University Library Reference

All,
The IMC will be painted and new workstations installed.
We will begin to dismantle some workstations after Reading day.
There will be no scanning available, no Datastream or video digitizing available until after Jan 9th. Most other applications are available in the Information Commons.
NOTE: one scanner, located outside of the IMC will be available to scan PDF files only during this period.

We will post notices in the lab and on the web..

details will follow later.

Regina Conboy
Coordinator, Interactive Media Center
LI b58
518-442-3608
fax: 518-442-3088

Posted by Jane Kessler at 04:24 PM | Permalink

All,

Food and drink in the UA Libraries have been long standing, escalating problems. In May I asked Karen Brown to form a task force to develop a list of recommended long and short term actions aimed at controlling – not banning – food and drink in the libraries. The Task Force consisting of Karen, Laurie Constable, Edmee Hernandez, Christopher Masella, Candy Merbler and Katie Mullen submitted a report to me in late June. LPG reviewed the report and agreed to implement many of its recommendations ASAP and to continue to consider others. Many thanks to the Task Force members and to Karen for her leadership!

Based on the Task Force’s recommendations we have revised the Libraries’ food and drink policy from one that prohibited food entirely to one that permits food and drink consumption in designated areas. Here is the new policy:

The consumption of non-alcoholic beverages in covered containers is permitted in the University at Albany Libraries except in areas where “No Beverages Allowed” signs are posted. The consumption of snack-size food is permitted only in designated areas. Full meals, food deliveries, food parties and group meals are prohibited.

This policy is now posted in the University Library and will be posted in the Science and Dewey Libraries before the semester begins on Monday.

The designated area for food in the University Libraries is the first floor group study area. In Science, two areas have been designated: the Barnes and Noble Room on the Garden Level, and the study area just past the entrance to the 2nd floor. There is no area in Dewey Library because of the building configuration and because the problem of food and drink consumption is considerably less in that library.

Here are some suggestions for how to approach an individual who is violating this policy:

“We permit food consumption in the [ area(s) appropriate to the particular library]. Please take your food to that area or outside the building, or put it away. Thank you.”

“We permit beverages in the library only if the containers are covered. Please cover yours or finish drinking it outside. Thank you.”

“We do not permit beverages in this area of the library, please move to [the nearest beverage-permitted area] until you finish it. Thank you.”

If you encounter an individual who refuses to comply with your request you can ask for his ID and indicate to the individual that unless he complies, you may make a judicial referral.

We hope that staff will assist with controlling food/beverage and encourage library users to utilize designated areas for food consumption.

Thanks, Mary

Mary F. Casserly, Ph.D.

Posted by Jane Kessler at 04:08 PM | Permalink

Hello everyone,

I’m pleased to announce that the University Library now has 2 group study rooms available for checkout by the UAlbany community!

The two rooms, B26 and B47, are located on the basement floor. B26 is in the Current Periodicals Reading Room, and B47 is in the same hallway as the Cobb Room.

These rooms will be a 3-hour loan, with no renewals available (keys may not be checked out by a member of the same group, either). They are equipped with tables, chairs, and whiteboards. Both rooms have wi-fi access. Fines for late returns of room keys will be $3.00/hour.

The keys will be mounted on the pillar behind the Circ desk that’s closest to Reference. Thus, students should be able to tell easily if a room is available.

Please feel free to send me any questions/comments. I’m delighted that we can provide this service for our patrons, especially in time for finals!

Edmée

Posted by Jane Kessler at 04:20 PM | Permalink

All,

The University Library opens Tuesday at 8 am as usual and will remain open 24 hours per day until Thursday, Dec 21 at 5 pm (with the exception of Friday and Saturday nights when it will close at 1 am). Please be aware of the following:

Circulation services (including laptop lending) will close at 1 am NIGHTLY. Circulation services will open at 7:30 am Monday – Friday (thanks to Suzi Dier). Cash services will begin at 8 am (change-making, bill payments, etc.)

The public areas of the lower level (Periodicals, IMC, Microforms) will maintain their regular hours (11 pm closing Sun – Thurs; 8 pm Fri; 5 pm Sat). Those wings will close while the restrooms and group study area remain available. Other services on the first floor will maintain their regular hours.

The public computing user room LI 137 will remain open 24 hours, on a self-service basis during wee hours. ITS will perform additional checks for paper supply and other maintenance in preparation for these additional service hours.

A three-person security crew will staff the building from 1 am – 7:30 am, with about ten additional minutes on either end to serve as transition time. The security crew will NOT offer any library services, but will patrol the building, respond to exit control alarms, take hourly gate counts, and perform other such security details.

The Dean and Director is providing coffee service to library users on Thursday morning from 9 am - Noon and evening from 7 – 9 pm.

The buzz about this service is extremely positive among students. It is a great opportunity to meet student needs and to continue to support the intellectual life of the university in partnership with the Student Association. I was informed that our hours were noted on WCDB, the University radio station, today. We will provide some data on use of the building later in the month.

Please alert me or Edmee Hernandez, Assistant Head of Circulation Services, if you come across any evidence of conduct unbecoming library users. Unfortunately, Edmee is ill and may not be in the office until Wednesday. Any suggestions about details we may have overlooked are welcome.

Brenda

Posted by Jane Kessler at 08:50 AM | Permalink

All,

The University Library will remain open 24/7 starting the final day of classes in order to provide safe, convenient study space during final exam week. Building on our successful collaboration for extended hours during Spring 2006 final exams, the Student Association is again providing funding for security crews who will remain in the building after Circulation Services close at 1 am most nights.

The Library will open at 8 am on Tuesday, December 12, the last day of classes, and remain open until late Friday night, December 15, at 1 am. The building will reopen Saturday at 9 am and close again late Saturday night at 1 am. On Sunday, the building will open at Noon and remain open continuously until 5 pm on Thursday, December 21. The decision was made to close on Friday and Saturday nights based on entrance count data collected during extended hours of final exam week in Spring 2006.

This information is on the PDF version of the Library hours page for Fall 2006 and on the telephone information line. I will update the regular web page today or early next week. The library hours notices posted on the front doors have been updated, thanks to Colleen McAllister. Edmee Hernandez, Assistant Head of Circulation Services, is overseeing many of the details of this effort. She has shared this news with the Office of Undergraduate Education so our extended hours are included on the information widely distributed to students regarding availability of study space during final exam period.

I will post more information about hours at various service points at a later time. Please send any comments or questions to me or to Edmee.

Brenda

Posted by Jane Kessler at 10:28 AM | Permalink

Athletics has contacted Brenda to allocate study space for study athletes for this semester. After consulting with Cathy, we agreed that they could use the table in gov docs along the wall by the elevator and the water fountain. The athletes should know where to go and the bulk of their assigned study times are nights and weekends.

Posted by Jane Kessler at 02:18 PM | Permalink