Monthly Archives: December 2014

December Library Office Notes

Posted on by

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
Back to Top

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.
Back to Top

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…
Back to Top

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.
Back to Top

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.
Back to Top

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”

Back to Top

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
Back to Top

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

Back to Top

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

Back to Top

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

Back to Top

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.
Back to Top

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.
Back to Top

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.
Back to Top

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!
Back to Top

FACILITIES: Project Information
Please visit the Office of Library Facilities webpage for project updates. http://www.library.illinois.edu/administration/facilities/
Back to Top

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.
Back to Top

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.
Back to Top

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.
Back to Top

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/
Back to Top

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)!
Back to Top

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/
Back to Top

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.