Director's Cut
(2/1/12) And so we begin again - a new year, another semester, another collection of changes and introductions. I wish us all the best, in these challenging times, and I know we will once again sally forth to engage with our students and our information sources, and once again come up with a killer learning environment! -GR
Technology Clips
· New Library Laptops. We now have 19 brand new Dell laptops available for students to check out. These replacement laptops arrived late last year, and were processed and prepared for check-out over the January break. The new machines are slightly larger, very sleek, and very fast!
· EBSCOhost Database Changes. The new statewide database subscription is in place, and brings us several new databases, including America: History & Life, Book Index with Reviews, and Regional Business News. The EBSCO databases that were not included in the package (Alt-HealthWatch, CINAHL, etc.) continue to be available to us through June, and after that if we choose to renew them. We will be having lots of conversations about our future selections this semester, no doubt.
Library Clips
· Library Classroom Schedule Google-ized. The schedule for use of the library classroom, Room 1051, has been converted to a Google Calendar, eliminating the old web page GR used to update, as well as (shortly) the paper book kept outside Belle's office. This new calendar will allow all users who schedule course-related instruction sessions to add their own sessions, and will allow all of us to see up-to-the-minute info on what is scheduled. As with the old web page, the new calendar will also include sessions scheduled outside of the library, with their locations identified. To see the new calendar, just go to the staff Intranet (http://libwww.cabrillo.edu/staff/), where you will find it embedded on the main page.
· Geography Map Reading. Spring 2012 is likely the last semester that Geography 3A will be scheduled as it has been, with the heavy reliance upon the Map Reading materials checked out at Circulation. The new program chair, Deirdre Scholar, is taking a close look at the course, to plan for its long-overdue evolution. For this semester only (Spring 2012), the map-reading students will have a notebook at the Reference Desk (just like some of the athletes), where they will self-record their time spent in the library. More changes to come, no doubt.
· Shelving Changes. In January, we removed shelving sections from two areas: the Reference shelves towards my office, and the periodical shelves behind the Circulation counter. Both changes should help make these areas more usable, both for staff and for students. If you haven't already, take a look!
Campus Clips
· Building 800 moves. Nearly all the departing departments have departed. Principal changes for us: Student Employment is now in SAC-West street-level, Brian and Renee are now in SAC-West upper level near where Margery's office was. Note that DSPS has not moved, and won't be moving.
· Watsonville Center Buildings Renumbered. A nice logic has come to the Watsonville Center buildings and rooms. The main 3-story building is Building A, the old original building is Building B, and the new Green Tech Center will be Building C and Building D. Room numbers will be logical: the 100s will be on the 1st floor, 200s on the 2nd floor, 300s on the third. So, pop quiz: where would A210 be?
· Revised Student Rights & Responsibilities. The Student Rights & Responsibilities brochure has been updated, and is available on the Student Affairs website, or directly at http://www.cabrillo.edu/services/studentaffairs/documents/SRRRevisedFINAL01.27.2012.pdf. Various sections have received considerable updating, including the list of Prohibited Conduct.
· New Sheriff in Town. Sergeant Joe Clarke has taken over primary responsibility for Cabrillo. I hope to meet him soon and have him come to the library and learn about our environment and our issues. Paul Ramos has been reassigned elsewhere in the county, and will likely be gone by the start of the semester. Good luck, Paul, and welcome, Joe!
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