Reasons behind NMSU IDs & printing

I know that many of you student employees who work at the service desks often have to field questions (or wonder yourselves) about why students can’t use their NMSU ID cards to print at all of the library’s PC.  In a nutshell …

A few years ago, ICT installed and continues to manage a cluster of PCs at Zuhl Library (those on the East side of the facility, against the walls).  It is at these machines [only] that students can use their IDs to get up to $20 each semester worth of printer copies–not photocopies.  Full-time students get $10 at the start of each semester and another $10 after census date if they maintain full-time status.  This money is made available through ICT to students via  technology fees paid as a portion of tuition fees.

There are no ICT computers at Branson Library, therefore this service is not available in that facility.  One of the primary reasons that the library is unable to support the use of NMSU student ID cards at all of our printers is because we have a mission to serve the local community and citizens of the state of New Mexico who do not have the ability to obtain NMSU ID cards.  In other words, we have a service population that extends beyond the student population, so our systems must be set up in order to accommodate users at a broader level.   This, in addition to some other technology and funding issues, is why the library has a separate print/copy card system. 

I hope this helps clarify the distinction?  If not, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  Norice ext. 7556.

Reference transactions

Reference involves the knowledge, use, recommendation, interpretation, or instruction of one or more information sources.

Here are some examples of the different categories of reference questions.

Verify citation:  ( this is kind of confusing because ”citation” makes you think about APA or MLA style)

Do you have Time magazine?  Canterbury Tales?

What is the call number for “The Importance of Being Earnest“?

Referral:

Who is the person responsible for ordering books?

Who would I talk to about a putting a book on reserve?

Research Assistance:

Where would I go to find scholarly articles?

I need 5 resources on drunk driving.

Software Training and Assistance

Can you help me attach this document in Blackboard?

How do you create headers and footers in Word?

Please read over the statistics directions.  If you don’t see them, ask your supervisor. I’ll continue to highlight important points in the document.  Have a great weekend!

Just noticed something….

I was looking at the blog dashboard.  It appears that some of you have responded, but it was filtered as spam.

I apologize if you may have had some confusion with your supervisor.  If there is any problem, please contact me acgonzal@nmsu.edu

Alisa

Examples of “Directional/Find Place or General Info”

Yesterday, we spoke about “Find Item”, a directional question/answer. 

Here’s the official definition of a Directional question:

Directional transaction definition: A directional transaction…facilitates the use of the library in which the contact occurs, and does not involve knowledge, use, recommendation, interpretation or instruction in the use of any information sources other than those that describe the library, such as schedules, floor plans…Examples include instruction for locating, within the library, staff, library users, or physical features, and giving assistance with machines. [ANSI/NISO Z39.7 1995 “Library Statistics”]

So, that definition leads us to “Find Place or General Info”.  Remember, these questions are much more informational based rather than knowledge based. 

Some examples of these questions are:

How much are fines?

Where are the public computers?

How do I get upstairs? (A constant and one of my personal favorites…)

When do you close tonight?

Where is the Library Administration office?

Okay, I think the last questions gets confusing.  What makes it different from the Reference type of question, “Referral”?  There is a difference.  In the above question you are directing them toward a location.  “Where is Mardi Mahaffy’s office?” is a similiar question.

“Referral” is for another post…

Find Item

Statistics week(s) will begin next Monday.  This week I’ll be writing about confusing categories and where to put common questions.  Please comment if you find something confusing.  I’m sure that other people may share your confusion.

Of course, we all know about the two different categories for questions: Directional and Reference.

Let’s look at Directional.  The category is the cryptic “Find Item”…

What does this mean?  It can be confusing.  Here’s some examples of “Find Item”.

“What floor are the HD books on?” 

“I can’t find this book on the third floor”. 

“Where is a pencil sharpener?” [NOT "Can I borrow a pencil sharpener"...don't count borrowing office supplies...scissors...tape...etc]

Think of “Find Item” as the most basic type of question. 

Questions that aren’t under the category of ”Find Item”:

“Where is the book, Canterbury Tales?”

“Where are your books by Neil deGrasse Tyson?”

Finding particular books falls under reference.  The category that I would use is “Research Assistance”.

Hope this helps….

Space Survey, the Sequel

Hi everyone,

I wanted to alert you to a new survey we are conducting in both Branson and Zuhl this week. We are following up on the space surveys we conducted last fall–to share what folks told us last year, to tell them what we did in response, and to ask for their feedback.

We have flipcharts up in Branson and Zuhl along with posters covering the points above. There are also paper surveys with these questions, which users may complete and put in a survey box. The advantage to the paper survey is that users can enter a chance to win a $50 or $25 gift card from the bookstore after they complete a survey (one entry per building). We will also be cruising the buildings and taking pictures of people using public spaces, which is something else we did last year to see who is using the building and how at different times of day and night.

Anyway, I just wanted to fill you in in case you get any questions. We really are using this feedback so please encourage any library users you know to participate. If you have questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact me.

Thanks!

Cindy Pierard
Reference & Research Services

cpierard@lib.nmsu.edu

Training sessions so far

Hopefully, the training sessions have been helpful.  I forgot to take attendance on Friday.  Could you email me acgonzal@nmsu.edu and let me know which time you attended?

I have a good idea but I’m not 100% certain.  It’s so I can let your supervisors know that you attended.  Thanks!

Training Sessions

For those of you who are new to the library this semster,  I do training sessions on various things on a semester basis.  We will have a general introduction session, a reference session, and possibly other sessions.

Are there any sessions that you would like me to have?  I can do all kinds of sessions, such as “finding articles” or “using EndNote Web”.

Respond to the blog or email me, Alisa Gonzalez at acgonzal@nmsu.edu

I’d also like to know what times are good for you?  Wednesday’s are great for me.  Mondays and Fridays are good as well. 

Are mornings better or afternoon?  Let me know what you think and I’ll start scheduling class room time.  For those of you that are new, you are given time off the desk to attend these sessions.

Hope the semester is going well so far.  See you all soon.

Stay Healthy!

Hi again folks!  You all may have already received this info. from your instructors or others on campus, but I wanted to help spread the word–to prevent the spread of the flu!  Please click on this link to help keep yourself and those around you healthy … as cold and flu season is heading our way!:  http://wellness.nmsu.edu/flu/  ~Norice.

Emergency Action Plan

Hi everyone!  As we begin a new academic year and there are many new student employees among us, please take some time to read through the Library’s Emergency Action Plan, located at: http://lib.nmsu.edu/aboutlib/policies/policy010.shtml

Please let me know if you have any questions by posting a comment, or e-mailing me at:  nlee@nmsu.edu or calling 646-5091.  Thank so much, Norice.