Director's Cut
(August 2012) We have had a very eventful summer here in the library while many of you have been off doing fun things. Many changes, on many fronts: new faces, new databases, new offices, new technology, new roles. Read on, and feel armed with information as we prepare for Fall 2012! -GR
Technology Clips

  • New Student "Computers". The new Virtual Desktop technology has arrived in the library: all student stations in the classroom, and most student stations on the main floor, now have the new, computer-less VDI equipment. No CPUs, just a monitor and a little control box at each station - more room for students to spread out their stuff! The new technology has been poked and prodded over the summer, and should be ready for prime time by the start of Fall. As always with new technology, document any problems with as much detail as possible.
  • New Databases. We will have two new EBSCO databases this Fall: Academic Search Complete, and Environment Complete. Academic Search Complete replaces, and is twice as large as, Academic Search Premier, which will continue to be available on the EBSCO database selection page. Environment Complete is a suitable replacement for the more narrowly-focused AccessScience database formerly funded by MOBAC.
  • LibGuides on the Website. We are now using LibGuides for two areas of our website: our Research Guides by Subject (formerly Internet Links), and our Course-Related Instruction index page (formerly an index to mostly html-based exercises). Each area will continue to evolve and be updated, as librarians return to the fray.

Library Clips

  • New Library Card Procedure. Beginning with Summer 2012, students, faculty, and staff no longer need to fill out a paper application when applying for a library card in person, either at the library or at the Watsonville ILC. We will simply confirm the contact and identification information with the student, and assign the student their library card! We are following a growing trend toward paperless processes in many libraries, and at the same time cutting down the administrative overhead for us as well. Note: online library card applications, and Special Borrowers, are unaffected, and continue to require completed paperwork.
  • New Signage. New signs are creeping into our environment, beginning with a prominent new sign for the New Books area, and a relocation of one of the Swenson Library signs to the front overhang of the library (I noticed the library was not identifiable to those making the long walk up from Soquel). Additional signage will be added to the base of the internal stairwell, to meet ADA requirements now that DSPS is located upstairs. M&O is updating numerous signs around campus, so you may see other new signs over the coming months. If you have any ideas for new signs needed in the library, let me know (Sylvia & I already spoke of possibly getting some "Main Stacks" signs).
  • Inter-Library Loan Service. We now have a new team working our inter-library loan service: Kerry O'Brien will be processing verified ILL requests from students and others, and handling in-bound requests from other libraries, and Laura Dickie will be continuing to verify requests from Cabrillo folks and provide general oversight for the service.
  • Office Changes. Belen Ruiz, the all-Division IDA (Instructional Division Assistant), is now in Michele B's old office. The Gorey Room, formerly occupied by my predecessor, is now occupied by, well, me. Stop by and say hello to both of us!
  • MOBAC Administrative Council. I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve as the new chair of the MOBAC Admin Council for 2012/13. The Admin Council consists of the directors (or their designees) from all MOBAC libraries, and provides guidance and support, both conceptual and financial, for consortial activities among our local libraries. I am definitely excited to see what trouble I can get us into over the coming year!

Campus Clips

  • DSPS Now Upstairs in 1000 Bldg by Learning Centers. As of late Spring semester, DSPS is located upstairs in the area adjacent to Learning Skills. It will be very interesting to see how their presence in the building impacts the flow of students in the library. M&O is working with them on improving overall signage in the learning centers area, something which has long been needed!
  • Wellness Center Opening Delayed. The opening of the Precision Wellness Center has been delayed until August 27, tentatively. Anyone who registered for their services will have their contracts begin in September, with any August open dates provided free of charge. Nice way to recover from the delay!
  • Evening Administrator Changes. Beginning with Fall 2012, there will be a few changes to the Evening Administrator process. EA coverage will be from 5pm-8pm (instead of 5pm-9pm), with the evening Custodial supervisor taking over after 8pm. There will be a new phone number to call, and a separate number to call after 8pm - details will be coming soon. Best of all (for me, anyway), the EA will only need to be on campus during the first three weeks of the semester; for later weeks, the assigned EAs can be "on-call" from home.

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