resource of the week: webjunction

Whether you're teaching a class or helping a patron with a computer class, Webjunction is an excellent place to find helpful information.  Not only do they offer quality professional development opportunities (often free of charge), they also share handouts, presentations, and tutorials on a variety of topics including Basic Steps to Using Open Office, Computer Basics, and more.  Explore a topic that interests you!

updated kindle procedures

From Melody--

9 kindles have been withdrawn because they no longer work and were no longer under warranty for replacement.

Please note that the “roster” of Kindles in the Kindle Procedures document (found in common under Kindles) has been updated to reflect this.

Please use the Amazon account emails as assigned in this roster when you are synching Kindles.

sharing the load

From Melody & Marian:

On Saturdays, we have only one person staffing the upstairs desk at East for the 3 hours they are open.  That one person handles  circ, ref, and the computer lab.  In the future, East may transfer some reference questions that are more involved and time consuming to staff at HQ and South since these locations have more staff. 

resource of the week: rocket languages

In addition to PowerSpeak Languages, we now have access to Rocket Languages, which will have you speaking and improving your language skills in no time!  Take part in the modern, everyday conversations that make up the Interactive Audio Course. Learn to speak the language naturally with language and culture lessons.  Build on your vocabulary and improve your audio recognition of common words and phrases (and have fun at the same time) with the popular MegaGames range. 

resource of the week: lawhelp interactive

While we have access to Gale Legal Forms, the idea of automated forms where you answer questions and the document is customized for you sounds appealing.  That’s the service LawHelp Interactive provides.  Here’s how the service describes itself:

LawHelp Interactive helps you fill out legal forms. Answer a series of questions and print your legal form.  The forms are free and have been created by nonprofit legal aid programs and courts.

LawHelp Interactive is a project of Pro Bono Net, a nonprofit that increases access to justice through technology.  If anyone has a chance to try out this resource, please share your thoughts!

security rules

From Jeff --

In the interest of security and order within the library facilities and on the library grounds, I have instituted the following rules.

1. No hoods can be worn in library facilities.  On shirts with hoodies, the hood must be down within the library.
2. No gang colors are allowed.  These include bandanas of any sort.
3. Motorized vehicles must be parked in a parking space not in the bike parking, on sidewalks or under trees.

Please remember it is all the staff’s responsibility to help enforce library rules.

resource of the week: national park service

The National Park Service is an excellent resource for collections care information. Their Conserve-O-Gram series offers concise information on specific procedures, techniques, and materials to care for objects and includes resource lists including suppliers and bibliographies. More than 160 Conserve-O-Grams are currently available on the National Park Service’s Museum Management Web site.

resource of the week: consumer reports

Televisions to mattresses and anything in between--it's all covered in Consumer Reports.  We have access to Consumer Reports from 2013 all the way back to 1985 available through NC Live.  Search, read, print, or e-mail articles to yourself.  Remember we also have a special subscription to Consumer Reports Online (check with the ref desk at HQ for login info).

renewing ILLs

Just a quick reminder about how to renew interlibrary loans...

ILL RENEWAL PROCEDURES

1. Check patron record (borrower fields > ILL/Request) to verify item can be renewed.  It will be noted "no renewal" if the item cannot be renewed.
2. Fill out an Interlibrary Loan Renewal Request Form (available on Commons under "Interlibrary Loan" or in the folder at the ref desk)
3. Notify patron of new due date
4. Send to Vanessa at HQ

FILLING OUT THE ILL RENEWAL FORM
 

1. Items may be renewed one time, unless pink ILL strap or patron record has “No Renewal”. 
2. Check patron record to verify item can be renewed:
   Items Out – Check due date. Overdue items cannot be renewed. 
   Patron Record – Patron Fields – ILL / Request (Title will have “renewed” if it has previously been renewed.  See attached example.)
3. Initial and date, and fill in all information available from patron.
4. New due date will be the same day of the next month as previous due date (example – 3/20/2006 would be renewed to 4/20/2006.)
5. Do not renew in L.S. Circulation.