APA Journal Assignment is in da House!

It's the time of year again - two common titles: American Psychologist & American Journal of Psychology.

Top Drawer Public Printer

We cannot put paper in the top drawer of the public printer until a repairman repairs the machine. Each page causes a paper jam. I was told this morning that last night a student (not one of our employees) broke a piece from the drawer. Erin said she would notify Janet Grabeal to call a repairman.

Naxos Music Reader

Could we get the Solero music reader from Naxos installed on the Reference Desk computer?

Thanks,
Frederic

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Go to Start > Programs > Solero Music Viewer.

Jon W.

IM Joker

We have had a few problems this week with students sending joking messages using our Meebo connection. If this happens and the question is clearly a joke, just tell the student that you answer real questions regarding library/university services.

Annals of Pharmacotherapy: "We do not have a current subscription" (Updated)

Update (10/13/2010): Phillip has fixed the problem and The Annals is available once again.
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The Annals of Pharmacotherapy is giving users a message that says, "We do not have a current subscription for your institution in our system: please contact your librarian" whenever users click links to full-text articles. I've asked Phillip to check on the status of our subscription.

The most recent issue on the publisher's web site is October, 2010 (v.44 no.10). In the meantime, The Annals is available in full-text through IDIS/Web up to May, 2010 (v.44 no.5).

Jon W.

EBSCO Databases

All of the EBSCO databases are up and running now.

Library Logins and Student Webmail Password Resets

First, a quick reminder: Each student's library login for remote database access is always exactly the same as the student's SWOSU Student Webmail login.

Be aware that ITS resets a student's SWOSU Webmail password whenever ITS suspects that the student's Webmail account has been hacked. ITS typically is unable to notify the student that they've reset his/her password. This creates confusion because the student has no idea that their password has been reset.

When you're helping a student who can't login to the library's databases, ask the student to try logging into their SWOSU Student Webmail account. If the student can't get into their Webmail, the student will need to contact the ITS Help Desk at 774-7070 from 8-5 M-F. The ITS Help Desk will reset the student's password.

Once the student can access their Student Webmail account, they'll be able login to the library's databases too.

Jon W.

Some EBSCO databases are unavailable

EBSCO's Communication and Mass Media Complete, Environment Complete, Family and Society Studies Worldwide, Hospitality and Tourism Complete, International Bibliography of Theatre and Dance with Full Text, and Points of View Reference Center databases are not working today, Tues. 9/28/10.

I'll post an update to this blog when I have more information.

Jon. W.

bit.ly Link Shortener Bookmarklet in Firefox and IE

I've added a bit.ly bookmarklet to the bookmarks toolbars in Firefox and Internet Explorer.

When you click the Shorten with bit.ly bookmarklet, you'll get a bit.ly URL for the web page you're viewing. Please use the bit.ly links whenever you need to send a long URL to patrons through Text a Librarian or Meebo.

Jon W.

P.S. See the "Standard bit.ly Bookmarklet" instruction on this page if you'd like to add the Shorten with bit.ly bookmarklet to your own browser.

Public printer "Install MK" message

The "Install MK" message on the first floor public printer means that the printer needs a new maintenance kit. A Kyocera service tech has to install the kit, so I've let Janet know that we need the printer serviced.

The printer will continue to print while the "Install MK" message displays. Please give me a call at 7074 if you have any questions.

Jon W.

Organic Chem II Lab PDFs

A student was attempting to print PDFs for this class but due to the presence of chemical equations and diagrams along with a large file size, it would not print. The instructor has been notified. I've left a copy of this file at the reference desk.

This is the second occurance I've experienced since the semester began. If you run across this problem in the future, you can use IrfanView to print the file or you will need to screen capture each individual page.

American Indian tribes information for Social Work 4013

You may get questions about different American Indian tribes from students in Ms. Korol's Social Work 4013 class. Use this LibGuide to help students find print and online resources.

Jon W.

LibAnswers is ready to go ...

Click here to login.

Please see Jane for any questions about how to record reference transactions with LibAnswers.

If you already have a LibGuides account, use the same login for LibAnswers. If you don't have a LibGuides account you've probably gotten an email from me with your new LibAnswers login. If you need a LibAnswers account, please let me know.

Jon W.

DeskStats

As of this morning, we no longer have access to the DeskStats system and will be moving to LibAnswers very soon. In the meantime, please use the paper form here at the desk to record the statistics from your shift at the desk. If you have questions, please contact me. Thanks, Jane

Persistent links to Ovid articles and citations

I've written a tutorial on how to create persistent links to citations and articles in our Ovid databases. Go to this LibGuide and scroll down a couple of screens for the section on Ovid.

Jon W.

Slow Printing of Large Graphics-Heavy PowerPoint Slides

Some of the PowerPoints that students are printing are huge files with complex graphics that really bog the printer down. Often, these PowerPoints aren’t designed to be printed at all (but that doesn’t stop the students from trying, of course).

My recommendation is this: If there’s a print job that’s taking a long time to process while other students are waiting, use the job cancel button on the printer to kill the print job. Ask the student to print the PowerPoint at a time when the library is less busy (after 7:00pm is usually OK). Most students are understanding about being asked to print their slides later; they realize that they're monopolizing a shared resource that other students need to use too.

You can also offer to print the slides on the Reference Desk printer. It’ll still take a long time for the slides to print, but you’ll free up the public printer for other patrons.

Jon W.

Problems with the Periodicals List

Jon W. mentioned a problem where the Periodicals List is timing out sometimes. EBSCO is working on the issue. Please keep an eye out for any difficulties.

Media Creation Room laptop requires a password

The Media Creation Room laptop now requires a password to use. See the Reference Desk flip file for the password.

Jon W.

New EBSCOHost Formatting

Heads up! EBSCO has changed their appearance and format in their database products. Take a look at these changes the first chance you get and especially before teaching any library instruction courses.

Also, some other database products (i.e., JSTOR, LexisNexis, Pop Culture Universe) have changed their format.

Audio Books

Jon W. has created a page for Online Audio Books that is accessible from the library homepage. We have five different resources in this category.

The instructions for MyiLibrary include links to installers for Windows and Mac as well as an iTunes download that must be used for MP3 conversion. By following these instructions, downloading should be very simple.

Paper Supply

You will notice that we have a large stock of paper here at the desk now. In addition to what is on the shelf where the paper is normally stored, there is paper on the shelves behind the doors in the middle Ready Reference bookcase. Please use that paper before opening one of the boxes. This will keep things tidier as we enjoy having the paper supply within our immediate reach.

Installing personal software on the Ref Desk PC is a no-no ...

A reminder -- don't install software on the Reference Desk PC without checking with me first. The Reference Desk is a critical library service point, so it's important that the Ref Desk PC work smoothly for everyone.

Please borrow a laptop or netbook from the Circulation Desk if you have personal software that you need to use while you're at the Reference Desk. These laptops and netbooks automatically remove your software when rebooted.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Jon W.

(P.S. The software I removed today broke PDF viewing in Firefox and added crapware that was running on every Windows reboot.)

Last week Brian Becker approached us about finding images of the shoulder patch for the SWOSU ROTC Bulldog Battalion of the 1970s. He is restarting a ROTC program and wanted a patch for his cadets. The images I found where too small and in black and white.Serendipity: The day before yesterday Dean R. Townsend, military historian and insignia collector, spent a couple of hours in the Southwestern room doing research on the ROTC shoulder patch. He is writing a book on the history of ROTC insignias in the United States and is visiting every school that has had such a program.Below is a sheet from the Institute of Heraldry with the approved patch (1972) and the unapproved variants. He let me scan the page. I will place this page in my folder on the ref desk computer for if anyone needs it. The folder will be called Bulldog Battalion. It will also include an image from the 1978 yearbook showing the Bulldog Battalion symbol on the old ROTC building.I have sent this information to Brian Becker.

myITlab on the public PCs

We've had a handful of students who need to access a website called myITlab for a SWOSU computer-aided instruction course.

To use myITlab on the library's public PCs, do the following:

• Verify that the student is using the Internet Explorer (IE) web browser.
• Change IE's security settings to Medium:
  1. Click on IE's Tools pull-down menu.
  2. Click on Internet Options.
  3. Click the Security tab.
  4. Move the slider under "Security level for this zone" to Medium.
  5. Click OK.
• Click the myITlab link. Watch for a yellow bar at the top of the web page that asks permission to install an ActiveX control. OK the installation.
• The myITlab page will take a minute or so to load, so have patience.

Jon W.

French - Drug Info Articles

Students in Dr. E. French's Drug Info classes are required to select an article each semester for an assignment. In the past, Dr. French has provided an up-to-date list of the previously used articles on a bulletin board in the CPP and a copy for the library's course reserves. She has not sent an updated list since Summer 2007, despite numerous reminders. Her syllabus states that students can still find them in both places, but I suspect that it hasn't been updated in a while. Please direct them to the list in the CPP, as it is no longer on Reserve.

Meebo Problems

When you are logging on to TaL and DeskStats for your desk shift, make sure you are also connected to Meebo. Jason has pointed out that the icon at the bottom of the screen is not always connected as it should be, so please take the extra step to open the program and make sure you are signed in. Also, make sure the speaker is turned on.

Jane

Helping students find textbooks when they can't remember the title ...

If a student needs a textbook but doesn't know the exact textbook title, you can use the SWOSU bookstore web site to find the correct book. Here's the link to the bookstore.

Jon W.

Collins Writing Assignment on "Significant Cities"

Found a good ebook to address this assignment in eBrary:

"Boomburbs: The Rise of America's Accidental Cities" by Robert Lang

Jing is back

I've recovered the Jing password and reinstalled the program on the Reference Desk PC. There's a Jing shortcut on the desktop whenever you need to run it.

The Jing login information is in the Reference Desk flip file.

Jon W.

Word on the Ref Desk PC

Update (4/15/10): I reinstalled Office this evening and Word seems to be working correctly again. Let me know if you have any problems.

Jon W.

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There were problems with using Microsoft Word during my Wednesday evening shift. Jon W. took a look at the problem and felt that it would be necessary for him to work on it Thursday evening when he staffs the desk. The bottom line is: don't plan to type Word documents at the desk tomorrow. There are no problems with Internet access or use of the Library webpages.

Jane

Access to Pharmacist's Letter

If a pharmacy student is having trouble accessing the Pharmacist's Letter database, they first have to go to a designated URL to sign up. The URL is located on the passwords page of the flip file.

This URL should not be shared; it is to be used only by SWOSU College of Pharmacy students.

Ref Desk PC: hard drive replaced to fix boot-up problem

I've replaced the hard drive in the Reference Desk PC. This should fix the problems that have been reported with the PC not booting up. If you have a problem with the PC, please let me or Chris know.

Jon W.

Update (4/1/10): EBSCO databases are working again

EBSCO has fixed the problem with these databases:

Art and Architecture Complete
Communication and Mass Media Complete
Environment Complete
Family and Society Studies Worldwide
Film and Television Literature Index w/FT
Hospitality and Tourism Complete
International Bibliography of Theatre and Dance w/FT
Points of View Reference Center

Jon W.

Change for bills only provided at the change machine

Per Jason in Thursday's Leadership Team meeting: Patrons who need change for bills should be directed to the change machine on the column by the public printer. The library no longer makes change at the Circulation Desk.

Patrons who have problems with the change machine need to contact Student Services; the number to call is on the change machine.

Jon W. 

Drug Information article list is reserve item 170-A

Pharmacy students in Drug Information who ask for Dr. French's article list need reserve item 170-A. It's in a black paper folder on the Circulation Desk reserves shelf.

Jon W. 

Viewing and printing .xps files

If you need to open a file with the extension .xps, use Internet Explorer. xps files are sort of like PDFs, but in a proprietary Microsoft format. Internet Explorer can view and print files with the .xps extension.

Jon W.

Homemade Smartboard for about $50

"International" TV fixed

Jon W. installed the replacement receiver for the first TV (International). All three TVs are broadcasting news again.

Install MK Error Message

Tim (from R.K. Black) has been notified of the error message on the Kyocera public printer. Last week, Tim ordered a fuser for replacement. However, now that there is a “maintenance kit required” message, he will order a maintenance kit which will also include the fuser part.
Tim said that the printer should still be able to print without any problems. He should be able to install the kit towards the end of the week.

Update on Printer 2/18/10

Printer has been cleaned and serviced by R.K. Black repairman. No further paper jamming should take place. Unfortunately, the fuser is showing signs of wear and fatigue. He'll return to replace the part but until then, lines may begin to appear vertically on the paper.

Public printer sometimes misfeeding paper from first cassette

The public printer is having a problem feeding paper from the first cassette. I've asked Janet G. to contact RK Black to have the printer serviced.

Here's the problem: The roller that grabs the paper and feeds it into the printer isn't always able to grab the top sheet in the tray. The printer then reports a paper jam. The misfed sheet always has a mark on it about an inch from the top of the page where the roller contacts it.

When the printer misfeeds: Open the first paper cassette. Remove the misfed sheet of paper. Close the paper cassette and printing will resume.

Until the printer is fixed, only fill the first cassette about half full. (I've noticed that the misfeeds are more frequent when the tray is full.) If the misfeeds get worse, leave the first cassette empty and only fill the second cassette.

Jon W.

Facts and Comparisons now available on Pharmacy page

Facts and Comparisons is now available on the Pharmacy page. This drug information resource provides monographs detailing actions, indications, administration and dosage, interactions, adverse reactions, warnings and more. Comprehensive tables compare products of similar formulation, including dose, form and strength, distributor name, how supplied, product identification codes and more.

A quick tutorial is available here. Please take a look at it -- F&C will be a popular database with our pharmacy students.

Jon W.

Wireless Not Working

About 12:35 PM today (Wed) about 5 people said they could not get their pc's to connect with the campus or library wireless routers. I called Chris and he tried to contact I.T. (but they are closed from 12-1:00 PM.)

You'll probably get more complaints regarding this if it's not fixed.
Thanks,
Dale

Scanning and converting images into PDFs in the library

We've recently had some students in the library who need to scan articles into PDF documents. There are a couple of ways to do this.

First method: Scan the articles with the ScandAll 21 software on the Media Creation Room laptop. ScandAll 21 has an option to save scans into PDF format. For details on using ScandAll 21 to save images as PDFs, see ScandAll 21's Help menu. (Remind the student that they'll need to check out the MCR laptop charger at the Circulation Desk.)

Second method: If the student already has scanned the article and only needs to convert the images into PDFs, the student can use one of these free online PDF conversion services:

- Drawloop
- Zamzar
- freepdfconvert.com

These sites work within the browser -- no extra software is needed.

Third method: If the student has already scanned the article, the student can cut and paste each image into MS Word or PowerPoint. Next, use Office's "Save as PDF" command to convert the file into a PDF.

Jon W.

DeskStats

Here are some suggestions regarding how to choose where to record your information.

REFERENCE:

· Inst – Class Assignment: Assistance that is related to a specific class assignment

· Inst – Books/videos/ebooks: Finding resources in the catalog—showing how to use the catalog, how to use ebooks, where resources are located

· Inst – DB: Anything related to database use

· Internet Use: Anything related to Internet use

· Ready Reference: Assisting patron with materials available behind the RefDesk or in the Reference section

· Reader’s Advisory: Helping with book selection for recreational reading

INFORMATION:

· Library Web Site: Questions regarding information/services in the library.

· Directions: General questions

· Policy: Library policy/university policy

· Procedures: Questions regarding “how to”

TECHNICAL:

· Printer Problems: Include printing color copies for students

· Library/Patron PC: Assistance with computer use—show whether it is our equipment or patron’s equipment

· Remote Access – Problems with logging in from off campus

· D2L, Webmail & Campus Connect – Problems with these programs

New Assignment.

A recent assignment is for students to bring a book about coaching basketball to their next class. Phillip requested that this note be put on blog so that we could be prepared with a list when the students come to the desk. There are approximately 30 students in the class and there are about 40 books upstairs on this subject - Thanks, Dale.

FYI - The basketball player in the photo is Sun Ming Ming. He is 22 and wears size 19 shoes, 6XL jersey and size 50 jeans. He is 7-foot 8-inches and although not the tallest basketball player from China, he might be if he grows another inch this year.

Web of Knowledge citation index databases now available

The new Web of Knowledge (WoK) citation index databases are now available on the library's web site. The indexes are ...

• Arts and Humanities Citation Index
• Science Citation Index Expanded
• Social Sciences Citation Index

Collectively, these databases are part of WoK's Web of Science. For training and support materials, see this site.

Jon W.

Web of Knowledge (incl. BIOSIS Previews & Zoological Record) now available

I’ve added Web of Knowledge (WoK) to the library’s Science and Math page. I’ve also modified the existing links to BIOSIS Previews to use WoK instead of Ovid.

WoK also includes Zoological Record. For WoK training and support materials, see this site.

Jon W.