- University Librarian Note
- Alma Squad Report
- AP Promotion Program Coming Soon!
- Growth in the Illinois Digital Heritage Hub
- Did You Know? A Monthly Factoid from Library Assessment?
- Library Tip of the Month
- Collection Development Committee Notes
- Content Access Policy & Technology Meeting Minutes
- Recognizing Excellence
FACILITIES NEWS
HR NEWS
- Filled Positions
- Departures
- Vacancies (Closed)
- Searches Completed
- Searches in Progress or Pre-announcement
- Searches Approved but on Hold
- In Memoriam
EVENTS AND TRAINING
- Staff Events Calendar
- Fair Use Gameshow (May 4)
- Player Piano Virtual Demonstration (May 5)
- Skill Up Session: Planning Large Community events (May 10)
- NISO Webinar – Meaningful Metrics, Part 2 of 2 (May 12)
- May SoTL Studio Session (May 13)
- Striving for Excellence, Achieving Perfection: What Went Wrong? (May 18)
- The Application of 3D Printing Services in the Academic Library, Part 1 (May 26)
- The Application of 3D Printing Services in the Academic Library, Part 2 (June 9)
ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note
Check back next month for a new Note from Dean Wilkin.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Alma Squad Report
Upcoming Alma/Primo Downtime – May 29-30, 2021
Ex Libris will be moving their data center on May 29-30, 2021, over the Memorial Day weekend, and all services running out of that facility will be offline for approximately 24 hours. This data center includes server NA06, which is where our instance of Alma and the Primo Catalog operate. Alma and the Primo Catalog will go offline at 10pm CDT on Saturday, May 29, and restored by 10pm CDT on Sunday, May 30.
People trying to connect to Alma/Primo services during the outage will see a message on a default-landing page about the services being temporarily unavailable due to maintenance (see copy of the message at https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/@api/deki/files/114061/Cloud_maintenance.png?revision=1).
We will post information on Facebook, Twitter, and the Library web page about the downtime for the Primo Catalog. A notice about the Alma/Primo downtime will also be included in Eweek, GradLINKS, and iNews.
Alma Staff Training Page
As we move into the Summer months and more people are starting to work within Alma and the Primo Catalog, we wanted to remind all about the Alma Staff Training page at https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/alma/.
While we are working to revamp and consolidate multiple training sources from various pages (including the ILS Coordination Team page), there are a lot of introductory videos and documentation available here on this webpage. We have links out to Ex Libris produced trainings information, numerous CARLI created aids, and locally recorded Zoom sessions on basic searching and navigation in Alma, Fulfillment activity, Cataloging and Maintenance of titles/records, and working in the Primo Catalog. There is also a Contact Us section when one has questions or feedback about the Alma or Primo systems.
Information sessions on Searching and Navigating in Alma/Primo
We will have new introductory sessions on searching and navigating in Alma/Primo. There will be recordings of these sessions posted on the Alma Staff Training page. We will post the Zoom session information in a separate email to LIBNEWS in May 2021.
Topic: Introductory session on Searching and Navigating in Alma/ Feb 2, 2021, 01:00 PM
- June 17, 2021 @ 1-2 pm Zoom Session
- June 22, 2021 @ 10-11 am
- June 30, 2021 @ 11-12 pm
A previously recorded information session on Searching and Navigating in Alma/Primo is available at this link: https://uofi.box.com/s/ogln4cymaobxoocv8q230dkqz05ba4k6
LIB-NEWS updates to highlight Alma features
The Alma Squad team will start to include short tips of working in Alma in updates to LIBNEWS starting in mid-May. The first tip is to watch this short three-minute video about how one can setup and customize the new Alma User Interface (UI) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXrWOVB1BNo.
AlmaStats – Help running analytics in Alma/Primo
We wanted to remind everyone that we have a group ready to help with questions or running analytics work in Alma/Primo. We can help with setting up analytics widgets, running and exporting advanced queries in Alma into spreadsheets of data elements, utilizing Alma or Primo Analytics to run reports for bibliographic data or library activity (loans, requests, historical events, etc.), and pulling in data from external sources to do analysis work of library collections.
There is a library email address to help answer questions about analytics. We will help run any reports to get the data and information you need. This group of Analytics experts includes Michael Norman, B.A. Howe, Jen Yu, Esra Coskun, Megean Osuchowski, Janelle Sander, and Tricia Lampron, and one of us will assist in helping guide you through the best way to produce a report or analyses of the dataset you need.
If you have any questions about doing analytics work in Alma/Primo, please contact the Alma Stats group at almastats@library.illinois.edu.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: AP Promotion Program Coming Soon!
The 3rd year of the Library’s new Academic Professional (AP) Promotion Program will launch this month, with the call for AP self-nominations planned for May 17, 2021. APs are strongly encouraged to discuss their interest in promotion with their supervisors. A letter of support from one’s supervisor is not required but helps strengthen the case for promotion. New redacted samples of self-nomination statements and supervisor letters of support have been posted on the AP Promotion Process Page. In addition, virtual office hours will be held on the following dates for APs and supervisors to answer questions about the program, eligibility, and developing statements and letters:
- Mon, May 24 1PM-2PM
- Wed, June 9 11AM-12PM
- Tue, June 22 10AM-11AM
Reminders about these office hours will be announced on LibNews with Zoom links as we get closer to the dates.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Growth in the Illinois Digital Heritage Hub
Megan Pearson, Visiting Metadata Services Specialist for the Illinois Digital Heritage Hub
The Illinois Digital Heritage Hub (IDHH) saw tremendous growth as it surpassed 400,000 total items! As a statewide initiative to bring together unique digital assets about Illinois or created by Illinoisans, the IDHH hosts 417,946 digital resources from 150 cultural heritage institutions in Illinois as of April 2021, including photographs, manuscripts, books, audio recordings, and videos.
Users can access IDHH resources in two ways: on the site home page, users can explore the collections with keyword searches or browse by categories such as topics, notable Illinoisans, format, and Partner Institutions. On the blog Illinois Highlights, the IDHH staff promote new collections, highlight older ones, and feature topics with materials relevant to Illinois and national history. In addition, ongoing projects include developing outreach initiatives and curated content (such as digital exhibits) from the items available through the IDHH.
The usage of IDHH resources has been growing as well. Since the IDHH’s website launch in June 2019, more than 6000 total users have visited the site, including 1200 users in March 2021 alone.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Did You Know? A Monthly Factoid from Library Assessment?
During March 2021, Library Assessment sent out the third short Library Service Satisfaction Survey, the last in a series this academic year started in October 2020 and November 2020 to assess students’ needs and attitudes towards library services during the pandemic. Among 130 responses, the most used services remained similar to what we saw in our first survey with e-book/e-journal and materials checkout being the most frequently used services (see the November 2020 factoid: https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/assessment/did-you-know-factoids-from-library-assessment/#nov20]. However, as hours and opportunities for bookable study spaces have increased in Spring Semester 2021 (especially in response to concerns from the first round of surveys), bookable study space became the third most used library service. This time we also gave students the opportunity to upload a photo related to their perspective of the library and give it a related caption. We feature photos received in our survey in this factoid above. Respondents frequently commented that they enjoyed taking a break from studying in the library by looking out the window at campus views and enjoyed the natural lighting. Three main areas of concern have remained a theme in the survey responses also: lack of information about how to access library resources (“[I] am not fully aware of what is available or how to use it”), open physical stacks access, and more study spaces, especially for collaborative use.
Image and text created by Lindsay Taylor, Library Assessment Graduate Assistant.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Tip of the Month
The Library sends a monthly email to new faculty at Illinois during the fall and spring semesters. These emails introduce many of our services and resources to this important audience.
You can view the April LTOTM at https://emails.illinois.edu//newsletter/1393982374.html.
If you have ideas for future emails, please feel free to share them with Heather Murphy.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes
The most recent meetings minutes of the CDC are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/collection-development-committee/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Content Access Policy & Technology Meeting Minutes
The meetings minutes of CAPT (including workgroup reports) are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/content-access-policy-technology-capt/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence
- Kelli Trei Elected Secretary of the Biodiversity Heritage Library Executive Committee
- Lynne M. Thomas Nominated for Hugo Award
- Pionke Awarded 2021 MLA President’s Award
- Sarah Christensen Awarded 2021 CAPE Award
- Coker Receives 2021 Lord Ruthven Award for Best Nonfiction
Please share your award, recognition, or grant! To initiate a request for publicity, employees (or their supervisors) should submit this Awards/Recognitions/Grants Publicity Request Form.
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FACILITIES NEWS: Update
For a complete list of projects in planning and construction, please see https://wordpress.library.illinois.edu/staff/facilities/.
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- Maria Emerson – Student Success Librarian – Undergraduate Library – 6/16/2021
- Tammie Redenbaugh – Library Operations Associate – ACS – 4/23/2021
- Dillon Brown – Facility Operations Specialist – Facilities – 4/30/2021
- Unit Spaces and Technology Support Specialist – Media Commons/Scholarly
Commons – 4/16/2021
- Student Success Librarian – Undergraduate Library, FAC – Sarah Williams, Chair
Kick-off meeting scheduled for February 19, 2020. EC approved position. Live on job board with closing date of March 27, 2020. Closing date extended to May 1, 2020: Vacancy Suspended until further notice.
Kick-off meeting held 10/29/2020. Live on job board. Search closed Dec 11, 2020. Phone screenings held Jan 12, 14, 19, 20, 22 & 25. Virtual interviews scheduled for March 1, 2, 9 and 10. Offer extended. Maria Emerson start date will be June 16, 2021.
- Visiting Project Conservator – Preservation Services, AP – Tom Teper, Chair
Kick-off meeting held Nov 5, 2020. JD approved by EC. Live on the job board. Search closed Jan 22, 2021. Virtual interview held March 23, 2021. Offer Pending.
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HR NEWS: Searches in Progress or Pre-announcement
- Visiting Design and Materials Research Librarian – Ricker Library, FAC – Kirstin
Dougan Johnson, Chair
Kick-off meeting scheduled for April 14, 2020. Vacancy Suspended until further notice. Kick-off meeting held Nov 2, 2020. Awaiting for EC to approved JD. EC approved JD. Live on the job board. Search closed Jan 29, 2021. Phone screenings held Feb 22, 23, and 24. Virtual interviews March 29, April 2, April 5, and April 9.
- Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility – Business and Human
Resources Services, AP – Cindy Ingold, Chair
Kick-off meeting scheduled for March 5, 2020. Position description pending approval. Vacancy Suspended until further notice. Kick-off meeting held Oct 28, 2020. Awaiting for EC to approve JD. EC approved JD. Live on the job board. Closed February 12, 2021. Phone Screenings held March 15, 17, 18, 22 and 25th. Virtual interviews pending
- Library Assessment Specialist – Library Assessment, AP – Sara Benson, Chair
Kick-off meeting scheduled for May 4, 2020. Vacancy Suspended until further notice. Kick-off meeting held Nov 4, 2020. Still awaiting IHR JD approval. JD approved. Live on the job board. Closed date of February 19, 2021. Phone screenings held March 15 and March 19. Virtual interviews April 14, April 20, April 21, and April 22.
- Research Data Librarian – Research Data Service, FAC – Carissa Phillips, Chair
Kick-off meeting held February 16, 2021. Live on the job board. Closed April 9, 2021. Phone screenings scheduled for April 22, April 26, April 27, and April 29
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HR NEWS: Searches Approved but on Hold
- ACS Cataloging Coordinator – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services, AP – Mara
Thacker, Chair
Kick-off meeting scheduled for May 13, 2020. EC approved position. IHR approved JD Oct 7, 2020. Live on job board. Closed Nov 6, 2020. Phone screenings held Jan 4, Jan 5, Jan 6 & Jan 7, 2021. Virtual interviews held Feb 17, 23, and 26. CLOSED WITHOUT HIRE
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar
To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit https://uiuc.libcal.com/calendar/staff.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Fair Use Gameshow
CARLI-Sponsored Professional Development Alliance (PDA) Event
May 4 at 10 AM
Are you interested in fair use, but not interested in long lectures on the topic? Would you like to test your fair use knowledge and have some fun? If the answer to either or both of these questions is yes, then join us as we play the Fair Use Gameshow!
Link to register: https://www.carli.illinois.edu/pda-event-fair-use-gameshow
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Player Piano Virtual Demonstration
May 5 at 12-1 PM
Please join the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Music & Performing Arts Library for our second virtual demonstration featuring the Library’s Steinway Duo-Art reproducing piano and collection of piano rolls. See and hear the piano in action and learn more about the instrument and roll collection. The demonstration will last approximately 30 minutes and there will be additional time for questions.
To register, please visit:
https://illinois.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5gWM_xxgSzKEI7bQ3qTnMQ
Some of the explanatory content will be the same/similar to the last presentation, but I will be picking some new rolls to play, so hopefully, that will be worth tuning in again even if you caught the first one!
Please direct questions about this event to mpal@library.illinois.edu. For more information about the piano and the library’s collections, see:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/mpal/about/collections/specialcollections/steinway-duo-art-player-piano/
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Skill Up Session: Planning Large Community events
May 10 at 3 PM
Join the Outreach and Engagement Committee for a casual conversation over virtual coffee or your drink of choice with our speaker Scott Schwartz, Director of the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music and Archivist for Music and Fine Arts. Scott has created and organized many large-scale events working with multiple community partners. A few examples include the One Community Together programming for the annual Urbana Sweetcorn Festival, sponsoring and managing children’s programming for the annual Folks and Roots Festival, and America’s history through music educational programs for public and home schools with guest performers and musician. Scott also will candidly discuss what has and has not worked for organizing and managing large-scale events and working with community partners. Q&A from the audience will follow afterward.
Zoom information was shared via LibNews email from Shelby Strommer on April 22.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: NISO Webinar – Meaningful Metrics (Part 2 of 2)
May 12 at 10 AM
It’s time to revisit metrics. How can they be made more meaningful and illuminative? Publishers, librarians, and their vendors use similar vocabulary (such as usage) but what they mean by their terminology (downloads, referral, etc.) and how they interpret it may differ. What data needs to be collected? How long is it retained? What are appropriate data-sharing practices? How should providers measure the use of open educational resources? Or use of open access monographs? Can we come to an agreement on the meaning of the behavioral data that may be automatically gathered in? In short, how can we make metrics more meaningful?
Participants in this two-part webinar will examine and discuss these issues and more from a variety of perspectives.
Please email training@library.illinois.edu for login credentials or recordings.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: May SoTL Studio Session
May 13 at 3 PM
A series on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). SoTL has been defined in many ways but my favorite is this succinct definition: “systematic reflection on teaching and learning made public” (ISU, 1998-99). In other words, it might be research that is published but it can also be any other form of inquiry shared in a community of practice. Over the course of the spring semester, we’ll explore SoTL as a framework but also move towards thinking about designing and carrying out investigations. We will also possibly develop some collaborative research projects over time if the group — or a subgroup — is interested in doing that.
Zoom information and what will be discussed during this meeting will be shared via LibNews email.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Striving for Excellence, Achieving Perfection: What Went Wrong?
CARLI-Sponsored Professional Development Alliance (PDA) Event
May 18 at 10 AM
Leaders and team members aim to attain goals, to meet objectives, and please all of their stakeholders and employees along the way. This webinar will focus on a key leadership distinction: excellence versus perfection, and how a leader or team member’s overall effectiveness is influenced by how aware they are of their own inclination (and that of their team members) toward each dimension.
Link to register: https://www.carli.illinois.edu/pda-event-striving-excellence-achieving-perfection-what-went-wrong
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: The Application of 3D Printing Services in the Academic Library (Part 1)
CARLI-Sponsored Professional Development Alliance (PDA) Event
May 26 at 10 am
Driven to democratize access to emerging technologies and the knowledge it affords, the Academic Library is well-positioned to provide access to 3D Printing services to support the design learning pedagogy in higher education. Additive manufacturing technologies allow you to design, 3D print, and test your design in real-time. In this 2-part series, you will learn about 3D Printing and develop an understanding of how the technologies can be implemented in the Academic Library.
Link to register: https://www.carli.illinois.edu/pda-series-application-3d-printing-services-academic-library-part-1
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: The Application of 3D Printing Services in the Academic Library (Part 2)
CARLI-Sponsored Professional Development Alliance (PDA) Event
June 9 at 10 AM
Driven to democratize access to emerging technologies and the knowledge it affords, the Academic Library is well-positioned to provide access to 3D Printing services to support the design learning pedagogy in higher education. Additive manufacturing technologies allow you to design, 3D print, and test your design in real-time. In this 2-part series, you will learn about 3D Printing and develop an understanding of how the technologies can be implemented in the Academic Library.
Link to register: https://www.carli.illinois.edu/pda-series-application-3d-printing-services-academic-library-part-2
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If you would like to submit content for the June issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to Heather Murphy or Tom Teper by May 21, 2021.