BarnardRefDesk

Somehow the active desktop on the reference computer keeps getting lost. Here is how to reset it.

1. Right click on the desktop
   
2. Click properties
3. Click desktop
4. Click customize desktop
5. Click web
   
6. Click box next to the link for http://barnardrefdesk.blogspot.com

As always, if the page on the desktop is wonky, you can refresh it by right clicking the F5 key.

Labels: active desktop, computers, ref desk, stupid microsoft

Quoting an email from JSTOR--

JSTOR: Trusted archives for scholarship

Dear JSTOR Participant:

We are happy to let you know that work on a new JSTOR platform is nearing completion. The interface has been updated with a new look, and more tools and capabilities for users have been integrated into the system. The new platform will also provide a more flexible foundation for future development, allowing us to add features and a greater array of scholarly content. Several projects are already underway that will introduce monographs, manuscripts, and pamphlets into the archive.

The new platform will replace the current JSTOR site. We currently anticipate a launch in mid-March. In preparation, we invite you to explore a preview of the new site. Through this preview you can become acquainted with the new JSTOR interface, sample the functionality, and let us know what you think.

The preview can be accessed by going to the JSTOR sandbox at http://sandbox.jstor.org.

In the sandbox you will also find:

• information about new features
• tips for sending us your comments
• information on support and plans for training, including webinars, tutorials, handouts, and prepared screen shots
  

A primary goal of the new platform is to enhance the user experience and to better address and support the research objectives of JSTOR users. Development has been informed by user feedback, interviews, focus groups, usability studies, and beta testing with students, researchers, librarians, and publishers. As we prepare for the launch, we will continue to monitor closely the messages and feedback we receive from you.

Labels: databases, jstor

That's pretty much the news. I haven't used it much yet.

If other people want to share their experiences with or tips for using this tool, that will be swell.

Labels: databases, first year english, literature

from Michael:

We currently have slightly more than 30 shelves of Deweys, ranging from 810 to 82C. We also have several shelves of books in Greek and Latin (87 and 88) still in Dewey, shelved in the cataloging area. Should anyone ask after the Greek and Latin, have him or her fill out a search form, or refer the user to me.

There are no other Deweys. Should you come across a CLIO record showing a Barnard book with a Dewey number other than these, please make a print out of the record and give it to Albert so he can delete the record. Thanks.

Labels: 82s, stacks

Earlier today jobs sent to the printer were not showing up on the NINJa print menu. I rebooted the NINJa computer (not the printer), and everything is fine now.

Labels: NINJa, printer

Columbia University Libraries/Information Services in the NEWS

(NEW YORK, February 12, 2008) The Amistad Digital Resource, a joint venture between Columbia University’s Center for Digital Research and Scholarship (CDRS) and the Center for Contemporary Black History (CCBH), was recently launched. For more information, visit the Columbia University News page or view the press release.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
“Amistad Digital Resource: Multimedia website is right on time”
February 7, 2008
BYLINE: MISANI
“The Amistad Digital Resource is a progressive idea that is right on time. Launched on February 1, the multimedia African American history website, richly enhances the 2008 commemoration of Black history Month by providing an innovative research tool that will help to educate both teachers and students about contemporary Black History. Created by Columbia University’s Center for Contemporary Black History (CCBH), and the Electronic Publishing Initiative at Columbia (EPIC), the engaging and user-friendly website, www.AmistadResource.org will serve to assist teachers throughout the nation in planning lessons about the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements in America.”

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/clips/2008/02/08/AmistadAMSTERDAM.pdf

Labels: african-american studies, CUL, EPIC, web resources

"Andrew worked with the Columbia team to solve the current NINJa printing problem. The CU folks located the source of the "looping" symptom and developed a patch for the NINJas. The patch did not automatically install on all NINJAs. Columbia applied the patch directly to the West Wing and Library NINJas.

"In theory, all NINJa printers are working correctly now. Please report any problem on the regular form so we can investigate."

per an email from Mary Ellen

Labels: CUIT, NINJa, printer

Here are some notes about the NINJa printing problem. This is a known problem, university wide. More pronounced in some locations due to network speed.

update from Andrew and Josh 2/8/08

• you see error message 42.09 - caused by an unprintable PDF, sometimes PPT
  
• to avoid this, the user should choose "print as image." Getting this message out to the users is impossible.
  
• generally just reboot printer (not the NINJa computer)
  
  • stop the job at the printer during reboot
    
  • keep hitting red "stop job" button on the printer
    
• NINJa is taking a long time (25 minutes to an hour) to reboot - so we want to avoid turning off the NINJa computer
  
  • CU is tinkering with NINJa image
    
  • when NINJa rebooted - it requests a new image from the CU server.
    
  • CU now recognizes that there is a problem with the NINJa system
  • NINJa reboot slower in Plimpton and 616 because network is slower.
    
• MET asks:
  
  • report to help@barnard.edu the prof name, course and document name of documents that are creating this problem. We will offer training to the prof about PDF creation.
  • We are looking for suggestions on documentation for users: post note on the Resnet page, sign on printer, sign on all computers re error message. You are welcome to post signs now. Send me the samples. The most likely solution is to create a 3" by 8" horizontal sign to attach to the bottom edge of each monitor. We will work together to develop the best phrasing for this. The sign will include note that we have printing exemption system for Barnard students.

If you have other ideas or information about this problem, please write back to me.
Thanks,Mary Ellen

Labels: NINJa, printer

Per a staff discussion on the best way to share information about reference equipment (and bathroom) problems, I have created an OUT OF ORDER sign that should be filled out by the reference staff who notices the issue and then by any subsequent people who deal with it.

Several copies of the sign have been stored in the reference desk drawer, in the hanging folder marked SIGNS in the file folder marked OUT OF ORDER.

The master is located in the library staff drive at H:\SIGNS\outoforder.xls

Labels: AT, equipment, facilities, out of order

We're happy to announce that the new websites-in-progress for the Center for Digital Research and Scholarship and Copyright Advisory Office are now linked on the Libraries home page. For the present they appear on the "Libraries and Collections" drop-down submenu. At some point soon LibraryWeb Steering and other stakeholders will be working toward a better overall Web presentation of the different components of the new Libraries / Information Services organization.

Labels: copyright, CUL

The Library printer still has an intermittent problem - ok for a while, then won't process job, reboot ends up in endless loop. We are seeing this in some other printers -- most often Plimpton. We are still looking for a solution. Please continue to report any problems at http://www.barnard.edu/resnet/reportform.html.

Labels: NINJa, printer

The "shopping period" for e-reserves has now passed.

Access control files have been generated that restrict access to scanned e-reserves to the following people:

• cul staff involved in uploading and processing this material
  
• those students and instructors registered for the class either as students or instructors (this includes some TAs)
  
• others who have requested and been granted access to the Courseworks pages of a given class.
  

Invariably some students who have been referring to scanned e-reserves will suddenly find themselves locked out. The following options are available for those not registered or not recognized as being registered for a class:

• request access to the courseworks page for the course; we receive a daily feed from Courseworks and process it on receipt. This is the best option for TAs who find that they do not have access to electronic reserves for the course for which they are TAing.
  
• ask for assistance at appropriate reserves desk
  

Readers who feel they are being denied access in error should be referred to the problem report form in the Request-it section of the Libraries' web site.

Labels: courseworks, CUL, e-reserves

Here are a bunch of new electronic resources grabbed from CUL Notes:

Cambridge Collections Online
Offers subject or theme based cross-searchable collections, including Cambridge Companions Complete Collection with its two sub-collections: Cambridge Companions to Literature and Classics, and: Cambridge Companions to Philosophy, Religion and Culture. Each collection is updated with new Companions on publication. Cambridge Collections Online also includes: Shakespeare Survey, an online version of the print series, from 1948 to the present.

CQ Almanac
Brings together over sixty years of authoritative congressional reporting in one, easy-to-use resource. The site pairs all of the content from the print volumes with a number of exciting electronic features and functions that make navigating this immense amount of content fast and easy.

ENVIROnetBASE
Provides access to environmental handbooks published by CRC Press.

ITknowledgeBASE
Covers topics ranging from computing to networking. Includes databases and books which can be search and browsed online.

MATERIALSnetBASE
Online library of materials science texts, references, and handbooks.

NANOnetBASE
Online collection of nanoscience and nanotechnology references. Bringing together experts from academic, industrial, and government institutions, NANOnetBASE offers researchers, students, and professionals an authoritative and convenient source for both introductory and specialized information

POLYMERSnetBASE
Provides access to three databases of polymer information: Polymeric Materials Encyclopedia, Polymers: A Property Database, and polymer books from Taylor and Francis.

WATERnetBASE
Comprehensive multidiscipline resource providing access to reference works on drinking water, ground water, hydrogeology, hydrology, storm water, surface water, waste water, water pollution and wetlands. Also includes the current edition of Water encyclopedia.

Labels: databases, gov docs, literature, science

The U.S. Census Bureau has released the new Census Atlas of the United States, which presents data from the 2000 census of population and housing in almost 800 maps. Lehman Library will receive a copy of the atlas via the depository.

Additionally, the entire volume is available in PDF.

Jerry Breeze
Government Information Librarian
Lehman Library

Labels: gov docs, lehman