Missing Drop Box Key

Hello Everyone! Our drop box key is missing. Could everyone please check their pockets and see if they accidentally took it will them?

Thanks,

Heidi

Finals Week

Please remember that you work your regular schedule through tomorrow and start your special finals week hours on Sunday. Check your personal schedule if you cannot remember what you signed up for.

For all students working at the information services desk it is very important that you put the books on the cart in Dewey decimal system order. We get a lot of books back this time of year and the access students do not want to spend their time putting the books in order while they could be shelving. Please, please, PLEASE take the time to put them on the cart in correct order!

Good luck with all of your finals and studies. If I don't see you, please have a great Thanksgiving and break!

Heidi

Carts

Hello,

People have been noticing that the carts in back are not in order. Please put the books on the cart in Dewey Decimal system order. If you don't know what that means, you should talk to me. I will be checking constantly to see if the carts are in order so do it right!

Heidi

Timecards

So, you guys totally did not listen to me about timecards this week. We had 9 people with problems, that is ridiculous! Please do better than this!

New Staff Member

We have a new staff member starting this Wednesday! Her name is Jenny Smiechowski and she is the new Periodicals Assistant. Please welcome her!

Winter Term Schedules

The Winter term schedules are up. Please go to your personal schedule page and move the calendar to the week of January 2nd. Please remember that our schedules do not start until January 3rd, so you may have a Monday shift, be sure to look at the following week.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Patrons

Hello,

We are always happy to give out paper clips and staplers. We are always happy to let people use our scissors, tape, three hole punch, paper cutter, staple removers, etc. Please do not give people alligator clips, they are pretty expensive. Please do not give out things like this, they are expensive and we are not a supply place for people just to give stuff away. Patrons need to take care of themselves for items like this.

Thanks,
Heidi

Calling in sick/late

The proper procedures for calling in sick or to tell us that you are going to be late is actually calling the library. Do not text or call someone's personal cell phone. Also, do not email. If it's during the week, Monday through Friday 8-5pm, call my phone (630)637-5711, if I don't answer call the front desk, (630)637-5700. If it's on the weekends call the front desk (630)637-5700. Make sure you actually talk to someone. No texting! No emailing! Talk to actual library staff members that are working.

Let me know if you have any questions,

Heidi

Reserves: MLS-538

Students may come in asking for an article in Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal for the class MLS-538, Gerald Gems' class. It is on the list as WSPAJ.

Thanks!
Heidi

D-Term Information

This is a memo from HR about your paychecks. Please be sure to read this!

Finals Week Hours

The finals week hours are up on your schedules. Just move the calendar to the dates of finals week and you will see them there.

Let me know if you have any questions!
Heidi

End-of-Term Matters

TO: All Oesterle Library Student Workers
FROM: Belinda Cheek, Access Services Coordinator
RE: End-of-Term Matters
DATE: October 26, 2011

The end of the term is rapidly approaching! Please complete the following instructions as we prepare schedules for Finals Week and Winter Term.

1. FINALS WEEK - All student assistants are expected to work their regular work schedule through Saturday, November 19th. A finals week schedule is being prepared for Sunday, November 20th through Wednesday, November 23rd. All student assistants are required to sign up to work a minimum of four hours during finals week. Please see Heidi by 5:00 on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4th to sign up for your hours.

2. WINTER TERM SCHEDULES - All student workers (including SCs and ASCs) who plan to work Winter Term will be assigned a work schedule before they leave for D-Term. (If for any reason you don’t plan to work next term, please let Heidi know right away!!) The appropriate schedule form on this site should be completed to indicate when you will be available to work during Winter Term. Please complete the form carefully and thoughtfully! Also, remember that any form that does not leave enough hours for us to work with when assigning schedules will be returned for revision. All forms should be given to Heidi by 5:00 on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4th.

If you have any questions about this process, please do not hesitate to contact Heidi or me.

Review Week 2: Hours, Shift Coverage and Timecards

Thank you to all of you who completed week 1 review on time! One thing I need to address from last week is that B1 of P1088-B1 means that the photocopy is on shelf B1 of the container we hold the photocopies in. Please come to me if you don't know what this means.

On to week 2 review: hours and timecards. Belinda and I told you at the beginning of the school year that we would be really cracking down on filling out your timecards so I figured I should make sure everyone understands how to do this.

First, you should be making sure that your google schedule is accurate. This is located on the student assistant website under the student worker contact information page, just go to your name and click on it, your schedule is there. I make changes to these schedules every time you take a shift, get a shift covered, are late, or are sick. This schedule is what we use to check your timecards with. If you find something wrong and don't tell me, we are going to think your timecard is wrong and reject it, which means you will not get paid.

To get a shift covered for the information services desk, periodicals desk, or the 10-Midnight shift for access services you need to fill out the substitution form located on the student assistant website under substitution requests. If you need to miss a technical services or daytime access services shift you just need to talk to your supervisor. DO NOT put a daytime access services or technical services shift on the website for coverage! For the other shifts you just fill out the form and click submit.



Once you have filled the form out, please refresh the page to make sure it appears in the available shifts chart.



If you want to take a shift, you can find available shift in the available shifts chart. If you find a shift you can cover just fill out the "fill a substitution request" form.



Once you have filled it out, please be sure to refresh and make sure that your submission shows up in the filled substitution requests chart



Make sure that you fill out all of these forms accurately!

You should be filling out your timecard EVERY shift! To fill out your timecard you just need to go to Merlin, log in, select the employees section, and then click "Time entry." There you would select the library timecard and then fill out your shifts. All the timecard periods are two weeks long, at the end of the time period you need to "sign" your timecard and submit it. I will send you reminders every week when they are due but it is clear that once the time period is done, you should submit your timecard.

Below is your homework for this week. It is due Thursday, October 27th!

D-Term Appications

TO: Oesterle Library Student Assistants
FROM: Belinda Cheek, Coordinator of the Student Assistant Program
RE: D-Term Positions
DATE: October 20, 2011


Oesterle Library has the following student assistant positions available for D-Term:

1. TWO FULL-TIME POSITIONS (40 hours per week)
Expected to work the following dates:
November 28 – December 16

Hours will include daytime, evening and Saturday hours

***Please note: depending on the applicant pool, these positions may be broken down into multiple part-time positions

2. ONE PART-TIME POSITION (approximately 25 hours per week)
Expected to work the following dates:
November 28 – December 16

Hours will include daytime, evening and Saturday hours

Hours may also be available on the following dates during Christmas Break:

December 19-21 and December 27-30
Hours available will be 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Student assistants working these positions will primarily be assigned to the Information Services Desk and/or the Periodicals Desk. Student assistants may also be assigned to a few hours in other library units.

Preference will be given to applicants that:
- are able to work all hours and dates
- have an excellent attendance and work record

Campus housing is available at no extra charge for any student wishing to stay on campus during D-Term (November 28- December 16). Typically campus housing is not available during Christmas break (December 17-31). Student assistants who have questions about the availability of housing during this time should contact the office of Residence Life.

Anyone interested in a position for D-Term should complete the form below and submit it by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 31st.

Review: Week 1: Reserves

Hello!

This is week 1 of our reviewing! Please read the following and answer the questions below. Remember I require that all Student Assistants, ASCs and SCs participate!

When a patron comes up and asks for a reserve, the first step is to ask them what class or professor they have. Go to the library website, click on the tab that says "Books, Movies, and More," and click the link that says "Reserves for Classes." In that screen select the search items they give you and click "Find." That will pull up the list of reserves that patron should be interested in.

There are two types of reserves. Faculty owned items, which are the faculty's personal items that they have put on reserve for their students to use. Oesterle library items, which are items the library owns. The faculty owned items have very basic call numbers like f789 (book), v506 (video), c102 (CD), p102-A1 (Photocopies), etc. They have a purple band with the barcode on the band. All of these items are located on the right side of the reserve bookshelf, except for the photocopies which are located in the bins to the left of the bookcase.

The Oesterle library items have our normal Dewey Decimal call numbers, a green band, and the barcode is located where all of our barcodes are, on the back cover, top right hand side. All of these items are located on the left side of the reserve bookshelf.

There are 6 possible different check out times: 2, 3, 4 hours and 1, 2, 3 days. When you charge the item out to the patron the computer will tell you the exact time the item is due, make sure you tell the patron. If you missed the due time on the computer screen, you can just look at the band on the book and with that information figure out the due time. Hourly reserves should NEVER EVER leave the building, that means they can not be desensitized. Daily reserve should be desensitized, so please pay attention to the difference.

Once a reserve item is returned you need to discharge it right away in order to not accidentally give a patron a fine. If it is an hourly reserve you should put it on the reserve shelf, it should never go in the back room. If it is a daily reserve, you should resensitize it in the back and then put it on the reserve shelf. There should NEVER be a reserve book on a shelving cart or on the regular shelves, only on the reserve bookcase.

Wi-Fi

Hello,

If anyone calls asking about Wi-Fi usage, please make it clear that only faculty, staff and students can use it. Public patrons or people from other colleges will not be able to access it.

Thank you,

Heidi

Reviews coming up

Hello,

It is week 5 next week, that means that we have all had time to review or get used to the desks. So, starting next week you should be checking this EVERY TIME you work because I am going to start to review. Reviewing means I will talk about some subject about one of the desks and you will need to answer some questions at the end of my posts. All student assistants, ASCs and SCs are required to participate every week and have them turned in ON TIME.

Get ready :)

Have a great weekend!

Heidi

Reminder: Please do not take anything off of anyone desks

Hello,

A few things have gone missing off of staff desks. Please do not do this. All items are their personal things. So do not take staplers, tape dispensers, etc. off of anyone's desk!

Thanks,

Heidi

Confidentiality Forms and Website checklist due Wednesday!

Hello!

The confidentiality forms and website checklists that we gave to you to sign and fill out at the student assistant dinner are due on Wednesday! If you were not there at the dinner, they are in your mailbox.

Please get this filled out and returned to me if you haven't done so!

Heidi

Athletes Studying

Hello,

Please do not sign off any athletes studying in the library anymore. If they have any questions, send them to the person at the information services desk.

Thanks,
Heidi

Reminder: Courtesy Borrowers

Hello,

Just want to let everyone know that courtesy borrowers do not get a log in to use the computers. They can only use the 3 computers in the main lobby that can only access the internet, no others.

Thanks,
Heidi

Further development and training

Career Development just sent this to us and I thought I would send it along to you guys, in case you were interested.

Human Resources, in collaboration with Career Development is offering an opportunity to help student workers to kick it up a notch. On October 11th, from 12-1 and again from 1-2, we are offering a 50 minute session to help workers learn about professionalism, appearance, expectations and customer service. You will also see the value of the work that you do for us, but in terms of transferability to any future job. This will be held in the WAC Banquet Hall on the second floor.

Please consider attending either one of these sessions. Lunch will be provided, but you must RSVP to Career Development (x5141) to reserve a space. We are confident that students will enjoy the session and will leave with more than they came in with.

If you have any questions, please contact Jeff in Career Development

New Schedules!

The new schedules are up! You can find them on your person schedule page. Let me know if you have any conflicts as soon as possible. Note that they begin Monday, September 26.

Friday, September 23 through Sunday, September 25 you may have a new student assistant sitting with you during your shift. Please continue your regular work and allow them to watch the procedures at the desk.

Reminder: Student Assistant Orientation Dinner Thursday

Hello!

Just a little reminder that the student assistant orientation dinner is Thursday 4:30-6:30 and you are all expected to be there, unless you have spoken to me personally.

It will be good food and good fun!

Heidi

Open Shifts

Hello!

There are a few open shifts on the website. If you can take any part of them I would be very grateful!

Please take a look!

Welcome Back!

I hope you have all had a fantastic summer! I am excited to see you all Monday!

Please remember to come in Monday, September 12th to get all checked it. This includes student assistants, ASCs, and SCs. You need to see me or Belinda.

Student Assistants: if you really want to be on top of things please fill out a new schedule form to turn in by Thursday, September 15th at noon for us to be able to schedule past week 2!

Finals Week and Fall Term Schedules

Your finals week schedules are up on the website. Remember, finals schedule starts Sunday, June 5th and finishes Wednesday, June 8th.

As always, the beginning of Fall Term will be a busy time here at the library. In addition to all of the usual beginning of term activities, we will be busy hiring our new student assistants for the coming year. Therefore, Belinda has created a special schedule that will be for the first two weeks of Fall Term ONLY! (The specific dates of coverage for this schedule are September 12-25.) This schedule will allow us to keep all essential operations going during those first, very busy, weeks of the term. By the beginning of the third week, we will have hired our new student assistants and given them at least some beginning training. You will then begin a more “normal” schedule for the rest of the term. That “week 3 through week 10” schedule will be given to you during the second week of Fall Term.

ASCs and SCs, please note that your hours will NOT change after week 2. However, ASCs will be working at the Information Service Desk with the Reference Services Librarian during their shifts rather than in the staff room. We will have just one other student assistant on duty during ASC hours, and that student assistant will be at the Periodicals Desk.

As always, please be sure to see Belinda or Heidi on Monday, September 12th to let us know that you are back on campus and to confirm your schedule. Also, it is very important that we learn of any changes to your availability for Fall Term as soon as possible. If for any reason you decide that you will not be able to work the following schedule for September 12-25, please contact one of us immediately so that we can make other arrangements for these times!

You can find your schedule by going to the student assistant website, click on the student assistant contact information, then click on your name and move the calendar to the week of September 12th.

Please be sure to talk with us if you have questions/concerns!

Student Assistant Picnic TODAY!

Starting at Noon!

End-Of-Term Matters

TO: Oesterle Library Student Assistants
FROM: Belinda Cheek, Coordinator of the Student Assistant Program
RE: End-of-Term Matters
DATE: May 10, 2011


There are several matters that we must take care of before the term ends. Please read this memo carefully!


1.All supervisors will be completing performance evaluations for each of the student assistants that work in their unit. Your supervisor(s) will meet with you by June 3rd to discuss your evaluation. Please let me know if you have any questions about this process.

2.We need to know whether or not you are planning to return to North Central and your position at the library in the fall. If you are returning, please complete a Fall Term schedule as indicated below. If for any reason you do not plan to return in the fall, please fill out this form to let us know your intentions as soon as possible!

3.FALL TERM SCHEDULES - All of you who do plan to return to work Fall Term will be assigned a work schedule before you leave for the summer. That work schedule will be for the first two weeks of the term only. Priority during that time will be given to covering all night and weekend desk hours, and then daytime desk hours as available. We will need to hire a large number of new student assistants during those two weeks, and we will be depending on all of you to help us keep operations running while we do that hiring! Early in the second week of the term you will receive a new work schedule that will be in effect for weeks 3-10.

The attached form should be completed to indicate when you will be available to work during those first two weeks of Fall Term. Please complete the appropriate form carefully and thoughtfully! Also, remember that if you submit a schedule that that does not leave sufficient hours for us to work with when assigning schedules, the form will be returned to you for revision! All forms should be given to Heidi by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, MAY 19th.

4.FINALS WEEK - All student assistants are expected to work their regular work schedule through Saturday, June 4th. A finals week schedule is being prepared for Sunday, June 5th through Wednesday, June 8th. All student assistants are required to sign up to work a minimum of four hours during finals week. Please see Heidi by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, MAY 19th to sign up for your hours.

Assistant Student Coordinator position

To: All Student Assistants

From: Belinda Cheek

RE: Assistant Student Coordinator position

We are reopening the search for an Assistant Student Coordinator. Please note that there has been a slight change to the nature of the position. Beginning Fall Term, ASCs will be allowed to sub for circulation and periodicals desk shifts that do not fall during their regularly assigned ASC shift.

The position description for ASCs is available on the student assistant website. Please read this carefully, and note that ASCs are expected to work very specific hours. The hours to be shared by three ASCs include:

Academic Terms
Monday – Thursday: 5 - 9p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., 1 - 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 3 p.m., 3 – 6 p.m., & 6 – 9 p.m.

Also, please note that ASC positions do not require summer or December Term hours.

If you would like to apply for this ASC position, please submit a letter of application to me that includes the number of terms you have worked, areas in which you have worked, and reasons you feel especially qualified for the position. Applications are due by Noon on Wednesday, May 11th.

Student Assistant Picnic

Click on the picture above to see the details of this year's picnic!

RSVP by May 16th!

Summer Positions and a Fall ASC Position Available

TO: Oesterle Library Student Assistants
FROM: Belinda Cheek, Coordinator of the Student Assistant Program
RE: Summer Positions and a Fall ASC Position Available
DATE: April 21, 2011

We have four student assistant positions available for the summer:

2 full-time (40 hours per week) positions
* must be able to work from June 9 through September 9
* will include daytime, evening and weekend hours during summer term
* will be strictly Mon-Fri 8am-5pm once summer term ends (after August 5th)
* limited vacation time (unpaid) may be arranged but cannot be taken during the week of September 6-9
* will include Information Services Desk and Periodicals Desk hours as well as assignments in other library units
**These positions may be divided into part-time positions if there is more interest in part-time positions

1 full-time (40 hours per week) SUMMER TERM ONLY position
*must be able to work from June 13 through August 5
*will include daytime, evening and weekend hours
*will include Information Services Desk and Periodicals Desk hours as well as assignments in other library units
**This position may be divided into two part-time positions if there is more interest in part-time positions

1 part-time (20 hours per week) SUMMER TERM ONLY position
* must be able to work from June 13 through August 5
* may include daytime, evening and weekend hours
* will include primarily Information Services Desk and Periodicals Desk hours with possible assignments in other library units

Housing will be available on campus. Details regarding campus housing can be obtained from Residence Life. If you are interested in living on campus, you should contact their office immediately for further information.

If you are interested in applying for a summer position, please complete the online application form by Noon on Monay, May 2nd.


We also have one unexpected opening for an Assistant Student Coordinator (ASC) beginning Fall Term. The position description for ASCs is available on the student assistant website. Please read this carefully, and note that ASCs are expected to work very specific hours. The hours to be shared by the three ASCs include:

Academic Terms
Monday – Thursday: 5-9 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. & 1-5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12-3 p.m., 3-6 p.m. & 6-9 p.m.

Also, please note that ASC positions do not require summer or December Term hours.

If you would like to apply for this ASC position, please submit a letter of application to me that includes the number of terms you have worked, areas in which you have worked, and reasons you feel especially qualified for the position. Applications are due by Noon on Monday, May 2nd.

Reminder: Library Closed

Hello!

Just wanted to remind all of you that we close at Noon this Friday the 22nd and do not reopen until Monday the 25th. So, no one works this Friday after noon, Saturday or Sunday.

Have a great weekend off!

Heidi

Printer Error

Hello!

I hope that you are all doing well in your third week of spring term!

If the color printer prints out a sheet that looks like this:



please tell me the computer number and location. Unfortunately it means that ITS has to come in and fix that particular computer. Just have the student move to a different computer and try printing again.

Let me know if you have any questions,
Heidi

Periodicals Desk Computer

Hello,

I was told that we have another virus on the Periodicals Desk student assistant computer. This is the second virus this year, this should not be happening. Please follow the rules set forth in the Student Assistant Guide:

ACCEPTABLE USE OF LIBRARY SERVICES COMPUTERS POLICY

All North Central College Library Services student assistants must comply with the North Central College Statement of Acceptable Use of Information Technologies. Except for library services work related assignments, student assistants can not:

• Use a computer so that it affects service to patrons, compromises library security, or prevents the student assistant from completing all work of the unit in a timely manner
• Download or save any files, change computer settings, or in any way alter the set-up of any library computer, as such changes may compromise patron privacy and library security
• Print any material that is not work related
• Use chat, direct messaging, and other similar services
• Use any site that utilizes streaming media resources, including but not limited to, audio and video services
• Use a library services computer for any purpose at a time when not scheduled to work for Library Services.

Inappropriate use of library computers can result in disciplinary action.

If it does not compromise service to the community, student assistants assigned to use the Periodicals Desk computer, the Information Services Desk computer, or the ASC/SC computer may use that computer for the following purposes:

• Conducting research, locating library materials, etc. on the Library Services Web site
• Searching the Internet for curriculum related research
• Completing course work using Blackboard
• Using available network applications, including e-mail
• Playing games (that do not require sound or a download to the computer)

Student assistants who wish further clarification of these rules or who have specific questions about acceptable use should speak to their unit supervisor.

Just like the entry says inappropriate usage of library computers can result in disciplinary action. Please follow these rules!

Heidi

Chemistry 100

Hello,

Prof Rodriguez has put a chapter from her book on reserve. The students will come thinking that two chapters are on reserve. In order for us not to break copyright law we have only put the one chapter on, the professor knows this. It is located in the photocopy bin with the call number P1084-A1.

Please direct any questions towards me.

Thanks,

Heidi

Harry Potter Exhibit!

Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine opens this coming Sunday, April 10^th, in the Tyson Curriculum Center. Part of our agreement for hosting the exhibit is providing basic security for to make sure that it’s kept in good condition for our guests as well as the libraries that will be hosting the panels in the coming months. If everyone helps out with this, it shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes from each of us each day. Here’s what you can do to help:

Students: At the beginning of each Access shift, take a minute or two to walk through Tyson. Straighten the brochures and glance at each of the panels to make sure they haven’t been marked on or bumped out of place. If you notice anything unusual, please let Heidi, Denise, or Emily know right away. Please do not touch the fronts of the panels—fingerprints will show up as annoying smudges for guests who are trying to read the text.

ISD: As you finish up each shift at the ISD, take a minute or two to walk through Tyson. Straighten the brochures and glance at each of the panels to make sure they haven’t been marked on or bumped out of place. If you notice anything unusual, please let Emily know right away. Please do not touch the fronts of the panels—fingerprints will show up as annoying smudges for guests who are trying to read the text.

Everyone: If you happen to be walking past the Tyson Center, glance in to make sure that everything looks okay. If anything seems amiss, let Emily know.

Open Shifts

Hello,

All of the shifts were taken except for the Friday Noon-2 time. I have put some of these hours up on the substitution request. If you can take a few, that would be great!

Thanks!

Heidi

Upcoming Days Off

Hello!

I just wanted to let you guys know that we have a few days where the college will be closed this term and therefore you will not work. Friday, April 22 we will only be open 8am to Noon, we will be closed April 23 and 24. Also, we will be closed May 30. You will see all of this reflected on the google calendars.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Heidi

Open Shifts

Hello,

With schedule changes a few permanent shifts have opened up. The available shifts are:

Thursdays - 8-10am - Information Services Desk
Thursdays - 1-3pm - Information Services Desk
Fridays - Noon-2pm - Periodicals Desk
Fridays - 3-5pm - Periodicals Desk

If you want one of these shifts permanently please email me (hkkaul@noctrl.edu) it will be on a first come first served basis.

Thanks!
Heidi

UPDATE: The Thursday 1-3 and Friday 3-5 has been taken!

More Updates

Just a few things I want to call to your attention

1. There are no locks on the printers anymore, so therefore we do not need keys. Please just keep an eye on the printers during this transition, let us know if there is any suspicious behavior.

2. You will notice that the televisions have moved from Giere to the study alcove above Giere. Go check out where they are and where they were, I think it's an improvement.

3. There are three sets of cassette tapes on reserve for Intermediate Japanese III, you will see them on the reserve shelf with the call number F1384 tape1-3. DO NOT DESENSITIZE THESE ITEMS! Also, we have two cassette players and headphones on reserve for patrons to check out with these cassettes. NONE OF THESE ITEMS ARE TO LEAVE THE BUILDING! There is a third cassette player upstairs with the tvs, people do not have to check this one out to use, it's just out.

I think that's it for the time being. Let me know if you have any questions!

Heidi

Beginning of Term Updates

Welcome Back!

Don't forget to check in with myself or Belinda about your schedule today. Everyone is required to do so today by 5pm!

The online timecards have gone live, which means this is the way you will be paid now. To enter your time go to the real Merlin instead of using the test Merlin. We still will be using the timeclock but just as a helper in the transition, please make sure that both your online timecard and your physical timecard are accurate. And please make sure any changes to your schedule are communicated.

You will see in the curriculum lab a bunch of books that we have on display for the Harry Potter Exhibit. These items are on reserve, people can check them out for 3 days. The bands that I put on books for reserve are on the back cover, you will find that the barcodes are handwritten on there. If you are on the desk when one of these items gets returned please discharge and put it back on display in the curriculum lab.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Heidi

Harry Potter Exhibit

You may start getting calls at the desk about the Harry Potter Exhibit, Emily has printed out a FAQ for us. You can find it on the clip board at the information services desk, please glance over it.

Please ask Emily or myself if you have any other questions!

Thanks!

Heidi

Schedules and Reminders

The Spring Term schedules are up on the website under the student assistant contact page. Just click on your name and move the calendar to the week of March 28, the schedules start then. Please be sure to see Belinda or Heidi on Monday, March 28th to confirm your schedule, and we will handle any problem at that time.

Please make sure that your student assistant website is set to the correct timezone. The way to do this is click the gear symbol in the top right hand corner, then select user settings. The time zone should be set to GMT - 06:00 Central Time - Chicago.

Please remember to work your finals week hours next week. Also, make sure that you fill out and sign your electronic timecards before you leave for spring break. I will send out another reminder but please keep this in mind!

Heidi

Finals Week Schedules Are Up

Your finals week schedules are up on the website. Check out your personal schedules during that time to make sure you know your schedule and that they are correct.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Heidi

Windows 7 Update

With the Windows 7 upgrade they do not have that nice little money icon to tell us how many print credits a student has left. The way a student can check how many credits they have left is to log on to Merlin, "add print credits" and in that screen it should tell people how much they have left.

Also, the fishbowl printer is not called the fishbowl anymore, it is now the small lab. ITS is trying to transition that name out, so please call the fishbowl the small lab.

Thanks!

Heidi

Reviews

Hello,

We will take a break on reviews from now until the end of the term. I will start back up next term though. This does not mean stop checking the blog because you never know what might come up!

Thanks!

Heidi

ASC and SC positions

February 23, 2011

To All NCC Library Services Student Assistants,

It is with great pleasure that I announce the appointment, effective Summer Term 2011, of Angie Negrete as Student Coordinator. I am also pleased to announce that Obaid Khurram and Delaney Fluker have accepted the position of Assistant Student Coordinator beginning Spring Term 2011.

Please join me in extending best wishes to Angie, Obaid, and Delaney in their new positions.

Belinda L. Cheek

Coordinator of the Student Assistant Program

Student with anticipated graduation this spring or summer

Any students that are anticipating to graduate this spring or summer please contact me and let me know what your major(s) and minor(s) are. Please let me know by Thursday, February 24th by 5pm!

Thanks!
Heidi

Review Week 5: Customer Service

Hello! This week's review is short and simple, be friendly to people!. You should be constantly looking up and around to see if anyone needs help. I know that at the information services desk it is sometimes hard to notice when people walk but you shouldn't be so engrossed in what you are doing to not be looking up. When someone walks up or calls, speak clearly and loud enough for the person to hear you, make the person feel welcome. It is never good to make a person feel bad for asking for help.

Please tell me the answer to the following two questions by next Tuesday, March 1st at 5pm.

1. What is the telephone greeting?
2. How do you transfer a call?

Thanks!

End of Term Matters

TO: Oesterle Library Student Assistants

FROM: Belinda Cheek, Coordinator of the Student Assistant Program

RE: End of Term Matters

DATE: February 16, 2011

It is time to complete the scheduling process for finals week and for Spring Term:

1. All student assistants are required to work their regular Winter Term schedule through Saturday, March 12^th. ALL student assistants must sign up to work a minimum of 4 hours during finals week (March 13-16). Please see Heidi by 5:00 pm on Thursday, February 24^th to sign up for your finals week hours.

2. Please complete your appropriate schedule at this page and return to Heidi either by email (hkkaul@noctrl.edu) or physically by 5:00 pm on Thursday, February 24^th. Please fill this out thoughtfully, and remember that any schedules that are too full for us to work with will be returned for revision!! If for any reason you are not able to work Spring Term, please let Heidi know ASAP.

Review Week 4: Periodicals Desk

Hello! It's week 4 of the reviews! There are quite a few of you that have not answered my questions from week 3, please do that by 5pm today. Again, you should be checking this blog and the website every time you work.

The periodicals desk is what most consider to be the easiest shift when working at the library but I think I should review what you need to be doing while on the desk. Every person that works that desk is expected to keep an eye on the people in that room to make sure they are keeping their sound levels down, not talking on their cell phones and that there isn't any suspicious behavior. Another task you are required to do during every periodicals desk shift is to walk around the room, pick up any periodicals laying around, take stats on them, and shelve them properly. This includes microfiche! While you are walking around you should go out into the lobby area and straighten all the periodicals that are laying on those tables so they look nice and organized.

Sometimes you are going to get questions for help on finding a particular article. You can help someone only if they have the title of the article, the year, issue number and the journal name. If they are missing one of those things they should go up to get help from the reference librarian. One way you can find an article is to click the tab that says "articles," then click the link that says "browse journal, magazine and newspaper holdings." There you can search for the journal name, if it comes up with online databases click on one with the appropriate date range, find the year/issue number and then click the article title. If the only option is "North Central College print journals," click on that link, look for the appropriate year and see what format it will be in downstairs. From there you can direct where the item will be located, either in current or bound periodicals or the microfiche. There are many ways you can search for an article, I personally find that the easiest, but it is up to you.

Any other questions other than directional questions, "does NCC have this item," "where is this article or journal" "can I check out this periodical" should be directed to the reference librarian. Please don't try to answer any other questions than that.

Ok, here are your review questions of the week, they are due Tuesday, February 22 at 5pm, please email me (hkkaul@noctrl.edu).

1. What should you do if a patron is talking on their cell phone?
2. How do you take a stat on a journal?
   
3. Tell me in what databases can I find the following article: Creamer, Matthew. How Radiohead is rewriting the rules of online revenue. Advertising Age, 10/8/2007, Vol. 78 Issue 40, p4-48, 2p W
4. How should you help a patron that asks you for help on research for a paper about the stages of grief?
5. How long can a student check out a periodical for?

I know that I didn't answer these questions in the review, but everyone should know them. Although, if you do not know the answers, you can come ask for help. I look forward to your answers!

Heidi

ASC and SC Positions

Hello,

No one has applied for the ASC or SC positions. We are reopening the window for applicants. If you would like to apply, please take a look at the information on the blog post and send in your letters to Belinda (blcheek@noctrl.edu) by Thursday, February 15 by 5pm.

There are many of you that would be fantastic at these jobs so please reconsider!

Thanks,

Heidi

Review Week 3: Reserves

We are back into our reviews. Everyone has given me their assignments from the previous two postings, thank you. There are a number of you who have not responded to my email from yesterday, make sure you do that.

Our week 3 review is going to be about Reserves. When a patron comes up and asks for a reserve, the first step is to ask them what class or professor they have. Go to the library website, click on the tab that says "Books, Movies, and More," and click the link that says "Reserves for Classes." In that screen select the search items they give you and click "Find." That will pull up the list of reserves that patron should be interested in.

There are two types of reserves. Faculty owned items, which are the faculty's personal items that they have put on reserve for their students to use. Oesterle library items, which are items the library owns. The faculty owned items have very basic call numbers like f789 (book), v506 (video), c102 (CD), p102-A1 (Photocopies), etc. They have a purple band with the barcode on the band. All of these items are located on the right side of the reserve bookshelf, except for the photocopies which are located in the bins to the left of the bookcase.

The Oesterle library items have our normal Dewey Decimal call numbers, a green band, and the barcode is located where all of our barcodes are, on the back cover, top right hand side. All of these items are located on the left side of the reserve bookshelf.

There are 6 possible different check out times: 2, 3, 4 hours and 1, 2, 3 days. When you charge the item out to the patron the computer will tell you the exact time the item is due, make sure you tell the patron. If you missed the due time on the computer screen, you can just look at the band on the book and with that information figure out the due time. Hourly reserves should NEVER EVER leave the building, that means they can not be desensitized. Daily reserve should be desensitized, so please pay attention to the difference.

Once a reserve item is returned you need to discharge it right away in order to not accidentally give a patron a fine. If it is an hourly reserve you should put it on the reserve shelf, it should never go in the back room. If it is a daily reserve, you should resensitize it in the back and then put it on the reserve shelf. There should NEVER be a reserve book on a shelving cart or on the regular shelves, only on the reserve bookcase.

Here are your assignments for this week:

Do a search for the class GEN-PSY: Psychology Students and the professor is Kelley, Karl.

• How many items are on that list?
  
• How many items are faculty owned and how many items are Oesterle owned?
  
• What is the call number and the location of the GRE/GMAT math workbook?
• If I was a student, how long would I be able to check out Career paths in psychology?

This assignment is due by 5pm, Tuesday, February 15th. Please get this done!

Heidi

Reviews

I know I said we were going to have a week off from the reviews, which we are, but I was wondering if you have any suggestions of what I should review? Is there any areas you feel we need improvement? I have a few more things I have in mind but if you can think of anything else, please email me hkkaul@noctrl.edu

Thanks and have a great weekend!

Heidi

Applications for SC and ASC positions

TO: Oesterle Library Student Assistants
FROM: Belinda Cheek, Coordinator of the Student Assistant Program
RE: Applications for One Student Coordinator Position and Two Assistant Student Coordinator Positions
DATE: February 4, 2011

Two of our Assistant Student Coordinators will be unable to continue their positions for Spring Term. Brittany will be student teaching, and Melissa is graduating at the end of Winter Term. In addition, one of our Student Coordinators, Lisa, will be graduating at the end of Spring Term. Congratulations to all three!

We are now accepting applications for two Assistant Student Coordinator (ASC) positions with a start date of March 28th. We are also now accepting applications for one Student Coordinator positions with a start date of June 13th.

The SC and ASC positions have different responsibilities. These are outlined in the full position descriptions that are posted on the Student Assistant website under “Job Responsibilities.” Please be sure to read these descriptions carefully if you are considering applying for either of these positions! Minimally, a student assistant must have completed 3 terms of working at the library (as of the end of Winter Term) in order to be eligible to apply. All applicants must have a strong work record, be dependable, and have excellent customer services skills.

ASC Positions:

There is no increase in salary level for ASC positions. However, as these positions require additional responsibilities, they are a great addition to your resume! When asked to do letters of recommendations for students in these positions, we are always careful to indicate the additional responsibilities and the fact that the student was selected for one of just 3 positions. Please keep in mind that these positions require working 1-2 nights per week, a Saturday shift, and a 3 hour shift on Sunday. Assistant Student Coordinators are only allowed to work and sub for ASC hours. ASC positions do not require summer or December Term hours. Specific hours to be shared by the three ASCs include:

Academic Terms
Monday – Thursday: 5-9 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., and 1-5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12-3 p.m., 3-6 p.m., and 6-9 p.m.

SC Positions:

The salary level for an SC is $10.30 per hour. Please remember that SCs are expected to work very specific hours (which include both summer and December Term hours). Student Coordinators are only allowed to work and sub for SC hours. Specific hours to be shared by the two SCs include:

Academic Terms
Sunda – Thursday: 9-Midnight
Friday: 5-8 p.m.

December Term
Monday – Thursday: 5-9:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30-4 p.m.

Summer Term
Monday – Thursday: 5-9:30 p.m.
Friday: 5-8 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30-1 p.m. and 1-5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 5-9:30 p.m.

Anyone wishing to apply for an ASC or SC position should submit a letter of application to me that includes the position you are applying for, the number of terms you have worked, areas in which you have worked, and reasons you feel especially qualified for the position.

The deadline for applying is Noon on Monday, February 14. Interviews will be conducted shortly thereafter. The newly hired ASCs will begin their new schedule on Monday, March 28th. The newly hired SC will begin his/her new schedule at the beginning of Summer Term (June 13th).

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding these positions or the procedures for applying.

Reviews

Hello,

We are going to have a week off from the reviews because of the crazy weather, don't forget to check next week though. Just a little reminder to always be friendly, most of the time you are the first person a patron deals with and we want everyone to have the best experience possible here.

All of you who have answered the questions have candy waiting for them in their mailboxes.

Heidi

Thursday and Work

The library will be open by 10am tomorrow, Thursday, February 3rd. Please come for your regularly scheduled shifts after 10am. If you feel like it is not safe for you to come in just give the library a call (630)637-5715, I want everyone to BE SAFE!

Hope everyone enjoyed the snow!
Heidi

School and Library Closed

I am sure you have seen the following email and posting on the NCC website:

North Central College will be closed beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 through Wednesday, February 2, 2011. All classes and regularly scheduled activities are canceled, and only employees designated "essential" are required to report to work. A Blizzard Warning remains in effect from 3:00 p.m. today through 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 2, 2011. You are encouraged to get safely to your final destination for the evening and remain off the roads. A decision regarding classes for Thursday, February 3, 2011 will be made no later than 6:00 a.m. Thursday.

This means that we will be closed starting 4pm today and all day tomorrow. Do not come in today after 4 or anytime tomorrow. We will keep you up to date about Thursday.

Keep Warm! Keep Safe!

Weather and Information

Hello,

Please keep an eye on this blog and your email for updates on the weather, if we will be open, and if you will need to come into work. I will try to keep you as informed as possible, so check these places!

Thank you and stay safe today!

Heidi