Hi all. Just wanted to let you know that I've made a LibGuide for systems documents.
http://guides.gpc.edu/systems
You will also be able access the page through the Library Technical Services Department pages, by clicking on any of the "Systems" links. (As soon as I can get them up there.)
The page includes procedures documents and archived reports that were previously on a password-protected page. They contain no personally-identifiable data, so we thought that you all might like to have a peek at them. These reports are updated each semester, the first of the 2009s will be up there soon.
If there's anything else that you'd like to see on this page, please feel free to let me know. Hope you enjoy it!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
EBSCO SmartText Searching - GALILEO response
I heard back from GALILEO regarding my previous post. Yes, the automatic switch to SmartText Searching is a new feature in the EBSCOHost databases. Some of us at Clarkston have concerns about this more Google-like search which may retrieve hundreds of thousands of results. The automatic switch occurs when a boolean search retrieves zero results. Our students have enough trouble selecting good articles without having the results multiplied and diluted. I've confirmed with Tessa that this feature can be turned off at individual institutions, so perhaps we should discuss this at our various libraries and then the Reference Committee can decide whether to turn the default off. I think we would still be able to use SmartText Searching (it's an option below the "boolean/phrase" default on the EBSCO search page) but it would not automatically switch.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Ebsco SmartText Searching
Has anyone else observed this "problem" which I blogged on the Clarkston Reference blog today? Here's a link to the post.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
GALILEO Database Listings
A while back, someone asked me if there was a way to figure out if a specific institution had access to a specific GALILEO database. At the time, I couldn't find anything, and I still can't find anything that precise. However, I did just run across a page that lists databases and the consortia that have access to them. If you haven't seen it before, it's here.
http://www.usg.edu/galileo/about/inst/db_lists/
It doesn't drill down to the institution level, but it does give you something to go on.
http://www.usg.edu/galileo/about/inst/db_lists/
It doesn't drill down to the institution level, but it does give you something to go on.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Baker and Taylor and E-books
Baker and Taylor is now offering e-books from Gale. The press-realise is at http://www.ybp.com/newsarchive/0309_gale.html.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
New Galileo video tutorials
New Galileo nice and short video tutorials are at http://www.usg.edu/galileo/help/searching/tutorials.phtml. We can link directly to specific tutorials or embed them into LibGuides pages.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Credo Reference Review
Good review of Credo Reference, one of our electronic resources trials, in February 15th's LJ.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
ACRL Requests
Hi all,
I am going to ACRL Convention next week, and wanted to offer my "delivery services" (via my suitcase) if anyone needs me to visit any vendors, etc. to bring back information. Also if there are any particular sessions that you've heard about that you want me to try and get to, please let me know. LibGuides is one topic I will be bringing some info back on (at Eva's request), and I'm also planning on going to luncheons with EBSCO and Springer. I'm happy to try to get to anything, so please just email or call.
I am going to ACRL Convention next week, and wanted to offer my "delivery services" (via my suitcase) if anyone needs me to visit any vendors, etc. to bring back information. Also if there are any particular sessions that you've heard about that you want me to try and get to, please let me know. LibGuides is one topic I will be bringing some info back on (at Eva's request), and I'm also planning on going to luncheons with EBSCO and Springer. I'm happy to try to get to anything, so please just email or call.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Let the Trials Begin!
The Electronic Resources selection pages are now finalized.
The official trial period is March 2 through March 31, but some of the trials are already up, and some are ending early. Anything like this has been noted in bold type under the name of the resource.
Please be aware that there are two different pages this year, one for resources with trials.
http://www.gpc.edu/library/technicalservices/db/databasetrials.htm
And one for resources we are considering without trials.
http://www.gpc.edu/library/technicalservices/db/nontrials.htm
There are also hyperlinks on each page, leading to the other one, and separate printer-friendly lists.
It was originally thought that the resources we weren't doing trials of were all ebooks, but some turned out to be databases, so I have noted in parenthesis what is what. (With Credo Reference, I had no idea what to call it.)
We've got a mix of pricing plans this year, subscription and perpetual access (purchase) models, so please pay careful attention to that column. With the addition of ebooks, there are a lot more caveats to consider, so be sure not to miss the "Special Considerations for Some E-Resources" document.
Please let me know if you have any questions, or encounter any problems, and happy evaluating!
The official trial period is March 2 through March 31, but some of the trials are already up, and some are ending early. Anything like this has been noted in bold type under the name of the resource.
Please be aware that there are two different pages this year, one for resources with trials.
http://www.gpc.edu/library/technicalservices/db/databasetrials.htm
And one for resources we are considering without trials.
http://www.gpc.edu/library/technicalservices/db/nontrials.htm
There are also hyperlinks on each page, leading to the other one, and separate printer-friendly lists.
It was originally thought that the resources we weren't doing trials of were all ebooks, but some turned out to be databases, so I have noted in parenthesis what is what. (With Credo Reference, I had no idea what to call it.)
We've got a mix of pricing plans this year, subscription and perpetual access (purchase) models, so please pay careful attention to that column. With the addition of ebooks, there are a lot more caveats to consider, so be sure not to miss the "Special Considerations for Some E-Resources" document.
Please let me know if you have any questions, or encounter any problems, and happy evaluating!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
GPC Libraries on Twitter and Facebook!
Just wanted to let you know that Clarkston's new Circulation Librarian, Ameet Doshi, has gotten us set up on Twitter and Facebook. If you'd like to check it out, I've put links on the Ask a Librarian page, under "Chat with a Librarian".
I don't know if Ameet needs any help managing these new web outposts of GPC Libraries, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind hearing from you.
I don't know if Ameet needs any help managing these new web outposts of GPC Libraries, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind hearing from you.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Clarkston Water Leak
As you may have already heard, Clarkston has been visited by its now annual water leak. This time it got the circulating stacks, call numbers N through P.
Books that were in that area and not water damaged have been temporarily relocated to trucks on the right side of the aisle. Books that have been too damaged to circulate have been given the location "Clarkston Water Damaged" in the OPAC, which should prevent patrons from requesting them. Eventually, these records will be removed from the OPAC, but we need to leave them in there for the time being to run reports on the damage.
Note: This location will prevent students from requesting these items in the OPAC, but I have no way of preventing librarians and staff from requesting them in the Circulation Module, so please double check the location of any Clarkston book before putting a request on it in the back-end. If the location is Clarkston Water Damaged, please inform the patron that these books have been permanently damaged by a water leak and removed from circulation.
And please let me know if you have any trouble with the OPAC or the back-end not behaving as expected with these items.
Thanks, everyone!
Books that were in that area and not water damaged have been temporarily relocated to trucks on the right side of the aisle. Books that have been too damaged to circulate have been given the location "Clarkston Water Damaged" in the OPAC, which should prevent patrons from requesting them. Eventually, these records will be removed from the OPAC, but we need to leave them in there for the time being to run reports on the damage.
Note: This location will prevent students from requesting these items in the OPAC, but I have no way of preventing librarians and staff from requesting them in the Circulation Module, so please double check the location of any Clarkston book before putting a request on it in the back-end. If the location is Clarkston Water Damaged, please inform the patron that these books have been permanently damaged by a water leak and removed from circulation.
And please let me know if you have any trouble with the OPAC or the back-end not behaving as expected with these items.
Thanks, everyone!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Holds, Recalls, and Call Slips. Oh My!
Hi all. There's been a little confusion of late, about the ins and outs of holds, call slips, and recalls. It is all pretty unintuitive, so I've done my best to break it down here.
Hold = This can only be done by a librarian or certain staff members, through the Circulation module. A hold only works its magic when an item is discharged. That's when that "Item on Hold" slip prints out. So, you should never ever ever place a hold on an item that is not charged. That hold will never announce itself and will expire as the item languishes on the shelf. If an item is checked out, however, and another patron wants it, the hold is the way to go. Pay attention to which kind of hold you place, a title hold (for all items on the title) or a copy hold (for one particular item). Keep in mind a title hold essentially puts a hold on every item, and the OPAC display will reflect such. Also, please make careful note of the expiration date of the hold. It defaults to 10 days after the date the hold is placed, which really isn't very long. The hold could easily expire before the item is discharged, so I'd recommend setting that date at least a month out. [Update: If an item is In Process, a hold can be placed on it, by a librarian or staff member, in the Circulation module. Patrons cannot place holds on In Process items in the OPAC. Never place a call slip or a recall on an In Process item, only a hold.]
Recall = Again, only available to librarians in the Circulation module. This is kind of similar to a hold, except that a recall notice probably prints out for the patron who currently has the material charged, and they may start to accrue fines if they don't return the item by the recall date. (I'd have to really scrutinize the circ matrix to see if that's actually the case.) You can also place a title or copy recall. I don't think that we're really using recall too often, which is probably for the best. I'm not sure how well it really works, and I think the general consensus is that the patron who originally charged the item should have their fair time with it. [Update: Recalls are not currently enabled in Voyager and the Circulation Committee has chosen not to enable them at this time.]
Call slip = Call slip is available to librarians, and some staff members, in the Circulation module, but also to patrons in GIL@GPC. When a patron places a request for something in the OPAC, they're automatically using call slip. Whether from the Circulation module or from the OPAC, you can only call slip items that have a status of "Not Charged." If you try to call slip something that is charged, you'll get an error message. Call slips are automatically copy level actions, you cannot place a call slip for every item on a title. So, call slip should be used for moving specific, and uncharged, items from one campus to another.
A little caveat, don't try to put both a hold and a call slip on the same item/title. If the item is charged, you'll get an error message when you do the call slip, and if the item isn't charged, the hold will cause call slip to lock up, resulting in a cryptic error message. (Whenever you have a call slip that won't fill, it's probably got a hold on it too. Just make sure that the hold and call slip are for the same person, then cancel the hold.)
Nutshell version: If it's charged or has an In Process status, do a hold. If it's not charged, do a call slip. Never, ever do both. In the back end, you may place a hold or a call slip, but patrons requesting something in the OPAC are always doing a call slip.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Update: Mary Ann has graciously shared the handout she's created for Dunwoody's circ and reference desks, if anyone would like to use it. It's a great quick reference.
Hold = This can only be done by a librarian or certain staff members, through the Circulation module. A hold only works its magic when an item is discharged. That's when that "Item on Hold" slip prints out. So, you should never ever ever place a hold on an item that is not charged. That hold will never announce itself and will expire as the item languishes on the shelf. If an item is checked out, however, and another patron wants it, the hold is the way to go. Pay attention to which kind of hold you place, a title hold (for all items on the title) or a copy hold (for one particular item). Keep in mind a title hold essentially puts a hold on every item, and the OPAC display will reflect such. Also, please make careful note of the expiration date of the hold. It defaults to 10 days after the date the hold is placed, which really isn't very long. The hold could easily expire before the item is discharged, so I'd recommend setting that date at least a month out. [Update: If an item is In Process, a hold can be placed on it, by a librarian or staff member, in the Circulation module. Patrons cannot place holds on In Process items in the OPAC. Never place a call slip or a recall on an In Process item, only a hold.]
Call slip = Call slip is available to librarians, and some staff members, in the Circulation module, but also to patrons in GIL@GPC. When a patron places a request for something in the OPAC, they're automatically using call slip. Whether from the Circulation module or from the OPAC, you can only call slip items that have a status of "Not Charged." If you try to call slip something that is charged, you'll get an error message. Call slips are automatically copy level actions, you cannot place a call slip for every item on a title. So, call slip should be used for moving specific, and uncharged, items from one campus to another.
A little caveat, don't try to put both a hold and a call slip on the same item/title. If the item is charged, you'll get an error message when you do the call slip, and if the item isn't charged, the hold will cause call slip to lock up, resulting in a cryptic error message. (Whenever you have a call slip that won't fill, it's probably got a hold on it too. Just make sure that the hold and call slip are for the same person, then cancel the hold.)
Nutshell version: If it's charged or has an In Process status, do a hold. If it's not charged, do a call slip. Never, ever do both. In the back end, you may place a hold or a call slip, but patrons requesting something in the OPAC are always doing a call slip.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Update: Mary Ann has graciously shared the handout she's created for Dunwoody's circ and reference desks, if anyone would like to use it. It's a great quick reference.
Friday, November 14, 2008
By Popular Demand: OPAC Tweaks!
As you may or may not know, with the way the server sites are set up, I don't have a lot of direct control over GIL@GPC and one of the things I have no access to is the general design and layout. However, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't send me suggestions. I do have a man on the inside, who, while very busy, has been gracious enough to make some changes for me that I think you'll all be very happy with.
1.) On the Exact Search page, we now have a little extra clarification for the title and author searches, about last name first name and dropping initial articles. I notice that it's all in bold though, and I'm wondering if it would read better if only the index name (i.e. "Title," "Journal Title," etc.) were in bold. Let me know what you think.
2.) When you have a failed search and get the "No matches were found in this catalog" message, we've now got a note about dropping initial articles and the bullet point about asking a librarian for help is actually hyperlinked to the Ask a Librarian page.
Of course, we'll be getting a brand new OPAC with our Voyager 7 upgrade, which I have every reason to believe is coming up in December, but I'll try to make sure that these tweaks carry over.
1.) On the Exact Search page, we now have a little extra clarification for the title and author searches, about last name first name and dropping initial articles. I notice that it's all in bold though, and I'm wondering if it would read better if only the index name (i.e. "Title," "Journal Title," etc.) were in bold. Let me know what you think.
2.) When you have a failed search and get the "No matches were found in this catalog" message, we've now got a note about dropping initial articles and the bullet point about asking a librarian for help is actually hyperlinked to the Ask a Librarian page.
Of course, we'll be getting a brand new OPAC with our Voyager 7 upgrade, which I have every reason to believe is coming up in December, but I'll try to make sure that these tweaks carry over.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Getting the NAC of It
I've been told that everyone might like a little plain English explanation of the Network Access Control (NAC) project being rolled out this week by OIT. Now, I'm no authority on this, but as I understand it, the NAC basically authenticates you on the network, registering your computer's MAC address and verifying that you are who you say you are when you log in to any GPC-owned PC.
In conjunction with this, OIT is installing a little program called the "Cisco Clean Access Agent." It will run in the background and renew your information once your credentials time out. You may have seen this pop up on your desktop and in your system tray recently. The icon is a little green square with a key inside.
If the NAC has been rolled out on your campus, but the PC you are trying to use does not have the Cisco Clean Access Agent yet, you will have to open a browser window and log in there (using the same login and password that you do for email) in order to gain access to the network.
All this is intended to prevent non-GPC folks from hopping on the network without authentication and making mischief. It also allows the network guys in OIT to know what port each user is logging in through. Basically, it's a security measure, and a very good one I'm sure. For the libraries though, it presents the problem of how to provide computer access to community users lacking GPC credentials. I haven't heard a solution on that yet, but I'm sure OIT will work something out for us. Also, I have heard that the initial roll-out on Decatur campus has been a little bumpy, so brace yourselves for students not being able to log into the library PCs, and report these problems to the Help Desk as they arise.
That's the extent of my knowledge, but I'll happily contact OIT for further clarification if anyone wants it.
In conjunction with this, OIT is installing a little program called the "Cisco Clean Access Agent." It will run in the background and renew your information once your credentials time out. You may have seen this pop up on your desktop and in your system tray recently. The icon is a little green square with a key inside.
If the NAC has been rolled out on your campus, but the PC you are trying to use does not have the Cisco Clean Access Agent yet, you will have to open a browser window and log in there (using the same login and password that you do for email) in order to gain access to the network.
All this is intended to prevent non-GPC folks from hopping on the network without authentication and making mischief. It also allows the network guys in OIT to know what port each user is logging in through. Basically, it's a security measure, and a very good one I'm sure. For the libraries though, it presents the problem of how to provide computer access to community users lacking GPC credentials. I haven't heard a solution on that yet, but I'm sure OIT will work something out for us. Also, I have heard that the initial roll-out on Decatur campus has been a little bumpy, so brace yourselves for students not being able to log into the library PCs, and report these problems to the Help Desk as they arise.
That's the extent of my knowledge, but I'll happily contact OIT for further clarification if anyone wants it.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Delicious anyone?
I don't know how many of us use Delicious for bookmarking, but I've been using it for a little while. I miss the old days of having a collaborative set of bookmarks available at the reference desk. There are times when I just can't remember a website I've used before or I don't have time to weed through Google. So, if anyone is interested...I've created a delicious account for GPC Librarians. I don't want to share the username and password in this public arena, but if you are interested, just drop me an email and I'll send the info to you. I'm also interested in knowing if any of you are already using delicious or another social bookmarking utility at the reference desk.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Solinet Web 2.0 Conference
Solinet is sponsoring a one-day conference "Libraries in a Web 2.0 World"
It'll be held on Wednesday, September 24 in the Clayton State University, Center for Continuing Education in Morrow, GA.
It'll be held on Wednesday, September 24 in the Clayton State University, Center for Continuing Education in Morrow, GA.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
That Which We Call NonPrint, By Any Other Name ...
As you all may know, the NonPrint department is now a part of the Clarkston library, rather than a unit of Technical Services. I’ve just edited all of the locations to reflect this. So, NonPrint Popular DVD is now Clarkston Popular DVD, and so forth. You may still see NonPrint On Order here and there, I can’t change that to Clarkston On Order since that location already exists, but, as we finish up the NonPrint backlog, those will shake out.
Now, these changes merely affect the way these locations display in the OPAC and the staff side of Voyager. The location codes cannot be edited and will remain NPPopDVD, and so forth. I’m fairly certain that the catalogers are the only people using the location codes, but, just in case, I wanted to mention that they’re staying the same.
NonPrint still needs to keep their happening location, NONPRINT CIRC DESK, and their own Callslip queue. But, outside of that, everything that once said “NonPrint” should now say “Clarkston.” If you don’t see these changes in the staff side of Voyager, just close the client and restart it.
Please let me know if I missed anything. Thanks!
Now, these changes merely affect the way these locations display in the OPAC and the staff side of Voyager. The location codes cannot be edited and will remain NPPopDVD, and so forth. I’m fairly certain that the catalogers are the only people using the location codes, but, just in case, I wanted to mention that they’re staying the same.
NonPrint still needs to keep their happening location, NONPRINT CIRC DESK, and their own Callslip queue. But, outside of that, everything that once said “NonPrint” should now say “Clarkston.” If you don’t see these changes in the staff side of Voyager, just close the client and restart it.
Please let me know if I missed anything. Thanks!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Virginia Yawn Is Retiring
Great for her, but very sad for us. Virginia has announced her retirement and her last day will be July 31.
For those of you who don't know her, Virginia is a part-time librarian in Technical Services, and catalogs our sound recordings (which includes music CDs and audio books). She's been with the college for almost 30 years, and we will miss her dearly.
For those of you who don't know her, Virginia is a part-time librarian in Technical Services, and catalogs our sound recordings (which includes music CDs and audio books). She's been with the college for almost 30 years, and we will miss her dearly.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Error Reporting Comes To the OPAC!
Just wanted to let you all know that I've asked the server site to set up an error reporting form in the OPAC and it's now up and running. Just click on the image below for a full screen shot.
Right now, technical restrictions only allow this form to be emailed an internal address, i.e. Jim @ the server site, but he'll forward anything he receives to me and I'll take care of it.
Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Update: To clarify, this form is to be used for correctable errors, like the wrong class number, no holdings on a bib, "No Information Available" on an item record, something misspelled, etc. Continue to report OPAC bugs directly to me with a complete description (including the date and time you encountered the bug and what you were doing right before), and copy and paste the URL from the page giving you the error.
Right now, technical restrictions only allow this form to be emailed an internal address, i.e. Jim @ the server site, but he'll forward anything he receives to me and I'll take care of it.
Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Update: To clarify, this form is to be used for correctable errors, like the wrong class number, no holdings on a bib, "No Information Available" on an item record, something misspelled, etc. Continue to report OPAC bugs directly to me with a complete description (including the date and time you encountered the bug and what you were doing right before), and copy and paste the URL from the page giving you the error.
Meebo widget in library OPAC
I came across an interesting blog post about incorporating a Meebo widget into library catalog "no hits" pages. It seems like a really cool idea that would not only help students with catalog searches but also promote our chat reference.
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