's during my office hours, or they don't mind waiting until I am back in the office, just send them my way, but I thought you all might like a little more background info too.
NetLibrary Issues Resolved!
For quite some time now, we've had issues with NetLibrary not recognizing random computers as logging in from Georgia Perimeter College. GALILEO has contacted them about this in the past, and they claimed to have our complete IP range, so we were all stumped.
Well, Katie at GALILEO gave it another go recently, and it turns out that NetLibrary was was missing one IP address out of our range of IPs. (This most likely explains why the problem was so random.) She has requested that they add the missing IP and that ought to fix it. Yay, Katie!
If the problem should crop up again, Katie has also requested that we submit a comment through the "Contact Us" feature on the GALILEO website, from the machine that is actually experiencing the problem, at the time the problem actually occurred. That way, GALILEO can capture information about the IP address during the session. (Of course, this is good practice for problems you might be having with any GALILEO database. Not sure which databases are GPC and which ones are GALILEO? See my post on that very topic.)
Well, Katie at GALILEO gave it another go recently, and it turns out that NetLibrary was was missing one IP address out of our range of IPs. (This most likely explains why the problem was so random.) She has requested that they add the missing IP and that ought to fix it. Yay, Katie!
If the problem should crop up again, Katie has also requested that we submit a comment through the "Contact Us" feature on the GALILEO website, from the machine that is actually experiencing the problem, at the time the problem actually occurred. That way, GALILEO can capture information about the IP address during the session. (Of course, this is good practice for problems you might be having with any GALILEO database. Not sure which databases are GPC and which ones are GALILEO? See my post on that very topic.)
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Odd Block Behavior in Voyager
I've learned a couple of things about the way blocks behave in Voyager, and I wanted to share with everyone.
1.) Occasionally, in a patron's web account, you may see that they are blocked, but it doesn't say why. Under the "Patron Blocks" section, it will say "Block Reason," then fail to elaborate. If you come across this, please let me know. (I'll need the patron's name and 900#.) This is a bug, and our server site can often fix it, making the block reason appear.
2.) Patrons will be blocked in their web accounts simply for reaching their charge limit in a particular item type. This is the only way that limits can work in Voyager. Sad, but true. For example, if a student has 3 DVDs charged out (the limit for the GPC STUDENT patron group), they will be blocked in their web account and will be unable to renew any charged items online, regardless of item type. However, they can still request items in the catalog, charge other item types, and staff with Circulation Supervisor privileges in Voyager can renew items for them in the Circulation module. (Unfortunately, I think the system would let them request another DVD, but it won't let them check it out until they return one of the 3 they have charged.)
If anyone has any questions about this, please just let me know.
1.) Occasionally, in a patron's web account, you may see that they are blocked, but it doesn't say why. Under the "Patron Blocks" section, it will say "Block Reason," then fail to elaborate. If you come across this, please let me know. (I'll need the patron's name and 900#.) This is a bug, and our server site can often fix it, making the block reason appear.
2.) Patrons will be blocked in their web accounts simply for reaching their charge limit in a particular item type. This is the only way that limits can work in Voyager. Sad, but true. For example, if a student has 3 DVDs charged out (the limit for the GPC STUDENT patron group), they will be blocked in their web account and will be unable to renew any charged items online, regardless of item type. However, they can still request items in the catalog, charge other item types, and staff with Circulation Supervisor privileges in Voyager can renew items for them in the Circulation module. (Unfortunately, I think the system would let them request another DVD, but it won't let them check it out until they return one of the 3 they have charged.)
If anyone has any questions about this, please just let me know.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Database Selection Meeting Tomorrow
The Reference Committee will be meeting tomorrow to compile the list of databases to be evaluated for addition in FY09. You can find the agenda and the database calendar on the Reference Committee website.
http://www.gpc.edu/library/committees/reference/
If you have a database you'd like to be considered for trial, but will be unable to attend the meeting, please email it to the committee chair, Lora Mirza, or send it along with someone from your campus who will be attending.
As always, you can drop me a line with questions, suggestions, etc.
http://www.gpc.edu/library/committees/reference/
If you have a database you'd like to be considered for trial, but will be unable to attend the meeting, please email it to the committee chair, Lora Mirza, or send it along with someone from your campus who will be attending.
As always, you can drop me a line with questions, suggestions, etc.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Voyager Upgrade '08
Just wanted to let you know that I've just received confirmation of our Voyager upgrade schedule. The server will be upgraded during the evening of Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. Which means that, when you come in on the morning of Monday, Jan 7, 2008, the Voyager clients will be down. I'll be working with OIT to remotely push out the upgrade, like I have in the past, and I'm striving for the minimum down-time possible, but just to be on the safe side, please be prepared to be down for the first few hours of the day.
Please remember to leave your PCs on over the weekend, this is crucial if you won't be in on Monday morning. You can log out of your profile (Usually, Start > Log Off > Log Off on XP machines) but the computer MUST BE POWERED ON when I start the upgrades on Monday morning. If it isn't, then I have to get the liaison to power it on, which may involve tracking down office keys, and it always makes for an aggravating morning for everyone involved.
I'd like to issue a hearty thanks to the upgrade liaisons for providing their assistance. They will be visiting you all on Monday morning, letting you know when I'm about to start your campus's upgrade, at which time you'll need to stay off of your computers. When the upgrade is over, they'll let you know and check to see that Voyager was successfully upgraded on your machine. Please report any problems with the upgrade to your liaison as soon as possible.
Clarkston: Amy Yang
Decatur: Adrienne Graham
Dunwoody: Pete Bursi
Newton: Rebecca Rose
Technical Services, Media Services, and NonPrint: Tessa Minchew
If you have any questions about this process, please just let me know.
Please remember to leave your PCs on over the weekend, this is crucial if you won't be in on Monday morning. You can log out of your profile (Usually, Start > Log Off > Log Off on XP machines) but the computer MUST BE POWERED ON when I start the upgrades on Monday morning. If it isn't, then I have to get the liaison to power it on, which may involve tracking down office keys, and it always makes for an aggravating morning for everyone involved.
I'd like to issue a hearty thanks to the upgrade liaisons for providing their assistance. They will be visiting you all on Monday morning, letting you know when I'm about to start your campus's upgrade, at which time you'll need to stay off of your computers. When the upgrade is over, they'll let you know and check to see that Voyager was successfully upgraded on your machine. Please report any problems with the upgrade to your liaison as soon as possible.
Clarkston: Amy Yang
Decatur: Adrienne Graham
Dunwoody: Pete Bursi
Newton: Rebecca Rose
Technical Services, Media Services, and NonPrint: Tessa Minchew
If you have any questions about this process, please just let me know.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Update on OPAC Bugs
Hi all. I just wanted to let you know that I've been sending your OPAC bug reports to Bob at the server site, and he informed me today that he's used this info to make a configuration change that he thinks will help with the weirdness we've been experiencing.
If you have the opportunity, please make a note of any odd OPAC behavior you encounter and let me know if you feel like it's gotten better, worse, or (fingers crossed) ceased completely.
As always, if you have any questions, just drop me a line.
If you have the opportunity, please make a note of any odd OPAC behavior you encounter and let me know if you feel like it's gotten better, worse, or (fingers crossed) ceased completely.
As always, if you have any questions, just drop me a line.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
GPC Databases vs. GALILEO Databases
Hi all. I've had a lot of questions recently about where to report problems with certain databases, so I just wanted to take the opportunity to review the whole procedure.
Problems with GPC databases should be reported to me, if they're very detailed problems, an email is better. If you just want to say, "Hey, Tessa. JSTOR is down," of course, you can just give me a jingle.
Problems with GALILEO-managed databases should be reported to GALILEO. I am not able to correct problems with non-GPC databases, and don't even have contact information for those vendors, so I would just have to forward your problem report to GALILEO, and that is not GALILEO's preferred method. They want you to report problems directly to them using the Contact Us form at the top right of their webpages. Make sure you report the problem from the computer you're actually experiencing it on. The form will collect information about that computer and your session which could be very helpful to the GALILEO folks trying to diagnose the problem.
Now, how can you tell what's a GPC database and what's a GALILEO database?
If you're on the library website, GPC databases are those listed on the following page (except the GALILEO link, natch):
http://www.gpc.edu/library/articles.htm
Anything not on this page is a GALILEO-managed database.
If you're in GALILEO, GPC databases are those that have the little GPC orb to the right of their names (in the Databases, A-Z list) and state, in red type, "Subscription provided by Georgia Perimeter College."
Please just let me know if you have any more questions about this procedure. Thanks everyone!
Problems with GPC databases should be reported to me, if they're very detailed problems, an email is better. If you just want to say, "Hey, Tessa. JSTOR is down," of course, you can just give me a jingle.
Problems with GALILEO-managed databases should be reported to GALILEO. I am not able to correct problems with non-GPC databases, and don't even have contact information for those vendors, so I would just have to forward your problem report to GALILEO, and that is not GALILEO's preferred method. They want you to report problems directly to them using the Contact Us form at the top right of their webpages. Make sure you report the problem from the computer you're actually experiencing it on. The form will collect information about that computer and your session which could be very helpful to the GALILEO folks trying to diagnose the problem.
Now, how can you tell what's a GPC database and what's a GALILEO database?
If you're on the library website, GPC databases are those listed on the following page (except the GALILEO link, natch):
http://www.gpc.edu/library/articles.htm
Anything not on this page is a GALILEO-managed database.
If you're in GALILEO, GPC databases are those that have the little GPC orb to the right of their names (in the Databases, A-Z list) and state, in red type, "Subscription provided by Georgia Perimeter College."
Please just let me know if you have any more questions about this procedure. Thanks everyone!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
NonPrint Recommendations
Hi again, everyone. I just wanted to let you know that Michael and I have been working on a form for patrons to recommend purchases for the NonPrint collection, and it's live now, at the following link.
http://www.gpc.edu/library/technicalservices/
nonprint/nprecommend.htm
If you encounter patrons who might be interested in this, please feel free to refer them to this page. There is also a link for it on the main NonPrint page.
http://www.gpc.edu/library/technicalservices/
nonprint/index.html
Of course, library faculty and staff are welcome to use the form as well, or just send slips directly to Michael if you prefer.
Thanks!
http://www.gpc.edu/library/technicalservices/
nonprint/nprecommend.htm
If you encounter patrons who might be interested in this, please feel free to refer them to this page. There is also a link for it on the main NonPrint page.
http://www.gpc.edu/library/technicalservices/
nonprint/index.html
Of course, library faculty and staff are welcome to use the form as well, or just send slips directly to Michael if you prefer.
Thanks!
Problems with Opposing Viewpoints
Hi everyone. Just wanted to update you all on some off-campus database access issues. Yesterday, it was brought to my attention that one of our students was having trouble accessing Opposing Viewpoints through GALILEO, from home. He could use the GALILEO password to get in, but was booted out whenever he tried a search, and was then being prompted for a password other than the GALILEO password.
I tried it from home last night and experienced similar results, whether I entered through GALILEO or through the database page on the website. I was booted out after a few clicks and taken to a page with 2 hyper links, one for the library's homepage and one to start a new session. Either link took me to the page prompting me for a mystery password.
Our EZproxy administrator confirmed that it wasn't a problem on our end. I just got off of the phone with Gale tech support and they think that they have corrected the problem, but I'm going to try it from home one more time, just to be sure.
If you hear of anyone experiencing these, or other difficulties with a GPC database, please don't hesitate to let me know and I'll get it fixed as soon as possible. GPC databases are those listed on the following page (except the GALILEO link):
http://www.gpc.edu/library/articles.htm
Anything not on this page is a GALILEO-managed database, and problems with them should be reported directly to GALILEO using the Contact Us form on their website.
Thanks everyone! Please let me know if you have any questions.
I tried it from home last night and experienced similar results, whether I entered through GALILEO or through the database page on the website. I was booted out after a few clicks and taken to a page with 2 hyper links, one for the library's homepage and one to start a new session. Either link took me to the page prompting me for a mystery password.
Our EZproxy administrator confirmed that it wasn't a problem on our end. I just got off of the phone with Gale tech support and they think that they have corrected the problem, but I'm going to try it from home one more time, just to be sure.
If you hear of anyone experiencing these, or other difficulties with a GPC database, please don't hesitate to let me know and I'll get it fixed as soon as possible. GPC databases are those listed on the following page (except the GALILEO link):
http://www.gpc.edu/library/articles.htm
Anything not on this page is a GALILEO-managed database, and problems with them should be reported directly to GALILEO using the Contact Us form on their website.
Thanks everyone! Please let me know if you have any questions.
Monday, August 06, 2007
IMPORTANT: Change to Voyager Upgrade Date
To accommodate the schedule of my gracious OIT contact, I have to upgrade the Voyager clients beginning around 2:00pm on Tuesday, August 7. Since the server is being upgraded that evening, Voyager will be inaccessible after I do our upgrade. Circulation & Media Services should be prepared to do manual check outs from 2:00pm until closing, and anyone else who has any work to do in Voyager should try to do it before 2:00pm. If you are leaving the office before 2:00pm, please leave your computer on, just log off of your profile.
When you come in on the morning of August 8, our server will have been upgraded and the clients should work just fine. Your upgrade liaisons will be giving you a heads-up before the upgrade begins.
Clarkston: Amy Yang
Decatur: Adrienne Graham
Dunwoody: Carmel Chaille
Newton: Rebecca Rose
Tech Serv, Media Serv, NonPrint: Tessa Minchew
Please let me know if you have any questions, and thanks in advance for your patience during the upgrade.
When you come in on the morning of August 8, our server will have been upgraded and the clients should work just fine. Your upgrade liaisons will be giving you a heads-up before the upgrade begins.
Clarkston: Amy Yang
Decatur: Adrienne Graham
Dunwoody: Carmel Chaille
Newton: Rebecca Rose
Tech Serv, Media Serv, NonPrint: Tessa Minchew
Please let me know if you have any questions, and thanks in advance for your patience during the upgrade.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Voyager Upgrade Date Set
Hi everyone. Just wanted to let you know the date of the Voyager upgrade has been set. Our server will be upgraded on the evening of Tuesday, August 7. This means I will be upgrading Voyager clients on the morning of Wednesday, August 8. This process will work much as it has the last few times. I will be performing the upgrades remotely, and each campus will have an upgrade liaison to facilitate the process and report problems to me. Here are the folks who have graciously agreed to be your upgrade liaisons.
Clarkston: Amy Yang
Decatur: Adrienne Graham
Dunwoody: Carmel Chaille
Newton: Rebecca Rose
I'll be handling the liaison duties for Technical Services, Media Services, and NonPrint.
Remember, when the server is upgraded, the Voyager clients will not work until they are also upgraded to the new version. So, Circulation, especially, should be braced for a little downtime, but I will do my best to turn the upgrades over as quickly as possible, and, on that note, there are a couple of things that you can all do to help me achieve that goal.
1.) This week, your liaison will be checking the IP address of every computer requiring a Voyager client, and reporting that information to me. If you need the client, make sure you make it on this list.
2.) Please remember to leave your PCs on on Tuesday evening, this is especially important if you won't be in on Wednesday morning. You can log out of your profile (Start > Log Off > Log Off on XP machines) but the PC must be POWERED ON when I start the upgrades on Wednesday morning. If it isn't, then I have to get your liaison to power it on, which may involve getting office keys, and always fouls up my workflow.
If anyone has any questions about the upgrade, please just let me know. And thanks in advance for your patience!
Clarkston: Amy Yang
Decatur: Adrienne Graham
Dunwoody: Carmel Chaille
Newton: Rebecca Rose
I'll be handling the liaison duties for Technical Services, Media Services, and NonPrint.
Remember, when the server is upgraded, the Voyager clients will not work until they are also upgraded to the new version. So, Circulation, especially, should be braced for a little downtime, but I will do my best to turn the upgrades over as quickly as possible, and, on that note, there are a couple of things that you can all do to help me achieve that goal.
1.) This week, your liaison will be checking the IP address of every computer requiring a Voyager client, and reporting that information to me. If you need the client, make sure you make it on this list.
2.) Please remember to leave your PCs on on Tuesday evening, this is especially important if you won't be in on Wednesday morning. You can log out of your profile (Start > Log Off > Log Off on XP machines) but the PC must be POWERED ON when I start the upgrades on Wednesday morning. If it isn't, then I have to get your liaison to power it on, which may involve getting office keys, and always fouls up my workflow.
If anyone has any questions about the upgrade, please just let me know. And thanks in advance for your patience!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Finally Getting Around to Tweaking Blogger
Hi all. Guess you've noticed that things are a little different here. In its recent upgrade, Blogger added a lot of new features that I just haven't had time to take advantage of, but I did get to hack at it a little bit today.
First thing that you will notice is a new template. This one seems to go with the library style sheet a little bit better, and it's available for free through Blogger. So, no coding for me! Yay! Now, in order to convert to it, we did lose a bit of our sidebar content, but I'm not sure how much we were using that anyway. The RSS feeds section went away, but there's a link to an Atom feed at the bottom, which should work fine in most major feed readers.
Is anyone particularly attached to the "Library Blogs" section? I'd like to build it up a bit or get rid of it altogether. Please let me know how you feel about that, and if you'd like to add anything else in the sidebar.
Next, we now have the ability to tag our posts! Blogger calls them "labels" for some reason, but they act like tags. When you are editing a post, you will see a field in the lower right called "Labels for this post." Just type your tags in there, separated by commas. I've gone back and tagged the last few months worth of posts, and will try to tag it back to the beginning eventually. If you click the "Show all" link next to the right of the "Labels for this post" field, you will see the tags that I've already used. Click on the ones you like and they'll appear in the field, no typing. I recommend doing this, so we can class like posts somewhat together.
I can add a category list in the sidebar, and put links to the most used tags, if you all want. However, you can also just click on a tag in any post and see all the posts that share that tags.
I'll try to keep an eye on the new posts, and tag the ones that need it. So, if you don't like tagging, or just don't want to do it, no worries. I'll take care of it for you.
So, tell me how you feel about all this new blogginess, by email or in the comments.
First thing that you will notice is a new template. This one seems to go with the library style sheet a little bit better, and it's available for free through Blogger. So, no coding for me! Yay! Now, in order to convert to it, we did lose a bit of our sidebar content, but I'm not sure how much we were using that anyway. The RSS feeds section went away, but there's a link to an Atom feed at the bottom, which should work fine in most major feed readers.
Is anyone particularly attached to the "Library Blogs" section? I'd like to build it up a bit or get rid of it altogether. Please let me know how you feel about that, and if you'd like to add anything else in the sidebar.
Next, we now have the ability to tag our posts! Blogger calls them "labels" for some reason, but they act like tags. When you are editing a post, you will see a field in the lower right called "Labels for this post." Just type your tags in there, separated by commas. I've gone back and tagged the last few months worth of posts, and will try to tag it back to the beginning eventually. If you click the "Show all" link next to the right of the "Labels for this post" field, you will see the tags that I've already used. Click on the ones you like and they'll appear in the field, no typing. I recommend doing this, so we can class like posts somewhat together.
I can add a category list in the sidebar, and put links to the most used tags, if you all want. However, you can also just click on a tag in any post and see all the posts that share that tags.
I'll try to keep an eye on the new posts, and tag the ones that need it. So, if you don't like tagging, or just don't want to do it, no worries. I'll take care of it for you.
So, tell me how you feel about all this new blogginess, by email or in the comments.
Another Voyager Upgrade On Its Way
Hi everyone. I just learned that we will be upgrading from Voyager 6.2.1 to Voyager 6.5.1, somewhere between Friday, August 3 through Friday, August 10. I won't know the specific date until I hear from our Service Site Coordinator, but I wanted to give you all a heads up.
Most everyone knows the drill by now. The server will be upgraded, usually in the evening, and after this you will be unable to access Voyager from your PCs until I have upgraded the clients. This has to happen on each and every PC that runs Voyager. The last couple of times, OIT has been gracious enough to help me push out a script to each computer, which dramatically reduces our downtime. Otherwise, I would have to drive to each campus, and upgrade each PC by hand, which can take quite a while.
I've also found it helpful to have an "upgrade liaison" on each campus, to check that the script has run correctly on everyone's PC, relay questions, etc. I'm going to be contacting folks about doing that and I'll let you know when we have our victims, *ahem*, I mean lucky volunteers.
For a little more info about 6.5.1, allow me to quote the esteemed Phil Williams. "One of the primary features of this upgrade will be the implementation of the "UB Local Block Policies". The Service Site Staffs will set the appropriate UB Local Block Policy Definitions in accordance with established GIL Express standards. We are anticipating that GIL Express transactions will continue through the upgrade period, however if difficulties do arise a notice will be sent to the listserv and a message will be put on the GIL Universal Catalog web site."
I would advise that everyone read the release notes for this version.
http://download.gil.usg.edu/gold/0605/relnotes.pdf
If, after that, you're feeling especially curious, please feel free to peruse the rest of the 6.5.1 documentation.
http://download.gil.usg.edu/gold/0605.html
Both of these links will ask you for our GIL Knowledge Base username and password (which is the same as the Endeavor Knowledge Base username and password). Give me a call if you've forgotten it.
If anyone has any questions, please drop me a line. And thanks in advance for your patience during the upgrade!
Most everyone knows the drill by now. The server will be upgraded, usually in the evening, and after this you will be unable to access Voyager from your PCs until I have upgraded the clients. This has to happen on each and every PC that runs Voyager. The last couple of times, OIT has been gracious enough to help me push out a script to each computer, which dramatically reduces our downtime. Otherwise, I would have to drive to each campus, and upgrade each PC by hand, which can take quite a while.
I've also found it helpful to have an "upgrade liaison" on each campus, to check that the script has run correctly on everyone's PC, relay questions, etc. I'm going to be contacting folks about doing that and I'll let you know when we have our victims, *ahem*, I mean lucky volunteers.
For a little more info about 6.5.1, allow me to quote the esteemed Phil Williams. "One of the primary features of this upgrade will be the implementation of the "UB Local Block Policies". The Service Site Staffs will set the appropriate UB Local Block Policy Definitions in accordance with established GIL Express standards. We are anticipating that GIL Express transactions will continue through the upgrade period, however if difficulties do arise a notice will be sent to the listserv and a message will be put on the GIL Universal Catalog web site."
I would advise that everyone read the release notes for this version.
http://download.gil.usg.edu/gold/0605/relnotes.pdf
If, after that, you're feeling especially curious, please feel free to peruse the rest of the 6.5.1 documentation.
http://download.gil.usg.edu/gold/0605.html
Both of these links will ask you for our GIL Knowledge Base username and password (which is the same as the Endeavor Knowledge Base username and password). Give me a call if you've forgotten it.
If anyone has any questions, please drop me a line. And thanks in advance for your patience during the upgrade!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
New Committee Page Created
Hi all. Just wanted to let you know that the web pages for three committees have moved from David Free's directory to the main library pages. Please update your bookmarks accordingly.
I've created a directory just for these committee pages. Here is the URL for the index page.
http://www.gpc.edu/library/committees/
David burned a disk of everything for us, but I had to relink a lot of things, so please take a look over your respective pages and let me know if you see any mistakes.
From here on out, you can send your minutes to me and I will post them on the appropriate page.
Thanks everyone.
I've created a directory just for these committee pages. Here is the URL for the index page.
http://www.gpc.edu/library/committees/
David burned a disk of everything for us, but I had to relink a lot of things, so please take a look over your respective pages and let me know if you see any mistakes.
From here on out, you can send your minutes to me and I will post them on the appropriate page.
Thanks everyone.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
GPC get-together at ALA?
David Free and I were wondering if anyone else from GPC libraries is going to ALA in June, which is in Washington D.C. If so, it would be fun to get together and have dinner, dessert, or drinks on Sunday evening, June 24th. I think at this point anytime after 5:30 is sounding good. You can post here or email me or David. Thanks and hope to hear from you soon. (For those of you who can't make it to D.C. this year, I am planning on taking copious notes so I'd be happy to share with anyone who is interested. Maybe I'll even post something on the blog if there's anything that I think everyone would enjoy reading about).
Monday, June 04, 2007
Rockdale/Newton Becomes Newton
Just wanted to let everyone know that, with their move, the Rockdale campus will now be known as Newton. To that end, I've changed all the instances of "Rockdale" to "Newton" in the Voyager back-end, the OPAC, and on the webpages I have control of. The other webmasters will be changing their pages shortly, if they haven't already.
For those who use the Cataloging module, you will notice that drop-down menus are reading something like "Newton Book," but the location code will still be "ROBook." I'm afraid that Voyager doesn't allow for changing permanent location codes, just the way they display, so we're stuck with this. Those using Acquisitions and Circulation probably won't notice this. I think all you ever see is the display name, which will be "Newton Book," "Newton Reference," etc.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Update: In the OPAC, the Location field of the Narrow My Search limits and in the Quick Limits under the Exact Search still say "Rockdale." Bob Trotter will have to change that and I emailed him on 4/1.
For those who use the Cataloging module, you will notice that drop-down menus are reading something like "Newton Book," but the location code will still be "ROBook." I'm afraid that Voyager doesn't allow for changing permanent location codes, just the way they display, so we're stuck with this. Those using Acquisitions and Circulation probably won't notice this. I think all you ever see is the display name, which will be "Newton Book," "Newton Reference," etc.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Update: In the OPAC, the Location field of the Narrow My Search limits and in the Quick Limits under the Exact Search still say "Rockdale." Bob Trotter will have to change that and I emailed him on 4/1.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
"What Goes Around"
This Chronicle article is well worth a read. It was written by Susanna Ashton, an associate professor of English at Clemson University in South Carolina. Apparently, when she was a Fulbright scholar to the Republic of Ireland, she was surprised with a whopping ILL bill that opened her eyes to how fortunate we all are to have an ILL system in the U.S. that is very low cost, if not free to the user.
The line that promises to leave no dry eye in the house, "The greatest resource sharing our libraries practice is sharing their faith in us."
Oh! I'm verklimpt. Talk amongst yourselves.
The line that promises to leave no dry eye in the house, "The greatest resource sharing our libraries practice is sharing their faith in us."
Oh! I'm verklimpt. Talk amongst yourselves.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Let The Database Trials Begin!
It's database evaluation time, and here is the URL for trial access to the databases under review for 2007.
http://www.gpc.edu/library/technicalservices/db/databasetrials.htm
The review period runs from March 1st to April 2nd, but some of the providers wouldn't run the trials past the end of March. So, if you try to get in after that and are denied, drop me a line and I'll see what I can do.
You'll notice that there are three links at the top of the page, one for the procedures and timetable, one for a database evaluation form (graciously created by Sherry), and one for a printer-friendly database list. All these are MS Word documents. I'd recommend printing out the database list while you're looking at the trials, so you'll have it handy for some of the more complex access instructions like the Encyclopedia of Religion.
We want everyone's input, so if you won't be attending the reference committee meeting to discuss the databases, please fill out some evaluation forms and pass them along to your committee rep or myself. And let me know if there's anything else that I can do for you.
http://www.gpc.edu/library/technicalservices/db/databasetrials.htm
The review period runs from March 1st to April 2nd, but some of the providers wouldn't run the trials past the end of March. So, if you try to get in after that and are denied, drop me a line and I'll see what I can do.
You'll notice that there are three links at the top of the page, one for the procedures and timetable, one for a database evaluation form (graciously created by Sherry), and one for a printer-friendly database list. All these are MS Word documents. I'd recommend printing out the database list while you're looking at the trials, so you'll have it handy for some of the more complex access instructions like the Encyclopedia of Religion.
We want everyone's input, so if you won't be attending the reference committee meeting to discuss the databases, please fill out some evaluation forms and pass them along to your committee rep or myself. And let me know if there's anything else that I can do for you.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Student Email Username and Password Retrieval
In answer to the question that was raised at yesterday's discipline meeting, OIT says that the limit for retrieving a student's email user ID and password is 5 times. After that, a student will need to go to a computer lab where supervisors and other designated employees can obtain the information or contact the Help Desk for assistance. There may be a brief (15 minute) lag time before the student can actually log on to a computer.
Looking for a conference to attend?
I found a handy list of library-related conferences at:
http://homepage.usask.ca/~mad204/CONF.HTM
http://homepage.usask.ca/~mad204/CONF.HTM
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Blog Upgraded to New Version of Blogger
[Too many upgrades these days for my tiny little brain.]
Well, I've been putting it off, but Blogger finally bullied me into upgrading the blog. You wont notice anything too different on the front-end, but a few added features under the hood including a "Labels" feature which sort of functions like categories, in a less satisfying way. Anyway, poke around and tell us what you think.
One little problem, now that the blog is upgraded, you will have to convert your Blogger account to a Google account if you want to post or comment. It's pretty straightforward. If you try to log in using your Blogger account, it will badger you to convert to the new account before you proceed. Just follow the prompts. If you already have a Google account, you can use that. Or you can create a new one, again, by following the prompts. A word to the wise, when converting a Blogger account and creating a Google account at the same time, you will be prompted for an active email address. Whatever you put in here is what you will use for your login name, so choose wisely grasshopper. You might be able to change it later on, but I'm not sure about that, so why not save yourself the trouble and give it some thought up front.
Creating a Google account through Blogger will not give you access to purportedly life-changing features like Gmail or Google Talk.If you want to sign up for a Gmail account and then use that as your Blogger account, you have to have an invitation from an existing Gmail member. Please email David Free or myself and we'll shoot you an invite. [Update: You can still email David Free or me, we always love attention, but it looks like you no longer need an invite for Gmail. You can just sign up on your own.] Also feel free to email or call us with any questions you may have about this switch.
Well, I've been putting it off, but Blogger finally bullied me into upgrading the blog. You wont notice anything too different on the front-end, but a few added features under the hood including a "Labels" feature which sort of functions like categories, in a less satisfying way. Anyway, poke around and tell us what you think.
One little problem, now that the blog is upgraded, you will have to convert your Blogger account to a Google account if you want to post or comment. It's pretty straightforward. If you try to log in using your Blogger account, it will badger you to convert to the new account before you proceed. Just follow the prompts. If you already have a Google account, you can use that. Or you can create a new one, again, by following the prompts. A word to the wise, when converting a Blogger account and creating a Google account at the same time, you will be prompted for an active email address. Whatever you put in here is what you will use for your login name, so choose wisely grasshopper. You might be able to change it later on, but I'm not sure about that, so why not save yourself the trouble and give it some thought up front.
Creating a Google account through Blogger will not give you access to purportedly life-changing features like Gmail or Google Talk.
Upgrade to Voyager 6.2
Just wanted to let everyone know that the server site has informed us that we must undergo another Voyager upgrade next week. Apparently v.6.2 has some needed fixes (see attachment). It has been road tested by the folks at UGA, and passed their approval, so everything should be fine. (I have some hopes that it will help with our OPAC-issues, but there are absolutely no guarantees on that, so keep sending in those problem reports until you hear from me otherwise.)
As of now, the schedule I've been given for the upgrading GPC's server is the evening of Monday, February 26th. This means that when you come in on the morning of the 27th, Voyager will be down on everyone's PC. I am working with OIT to prepare another packet delivery system and we have high hopes that it will work as smoothly as it did last time. If it does, down time will be minimal. If not, I may have to drive to your campuses to upgrade PCs manually. Let's all keep our fingers crossed that it doesn't come to that. I don't want you to experience any more down time than is absolutely necessary.
As I understand it, GIL Express transactions are expected to function normally between 6.1 and 6.2 libraries, so no GIL Express downtime is expected. Please report any problems you might experience.
Thanks in advance for your patience! Hopefully this will be our last upgrade in 2007.
As of now, the schedule I've been given for the upgrading GPC's server is the evening of Monday, February 26th. This means that when you come in on the morning of the 27th, Voyager will be down on everyone's PC. I am working with OIT to prepare another packet delivery system and we have high hopes that it will work as smoothly as it did last time. If it does, down time will be minimal. If not, I may have to drive to your campuses to upgrade PCs manually. Let's all keep our fingers crossed that it doesn't come to that. I don't want you to experience any more down time than is absolutely necessary.
As I understand it, GIL Express transactions are expected to function normally between 6.1 and 6.2 libraries, so no GIL Express downtime is expected. Please report any problems you might experience.
Thanks in advance for your patience! Hopefully this will be our last upgrade in 2007.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Hello, and wildcard searching
First of all, hello! I am Amy Eklund, one of the new catalogers in Tech Services. I am really glad to be here at GPC and I am really enjoying working here (I started Dec. 1). I look forward to meeting those of you I haven't had the chance to meet yet.
Secondly, I wanted to mention something I noticed while doing a recent database maintenance project. I have been using truncation and wildcard searching in the Voyager cataloging module (which I didn't know was possible until I began working here) and that got me wondering about those capabilities in GIL, as well. So, after some playing around in GIL and reading all the "Help" documentation (particularly the sections on "Searching" and the "Technical Documentation"), I discovered that both right-truncation (using ?) and wildcard searching (using % anywhere in the word) are possible in keyword search and command search in GIL. Truncation is mentioned in the "Help" documentation, but wildcard searching is not. I can see how wildcard searching might be very useful if you haven't been aware of it before, for instance if a patron comes in asking for a book about Powerpoint by "Munson" but they are not sure whether it is spelled "Mansen", "Munson", "Monsen", or "Munsen" (so you could do a fielded keyword search for "M%ns%n" with a keyword search for Powerpoint).
Hope this is useful for you if you didn't already know about it, and happy searching!
Amy
Secondly, I wanted to mention something I noticed while doing a recent database maintenance project. I have been using truncation and wildcard searching in the Voyager cataloging module (which I didn't know was possible until I began working here) and that got me wondering about those capabilities in GIL, as well. So, after some playing around in GIL and reading all the "Help" documentation (particularly the sections on "Searching" and the "Technical Documentation"), I discovered that both right-truncation (using ?) and wildcard searching (using % anywhere in the word) are possible in keyword search and command search in GIL. Truncation is mentioned in the "Help" documentation, but wildcard searching is not. I can see how wildcard searching might be very useful if you haven't been aware of it before, for instance if a patron comes in asking for a book about Powerpoint by "Munson" but they are not sure whether it is spelled "Mansen", "Munson", "Monsen", or "Munsen" (so you could do a fielded keyword search for "M%ns%n" with a keyword search for Powerpoint).
Hope this is useful for you if you didn't already know about it, and happy searching!
Amy
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Problems with the OPAC? Part Deux
I'm still working with Bob Trotter on our various and sundry OPAC problems, and he's asked me to give him the full URLs of the oddities.
So, from here on out, report any OPAC weirdness to me as follows.
1.) Copy and paste the URL of the problem page into the body of a plain text email.
2.) Include as full a description of the problem as possible [what problem is occurring (we have three right now), time, date, what kind of search you were doing, did you go in through the Quick Search originally, what you clicked on right before the bug occurred, etc.] There is no such thing as too much detail here. Give me everything you can think of.
3.) Email this to me at tminchew@gpc.edu.
You no longer have to send me printouts, just follow the above instructions.
To recap, these are the three different instances of "weird" OPAC behavior we are working on now:
1.) Sometimes the Item Status in a record display will read "No Information Available" even though there are clearly item records attached, as the number of items will be set. Then the Item Status will revert "Not Checked Out". I'm not clear on whether or not this happens automatically, or if the user has to hit Refresh. On the one instance report I have of it, the item status read one way on one computer, and a different way on the other during the same one minute period.
2.) When leaving search results idle for a little while, then coming back and clicking on the Quick Search link at the bottom of the screen, people are being thrown into a plain white screen containing only the text "lost+found".
3.) After taking some action in the OPAC, people are thrown into a screen entitled "Builder Search". The style sheet changes from our usual blues to reds, and the search itself doesn't always work. The majority of the time folks seem to have been doing an exact search, then left the connection idle for a while, then clicked on New Search, and were thrown into the red screen. However, this is not always the case.
Thanks everyone! Keep these reports coming. Hopefully Bob will be able to figure something out. And please let me know if you have any questions or encounter any new problems.
So, from here on out, report any OPAC weirdness to me as follows.
1.) Copy and paste the URL of the problem page into the body of a plain text email.
2.) Include as full a description of the problem as possible [what problem is occurring (we have three right now), time, date, what kind of search you were doing, did you go in through the Quick Search originally, what you clicked on right before the bug occurred, etc.] There is no such thing as too much detail here. Give me everything you can think of.
3.) Email this to me at tminchew@gpc.edu.
You no longer have to send me printouts, just follow the above instructions.
To recap, these are the three different instances of "weird" OPAC behavior we are working on now:
1.) Sometimes the Item Status in a record display will read "No Information Available" even though there are clearly item records attached, as the number of items will be set. Then the Item Status will revert "Not Checked Out". I'm not clear on whether or not this happens automatically, or if the user has to hit Refresh. On the one instance report I have of it, the item status read one way on one computer, and a different way on the other during the same one minute period.
2.) When leaving search results idle for a little while, then coming back and clicking on the Quick Search link at the bottom of the screen, people are being thrown into a plain white screen containing only the text "lost+found".
3.) After taking some action in the OPAC, people are thrown into a screen entitled "Builder Search". The style sheet changes from our usual blues to reds, and the search itself doesn't always work. The majority of the time folks seem to have been doing an exact search, then left the connection idle for a while, then clicked on New Search, and were thrown into the red screen. However, this is not always the case.
Thanks everyone! Keep these reports coming. Hopefully Bob will be able to figure something out. And please let me know if you have any questions or encounter any new problems.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Pharos
In a recent gen-mail from Keith Chapman, he stated that students can access their printing account either by swiping their card or by entering their official GPC login and password at the print release station. When I asked Barry Bailey about this in December, however, he said students can only access their account by swiping their access card. I checked with Keith about his e-mail and he said his understanding was that, "Dexter's group with OIT is installing a password authentication program on all print release stations." Keith said he thought maybe Dexter hasn't gotten to Dunwoody with it yet. I haven't heard any more updates since then. So, does anyone know about this? Do other campuses have this password authentication program? We need to clarify this because we have had students ask about this (yes, apparently someone actually read the gen-mail).
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Problems with the OPAC?
I've gotten a couple of reports about problems with the OPAC since the upgrade. The scenario is always the same, after taking some action in the catalog, people are thrown into a screen entitled "Builder Search". The style sheet changes from our usual blues to reds, and the search itself doesn't actually work. The only option to get the OPAC working again is to completely exit and start over.
I've had this happen to me a couple of times over the years, but not often enough to worry about. After the upgrade, I've had it reported by two librarians on two different campuses, and each says that it's happening several times a week or more. Bob Trotter and I can't seem to replicate it, so there isn't much that we can do right now, and I was just wondering if this is happening to anyone else. If so, please drop me a line and give me as many details as you can (time, date, what you were trying to do in the catalog when it happened, etc.). Thanks!
I've had this happen to me a couple of times over the years, but not often enough to worry about. After the upgrade, I've had it reported by two librarians on two different campuses, and each says that it's happening several times a week or more. Bob Trotter and I can't seem to replicate it, so there isn't much that we can do right now, and I was just wondering if this is happening to anyone else. If so, please drop me a line and give me as many details as you can (time, date, what you were trying to do in the catalog when it happened, etc.). Thanks!
Monday, December 18, 2006
Sign Up System PPT
At some point in the future, OIT is going to implement the Sign Up PC reservation system on all of the library public access PCs. This is the same reservation ystem used in the student computer labs. Take a look at this PowerPoint from Dexter in OIT to learn more about the system.
Sign Up Presentation (PPT)
The Directors named the following folks to a subcommittee of the Reference Committee to look into common issues such as session length that will need to be decided before the system goes live.
Kip Cates (Rockdale/ Newton)
Carmel Chaille (Dunwoody, Chair)
David Free (Decatur)
Ann Mallard (Clarkston)
We'll briefly discuss Sign Up at the holiday party on Tuesday. And you can contact your campus rep with any questions.
Sign Up Presentation (PPT)
The Directors named the following folks to a subcommittee of the Reference Committee to look into common issues such as session length that will need to be decided before the system goes live.
Kip Cates (Rockdale/ Newton)
Carmel Chaille (Dunwoody, Chair)
David Free (Decatur)
Ann Mallard (Clarkston)
We'll briefly discuss Sign Up at the holiday party on Tuesday. And you can contact your campus rep with any questions.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Food (for thought)
Hey everybody,
I know you're thinking, "Pete, it's the holidays; the last thing we want is more food!" Well, the good news is that this food really doesn't have any calories (whether someone sees you ingest it or not).
Actually, I am wondering about how other folks deal with strange/difficult assignments, and I would like to hear some ideas about how others would approach one particular reference question. The question comes to us like this, "So... what does the American Government stand for?" Students have shown us the assignment sheet, and that is exactly how the instructor wrote it. The handout also includes some other suggestions such as talking to friends, family, and veterans of the armed forces to see how they would answer the question. The students are required to cite at least four academic/scholarly sources, but it is not clear what exactly constitutes an academic source. This is for a Political Science class.
How would you approach this question?
Also, how do you generally handle questions that cause confusion or difficulty at the Reference Desk? Do you contact the instructor to discuss difficult assignments? If so, what kind of reaction do you get? Do you share ideas for handling specific problematic questions with others on your Reference staff? What other approaches have you used?
~Pete
I know you're thinking, "Pete, it's the holidays; the last thing we want is more food!" Well, the good news is that this food really doesn't have any calories (whether someone sees you ingest it or not).
Actually, I am wondering about how other folks deal with strange/difficult assignments, and I would like to hear some ideas about how others would approach one particular reference question. The question comes to us like this, "So... what does the American Government stand for?" Students have shown us the assignment sheet, and that is exactly how the instructor wrote it. The handout also includes some other suggestions such as talking to friends, family, and veterans of the armed forces to see how they would answer the question. The students are required to cite at least four academic/scholarly sources, but it is not clear what exactly constitutes an academic source. This is for a Political Science class.
How would you approach this question?
Also, how do you generally handle questions that cause confusion or difficulty at the Reference Desk? Do you contact the instructor to discuss difficult assignments? If so, what kind of reaction do you get? Do you share ideas for handling specific problematic questions with others on your Reference staff? What other approaches have you used?
~Pete
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Voyager Upgrade Looming
[I sent a message about this to everyone's director, to forward along, but I thought that I'd post it here too, just in case anyone missed it.]
The slot GPC has been allotted for the Voyager upgrade is Wednesday, December 20th, beginning that evening and hopefully ending by the following morning or afternoon.
I'm exploring the possibility of a remote upgrade with OIT, which is very gracious of them. However, if we can't get that working, I'll be manually upgrading every PC running Voyager, just like John did last year, starting December 21st. I will make it my only priority, but even devoting all of my time to it, it may take a while for me to get to every campus, so your patience will be greatly appreciated.
Circulation (for GPC materials) will be down until the machine you run it on is upgraded. GIL Express will be down for the duration of the entire upgrade. This means that all USG institutions must be successfully upgraded before GIL Express service can resume anywhere. The estimate is that GE will be down from December 13, 2006 through January 5, 2007. This service suspension has been discussed at length on the UC/UB listerv, and I imagine that GPC circulation staff are familiar this discussion.
That's about all that I know right now, but if you have any questions, please just drop me a line. I'll keep you posted as more details become available.
The slot GPC has been allotted for the Voyager upgrade is Wednesday, December 20th, beginning that evening and hopefully ending by the following morning or afternoon.
I'm exploring the possibility of a remote upgrade with OIT, which is very gracious of them. However, if we can't get that working, I'll be manually upgrading every PC running Voyager, just like John did last year, starting December 21st. I will make it my only priority, but even devoting all of my time to it, it may take a while for me to get to every campus, so your patience will be greatly appreciated.
Circulation (for GPC materials) will be down until the machine you run it on is upgraded. GIL Express will be down for the duration of the entire upgrade. This means that all USG institutions must be successfully upgraded before GIL Express service can resume anywhere. The estimate is that GE will be down from December 13, 2006 through January 5, 2007. This service suspension has been discussed at length on the UC/UB listerv, and I imagine that GPC circulation staff are familiar this discussion.
That's about all that I know right now, but if you have any questions, please just drop me a line. I'll keep you posted as more details become available.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
GPC Libraries Site Search Up and Running!
From the get-go one of the requests we were hearing for the new web design was a site search feature that covered all the pages (residing in five different directories). This sort of thing was a bit beyond my skills right now, but, fortunately, I recently discovered yet another handy dandy little Google tool called a CSE (Custom Search Engine). After a little poking with an e-stick, voila! We have a site search!
You’ve probably noticed the link appearing in the top gray menu bar on some campuses in late November, a phased roll out, as it were. Well, it should appear on all of the pages now, so if you see a page lacking it, please notify the appropriate webmaster (see the footer at the bottom of the page in question).
So, take our little CSE for a spin, kick the tires, and tell us what you think.
You’ve probably noticed the link appearing in the top gray menu bar on some campuses in late November, a phased roll out, as it were. Well, it should appear on all of the pages now, so if you see a page lacking it, please notify the appropriate webmaster (see the footer at the bottom of the page in question).
So, take our little CSE for a spin, kick the tires, and tell us what you think.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Welcome Amy Eklund!
The last of our new catalogers has arrived! Amy Eklund is a recent graduate of UNT and was involved in some mighty impressive work there. We are quite happy to have her with us, so please pop by and make her feel welcome. Her phone number is #3666, and her office is CL-1204.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
EZ Proxy Server down
There is a partial power outage at Clarkston, including C Building where our EZ Proxy Server is located, so we're currently not able to connect to the databases which GPC pays for outside of our GALILEO subscription. These resources include JSTOR, Project Muse, Literature Resource Center and Opposing Viewpoints. A complete list of these databases can be found on the GPC Libraries website, under "Find More Articles".
Tessa has verified that the ez proxy server is currently down, but OIT may be able to have it running later today.
Update from Tessa: Three cheers for OIT!
I just got a phone call from Andrew asking me to test our EZProxy access and it is up and running now. He says that it should be stable from here on out unless the partial power in the C building goes south again. So, if you experience any more connection time outs, it is most likely the fritzy power, which will hopefully be completely cleared up by tomorrow.
Tessa has verified that the ez proxy server is currently down, but OIT may be able to have it running later today.
Update from Tessa: Three cheers for OIT!
I just got a phone call from Andrew asking me to test our EZProxy access and it is up and running now. He says that it should be stable from here on out unless the partial power in the C building goes south again. So, if you experience any more connection time outs, it is most likely the fritzy power, which will hopefully be completely cleared up by tomorrow.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Problems with NetLibrary
It has come to my attention that Dunwoody has been having some problems with NetLibrary access. Apparently, NetLibrary will recognize them by IP address on some machines, but not on others. To add to this, whether or not a certain machine recognizes them by IP varies from day to day.
I’ve been in communication with, Katie, our GALILEO rep about this problem and NetLibrary has our correct IP range, so we are all stumped. If anyone else is having problems, can you drop me a line about it? Please give me as much detail as you can, like the inventory number of your PC, time of day, etc. I’ll relate all this to Katie and we’ll see what we can do.
In the meantime, it’s not an ideal solution, but, if you are trying to use NetLibrary and it doesn’t recognize you as being at GPC, move to a different machine and that should work. Sorry about this, everybody.
I’ve been in communication with, Katie, our GALILEO rep about this problem and NetLibrary has our correct IP range, so we are all stumped. If anyone else is having problems, can you drop me a line about it? Please give me as much detail as you can, like the inventory number of your PC, time of day, etc. I’ll relate all this to Katie and we’ll see what we can do.
In the meantime, it’s not an ideal solution, but, if you are trying to use NetLibrary and it doesn’t recognize you as being at GPC, move to a different machine and that should work. Sorry about this, everybody.
Monday, November 06, 2006
USG Upgrade to Voyager 6.1
No specific dates for GPC yet, but they're predicting sometime this December and I expect that I'll start working on our individual machines shortly after that. (I have to touch each PC that has the Voyager client.) The Voyager 6.1 documentation has been placed on the GIL Download web site. Remember that access to the GIL Download web site requires our SupportWeb user id and password. If you've forgotten it, drop me an email and I'll send it to you.
The GIL Download site has user guides for each module in Voyager 6.1, but they're extremely long (828 pages for circulation alone). I would, however, recommend taking the time to read the release notes, which are a much more manageable length (9 pages). Some of the highlights are search enhancements in WebVoyage and the Voyager staff interface, improvements to the display and sorting of results lists in the staff interface and the display of results lists in WebVoyage, and ISBN-13 support.
This is the gist of what I know right now, but please feel free to send me your questions and I'll do what I can to get them answered.
The GIL Download site has user guides for each module in Voyager 6.1, but they're extremely long (828 pages for circulation alone). I would, however, recommend taking the time to read the release notes, which are a much more manageable length (9 pages). Some of the highlights are search enhancements in WebVoyage and the Voyager staff interface, improvements to the display and sorting of results lists in the staff interface and the display of results lists in WebVoyage, and ISBN-13 support.
This is the gist of what I know right now, but please feel free to send me your questions and I'll do what I can to get them answered.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Internet Explorer 7- Upgrade NOT Recommended
I figure that everyone saw this genmail, but, with all the computers we have in the libraries, it bears repeating.
As of today, Microsoft will be pushing Internet Explorer 7 as a high priority update through Windows Update. If you have a PC that is set to download and install updates automatically, you'll be getting this new IE and it is not receiving rave reports. As I understand it, this new version is causing some problems with Banner and WebCT, and is likely to cause problems with other Web applications. Now, after speaking with our friendly neighborhood OIT guy, Andrew, I have learned that a script was run last night to connect everyone's Windows Update to a central server at OIT. Updates from Microsoft will go through this server before being released to our individual PCs and OIT will not be allowing the IE7 update to go through at this time. If anyone has trouble accessing websites on a library computer, check the version number of IE as your first troubleshooting step. The new one may have slipped through on that machine and you should call OIT and have it removed. I'd keep a close eye on your public computers in particular, if students are using them for WebCT, Banner, and the like.
I would also advise not upgrading your home PCs to this new IE version just yet. However, if it slips through, I understand that it is a little easier to uninstall than previous versions. Best to avoid all that mess and just not install it in the first place though. Or better yet, use Firefox. I've used it at home and in the office for a couple of years and I'm in love. It's the best-est. Erik Larkin of PC World has written a very detailed review of the two browsers, if anyone is interested.
As of today, Microsoft will be pushing Internet Explorer 7 as a high priority update through Windows Update. If you have a PC that is set to download and install updates automatically, you'll be getting this new IE and it is not receiving rave reports. As I understand it, this new version is causing some problems with Banner and WebCT, and is likely to cause problems with other Web applications. Now, after speaking with our friendly neighborhood OIT guy, Andrew, I have learned that a script was run last night to connect everyone's Windows Update to a central server at OIT. Updates from Microsoft will go through this server before being released to our individual PCs and OIT will not be allowing the IE7 update to go through at this time. If anyone has trouble accessing websites on a library computer, check the version number of IE as your first troubleshooting step. The new one may have slipped through on that machine and you should call OIT and have it removed. I'd keep a close eye on your public computers in particular, if students are using them for WebCT, Banner, and the like.
I would also advise not upgrading your home PCs to this new IE version just yet. However, if it slips through, I understand that it is a little easier to uninstall than previous versions. Best to avoid all that mess and just not install it in the first place though. Or better yet, use Firefox. I've used it at home and in the office for a couple of years and I'm in love. It's the best-est. Erik Larkin of PC World has written a very detailed review of the two browsers, if anyone is interested.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Net Library Requires a Password for At Home Searching
I thought I would let every one know that Net Library requires a free account and password which you can set up while logged in to GALILEO for home searching. I learned this when trying to read a Net Library book at home.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Ross Singer Does It Again
[This guy is the bomb. We're lucky to have him in Georgia.]
"Ross Singer has won the Second OCLC Research Software Contest with Umlaut, an OpenURL Link Resolver intended to improve access to library collections by contextualizing citations and available holdings more accurately for a given user. Currently running with Georgia Tech's catalog, Umlaut utilizes a host of web services and can take several paths depending on what it finds at various stages."
"Ross Singer has won the Second OCLC Research Software Contest with Umlaut, an OpenURL Link Resolver intended to improve access to library collections by contextualizing citations and available holdings more accurately for a given user. Currently running with Georgia Tech's catalog, Umlaut utilizes a host of web services and can take several paths depending on what it finds at various stages."
Welcome Melissa Roberts!
One of our new catalogers has arrived! Melissa Roberts comes to us after several years as Acting Cataloger at the Watson Memorial Library of Northwestern State University in Louisiana. Her phone number is #3667, and her office is CL-1203.
We're very happy to have her with us, so, if you haven't met her yet, please pop in to Technical Services when you have a chance and say howdy.
We're very happy to have her with us, so, if you haven't met her yet, please pop in to Technical Services when you have a chance and say howdy.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
JSTOR - emailing citations
Several of us have been having difficulty opening emailed JSTOR documents when off campus. Has anyone had success emailing JSTOR citations and opening the entire document off campus? I've followed the directions for emailing citations and can open the email and see the persistent/stable url, but when I try to open the document (off campus) I'm blocked from accessing the full text. I tried opening JSTOR in another window, thinking that might help, but it didn't work. If I'm on campus, I am able to open the document from the emailed citation. Any suggestions?
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
WorldCat Goes Public
I saw this on the LibRef listserv: WorldCat has gone public. Anyone can now access the complete (unlike access through Google and others) WorldCat database. It features the "beloved"
single search box and includes many personalized elements. There's an article in Information Today discussing OCLC's beta release of the WorldCat database.
single search box and includes many personalized elements. There's an article in Information Today discussing OCLC's beta release of the WorldCat database.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
ALA Award Winners
This is pretty late news, even by off-line standards, but congrats to Lois, Eva and Sherry on their award for the Library CSI Orientation program. Very cool! They received the award at ALA in New Orleans last month. Thanks to Amy (or Pete) for the photo as I wasn't able to make it to the awards breakfast.
I was able to make it to dinner every night, and here are the photos to prove it.
I have lots more ALA/ New Orleans photos on my Flickr site and more info about the conference on my blog too if anyone is still interested in month old conference news! :)
Electronic Resources @ Georgia Perimeter College
Just wanted to let everyone know that our new databases have been set up in EZproxy and linked from the website. I've tested them from my office and Kathy and I have tested them from home, so we think we're set. If you see any problems, please drop me a line.
When checking the links, I noticed that the coverage dates for the ProQuest Historical Newspapers had changed and I have edited them accordingly. This wasn't one of the pages I took care of in the past, so I don't know how often this coverage expands, but I'm figuring it's fairly regularly. If everyone could be an extra set of eyes for me, and give me a heads-up about changes, I'd appreciate it.
When checking the links, I noticed that the coverage dates for the ProQuest Historical Newspapers had changed and I have edited them accordingly. This wasn't one of the pages I took care of in the past, so I don't know how often this coverage expands, but I'm figuring it's fairly regularly. If everyone could be an extra set of eyes for me, and give me a heads-up about changes, I'd appreciate it.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
DeKalb Tech Status
As many of you know, DeKalb Tech is opening their own Learning Resource Center on their Clarkston campus in Building A, Room 141. As always, DT students are welcome to use our library, including reference services, the collection and the public computers, but as of June 30, 2006 they are no longer able to check out materials. [Vocational schools are not part of the USG system, so their students can't check out materials through GIL Express.]
The phone number which we've been given: 404.297.9522 x1140 rings at someone else's office and although the library was scheduled to open on Monday July 10, it has not opened yet. We haven't received any additional information from library staff at DeKalb Tech. Until their library opens, any DeKalb Tech student or faculty needing further assistance should be referred to DT's administrative offices at 404.297.9522.
The phone number which we've been given: 404.297.9522 x1140 rings at someone else's office and although the library was scheduled to open on Monday July 10, it has not opened yet. We haven't received any additional information from library staff at DeKalb Tech. Until their library opens, any DeKalb Tech student or faculty needing further assistance should be referred to DT's administrative offices at 404.297.9522.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
GPC Ad Hoc Website Review Committee
Some of you may have heard that Interim President Watts recently formed an ad hoc committee to begin a website review process. Eva was gracious enough to get me on this committee and I just wanted to give you a brief overview of our work. This committee was not in charge of actually redesigning the webpage, only of making recommendations for the process. However, during the course of our meetings, we saw several examples of what the new GPC homepage could look like. I was iffy about some of the color choices, but that’s not carved in stone, and the designs themselves were very clean and professional. I'm pleased to say that the Libraries featured prominently in the main links in each of these mock-ups.
The committee began meeting on March 30, 2006. I was unable to attend the first two meetings due to prior commitments, but David Free went in my place. (Thanks, David!). The committee was charged by the Interim President to make recommendations to address the following directives:
Of course, there is a lot more detail than this and I’ll be happy to discuss it with anyone who is interested.
The committee began meeting on March 30, 2006. I was unable to attend the first two meetings due to prior commitments, but David Free went in my place. (Thanks, David!). The committee was charged by the Interim President to make recommendations to address the following directives:
- Ensure that GPC’s mission and goals are served by its website
- Promote coordination, consistency and cohesiveness throughout the website
- Recommend revisions or updates to the GPC web policy
- Recommend major design, content, or structural changes to GPC’s main web page and those linked directly to it
- Recommend design standards for deeper levels of GPC web pages or sites
- Provide recommendations on web-related issues or disputes
Of course, there is a lot more detail than this and I’ll be happy to discuss it with anyone who is interested.
Monday, June 19, 2006
GOLD Looking a Little Out of Date?
If you are in the habit of searching GOLD through the GALILEO interface, you may have noticed that it hasn't been updated in a while, since September 8, 2005 to be exact. I have made some calls, and here's what I know at this point.
As some of you may know, OCLC has moved union listing to a new software program, and a new format. They are now using MFHDs, like we do, instead of the old LDRs. This is pretty cool, but the OCLC service that provided that semiannual snapshot of GOLD holdings now has to undergo a major revamp and is on hold indefinitely. It may be moved to another module altogether, but I don't have anything concrete on that. Of course, I will pass along any information that I do get.
In the meantime, you can still use the GOLD interface at GALILEO to search holdings in other libraries, just remember to consult the individual library's OPAC for the most complete holdings information. As always, our OPAC has the most current holdings for GPC. Thanks everyone!
As some of you may know, OCLC has moved union listing to a new software program, and a new format. They are now using MFHDs, like we do, instead of the old LDRs. This is pretty cool, but the OCLC service that provided that semiannual snapshot of GOLD holdings now has to undergo a major revamp and is on hold indefinitely. It may be moved to another module altogether, but I don't have anything concrete on that. Of course, I will pass along any information that I do get.
In the meantime, you can still use the GOLD interface at GALILEO to search holdings in other libraries, just remember to consult the individual library's OPAC for the most complete holdings information. As always, our OPAC has the most current holdings for GPC. Thanks everyone!
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
What Are You Reading??
It's about time for the 2nd annual Listen Up! summer reading edition. I'd like to include a little segment on what GPC library workers are reading. So post what you're reading! I'd also love to record you talking briefly (couple of minutes max) about what you're reading or any summer reading recommendations you might have. I can come to you and promise it's relatively painless!
Thanks!
Thanks!
ALA Bound?
If you're going to ALA next week and would like to get together for dinner or coffee or something lemme know. I'll be in NOLA through Monday afternoon. Should be an interesting conference!
Thursday, May 25, 2006
LCSH Changes: War and the Environment, How Cheery
Though it's pretty depressing to work on these heading changes, I am still pleased to announce that the LCSH "Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975" has been changed to "Vietnam War, 1961-1975". I imagine that heading stumped many of our younger patrons. It was still going on when I was born and I don't even call it the "Vietnamese Conflict."
I've completed all of the associated changes in GGC's database. GPC has a lot more instances of this heading, many of which I have to change by hand, so you may still see the old heading here and there for a couple of days. I'm plugging away at it though. If I haven't caught everything by the end of next week, you can assume I've missed it and drop me a note.
Another sensible change that I thought you might like to hear about, "Biological diversity" has become the more recognizable "Biodiversity." I have managed to change all of these in both catalogs, GPC and GGC.
I've completed all of the associated changes in GGC's database. GPC has a lot more instances of this heading, many of which I have to change by hand, so you may still see the old heading here and there for a couple of days. I'm plugging away at it though. If I haven't caught everything by the end of next week, you can assume I've missed it and drop me a note.
Another sensible change that I thought you might like to hear about, "Biological diversity" has become the more recognizable "Biodiversity." I have managed to change all of these in both catalogs, GPC and GGC.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
RLG to Merge with OCLC
Though I am watching this with interest, I'm not overly concerned about the how-will-it-affect-us issues. It's probably a good thing for us, if OCLC makes good use of RLG innovations like RedLightGreen. Were we RLG members, I'd be more concerned, as it sounds like they are the ones set to be "absorbed." It's not a done deal, the RLG member institutions have to vote on and approve the decision by June 7, but it sounds like it's going to go down.
RLG to Merge with OCLC (InfoToday)
RLG to combine with OCLC Press Release (OCLC)
RLG Proposal to Combine with OCLC FAQ (OCLC)
RLG to Merge with OCLC (InfoToday)
RLG to combine with OCLC Press Release (OCLC)
RLG Proposal to Combine with OCLC FAQ (OCLC)
Monday, May 08, 2006
Date only search
We've been experiencing a problem when we search "on this date" in the Historical NY Times Database (with no search terms). We use this for the assignment in which students are required to find an article on the front page of the NY Times on the date that they were born. This assignment is depressing enough when we think about where we were (i.e. in college, out of college!, etc.) when these students were born, but recently we began receiving an error message and no results. Today (5/8/06) I spoke with someone at the ProQuest technical support, and he said the problem has been reported and they're working on a solution.
In the meantime, he suggested that we use the per cent (%) sign as a wild card in the search box along with the date. I tried this, and it works. Also, Carmel discovered that the date only search works in the Advance Search without anything in the search box.
In the meantime, he suggested that we use the per cent (%) sign as a wild card in the search box along with the date. I tried this, and it works. Also, Carmel discovered that the date only search works in the Advance Search without anything in the search box.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Historical NY Times Printing
Does anyone else have difficulty printing articles from the NY Times database? When I try to print them, the font is so small it is barely readable. Does anyone know a way to adjust this?
Staff Development Program!
The Staff Development Committee is presenting a program entitled "Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Medical Information But Were Afraid To Ask" on Monday, May 15th. Dr. Stephen Koplan of the Dunwoody Campus Library will demonstrate the PubMed database.
The program will take place from 11am-1pm in the JCLRC Instruction Room (2220) on the Clarkston Campus. The committee will provide drinks, chips and sweets but bring your own brown bag lunch!
Please let your campus Staff Development person(s) know if you will be attending by Thursday, May 11.
See you on the 15th!
The program will take place from 11am-1pm in the JCLRC Instruction Room (2220) on the Clarkston Campus. The committee will provide drinks, chips and sweets but bring your own brown bag lunch!
Please let your campus Staff Development person(s) know if you will be attending by Thursday, May 11.
See you on the 15th!
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Henriette D. Avram, Mom of MARC, Dies at 86
With the development of MARC, Avram revolutionized the catalog, and therefore the library. She could have made a name for herself in any field. The library community was extremely lucky to get her, and we shouldn't forget that.
NY Times Obit
NY Times Obit
Friday, April 21, 2006
The End of the Library World As We Know It
Well, no, hopefully not. But, the report "The Changing Nature of the Catalog and Its Integration with Other Discovery Tools," has put many in the cataloging community all a flutter. Commissioned by LC and written by Associate University Librarian Karen Calhoun of Cornell University, the report (which, I shamefully haven't had time to read yet) advocates cost-cutting and Googlization of library catalogs. Apparently, ditching LCSH is one of those cost-cutting suggestions. Thomas Mann, current LC reference librarian, former private detective, and all-around nerd heartthrob, argues in his critical review of the Calhoun report that ditching LCSH would seriously impact scholarly research. As writing about research is one of the things Mann does best, I tend to perk up my ears when he speaks.
Ba-pow!! What did I tell you? Thomas Mann, nerd heartthrob. I want to put a picture of him in my locker.
Now, I realize that I could be accused of a certain amount of self-interest here, but I assure you that isn't the case when I say that I'm standing by my Mann (har har). I can only imagine how cash-strapped LC is finding itself these days, so I certainly understand the temptation to cut corners, but LCSH is just not where to do it. Throw as many Google features as you like into the catalog, I'll be the first one to welcome it, but keyword searching just doesn't replace a standardized vocabulary developed over more than a century.
I know, I know. We’ve all heard the mantra at every conference for the last couple of years. "These wacky kids today don't care about good information. They'll settle for good enough information." But the bigger picture is that there are plenty of people using the catalog who don't want to settle, and they shouldn't have to. The catalog should be able to accommodate all of these searching styles, and, most importantly, it should nurture truly scholarly research, without which we, as a nation, are in really really big trouble.
Will all this bibliographic gloom and doom come to pass? Who knows. I’m hearing quite a few rumors about scary things going down at LC. Some of the rumors are just silly, some are shaping up to be true. I am reminded of a professor in library school, who was fond of pointing out that societies crumble and fall when their ability to produce information far outstrips their ability to access it. In these days of "dumbing down the catalog", drastic funding cuts to education and scholarship, and secrecy trumping open access in our archives and libraries, that little teaching point takes on a disturbing immediacy, doesn't it?
But, don’t worry. I’ll keep enriching subject access until they pry the red books out of my cold dead fingers. (Well, ironically enough, I mostly use the online version now, but that’s not the point.)
According to the Calhoun report, library operations that are not digital, that do not result in resources that are remotely accessible, that involve professional human judgment or expertise, or that require conceptual categorization and standardization rather than relevance ranking of keywords, do not fit into its proposed "leadership" strategy. This strategy itself, however, is based on an inappropriate business model – and a misrepresentation of that business model to begin with. The Calhoun report draws unjustified conclusions about the digital age, inflates wishful thinking, fails to make critical distinctions, and disregards (as well as mischaracterizes) an alternative "niche" strategy for research libraries, to promote scholarship (rather than increase "market position"). Its recommendations to eliminate Library of Congress Subject Headings, and to use "fast turnaround" time as the "gold standard" in cataloging, are particularly unjustified, and would have serious negative consequences for the capacity of research libraries to promote scholarly research.
Ba-pow!! What did I tell you? Thomas Mann, nerd heartthrob. I want to put a picture of him in my locker.
Now, I realize that I could be accused of a certain amount of self-interest here, but I assure you that isn't the case when I say that I'm standing by my Mann (har har). I can only imagine how cash-strapped LC is finding itself these days, so I certainly understand the temptation to cut corners, but LCSH is just not where to do it. Throw as many Google features as you like into the catalog, I'll be the first one to welcome it, but keyword searching just doesn't replace a standardized vocabulary developed over more than a century.
I know, I know. We’ve all heard the mantra at every conference for the last couple of years. "These wacky kids today don't care about good information. They'll settle for good enough information." But the bigger picture is that there are plenty of people using the catalog who don't want to settle, and they shouldn't have to. The catalog should be able to accommodate all of these searching styles, and, most importantly, it should nurture truly scholarly research, without which we, as a nation, are in really really big trouble.
Will all this bibliographic gloom and doom come to pass? Who knows. I’m hearing quite a few rumors about scary things going down at LC. Some of the rumors are just silly, some are shaping up to be true. I am reminded of a professor in library school, who was fond of pointing out that societies crumble and fall when their ability to produce information far outstrips their ability to access it. In these days of "dumbing down the catalog", drastic funding cuts to education and scholarship, and secrecy trumping open access in our archives and libraries, that little teaching point takes on a disturbing immediacy, doesn't it?
But, don’t worry. I’ll keep enriching subject access until they pry the red books out of my cold dead fingers. (Well, ironically enough, I mostly use the online version now, but that’s not the point.)
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
GALILEO Quick Search
GALILEO Quick Search
Here are two handouts we have developed to help students, and to help ourselves, with the new Quick Search feature. Please post success stories you have had with Quick Search.
An Introduction to GALILEO Quick Search (for students)
Quick Search 101 (for staff)
Here are two handouts we have developed to help students, and to help ourselves, with the new Quick Search feature. Please post success stories you have had with Quick Search.
An Introduction to GALILEO Quick Search (for students)
Quick Search 101 (for staff)
Monday, April 17, 2006
Reference Committee Minutes
The minutes from the last Reference Committee meeting, including the database roundup, are available on the committee website.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 2 from 10am-12pm in the JCLRC instruction room.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 2 from 10am-12pm in the JCLRC instruction room.
Monday, March 27, 2006
GALILEO Quick Search Redux
According to GALILEO e-mail the new Quick Search feature goes into production tomorrow, 3/28. Let the fun begin!
Friday, March 24, 2006
Oh, Snap! Britannica v. Nature Smack Down Ensues.
You will recall that, only a few short months ago, you couldn't escape the headlines about the Nature study that claimed that Wikipedia was roughly as accurate as Britannica. It was even briefly discussed on our own humble blog.
Now, Britannica is accusing Nature of taking a little artistic license with their methodology, and it sounds like they've got a point. I was a little suspicious of the methodology from the beginning, particularly since it wasn't made available with the original article. A link to it has now been added to the article, but the Word file seems corrupted and I haven't been able to open it. Regardless, it is sad to think that a respected publication like Nature would game a study like this, but if what Britannica says is true, they have every reason to call foul.
Now, Britannica is accusing Nature of taking a little artistic license with their methodology, and it sounds like they've got a point. I was a little suspicious of the methodology from the beginning, particularly since it wasn't made available with the original article. A link to it has now been added to the article, but the Word file seems corrupted and I haven't been able to open it. Regardless, it is sad to think that a respected publication like Nature would game a study like this, but if what Britannica says is true, they have every reason to call foul.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Computers In Libraries
Greetings from chilly Washington, DC. I'm at the Computers In Libraries 06 conference. Been to some great sessions about search engines, wikis, federated search etc. The keynote session today covered current and potential library-esque applications for handheld devices. And just saw Lorcan Dempsey from OCLC talk about some very cool stuff they're doing with WorldCat metadata.
I'll post more details about some interesting stuff when I get back or later on if I get a chance. And the presentations are usually online too at some point. Plus there are several folks blogging the conference in way more detail. Check out the CIL wiki bloggers section for links and more info.
Joy says "hi" too!
Thursday, March 16, 2006
LCSH Changes: A Quickie, but a Goodie
I'm guessing that this is probably an oft-consulted subject heading, so you all will be pleased to know that the slightly awkward LCSH "Student loan funds" had become the tidy and trim "Student loans."
Let the dancing in the street begin.
Let the dancing in the street begin.
Scopus Trial to Begin This Week
[For those who are unfamiliar with Scopus, it is a large abstract and citation database primarily covering the sciences.]
This news came from Merryll Penson via Kathy Gallo:
"Later this week, Scopus will appear on your GALILEO menus. It will say trial and there will be a link to a feedback form. Scopus is available at all academic libraries with a few exceptions.
At the end of December, 2006 libraries will be asked if they wish to subscribe for 2007.
Libraries would be billed in July 2007 if they choose to subscribe. If they do not choose to subscribe access would terminate in March 2007. "
This news came from Merryll Penson via Kathy Gallo:
"Later this week, Scopus will appear on your GALILEO menus. It will say trial and there will be a link to a feedback form. Scopus is available at all academic libraries with a few exceptions.
At the end of December, 2006 libraries will be asked if they wish to subscribe for 2007.
Libraries would be billed in July 2007 if they choose to subscribe. If they do not choose to subscribe access would terminate in March 2007. "
Friday, March 10, 2006
Addition of Death Dates to Selected Name Headings
I've been meaning to tell you all about this, and just haven't found the time. So, here's the brief version.
In a nutshell, LC is now allowing NACO libraries to add death dates to national name authorities with "open" birth dates. So, Princess Diana, and many others, can finally die in our catalog. (We aren't a NACO library, so I won't be able to add these dates, until they are added to the LC or WorldCat authority file.)
If you peruse any of those links, you'll see that it's all a lot more complicated than it sounds. It's going to be an utter nightmare for libraries lacking some form of automated authority control. Even with automated authority control, it's a big job for us. But, we know it's going to be quite the blessing for public services, and we are excited about it. Just think, you'll never again have to hear, "You know Princess Diana is dead, right?"
Now, all that being said, it's going to take a little a while to do all this, and I'm afraid that I won't be able to start immediately. But, as a show of good faith, and since I've just harped on her so much, do a subject search for "Diana, Princess of Wales," and you'll see that I've shuffled off the biblio/mortal coil of poor Princess Di.
If anyone has any questions or comments about this process, please don't hesitate to let me know.
On February 6, 2006, CPSO will commence a special project to add death dates to a selected list of name headings. The project is expected to end by Summer 2006.
In a nutshell, LC is now allowing NACO libraries to add death dates to national name authorities with "open" birth dates. So, Princess Diana, and many others, can finally die in our catalog. (We aren't a NACO library, so I won't be able to add these dates, until they are added to the LC or WorldCat authority file.)
If you peruse any of those links, you'll see that it's all a lot more complicated than it sounds. It's going to be an utter nightmare for libraries lacking some form of automated authority control. Even with automated authority control, it's a big job for us. But, we know it's going to be quite the blessing for public services, and we are excited about it. Just think, you'll never again have to hear, "You know Princess Diana is dead, right?"
Now, all that being said, it's going to take a little a while to do all this, and I'm afraid that I won't be able to start immediately. But, as a show of good faith, and since I've just harped on her so much, do a subject search for "Diana, Princess of Wales," and you'll see that I've shuffled off the biblio/mortal coil of poor Princess Di.
If anyone has any questions or comments about this process, please don't hesitate to let me know.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Octavia Butler Dies
Just an FYI. SciFi Writer Octavia Butler died this weekend. Obiturary information can be found at http://www.sfwa.org/members/butler/ . --Alicia
Thursday, February 16, 2006
GPC Award Winners!
Just saw this interesting tidbit in my email: Eva, Sherry and Lois have been chosen to receive the 2006 CJCLS/EBSCO Community College Learning Resources Program Achievement Award for their work on the CSI: Information Literacy orientation.
"This unique orientation, initiated by the librarians and coordinated with the Joint Enrollment and Student Services Offices, is an outstanding example of creative, involved, professional librarians who stay focused on students and contribute to the overall mission of their institution," said award committee chair Alice Lubrecht.
That is awesome! Way to go folks!
"This unique orientation, initiated by the librarians and coordinated with the Joint Enrollment and Student Services Offices, is an outstanding example of creative, involved, professional librarians who stay focused on students and contribute to the overall mission of their institution," said award committee chair Alice Lubrecht.
That is awesome! Way to go folks!
Monday, February 13, 2006
LCSH Changes: Lighting Strikes Twice
I'm giddy with happiness. Somebody pinch me.
At the request of an AUTOCAT subscriber (go AUTOCAT!), the authority record for the PATRIOT Act (i.e. the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001) now has an eminently sensible cross-reference from " PATRIOT Act (U.S.)". Everyone squeal with me. “Yipeee!”
I just overlaid the new authority record in GPC and GGC and you've got to see it in action. Go to the OPAC and do an exact subject search for "patriot act". Now click on the grey "See Also" oval next to " PATRIOT Act (U.S.)". Now click on that crazy long PATRIOT Act heading and voila, our books on the PATRIOT Act!
Of course, none of the cross-references were capitalized (“PATRIOT” is an acronym), but that’s a pretty common mistake with this act, and we can’t have everything. I couldn’t find a rule expressly forbidding capitalization in this instance, so I just went ahead and did it myself. Future updates through MARCIVE may overlay my changes and revert to the lack of capitalization, but the lovely lovely cross-reference will remain.
I also skimmed the database to make sure that this subject heading is applied to everything that it could be. I’m not usually a big advocate of the keyword search, but this is actually a very good candidate for it. A keyword search for “PATRIOT Act” as a phrase will pull up a several titles that have an essay or two on the act, but not enough information to merit the subject heading itself.
Ahhh, I love it when an authority record comes together.
At the request of an AUTOCAT subscriber (go AUTOCAT!), the authority record for the PATRIOT Act (i.e. the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001) now has an eminently sensible cross-reference from " PATRIOT Act (U.S.)". Everyone squeal with me. “Yipeee!”
I just overlaid the new authority record in GPC and GGC and you've got to see it in action. Go to the OPAC and do an exact subject search for "patriot act". Now click on the grey "See Also" oval next to " PATRIOT Act (U.S.)". Now click on that crazy long PATRIOT Act heading and voila, our books on the PATRIOT Act!
Of course, none of the cross-references were capitalized (“PATRIOT” is an acronym), but that’s a pretty common mistake with this act, and we can’t have everything. I couldn’t find a rule expressly forbidding capitalization in this instance, so I just went ahead and did it myself. Future updates through MARCIVE may overlay my changes and revert to the lack of capitalization, but the lovely lovely cross-reference will remain.
I also skimmed the database to make sure that this subject heading is applied to everything that it could be. I’m not usually a big advocate of the keyword search, but this is actually a very good candidate for it. A keyword search for “PATRIOT Act” as a phrase will pull up a several titles that have an essay or two on the act, but not enough information to merit the subject heading itself.
Ahhh, I love it when an authority record comes together.
Monday, February 06, 2006
LCSH Changes: Ooo! These Are Good!
I'm very excited about this change from LCSH Weekly List #29 and mortified that I didn't catch it sooner.
The rather un-user-friendly headings of Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test have been cancelled in favor of the much more logical SAT (Educational test).
It appears that the PSAT has followed suite, with PSAT (Educational test) replacing Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test and Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test.
I hope that you are all as thrilled as I am about a heading change that is much more useful than making Treasure-trove plural. I've just finished correcting all of the headings in our catalog, but a lot of it had to be done by hand, so let me know if you see something wonky.
The rather un-user-friendly headings of Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test have been cancelled in favor of the much more logical SAT (Educational test).
It appears that the PSAT has followed suite, with PSAT (Educational test) replacing Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test and Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test.
I hope that you are all as thrilled as I am about a heading change that is much more useful than making Treasure-trove plural. I've just finished correcting all of the headings in our catalog, but a lot of it had to be done by hand, so let me know if you see something wonky.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Classifying A Million Little Pieces
Some folks on AUTOCAT had a little discussion recently about whether or not to reclassify James Frey's A Million Little Pieces from non-fiction to fiction and I was wondering if anyone here has an opinion about it.
We have a couple of copies, and they seem pretty popular, but I'm loathe to reclass them. We classify works objectively, describing them as the authors present them. Rethinking that is a very slippery slope. If we reclass this title, there are plenty more to bring into question, 'cause, let's face it, memoirs and autobiographies just aren't always the most honest and accurate things on the shelves. Then, what do we do with other non-fiction works that ostensibly present false information? In my opinion, we have a lot more productive things to do with our time than opening this particular can of worms.
I am, however, considering editing the 520 (summary note) to reflect recent developments re. the title's "truthiness".
What do y'all think?
[Update 2.14.06: I've changed the summary note a bit, and added a link to Frey's "note to the reader" in which he addresses the fabrications. I figure that that's sufficient for our purposes. Take a peek and tell me what you think.]
We have a couple of copies, and they seem pretty popular, but I'm loathe to reclass them. We classify works objectively, describing them as the authors present them. Rethinking that is a very slippery slope. If we reclass this title, there are plenty more to bring into question, 'cause, let's face it, memoirs and autobiographies just aren't always the most honest and accurate things on the shelves. Then, what do we do with other non-fiction works that ostensibly present false information? In my opinion, we have a lot more productive things to do with our time than opening this particular can of worms.
I am, however, considering editing the 520 (summary note) to reflect recent developments re. the title's "truthiness".
What do y'all think?
[Update 2.14.06: I've changed the summary note a bit, and added a link to Frey's "note to the reader" in which he addresses the fabrications. I figure that that's sufficient for our purposes. Take a peek and tell me what you think.]
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Database Trials Page
John has added some info to the database trials page. A couple of the trials for products we discussed at the last reference meeting are already active. He'll keep adding new ones as he gets them set up.
Not sure we should link to the page in a technically open forum since it has passwords and such but the link is the same as last years page. Someone should know it on each campus for the newbies.
Not sure we should link to the page in a technically open forum since it has passwords and such but the link is the same as last years page. Someone should know it on each campus for the newbies.
Friday, January 27, 2006
GALILEO Quick Search
Has anyone played around with the new GALILEO interface which is currently in demo mode? GALILEO Quick Search incorporates WebFeat's federated search, allowing you to search multiple databases in a single search box. So far the feedback I've heard from UGA librarians is that they want the general topic search be limited to a single multi-subject journal databases, like Academic Search Premier rather than including several databases and an encyclopedia as it currently does. If left the way it currently is, the new interface will certainly change the way we teach GALILEO. Comments?
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
"Web Sites Judge in a Blink"
Interesting Reuters article about the time it takes someone to respond favorably or negatively to a web site.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/internet/01/17/canada.websites.reut/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/internet/01/17/canada.websites.reut/index.html
Friday, January 20, 2006
Changes to Oversized Book Processing Procedures
I just wanted to alert you to a change in our processing procedures for oversized books. Beginning immediately, we are no longer adding a lowercase "q" to the handwritten call number on the verso or to the call number label.
After checking extensively with the campuses, we discovered that this "q" is not frequently used as a shelving device, and often overlooked entirely. Most of the campuses use spine labels to identify their oversized books. Therefore, the “q” is an unnecessary step in our procedures and has been eliminated. Call numbers for oversized books will now be handled in exactly the same way as those for any other monographs.
So this:
PQ1248
q.K32
2002
Will become this:
PQ1248
.K32
2002
The permanent location will not be affected by this revision of procedure. Oversized books will still be assigned to the appropriate oversize location for each campus.
Thanks everybody! Please share this information with anyone it may affect and let me know if you have any questions.
After checking extensively with the campuses, we discovered that this "q" is not frequently used as a shelving device, and often overlooked entirely. Most of the campuses use spine labels to identify their oversized books. Therefore, the “q” is an unnecessary step in our procedures and has been eliminated. Call numbers for oversized books will now be handled in exactly the same way as those for any other monographs.
So this:
PQ1248
q.K32
2002
Will become this:
PQ1248
.K32
2002
The permanent location will not be affected by this revision of procedure. Oversized books will still be assigned to the appropriate oversize location for each campus.
Thanks everybody! Please share this information with anyone it may affect and let me know if you have any questions.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Database Evaluation Form
Take a look at the database evaluation form we used last year and let John Lassiter know if you have suggestions for changes. We'll post the link to the db evaluation page when the trials for this year get set up.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Reference Committee Minutes and Agenda
The minutes from the previous Reference Committee meeting and the agenda for tomorrow's meeting are available on the committee website. Meeting tomorrow (1/19) from 10-12 in the JCLRC Library Instruction room on the Clarkston Campus.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
BBC NEWS | UK | Librarians 'suffer most stress'
Good article to show folks when they say "it must be nice to get to read all day!". From Library Link of the Day.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Changing A Cultural Icon
The Distant Librarian today pointed out an interesting article from Educause called "Changing A Cultural Icon: The Academic Library As Virtual Destination" by Jerry D. Campbell. Campbell, who is library dean at UCLA, talks about how libraries have primarily become a virtual destination for most users and discusses issues such as use of physical space, virtual reference, and information literacy instruction.
Another item of interested from DL today: a note about a Kept Up Academic Librarian post on an Educause series called "7 Things You Should Know About..." different emerging learning techniologies. The series includes blogs, IM, collabotative editing, social bookmarking etc. How's that for some metablogging?
Happy weekend!
Another item of interested from DL today: a note about a Kept Up Academic Librarian post on an Educause series called "7 Things You Should Know About..." different emerging learning techniologies. The series includes blogs, IM, collabotative editing, social bookmarking etc. How's that for some metablogging?
Happy weekend!
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
OCLC Acquires the Assets of Openly Informatics
Whew! Say that five times fast.
Openly Informatics' database will be used to enhanced WorldCat and vice versa. For more details, see the OCLC news release.
Openly Informatics' database will be used to enhanced WorldCat and vice versa. For more details, see the OCLC news release.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
LCSH Changes: A Mixed Bag
With Voyager down, I have a little time to tend to the drifts of papers on my desk, filling things, trashing things, putting things in completely different piles. Very satisfying. In this excavation, I unearthed the last couple of issues of the Cataloging Service Bulletin, which have been shamefully languishing on my desk, and I thought I’d let you all know about a few changes that might be of interest in our catalog.
[Old Heading ==> New Heading]
Breast feeding ==> Breastfeeding
Restitution and indemnification claims (1933- ) ==> [Headings for individual ethnic groups]—Claims
Restitution and indemnification claims (1933- ) ==> Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Reparations
Restitution and indemnification claims (1933- ) ==> World War, 1939-1945--Claims
Restitution and indemnification claims (1933- ) ==> World War, 1939-1945--Reparations
Treasure-trove ==> Treasure troves
I haven’t gotten to all these yet, so you may see the older forms still lurking around GIL until Voyager comes back up.
[Old Heading ==> New Heading]
Breast feeding ==> Breastfeeding
Restitution and indemnification claims (1933- ) ==> [Headings for individual ethnic groups]—Claims
Restitution and indemnification claims (1933- ) ==> Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Reparations
Restitution and indemnification claims (1933- ) ==> World War, 1939-1945--Claims
Restitution and indemnification claims (1933- ) ==> World War, 1939-1945--Reparations
Treasure-trove ==> Treasure troves
I haven’t gotten to all these yet, so you may see the older forms still lurking around GIL until Voyager comes back up.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
How Does Google Rank Results?
This is the sole article from the first edition of the Google Librarian Newsletter. It's probably well worth a read, and I intend to get to it sometime soon.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Trial Databases
At the Reference Committee Meeting on November 28 we began the process of selecting database for the upcoming year. The first step is to select databases for consideration.
Here's the timeline:
January 19 - The Committee will finalize the trial database list.
February 1 - We need to have a list of databases to John Lassiter to give him time to set up trials during the Spring.
April 1 – The database list will be ready to submit to the library directors
July? 2006 – New databases will be made available
The committee will meet in January to finalize the list of databases for which we want trials.
The following is a list of databases suggested at our November meeting. Please, look over this list, make comments and add databases you would like the committee to consider at our January 19th meeting. Reminder: Last year the Committee decided to focus on a science database this year.
Suggested databases:
African American Experience (new Spring 2006) – Greenwood Press
Artstor.org – www.artstor.org digital art images, from the same folks who brought us JSTOR
Daily Life Through History – http://dailylife.greenwood.com We looked at this product last year, but the publisher changed the price after we decided we wanted to purchase.
Choice Reviews online - http://www.choicereviews.org/rev190choicescripts/
Classical Music Library (GUC purchased this database) http://www.alexanderstreet.com/products/clmu.htm
Europa Yearbook -http://www.europaworld.com/pub/
Historical Abstracts on the Web (ABC-Clio) - http://www.abc-clio.com/products/overview.aspx?productid=109712&viewid=0&fromhistorydb=1&from=academic
Library Literature & Information Science Full Text – (online version of Library Literature, a Wilson index) – http://www.hwwilson.com/databases/liblit.htm
requested by Dunwoody to supplement the new LIST program
Reference Suite – Facts on File - http://www.facts.com/facts-db-ref.htm
Includes: Issues and Controversies, Today’s Science and World Almanac
Scopus – http://www.scopus.com/scopus/home.url RACL (Regents Academic Committee on Libraries) is conducting a year long trial of this Elsevier product. John will investigate whether GPC can participate.
World Cultures Today – Greenwood Press - http://dailylife.greenwood.com
Here's the timeline:
January 19 - The Committee will finalize the trial database list.
February 1 - We need to have a list of databases to John Lassiter to give him time to set up trials during the Spring.
April 1 – The database list will be ready to submit to the library directors
July? 2006 – New databases will be made available
The committee will meet in January to finalize the list of databases for which we want trials.
The following is a list of databases suggested at our November meeting. Please, look over this list, make comments and add databases you would like the committee to consider at our January 19th meeting. Reminder: Last year the Committee decided to focus on a science database this year.
Suggested databases:
African American Experience (new Spring 2006) – Greenwood Press
Artstor.org – www.artstor.org digital art images, from the same folks who brought us JSTOR
Daily Life Through History – http://dailylife.greenwood.com We looked at this product last year, but the publisher changed the price after we decided we wanted to purchase.
Choice Reviews online - http://www.choicereviews.org/rev190choicescripts/
Classical Music Library (GUC purchased this database) http://www.alexanderstreet.com/products/clmu.htm
Europa Yearbook -http://www.europaworld.com/pub/
Historical Abstracts on the Web (ABC-Clio) - http://www.abc-clio.com/products/overview.aspx?productid=109712&viewid=0&fromhistorydb=1&from=academic
Library Literature & Information Science Full Text – (online version of Library Literature, a Wilson index) – http://www.hwwilson.com/databases/liblit.htm
requested by Dunwoody to supplement the new LIST program
Reference Suite – Facts on File - http://www.facts.com/facts-db-ref.htm
Includes: Issues and Controversies, Today’s Science and World Almanac
Scopus – http://www.scopus.com/scopus/home.url RACL (Regents Academic Committee on Libraries) is conducting a year long trial of this Elsevier product. John will investigate whether GPC can participate.
World Cultures Today – Greenwood Press - http://dailylife.greenwood.com
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Journal: Wikipedia as accurate as Britannica - Dec 15, 2005
Cnn.com points out an interesting article in the current edition of Nature on the accuracy of Wikipedia. The study found that there was not a great difference in the accuracy of science articles between the two sources.
As of today, the article is available free on the Nature website.
As of today, the article is available free on the Nature website.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
GALILEO Database Trials
Everybody has probably already seen this, but the folks at GALILEO have some database trials set up. There are a couple of interesting ones there now and looks like they will update the page when they add new trials. Apparently you have to request a user name and password to access the trials.
The trials page is available at:
http://www.usg.edu/galileo/help/library/trials.phtml
The trials page is available at:
http://www.usg.edu/galileo/help/library/trials.phtml
Holiday Party Location Change
The holiday party mentioned in the previous post will now be held in room 4190 of the JCLRC instead of on the third floor. If you come to the 3rd floor you will be lonely, hungry and gift-less!
Hope to see as many as possible on Monday!
Hope to see as many as possible on Monday!
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Holiday Party Reminder
Don't forget, the holiday party is just around the corner! See your campus rep for tickets, which are on sale for $12.00. We'd love to see you all there.
Whether or not you can make it to the party, please still consider making a donation to this year's charity, the American Library Association Hurricane Katrina Library Relief Fund. Your campus rep can accept cash donations or checks made payable to "ALA" and marked for "ALA Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund". Funds collected will be applied to restoring and rebuilding devastated libraries in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. We all know how important libraries are to a community, and these communities need all the help they can get right now, so anything you can spare will be much appreciated. Thanks everybody!
Whether or not you can make it to the party, please still consider making a donation to this year's charity, the American Library Association Hurricane Katrina Library Relief Fund. Your campus rep can accept cash donations or checks made payable to "ALA" and marked for "ALA Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund". Funds collected will be applied to restoring and rebuilding devastated libraries in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. We all know how important libraries are to a community, and these communities need all the help they can get right now, so anything you can spare will be much appreciated. Thanks everybody!
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Risky Gamble With Google
Another great Library Link of the Day: this time an article from the Chronicle about the controversial Google Library/ Book Search project by Siva Vaidhyanathan. The article mirrors a great talk I saw him give at Emory in October. He's a great champion of libraries and has an interesting take on the digitization project.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
More Database Considerations for Reference Committee
This is fun! I hope we can get a trial to all of these. Please make comments. --Alicia
1. Europa World Plus
http://www.europaworld.com/pub/about
“Europa World Yearbook and Europa Regional Surveys of the World”
2. Science Full Text Select (New Product)
http://www.hwwilson.com/science/
“Affordable choice for community colleges”
3. General Science Full-Text
http://www.hwwilson.com/databases/gensci.htm
“Designed specifically for students and non-specialists”
4. Greenwood Products
http://www.greenwood.com/default.asp?ImprintID=I1
The African American Experience (Spring 2006)
Additional Products in the future include Latino, Asian, and Native American Experience.
World Cultures Today
5. Facts on File Products
http://www.facts.com/
Issues and Controversies*
Today’s Science*
Reference Suite ?
World Alamanac?
1. Europa World Plus
http://www.europaworld.com/pub/about
“Europa World Yearbook and Europa Regional Surveys of the World”
2. Science Full Text Select (New Product)
http://www.hwwilson.com/science/
“Affordable choice for community colleges”
3. General Science Full-Text
http://www.hwwilson.com/databases/gensci.htm
“Designed specifically for students and non-specialists”
4. Greenwood Products
http://www.greenwood.com/default.asp?ImprintID=I1
The African American Experience (Spring 2006)
Additional Products in the future include Latino, Asian, and Native American Experience.
World Cultures Today
5. Facts on File Products
http://www.facts.com/
Issues and Controversies*
Today’s Science*
Reference Suite ?
World Alamanac?
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Science Search Comparison
The Library Link of the Day for Thanksgiving Day was an interesting article from Current Science called "As we may search - Comparison of major features of the Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar citation-based and citation-enhanced databases" (PDF file). Fits in nicely with the discussion of SCOPUS etc we had in the Reference Committee meeting today.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Sony/BMG CD Anti-Piracy Software Update
Here's the abridged version. After perfectly justifiable outcry, Sony claims to have ceased manufacturing compact discs with XCP software. They also claim to be working with their retail partners to remove the offending discs from the chain of distribution, and they have established an exchange program for people who've already bought the discs. They've also finally released a list of the affected titles. There are 52 on the list, so I haven't had time to search our catalog yet, but I will be doing it shortly. In the meantime, if you have reason to believe that the anti-piracy software has been installed on a PC, you might want to contact John. As I understand it, the software is difficult to remove, and the patch offered by Sony is rumored to make the security holes even worse. Hopefully this will not affect us or our patrons, but we should keep our fingers crossed.
[Update 11/29/05 by Tessa:]
I have thoroughly checked our catalog for the 52 titles on the list. We had two that had just been received, so I managed to grab those before they were cataloged. We also had two that had been cataloged and sent to Nonprint. Of those two, one was on the shelf and one was checked out, each had only circulated once. I've grabbed the one that was on the shelf and have a hold on the one that is charged out. I've asked everyone who orders CDs to check the list whenever ordering a Sony/BMG title, so, hopefully, we've contained the problem.
[Update 11/29/05 by Tessa:]
I have thoroughly checked our catalog for the 52 titles on the list. We had two that had just been received, so I managed to grab those before they were cataloged. We also had two that had been cataloged and sent to Nonprint. Of those two, one was on the shelf and one was checked out, each had only circulated once. I've grabbed the one that was on the shelf and have a hold on the one that is charged out. I've asked everyone who orders CDs to check the list whenever ordering a Sony/BMG title, so, hopefully, we've contained the problem.
Friday, November 11, 2005
LISNews.org | ProQuest Sells Periodical Microfilm business
Interesting note on LISNews about ProQuest selling off it's periodicals microfilm business. The article referes to this part of PQs business as "sluggish". Is this the beginning of the end of microfilm as a format for periodicals preservation/ retention?
Nice new design on LISNews too. Definitely miss things like that using a news aggregator!
Nice new design on LISNews too. Definitely miss things like that using a news aggregator!
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Sony/BMG CD Anti-Piracy Software
A discussion of the problems related to Sony's new anti-piracy software has cropped up on one of my cataloging listservs. Apparently, a class-action lawsuit has already been filed about this in California and one is about to be filed in New York. Here's a summary from AUTOCAT (quoted with permission):
I haven't had time to look into whether or not we have any of these CDs. There is a list that is making the rounds on slashdot and elsewhere. I'm not sure if there is any way to tell if they have this software before ordering them, but it might behoove us to look into it. It won't really be a problem for old fogeys like me who rarely listen to CDs on a computer, but our patrons who do might be understandably irritated by this. Thoughts?
I don't know if anyone has been following this, but for those of you who have collections with CDs, be aware that there is a potentially fatal problem with the new anti-piracy software that comes with new Song/BMG titles. These CDs come bundled with their own player, which has to be installed in order for the CD to run. This program then limits the number of copies that can be made from the CD to three. However, in doing this it also installs a rootkit.
Rootkits, according to Mark Russinovich, who writes a computer blog, are "cloaking technologies that hide files, Registry keys, and other system objects from diagnostic and security software, and they are usually employed by malware attempting to keep their implementation hidden." What this rootkit does is actually rewrite parts of the code on your OS. Trying to delete these files may cripple your system, and may leave it vulnerable to other viruses and worms that capitalize on security weaknesses in the new code. It may also lead to the "Blue Screen of Death" and potential loss of data.
Note that nowhere in the licensing agreement we all click without reading does it say that using the CD will alter your OS or rewrite your computer's code. It is also very hard to get the uninstall program from Sony, and it doesn't seem to work very well if you do get it.
The original problem was noted in Russovich's blog:
Sony, Rootkits and Digital Rights Management Gone Too Far
and its follow-up:
More on Sony: Dangerous Decloaking Patch, EULAs and Phoning Home
It has also been covered by several news outlets and on IT security websites:
Sony Rootkit or Aggressive DRM?
Hackers Raid Sony's Playbook
(this has good links to other ariticles [sic] as well)
Because libraries buy and circulate CD copies to mulitple users, you may want to take a look at the CDs in your collection and avoid these. Apart from the spyware and privacy aspects, this is potentially a huge security problem, and may actually cause Windows PCs to fail. Caveat emptor.
I haven't had time to look into whether or not we have any of these CDs. There is a list that is making the rounds on slashdot and elsewhere. I'm not sure if there is any way to tell if they have this software before ordering them, but it might behoove us to look into it. It won't really be a problem for old fogeys like me who rarely listen to CDs on a computer, but our patrons who do might be understandably irritated by this. Thoughts?
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Wikipedia Article
Interesting article from cnn.com about our friend Wikipedia possibly producing print/ cd versions of some content for the developing world.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Bye and thanks
I've enjoyed working with you, thanks for everything, and all my best wishes.
Can't wait to see you at GUGM, COMO, SAMM, ALA . . .
Can't wait to see you at GUGM, COMO, SAMM, ALA . . .
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
New Librarian @ Decatur
The Decatur Campus Library is pleased to welcome Adrienne Graham on board as our new full time Reference Librarian. Adrienne was formerly a part time librarian at Rockdale, so she is be no means new to the GPC Libraries family. Adrienne will be working with Circulation and Serials as well as the usual reference desk and instruction class duties.
Her contact info is on the staff page is you want to say welcome aboard. We're glad to have her!
Her contact info is on the staff page is you want to say welcome aboard. We're glad to have her!
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Promotional Tools for the Open WorldCat Program
I got an email from OCLC that I thought might be of interest to our public services folks.
The materials available are a printable table tent, HTML e-mail, customizable news release, customizable flier, and a presentation slide.
Promotional tools for the Open WorldCat program are now available on the OCLC Web site at http://www.oclc.org/worldcat/open/promote/default.htm. Use these tools to increase awareness of Web access to your library’s resources through Open WorldCat and its “Find in a Library” interface.
The materials available are a printable table tent, HTML e-mail, customizable news release, customizable flier, and a presentation slide.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
What are you reading right now?
Post a comment, please, and tell us.
I'm reading Cookwise by Shirley Corriher, ISBN 0688102298.
I'm reading Cookwise by Shirley Corriher, ISBN 0688102298.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Open WorldCat Just Keeps On Giving
OCLC is bringing us an interesting expansion of the Open WorldCat program that I've previously discussed on this blog. Here's the official word.
Initial discussion of this new feature on Web4Lib has been thought-provoking, with such questions being raised as who will own (and can therefore redistribute) the user-contributed data, and can non-member libraries link to the reviews? I haven't had a lot of time to scrutinize the TOS so I don't have any answers to these and other probing questions, but I will say that this sort of social software is very popular and its inclusion in the Open WorldCat program won't hurt library PR in the least.
Here's an example of a newly revamped Open WorldCat record. The new display has several different tabs, Libraries, Details, Editions, and Reviews. I've used Clarkston's zip code as the location qualifier, and the Libraries tab is telling me that the only OCLC-member library near me that holds this title is UGA. The Details tab is pretty self-explanatory, and here you'll notice the ability to add TOCs and notes, one of the newer features. The Editions tab appears to be pulling different editions of the title from the WorldCat database, should you prefer an older edition. This is a very nifty, I think. Finally, in the Review tab you will notice that one user, "Minnie", has already reviewed this title. In the green box at the upper right, you will also notice the Buy It Now link that I've blogged about in the past.
As I said, I haven't had a lot of time to play with this or think about its usefulness for GPC specifically, but I wanted to bring it to your attention and would love to hear your thoughts.
OCLC has begun a pilot program that enables Web users to add content to authoritative WorldCat records they locate through the Open WorldCat program. Available under the Details and Reviews tabs in the Open WorldCat interface, the pilot functionality allows anyone to quickly register and add content such as a table of contents, notes or a review. Open WorldCat users can edit the personal reviews they add to WorldCat records, and may also edit or correct information submitted by others that appears in the tables of contents and notes fields of the records. This pilot will continue into early 2006.
OCLC will first offer this service through the Open WorldCat program and later expand the service to the WorldCat database on the FirstSearch reference service.
Visit http://www.oclc.org/worldcat/open/usercontent/ to learn more about the pilot program.
Initial discussion of this new feature on Web4Lib has been thought-provoking, with such questions being raised as who will own (and can therefore redistribute) the user-contributed data, and can non-member libraries link to the reviews? I haven't had a lot of time to scrutinize the TOS so I don't have any answers to these and other probing questions, but I will say that this sort of social software is very popular and its inclusion in the Open WorldCat program won't hurt library PR in the least.
Here's an example of a newly revamped Open WorldCat record. The new display has several different tabs, Libraries, Details, Editions, and Reviews. I've used Clarkston's zip code as the location qualifier, and the Libraries tab is telling me that the only OCLC-member library near me that holds this title is UGA. The Details tab is pretty self-explanatory, and here you'll notice the ability to add TOCs and notes, one of the newer features. The Editions tab appears to be pulling different editions of the title from the WorldCat database, should you prefer an older edition. This is a very nifty, I think. Finally, in the Review tab you will notice that one user, "Minnie", has already reviewed this title. In the green box at the upper right, you will also notice the Buy It Now link that I've blogged about in the past.
As I said, I haven't had a lot of time to play with this or think about its usefulness for GPC specifically, but I wanted to bring it to your attention and would love to hear your thoughts.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Illiterate Brazilian Man Establishes Community Library
The writer of this article managed to work in the obligatory shushing reference, but the story is inspirational enough to forget all about that. Here's a quote from the gentleman who established the library.
Very incredible story, well worth a read.
When he asked members of his small bicycling group to help him collect used books, "they all thought I was a little crazy," he said.
But they humored him, and the nameless cycling club got a moniker: "The Madmen of Sao Goncalo." Or so they seemed at first to the neighbors whose doors they knocked on.
"Some people thought, 'You must be joking. Here in this community, people ask for clothes, but to ask for books!' " said Ronaldo Pena, 48, one of the cyclists.
Very incredible story, well worth a read.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
LC to Add More Reviews to Bib Records
As of Sept. 1, 2005, the Library of Congress Bibliographic Enrichment Advisory Team (BEAT) expanded its "reviews" project to include E-STREAMS: Electronic Reviews of Science & Technology References Covering Engineering, Agriculture, Medicine and Science. E-STREAMS is a free electronic-only book review journal published by Yankee Book Peddler and edited by H. Robert Malinowsky, Professor and Manager of Collections Development, University of Illinois at Chicago.
As with H-Net Reviews in the Humanities and Social Sciences, links to which you may have already seen in the catalog, LC will be adding links to E-STREAMS reviews where appropriate and redistributing the records for the benefit of other libraries.
Here's an example of a record enriched with a link to its E-STREAMS review. (You will also notice a link to the title's table of content, another helpful little BEAT project). We use a lot of LC records in our database, so we should start seeing a few of these reviews soon.
As with H-Net Reviews in the Humanities and Social Sciences, links to which you may have already seen in the catalog, LC will be adding links to E-STREAMS reviews where appropriate and redistributing the records for the benefit of other libraries.
Here's an example of a record enriched with a link to its E-STREAMS review. (You will also notice a link to the title's table of content, another helpful little BEAT project). We use a lot of LC records in our database, so we should start seeing a few of these reviews soon.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Rockdale's New Director
It's all go at Rockdale these days! Send your congratulations out to Laura Tartak who has just become Rockdale's new LRC director.
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