I was so happy that I chose to do my library visit at an academic library because I was going into the experience with no knowledge of what to expect. What I experienced was a library that flowed really well and it is different from my experience working in a public library. Everybody had their place in the library and had their purpose for being there. There were plenty of people studying off on their own. Lots of people were on the computers on MySpace, working on assignments, or surfing the net. There were no lines of people waiting to use the computers or waiting for help at the reference desk. I reckon I was in the library for a total of 5 hours just observing and it was really impressive. I did not hear a cell phone go off once during my time there. I know that there are plenty of differences between academic libraries and public libraries and really there should not be a comparison, but here is why I am making the comparison. The Virginia government is voting on funding for a joint use library between TCC and the Virginia Beach Public Library System. If approved it will be interesting to see how it all unfolds.
I was glad that this assignment was required. It was interesting to go out and explore what another library has to offer it's customers. I had a positive experience in the TCC library and I think the students are in good hands at the library.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
TCC Electronic Servcies
I knew that when I walked into the library at TCC on March 21, 2008 that I was not going to get all of my questions answered that day. My interview was with a librarian and I had arranged prior to the interview that any questions that could not be answered on that day would be answered by the electronic services librarian. Through a series of Emails I have my answers to the questions to the extent that the information would be disclosed or revealed. Please remember that some the information is conrolled by an IT department and IT can be known for not being very cooperative.
The URL for the TCC library is: http://www.tcc.edu/lrc/.
TCC uses Novell software for the college networking infrastructure and the college is part of NetworkVirginia (http://www.networkvirginia.net/). All of the network and Internet configuring is handled at the college level by the Office of Information Systems (OIS is the IT part of the college) or at the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). The college has high speed broadband Internet access.
All of the specifications for the server, computers, and workstations are handled at the college level as part of the college technology plan, not at the library level. The IT department determines the specifications, equipment, and replacement cycle. The library staff does basic trouble shooting on the computers, but all maintenance and repair is handled by the college IT staff. Each TCC campus has several IT staff who are responsible for all workstations at that campus. All of the planning and budgeting in the library for technology is part of the college technology plan managed by the Office of Information Services.
Online databases are supported through the LRC's materials budget. That includes the TCC share of VCCS wide resources as well as resources that are subscribed to for TCC alone. The actual activities of web updating are handled in part by the college and in part by the individual unit. The library does not have a budget position designated for the web but it is part of one librarian's job description to be the website manager for the LRC and many librarians also do web activities.
TCC, and the entire VCCS uses the Ex-Libris Aleph 500 as it's automation system. TCC went live with the Aleph 500 version 16 in June of 2005. The last VCCS college to go live with the same system was in January of 2005. TCC does not use the entire Aleph 500 system. The college currently uses only the "Big -3" - OPAC, circulation and reserves. The system will upgrade to version 18 in May of 2009. Once the college feels that is stable with version 18, it will begin implementing additional modules including acquisitions and serials, and ILL.
So there we have it. This is all of the "technical" information that I was able to gather. For this project I interviewed a librarian, conversed with another librarian via Email, made numerous visits to the college library, and spent hours sifting through the library website.
Denise
The URL for the TCC library is: http://www.tcc.edu/lrc/.
TCC uses Novell software for the college networking infrastructure and the college is part of NetworkVirginia (http://www.networkvirginia.net/). All of the network and Internet configuring is handled at the college level by the Office of Information Systems (OIS is the IT part of the college) or at the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). The college has high speed broadband Internet access.
All of the specifications for the server, computers, and workstations are handled at the college level as part of the college technology plan, not at the library level. The IT department determines the specifications, equipment, and replacement cycle. The library staff does basic trouble shooting on the computers, but all maintenance and repair is handled by the college IT staff. Each TCC campus has several IT staff who are responsible for all workstations at that campus. All of the planning and budgeting in the library for technology is part of the college technology plan managed by the Office of Information Services.
Online databases are supported through the LRC's materials budget. That includes the TCC share of VCCS wide resources as well as resources that are subscribed to for TCC alone. The actual activities of web updating are handled in part by the college and in part by the individual unit. The library does not have a budget position designated for the web but it is part of one librarian's job description to be the website manager for the LRC and many librarians also do web activities.
TCC, and the entire VCCS uses the Ex-Libris Aleph 500 as it's automation system. TCC went live with the Aleph 500 version 16 in June of 2005. The last VCCS college to go live with the same system was in January of 2005. TCC does not use the entire Aleph 500 system. The college currently uses only the "Big -3" - OPAC, circulation and reserves. The system will upgrade to version 18 in May of 2009. Once the college feels that is stable with version 18, it will begin implementing additional modules including acquisitions and serials, and ILL.
So there we have it. This is all of the "technical" information that I was able to gather. For this project I interviewed a librarian, conversed with another librarian via Email, made numerous visits to the college library, and spent hours sifting through the library website.
Denise
Sunday, April 20, 2008
My TCC Visit
On March 21, 2008 I walked into the Learning Resource Center (LRC) at Tidewater Community College (TCC) at 10:00 A.M. ready to do my interview. I immediately started to panic when I was told the person I was supposed to interview, Sarah Greene, called in sick. I was trying to think of what to do when another staff member, Brittany Horn, approached me and said that she would do the interview with me. I was very thankful and we sat down to start the interview.
The LRC has an impressive amount of computers. There are thirty public access computers, thirty lab computers, thirty library classroom computers, and ten language computers. The lab computers require a library card for use, however any citizen of Virginia Beach can get a library card free of charge. The library classroom computers are reserved for library staff members for when they are teaching a class. The language computers are specifically for learning a language. The public access computers are for anyone to use for as long as they wish. I have observed the computer usage on many occasions and I never witnessed all of the computers in use. There is no filtering on any of the computers. The computers are the property of the Commonwealth of Virginia and it would break a law to have any type of filtering on the computers.
The lab computers are situated on the second floor of the LRC. The lab computers have the latest version of Mircosoft Office and are Internet ready. The lab has a scanner available as well as headphones. There is not a color printer for student use in the LRC.
There is no cost to print anything. All lab printing needs to be collected from staff because it prints out in a staff area. The public use computers do not have any Microsoft Office products loaded on them, but students can print Microsoft Office files from those machines through a Microsoft viewer. That creates a problem sometimes when a Powerpoint file is printed out because it will only print one Powerpoint slide per page. Students are often surprised when they go to collect their printing and there are thirty pages. Computer users are not permitted to download anything onto the computers.
The college does not really offer the students anything in terms of a social networking presence. There is not a college link on MySpace or Facebook. A couple staff members have expressed an interest in getting a presence on SecondLife but they cannot for the time being because their computers are not powerful enough. There is a TCCLRC Wiki but that is for staff members only. There is a cataloging blog for students to use but they never do so I will probably be removed. When I observed the students using computers in the LRC a large number appeared to be using MySpace or Facebook.
The LRC staff are currently working on getting podcasts on to the library site, but currently there are none. The library website does have quite a few Camtasia Files on it. The Camtasia files are audio- visual library instructional files to teach students things like reference skills. The Camtasia files were basically mandated by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) because that association felt the college did not have enough instructional material on it's website. I was very impressed with the content of the training portion of the website.
TCC offers a IM reference service. It is run at a state level with the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). Each college in the system is given a specific time that they have run the service. TCC is only responsible for providing the service for one hour per week. Most of the time the questions can be answered while the student is live but occasionally is cannot and then the question is written down and researched later. The IM reference is not a 24/7 service but it does cover the opening hours of the library. Any questions that are submitted to the "Ask A Librarian" Email service are typically answered within twenty-four hours.
The most used database at the college is the Gale Powersearch. The college had some databases on trial until April 15, 2008 and the college was seeking feedback from students and faculty. The college planned to submit the comments to the VCCS because ultimately the purchase decision would come at the state level. LRC staff have to give database instruction on a daily basis to students. The library staff offers instructional classes in their library classroom on a continuing basis. Some of the classes originate with the library staff and some of the classes are held because a college professor asked for them. Quite a few of the English, psychology, and the history professors ask the library staff to instruct in reference and database skills. The classes are well attended and well received by the students and faculty.
One of the new features on the library website is a MetaLib search that searches the library catalog and certain databases at the same time. Surprisingly this feature has been rarely used by anyone at the college, staff included. The ultimate purchasing decision for this product will be at the state level but the TCC staff will recommend not to purchase it because of it's lack of use. I was surprised that it was not used more because during the time period that I was examining the college website, the MetaLib search was heavily promoted.
The LRC has a few features for people with disabilities. In the lab there are computers available with less sensitive keyboards. There are computer monitors available that enlarge the print on the screen, and there are computers that can be made so they have no graphics on them.
The furniture in the LRC looked really uncomfortable and did not appear to be ergonomic. The chairs for the computer users are heavy wooden ones with a low back. The college does not want to replace any furniture in anticipation of a future library building with new furnishings. There is currently a proposal in the State Senate to build an academic-public joint use library which would become one of the largest in the USA. Even the staff are making do with inadequate computer furniture. the staff do not even have the pull out keyboard trays.
My final questions for Brittany were what works in the LRC and what does not work in the LRC. What works is most of the computer equipment being less then a year old and the library being in a period of transition working on updating policies and procedures. The main thing that does not work is that the website is locked in by the TCC layout and the library staff are locked out of certain aspects of the website due to the college branding. The college is currently accepting bids for the redevelopment of the website so Brittany hopes the layout will improve after the redevelopment.
Most of my more technical questions could not be answered by Brittany. Other questions were answered by Jacque Dessino, who is the Electronic Services Librarian for TCC. Jacque and I have been conversing via Email for several weeks now and more is to follow in my next report.
Denise
The LRC has an impressive amount of computers. There are thirty public access computers, thirty lab computers, thirty library classroom computers, and ten language computers. The lab computers require a library card for use, however any citizen of Virginia Beach can get a library card free of charge. The library classroom computers are reserved for library staff members for when they are teaching a class. The language computers are specifically for learning a language. The public access computers are for anyone to use for as long as they wish. I have observed the computer usage on many occasions and I never witnessed all of the computers in use. There is no filtering on any of the computers. The computers are the property of the Commonwealth of Virginia and it would break a law to have any type of filtering on the computers.
The lab computers are situated on the second floor of the LRC. The lab computers have the latest version of Mircosoft Office and are Internet ready. The lab has a scanner available as well as headphones. There is not a color printer for student use in the LRC.
There is no cost to print anything. All lab printing needs to be collected from staff because it prints out in a staff area. The public use computers do not have any Microsoft Office products loaded on them, but students can print Microsoft Office files from those machines through a Microsoft viewer. That creates a problem sometimes when a Powerpoint file is printed out because it will only print one Powerpoint slide per page. Students are often surprised when they go to collect their printing and there are thirty pages. Computer users are not permitted to download anything onto the computers.
The college does not really offer the students anything in terms of a social networking presence. There is not a college link on MySpace or Facebook. A couple staff members have expressed an interest in getting a presence on SecondLife but they cannot for the time being because their computers are not powerful enough. There is a TCCLRC Wiki but that is for staff members only. There is a cataloging blog for students to use but they never do so I will probably be removed. When I observed the students using computers in the LRC a large number appeared to be using MySpace or Facebook.
The LRC staff are currently working on getting podcasts on to the library site, but currently there are none. The library website does have quite a few Camtasia Files on it. The Camtasia files are audio- visual library instructional files to teach students things like reference skills. The Camtasia files were basically mandated by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) because that association felt the college did not have enough instructional material on it's website. I was very impressed with the content of the training portion of the website.
TCC offers a IM reference service. It is run at a state level with the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). Each college in the system is given a specific time that they have run the service. TCC is only responsible for providing the service for one hour per week. Most of the time the questions can be answered while the student is live but occasionally is cannot and then the question is written down and researched later. The IM reference is not a 24/7 service but it does cover the opening hours of the library. Any questions that are submitted to the "Ask A Librarian" Email service are typically answered within twenty-four hours.
The most used database at the college is the Gale Powersearch. The college had some databases on trial until April 15, 2008 and the college was seeking feedback from students and faculty. The college planned to submit the comments to the VCCS because ultimately the purchase decision would come at the state level. LRC staff have to give database instruction on a daily basis to students. The library staff offers instructional classes in their library classroom on a continuing basis. Some of the classes originate with the library staff and some of the classes are held because a college professor asked for them. Quite a few of the English, psychology, and the history professors ask the library staff to instruct in reference and database skills. The classes are well attended and well received by the students and faculty.
One of the new features on the library website is a MetaLib search that searches the library catalog and certain databases at the same time. Surprisingly this feature has been rarely used by anyone at the college, staff included. The ultimate purchasing decision for this product will be at the state level but the TCC staff will recommend not to purchase it because of it's lack of use. I was surprised that it was not used more because during the time period that I was examining the college website, the MetaLib search was heavily promoted.
The LRC has a few features for people with disabilities. In the lab there are computers available with less sensitive keyboards. There are computer monitors available that enlarge the print on the screen, and there are computers that can be made so they have no graphics on them.
The furniture in the LRC looked really uncomfortable and did not appear to be ergonomic. The chairs for the computer users are heavy wooden ones with a low back. The college does not want to replace any furniture in anticipation of a future library building with new furnishings. There is currently a proposal in the State Senate to build an academic-public joint use library which would become one of the largest in the USA. Even the staff are making do with inadequate computer furniture. the staff do not even have the pull out keyboard trays.
My final questions for Brittany were what works in the LRC and what does not work in the LRC. What works is most of the computer equipment being less then a year old and the library being in a period of transition working on updating policies and procedures. The main thing that does not work is that the website is locked in by the TCC layout and the library staff are locked out of certain aspects of the website due to the college branding. The college is currently accepting bids for the redevelopment of the website so Brittany hopes the layout will improve after the redevelopment.
Most of my more technical questions could not be answered by Brittany. Other questions were answered by Jacque Dessino, who is the Electronic Services Librarian for TCC. Jacque and I have been conversing via Email for several weeks now and more is to follow in my next report.
Denise
Thursday, March 20, 2008
My questions for ILS 325 Onsite Visit
Ok! I am off to do my ILS 325 onsite visit tomorrow at TCC. I have all my questions ready to go. Most of my research for my questions was done by making a prior visit to the library, which TCC refers to as a Learning Resource Center (LRC). I spent 3 hours there two days ago having a careful look around and exploring the Web portal. I also have spent several hours exploring their Web portal at home. My questions also come from my familiarity with Library 2.0 having participated in a 2.0 program at the library where I work. Please note that these questions could also generate a few more questions during the interview process. And on to the questions...
What is the type of network configuration and Internet connection?
What are the specifications for your server, computers, and workstations?
Who handles the maintenance and repair of the Learning Resource Center computers?
Who actually does the technology/media program, planning and budgeting in the library?
What is the technology budget and the breakdown of that budget? Percentages allocated to technology, online databases, Web support, and maintenance.
Who is the Internet service provider and what is the type and speed of connection?
How long have you had the Ex-Libris Aleph 500 automation system and what is the satisfaction level with this system?
What is the policy regarding community use of the Learning Resource Center facilities?
How many computers are in the Learning Resources Center? Are any of the computers designated for specific use? How many computers are equipped with the Microsoft Office suite?
I noticed that there is a TCCLRC Wiki - Do you have any other social networking Web portals? – Blogs? MySpace? Facebook?
What has the student response been to the Wiki?
Do you keep statistics on the use of the IM reference service? Is this service staffed by TCC only?
Are there any time limits on computer usage?
How is the printing networking handled? Are there ever any overloads on the printers?
Are students charged for computer prints? Is a color printer available? Is a scanner available?
Are there headphones available for students to use?
I did not notice and RSS feeds or Podcasts on the LRC Web portal – Did I miss them or do you not offer these services?
I noticed that there are several policies relating to computer usage, such as the Wireless policy and the various policies for VCCS computer use – Do you keep copies of these printed out in case you have to speak to a student about violating a policy?
I noticed that you have some databases on trial until April 15, 2008. After the trial ends how will the purchase of these databases be handled? Will student feedback be given careful consideration?
How often would you say that you have to train students on database use?
Do you keep statistics on database usage? If so what is the most heavily used database?
Do you keep statistics for remote access into the databases?
How have the students and the staff reacted to the new MetaLib search that searches the catalog and databases?
Do you have enough space for all of the technology?
To me the chairs in the LRC are not very ergonomic – do you ever get any comments about the furniture?
What accommodations to you have for students with disabilities?
What works for you in the LRC?
What does not work for you in the LRC?
How often is the cell phone policy violated?
What is the type of network configuration and Internet connection?
What are the specifications for your server, computers, and workstations?
Who handles the maintenance and repair of the Learning Resource Center computers?
Who actually does the technology/media program, planning and budgeting in the library?
What is the technology budget and the breakdown of that budget? Percentages allocated to technology, online databases, Web support, and maintenance.
Who is the Internet service provider and what is the type and speed of connection?
How long have you had the Ex-Libris Aleph 500 automation system and what is the satisfaction level with this system?
What is the policy regarding community use of the Learning Resource Center facilities?
How many computers are in the Learning Resources Center? Are any of the computers designated for specific use? How many computers are equipped with the Microsoft Office suite?
I noticed that there is a TCCLRC Wiki - Do you have any other social networking Web portals? – Blogs? MySpace? Facebook?
What has the student response been to the Wiki?
Do you keep statistics on the use of the IM reference service? Is this service staffed by TCC only?
Are there any time limits on computer usage?
How is the printing networking handled? Are there ever any overloads on the printers?
Are students charged for computer prints? Is a color printer available? Is a scanner available?
Are there headphones available for students to use?
I did not notice and RSS feeds or Podcasts on the LRC Web portal – Did I miss them or do you not offer these services?
I noticed that there are several policies relating to computer usage, such as the Wireless policy and the various policies for VCCS computer use – Do you keep copies of these printed out in case you have to speak to a student about violating a policy?
I noticed that you have some databases on trial until April 15, 2008. After the trial ends how will the purchase of these databases be handled? Will student feedback be given careful consideration?
How often would you say that you have to train students on database use?
Do you keep statistics on database usage? If so what is the most heavily used database?
Do you keep statistics for remote access into the databases?
How have the students and the staff reacted to the new MetaLib search that searches the catalog and databases?
Do you have enough space for all of the technology?
To me the chairs in the LRC are not very ergonomic – do you ever get any comments about the furniture?
What accommodations to you have for students with disabilities?
What works for you in the LRC?
What does not work for you in the LRC?
How often is the cell phone policy violated?
Monday, March 17, 2008
Online Visit Second Blog
I have arranged my visit to the TCC library. I am going to be meeting with Sarah Greene at the library on Friday, March 21st. Sarah is a librarian at the college. The process for setting up my appointment started within the library I work for. I asked around if anyone had a contact at the TCC library. One of the collection development librarians did and I contacted her librarian friend at TCC. It turned out that the friend was not the best person for me to interview so a message was sent to Sarah to contact me. We made contact and arranged the date this morning. I guess I better start working on my questions to ask Sarah. I am going to the TCC library tomorrow to do a pre-visit. I figure a pre-visit will generate some valid and relevant questions to ask. I may try to talk to a few students tomorrow as well to ask their thoughts of the library and the library equipment. I will also visit some websites to help me to generate some questions. My next blog will be about the questions that I intend to ask.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
ILS 325 Blog for Sharing Onsite Visit
First Blog for Onsite Visit
I am going to be doing my onsite visit at the Virginia Beach Campus of Tidewater Community College (TCC). I have my contact person there, but I have not set up an appointment yet. For pre-planning one of the things that I intend to do is visit the library and have a good look around before I go to speak to my contact person. I know that TCC uses the Ex-Libris Aleph 500 automation system. I am not familiar with this system at all so I will research this particular automation system before my visit as well. The website for TCC is www.tcc.edu.
I am going to be doing my onsite visit at the Virginia Beach Campus of Tidewater Community College (TCC). I have my contact person there, but I have not set up an appointment yet. For pre-planning one of the things that I intend to do is visit the library and have a good look around before I go to speak to my contact person. I know that TCC uses the Ex-Libris Aleph 500 automation system. I am not familiar with this system at all so I will research this particular automation system before my visit as well. The website for TCC is www.tcc.edu.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Finished!
After I complete the last line of this write up for this blog I have officially completed my 30 things for Learning 2.0. I was surprised at how easy it was to complete certain steps. Without this exercise, I might have been intimidated by technology and never had set up a Flickr account or a LibraryThing account. The next time I think of setting up some type of computer account I will be much more likely to take the plunge thanks to Learning 2.0.
The main thing that I did not like about the format of the program was having to post to the spreadsheet. It was hard to get into the spreadsheet due to it being locked and when it was not locked it could sometimes take 20 minutes to open. I sometimes found it difficult to get time off the desk to work on the program. Quite a few of the exercises were not suitable to complete in public areas of the library. I am completing this program on 2/15/08, which is after the original deadline. Perhaps next time there should be fewer things or more time allowed to complete the program. Where I work the completion of the program was mandatory and think it should have been optional.
If a similar program was offered in the future I think I would participate. Overall the good benefits of the participating outweighed anything else!
The main thing that I did not like about the format of the program was having to post to the spreadsheet. It was hard to get into the spreadsheet due to it being locked and when it was not locked it could sometimes take 20 minutes to open. I sometimes found it difficult to get time off the desk to work on the program. Quite a few of the exercises were not suitable to complete in public areas of the library. I am completing this program on 2/15/08, which is after the original deadline. Perhaps next time there should be fewer things or more time allowed to complete the program. Where I work the completion of the program was mandatory and think it should have been optional.
If a similar program was offered in the future I think I would participate. Overall the good benefits of the participating outweighed anything else!
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