Newsletter for Reference Student Assistants

Hello!

Here are some updates for the beginning of the semester

• We got new black and white printers! Hopefully they will solve a lot of the printing problems we were having last semester. Some words about the new printers:

• Currently the default on some of the computers calls for "label paper" instead of regular paper which the printers use. If someone is waiting for a print job and the red light is flashing, press "OK" 2 times to tell the printer to use the normal paper.
• Some of the computers (when in Windows) will say no printers are installed when someone tries to print. We are working on this but you have to tell the patron to use a different computer, preferably not a windows machine. For sure using Mac OS works.
• Fill up both trays all the way. You no longer have to let one run out

• Log-in problems: If a student cannot log-in, make sure they are trying to log-in to the domain "accounts." If they still cannot log-in, you can make a guest account for them (Library homepage --> Information --> Staff Only --> Guest Account General). You should also recommend they reset their password (USFConnect --> Change Your Password --> Students and alumni Reset your password) because that usually fixes the problem.

• We now have designated areas or "zones" for silent study, quiet study, and conversation study. Check out this webpage and this map for more details. How this affects you: if a person complains someone is being noisy, if they are in a conversational area, it is ok to talk, so you could suggest the complainer move to a silent or quiet area. If they are already in a silent or quiet area, go to the person who is making noise and suggest they move to a conversation area where it is OK to make noise. Just because we call it "conversation" does not mean it's a party area. Patrons must still use "library voices" and we do not allow music played through speakers. What do you guys think about this?


• Statistics tally: as you know, we tally the questions we answer on the statistic sheet next to the phone. For the next month or so, also tally a question you receive that is about government information. This includes any question you answer with information about our collection of government documents, government websites, statistics that come from a government source (like the census), etc.



• I know you are all good at your jobs, but please review the student manual, especially the yellow tab called "student duties." Refresh your memory on what you should do every shift. I will check in on this.



• Lastly, all returning student workers received raises because you guys rock. You can see your current wage on your e-timesheet. Please keep up the good work.

Supplies: Stamper, Statistic Sheet, New Reference Books

The stamp and stamp pad can be located in the cupboard above the printer at the back of the Reference desk.
The statistic sheet can be located in a paper holder on the ledge separating the front and the back of the Reference desk.

A familiar sight: a truck with new Reference books on it. Usually a book truck like this will be sitting in the area at the back of the Reference Desk.




(Click on photos to enlarge)

1. Stamp books

Change the date stamp to reflect the day's date. Stamp each book on the "For Reference" sticker inside the front cover.

2. Count Books

Use the statistic sheet to make a tally for statsitical purposes. A very used statistic sheet looks like this:





Added Volume vs. New Title

● If it has a volume number on the call number tag, you usually can assume it is an added volume
● If it has a "Discard..." or "20XX...to stacks" sticky note it is an added volume
● If you are unsure, look the book up in Ignacio. The Ignacio record will tell you if there is only one of it (new title) or if you are adding to a pre-existing set (added volume)

To Discard vs. To Stacks
● Count how many have a "...to stacks" sticky note -- that tally is the number you put in the "Send to Stacks" column
● Count how many have a "Discard..." sticky note-- that tally is the number you put in the "Discard" column





**Note: sometimes you may need to count these after you have shelved the new ones and have harvested the "... to discard" or "...to stacks" titles from the shelves. This is because if we receive an updated set of an encyclopedia that replaces the entire old set, there may be less (or more) volumes for discard then there were new volumes of this set.

Make sure to also record your name.

3. Shelve Books

● Take out/ignore sticky notes that say anything besides "...to stacks" or "...discard"
● Take out and recycle any dust jackets that may be in between the pages of the book
● Put the books in call number order.
● Shelve the new Reference Books. This may mean you need to do a shift to fit a whole new set on the shelf.
● For volumes that have a "Discard..." or "...to stacks" sticky note in it, replace the old volume (the year or number should be indicated on the sticky note) with the new volume on the shelf. Take the sticky note out of the new volume and put it in the old volume. This is to indicate later on how to make necessary changes to the catalog record of the book (if it is being moved to stacks, the location in Ignacio will be changed; if it's being discarded, the record will be taken out of Ignacio).
● Place all the books for discard on one shelf of the book truck
● Place all the books for stacks (or any other location) on the other shelf of the book truck

4. Take finished cart to Kelci

Once you have coordinated a "for stacks" and "discard" pile on separate shelves of the book truck, either leave it in the back of the Reference Desk and tell Kelci you are done or bring it back to her desk and let her know you are done.

She will then take it to Cataloging, where they will change the Ignacio record to reflect the changes, and if books are being moved to the stacks, Cataloging will then take the books to Circulation to be shelved.

Questions:

● How to determine where someone left off?

If you begin to work on the new Reference books, but only have time to stamp and count them, that is fine! We appreciate your initiative. Just make sure to to leave a note on the top of the cart that indicates what you have done. That way the next person will know where to pick up.

● How to determine equal division of labor?

By writing your name on the statistic sheet, we can assure everyone is doing their repsonsibilites equally. Not only is one person always doing the new Reference books unfair, it's also an unequal learning opportunity for the rest of the student workers.