ILL at a distance

I just logged into First Search/OCLC and saw that a book from my campus had been requested by a library in Norway. Now that's what I call a long-distance ILL!

Hounding the faculty

I'm an old newshound from way back, which is why I pitched Rasmussen's terrific MLT program to a TV reporter at our county library system's recent reading festival. But I also have been partaking in another kind of hounding recently -- getting the faculty to give me ideas for ordering! I had good luck this past order deadline, with 10 instructors submitting requests.

How did I do it? Lots of emails on a regular basis, with the RCLWeb info attached. Also, I buttonholed faculty members if I saw them during their office hours, at our Saturday finals study session, and even in the halls or of course in the library. Persistence paid off, and I already have the start of a new list for my next order.

Library Liaison - Massage Therapy Meeting

Today I had the privilege of meeting with the massage therapy department, during their annual Massage Therapy Summit. As I came into my Massage Therapy Liaison role somewhat recently, it was a great opportunity to introduce myself and the liaison program to them.

We began with some simple introductions, then I went on to describe the history/background of the liaison program, followed by providing some liaison successes across the Rasmussen system. Next, I introduced the liaison program as it specifically applied to their roles and their discipline. I focused on the ways I could provide assistance and support for them and their students. Lastly, I mentioned what instructors could do to improve and best utilize the liaison system and their campus libraries.

All in all, the meeting was quite successful. The group tossed out some great ideas that I plan to use in the future. In addition, they were VERY happy to hear about our new library site. With Emily's approval, I showed them their department's libguide page and they seemed pleased with it. We even had a brief discussion regarding other items/boxes they'd like to see on the page and I have decided (again with Emily's approval) to send them a "preview" link of the page so that they can send any other ideas my way.

It was great to have the opportunity to meet with the group. Hopefully it will really help to open lines of communication between the program and the library.

Student volunteers

For the last two Saturdays, I had two students come in to help me with cataloging. Emily gave me the great idea of asking a couple of students to help me identify which books in my young collection still needed cataloging. So I asked two young ladies who are in the library often and are responsible to come in and help (this is also a great way for me to test them out as potential work studies in the future!).

The girls simply entered in titles and authors into our catalog, and looked to see if we have any. Then, we divided each section into: cataloged, cataloged (but needs call numbers) and not cataloged. Thanks to their help, my cataloging dilemma seems much more manageable.

I plan on getting my volunteers a certificate stating that they are official volunteers, and I will also put their pictures and "story" into the next campus newsletter. :)

Rassy visits Bismarck

Rassy made an appearance in Bismarck this week. For you Floridians, the white stuff is snow.

How I know it's week 10

My day so far:

11:00 - 2 voicemails from students waiting for me when i arrived
11:30 - On reference phone call with student, while conducting reference interview on meebo with another, with one student sitting at my desk, and 3 others in line waiting to see me. (Mentor center coordinator making a statement about how popular I am)
12:45 - On meebo with student while on the phone with another.
1:20 - Observing a peacefull moment. :^)

Book Donations

Mary and I have been discussing ideas for ways to support the PACODES library. When she shared the idea of running a book donation, I remembered that someone on our team had once mentioned Better World Books.

Better World Books is an organization which accepts book donations and then sells them. Some of the money goes to support literacy programs. I sent about 6 boxes of books, and got a check for about $200, which I’ll put in the donation for PACODES. (I weeded in the library, plus the dean and I went through the outdated instructor textbooks in the faculty lounge.) Better World Books issues checks once per quarter and has some specific guidelines to be followed.

"Better World Books finds the best possible use for each book collected in support of our mission to promote literacy. Books are either sold to raise money for non-profit literacy programs, sent to one of our non-profit partners for use in their programs, or recycled if unsuitable for sale or partner use."

"The specific terms of most Better World Books partnership agreements are confidential. In the college textbook market, the company’s 'social profit' margin currently averages 7 to 8% of net revenue from each used book sold. Library books are transferred to Better World Books under consignment and sold with a fixed percentage of the net revenue paid to both the library and a non-profit literacy partner. Typical arrangements are 15% of the net sale price to a library and 5% to their chosen literacy partner."

Supporting online instructors

For the last two quarters, I've been exchanging e-mails with an online English Comp instructor who has a class of Bismarck students. Although she initially contacted me (interim dean) regarding concerns with student work, it's been a great opportunity for me (librarian) to support an online instructor.

I realize I was in a unique situation while in my dean/librarian role in that I could easily refer an online instructor to the librarian. However, I'm sure deans or Student Success Coordinators would be happy to recommend you to online instructors when students are struggling with sources and information literacy.

The online instructors I've "met" lets me know which Bismarck students are struggling with finding resources or citing sources. If they live in the area, she directs them to me or I seek them out. I've had a couple come in for help. Last quarter, we even set up a designated day/time for her online students to come to the campus library to meet each other and to get help. (No takers.)

Today I got another e-mail from the instructor, and I think it underscores the support we as librarians can provide for our online instructors. It also made my day. Here's an excerpt...

"Personally, I do not think I would still be doing this if I had not run into you. I have tried to contact different people...but I have had less than helpful responses or no response. I guess I do not like working in a vacuum...I have taught for 30 years, but I find that online teaching presents its own very special challenges."

My attempt to encourage students to use the Library Catalog

I created a poster which hopefully will create some interest in checking the library catalog for books. I hope it will spark interest in the library's resources.

Professor's Picks

Our Campus Dean and I were brainstorming about boosting circ. We came up with the idea of monthly or quarterly "Professor's Picks". It will be a display naming the instructor and there book picks for both leisure reading and coursework. We plan on starting it next quarter, they will announce their "picks" in class and we will distribute lists via email as well. Has anyone done a similar display/program?

Liaison areas & ALA Annual

In my next installment for "all things ALA" to know before July... in addition to the programs, exhibits, and networking you can also find a section/discussion group/committee/round table related to your program or subject area. i.e., Office of Diversity, Video Round Table, BRASS section (w/i RUSA for business), Law and Political Science section (w/i ACRL), etc. You might need to dig into the division, office, and round table pages.

Also, the New Members Round Table (NMRT) has an orientation "101" program on Friday night and again on Saturday morning. http://www.ala.org/ala/conferencesevents/upcoming/annual/2009/2009_prelimprogram_only_FINAL.pdf