Live Help

Hi Cathy and Heather,

Your last shift this weekend! Wow, this year just flew by. I hope you've enjoyed your time with us and speak fondly of your experience. :) It's definitely been a pleasure working with both of you.

There's a couple of things I need you to email me:

1. What were the best parts of the job, and what did you not like about it?
2. What did you feel were the busiest times of your shift?
3. What changes would you like to see us make (in terms of the position, website, etc.)?

Many thanks to both of you for all you've done for us! Best of luck with finishing up your work at SLIS (whether in April or over the spring term). Let me know if you need me to be a reference for future jobs.

All the best,
CJ

Posted by CJ de Jong at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thanks for working on the database descriptions! I'll be putting them up gradually (just put up Cathy's first one). This way, we have new content going into our feed every couple of days.

Be careful when using characters in these editors. If you type yours up in Word and paste them in here, they won't work. For example, a quotation mark is made of several characters: & q u o t ;

Unfortunately, when you preview in here, you don't see the problems, but when I publish your entry, it creates an error and the whole page breaks. So, just type the characters as if you were hand-coding the html.

http://www.intuitive.com/coolweb/entities.html

Let me know if you have another project in mind that you'd like to try out before the end of March. As long as it benefits us, I'll go along with it! :)

Thanks again,
CJ

Posted by CJ de Jong at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, it's been an eventful week at the UofW. You may have heard about the threat that was found in one of the washrooms and how Wednesday could have been quite a different day. Fortunately, things were fairly quiet and all ended well. Other than that, there are a couple of mice in my office that have been bugging me. I wonder how they get up all the way to the fourth floor! LOL Anyway, I hope you're week has gone well!

Just a couple of housekeeping things. When you do up your blog entry for your end of the shift report, please follow the format that Rachel and James used, so each section clearly stands out for me. Also, clearly state the project you've been working on, what you've completed, and what is still left outstanding. Thanks!

Cathy, I believe I gave Karen's request to find something like RefWorks but a non-web based product that could export to RefWorks. I don't know if it's out there, but would appreciate it if you could look at that first thing on your shift. Thanks!

I'm still house hunting this weekend, so not sure how much I'll be around on the weekend. Make sure that you ask Margaret/Lois at our Reference Desk if you have any questions. Oh, and don't forget that you can send libsystems@uwinnipeg.ca emails when you encounter problems with someone trying to login to our databases and you can't figure out the problem. Usually something else going on that they can figure out!

Have a great shift :)
CJ

Posted by CJ de Jong at 6:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Please check out Jing Project. This could be a very effective tool when integrated with VRef.

Explore and let me know what you think. Think of ways to apply.

Thanks,
CJ

Posted by CJ de Jong at 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi Cathy/Heather,

Please check all databases to make sure that the instructions for Refworks are correct.

About > Library Staff > Staff-Only > Databases > Vendor Help (Refworks)

Work out a system so both of you can work on this task. Maybe split them up or something. I'll leave that up to you.

Don't worry about breaking anything. Explore and have fun with it!

Thanks,
CJ

Posted by CJ de Jong at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wow, we're getting close to the end here. James, your last day this term is the 25th, and Rachel, your last day this term is the 28th. I'll be in Edmonton around the 20th to 23/24th of December, so let me know if you're around and I'll buy lunch! They have some great restaurants here, but I love the High Level Diner!

Anyway, the next two weekends I'd like the following projects to be worked on:

James
Go to the following link (login as for staff-only pages):
http://cybrary.uwinnipeg.ca/staff-only/tips/index.cfm
Please fix all the links that still refer to cybrary.

Please find literature related to IM versus Chat Reference Software (as per earlier blog entry) and provide me with a bibliography (perhaps you can share it through RefWorks).

Rachel
Continue the databases and subjects project. Let me know how much is left to do.

Also, read the posting earlier on comments and leave a comment on that entry (you'll have to sign up for TypeKey). That way you'll be authorized to leave comments on entries as well, but not those horrible spammers!

Thanks and have a great weekend :)
~CJ

Posted by CJ de Jong at 7:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

We've changed our web address from cybrary.uwinnipeg.ca to library.uwinnipeg.ca. Directing anyone to "cybrary" has been problematic, and library is just much more convenient.

Now we need to review the website and make sure that we don't have any links directing people to cybrary.uwinnipeg.ca/....

James, I would like you to go through the website (using library.uwinnipeg.ca as the main URL) in a systematic way and find problem links and report those in a word document, which you can then send to me by email.

Rachel, I would like you to review what other libraries are calling what we call "MyCybrary". I believe the UofA calls it My Account. Please indicate the term they use and the URL to the library's page.

When these tasks are finished (please keep each other posted on your progress via the blog), I would like you to find information about using Instant Messaging (IM) for chat reference, instead of a system like ours. Will using IM increase traffic? If so, what are the reasons for it doing so? Are there reviews of libraries trialing IM/implementing IM? How do they collect stats?

Thanks,
~CJ

Posted by CJ de Jong at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

James, could you please put up a news item on Library News about the following? Also include info about related sources that we have in the library. Thanks!

------------------------------------------------------------------
On Thursday November 2nd the University of Winnipeg will host a public
forum featuring Jean Kilbourne an internationally famed advocate against
the adverse effects of advertising in the media.

For more information please go to our web site address below and click
on the presentation title to view a poster of the event.�

http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/faculty/pass/index.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by CJ de Jong at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here are some things you can work on:

Change all the Course Help pages, other than those for Winter 2006, to inactive. There is a link to the interface on the Staff-Only page under Information Literacy > Course Help.

Review the subjects assigned to our databases. You can get from the Staff-Only page to Databases > Databases Maintenance Module, and look for the "Add/Modify Subjects." This will affect where a database will show up in our lists of databases by subject. When you click on continue, you can assign relevance to the subject.

Thanks! ~CJ

Posted by CJ de Jong at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

James, I would like you to write up a news item on ScienceDirect's new Topic Alerts. You'll have to find out how it works, who would make use of them, and then write up an article for Library News. You may also point out other databases that have a Topic Alerts feature.

Rachel, I would like you to go through our RefWorks instructions for our databases and update where necessary. For example, ABC-CLIO needs to be updated. You will find a link to Vendor Help (RefWorks) under the Databases section on our Staff-Only pages.

Thanks and have a great weekend!
~CJ

Posted by CJ de Jong at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi,

The new issue of Reference Services Review has some interesting articles (volume 34, issue 3). You should have online access through Emerald. Please have a look and post some comments for me.

Thanks,
~CJ

Posted by CJ de Jong at 11:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi Lina & Beth,

We're just moving right along here with the IL Redesign. The content that Beth did for the "finding books" part was great and definitely a model for the rest of the tutorial.

Lina, I would like you to work on the "finding web sources" and "finding primary/secondary sources" section of the tutorial. Just follow the instructions from the 17th!

Beth, I'm not sure if you had started on the "finding articles" section, but if you could work on that one this weekend then that would be wonderful!

Have a great weekend.
~CJ

Posted by CJ de Jong at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi! Jeez, another week gone by already. You must be excited about being so close to being done =) A couple more weeks left!!! Classes end here on April 3rd, so we will need you for Live Help for the weekend of the 1st/2nd, but after that it will be more dead then it has been at times! I hope that works for you both.

Continue reading "Info Lit Redesign: Content" »

Posted by CJ de Jong at 11:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The flow charts idea I was envisioning were more general and not subject specific. Also it's obviously not possible to have an all-encomposing research flowchart. It would be too huge.

I think the U of T flow chart showing how different types of resources are accessed (do you need books, article, web site, etc.) would be good to support Standard 1. Basically copying this flowchart and customizing it for U of W would be good for situations where the user is new to the library and wants an overview of how to search for items or doesn't understand the difference between an index and the catalogue and the open web. As well it reduces the complexity of all the different ways to search for information from the library web site into one flowchart.

Also the flow charts I was thinking of would (like the U of T one) make use of the web by incorporating pop-up windows with more details and hyperlinks to make it more useful and the front content less heavy and intimidating.

Continue reading "Flow Chart" »

Posted by at 6:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I like the idea of the flow chart (the one from UofT I believe that Beth mentioned).

I would like you to work on creating one for our library. Also describe with what types of questions this chart may be useful, and types of questions that may need a different approach.

I might post more later this weekend, but that's it for now.

Have a great one!
~CJ

Posted by CJ de Jong at 10:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I think I've caught up on all the IL redesign stuff from last weekend.

1. Read CJ's document

2. Read the Crash Course document

3. I read over the work Lina posted about ACRL standards to include/headings/flow. Nice work. The outcomes that follow are the ones I feel are most useful in terms of creating a web resource we can point students to from LiveHelp or when the library closed but student still need assistance.

Continue reading "IL ReDesign Comments" »

Posted by at 5:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Standard 1
I DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START!
CLARIFY YOUR QUESTION
∑ How to narrow down a topic
∑ How do I do some background research?
∑ How do I match the types of information I need to my assignment?
∑ Why do I still have to go to the library? (Why print materials are still important)
∑ Help! Glossary of Library terms and contact a librarian info
∑ Remember- encyclopedia, book, article!
∑ If at first you don’t succeed…(revise

Continue reading "Lina's Rough Outline for the Info lit tutorial" »

Posted by at 5:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thanks Lina! That's a great job you have done so far. It was exactly what I was looking for.

From here, we need to start thinking about how we can group all these things and present them in an information literacy tutorial. So, this Sunday, try and think of headings for categories and a logical flow for an information literacy tutorial. This will be a great start for getting this project on its way. After that, we can all start taking sections and work on them.

Again, thanks, your work on this is much appreciated =)
~CJ

Posted by CJ de Jong at 1:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here is a few notes on what I think students would need. It is mainly just brainstorming . I think giving them a place to start and an initial search strategy is important. I am a big fan of the classic search strategy of Encyclopedia, book, article to get people started. For this to work though, up-to date subject guides with appropriate titles are essential.
I also think that it is important to keep repeating the usefulness of the librarian either at the ref desk or through livehelp. I know as an undergrad, I had no idea how helpful a librarian could be and caused myself a lot of needless pain and confusion.

Continue reading "Information Redesign- Student perspective" »

Posted by at 4:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

HI CJ,

I will make two blog entries in order to not bog you down with information. here are the standards that I think apply to a tutorial- I hope this is sort of what you wanted.

Continue reading "Information Redesign" »

Posted by at 4:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi Lina & Beth,

I have a big project here that I'll probably need you to work on for the rest of the term!

The name for emanual has been changed to Information Literacy Tutorial. However, it will be needing a complete overhaul, so we'll basically be starting from scratch. I have linked a file here that outlines my vision for the Information Literacy Tutorial.

Information Literacy Redesign

Important to note is the link at the bottom on the Crash Course in Learning Theory, which provide great techniques for making something like this usable.

Continue reading "Information Literary Tutorial Redesign" »

Posted by CJ de Jong at 1:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi CJ, I've been working on the RSS feed project and I think I've figured it out..mostly.

Continue reading "RSS Feed" »

Posted by at 2:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

HI CJ and Beth,

I thought I would post this on the blog because there are some interesting links. I did a bit of research to see if there were any established criteria for subject guides and came across a great article by a former UofT student. Her article, entitled Electronic Pathfinders in Academic Libraries: an analysis of their content and form gave a good overview of subject guides in Canadian Universities as well as recommendations for effective subject guide creation. (Stop me if you've read this before).

Continue reading "Subject Guides" »

Posted by at 2:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Lina/Beth

As you know, we have subject guides for many topics, but they are mainly a list of links with short descriptions. I'm interested to know if other places are doing other things with their subject guides. Could you find some exemplary subject guides at other institutions (I don't know what the criteria for exemplary would be, but hope that after you look at a bunch of them, you will know)? You can just send me an email with the links. Thanks!!!

Posted by CJ de Jong at 4:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals) is currently listed under the reference catagory for databases. However, I would like you to go through the DOAJ's listing of journals and determine if there is any subjects that are adequately covered (use your judgement). Then if you find the database covers a certain area well, then you can add the subject to the database (use Staff-Only > Databases > Databases > Add/Modify Subjects).

I hope this makes sense. If not, just post a comment!
~CJ

Posted by CJ de Jong at 2:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For your new entries for shift reports, could you please include the following:

• Number of VRef calls responded to
• Projects you worked on
• Anything else you'd like to share

This should help me get a sense of how busy it is on the weekends. I can also get this info from the transcripts, but this will provide me with a quick overview!

Thanks,
~CJ

Posted by CJ de Jong at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi, we have a new database called Sage Journals Online. I'll need one of you to do up some instructions on how to use this one with RefWorks. From the Staff-Only page, under Databases, there is a link to Vendor Help (RefWorks). This is where you can add the help part for RefWorks. You'll have to Add Vendor Help and select Sage under vendor. That should link it up to Sage Journals Online. Have a look at the other databases' information pages for examples.

Please leave comments on progress.

Thanks. ~CJ

Posted by CJ de Jong at 2:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Britannica Online has unveiled a new look and has included new content. Lina/Beth, could you work on a news item that highlights some of the new features, similarly to the other databases entries you have done?

The link for the new site is:

http://www.new.search.eb.com

Please post comments about your progress.

Thanks. ~CJ

Posted by CJ de Jong at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)