News and Microforms Reference Desk Blog

This is a public web space for News and Microforms Library staff and faculty to share reference and operational information, post answers to recurring questions, explanations of class assignments, and other information to help with the News and Microforms Reference/Service Desk

Large shipment of ILL film for patron

Due to the large number of Interlibrary Loan microfilm reels a patron is currently using, we are keeping the film on a book cart right inside the NML workroom.  The patron knows to take the film directly from the boxes on the cart.  I've spoken with the patron about the process and he is going to share this arrangement with 2-3 colleagues  who are also working on this research project.  (They are evaluating front page news coverage in selected foreign language newspapers.)

He was given the choice to take the cart with him whenever he worked with the film, but he prefers to just take a few reels at time from the book cart.  We both agreed that the book cart should not be left on the outside of the workroom, in the public area, unattended.  He is aware that the workroom is a staff work area and the importance of keeping voices low if he should be with a colleague when they pull film from.

If you have any questions about this set-up let me know.  It seemed like the easiest way to facilitate the patron's use of the film while keeping the shipment in a safe (non-public) location.

Peggy

posted by: newsmicro at 22:04 | link | comments (2) |
library news and information

HOLD Shelf Service

If someone requests to leave a microform at the desk to return later to use it, have the patron fill out a Hold Slip with all the requested information.  Then, attach the Hold Slip to the microform and place on the second shelf of the bookcase at the desk.  It's important to make sure all information such as name, email, phone number, and a "hold until" date is indicated on the form.  The Hold Slips are yellow/buff note-size slips available on the bookcase shelf.

Thanks.

Peggy

posted by: newsmicro at 16:53 | link | comments (2) |
policy and service

Spring Semester 2007

I'd like to welcome everyone back for the start of Spring Semester 2007 and hopeyou all had a really nice holiday and break.

We have revised the two statistics sheets at the service desk that collect room use data and reference information.  This information will help us with facilities planning and staff scheduling.

1.  Hourly head counts:  In order to obtain a comprehensive picture of  the physical use of the room, we are expanding the hourly head counts to include all hours the service desk is staffed and all physical areas of the room.

In addition, there is a unique column of data we should consider as a separate count; that is...anyone watching the TVs from any area of the room (TV viewing lounge, table, carrel, etc.).  Since we're considering this a separate and exclusive count, it should not be included in the TOTAL room count of patrons.

I want to thank all those who have provided excellent input into the development of the new version of the form.  All your comments and ideas have really helped in the design of a comprehensive form which will provide a better picture of the service we provide as well as how the room is used.

2.  Reference Statistics:  The service desk statistics have been simplified by eliminating the time categories for each of the four types of questions we track.  Instead, we'll be entering tick marks for every 5 minutes we spend on a single patron interaction.  If you spend up to 10 minutes helping a patron, enter 2 tick marks, up to 15 minutes enter 3 tick marks, etc..  This will give us a better idea of the amount of time we spend assisting patrons.

We've also added a "COMMENTS" area at the bottom of the form for annotating particularly interesting reference question topics and collections used.  It's free form so just jot down what you think would be interesting information to share.  This can be helpful, for example, for scheduling training.  That's just one example, so feel free to use the COMMENTS area for any information that helps us track interesting and/or unique use of the collections.

If you have any questions about these revised procedures or ideas for improvement, please let me know.

Peggy
   

posted by: newsmicro at 16:15 | link | comments (2) |
policy and service

Dickinson Law School on different schedule

fyi...Dickinson Law School started their Spring Semester today, January 8, which is one week earlier than the rest of PSU.

posted by: newsmicro at 22:07 | link | comments (1) |

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