Director's Memo
July 3, 2001 2001/2002 - No. 1
New Web Site
Congratulations to Kevin Fredrick and the Screen Design Group on the launch of our new Web site. Nearly all of our old site has successfully made the transition to the new format. We've re-organized the DDS and "Other Libraries" pages and created new "About" and "People" pages. The re-design of the PIRS site is well underway. Still to come is the "Technical Requirements for Remote Access" pages.
Local Libraries
I took a quick tour of other libraries in the area via our "Local Libraries" page to determine whether other libraries linked back to our site. Here's what I found: ACPL - no link Concordia Seminary - no link ITT - link is available, but shows old logo and advises users to login as "guest" Ivy Tech - no link on first tier of other libraries, but included in list of Indiana libraries St. Francis - link provided, but URL wrong (this has been corrected) Taylor - no link Of all the sites I thought Taylor's was the most interesting and well-conceived. It also took forever to load (so much for "well-conceived"). If you have the patience to wait for them to load, check their Web Searching Center and Virtual Reference Desk links on the home page.
Budget Items
The Purdue Board of Trustees meets on the 6th of July to approve the budget. Probably on that date or shortly after, IPFW will provide information about salary and wage increases. The increases will, of course, be retrospective to the beginning of the fiscal year. The Governor has placed a moratorium on the distribution of Build Indiana funds while they decide what entities are eligible to receive them. The $25,000 allocated to the library by Representative Moses is to come from the Build Indiana moneys, unless they determine that IPFW is ineligible. Tune in next week, folks. Each year the university sets aside a portion of the state technology funds for computer replacements. We should receive at least four or five computers this fall via this replacement program. So, if you have an old computer that barely supports Groupwise, your time is nigh.
News from Academic Officers Committee
To date enrollments are up around 10% this summer and 16% for the fall. IPFW has received word that it has been fully re-accredited by the North Central Association. I haven't seen the report yet, but I understand that the library received many compliments. The latest draft of the IPFW Strategic Plan will be posted next week (links from our About page) and we will devote a meeting in the early fall to a discussion of the plan (looking especially on its impact on the library).
Calendar
Attached is the July calendar as I know it showing all library meetings and reference schedule changes. The July schedule is lean on training opportunities, but August will offer training sessions every Thursday.
Presentation by Sue Skekloff
On Thursday, July 26 at 3:00 Sue Skekloff will provide an informal presentation about her sabbatical project. Her research focused on the life of Kathryn M. Whitten, M.D., an early woman surgeon from Fort Wayne. This presentation will be in room 241.
LOC Agenda Items
LOC will meet in Wednesday, July 25 at 1:30. I have the following agenda items at this time: Database purchases (CSA or SilverPlatter or Proquest), Replacement Policy, DDSReserves book purchases, unit reports and benchmarking, collection development proposal from Larry.
Database News
ABI/Inform will be changing formats at the end of this month. An introduction to the new interface is now available as you select ABI/Inform. Please check it out before it is implemented. I hope to have the guide updated by the time school starts. The Proquest sales rep told us she would turn on PsycInfo (with links to full text) for the month of July. It will be available by selecting ABI/Inform and then selecting PsycInfo. Don't forget that access to Encyclopedia Britannica will disappear next month. The free version is no longer being offered and we elected not to purchase the online version. Next month we will add the CSA Biological Sciences databases, Current Contents (available in the Science Information Center), and P.A.I.S. (Public Affairs Information Service).
Library Parties
I have asked the Social Committee to consider a monthly get-together of some sort that would take the place of the individual birthday parties.
On Vacation
I will be gone most of the time until July 20. I need this time to psych myself up to do the IUL statistical report, one of my least favorite activities in the library. Pamela will be in charge until July 16 when Cheryl returns from her vacation.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
July 2001
1 CLOSED
2 MB, LG vac KB 9-11 for MC SS 3-5 for JV JV 5-8 for LG
3 MC, LG, MB vac PS 5-8 for LG No LMT
4 FOURTH OF JULY CLOSED
5 MC, LG, CT, JV MB vac KB 9-11 for CT SS 5-8 for LG No training scheduled
6 MC, LG, CT, JV MB, vac
7 SS
8 CLOSED
9 LG, JV, CT vac SS 3-5 for JV PS 5-8 for LG
10 LG, JV, CT vac SS 5-8 for LG No LMT
11 JV, JS, CT vac
12 JV, CT, JS vac No training scheduled Summerfest
13 JV, MB, CT, DH vac
14 LG
15 CLOSED
16 JV, DH vac SS 3-5 for JV Library orientation for older students
17 DH, JS vac No LMT
18 JV, DH, JS vac 9-11 - SIRSI Users Group 1:00 - Screen Design Library orientation for older students
19 JV, DH, JS vac No training scheduled
20 DH, MB vac 1:00-4:30 - Web Usability Workshop Library orientation for older students
21 DH
22 CLOSED
23 DH,AW vac 9-4 OPAC/Cataloging Congress KT G22 Library orientation for older students
24 DH vac 8:30 - LMT
25 DH vac 9-11 :00 - Tech Services 1:30 - LOC Library orientation for older students
26 DH, AW vac 3:00-4:00 - Presentation by Sue Skekloff - Sabbatical Project
27 Library orientation for older students
28 PS
29 CLOSED
30 JS vac
31 JS vac 8:30 - LMT 10:30 - Reserves / Copyright meeting with Ferullo
August 1 Tiff Adkins 1st day 9:00 - 11 :00 - SIRSI Users Group 1:00 - Screen Design
August 2 3:00-4:00 - Training Business Resources Center
