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

Reference statistics this week

From 10/28 through next Saturday, 11/3, all public 
service units in the Libraries will be collecting service desk data 
for the Libraries Administration to submit to the Association of 
Research Libraries (ARL).  In order to collect consistent data, we 
will be using the standard ARL statistics sheet, which is different 
from the one we have been using.  The main difference for us is that 
each reference interaction will receive a single tick mark but be 
documented by entering in the appropriate column for time spent on 
the question.

The sheet also tracks telephone, email/web, and chat/IM 
questions.  Please mark appropriately.

Robbie is coordinating this week's collection and compilation of 
data.  If you have any questions about the sheets and/or the process, 
please don't hesitate to ask Peggy or Robbie.

posted by: newsmicro at 17:29 | link | comments (1) |
library news and information, staff assignments

Chemical Engineering Class Assignment

From Nan Butkovich at the Physical and Mathematical Sciences Library (PAMS):

Peggy

posted by: newsmicro at 21:01 | link | comments |
course assignments

Libraries' Mail System Down

All,

The Libraries’ email system will be taken down after 10 p.m., Friday, 10/26/07.  Mail will remain unavailable until 10 a.m., Saturday, 10/27/07, at the earliest.  Please DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE LIBRARIES’ EMAIL during that time. 

Other services that authenticate on the email system will also be unavailable during this time, most notably, the Libraries' Helpdesk.  The purpose of this service interruption is to move to the current software revision and to better prepare for disaster recovery.

Peggy

posted by: newsmicro at 20:54 | link | comments |
technology updates

Chemical Market Reporter fiche ON HOLD

All,

On the right-hand lower shelf behind the desk is a Xerox paper box with fiche for Chemical Market Reporter ON HOLD for Yanping Liu (yul158@psu.edu).  PAMS Library sent these fiche over to NML so the user would have access to the equipment in NML and be able to obtain any needed assistance from NML staff in using the material. 

These fiche are on loan from PAMS for as long as Yanping needs to use them.  Nan says they are not high-demand items, so Yanping can use them as long as she needs them.  When she indicates she is finished with using them, let me know.  I've also asked her to notify me as well so we can see the collection gets returned to PAMS.

Thanks.

Peggy

posted by: newsmicro at 16:11 | link | comments |
collection information, hold shelf

Staffing at Other Reference Desks

In the desk notebook, under "Reference Desk Staffing," there are two new pages documenting the following information:

1.  Subject Libraries Reference Desks that have faculty or staff on duty after 5pm, Sunday-Saturday.

2.  Times the Subject Libraries Reference Desks are NOT staffed.

These sheets will be helpful to check before referring users to other desks during evening hours, on weekends, and, for the Business Library, the first few hours of each day as well.

Peggy

posted by: newsmicro at 17:00 | link | comments |
library news and information

Books left at Carrel are at Lending

I found a pile of textbooks in one of the carrels this a.m. about 7:15.  If the student comes looking for them I've taken them to the LendingServices Desk Lost and Found.

Thanks.  Debora

posted by: newsmicro at 13:47 | link | comments |
policy and service

Access to Le Monde

Be aware that the coverage for Le Monde in NewsStand E-Image Newspapers database has been suspended with October 3, 2007.  Back issues are available in this database from March 1, 2006-October 3, 2007.  NewsStand hopes to resume current coverage of Le Monde soon. 

In the meantime, another source for older coverage of Le Monde is LexisNexis Academic database.  Full-text coverage of Le Monde in LexisNexis is from January 8, 1987-current.  Of course, we also keep one current month in paper on the newspaper shelves, so those researchers looking for the most recent content may find what they need in the current issues.

Another option is to use the microfilm.  Holdings are 1944-Dec.2000, Mar.2001-To Date (August 2007).  Of course, the problem with the microfilm is that it cannot be searched.  However, I have helped a patron who used the Le Monde web site archive as an index to locate names and dates of articles, then used the microfilm to retrieve the article.  You may try this if the other options do not give the patron what he or she needs.

Any questions, please ask Debora or myself.

Thanks, Lisa

posted by: newsmicro at 21:06 | link | comments |

posted by: newsmicro at 22:02 | link | comments |
troubleshooting, technology updates

CALL NUMBER HB161.G64

Microfilm D261 - D262 (THE GOLDSMITH-KRESS LIBRARY OF ECONOMIC LITERATURE COLLECTION) has been re-classed with a Library of Congress call number. What this means is that in the CAT the call number will start with HB161.G64. However, the microfilm boxes do not reflect the change nor are they located with the LC  call numbers.  They are still located in the cabinets marked D261-D262.  While there is a sign posted, patrons may need further assistance finding the correct film. 

 

posted by: newsmicro at 17:23 | link | comments |

Comm 401 Assignment: Life Magazine

10/15/2007 UpdateTo all:  I will update the Blog later today but for those of you who might receive requests from Dr. Ford Risley's Comm 401 class for Life Magazine. 

Dr. Risley would like the students NOT to use the microfilm and has placed issues for the students use at the Reserves Desk on 1st Floor Pattee Library for the years indicated below.

Assignment is:  Look through several copies of Life magazine from 1937-1939 and discuss the photographs found in the magazine. What was Life and why did it feature photos? What kind of photos were published and how were they displayed? Why do you think Life was so popular and what contributions did it make to photojournalism? In examining Life, be sure to look at a variety of photos, including news, sports and entertainment. And be sure to look at examples of the magazine’s photo essays. (Note: Although you may choose any issues of Life from the years listed above, the issues for 1938 are on reserve at Pattee Library. You may not look at Life on microfilm or any issues that may be on the Web.)

We do not have  a due date, but since they won't be using our materials, that won't be needed.
  Debora

Dr. Ford Risley's Comm 401 students will be needing Life Magazine 1936-45 issues for an assignment (more details to follow). 

They have two options: 

1.  We still own most of the issues (there are gaps in holdings) are located down on Pattee Stack Level B at call number AP2.L547.  Many of the issues are in preservation boxes and in very poor condition.  So if you would alert the students if they use these issues to use them with great care.

2.  The second option is the Microfilm copy in News and Microforms Library. Call number AP2.L547.  We have a complete run on microfilm, which isn't in color, of course.

Since we can't pull all these years for them, please be familiar with the call number, should they choose the microfilm, and be prepared to explain they can go into the Pattee stacks and locate the print copies and provide them with the call number.

Thanks for your help.

Debora

posted by: newsmicro at 17:14 | link | comments |
course assignments

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