Library, Department & Team News Library, Department & Team News
General News
Prize Patrol
The Libraries Prize Patrol is taking nominations for employee of the year and the deadline for nominations is July 1. You can find the nomination form on the Libraries Intranet home page at uofl.louisville.edu/library/. Just click on the Libraries Prize Patrol nomination form, fill it out and send it. The winner will be announced at the University Libraries annual dinner aboard the Star of Louisville on July 28.
Assessment and Resource Planning Team
On May 10, Assessment & Resource Planning team members Carol Brinkman, David Horvath, Melissa Laning and Mark Paul attended a 3-hour training session to acquaint them with the QMS (Quality Management System) Database created by Dey Systems, Inc. Dey Systems is the company selected by the University to conduct satisfaction surveys of students, alumni, faculty, employees and others. We all recently received (and hopefully returned!) one of their surveys asking about the UofL workplace.
The QMS database the Assessment Team will use contains the results of all surveys conducted on behalf of the Libraries. Last fall, surveys were sent to freshman students and the results are already available to us. In late April, more surveys were sent to graduating students, current Graduate/Professional School students and donors to the Libraries. Data from those surveys will be added as they are returned.
In addition to storing the information, the Dey Systems database is able to generate reports based on a number of variables, such as:
The system is designed for flexibility so that needed information can be retrieved quickly and easily. Once more Libraries' data has been added to the file, team members will return to Dey Systems for the advanced training to learn about more sophisticated report creation.
By now, you may be thinking, who cares? The reports generated from the database can be used for decision-making throughout the Libraries. For example Administration can use the reports to supplement budget requests or to establish strategic planning initiatives. Unit Heads and Team Leaders can find out what users think about their specific area of the library. The library surveys ask students about whether use of the Libraries has assisted their learning and research. The responses to those questions are important to all of us. Once we have accumulated additional data other applications will become evident. If you are interested in learning more about the surveys and the QMS database, contact Melissa Laning at 852-8726.
Ekstrom Library
Media and Current Periodicals
Contemplation Central
David has been very involved with a cooperative project with the Thomas Merton Center and Foundation at Bellarmine College to plan a "retreat for the millennium." The Merton Retreat on Spirituality and Leadership is based on an undeveloped idea of Thomas Merton to gather political, cultural and spiritual leaders together in a contemplative, retreat setting and to allow them the freedom to explore the possibilities of dialogue to deepen the connections between the "spiritual" and the "political." The Retreat was held from May 29-June 1 at the Abbey of Gethsemani. On June 2 many of the participants gathered in Louisville for a public event where they shared some of their retreat experiences with an audience and answered questions.
Participants included:
Some will remember Erlinda Paguio, who worked in the library for many years and now works in the Development Office. She is a noted Merton scholar and was also involved in the committee that planned the retreat.
Full Steam AHEAD!
Carol McNeely went to Northern Kentucky University on May 19 to participate in the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) Conference. The keynote speaker was David Friedman from the U. S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights. AHEAD is an organization for higher education institutions to work and network on areas of disability resources and access. Kentucky recently became a state affiliate and Cathy Patus, Director of the UofL Disability Resource Center, was elected Kentucky AHEAD's first President.
Welcome to our newest student assistant
Brittany Robertson just completed her freshman year on a Louisville Water Company Scholarship. The Louisville Water Company pays her tuition and during the summer she interns full time with them in the internal audit department, to gain real world experience while getting her degree.
Office of the University Librarian
Karaoke in the Library
The semester's end pizza luncheon honoring our student assistants was held in the Ekstrom Staff Lounge on April 28. As an extra-added attraction, Cece Railey and Latisha Reynolds organized lively entertainment à la karaoke. After a somewhat hesitant start, what a scene it was, librarians, students, and staff making a mad dash for the mikes to belt out rap duets, "Love Shack," and countless other soulful renditions. No one wanted to return to work. For anyone on the edge of their seat that day, almost brave enough to step up…stay tuned for another chance in the near future.
Student Assistants Honored
Vasith Kanjanachet from Kornhauser Library was recognized as "Student Assistant of the Semester," which carries a prize of $100. A Comment Card from a patron sums up his attributes: "Vasith Kanjanachet stands out because he truly epitomizes the person who lends a hand, especially at the Circulation Desk, which is what it's all about. Always very friendly and accommodating, which will go a long way." Vasith's finest qualities are his punctuality and willingness to help others, the giving of himself and his eagerness to do an excellent job. He always does more than his share of work without complaining. Vasith's positive, upbeat attitude is a real asset for his co-workers, supervisors and clients. He rarely misses work and is reliable and punctual; he can always be depended on to give 110% when he is here. He is willing to fill in for other students on short notice and to work hours that other students don't want. Vasith is quite self-motivated and needs little or no supervision. He has the ability to see what needs to be done and does it. He is always willing and eager to take on additional responsibilities and help out whenever necessary. His knowledge of computers and library databases helps him to do an excellent job at the circulation desk. During his time here, he has had to learn two different computer systems. He has learned them so well that he is able to train other students in circulation, as well as being able to teach these skills to patrons. He is very diplomatic and caring in dealing with patrons and employees. He gets along well with co-workers and takes the time to answer their questions. He goes out of his way to assist library users and often goes to the shelves to help the patron in locating material. He is very conscientious, demonstrated by always shelving material quickly and correctly. He usually shelves between three and five carts a day, depending on the volume that needs to be done in conjunction with other duties.
David Ballena from the Music Library was recognized as a Runner-up and received a $50 award. "Dependable, productive, pleasant, and indispensable describe David Ballena and his commitment to the Music Library. Multitalented, helping out at the circulation desk, in technical services and in stacks maintenance. He rarely misses any days and those are often scheduled weeks in advance. At 8am on Fridays, when some students are still asleep or planning the weekend, David is here, making spine labels or preparing items for circulation. On Saturdays, when others are enjoying the weekend, he is at the library serving patrons. Oriented to fine details, he notices any deviations from the usual and often provides insights that improve production. Fixing the label printer after the recent system upgrade was just one of his contributions. He adjusts his schedule to the traffic of work production. He also knows where things may be when they aren't where they belong. Self-directed, his approach is calm and informative and his mission is to assist the staff in whatever way he can. We are very fortunate to have such a person working in the libraries. David's expertise, sound judgement and mature approach to the work allow Music Library staff to rely on David to discharge staff-level functions. He is a favorite with daily patrons who regularly ask for him. His knowledge of the complicated nuances of circulation policy is without peer among student assistants and his mastery of musical repertoire is a most valuable asset. So great is our faith in his expertise and reliability that we entrust him with opening, closing and operating the library by himself on Saturdays. He has met these responsibilities with the same level of competence that mark the rest of his work. David is the kind of student assistant that all of us are looking for and that we're lucky to have.
Natalia Sharangovich from the Ekstrom Circulation Department was also selected as a runner-up this semester. Natalia Sharangovich is a study in competence, punctuality, and helpfulness. Natalia does not work the circulation desk, she attacks it. She works diligently until everything is in order and, as it should be, from checking in books, to stocking supplies, to cleaning. She is forthright with patrons, explaining why certain policies exist. She is completely reliable and requires little supervision. She is endlessly inquisitive, asking questions that get increasingly complicated until her knowledge of procedure and policy can be matched to any in our department. Not only does she ask how things are currently, but she suggests improvements. Her suggestions are always thought out, well intended, and intelligent. In fact, I have personally used her comments for improvements to Interlibrary Loan web pages. Natalia is the right hand to members of the ILL staff. It is her personal commitment for which she mostly deserves this award. It is difficult to find and retain students who not only perform well, but who take their position as seriously as Natalia does. Without the dedicated students such as Natalia, the Libraries could not perform at the level we do. Furthermore, without future Natalias, we could not expect our public service to improve. Natalia is one of those student assistants that you encourage to go to grad school partially because you hope they will work at the library longer.
Retirement
After a 33-year career in the University Libraries, Hazel Hale, Library Assistant in Content Access, announced her retirement effective June 9, 2000.
New Hire
Catherine Lavallee has accepted an offer as Assistant Professor (term) and Electronic Resources Reference Librarian in Kersey Library effective June 1, 2000. Catherine will be moving here from Montreal, where she most recently designed and implemented an Extranet for a provincial-wide Quebec housing association.
Karen Hild has been hired as Library Technician, Grade 209, in Stacks Maintenance effective June 5, 2000. She brings relevant experience from her work with Louisville Free Public Library as a children's librarian assistant.
Mark Heil has been hired as Clerk Senior, Grade 8, in Ekstrom Shipping & Receiving effective June 12, 2000. Mark has been a student assistant in that area for ten months.
Sarah Jent has accepted an offer as Assistant Professor (term) and Reference Librarian with Life Science Specialty in Ekstrom Library effective July 10, 2000. She recently moved here from the Chicago area where she worked as Adult Services Librarian at the Bellwood Public Library for 2½ years.
Elizabeth Smigielski has accepted an offer as Instructor (term) and Reference Librarian/Coordinator of Library Marketing in Kornhauser Library effective September 1, 2000. She has been at Kornhauser since September 1999 as an Associate Fellow from the National Library of Medicine.
Promotion
Linda Wilson has been promoted to Library Information Specialist, Grade 126, at the GE Library, effective August 1, 2000.
Resignation
Ian Minderman has resigned from his position as Program Coordinator in Distance Learning Library Services effective June 9, 2000 in order to pursue a new career in Iowa farming.
Departure
Jennifer Hunt has left her position as Instructor (term) in the Music Library effective June 30, 2000. She is taking vacation through the end of June.
Special Collections
The book Shattered Subjects : Trauma and Testimony in Women's Life-Writing, by Suzette A. Henke (Ekstrom PS 366 .A88 H46 1998) has been reissued in a paperback edition. The cover features a photograph by Barbara Crawford, Fine Prints Curator, Photographic Archives.
Stacks Maintenance
As usual, stacks maintenance has been really busy with the end-of-the-semester tidal wave of books coming back from students eager to get the heck outta here! We were totally overwhelmed at one point. It was only through the goodness of all the library personnel (and especially Rebecca Maddox who got the whole thing started with a great idea) pitching in one day for a couple hours to help sort and shelve, that we were able to rise above it all! So, right here and right now we want to thank - from the bottom of our hearts - all of you who helped. You have no idea how much we appreciated your efforts!
We are waiting (as I write this) for thirty new ranges to be split between the third and fourth floors. We are getting to the point, with the huge influx of books from the Dewey conversion and government documents, of busting our seams wide open. These ranges will give us the space we need. The expanding will start just as soon as the ranges are in place. We are gearing up with several extra students for the summer months. But, just as with the end-of-the-semester rush, we are starting to feel overwhelmed with the prospect. So, if you really wanted to help with the our last rush but couldn't (or you enjoyed it so much you want to help again) we are once again looking for volunteers to come to our aid. We promise a good and varied exercise program. Just let us know either through e-mail (mdparr01@gwise.louisville.edu) or by phone (455-0312 - pager or 6756 and leave a message for Martha). We will get back to you quickly. Trust me.
Kersey Library
BPW Award Luncheon
This Outstanding Support Staff Luncheon was held at the Galt House this year. Most of the nominees for this recognition were from various parts of the medical field. There were, however, a few from other areas. Our very own Patricia Waters was recognized for outstanding work at Kersey Library. We are very proud of her and she certainly deserves the recognition.
25 Years of Service
Jan Kulkarni was among those receiving recognition from President Shumaker and the Board of Trustees at a dinner at the University Club for outstanding service to the University. We are very proud of him and his work here at Kersey Library.
John Breitzman
John has written a play called Still Porch Dwelling which will be staged at Artswatch at 2337 Frankfort Avenue on July 13-15 and July 20-22. Curtain time is at 8:30pm and tickets are $5. This play is a series of ten episodes following the lives of eight characters. In this production six different directors collaboratively shared the responsibility of directing the various episodes. John will be performing in this play, so come see the show!!
Kornhauser Library
Medical Library Association (MLA) and the Canadian Health Libraries Association / Association des bibliotheques de la sante du Canada (CHLA-ABSC) annual meeting (May 6-10) was well attended by the faculty of Kornhauser Library. Making the trek to Vancouver were Gary Freiburger, Nancy Utterback, Michel Atlas, Judy Wulff, Elizabeth Smigielski and Neal Nixon. An electronic poster session was presented by Nancy and Neal, Taming The Dragon To Create A Harmonious Online Catalog.
Neal Nixon took advantage of the trip west by incorporating a stay at the lodge at Longmire on Mt Rainer, no phones or TV's, touring the islands of Anacortes and Vashon and ended the wonderful experience with dinner at the top of the Space Needle in Seattle.
Special kudos for everyone who covered the Information Desk while reference librarians attended MLA.
Congratulations to Vasith Kanjanachet who was chosen as UofL Libraries' Student Assistant of the Semester!!!
Joan Nailon celebrated a big day on May 13 and is now cashing in on senior citizen discounts.
Kornhauser Library's Third Annual Derby Party was held on May 5th with lots of food and fun. Mary K Becker received two tickets to the Derby Museum for winning the hat competition. Janet Meyer and Vasith Kanjanachet split the jackpot for the winning and losing horses.
Law Library
Reinvestment
Melissa Long Shuter, Law Library and Gail Gilbert, Art Library were appointed by President Shumaker to the Blue Ribbon Commission. The Commission's mission, which they chose to accept, was to review reinvestment recommendations made by the President, Vice Presidents and Deans. The Commission worked long hours to meet its charge. The Commission issued its report to the President on May 16, 2000.
President Shumaker presented his reinvestment proposals to the Staff and Faculty Senates on June 7 and June 15. A University Congress will also be held on June 21. The President will present his final recommendations to the Board of Trustees at the June 26 meeting.
St. Paul Pagan Wedding and a Trip to Mars – All In One Weekend
Paul and Melissa Shuter visited St. Paul, Minnesota for a pagan wedding the weekend of May 12. Cutting cost corners Paul and Melissa flew to Chicago, rented a car and drove during the night the six hours to St. Paul. Traveling light, one carry-on each, planning on a 68-48 degree temperature range the, 22-degree wind chill created new and interesting layered looks.
The wedding was a unique production. John and Wendy wrote their own ceremony. Even the family members present were not sure what to expect. John and Wendy presented a thankful and loving ceremony inclusive of many goddesses and gods such as Athena, Apollo, Mary, Inana, and Jesus to name a few. The wind blew and the sun shone at the appropriate times during the ceremony. The temperature remained in the 30-degree wind chill range.
Sunday the car headed back to Chicago with one stop, Mars Cheese Castle, Kenosha, Wisconsin. Mars was like no place Paul and Melissa had ever been…a one-stop shopping extravaganza! A cheese and deli shop, luncheon counter, liquor store, bakery shop, souvenir kitsch peddler, art gallery and bar all under one roof. Mars was definitely an inhabitable planet in Wisconsin.
Melissa met the groom when traveling in Dublin, Ireland in 1991. Arriving home Sunday evening the weary travelers were happy they'd embarked on the whirlwind adventure. The trip left them appreciating the diversity of positive beliefs and great travel stops. There's no place like Mars.
Louisville Mandolin Orchestra Records New Works
In late May the Louisville Mandolin Orchestra became the first musical group to record at the new HSA Broadband Building, the home of the Public Radio Partnership. The group recorded a series of new works by composers A. Paul Johnson (Divertimento # 4 and Serenade # 2) and John Goodin (Equity, New Harmony, Shakertown). Johnson received a Pulitzer Prize nomination in 1997 for the recording, The Music of A. Paul Johnson, which included the LMO's recording of his suite, Sinfonietta. Goodin, a founding LMO member, is a librarian at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and worked for years as a cataloger at the Indiana University Southeast Library.
University Archives
Kathie Johnson, and husband Ron, spent a leisurely week in early May driving a very indirect route to Charleston, South Carolina, to pick up daughter Cass from college. Day 1 included a stop for lunch at the Glen Ferris Inn in Glen Ferris, West Virginia, a lovely spot with a view of the river and the falls. On day 2 they made an unplanned visit to Lynchburg, Virginia, a picturesque town with a nice museum. Then it was on to Appomatox Court House, where they could visualize Lee and Grant meeting to negotiate the surrender of Lee's army. The next day was spent at Colonial Williamsburg, which was a real treat. Leaving Williamsburg, they traversed on to Virginia Beach, and then to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. A stop at Kitty Hawk and Roanoke Island, site of the Lost Colony were next. They then drove down the Outer Banks, stopping at the Bodie Island and Hatteras lighthouses, amazed at the recent mechanical feat of moving the Hatteras lighthouse over 2000 feet inland. A ferry ride from Hatteras to Ocracoke Island, and another from the island to the North Carolina mainland, complete with a beautiful sunset, finished off another day.
Then it was on to Charleston to pack up Cass. With less than 24 hours in the city, they managed a great meal at Jestine's Kitchen (highly recommended) and dessert at Kaminsky's (also highly recommended) and a small amount of time (not nearly enough) wandering the city streets and shopping. Kathie also has the name of a most wonderful B&B in historic Charleston for anyone planning a trip in that direction. As you can probably tell by now, this trip was filled with history (could it be then called professional travel?) which included enough good food, along with aviation and architectural delights, to keep even non-historian Ron happy.