February Library Office Notes

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

HR NEWS

FACILITIES

EVENTS AND TRAINING


ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note

Strategic Planning
I’d like to take this opportunity to write a bit about our strategic planning process, in part because of the unusual approach we’re taking, which is designed to maximize inclusion and idea exploration. Few of us have enthusiasm for planning of any sort, and particularly strategic planning. We’d prefer to be “doing” rather than “planning.” I hope that, through this process, we’ll all feel different about our planning and begin to see that our “planning” is a kind of “doing.” Read more…
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Strategic Planning Update
Lisa Hinchliffe, Coordinator for Strategic Planning

We’re off and running! More than 200 Library employees gathered on Friday, January 9, in the Ballroom of the Alice Campbell Alumni Center for the Library Retreat, which served as the kick-off event for the Library’s strategic planning initiative. A full summary is posted on the Strategic Planning Blog (http://publish.illinois.edu/librarystrategicplanning/2015/01/12/library-retreat-jan9/), including the PowerPoint presentation and a summary of the Dean’s remarks as well as all the discussion prompts. If you were at the retreat, you might have wondered about the ten prompts that you didn’t discuss that day! We are busy compiling and analyzing the input from all of the activities and hope to have the results posted before mid-February at the latest. I’ve also had a chance to review a summary of the results from the retreat feedback survey. An overwhelming majority indicated that the retreat was a good use of time and that they learned something, felt listened to, and look forward to participating in future strategic planning activities. I’m grateful as well for the suggestions for how we might continue to improve the quality of the retreat and the ideas for our spring strategic planning events. Watch LIBNEWS-L for details of upcoming opportunities!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: University of Illinois Library included in Top 10 Original Catalogers for FY14
In the OCLC Annual Report for FY14, which can be seen at http://www.oclc.org/en-US/annual-report/2014/worldcat.html, the University of Illinois ranked in the top ten for libraries contributing original cataloging records for the year. The Library added 13,642 records during this period. A large number of the records contributed included original cataloging of e-books, foreign language materials, locally digitized items, historical titles from the Library’s College Catalog collections (C. Collection), and titles cataloged by Rare Book & Manuscript Library (RBML) and Content Management Services (CMS) from the Cavagna Collection. Congratulations to the Library’s catalogers for consistently being in the top rankings for originally cataloged materials. For a list of the 13,642 titles (14,909 volumes) originally cataloged and added to OCLC WorldCat for FY14, see the spreadsheet at: https://uofi.box.com/s/xs4v7juk648n2sfmdi2or02ovfhdyq3d
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: ClimateQUAL Survey
This spring the University Library will participate in the ClimateQUAL survey which is administered by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). ClimateQUAL®: Organizational Climate and Diversity Assessment is an assessment of library staff perceptions concerning (a) their library’s commitment to the principles of diversity, (b) organizational policies and procedures, and (c) staff attitudes. It is an online survey with questions designed to understand the impact perceptions have on service quality in a library setting. During January and February, members of the ClimateQUAL Working Group (Cindy Ingold, chair; Jim Cotter, Qiang Jin, Cindy Kelly, Sue Searing, and Jen Yu) are meeting with all library divisions and other units to answer questions about the survey. Information about the ClimateQUAL survey can be found at http://www.library.illinois.edu/assessment/climatequal. We strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to participate in the survey. Please email Cindy Ingold (cingold@illinois.edu) or Cindy Kelly (mokelly@illinois.edu) if you have questions.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: HPNL receives Donations of Historic Newspapers
HPNL has received donations of historic newspapers from the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis, Kansas Historical Society in Topeka, and Brethren Historical Library and Archives in Elgin, Illinois. The collections include miscellaneous World War II era American newspapers (https://i-share.carli.illinois.edu/uiu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&v1=1&BBRecID=7617520) and many rare titles such as the 1877-1916 issues of The Truth Seeker (the world’s oldest freethought publication founded in Paris, Illinois and later relocated to New York City), the 1845-47 issues of The New York Evangelist, and a complete run of United Front News 1970-72 (a unique African-American civil rights newspaper from Cairo, Illinois, held by only six other institutions in North America).
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Illinois Campus Media Census Final Report Released
The Library’s Media Preservation Unit has recently completely and released the final report for its Campus Media Census project. In collaboration with the Center for Multimedia Excellence (CME) the two-phased Media Census attempted to determine the extent of audiovisual holdings across the campus. The study identified 408,492 physical audiovisual assets in 101 campus units, the majority of which represent obsolete or obsolescent “legacy” formats being stored in conditions detrimental to their long-term usability. As a result, this report recommends prioritizing campus-wide planning for a sustainable infrastructure for the efficient, cost-effective preservation of valued media content. The final report, along with related data sets, can be found here:
https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/handle/2142/50106 
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Everyone is a Fundraiser
Scott Koeneman, Assistant Dean of Libraries for Advancement

As I continue to meet and get to know the faculty and staff of the Library, I am regularly told something along the lines of, “I could never do fundraising.”

The reality is, you are all fundraisers, from the staff in the advancement office to the graduate student answering “Ask a librarian” questions on-line. Every one of us has an impact on the faculty, students and members of the public who connect with us. And those impacts directly correlate with giving. Let me give you an example.

I recently met with a retired couple, let’s call them Mr. and Mrs. Jones, who met here as graduate students. They have been regular annual fund donors to the Library and have put the Library in their will. As I do with all donors I meet, I asked them why they invest in the Library. Mrs. Jones told me of one specific incident. She had finished her masters at Harvard and was working on her Ph.D. here. Harvard, she said, was known for their great library, but every time she went to it for help, she would be given minimal advice and pointed in the general direction of what she might be looking for. On her first trip to our library, she came looking for a specific volume, a dissertation. She guessed there might be 12 printed copies in the world. The librarian listened as she explained what she was looking for and asked her about her research.

As Mrs. Jones explained it, “She told me to have a seat and she would see what she could do. I honestly wasn’t expecting much. A few minutes later, out she walks and hands me the very thing I was looking for and a list of other materials I might want to consider. I couldn’t believe it.”

That one incident, that one contact, has stayed with her for more than 60 years. In doing the work you all do every day, you are fundraisers. Thank you.
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HR NEWS: Faculty and AP Searches
Below is a summary of current academic searches as of January 27, 2015 (click on graphic below to enlarge). A more comprehensive listing is sent via LibNews each month.

search_status_february

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HR NEWS: Civil Service Staff Openings

  • Acquisitions – Library Specialist with Chinese Language Requirement – closed
  • Acquisitions – Library Specialist with German/French Language Requirement – continuing interviews
  • CAS – Library Specialist – evenings, waiting on master referral
  • CAS – Library Specialist vacancy closed without hire
  • CMS 50% – Library Specialist – continuing interviews
  • MPAL 50% – Library Assistant – waiting on master referral
  • SSHEL – Library Specialist – evenings, beginning interviews

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HR NEWS: New Employees 

Faculty

  • Melanie Emerson, hired as the Head, Ricker Art and Architecture Library and Art Librarian, will start in her new position on March 1, 2015.

Academic Professional

  • Rebecca Bryant, hired as Visiting Manager for Researcher Information Systems, for the Scholarly Commons, started in her position on December 1, 2014.
  • Crystal Sheu, hired as the E-Learning Specialist (formerly Information Literacy e-Learning Specialist) for the Office of Services, started in her position on December 16, 2014.
  • William Weathers, Web Developer and User Interface Specialist, Library IT, started in his position on January 1, 2015.
  • Krista Gray, Visiting Archival Operations and Reference Specialist for the Illinois Historical and Lincoln Collection, will begin in her new position on February 16, 2015.

Civil Service

  • David Griffiths, Library Specialist, Content Access Management, December 16, 2014

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HR NEWS: Appointment Changes 

  • Due to the resignation of Sarah Shreeves, Karen Hogenboom has assumed the role of Co-coordinator for the Scholarly Commons, effective January 5, 2015.
  • Tom Habing was appointed Interim Director of Library Information Technology. His two year appointment begins January 16, 2015.

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HR NEWS: Separations

  • Sarah L. Shreeves, Coordinator IDEALS, Co-coordinator, Scholarly Commons and Associate Professor, resigned effective January 5, 2015.

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HR NEWS: Weather 
We are now in the throes of winter and as the weather changes, employees are reminded that Weather-Related Information and FAQs are located on the Staff Human Resources website, shr.illinois.edu.
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HR NEWS: University Library Awards and Recognitions
The Committee for the University Library Awards and Recognitions is will be announcing nomination guidelines and deadline for the 2014-2015 Outstanding Undergraduate Student Employee. Watch LibNews for the announcement!!
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FACILITIES: Project Information
Please visit the Office of Library Facilities webpage for project information (under Facilities–>Project Information). http://www.library.illinois.edu/administration/facilities/
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: A Distinguished Past: Celebrating African American History in Early Champaign County

DistinguishedPast
“A Distinguished Past: Celebrating African American History in Early Champaign County” will be held Wednesday February 11th at 6:00 pm at the Douglass Branch Library, 504 E. Grove Street in Champaign. The event will feature speakers, exhibits, and refreshments. Join the Student Life and Culture Archives at the University of Illinois and the Champaign County Historical Archives for an exploration of early African American history through stories of the first black female students at the University of Illinois, pioneers in Homer, and early black soldiers in the county. Speakers include:

Tamara Hoff, University of Illinois Doctoral Candidate in Education
Ray Cunningham, Mayor of Homer, Illinois
Barbara Oehlschlaeger-Garvey, Director of the Museum of the Grand Prairie

For more information, call 217-333-7841 or visit archives.library.illinois.edu/slc.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: A Nation in Tears: 150 Years After Lincoln’s Death

Lincoln
150 years has passed since the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. To mark this milestone, the Rare Book & Manuscript Library will host an exhibition curated by John Hoffmann, head of the Illinois History and Lincoln Collections at the University Library. The exhibition, A Nation in Tears: 150 Years After Lincoln’s Death, will open on Lincoln’s birthday and close on the anniversary of the day of the President’s burial in Springfield, Illinois.
The exhibition will be previewed at the February 11, 3 p.m. meeting of the No. 44 Society, with remarks by John Hoffmann. All are invited.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Crochet Corner
New activity in the Library, open to the public!

Would you like to learn how to crochet?
Do you have question or a problem with a crochet project you are working on?
Or maybe you would like to take a break and work on a project while chatting with others?

Then we have the event for you! Gil Witte will be hosting Crochet Corner twice a month (one weekday and one Saturday) in 106 Main Library. Anyone is welcome to stop by.

Dates are:
Wednesday, 11:30-1:30, February 18
Saturday, 1-4pm, February 21
Wednesday, 11:30-1:30, March 18
Wednesday, 11:30-1:30, April 15
Saturday, 1-4pm, April 18
Wednesday, 11:30-1:30, May 13

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Chair Yoga Breaks Continue in February
Feeling sleepy, stressed, sad, or sickly? Any or all of the above? Take some time for yourself to breathe deep, relax, and rejuvenate. During these 30-minute chair yoga breaks, we will focus on pranayama (yogic breathing) techniques that directly affect the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering the healing “relaxation response.” Yoga literally means “union,” so we will use this breath in connection with gentle movements and stretches to unify body and mind and to cultivate a state of calm, focused awareness. No yoga experience necessary, just bring you, an open mind, and perhaps a friend!

Christine Janak is a certified RYT-200 yoga instructor.

Tuesdays and Thursday, 11:00-11:30
Room 106 Main Library across from the Business Office

Register on the Staff Calendar:
http://www.library.illinois.edu/calendar/staff/
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Would you like to see a Questions section in LON? If you have a library-related question and would like to see it answered in an upcoming issue, please send it to hmurphy@illinois.edu. Perhaps the answer will benefit the entire LON readership!

If you would like to submit content for the March issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to John Wilkin, Sue Searing, Beth Sandore, or Tom Teper by Wednesday, February 18, 2015.

January Library Office Notes

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

FACILITIES

EVENTS AND TRAINING


ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note

CIC Library Directors Fall Meeting
Faithful readers will recall that I reported on the fall meeting of ARL directors in the November Library Office Notes. By all accounts, you all found that report scintillating, so I figured a similar report on the meeting of the CIC library directors would be appreciated. Read more…
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: RRSS Splits into Research and Information Services and the Scholarly Commons
As of January 1st, 2015, Reference, Research and Scholarly Services will split into two independent units: Research and Information Services and the Scholarly Commons.

The two units will continue to collaborate closely in a number of areas, including co-sponsorship of the Savvy Researcher Workshop series. The RIS will remain a part of the Office of User Services, while the Scholarly Commons will become a part of the Library’s Office of Research.

When the Scholarly Commons was first established in 2009, there was considerable benefit to being part of a larger unit with an encompassing vision to be a central gateway to the Library’s information and research services, supporting the development of research competencies through collaborative work with other scholarly support systems in the Library and on campus. This arrangement also allowed for individual responsibilities and positions to be gradually shifted toward new scholarly services as Scholarly Commons became established. The Scholarly Commons has now grown to the point where it can stand on its own and the scope and diversity of its service programs, which now include research data services, journal publishing, and robust GIS support, will benefit from closer alignment with the Office of Research.

Research and Information Services (RIS) will continue to provide leadership for the Information Desk and the Main/UGL Reference Hub, and coordinate Main Library tours and outreach programs for groups like the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. RIS will also continue to lead content development for second level webpages, including the LEARN pages, LibGuides, the Online Reference Collection, and the Reference Rolodex, that support research across the disciplines and participate in graduate-level instruction programs, including the Savvy Researcher series as well as the ESL 500-level classes for international graduate students taught in collaboration with Cindy Ingold.

Following Sarah Shreeves departure on January 5th for a position as Associate Dean for Digital Strategies at the University of Miami, interim leadership for the Scholarly Commons will be provided by Merinda Hensley, who continues in the Co-Coordinator role, and Karen Hogenboom, whose appointment as Co-Coordinator starts January 6, 2015.

With Sarah’s departure, we have made arrangements for coverage of key areas for which she has been responsible. In several cases we will have a small team of people behind the scenes, but there will be a single point person.

IDEALS – Karen Hogenboom will be the point person. However, *please* continue to use ideals-gen@illinois.edu to ask questions or make requests about IDEALS support and issues. This mailing list will be seen by a small group of people who will be covering various aspects of IDEALS. In addition to Karen, Ayla Stein, MJ Han, Bill Ingram, and Seth Robbins will be providing the support for IDEALS.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) – Merinda Hensley will be the point person. However, *please* continue to use ideals-gen@illinois.edu to ask questions or make requests about ETDs support and issues. This mailing list will be seen by a small group of people who will be covering various aspects of IDEALS. In addition to Merinda, Ayla Stein, MJ Han, Bill Ingram, and Seth Robbins will be providing the support for ETDs.

Scholarly Commons Coordinating – Karen Hogenboom will be stepping into the Scholarly Commons co-coordinator role alongside Merinda Hensley.

Copyright – Arrangements are being made for someone to be the Lead for Copyright as part of Scholarly Commons activities. An announcement will be made early in January. Please direct user questions about copyright to the sc@library.illinois.edu listserv where the Scholarly Commons will help to manage the questions coming through.

Scholarly Communications and Publishing – Merinda Hensley will continue to manage the Undergraduate Journal publishing program, and will also have responsibility for questions related to scholarly communications and open access services. The exception is the pending Open Access Policy that is coming through the Academic Senate; Beth Namchchivaya will manage any questions or issues that are related to this policy.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Awarded CLIR Grant
The Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Illinois has received a $498,942 Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR). The grant will support the project Cataloging Cavagna: Italian Imprints from the Sixteenth through the Nineteenth Century. Read more…
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Office of Research Update
As the Library’s Administrative restructuring was finalized in the late fall, the Library’s Office of Research programs began to take shape. The Office of Research includes these units/ program areas:

Scholarly Commons (Merinda Hensley & Karen Hogenboom, co-Coordinators) Research Data Service (Heidi Imker, Director) Research Support Services (Dan Tracy, LIS & Research Support, based in SSHEL) Researcher Information Systems (Rebecca Bryant, Visiting Manager)

In December the Scholarly Commons focused on making a smooth and effective transition with RRSS to two distinct services — Reference and Information Services (in the Office of User Services) and the Scholarly Commons (in Research). The transition will be effective January 1, 2015.

The unit heads in the Office of Research will begin meeting regularly in January 2015.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library IT Leadership Transition
On January 16, Tom Habing will assume responsibility for Library IT operations as the Director for Library IT overall programs and services. Jim Dohle will continue as Director of Library IT Production Services, as a unit within Library IT. Beth Namachchivaya and Tom are working on the details of the transition. Please contact Beth or Tom if you have any questions about the transition.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Acquisitions Information for Fund Managers now in a LibGuide
Please look at our new presentation of information for bibliographers. This LibGuide provides details on tools available to assist you in ordering material for the Library Collections including Budget cycles and dates, fund reports and vendor tools. An FAQ that will assist new bibliographers is included.

Two new tabs on ebooks and recurring Resources will be added soon. Acquisitions staff will be contacting bibliographers in 2015 to see if this was useful and what changes can be made.

You can find this guide at the training site at:
http://uiuc-training.libguides.com/index.php or use this link to the guide:
http://uiuc-training.libguides.com/libacq

It is also being linked from the Acquisitions web page (easily found from a search of the Gateway) or see: http://www.library.illinois.edu/acq/ and look under Quick Links.
And a big thank you to the Acquisitions graduate assistants who helped to create this guide.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Acquisitions Update on Serial Invoices
Many of the serial invoices are in and have been paid. Elsevier is complete as is Wiley. The bulk of all the EBSCO vended subscriptions have also been paid. We do not have the Springer or Sage invoices as yet but those are obligated on the xxx9 funds at last year’s pricing. We rarely have this much of the serial invoicing completed at the end of December so this is terrific news. Wendy Shelburne, Chad Lewis and Dustin Reinhart made heroic efforts to get these in and paid. We now have spent more than half of our budget and we thank all those who have been regularly reviewing their funds and submitting orders. This is a huge help to keep materials flowing in to Acquisitions and then out again to their libraries or for online activations as the case may be. Thank you and here is also one quick reminder on important dates in 2015:

February 2nd – By close of business on Feb. 2, any remaining orders requiring:
1. approval of a sole source justification or
2. a license and is greater than or equal to $5,000 in total value. Procurement rules are such that an order cannot be assumed unless this date is met.

May 1st – Date of last orders for the current FY for any amount less than $5,000 that does not require a license. This includes all firm orders. The only exception for materials procurement for the current FY will be approval plan orders as those are prepaid on account (but that account must also be paid by last invoice date: last day for transfers to pbad (central approval fund) is therefore also last order day).

May 25th – Date of last invoices. Any invoices received before May 25th will be processed in the current FY if there is a valid order. Acquisitions and the Library Business Office cannot guarantee current FY processing of any invoices received after this date. Invoices received after this date may be held for processing off of the assigned funds in the next FY.

REMINDER: CARLI is moving to a new version of Voyager in mid-June 2015 that will result in some downtime and delays in invoice processing so it is really important that we keep to these dates in order to end our fiscal year. Thanks again for all your help.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Strategic Planning Update
Lisa Hinchliffe, Coordinator for Strategic Planning

I am pleased to start 2015 with the first installment of what will be a monthly update in Library Office Notes about our strategic planning process. This update will be a general summary of progress with highlights and will complement the strategic planning website (http://www.library.illinois.edu/administration/strategicplanning/) and blog (http://publish.illinois.edu/librarystrategicplanning/), which will provide details including document drafts, meetings minutes/summaries, etc. and serve as an archive for the project. I will also be setting up strategic planning office hours for those who would like a one-to-one opportunity for conversation.

October through December were focused on working with John Wilkin, University Librarian, on establishing the strategic planning project and then kick-off meetings with the Steering Team, Executive Committee, Administrative Council, the Cabinet, and the Library Staff Steering Committee in addition to discussions with the Associate University Librarians (AULs). A general timeline for the project is posted and will be updated over time (http://www.library.illinois.edu/administration/strategicplanning/timeline.html). The most immediate focus is preparing for the January 9 Library Retreat. It is really exciting that more than 230 people have chosen to participate in the retreat and engage a wide-ranging discussion about the University Library and its future. The Steering Team and the AULs have done great work on shaping the content of the retreat and I am grateful to Kim Matherly, Zoe Revell, and the Staff Development and Training Advisory Committee who are assisting with the logistics of the event.
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FACILITIES: Project Information
Please visit the Office of Library Facilities webpage for project information (under Facilities–>Project Information). http://www.library.illinois.edu/administration/facilities/
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Glocal Connections Marketplace
January 14, 2015

Do you like hot chocolate and cookies at work? Do you travel for work? Do you want to know where colleagues on the library are working internationally? Then you will definitely want to join the International and Area Studies Library’s Teaching and Engagement Committee for a “Glocal Connections Marketplace” on Wednesday, January 14th from 10am-2pm in conference room 323c in the Main Library.   This special event will invite library employees to contribute to an interactive map that will demonstrate the international nature of our work to campus administration as well as help us connect with colleagues who have experience in specific locations abroad. Stop by any time between 10 and 2 to share your experiences and enjoy free light refreshments donated by iTEC members. We look forward to seeing you on the January 14th, 2015!
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Trivia Night with RBML at Pizza M
Wednesday, January 21, 7:00pm

Please join us at Urbana’s Pizza M restaurant and test your rare book knowledge! RBML will sponsor one round (ten questions) of trivia questions during Pizza M’s regular trivia night contests and provide suitable recognition to the round’s winner. Rare book trivia and pizza: you can’t beat it!
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Would you like to see a Questions section in LON? If you have a library-related question and would like to see it answered in an upcoming issue, please send it to hmurphy@illinois.edu. Perhaps the answer will benefit the entire LON readership!

If you would like to submit content for the February issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to John Wilkin, Sue Searing, Beth Sandore, or Tom Teper by Wednesday, January 21, 2015.

December Library Office Notes

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

HR NEWS

FACILITIES

EVENTS AND TRAINING


ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note

Open Access to Research Articles Act Task Force report now online
Many of you will recall the legislation introduced by Senator Biss, urging Illinois higher education institutions to implement policies in support of Open Access. The Board of Trustees (BOT) appointed a UI task force last year, with senior representatives from all three campuses. We completed the report this Fall. The BOT received the report and I presented the report to the BOT’s Academic and Student Affairs Committee (ASAC) on Wednesday, November 12th. Read more…

The report is now online on the BOT website:
http://www.trustees.uillinois.edu/trustees/agenda/November-13-2014/r-OARAATF-and-Minority-110314.pdf
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: New ContentDM Resource:
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music have been working with William Brooks and the Library’s DCC, Content Access Management and Metadata crews to digitize the WWI sheet music contained in its James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection and make it available as a new ContentDM resource. The music, lyrics, and graphic art illustrations contained in this new ContentDM resource are intended to provide insights into American life during and after the War for students, teachers, and scholars interested in learning more about Midwestern perceptions of this military conflict.

The James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection can be accessed at http://imagesearchnew.library.illinois.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/myers.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mortenson Center Awarded Grant
The Mortenson Center for International Library Programs has been awarded a $521,014 three-year grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which will help make leadership training accessible to librarians around the world. Read more…
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Advancement Activity
Dean John Wilkin and the Library Advancement team hosted the 2014 Library Friends Reception on November 8 in the Reading Room. The annual event thanks and honors donors to the Library who, cumulatively, gave more than $2.2 million in fiscal year 2014.

As part of the event, Tad Boehmer of the Rare Book and Manuscript Library, gave a talk on research he did for Marks of Distinction: Reflections on the Reading Room Windows. His work gave a brief history of each of the printers commemorated in the 27 stained glass printers’ marks windows. There was also an exhibit of books produced by those printers.

Another highlight of the evening was honoring Ellen and Chat Chatterjee for their long-standing and significant support of the Library. The Library depends on donors like the Chatterjees to help us accomplish our goals of supporting students and faculty in their education and research.

In upcoming weeks, the Advancement Office will be busy with end-of-year giving and in planning for future events. More on what Advancement is doing to support the Library will be included in future Library Office Notes.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Gift Checks
The end of the calendar year is nigh! To help us respect the wishes of our generous Library Friends and ensure that all 2014 gifts are processed in 2014, please forward any recent donations (checks) your library might have received to Library Advancement, 227 Main Library, by Friday, December 19, 2014. Call Library Advancement at 333-5682 for more info.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: By The Numbers
Here are a few more facts and figures from FY14 Library unit annual reports. Unit annual reports since 2000 may be accessed through the Office of User Services website, http://www.library.illinois.edu/planning/. The figures below cover July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014. This month we look at training and professional development.

  • 47 New GAs who attended Fall 2013 GA orientation
  • 32 Training sessions provided for Main/UGL hub participants (faculty, staff and GAs)
  • 34 Webinar viewings hosted by the Staff Development and Training program
  • 100 Percent of participants in Mortenson Center training who were “satisfied” or “very satisfied”

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HR NEWS: Faculty and AP Searches
Below is a summary of current academic searches as of December 1, 2014 (click on graphic below to enlarge). A more comprehensive listing is sent via LibNews each month.
search_status_december
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HR NEWS: Civil Service Staff Openings

  • Library Specialist, Content Access Management, requires cartographic knowledge, interviewing, 1st referral
  • Library Specialist, Central Access Services, interviewing 2nd referral
  • Library Operations Associate, Music and Performing Arts Library, interviewing, 1st referral

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HR NEWS: New Employees 

Civil Service (since October 31, 2014)

  • Aneitre Johnson, Clerk, Library Human Resources, November 24, 2014
  • Gail Schmall, Library Specialist, Central Access Services, December 1, 2014

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HR NEWS: Separations

  • Ryan Edge, Visiting IMLS Project Manager, resigned November 14, 2014
  • Betsy Kruger, Head, Digital Content Creation and Associate Professor, retired effective December 1, 2014

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HR NEWS: Weather and Holidays
As we approach winter and the weather changes, employees are reminded that Weather-Related Information and FAQs are located on the Staff Human Resources website, shr.illinois.edu. In addition, the 2014-2015 Campus Holiday Schedule is also located on the Staff Human Resources site.
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HR NEWS: Reduced Service Days
As was relayed in an email from Sue Searing on November 13, December 24, 25, 26, and January 1 are holidays, and our libraries will be closed. In addition, the University has established December 29, 30, and 31 and January 2 as Reduced Service Days for the Urbana campus. (For the full holiday calendar, please see: http://www.shr.illinois.edu/resources/Holiday_Schedule_2014-15.html.)

Per the calendar, “As in past years, it is expected that most units will be closed and most employees will not be working on these four days…. Employees can choose to use four days of benefits (vacation, floating holidays), or take time without pay, or any combination thereof.”

The University Library operates only selected service points during Reduced Service Days, and most units will be closed.

Library staff interested in an alternative work assignment during Reduced Service Days should discuss this request with their supervisors and then contact Skye Arseneau in Library Human Resources (yoskye@illinois.edu) to determine if an alternative assignment can be made. Please contact Skye no later than December 6, in order to facilitate effective scheduling.
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HR NEWS: Graduate Assistantships for Spring 2015
If your unit will have a vacancy for an assistantship starting in the Spring, please notify Library Human Resources so that the assistantship can be posted on our website.
Graduate assistants who are completing their assistantships are asked to complete the GA exit form available on the Library Human Resources website.
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HR NEWS: University Library Awards and Recognitions
The Committee for the University Library Awards and Recognitions is delighted to announce the winners for 2014 Outstanding University Library Civil Service Employees. The 2014 Outstanding awardees are Paul Kotheimer, University High School Library and Zoe Revell, Business Information Services and Staff Development and Training. Awards were presented at the annual Service Recognition Breakfast on Wednesday, October 29, 2014. The award carries a cash award of $1,000. CONGRATULATIONS Paul and Zoe!
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FACILITIES: Project Information
Please visit the Office of Library Facilities webpage for project updates. http://www.library.illinois.edu/administration/facilities/
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FACILITIES: Emergency Planning Information
Completed Building Emergency Action Plans (BEAPs) can be located at: http://www.library.illinois.edu/prescons/disaster_response/BuildingEmergencyActionPlans.html
Instructions for training requirements was sent out on Libnews Friday, November 14, 2014 3:16 PM

Additional active threat information is available on the Division of Public Safety – Emergency Planning website (http://police.illinois.edu/emergency/activethreat/) along with the link to sign up for the Active Threat Class.
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FACILITIES: Key Audit
Norris Purdy and Dillon Brown in Stores & Distribution are performing comprehensive key audits for all Library departments and units.  The information is being entered into the new key database management system for the Library, which we hope to have fully functioning by the end of the Spring Semester 2015.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Technology Prototyping Service Open House
Friday, December 5, 2:00-4:00pm
Grainger Room 52

prototyping

At the Prototyping open house, students will share projects from this Fall, and we would like to gather staff ideas on technology prototyping work we can investigate in the Spring semester.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Aromatherapy for Wellness and Stress Management
Tuesday, December 9, 1:00-2:00pm
106 Library
Presenter: Michelle Guerra, Director, UI Wellness Center

Aromatherapy is the practice of using the natural oils extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots or other parts of a plant to enhance psychological and physical well-being. Some evidence exists that essential oils may have therapeutic potential. Some benefits that have been linked to aromatherapy include relaxation and clarity of mind.

This light-hearted and fun session teaches participants the benefits of aromatherapy, the potential positive effects of several common essential oils, and how to practice aromatherapy safely and effectively.

Participants create a personal aromatherapy patch to take with them.

Register on the Staff Calendar: http://www.library.illinois.edu/calendar/staff/
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: No. 44 Society Holiday Party and Note Writing Tips
Wednesday, December 10, 3:00pm
Rare Book & Manuscript Library

holidaynotewriting

This year’s theme is Holiday Note Writing. You know you have to do it, so why not do it with style? Come meet with fountain pen aficionados from our local Pen Central club and learn some tricks for jazzing up your end of the year missives. To inspire you further, we will have on exhibit some holiday notes from famous literary and cultural figures. You might even be able to obtain some lovely seasonal cards while here!

And as if that were not enough, we will also mark the birthday of our beloved John Milton (December 9, 1608)!
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Chair Yoga Breaks with Christine Janak Continue in December
Tuesdays and Thursdays
11:00-11:30am, Room 106 Main Library

Feeling sleepy, stressed, sad, or sickly? Any or all of the above? Take some time for yourself to breathe deep, relax, and rejuvenate. During these 30-minute chair yoga breaks, we will focus on pranayama (yogic breathing) techniques that directly affect the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering the healing “relaxation response.” Yoga literally means “union,” so we will use this breath in connection with gentle movements and stretches to unify body and mind and to cultivate a state of calm, focused awareness. No yoga experience necessary, just bring you, an open mind, and perhaps a friend!

Christine Janak is a certified RYT-200 yoga instructor.

Register on the Staff Calendar: http://www.library.illinois.edu/calendar/staff/
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Would you like to see a Questions section in LON? If you have a library-related question and would like to see it answered in an upcoming issue, please send it to hmurphy@illinois.edu. Perhaps the answer will benefit the entire LON readership!

If you would like to submit content for the January issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to John Wilkin, Sue Searing, Beth Sandore, or Tom Teper by Tuesday, December 23, 2014.

November Library Office Notes

Posted on by

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HR NEWS

FACILITIES

EVENTS AND TRAINING


ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note
University Librarian John Wilkin looks to include a regular report or topic of interest in forthcoming issues of Library Office Notes. This is the first of such inclusions.

ARL Membership Meeting, Fall 2014
The ARL Membership Meeting is a meeting for the library directors, held twice a year. The agenda is always a combination of committee and business activities, along with some programming. With the conclusion of the Strategic Thinking+Design (ST+D) process, I expect to see some fairly dramatic changes in the way we do our work in ARL, but those changes are still imminent. Read more…

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Noteworthy Donations to HPNL
The University Library has received the donation of print copies of the Daily Illini, a culturally significant independent student paper at the University of Illinois. Under the agreement negotiated by Marek Sroka (HPNL) and Jason Quackenbush (Library Advancement), the Illini Media Company has donated about 250 bound volumes of The Daily Illini, ranging in date from 1904 to 2012, to the University Library. The newspaper is accessible to researchers interested in student life and culture at Illinois.

Another important donation negotiated by the History, Philosophy and Newspaper Library includes two portfolios of Spanish-American War newspapers received from the Illinois Valley Community College Jacobs Library. The donation comprises of the 1898 issues of Chicago Journal and the Chicago Dispatch, including multiple “extra” editions. All but one of the issues are new to our collection.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: By The Numbers
Here are a few more facts and figures from FY14 Library unit annual reports. Unit annual reports since 2000 may be accessed through the Office of User Services (http://www.library.illinois.edu/planning/). The figures below cover July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014. This month we feature online content and services.

  • 26,463 items on e-reserve
  • 193,969 uses of e-reserves
  • 271,976+ digital files created in-house by the Digital Content Creation unit
  • 9,893 volumes digitized for the Internet Archive
  • 570,220 total views of LibGuides pages
  • 96 LibGuides with over 1,000 views

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HR NEWS: Faculty and AP Searches
Below is a summary of current academic searches as of October 30, 2014 (click on graphic below to enlarge). A more comprehensive listing is sent via LibNews each month.
search_status_november
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HR NEWS: Civil Service Staff Openings

  • Library Specialist, Central Access Services, interviewing, 2nd referral
  • Library Specialist, Central Access Services, interviewing 1st referral
  • Library Operations Associate, waiting for 1st referral

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HR NEWS: New Employees 

Faculty (since September 30, 2014)

  • Susanne Belovari, Archivist for Faculty Papers and Assistant Professor, University Library. Start date is November 10, 2014.
  • J. J. Pionke, Applied Health Sciences Librarian and Assistant Professor, University Library. Start date is November 1, 2014.

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HR NEWS: New Processes for Academic Hourly Hiring –> Reminder

Another reminder:  Academic Human Resources now requires that Academic Hourly position descriptions be approved BEFORE the employee can start working.  Please be sure to submit your position descriptions before the JOYCE transaction is initiated.  Please direct any questions to our office.
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HR NEWS: University Library Awards and Recognitions
The Committee for the University Library Awards and Recognitions is delighted to announce the winners for 2014 Outstanding University Library Faculty Member and 2014 Outstanding Academic Professional.  The 2014 Outstanding Faculty Member is Nancy O’Brien, Head, Social Sciences, Health and Education Library and Professor.  The 2014 Outstanding Professional is Dennis Sears, Collections and Services Specialist, Rare Book and Manuscript Library.  Awards were presented at the annual Faculty/Academic Professional Recognition Dinner on Tuesday, October 21, 2014.  The award carries a cash award of $1,000.  CONGRATULATIONS Nancy and Dennis!
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FACILITIES: Projects in Planning

  • Main Library – Gregory Drive Sidewalk/abandon electric vault cover replacement. Consultant is designing the replacement lid/sidewalk for a section of sidewalk along the south side of the Main Library that has major deterioration. Electrical work in vault in preparation for vault lid cover replacement is complete – lid replacement scheduled for week of Fall Break 2014. Facilities & Services’ project.
  • Main Library – 1st floor center restroom renovation. The project will renovate both spaces providing one accessible women’s and one accessible men’s restroom on the first floor adjacent to the Marshall Gallery. Construction to start Fall 2014 – Library restrooms scheduled for after Commencement 2015. Facilities & Services’ project.
  • Main Library – Room 220 operational planning for Scholarly Commons and Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) services. Operational planning continues, CITL having difficulties with space vs program requirements. Schedule for renovation is being developed after initial facilities planning meeting being scheduled.
  • Grainger Engineering Library & Information Center – Design Center – New collaboration project between the College of Engineering and Grainger Engineering Library Current proposal would re envision the west end of the basement level – room 000 and the center section, first floor west end and second floor west end. Library Facilities removing cantilever shelving and relocating existing furniture in anticipation of remodeling. Space to be cleared by early November 2014.
  • Horticulture Field Laboratory – University Archives NEH Grant Remodeling – The project will replace the existing environmental system for the three existing vaults, construct a new vault for instrument storage in room 108 and install fire suppression in all 4 vaults. 50% construction document review meeting complete and 95% construction document review meeting set for December 2, 2014.
  • Administration move to 4th floor – finalizing initial layout with AULs
  • 2014 Matching Funds
    -UGL and Main door replacement – reviewing additional exterior enclosures and hiring design consultant
    -Main Library corridor flooring replacement and stair renovation – processing documents and adjusting budget based on the UGL and Main Door replacement project.
  • Oak Street Library Facility – mobile shelving purchase – LBO and Library Facilities working on sole sourcing product. First draft of sole document sent to Purchasing.
  • Phase 2C – South Light Court, Roofs and Exterior Duct work – F&S is looking into FY15 maintenance funds for roof replacement, hiring consultant to investigate exterior duct work elimination and Facilities Planning Committee rescheduling.
  • Exhibit space for UGL on the upper level adjacent to main entry under review and investigation.

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FACILITIES: Projects in Construction

  • Main Library – Room 1 Renovation for Technical Services – CAM will provide new space and furniture for the staff currently located in room 220 Main Library. The room is in the final stage vacating remain surplus shelving and equipment and wall repair and painting have begun. Initial furniture plan is being finalized along with investigation by F&S for HVAC and lighting. F&S is to investigate the HVAC capacity of room 1 to determine the viability of using the AHU Library Project.
  • Main Library – Air Conditioning Plant – Main Stacks Cooling Tower Replacement. Two existing cooling towers located above the 4th Main Stack addition will be replaced in the next 9 months. Tower replacement almost complete. Facilities & Services project.
  • Main Library – Phase 2B Masonry Restoration and Window Replacement – North Lightcourt. Mortar grinding is 100% complete. Window replacement – 98% complete, change order work for the remaining light court window replacements is 90% complete. The remaining 10 arched topped windows on the east façade of Reading Room 200 will be replaced starting November 10, 2014.
  • Main Library – Room 146 renovation in preparation for the University Archives relocation. Flat files to arrive first week in November 2014. Electrical and data work is scheduled to begin week of November 3rd . Furniture layouts finalized and orders being placed. Move of Archives is anticipated to occur towards the end of Winter Break.
  • Undergraduate Library – additional panel enclosures are finalize and being orderedfor the Media Commons, adding printer tables, and lounge furniture.
  • Main Library – Parking Lot E3 Drainage Project is reviewing alternative solutions to resolving the water overflow from the E3 parking lot into the west basement entry and loading dock. The work will be done summer 2014 or summer 2015. Facilities & Services, Campus Parking and Library project. Project scope is being revised.

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FACILITIES: Projects in Completion

  • Main Library – Preservation 425, 425A, 425B, 425C, 427, 429, 437 and 439. Preservation staff have completed their move into their office spaces with final remodeling of labs to follow. F&S will be providing construction services in rooms 425A, 425B and 439 (labs and work rooms). Additional electric work in 425 and sink install in 439 are set up and being scheduled by F&S. Finalizing acoustic panels and doors for 425A and 425B.
  • Main Library – Room 106 Renovation. The room should be finished by mid summer. It will be a hybrid conference/seminar/limited instruction space. The space is intended to provide flexible arrangements with 8 mobile tables, 35 chairs with casters, 3 – 80” flat panel displays mounted on N. W. & E. walls. Library IT is working with CITES on finalizing the necessary comments for the A/V in the room. No change.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: American Music Month
America’s Music in Peace and War: A 20th-Century Revue
Concerts, Lectures, and Exhibitions
November 1-30, 2014
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, University Library, School of Music, and Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

To commemorate the one hundred-year anniversary of the start of World War I and illustrate how this first world conflict forever changed the face of music in America, the University of Illinois’ 2014 American Music Month celebration will explore the indoctrination of social and political ideals across twentieth-century America through music during times of peace and war.
Events Calendar
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Lighten Your Holidays
Wednesday, November 5, 10:00 – 11:00am
106 Library

Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and more are just around the corner! Looking forward to all of the holiday treats but not the prospect of gaining weight? Come learn how to modify family favorite recipes with simple tweaks to make them more nutritious and easier on the waistline. This fun workshop will be taught by Leia Kedem, registered dietitian with University of Illinois Extension. Everyone will get handouts and recipes to take home and there will be samples of “rescued” recipes!

Send your holiday recipe – entree, side, or dessert – to Zoe Revell. All recipes submitted will be made available as a library recipe collection.

Register on the Staff Calendar: http://www.library.illinois.edu/calendar/staff/
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: The Lincoln “OKCC” (Only Known Copy Club) and Other By-Ways of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Wednesday, November 12, 3:00pm
Rare Book & Manuscript Library

lincoln

If Lincoln is putatively the most-written about person after Jesus, is it fair to expect that lots of copies of all that writing exist? Fair, but incorrect. The breadth of Lincoln’s niche in American political and literary history may be great, but the edges of its documentation can be shockingly narrow. A surprising number of publications about Lincoln (maybe as many as four score and seven?) exist in only one known copy. There’s even one imprint BY him that seems to qualify for the “OKCC.”

For the November No. 44 Society meeting, The Rare Book & Manuscript Library has invited James Cornelius, the Curator of the Lincoln Collection at the Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois, to deliver an illustrated talk about the collections in the world’s largest gathering of “Lincolniana.” He will explore the mysteries of how so many publications about Lincoln are exceedingly scarce and also provide a general round-up account of the ALPLM’s collections.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Stress Management – Relaxation Techniques
Tuesday, November 18, 10:00- 11:00am
106 Library
Presenter: Michelle Guerra, Director, UI Wellness Center

Learning to Relax
Objectives:

  • Understand how stress affects you physically
  • Learn what the relaxation response is and how it works
  • Practice a variety of relaxation techniques
  • Learn to select a relaxation technique that works for you

Register on the Staff Calendar: http://www.library.illinois.edu/calendar/staff/
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Chair Yoga Breaks with Christine Janak Continue in November
Tuesdays and Thursdays
11:00-11:30am, Room 106 Main Library

Feeling sleepy, stressed, sad, or sickly? Any or all of the above? Take some time for yourself to breathe deep, relax, and rejuvenate. During these 30-minute chair yoga breaks, we will focus on pranayama (yogic breathing) techniques that directly affect the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering the healing “relaxation response.” Yoga literally means “union,” so we will use this breath in connection with gentle movements and stretches to unify body and mind and to cultivate a state of calm, focused awareness. No yoga experience necessary, just bring you, an open mind, and perhaps a friend!

Christine Janak is a certified RYT-200 yoga instructor.

Register on the Staff Calendar: http://www.library.illinois.edu/calendar/staff/
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Would you like to see a Questions section in LON? If you have a library-related question and would like to see it answered in an upcoming issue, please send it to hmurphy@illinois.edu. Perhaps the answer will benefit the entire LON readership!

If you would like to submit content for the December issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to John Wilkin, Sue Searing, Beth Sandore, or Tom Teper by Wednesday, November 19, 2014.

October Library Office Notes

Posted on by

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HR NEWS

FACILITIES

EVENTS AND TRAINING


ANNOUNCEMENTS: Executive Committee Meetings
Do you want to know what is happening at Executive Committee meetings? What is on the agenda? This is a reminder that the agendas and minutes of the EC meetings are available online at http://www.library.illinois.edu/committee/exec/ExecutiveCommitteeMeetings2014-2015. You will also find related discussion documents and approved policies posted there. Agendas, minutes and related documents for many of our library-wide committees are also online. Go to the Library Committee Handbook and choose the group you want to know more about. Many of the Library Committees post these items on a regular basis to help you stay informed about the issues in the Library and the actions of your colleagues.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: By The Numbers
For your edification and amusement, we’ve culled some facts and figures from FY14 Library unit annual reports. Unit annual reports since 2000 may be accessed through the Office of User Services website, http://www.library.illinois.edu/planning/. The figures below cover July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014. This month we feature collections-related data.

  • 45,896 new items added to the Main Stacks collection
  • 2,800 items transferred out of the crowded Ricker Library to the Main Stacks
  • 8,100+ items transferred out of the likewise crowded Classics Library to the Main Stacks or Oak Street
  • 17,863 items in the newly acquired Erlewine collection of astrology materials, processed by CMS and SSHEL
  • 252,571 items accessioned at the Oak Street facility
  • 188 items at Oak Street transferred back to other campus libraries due to use levels

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HR NEWS: Faculty and AP Searches
Below is a summary of current academic searches as of September 30, 2014 (click on graphic below to enlarge). A more comprehensive listing is sent via LibNews each month.
search_status_october.jpg
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HR NEWS: Civil Service Staff Openings

  • Library Specialist, Acquisitions, requires French/German language, currently working with Staff Human Resources to identify candidates with language skill set needed
  • Library Specialist, Central Access Services, interviewing, 2nd referral
  • Library Specialist, Central Access Services, interviewing 1st referral

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HR NEWS: New Employees 

Academic Professional (since September 25, 2014)

  • Megan Hixon, Archival and Literary Manuscripts Specialist, RBML, September 16, 2014
  • Scott A.R. Koeneman, Assistant Dean for Advancement, September 19, 2014
  • Kirsten Feist, Instructional Services Specialist, October 1, 2014

Civil Service (since September 25, 2014)

  • Nancy Taylor, FTE increase to 100%, Music and Performing Arts Library, 9/29/2014

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HR NEWS: Separations

Academic Professional

  • Annette Morris, Brittle Books Coordinator, retired effective September 24, 2014

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HR NEWS: New Processes forAcademic Hourly Hiring
Academic Human Resources now requires that Academic Hourly position descriptions be approved BEFORE the employee can start working. Please be sure to submit your position descriptions before the JOYCE transaction is initiated. Please direct any questions to our office.
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FACILITIES: Projects in Planning

  • Main Library – Gregory Drive Sidewalk/abandon electric vault cover replacement. Consultant is designing the replacement lid/sidewalk for a section of sidewalk along the south side of the Main Library that has major deterioration. Work being performed in vault in preparation for vault lid cover replacement – Fall Semester 2014. Facilities & Services’ project.
  • Main Library – 1st floor center restroom renovation. The project will renovate both spaces providing one accessible women’s and one accessible men’s restroom on the first floor adjacent to the Marshall Gallery. Construction to start Fall 2014. Facilities & Services’ project.
  • Main Library – Room 220 operational planning for Scholarly Commons and Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) services. Operational planning continues. Schedule for renovation is being developed.
  • Grainger Engineering Library & Information Center – Design Center – New collaboration project between the College of Engineering and Grainger Engineering Library. Current proposal would re envision the west end of the basement level – room 000 and the center section. Library Facilities removing cantilever shelving and relocating existing furniture in anticipation of remodeling. Space to be cleared by the end of October 2014.
  • Horticulture Field Laboratory – University Archives NEH Grant Remodeling – The project will replace the existing environmental system for the three existing vaults, construct a new vault for instrument storage in room 108 and install fire suppression in all 4 vaults. Received 50% construction documents and review meeting is set for October 13, 2014.
  • Administration move to 4th floor – layout options still in progress
  • 2014 Matching Funds
    -UGL and Main door replacement – F&S hiring retainer consultant – reviewing estimate
    -Main Library corridor flooring replacement and stair renovation – meeting set with F&S
  • Oak Street Library Facility – mobile shelving purchase – LBO and Library Facilities working on sole sourcing product.
  • Phase 2C – South Light Court, Roofs and Exterior Duct work – F&S is looking into FY15 maintenance funds for roof replacement, defining scope of work for consultant to investigate exterior duct work elimination and Facilities Planning Committee rescheduling.

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FACILITIES: Projects in Construction

  • Main Library – Room 1 Renovation for Technical Services – CAM will provide new space and furniture for the staff currently located in room 220 Main Library. The room is in the final stage vacating remain surplus shelving and equipment and wall repair and painting have begun. Initial furniture plan is being finalized along with investigation by F&S for HVAC and lighting. Library Project.
  • Main Library – Air Conditioning Plant – Main Stacks Cooling Tower Replacement. Two existing cooling towers located above the 4th Main Stack addition will be replaced in the next 9 months. Site mobilization will take place in late September 2014 and cooling tower replacement starting in October 2014. The southeast section of Parking Lot E3 will be closed in September for construction staging. Power feeds to Library IT file server room and office suite is being relocated September 27, 2014 in anticipation of this project. Facilities & Services project
  • Main Library – Phase 2B Masonry Restoration and Window Replacement – North Lightcourt. Mortar grinding is 100% complete. Window replacement – 98% complete, change order work for the remaining light court window replacements has begun. The remaining 10 arched topped windows on the east façade of Reading Room 200 will be replaced in late November 2014.
  • Main Library – Room 146 renovation in preparation for the University Archives relocation. Painting and flooring replacement and window shade installation complete. Electrical and data work to follow the completion of the shelving and furniture layout. Shelving and furniture orders in progress.
  • Undergraduate Library – additional panel enclosures, reading/collaboration tables and staff loanable tech cabinets ordered for the Media Commons.
  • Main Library – Parking Lot E3 Drainage Study Consultant has finalized the plan for resolving the water overflow from the E3 parking lot into the west basement entry and loading dock. Campus Parking is reviewing construction delivery methods and schedule. The work will be done summer 2014 or summer 2015. Facilities & Services, Campus Parking and Library project.

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FACILITIES: Projects in Completion

  • Main Library – Preservation 425, 425A, 425B, 425C, 427, 429, 437 and 439. Preservation staff have completed their move into their office spaces with final remodeling of labs to follow. F&S will be providing construction services in rooms 425A, 425B and 439 (labs and work rooms).
  • Main Library – Room 106 Renovation The room should be finished by mid summer. It will be a hybrid conference/seminar/limited instruction space. The space is intended to provide flexible arrangements with 8 mobile tables, 35 chairs with casters, 3 – 80” flat panel displays mounted on N. W. & E. walls. Library IT is working with CITES on finalizing the necessary comments for the A/V in the room.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Blood Drive
October 2, 11am-4pm
Main Library Parking Lot
Sign up for on the Staff Training Calendar: http://www.library.illinois.edu/calendar/staff/
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Flu Clinics at the UGL
Monday, Oct. 6, 1:30 – 4:30pm
Monday, Oct. 13, 1:30 – 4:30pm
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1:30 – 4:30pm

For Flu Vaccine Information, visit http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/General/News/flu_vaccine.htm.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Chai Wei Series 
On Tuesday, October 14 from 2:00-3:00pm, the International and Area Studies Library will be hosting the first installment in our new “Chai Wai” series. Chai Wai is Hindi for “tea or something like that” and along with tea, these events will be serving up some enlightened conversations on important current issues of global import. The conversation will be informed and guided by a moderator and 3-4 experts or stakeholders in the issue at hand.

For our first Chai Wai event we will explore the issue of Migrants, Immigrants and Refugees, with a panel that includes a seasoned scholar, activists, and a student with a compelling story to share. The event will be held in the International and Area Studies Library in 321 Main Library and is free and open to the public. Come on out and bring your own thoughts, questions and ideas and enjoy free tea and refreshments!
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HR NEWS: Retirement Seminar
SURS is offering fall Retirement Education Seminars for members enrolled in the Traditional and Portable plans. The following one-day seminars will be held at the SURS office in Champaign. The sessions will be specific to your employer type. A session in Champaign for University Employees is scheduled for:
Tuesday, October 28th – University Employees

These seminars will be held from approximately 9:30am to 3:00pm. Registration is required. The enrollment fee is $20 per member and $10 for a non-member guest. Lunch will be provided.

Please contact a SURS representative at 800-275-7877 to register.

Topics will include:

  • Eligibility for retirement
  • Purchasing additional service credit–cost, availability, ways to purchase, how the purchase may benefit you
  • How benefits are calculated under both Money Purchase (if applicable) and General Formula
  • What happens when you pass away
  • Death Benefits–who qualifies, amount payable
  • Survivor Benefits–who qualifies, amount payable
  • Applying for your retirement benefit
  • What happens after you retire–preliminary estimated payment stage (PEP), taxes, automatic annual increase (AAI), returning to work after retirement
  • Benefits to having a counseling appointment within four years of retirement

See more at: http://www.surs.com/news-article/072214/retirement-education-seminars-champaign#sthash.h0zXqn01.dpuf
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Principles for Effective Verbal Intervention
A discussion of basic strategies for dealing with disruptive, challenging, or difficult patrons. We will learn to view our patron interactions with greater awareness, learn introductory techniques to de-escalate problematic situations, and cover some basic self-care ideas.

Presenter Mickie Bailot
Before coming to the library, Mickie was an Agency Trainer for the Mental Health Center of Champaign County and taught Nonviolent Crisis Intervention.

Two identical sessions
Room 106 Main Library
Tuesday, October 28, 1-2pm
Thursday, October 30, 3-4pm

Sign up for on the Staff Training Calendar: http://www.library.illinois.edu/calendar/staff/
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: University Library Long Term Service Recognition Program for Civil Service Staff
Wednesday, October 29, 2014, 8:30am – 10:00am, at the ARC, Activities and Recreation Center, 201 East Peabody Drive, Champaign.

The Social Committee hopes as many staff as possible can attend this very popular annual recognition. Breakfast will be served!
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Chair Yoga
Tuesdays and Thursdays
11:00am, Room 106 Main Library

Sign up for on the Staff Training Calendar: http://www.library.illinois.edu/calendar/staff/
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If you would like to submit content for the November 1 issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to John Wilkin, Sue Searing, Beth Sandore, or Tom Teper by Wednesday, October 22, 2014.

September Library Office Notes

Posted on by

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HR NEWS

FACILITIES

EVENTS AND TRAINING


ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library-Wide Update
The next Library update is scheduled on September 12 from 1-2pm in 66 Library. A full agenda will follow in the next week, but among other things, will be discussions about the organization process, Climate Qual survey, and the budget.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Cameos in Chancellor Welcome Message
The Main Library and Grainger Library appear in Chancellor Wise’s fall welcome video at 0:11, 0:43, and 0:48. See the entire message at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cninA_vIvM.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Data Purchase Program
The 2014 Data Purchase Program is in progress. Please tell faculty, graduate students, and academic professionals who are using data for research that funds are available to purchase data sets up to $5,000, if the data can be shared with campus. More information and an application form are at http://go.library.illinois.edu/data. Contact Karen Hogenboom with questions (hogenboo@illinois.edu).
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HR NEWS: Faculty and AP Searches
Below is a summary of current academic searches as of August 28, 2014 (click on graphic below to enlarge). A more comprehensive listing is sent via LibNews each month.
search_status_september
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HR NEWS: Civil Service Staff Openings

  • Library Operations Associate, Funk ACES Library, position closed, will reopen again after testing
  • Office Support Associate, Library Human Resources, checking references
  • Library Specialist, Acquisitions, requires French/German language, currently interviewing
  • Library Specialist, Music and Performing Arts Library, currently interviewing
  • Library Specialist, Central Access Services, waiting for 1st referral
  • Library Specialist, Central Access Services, waiting for 1st referral

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HR NEWS: New Employees 

Civil Service (since July 31, 2014)

  • Mark Rogers, Library Specialist, Undergraduate Library, late night shift, 8/6/2014
  • Nada Sweid, Library Specialist, Acquisitions, Arabic position, 8/18/2014
  • Dmitry Tartovsky, Library Specialist, Grainger, late night shift, 8/25/2014
  • Dustin Reinhart, transfer, Account Technician II, Acquisitions, 8/4/2014

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HR NEWS: Separations

Faculty

  • Mary Beth Allen, Applied Health Sciences Librarian, retired August 31, 2014
  • Larry Miller, Senior Slavic Bibliographer and Professor, retired August 31, 2014

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HR NEWS: New Graduate Assistant Processing for Fall Semester Complete
All graduate assistants hired for units in the University Library with an effective date of August 16, 2014, (that were submitted to LHR before 8/16) have been entered in the HRFE system and applied in BANNER. This means all are set for their first pay on September 16, 2014, and partial tuition and fee waivers should be applied in time for the first billing.

New Undergraduate student assistants continue to be added to the payroll on a regular basis. We see some signs of slowing of hiring.
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FACILITIES: Projects in Planning

  • Main Library – Gregory Drive Sidewalk/abandon electric vault cover replacement. Consultant is designing the replacement lid/sidewalk for a section of sidewalk along the south side of the Main Library that has major deterioration. Construction to be done early Fall Semester 2014. Facilities & Services’ project.
  • Main Library – 1st floor center restroom renovation. The project will renovate both spaces providing one accessible women’s and one accessible men’s restroom on the first floor adjacent to the Marshall Gallery. Bid opening August 29 and Sept 2. Construction to start Fall 2014. Facilities & Services’ project.
  • Main Library – Room 220 operational planning for Scholarly Commons and Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) services. Schedule for renovation is being developed.
  • Grainger Engineering Library & Information Center – Design Center – New collaboration project between the College of Engineering and Grainger Engineering Library Current proposal would re envision the west end of the basement level – room 000 and the center section.
  • Horticulture Field Laboratory – University Archives NEH Grant Remodeling – The project will replace the existing environmental system for the three existing vaults, construct a new vault for instrument storage in room 108 and install fire suppression in all 4 vaults. Design Development phase complete, moving into the Construction Document Phase.

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FACILITIES: Projects in Construction

  • Main Library – Room 1 Renovation for Technical Services – CAM will provide new space and furniture for the staff currently located in room 220 Main Library. The room is being vacated of collection material and wall repair and painting have begun. Library Project.
  • Main Library – Air Conditioning Plant – Main Stacks Cooling Tower Replacement. Two existing cooling towers located above the 4th Main Stack addition will be replaced in the next 9 months. Site mobilization will take place in late September 2014 and cooling tower replacement starting in October 2014. The southeast section of Parking Lot E3 will be closed in September for construction staging. Facilities & Services project
  • Main Library – Phase 2B Masonry Restoration and Window Replacement – North Lightcourt. Mortar grinding is 100% complete. Window replacement – 98% complete
  • Main Library – Room 146 renovation in preparation for the University Archives relocation. Painting and flooring replacement and window shade installation complete. Electrical and data work to follow the completion of the shelving and furniture layout. Shelving and furniture orders in progress.
  • Undergraduate Library – additional panel enclosures, reading/collaboration tables and staff loanable tech cabinets ordered for the Media Commons.
  • Main Library – Parking Lot E3 Drainage Study Consultant has finalized the plan for resolving the water overflow from the E3 parking lot into the west basement entry and loading dock. Campus Parking is reviewing construction delivery methods and schedule. The work will be done summer 2014 or summer 2015. Facilities & Services, Campus Parking and Library project.
  • Campus Streets – Surface Replacement Projects – Summer 2014 Please visit the following links for project descriptions and scheduling.
    -Sixth Street from Gregory to Armory will be done in phases to allow the E3 parking lot adjacent to the Main Library to remain open during the project. http://www.fs.illinois.edu/projects/major-campus-street-projects
    -Fourth Street from Kirby to Armory http://www.fs.illinois.edu/projects/major-campus-street-projects/fourth-street
    -Gregory Drive from First to Fourth http://www.fs.illinois.edu/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2014-05-16_gregorystreetphasei.pdf?sfvrsn=0

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FACILITIES: Projects in Completion

  • Main Library – Preservation 425, 425A, 425B, 425C, 427, 429, 437 and 439. Preservation staff have completed their move into their office spaces with final remodeling of labs to follow. F&S will be providing construction services in rooms 425A, 425B and 439 (labs and work rooms).
  • Undergraduate Library – Upper Level Flooring replacement project. The upper level of the UGL is out of service until the end of July 2014. Please be aware 291 UGL scheduling will need to be reserved in other Library instructional labs. The circulation desk will be set up temporarily in the lower level for the duration of the project.
  • Main Library – Room 106 Renovation The room should be finished by mid summer. It will be a hybrid conference/seminar/limited instruction space. The space is intended to provide flexible arrangements with 8 mobile tables, 35 chairs with casters, 3 – 80” flat panel displays mounted on N. W. & E. walls. Library IT is working with CITES on finalizing the necessary comments for the A/V in the room.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Talk and Tour of RBML Exhibit
WWIexhibit
On September 10 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library, the No. 44 Society will offer a talk and tour of RBML’s fall exhibition, First Global Conflict: Contemporary Views of the Great War, 1914-1919. All are welcome!

The exhibition is part of a larger, campus-wide initiative called “The Great War: Experiences, Representations, Effects.”
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If you would like to submit content for the October 1 issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to John Wilkin, Sue Searing, Beth Sandore, or Tom Teper by Wednesday, September 24, 2014.

August Library Office Notes

Posted on by

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HR NEWS

FACILITIES

EVENTS AND TRAINING


ANNOUNCEMENTS: Un-retreat Status Report
from University Librarian and Dean of Libraries John Wilkin

The Un-retreat that took place in January was an extremely productive forum for stimulating discussion and initiating work. The nine reports have been shared, and progress has been made on several fronts. At this point, we can report the following progress:

Culture: Although Executive Committee has not yet turned its attention to the report on Culture, the Library has committed to undertaking a climate survey in the coming year, the results of which will provide additional information to help understand the organizational culture.

Digitization: In light of the conclusions reached in the Digitization Un-retreat report, we have asked for a report with recommendations to more closely knit together the various digitization activities in the Library, preferably creating one departmental home and a consistent workflow. We believe that the current renewed work with Google and the Internet Archive is aiding us in identifying challenges and opportunities.

Data: The useful thinking that came out of the Data Un-retreat discussion was very timely and has been made available to Heidi Imker, the new director of the Research Data Service, to help guide the work of the RDS.

Instruction: The recommendations from the Instruction Un-retreat group and subsequent discussions were very helpful, and were clearly shaped by much good work in preparation for the Un-retreat. EC reviewed the recommendations and provided specific feedback to the group and encouragement to move forward with recommendations in conjunction with the AUL for Services, the Coordinator for Information Literacy and Instruction, and the User Education Committee.

International: The recommendations (particularly around consulting/review) are sound and appreciated. In light of the process to hire a new director of the Mortenson Center, we will postpone this work until a new Mortenson Center director is hired.

Outreach: The report on Outreach will be discussed by EC in the Fall.

Publishing: Although EC has not yet discussed the recommendations on Publishing in the Library, discussions are underway with IPRH and GSLIS on a possible publishing initiative, adding to the important preliminary work in the Scholarly Commons.

Discovery and access: Considerable work has been done on the basic discovery question, prior to the Un-retreat and subsequently. The Un-retreat report and ongoing work were key to our conclusion that the limited pilot on Primo should be ended. The Discovery and Delivery Study Team is now at work on shaping an evaluative process for the different vendor products (as well as EasySearch).

CMS/Web presence: The Un-retreat report on the CMS and the Library’s web presence was deeply appreciated. Much work needs to be done here. Earlier this year, Chris Prom was asked to lead an effort to replace the current CMS and revamp the Library’s website. Status reports on this work will appear periodically in the newsletter.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: FY2015 Salary Program
from University Librarian and Dean of Libraries John Wilkin

As part of our budget allocation, the Library was provided funds to mount a 2.5% merit-based salary program for all employees except those in a collective bargaining unit. Consistent with the merit-based parameters, we allocate the funds differentially based on performance. As has been the case in the past, FRC scores were used to shape increases for faculty, and supervisor evaluations were used to determine increases for APs. The Library also received modest funds to help address compression, retention, equity and recruitment issues with existing salaries. Letters with the new FY15 salary will go out to Library employees in mid-August. Especially in light of tight budgets in the state and higher education generally, I’m grateful for the campus’s support in helping us maintain strong salaries.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Content Access Management (CAM) has a New Website
http://uiuc-training.libguides.com/cam
This new site has updated contact information, cataloging and metadata policies, workflows, and additional resources. If you are looking for cataloging policy or information that is not on this site, please contact the appropriate person listed on the main page.

We are continuing to add content and functionality, and in the coming weeks we will work to redirect the old CAM page to the new one.

Please send any feedback, including things you would like to see on the CAM website, to Nicole Ream-Sotomayor.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: New iOS Version of Minrva Available
Minrva iOS version 2.0 is now available for download from the iTunes app store:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/minrva/id572981792

With the new update users can use their iOS device to login to their VuFind account, check due dates, renew checked out items, request items from other libraries, and view course reserves.

Also new in the iOS version is the Wayfinder Module for Main Stacks. The Wayfinder module is a GPS-like service for locating books in unit at the University of Illinois Library. In addition to Main Stacks location, Minrva for iOS now has maps available for the ACES Library, Music and Performing Arts Library, and Undergrad. The Minrva iOS 2.0 codebase was sourced from the IMLS “Student/Library Collaborative” National Leadership Grant.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Laptop Computing Options for Library Faculty and Academic Professionals
Library faculty and academic professional staff now have the option to select the computer setup that best supports their productivity. Based on a new policy, academic professionals and faculty in the Library will work with their supervisors and Library IT to select either a desktop workstation or a laptop. Library IT will provide guidelines for selection. The Library is currently supporting this option for new hires, and will expand it soon. In addition, all faculty and APs will have the capability to participate in video conferencing from their desks. The Administrative Council will review a draft policy on technology equipment allocation later this summer that is focused on supporting this initiative.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Servers Moving to the CITES Data Center
Library IT is on target to complete a project to move Library servers to the CITES data center, which provides reliable and secure support for many campus systems. Most, but not all of the Library’s servers were moved last year to the CITES data center. Library IT is focusing on moving the 15 remaining servers to the CITES data center prior to some scheduled electrical work in the Library in mid-August. This electrical work will require a partial outage in the Main Library server room. Library IT intends to retire the Grainger Library server room by August 20, which will free 482 square feet for an alternative purpose, and will significantly save on the power and cooling in Grainger.

Library IT is working with the AUL for User Services and Library Facilities to schedule the electrical outage at a time that has minimal user impact. More information about the partial electrical outage that affects the Main Library server room will be shared in LIBNEWS and on the Gateway as the Library receives it.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Public Printing
During FY14, the Library’s public printing service handled 372,671 jobs totaling over 2 million printed pages, which is consistent with the past five years of printing history. Our busiest printer locations are in UGL, Grainger, Music, and Funk ACES libraries.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library IT Help Desk News
The Library IT Help Desk will be conducting an email alias audit and begin contacting alias owners about updating information. An email alias is an email that ends in @library.illinois.edu and forwards mail it receives to multiple individuals’ email addresses—a smaller version of LibNews. The audit is to identify aliases no longer in use and also to update contact information.

We are in the process of updating online documentation for technology in conference rooms 225B, 426, and 427 in the Main Library, and will continue to add documentation for more rooms as technology is set up. If there is any documentation for conference room technology that you’d like to see on the website, please let Beth Sandore know.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: New Version of BibLeaves Library Database Software System
The Library Software Development group recently released a new version of the BibLeaves web-based bibliographic database system, http://bibleaves.library.illinois.edu/. This version includes improved search and customization features as well as improved stability. Current collections include over 40,000 records from the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, nearly 30,000 records from the School of Music’s Performance Catalog, over 2,000 records from the ACES Reference collection, and over 1,000 records from the City Planning & Landscape Architecture archives. Coming soon will be over 1,000 records from the Gabriel García Márquez bibliography, and over 6,500 records from the International Field Guides bibliography, both migrated from the Library’s aging DLXS-based system.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Additional June 30 Innovation Fund Awardees
Each year the Dean sends out requests for Innovation Fund Proposals (deadline June 30 and December 31). The objective of this funding is to provide opportunities for Library Faculty and Academic Professionals to be innovative and make original contributions to the ways in which the Library works. Aligning with the Library’s strategic plan and/or long-term vision, the proposal must do one or more of these premises:

  • Pilot or advance new ideas, services, or technologies
  • Investigate new or alternative ideas, technologies, or processes for conducting or organizing Library activities
  • Encourage users in using and enhancing library-managed content
  • Initiate or advance strategic partnerships with other campus units, other libraries or library consortia; or other organizations
  • Demonstrate scalability

Congratulations to the following faculty for their successful proposals for Innovation Funding!

  • Preparing for the post-MARC world: BIBFRAME Transformation for Enhanced Discovery – Qiang Jin, Jim Hahn

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Residence Hall Libraries Fall Hours
The Residence Hall Libraries welcome anyone with an active iCard to check out items from any of our seven locations.
Our fall hours at the Allen, Busey-Evans, FAR, ISR, LAR, and PAR locations will be:
Sun.-Thurs. 4pm-1am; Fri. 6-9pm; Sat. 2-5pm.
Our hours at the Ikenberry Commons Library location will be:
Sun. 4pm-1am; Mon.-Thurs. 8am-1am; Fri. 8am-9pm; Sat. 2-5pm.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: I Love My Librarian Award Call for Nominations
The Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award encourages library users to recognize the accomplishments of exceptional public, school, and college librarians. Administered by the American Library Association, with support from Carnegie Corporation of New York and the New York Times Company, the program seeks nominations that describe how a librarian is improving the lives of people in a school, campus, or community.
Visit the awards program website for complete program guidelines and nomination procedures: http://www.ilovelibraries.org/lovemylibrarian/home
Nomination Deadline: September 12, 2014
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HR NEWS: Faculty and AP Searches
Below is a summary of current academic searches as of July 28, 2014 (click on graphic below to enlarge). A more comprehensive listing is sent via LibNews each month.
search_status_august
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HR NEWS: Civil Service Staff Openings
Below is a summary of current civil service staff openings as of July 30, 2014 (click on graphic below to enlarge).

openings_august
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HR NEWS: Graduate Assistant Orientation and Training
The schedule of the Graduate Assistant Orientation and Training week is available.  You may start registering your new graduate assistants on the calendar at http://www.library.illinois.edu/calendar/staff/. Training starts on August 18th. Remember all new graduate assistants should be registered for all training applicable to their positions, and continuing graduate assistants may also register for sessions.
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HR NEWS: New Employees 
Academic Professional (since June 30, 2014)

  • Amy Atkinson, University High School Librarian, start date August 1, 2014

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HR NEWS: Separations
The following employees have separated from employment during the last month.

Faculty

  • Kelly McCusker, Behavioral Sciences Librarian, July 25, 2014

Civil Service

  • Liz Potsch, Library Specialist, Central Access Services, June 30, 2014
  • Michael Gastiger, Library Specialist, Music and Performing Arts Library, June 30, 2014

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FACILITIES: Projects in Planning

  • Main Library – Gregory Drive Sidewalk/abandon electric vault cover replacement. Consultant is designing the replacement lid/sidewalk for a section of sidewalk along the south side of the Main Library that has major deterioration. Construction to be done early Fall Semester 2014. Facilities & Services’ project.
  • Main Library – 1st floor center restroom renovation. The project will renovate both spaces providing one accessible women’s and one accessible men’s restroom on the first floor adjacent to the Marshall Gallery. Bid opening August 29 and Sept 2. Construction to start Fall 2014. Facilities & Services’ project.
  • Main Library – Room 220 operational planning for Scholarly Commons and Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) services. Schedule for renovation is being developed.
  • Grainger Engineering Library & Information Center – Design Center – New collaboration project between the College of Engineering and Grainger Engineering Library Current proposal would re envision the west end of the basement level – room 000 and the center section.
  • Horticulture Field Laboratory – University Archives NEH Grant Remodeling – The project will replace the existing environmental system for the three existing vaults, construct a new vault for instrument storage in room 108 and install fire suppression in all 4 vaults. Design Development phase complete, moving into the Construction Document Phase.

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FACILITIES: Projects in Construction

  • Main Library – Room 1 Renovation for Technical Services – CAM will provide new space and furniture for the staff currently located in room 220 Main Library. The room is being vacated of collection material and wall repair and painting have begun. Library Project.
  • Main Library – Air Conditioning Plant – Main Stacks Cooling Tower Replacement. Two existing cooling towers located above the 4th Main Stack addition will be replaced in the next 9 months. Site mobilization will take place in late September 2014 and cooling tower replacement starting in October 2014. The southeast section of Parking Lot E3 will be closed in September for construction staging. Facilities & Services project
  • Main Library – Phase 2B Masonry Restoration and Window Replacement – North Lightcourt. Mortar grinding is 100% complete. Window replacement west elevation of the north light court. 3 – Room 200 arched top windows and 2 – north grand stair window replacement to start in the next two weeks.
  • Main Library – Room 146 renovation in preparation for the University Archives relocation. Painting and flooring replacement and window shade installation complete. Electrical and data work to follow the completion of the shelving and furniture layout. Shelving and furniture orders in progress.
  • Undergraduate Library – Upper Level Flooring replacement project. The upper level of the UGL is out of service until the end of July 2014. Please be aware 291 UGL scheduling will need to be reserved in other Library instructional labs. The circulation desk will be set up temporarily in the lower level for the duration of the project. Contractor currently working on punchlist items. Library Facilities starting to move furniture and equipment back to UGL staff areas.
  • Undergraduate Library – additional panel enclosures, reading/collaboration tables and staff loanable tech cabinets ordered for the Media Commons.
  • Main Library – Parking Lot E3 Drainage Study Consultant has finalized the plan for resolving the water overflow from the E3 parking lot into the west basement entry and loading dock. Campus Parking is reviewing construction delivery methods and schedule. The work will be done summer 2014 or summer 2015. Facilities & Services, Campus Parking and Library project.
  • Campus Streets – Surface Replacement Projects – Summer 2014 Please visit the following links for project descriptions and scheduling.
    -Sixth Street from Gregory to Armory will be done in phases to allow the E3 parking lot adjacent to the Main Library to remain open during the project. http://www.fs.illinois.edu/projects/major-campus-street-projects
    -Fourth Street from Kirby to Armory http://www.fs.illinois.edu/projects/major-campus-street-projects/fourth-street
    -Gregory Drive from First to Fourth http://www.fs.illinois.edu/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2014-05-16_gregorystreetphasei.pdf?sfvrsn=0
    -Stadium Drive from Neil to Oak http://www.fs.illinois.edu/projects/major-campus-street-projects/stadium-drive

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FACILITIES: Projects in Completion

  • Main Library – Preservation 425, 425A, 425B, 425C, 427, 429, 437 and 439. Preservation staff have completed their move into their office spaces with final remodeling of labs to follow. F&S will be providing construction services in rooms 425A, 425B and 439 (labs and work rooms).
  • Main Library – Room 106 Renovation The room should be finished by mid summer. It will be a hybrid conference/seminar/limited instruction space. The space is intended to provide flexible arrangements with 8 mobile tables, 35 chairs with casters, 3 – 80” flat panel displays mounted on N. W. & E. walls. Library IT is working with CITES on finalizing the necessary comments for the A/V in the room.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Fall Exhibition to Commemorate WWI
First Global Conflict: Contemporary Views of the Great War, 1914-1919
29 August—19 December 2014
A century has passed since the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the premiership of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The murder set in motion the first great conflict of the twentieth century. Tens of millions would die, tens of millions more would be injured and displaced, and many of the world’s borders would be re-drawn.

This exhibition looks through the eyes of those who witnessed and wrote and pictured their experiences of the war and the politics of its inception and imperfect conclusion. Diaries, pamphlets, broadsides, photographs, postcards, letters, and documents held by the Rare Book & Manuscript Library explore the rhetoric and illustrate the consequences of the conflict. The exhibition is curated by Caroline Szylowicz, Tony Hynes, and Dennis Sears.

The exhibition is also part of a larger, campus-wide initiative called “The Great War: Experiences, Representations, Effects.”
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Technology Prototyping Service Open House
On August 8th 2014 from 2-3:30pm in Grainger 335, the Technology Prototyping Service invites library staff to an open house event to showcase projects in development. Students from the Prototyping Service will be demonstrating new technology that they have worked on this summer.

Projects showcased:

  • Hoot: a software project developed for circulation desk staff which queues up student requests for reserve items that are checked out, and lets students know by text message when previously checked out reserve items become available.
  • Realtime statistical visualization of checkout trends in the Library using Elasticsearch and visualization libraries;
  • the web-based Wayfinder + Topic Space recommender for location specific recommendations in book stacks (http://minrva-dev.library.illinois.edu);
  • Dynamic components for the new library Gateway, including dynamic Backbone.js web apps for library hours and study room booking (http://gateway-dev.library.illinois.edu/);
  • New Library Gateway wireframes in development (http://gateway-dev.library.illinois.edu/thumbnail/).

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Knot Forgotten: The Tennyson Library of Crochet at Illinois
Curated by Gil Witte
Join the Rare Book & Manuscript Library as we celebrate the acquisition of the Tennyson Library of Crochet. There will be an exhibit on the first floor of the Main Library in the North-South hallway until August 31.
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If you would like to submit content for the September 1 issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to John Wilkin, Sue Searing, Beth Sandore, or Tom Teper by Wednesday, August 20, 2014.

July Library Office Notes

Posted on by

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HR NEWS

FACILITIES

EVENTS AND TRAINING


ANNOUNCEMENTS: Good News!
The University Library was successful in receiving two funding awards from the Campus Facilities Matching Funds Program and one with the College of Veterinary Medicine.

  • Main and Undergraduate Library Entry Renovation – $570,000
    -Replace the north, south and east entry single glazed steel and aluminum doors and sidelights with thermal insulated glazed aluminum doors, side lights and new code compliant exterior door hardware
  • Main Library Corridor and Stairway Renovation – $1,000,000
    -Replace the single pane non-weather stripped east and west glass/metal storefront entry elevations on both west and east plaza entries and emergency exits and reduce number of door opening from eight to four in each plaza entry and emergency exit
    -Replace the flooring surface in the west entry vestibule from brick to carpet squares designed for building entries
    -Remove existing anti-skid strips from terrazzo treads, restore the treads and install embedded anti-skid strips in the west stairway
    -Refinish the wood handrails in the west stairway
    -Replace the wall lighting sconces in the west stairway
  • Collaborative Learning Spaces to Accommodate Growth and Innovation in the current space assigned to the Veterinary Medicine Library.
    -Reconfigure the existing footprint of the library for collaborative learning while providing service spaces for library needs.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: New Data Assistance Option in Desk Tracker
The Library’s eResearch Implementation Committee has developed a way for research data interactions to be recorded systematically, library-wide. This is critical, because campus administrators have already requested metrics on the Library’s early interactions and this will certainly continue as the campus-wide Research Data Service (RDS) develops.

To record research data interactions, the Desk Tracker Activity Form has a new Question Type option – Data Assistance. This new option was implemented in early July, and it is intended to record help with datasets (not statistical facts), including dataset manipulation, management, access, and acquisition. The Activity Form Description field can be used to record more detailed information about the research data interaction.

“Data Assistance” help text is available in Desk Tracker, in case people need a quick refresher. And next month, Sarah Shreeves and Sarah Williams will be piloting a new Hub training session about research data questions. The session will be on Wednesday, August 6 at 1:00pm in 314 Main Library. It will cover the Library’s role with research data questions, the characteristics of research data questions, example research data questions, and how to refer research data questions.

These “Data Assistance” interactions will not be excluded from the Library’s overall reference reporting, but with this new option, the Library can more easily and effectively query these interactions so that (1) they can be reported to campus administrators who have particular interest in this developing campus-wide service, and (2) they can be analyzed to improve library services.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Prizes, Awards, and Contests – Oh my!!
There have been a number of contests and competitions lately that involve giving out prizes or awards to non-employees. In many cases this is an easy non-invasive process, and quickly discussed in a matter of moments. In others, it can involve possible agreements, LegalCounsel, and the Office of Technology Management.

If you are contemplating a contest or competition that will involve either a prize or award, please contact Kathie Veach (veach@illinois.edu) in the Library Business Office for assistance. She can help assist with the process, they do need to be evaluated on a case by case basis.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Book Sale
Due to remodeling and current space restraints the Library book sale will not be held this year. Please contact Melanie Rusk (mrusk@illinois.edu) if you were holding any materials specifically to be included in the book sale this year and she can route them as appropriate through other channels.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: FY15 Travel Allowance
The travel allowance for FY 2015 will be $2,000 for tenured faculty and Academic Professionals with an additional $250 for untenured faculty.  Information about University travel in general can be found on the Business Office at http://www.library.illinois.edu/administration/busoff/travel.html 
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: WWI Campus Initiative and Website
The University Library and the Rare Book & Manuscript Library are supporting a cross-campus initiative this fall: “The Great War: Experiences, Representations, Effects”

The project’s website, which will serve as a clearing house for the many events and activities planned around the centenary of the beginning of the war, has been launched at http://www.thegreatwar.illinois.edu.

You can also “Like” the Facebook page which will help you keep track of new related events at https://www.facebook.com/thegreatwaratIllinois.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Combined One Physical Reserve Request Forms
To simplify the process of submitting reserve requests, we have merged the Media Reserve Request and Book Reserve Request forms into one Physical Reserve Request form–both the webforms and the MS Word forms. The only difference is that instructors will submit one form rather than two to request that both books and media be placed on reserve at the Undergrad Library.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: June 30 Innovation Fund Awardees
Each year the Dean sends out requests for Innovation Fund Proposals (deadline June 30 and December 31). The objective of this funding is to provide opportunities for Library Faculty and Academic Professionals to be innovative and make original contributions to the ways in which the Library works. Aligning with the Library’s strategic plan and/or long-term vision, the proposal must do one or more of these premises:

  • Pilot or advance new ideas, services, or technologies
  • Investigate new or alternative ideas, technologies, or processes for conducting or organizing Library activities
  • Encourage users in using and enhancing library-managed content
  • Initiate or advance strategic partnerships with other campus units, other libraries or library consortia; or other organizations
  • Demonstrate scalability

Congratulations to the following faculty for their successful proposals for Innovation Funding!

  • Building a Repository for Print Holdings – William Weathers
  • International Student Search Query Support with the Freebase API – Susan Avery, Jim Hahn

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HR NEWS: Larry Miller Announces Retirement
After 55 years of service to the campus and University Library, Larry Miller will retire from his position as Slavic Studies Bibliographer in August of 2014. During Larry’s tenure, he has witnessed the astounding growth and success of the Slavic collection, which is now the 3rd largest in North America behind only the Library of Congress and Harvard University. Although Larry will be retiring, he plans to visit the Library often to continue his research and scholarship.
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HR NEWS: Faculty and AP Searches
Below is a summary of current academic searches as of June 24, 2014 (click on graphic below to enlarge). A more comprehensive listing is sent via LibNews each month.
search_status_july
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HR NEWS: Civil Service Staff Openings
Below is a summary of current civil service staff openings as of June 26, 2014 (click on graphic below to enlarge).
openings_july
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HR NEWS: Performance Review for Civil Service Employees
The deadline for Civil Service employee Performance Reviews has been extended. Evaluations are due for all Library Civil Service Employees on July 15, 2014.
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HR NEWS: New Appointments

  • Susan Avery, CPS Division Coordinator, August 16, 2014, three year term. (Was serving as Interim while JoAnn Jacoby was on sabbatical.)
  • Joanne Kaczmarek, Division Coordinator for Special Collections, August 16, 2014, three year term.

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HR NEWS: New Employees 
Academic Professional (since May 31, 2014)

  • James V. Whitacre, Geographic Information Systems Specialist, Scholarly Commons, June 1, 2014
  • Megean Osuchowski, Help Desk Coordinator, Library IT, June 9, 2014
  • (Jemma) Ja Eun Ku, Internet Applications Systems Specialist, Library IT, June 30, 2014

Civil Service (since May 31, 2014)

  • Wendy Wolter, Administrative Aide, Library Administration, Room 246, June 1, 2014
  • Angela Gruendl, Library Specialist, Mathematics Library, June 16, 2014
  • Sarah Heald, Content Management Services, .49FTE, Oak Street Reading Room, June 16, 2014

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HR NEWS: Retirements
The Library would like to recognize a new retirement as of May 31, 2014.

  • Sharon McFarland, Grainger Engineering Library, June 29, 2014

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FACILITIES: Projects in Planning

  • Main Library – Room 1 Renovation for Technical Services – CAM will provide new space and furniture for the staff currently located in room 220 Main Library. The room is being vacated of collection material and wall repair and painting have begun. Library Project.
  • Main Library – Parking Lot E3 Drainage Study Consultant has finalized the plan for resolving the water overflow from the E3 parking lot into the west basement entry and loading dock. Campus Parking is reviewing construction delivery methods and schedule. The work will be done summer 2014 or summer 2015. Facilities & Services, Campus Parking and Library project.
  • Main Library – Gregory Drive Sidewalk/abandon electric vault cover replacement. Consultant is designing the replacement lid/sidewalk for a section of sidewalk along the south side of the Main Library that has major deterioration. Facilities & Services’ project.
  • Main Library – 1st floor center restroom renovation. The project will renovate both spaces providing one accessible women’s and one accessible men’s restroom on the first floor adjacent to the Marshall Gallery. Project out to bid. Construction to start Fall 2014. Facilities & Services’ project.
  • Main Library – Room 220 operational planning for Scholarly Commons and Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) services. Schedule for renovation is being developed.
  • Grainger Engineering Library & Information Center – Design Center – New collaboration project between the College of Engineering and Grainger Engineering Library Current proposal would re envision the west end of the basement level – room 000 and the center section.
  • Horticulture Field Laboratory – University Archives NEH Grant Remodeling – The project will replace the existing environmental system for the three existing vaults, construct a new vault for instrument storage in room 108 and install fire suppression in all 4 vaults. In the process of completing the design development phase, reviewing the budget and schedule.
  • Undergraduate Library – planning for additional panel enclosures and reading/collaboration tables for the Media Commons.

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FACILITIES: Projects in Construction

  • Main Library – Air Conditioning Plant – Main Stacks Cooling Tower Replacement. Two existing cooling towers located above the 4th Main Stack addition will be replaced in the next 9 months. Site mobilization will take place in late September 2014 and cooling tower replacement starting in October 2014. The southeast section of Parking Lot E3 will be closed in September for construction staging. Facilities & Services project
  • Main Library – Phase 2B Masonry Restoration and Window Replacement – North Lightcourt. Mortar grinding is 100% complete. Window replacement has started in mid-June 2014.
  • Main Library – Room 146 renovation in preparation for the University Archives relocation. Painting and flooring replacement and window shade installation complete. Electrical and data work to follow the completion of the shelving and furniture layout.
  • Undergraduate Library – Upper Level Flooring replacement project. The upper level of the UGL is out of service until the end of July 2014. Please be aware 291 UGL scheduling will need to be reserved in other Library instructional labs. The circulation desk will be set up temporarily in the lower level for the duration of the project. Contractor currently working on the last phase of the project to complete three weeks ahead of schedule.
  • Campus Streets – Surface Replacement Projects – Summer 2014 Please visit the following links for project descriptions and scheduling.
    -Sixth Street from Gregory to Armory will be done in phases to allow the E3 parking lot adjacent to the Main Library to remain open during the project. http://www.fs.illinois.edu/projects/major-campus-street-projects
    -Fourth Street from Kirby to Armory http://www.fs.illinois.edu/projects/major-campus-street-projects/fourth-street
    -Gregory Drive from First to Fourth http://www.fs.illinois.edu/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2014-05-16_gregorystreetphasei.pdf?sfvrsn=0
    -Stadium Drive from Neil to Oak http://www.fs.illinois.edu/projects/major-campus-street-projects/stadium-drive

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FACILITIES: Projects in Completion

  • Main Library – Preservation 425, 425A, 425B, 425C, 427, 429, 437 and 439. Preservation staff have completed their move into their office spaces with final remodeling of labs to follow. F&S will be providing construction services in rooms 425A, 425B and 439 (labs and work rooms).
  • Main Library – Room 106 Renovation The room should be finished by mid summer. It will be a hybrid conference/seminar/limited instruction space. The space is intended to provide flexible arrangements with 8 mobile tables, 35 chairs with casters, 3 – 80” flat panel displays mounted on N. W. & E. walls. Library IT is working with CITES on finalizing the necessary comments for the A/V in the room.
  • Undergraduate Library – painting additional columns on the upper level to match the blue columns in the north portion of the Media Commons.
  • Grainger Engineering Library – wood flooring restoration. F&S will start in room 240 (large center space), then room 252 and finish in room 200.\
  • Grainger Engineering Library – 4th floor window treatment replacement.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Knot Forgotten: The Tennyson Library of Crochet at Illinois
crochet
Join RBML as we celebrate the acquisition of the Tennyson Library of Crochet. There will be an exhibit on the first floor of the library and in the Marshall Gallery during the month of July, in addition to a variety of great events.

The collection has been donated to the Rare Book & Manuscript Library by Gilbert Witte, long-time employee of the University Library. Named the Tennyson Library of Crochet for Witte’s great-grandmother Flora Emily Tennyson, the collection documents the history and practice of the craft through journals, patterns, samples, and manuals. The Tennyson Library of Crochet consists of over 7,000 items in all, ranging in date from 1843 to the present.

Knot Forgotten Events:

  • “Crochet and Kvetch” on Wednesday, July 9 at 3:00 p.m. in the Library’s 4th floor staff lounge.
  • Lunchtime exhibit tours on Tuesday, July 15 and Thursday, July 24 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • The Lorado Taft statues at the east side entrance of the library will be dressed to impress in crocheted attire during the month of July!
  • Knot Forgotten Extravaganza!
    Friday, July 18:
    -Crochet class for children (age 8 and above, 8 children total) from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Marshall Gallery. Register at https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/4929352.
    -Crochet class for adults from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Marshall Gallery. Register at https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/9971983.
    -Reception, including ugly sweater contest, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Marshall Gallery.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Chair Yoga Breaks with Christine Janak
Feeling sleepy, stressed, sad, or sickly? Any or all of the above? Take some time for yourself to breathe deep, relax, and rejuvenate. During these 30-minute chair yoga breaks, we will focus on pranayama (yogic breathing) techniques that directly affect the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering the healing “relaxation response.” Yoga literally means “union,” so we will use this breath in connection with gentle movements and stretches to unify body and mind and to cultivate a state of calm, focused awareness. No yoga experience necessary, just bring you, an open mind, and perhaps a friend!

Christine Janak is a certified RYT-200 yoga instructor.

Room 106 Main Library
Tuesdays 11:30 – 12:00
Thursdays 2:00 – 2:30

Register on the Staff Calendar: http://www.library.illinois.edu/calendar/staff/
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If you would like to submit content for the August 1 issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to John Wilkin, Sue Searing, Beth Sandore, or Tom Teper by Wednesday, July 23, 2014.

June Library Office Notes

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

HR NEWS

FACILITIES

EVENTS AND TRAINING

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collections and Technical Services Update
Initiatives/projects underway:

  • As many of you have seen, the Office of Collections has been systematically “branding” e-resources for the first time. We plan on continuing that process – although most of the biggies are done.
  • We also anticipate launching a new e-resource usage service from EBSCO in the coming year that will provide a more comprehensive look at e-resource usage.
  • We are looking to identify any historically underspent collections funds with the intent of working with the subject specialists on those. This has been discussed with CDC.
  • CDC has a working group that is completing a review of er14. The intent is to review expenditures, identify items that may be moved to individual subject funds, and to restructure the fund to facilitate its management.
  • We are also in the process of preparing collections budget projections for the next fiscal year. Anticipate the projections of inflation, etc… after next week’s CDC meeting.

With respect to Technical Services, there really are more projects that can be mentioned in the time given, but a few of the larger time commitments include:

  • Well, Acquisitions is closing the books on this fiscal year. That pretty much takes up most of their time right now.
  • Toward the end of last calendar year, we began a process of digitizing books rejected by the last Google digitization project. This involved personnel from preservation, conservation, CAM, CMS, and DCC.
  • Hot on the heels of that is an effort to ramp up to digitize an additional 200,000 volumes that Google has identified as being desirable. The same players have been involved.
  • Systematic shifts of materials from Stacks to Oak St from the Dewey classifications identified with the Physical and Life Sciences.
  • As you saw in Inside Illinois, deduplication of periodicals at Oak St is starting. This is a process of deduplicating those holdings that match those in the CIC’s Shared Print Repository as well as looking at retaining single copies of titles that we hold in multiple copies locally.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Research Data Service Update
The Library welcomes Heidi Imker, newly-appointed Director of the Research Data Service. The Research Data Service is a campus-wide service based in the Library that is intended to support the needs of researchers who need to manage and preserve research data, regardless of subject area. The Research Data Service is supported by the Offices of the Vice Chancellor for Research and the Provost, and it will provide services from the Library’s Scholarly Commons. Over the summer Heidi will be working with librarians in the Scholarly Commons and the eResearch Implementation Committee to identify ways to make existing and new research data services offered by the Library visible and accessible to faculty and other researchers on campus. Heidi’s office is in 312 Library, and her email address is imker@illinois.edu. Please stop by and say hello.

The eResearch Implementation Committee is piloting a service called EZid, which allows researchers to register research datasets and to obtain a permanent URL for the dataset (DOI—digital object identifier). The EZid service, supported by Purdue University, provides a simple way for libraries to help researchers register their datasets. As libraries assign identifiers for data sets, they provide information to researchers about supporting long-term access to their data. As researchers increasingly need to link to their datasets, as part of a publication or to fulfill a grant requirement, libraries participating in the EZid service will be able to provide a solution to this need. Last week the EZid service at the University of Illinois went “live” by assigning its first DOI to a dataset for the Illinois Climate Network.

The eResearch Implementation Committee is hosting a blog that features entries about research data access and preservation. If you haven’t seen it yet, please take a look at the most recent post on preservation file formats prepared by Kyle Rimkus, and browse the other entries as well: https://publish.illinois.edu/research-data/
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HR NEWS: Summer 2014 Book Reserves at Central Circulation
Due to remodeling happening in the Undergraduate Library this summer, all book reserves we process for Summer 2014 will be housed at Central Circulation (Main Library) rather than the Undergraduate Library. (Media reserves will be housed at the Undergraduate Library, as usual.) Book reserves can be placed in either the Undergraduate Library or Central Circulation for Fall 2014.
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HR NEWS: Media Services Moving from CMS
With the development of the Media Commons <http://www.library.illinois.edu/ugl/mc/> at the Undergraduate Library, in the same building as the main media collection on campus, it makes sense to consolidate Library media services in one place. Starting with the new fiscal year in July, UGL is taking over the media ordering that CMS has done. They will also be overseeing the streaming media collection. (CMS will continue to process media reserves, both DVD and streaming.)

Also, media cataloging is moving to Content Access Management.
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HR NEWS: Faculty and AP Searches
Below is a summary of current academic searches as of May 30, 2014 (click on graphic below to enlarge). A more comprehensive listing is sent via LibNews each month.
search_status_june

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HR NEWS: Civil Service Staff Openings
Below is a summary of current civil service staff openings as of May 27, 2014 (click on graphic below to enlarge).
openings_june
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HR NEWS: Performance Review for Civil Service Employees
Civil Service employee Performance Reviews will be due for all Library Civil Service Employees on June 30, 2014.

Performance review should be a continuing, ongoing activity between employees and their supervisors. Regular performance evaluation encourages communication about job expectations and provides the opportunity for supervisors to give important feedback to their employees relative to their meeting performance standards. It also provides a basis for determining job training or development needs for employees. For employees not covered by the collective bargaining process, performance review also supports the process of determining merit salary increases.

The performance review should be conducted on a schedule that accommodates the work cycle of the unit. The structure of the review process should also meet the needs of the unit. Some units may prefer a highly structured and formal process while others may accomplish their goals through an informal process. Units may use evaluation forms that best meet their needs, including those now used for probationary and open range employees, or those used in the academic professional process. Units may also continue to use forms they may have developed for employees currently evaluated or may develop or modify other forms, provided they include the required components listed below.

In general, the required components of the review are the following:

  • A written understanding, between the supervisor and the employee, of the major duties and responsibilities of the job held i.e., a job description.
  • A supervisor’s written and signed evaluation of current performance compared to expected performance.
  • A meeting between supervisor and employee to review the evaluation, which might include a discussion of plans and goals for the coming year.
  • The employee’s signature on the evaluation form to signify that the employee and the supervisor have discussed the contents of the review. By signing, the employee is not signifying agreement with the review, only that the discussion was held. The employee may provide comments on the evaluation either verbally or in writing. A copy of the review is provided to the employee.
  • The supervisor’s written and signed evaluation, together with any written employee comments, to be placed in the employee’s unit file.

In addition, in instances where employees are members of a bargaining unit, supervisors should consult the appropriate bargaining agreement to determine if there are additional requirements.

Any questions regarding this policy, its implementation, or the appropriateness of a particular evaluation form should be directed to the Labor and Library Human Resources, 333-8169.
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HR NEWS: Acting Assistant Dean of Libraries for Advancement
Starting June 1st, the Acting Assistant Dean of Libraries for Advancement will be Jason Quackenbush (the Library’s current Associate Director of Annual Funds). Jason takes over for Vicki Trimble who retired on May 30, 2014.
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HR NEWS: Retirements
We’d like to recognize all retirements as of April 30, 2014. New additions are in italics below.

Academic Professional

  • Vicki Trimble, Advancement, May 30, 2014

Faculty

  • Barbara Ford, Mortenson Center for International Library Programs, May 30, 2014
  • Frances Jacobson Harris, University High School Librarian, June 29, 2014

Support Staff

  • Mary Anderson, Acquisitions, May 30, 2014
  • Tina Brown-Warren, International and Area Studies Library, April 30, 2014
  • Margaret Lewis, Mathematics Library, June 27, 2014
  • Marquita Miller, University Librarian’s Office, May 30, 2014
  • Betty Smith, Central Access Services, May 30, 2014
  • Helen Sullivan, Archives Research Center, May 30, 2014
  • Katherine Swan, Map & Geography Library, May 30, 2014
  • Beth Trotter, Acquisitions, April 30, 2014
  • Barbara Trumpinski, ACES Library, June 29, 2014

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HR NEWS: Nontraditional Degree Program at EIU

Making the Grade: Nontraditional Degree Program
Eastern Illinois University

What is the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies Degree Program?
The program is a nontraditional approach to obtaining a fully accredited Bachelor of Arts degree. Complete a Bachelor’s degree in General Studies (BGS) from Eastern Illinois University during nights and weekends at Parkland College. It is recommended that a prospective student have at least 60 hours of earned college credit at the time of application. You can view more information regarding the general studies program at www.eiu.edu/~bgs.

  • Designed for adults who have family and career responsibilities
  • Combines academic principles with advancements in Technology to provide ways to achieve degree completion
  • Well suited to serve the educational needs of adults who cannot access University course work in a traditional manner

Join us for a free noon hour presentation given by Audrey Bachelder, Academic Advisor for the BGS program on Tuesday, June 24, 2014. The session will be held from Noon – 1:00 p.m., at Veterinary Medicine Basic Sciences Bldg., Rm. 2271C, 2001 S. Lincoln, Urbana. Registration is REQUIRED. Register early for this session at https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/7211321 since space will be limited.

Bring your lunch and join us for an informative and free alternative to fast food restaurants and long lines. Or, if you prefer, we will order a sandwich and chips for you from Jimmy Johns for $6.50.

Please make your reservation by Friday, June 20, 2014. You will receive a confirmation email to let you know your registration has been accepted. If you have questions please call Cindy Reed 333-2137 or email c-reed3@illinois.edu.
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FACILITIES: Projects in Planning

  • Main Library – Room 1 Renovation for Technical Services – CAM will provide new space and furniture for the staff currently located in room 220 Main Library. Room 44 Main Library is being prepared for CMS’s move in the coming month, gift collections, shelving and processing area will be moving to 7A after CMS moves to room 44. Library Project.
  • Main Library – Room 146 Renovation for University Archives will provide a newly remodeled services point for the unit. This is the implementation of the NSM planning. The collection, staffing and reading areas are in the final stage of design. The 146 suite painting is complete, flooring removed and new flooring to be installed starting next week. Library project.
  • Main Library – Stacks Chiller Tower Replacement Facilities & Services will be replacing two existing chiller towers located on the 4th Main Stack Addition roof with two high efficiency units. Bidding has been completed. Construction start date May 15, 2014 with the tower replacement taking place in October 2014 after the summer major cooling season. Facilities and Services project.
  • Main Library – Parking Lot E3 Drainage Study Consultant has finalized the plan for resolving the water overflow from the E3 parking lot into the west basement entry and loading dock. Campus Parking is reviewing construction delivery methods and schedule. The work will be done summer 2014 or summer 2015. Facilities & Services, Campus Parking and Library project.
  • Main Library – Gregory Drive Sidewalk/abandon electric vault cover replacement. Consultant is designing the replacement lid/sidewalk for a section of sidewalk along the south side of the Main Library that has major deterioration. Facilities & Services’ project.
  • Main Library – 1st floor center restroom renovation. The project will renovate both spaces providing one accessible women’s and one accessible men’s restroom on the first floor adjacent to the Marshall Gallery. Bid documents being completed. Construction to start Fall 2014. Facilities & Services’ project.
  • Main Library – Room 220 operational planning for Scholarly Commons and Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) services. Schedule for renovation is being developed.
  • Grainger Engineering Library & Information Center – Design Center – New collaboration project between the College of Engineering and Grainger Engineering Library Current proposal would re envision the west end of the basement level – room 000 and the west end of the first floor – room 100. A phased project with the early phase anticipated to be ready for the fall semester 2014.
  • Horticulture Field Laboratory – University Archives NEH Grant Remodeling – The project will replace the existing environmental system for the three existing vaults, construct a new vault for instrument storage in room 108 and install fire suppression in all 4 vaults. In the process of completing the design development phase, reviewing the budget and schedule.
  • Undergraduate Library – planning for additional panel enclosures and reading/collaboration tables for the Media Commons.

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FACILITIES: Projects in Construction

  • Main Library – Air Conditioning Plant – Main Stacks Cooling Tower Replacement. Two existing cooling towers located above the 4th Main Stack addition will be replaced in the next 9 months. Site mobilization will take place in late September 2014 and cooling tower replacement starting in October 2014. The southeast section of Parking Lot E3 will be closed in September for construction staging. Facilities & Services project
  • Main Library – Phase 2B Masonry Restoration and Window Replacement – North Lightcourt. Mortar grinding is 95% complete. Mortar pointing is nearing completion with wash down in progress. Window replacement will start in mid-June 2014.
  • Main Library – Room 146 renovation in preparation for the University Archives relocation. Painting is complete, flooring replacement to start in May, window shades to follow. Electrical and data work to follow the completion of the shelving and furniture layout.
  • Undergraduate Library – Upper Level Flooring replacement project. The upper level of the UGL is out of service until the end of July 2014. Please be aware 291 UGL scheduling will need to be reserved in other Library instructional labs. The circulation desk will be set up temporarily in the lower level for the duration of the project. Furniture and equipment has been moved out of areas 1 & 2 in preparation for the contractors to start removal. Start date May 19, 2014.
  • Undergraduate Library – painting additional columns on the upper level to match the blue columns in the north portion of the Media Commons. There are a few columns remaining and spot repair and painting in the lower level.
  • Grainger Engineering Library – wood flooring restoration. F&S will start in room 240 (large center space), then room 252 and finish in room 200. Start date May 19, 2014.
  • Grainger Engineering Library – 4th floor window treatment replacement. Moving forward to remove the existing horizontal blinds then install window film.
  • Campus Streets – Surface Replacement Projects – Summer 2014 Please visit the following links for project descriptions and scheduling.
    -Sixth Street from Gregory to Armory will be done in phases to allow the E3 parking lot adjacent to the Main Library to remain open during the project. http://www.fs.illinois.edu/projects/major-campus-street-projects
    -Fourth Street from Kirby to Armory http://www.fs.illinois.edu/projects/major-campus-street-projects/fourth-street
    -Gregory Drive from First to Fourth http://www.fs.illinois.edu/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2014-05-16_gregorystreetphasei.pdf?sfvrsn=0
    -Stadium Drive from Neil to Oak http://www.fs.illinois.edu/projects/major-campus-street-projects/stadium-drive

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FACILITIES: Projects in Completion

  • Main Library – Preservation 425, 425A, 425B, 425C, 427, 429, 437 and 439. Preservation staff have completed their move into their office spaces with final remodeling of labs to follow. F&S will be providing construction services in rooms 425A, 425B and 439 (labs and work rooms).
  • Main Library – Room 106 Renovation The room should be finished by mid summer. It will be a hybrid conference/seminar/limited instruction space. The space is intended to provide flexible arrangements with 8 mobile tables, 35 chairs with casters, 3 – 80” flat panel displays mounted on N. W. & E. walls. Library IT is working with CITES on finalizing the necessary comments for the A/V in the room.

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FACILITIES: BEAP (Building Emergency Action Plan) Update
Please see the PDF below from the May 21, 2014 presentation.

BEAP Update

The requirements for the BEAPS are:

  • An employer must have an emergency action plan in writing, kept in the workplace and available to employees for review. The BEAPs for Library facilities are kept on the wiki and print copied are in the red emergency kits.
  • An employer must have and maintain an employee alarm system. The Library will be using building PA systems where available (Main, Grainger, ACES and UGL), megaphones in certain red emergency kits and we have the Illini Alert system (please sign up your cell phone if you haven’t).
  • An employer must designate and train employees to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation of employees. The Library BEAPs contain the designated employees and there will be one onsite training session (presented by the Director of Campus Emergency Planning – Todd Short) for each building that will be filmed and available to employees that were unable to attend and new incoming employees. Each employee should have one building for their primary work space/office.
  • An employer must review the emergency action plan with each employee covered by the plan. Each departmental library and unit head is responsible for making certain their employees have reviewed the emergency action plan along with new employees.
    -When the plan is developed or the employee is assigned initially to a job
    -When the employee’s responsibilities under the plan change
    -When the plan is changed

This information is obtained from:
https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=9726&p_table=standards

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If you would like to submit content for the July 1 issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to John Wilkin, Sue Searing, Beth Sandore, or Tom Teper by Wednesday, June 25, 2014.

May Library Office Notes

Posted on by

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HR NEWS

FACILITIES

EVENTS AND TRAINING

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Joins OCLC Research Library Partnership
We have joined the OCLC Research Library Partnership and will explore the value of the Partnership. Our liaison is Roy Tennant, who welcomes your questions. OCLC lists the benefits and opportunities of the Partnership as:

  • The opportunity to work with similarly motivated institutions to collaboratively address changing architectural, workflow and service issues.
  • Invitations to Partners-only working groups that focus on high-priority needs and issues.
  • Invitations to Partners-only programs, educational events and symposia.
  • Working on areas of common interest with colleagues across the world and across sectors.
  • Sharing collections and continuing to build and refine resource-sharing capacities.
  • Improving the management of the cultural and scholarly record.
  • Contributing to the developing practices and economics of research information description.
  • Benefiting from data mining efforts to improve service and inform management of collections.
  • Helping to form community views of best practices in a range of key arenas.
  • Active engagement in the collaborative design of our collective future.
  • Serving on working groups

Lists include:

  • The Primary Sources Listserv is open to your staff with interests in rare books, archives, and special collections.
  • The Research Information Management Interest Group List is open to those with an interest in ways the library can better support scholarly research.
  • The Metadata Management Interest Group List is open to individuals involved in creating and using metadata (not just technical services staff).
  • Heads of Systems Listserv is open to staff with an interest in systems-related issues (not limited to Heads of such departments).
  • Announcements to Partners Listserv is used to communicate weekly updates with staff at OCLC Research Library Partner institutions about Partnership work, events, publications and participation opportunities. It is a moderated listserv open to all individuals from OCLC Research Library Partnership institutions, at all levels with all interests. (OCLC encourages as many of us as are interested to join this low-overhead, informative list.)

For more information about the lists or to sign up, visit http://www.oclc.org/research/partnership/lists.html. To get a sense of the outcomes of recent work, visit the publications page:
http://www.oclc.org/research/publications/reports.html.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: iPads at MPAL
The Music and Performing Arts Library (MPAL) is now circulating iPads. Anyone with an iCard may check out an MPAL iPad for a one-week loan period. The iPads have a variety of apps for music, dance, and theatre study and creation, as well as productivity apps such as Evernote and EasyBib. More information about the MPAL iPads can be found at http://uiuc.libguides.com/MPALiPads.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: New IDNC Website
The History, Philosophy and Newspaper Library introduced a new website for the Illinois Digital Newspaper Collections (IDNC) at http://idnc.library.illinois.edu.

The IDNC is a free online archive of digitized historic newspapers and trade journals organized in four different collections. Using Veridian Digital Library software, the IDNC offers a modern and user-friendly way to access unique research tools and engage with the past. The new website will replace Olive Active Paper which will be retired over Summer 2014.

The website includes interactive features allowing users to tag articles, correct OCR text, and share their findings on social media. In order to provide the most accurate content, the History, Philosophy and Newspaper Library is seeking the public’s assistance in correcting headlines and article text; please send corrections to idnc@library.illinois.edu.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library T-Shirts For Sale
University Library t-shirts are available for purchase in the Advancement Office. The t-shirts are orange with blue lettering and come in small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes. The t-shirts are folded, compressed, and packaged in a unique book form. Since they are shrink-wrapped, they would make perfect gifts (e.g., for graduate assistants or student employees); however, this also means that opened t-shirts cannot be returned or exchanged. In keeping with licensing guidelines, t-shirts may only be sold to Library faculty and staff. They are $15 each, cash (exact change preferred) or checks, and available in 227 Main Library. 
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Acquires Erlewine Astrology Collection
The University Library has acquired the extensive collection of astrology journals and books belonging to Michael Erlewine, an American musician, astrologer, photographer, TV host, and Internet entrepreneur. The collection includes many videos, calendars, kits, and tarot card decks, and more than 16,000 books and periodicals—4,000 of which no other library appears to hold. Read more at http://www.library.illinois.edu/news/erlewine.html.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mortenson Associates 2014
We expect 32 librarians from China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ghana, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Serbia, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe for the 2014 Mortenson Associates program. The program, “Imagine, Question, Connect: A Professional Development Program for Library Innovators and Decision-Makers,” will take place in Urbana from May 29-June 14, 2014. Participants will engage with other library professionals in a variety of workshops and library tours, and will attend the Next Library 2014 Conference in Chicago.  http://www.nextlibrary.net/. We are still looking for volunteers to be friends with visiting associates. Contact Jamie Luedtke jluedtke@illinois.edu to volunteer or if you have questions.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: READ Global
Eight READ Global staff from India, Nepal, and Bhutan will participate in the Mortenson Associates program. They will have some special programming as well as participate in the Small Public Library Management Institute that the Illinois State Library holds for rural librarians. During their stay they will also be engaged in a train-the-trainer program. They will return to their home countries to deliver training to librarians in READ Centers in all three countries. Mortenson Center staff will participate in the regional training sessions.
http://readglobal.org/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: New E-reserve Services
CMS has added two new formats to our e-reserves services: still images and video recordings.

Still image e-reserves are now processed by CMS with support for using ARTstor provided by Sarah Christensen <schrstn@illinois.edu>, the Library’s Visual Resources Curator <http://www.library.illinois.edu/visualresources>.

  • Images in digital collections (e.g. ARTstor)
  • Images on the web (legally posted)
  • Scanned images
  • Etc.

Click here for information on how to use ARTstor for still images in the classroom and reserves. <http://uiuc.libguides.com/instructional_images>

Video e-reserves are now a regular part of e-reserves.

  • Streaming video in the Library’s online catalog.
  • Video on the web (legally posted)
  • Clips from feature films and documentaries
  • Etc.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Notes about Tornado Watches
Spring weather in Illinois means tornado watches. Central Access Services uses the library PA system to announce National Weather Service (NWS) tornado watches in the Main Library. The announcement is made twice. We also notify the larger U of I campus library community of tornado watches by emailing the LIBNEWS listserv. The email and the announcement are as follows:

Champaign County is under a “tornado watch” alert from ________ a.m./p.m. to ________ a.m./p.m. This means that conditions are favorable for a tornado to form. Turn on the radio and listen for further announcements. Be prepared to take cover in the event that civil defense sirens sound. Should “take cover” warnings be heard, library staff should be prepared to implement unit’s tornado plan and assist in the movement of personnel and library users to protected areas. Patrons should evacuate to the Undergraduate Library Tunnel.

On occasion, libraries have interpreted a tornado WATCH announcement to mean they should move to a tornado-safe shelter to take cover. Please note that the text of our tornado watch is intended to remind libraries what to do if the NWS issues a tornado warning for Champaign or Urbana.

In keeping with our procedures, we announce warnings if they are issued for Champaign County, but it is unlikely that we would have time to announce warnings for Champaign-Urbana if tornado sirens sounded. It’s worth noting that not all tornado warnings are preceded by tornado watches.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Kudos
Congratulations to Sue Searing for having been appointed to the Board of College & Research Libraries. Sue joins Lori Mestre on the Board of one of the most prestigious publications in the profession.
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HR NEWS: Faculty and AP Searches
Below is a summary of current academic searches as of April 29, 2014 (click on graphic below to enlarge). A more comprehensive listing is sent via LibNews each month.

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HR NEWS: Civil Service Staff Openings
Below is a summary of current civil service staff openings as of April 29, 2014 (click on graphic below to enlarge).

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HR NEWS: Floating Holidays
Use it or lose it! The deadline for using your floating holidays is fast approaching. If they are not used by June 30th, they will be lost. University policy does not allow them to carry forward to the next fiscal year. If you are civil service contact Kim Hutcherson khutcher@illinois.edu or 333-5480, for academic professionals and faculty check your records on https://my.library.illinois.edu/login.asp?/vacation/submitdays.asp.
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HR NEWS: Retirements

Academic Professional

  • Vicki Trimble, Advancement, May 30, 2014

Faculty

  • Barbara Ford, Mortenson Center for International Library Programs, May 30, 2014
  • Frances Jacobson Harris, University High School Librarian, June 29, 2014

Support Staff

  • Mary Anderson, Acquisitions, May 30, 2014
  • Margaret Lewis, Mathematics Library, June 27, 2014
  • Marquita Miller, University Librarian’s Office, May 30, 2014
  • Betty Smith, Central Access Services, May 30, 2014
  • Helen Sullivan, Archives Research Center, May 30, 2014
  • Beth Trotter, Acquisitions, April 30, 2014

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HR NEWS: Review of AP Employees

Library Human Resources want to remind you that as mandated in Communication No. 22: Annual Review of Academic Professional Employees, supervisors of Academic Professionals need to complete a written performance review for their AP employees. The policy and procedural guidelines are available at:

http://www.provost.illinois.edu/communication/22/Comm22.pdf

Because of anticipated earlier deadlines for budget submission, the date for completing the AP reviews is being moved up. Evaluations for Library Academic Professional employees will be due by 5:00 p.m., Friday, May 16, 2014, in the Library Human Resources Office.

Academic Human Resources reminds us that: “At its heart, an effective performance review system strives to improve even the most distinguished performance by eliminating productivity barriers and sponsoring innovation. Now more than ever, it is critical that we recognize exceptional performers and guide others to optimize their contributions. In all, the annual performance review translates into better performance and provides an opportunity to:

  • Recognize exceptional performance
  • Identify underperformance and prioritize expectations
  • Establish goals and stimulate employee investment
  • Align career interest with career paths and professional development opportunities.”

Commonly used performance review instruments are available via the link below:
http://www.provost.illinois.edu/communication/22/index.html

Any questions may be directed to the Library Human Resources Office.
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FACILITIES: Projects in Planning

  • Main Library – Room 1 Renovation for Technical Services – CAM will provide new space and furniture for the staff currently located in room 220 Main Library. Room 44 Main Library is being prepared for CMS’s move in the coming month, gift collections, shelving and processing area will be moving to 7A after CMS moves to room 44. Library Project.
  • Main Library – Room 146 Renovation for University Archives will provide a newly remodeled services point for the unit. This is the implementation of the NSM planning. The collection, staffing and reading areas are in the final stage of design. Library project.
  • Main Library – Stacks Chiller Tower Replacement Facilities & Services will be replacing two existing chiller towers located on the 4th Main Stack Addition roof with two high efficiency units. Bidding has been completed. Construction start date May 15, 2014 with the tower replacement taking place in October 2014 after the summer major cooling season. Facilities and Services project.
  • Main Library – Parking Lot E3 Drainage Study Consultant has finalized the plan for resolving the water overflow from the E3 parking lot into the west basement entry and loading dock. Campus Parking is reviewing construction delivery methods and schedule. The work will be done summer 2014 or summer 2015. Facilities & Services, Campus Parking and Library project.
  • Main Library – Gregory Drive Sidewalk/abandon electric vault cover replacement. Consultant is designing the replacement lid/sidewalk for a section of sidewalk along the south side of the Main Library that has major deterioration. Facilities & Services’ project.
  • Main Library – 1st floor center restroom renovation. The project will renovate both spaces providing one accessible women’s and one accessible men’s restroom on the first floor adjacent to the Marshall Gallery. Currently reviewing the 95% construction documents. Facilities & Services’ project.
  • Main Library – Room 220 operational planning for Scholarly Commons and Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) services. Schedule for renovation is being developed.
  • Grainger Engineering Library & Information Center – Design Center – New collaboration project between the College of Engineering and Grainger Engineering Library Current proposal would re envision the west end of the basement level – room 000 and the west end of the first floor – room 100. A phased project with the early phase anticipated to be ready for the fall semester 2014.
  • Horticulture Field Laboratory – University Archives NEH Grant Remodeling – The project will replace the existing environmental system for the three existing vaults, construct a new vault for instrument storage in room 108 and install fire suppression in all 4 vaults. In the process of completing the design development phase, reviewing the budget and schedule.
  • Undergraduate Library – planning for additional panel enclosures and reading/collaboration tables for the Media Commons.

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FACILITIES: Projects in Construction

  • Main Library – Phase 2B Masonry Restoration and Window Replacement – North Lightcourt. Mortar grinding is complete. Mortar pointing began this week with the sequence of completion to be east, north, west and south elevations. The contractors are aware of the finals schedule and intend to continue with the pointing unless the noise is a problem. Window replacement will start in mid-June 2014.
  • Main Library – Room 146 renovation in preparation for the University Archives relocation. Painting is complete, flooring replacement to start in May, window shades to follow. Electrical and data work to follow the completion of the shelving and furniture layout.
  • Undergraduate Library – Upper Level Flooring replacement project. The upper level of the UGL will be out of service until the end of July 2014. Please be aware 291 UGL scheduling will need to be reserved in other Library instructional labs. The circulation desk will be set up temporarily in the lower level for the duration of the project. CITES is currently investigating alternative locations for room 289. Print reserves will be held at the circulation desk in the Main Library for the summer. Start date May 19, 2014.
  • Undergraduate Library – painting additional columns on the upper level to match the blue columns in the north portion of the Media Commons.
  • Grainger Engineering Library – wood flooring restoration. F&S will start in room 240 (large center space), then room 252 and finish in room 200. Start date May 19, 2014.
  • Grainger Engineering Library – 4th floor window treatment replacement. On hold until F&S and the Library replace several failed thermal glazing panels.
  • Campus Streets – Surface Replacement Projects – Summer 2014 Please visit the following link for project descriptions and scheduling. The Sixth Street from Gregory to Armory will be done in phases to allow the E3 parking lot adjacent to the Main Library to remain open during the project. http://www.fs.illinois.edu/projects/major-campus-street-projects

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FACILITIES: Projects in Completion

  • Main Library – Preservation 425, 425A, 425B, 425C, 427, 429, 437 and 439. Preservation staff have completed their move into their office spaces with final remodeling of labs to follow. F&S will be providing construction services in rooms 425A, 425B and 439 (labs and work rooms).
  • Main Library – Room 310 and 312 – Research Data Services. The two office spaces are finished with remodeling, furniture has been installed, power/data updated and window treatment. The new director of RDS should be arriving in a few months with two staff member hires to follow.
  • Main Library – Room 106 Renovation The room should be finished by mid-summer. It will be a hybrid conference/seminar/limited instruction space. The space is intended to provide flexible arrangements with 8 mobile tables, 35 chairs with casters, 3 – 80” flat panel displays mounted on N. W. & E. walls. Library IT is working with CITES on finalizing the necessary comments for the A/V in the room.
  • Undergraduate Library – recently completed the carpet installation in the northeast corner of the lower level to allow for the reconfiguration of carrels and reading tables and use of the sound booth for Media Commons.
  • Undergraduate Library – bicycle parking on the plaza deck. Stainless steel loops were installed in four areas NW, SW, NE and SE of the paved center area to allow the Library to adequate bicycle parking for increase demand by patrons and allow for better enforcement non-compliant bicycle parking. The existing black loops were relocated to the south bicycle lot along Gregory Drive to replace the broken rack west of the south entry to the Main Library.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: #44 Society Meeting
Paul Gehl, Custodian of the John M. Wing Foundation on the History of Printing at the Newberry Library in Chicago, will talk about the University of Illinois Cavagna Collection.
May 14, 2014, 3:00PM in RBML
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/2169?eventId=30998405&calMin=201405&cal=20140514&skinId=1052
All are welcome to attend.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: First Summer Research Lab in MEIS-SRL
The International and Area Studies Library with The Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are holding the First Summer Research Lab in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies (MEIS-SRL), to offer scholars an opportunity to utilize the Library’s extensive collection on the Middle East and Islam. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has the largest public university library and the second-largest university library in North America. As of December, the Library had 56,395 books in Arabic, 30,341 books and 2,776 serials on Islamic studies. The Library also features the Sultan Qaboos Collection on Oman and Ibadi Islam, thanks to a grant from the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center.

May 19 – August 8, 2014 with workshops on Ibadi Islam: History and Bibliography (July 14, 2014) and The Arab Spring (Al-Rabi? al-‘Arabi) (July 16, 2014)

The Library has a strong collection of classical Islamic books and modern Arabic books from Egypt, Lebanon, Iran and other Middle Eastern countries and reference works written in Arabic, Persian, English, French and German, including bibliographies, dictionaries and encyclopedias. The collection has Arabic novels from every Arab country, especially Egypt and Lebanon, and carries novels written in minority languages such as Berber or Kurdish. In addition the Library has newspapers from 1890, such as Al-Mu’ayyad and Al-Ahram. The Library also houses Arabic manuscripts from Mauritania and a collection of Albert H. Lybyer Papers, 1876-1949.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Library-Wide Update
Dean John Wilkin will hold a Library-wide update at 2:30 p.m. on May 21 in Room 66. This will be the first of two or three updates planned annually. You can expect reports on activities and outcomes such as the un-retreats; questions about, and suggestions for, future activities are welcome. An agenda will be provided closer to May 21.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: RBML Summer Exhibition
“Fire Burne and Cauldron Bubble:” Witchcraft at the Dawn of Modernity
30 May—8 August 2014 in the Rare Book & Manuscript Library
http://www.library.illinois.edu/rbx/exhibits_upcoming.html
Between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries, a specter was haunting Europe, the specter of witchcraft. The West was swept by the growing preoccupation of ecclesiastical and secular authorities withe the threat posed by witches—that is, by people, most often women, who were believed to be practitioners of magic, working in concert with diabolical powers toward the subversion of Christian society. This seemingly irrational obsession is well represented by printed and manuscript works held by the Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Curated by Graduate Assistant David Morris, this exhibition will showcase a number of texts showing the rise and fall of the of the West’s long history of fascination with witchcraft and demonology.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Ikenberry Library Open House
Ikenberry Library Open House—The Residence Hall Library’s Ikenberry location will host an Open House on Wednesday, June 4th, from noon to 4 p.m. Stop by and see our collections, which include lots of great choices for summer reading, plenty of DVDs, and CDs to enjoy. Please bring your I-Card so you can check them out! The Ikenberry Library will be open this summer Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 pm. beginning May 27th through the start of the fall semester. If there are materials that you or other patrons desire from the other Residence Hall Library locations over the summer, requests will be fulfilled three times a week and available for delivery to any open campus libraries.
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If you would like to submit content for the June 1 issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to John Wilkin, Sue Searing, Beth Sandore, or Tom Teper by Wednesday, May 21, 2014.