ILS Matters

Serious head on for this one. We’re currently having some problems with Resources Online, whereby catalogue searches are hanging for minutes at a time. If you’re having any problems, it might be worth speaking to the team at the Enquiries Point. They have some other ways in they could try.

It’s number one on our priority list, and should be sorted very soon.

Just a quickie, this one. We have a set of 12 pre-agreed maintenance days for our IT and Infrastructure teams to do a bit of trouble-shooting and preventative work on the equipment, and the first of these is just round the corner. So, on Sunday 18th October, we’ll be hard at work on student PCs across campus.

 The plan is for very little disruption, but do please be aware that this is planned in case you have anything important to do on Sunday. Me, I’m thinking roast beef and yorkshire puddings. Mmmmm…

Following on from yesterday’s quick trip around the foyer, I thought it might be useful to give you a bit of a guide to what you can expect at the evenings and weekends in Peirson. So, let’s start with opening times. The library currently opens:

Mon – Thursday 8.30am to 10pm

Friday 8.30am to 9pm

Saturday 9am to 9pm

Sunday 1pm to 9pm

In terms of service, we’ve been working very hard to make sure that you get access to as much as possible in all hours, so here’s the deal. From Monday to Thursday, the building is fully staffed up until 7pm, and then moves over into the capable hands of our Support Team. These people are split into two sides – library and IT, but both are here to help you with any queries you might have. So, help with finding resources in Peirson, using printers and copiers, changing passwords, and generally acting as a pointer to all of our services is what they do.

For Fridays, we again have a full compliment up until 5pm and then move to our support team, while they also staff the whole weekend too (with a few extra staff on Saturdays). So, they’re pretty vital to us really. I can honestly say that I’m really happy with them as a team – they provide an excellent service in these hours and have really beefed up what we have on offer. Of course, there will inevitably be things which they can’t deal with, but they will always take your details and make sure that someone gets back to you as soon as possible.

One last thing. If it’s specialist subject help you’re after in the evenings, it’s always best to speak with your Liaison Librarian in advance to see if they will be here. Our enquiries and support staff are great, but can’t be experts in all fields, so probably best to make sure there is someone around to help. If you’re not sure who your Liaison is, just drop us a message on askalibrarian@worc.ac.uk.

Right, so let’s get some information coming your way again with a quick roundup of what’s happening in Peirson at the moment. It’s been a busy old summer, and an even busier September, so there’s a lot to cover. Seatbelt on, and engage first gear.

First up, let’s look at the foyer. There’s a new group presentation area in there which I think most of you have already found. Let’s just say it’s been very popular so far, and I think will continue that way. The idea is that you can work together to create joint pieces of work using a rather fetching wall-mounted screen. Ask at the Info Point if you’re not sure where it is, but otherwise it’s on a first come first served basis, so if it’s free drop on the sofa and log in.

We’ve quite clearly moved the IT Point from the journals area to the foyer, and I think this is an excellent move. So, if you need help with access to the network, printers or copiers, or anything else (within our charter!), approach the behemoth which is our beutiful new IT Point.

PCs – we’ve designated a bank of PCs in the foyer as priority use for visually impaired students. These PCs, right next to the IT Point, can be kept in a standard position and configuration, and also provide the perfect place for our staff to provide support. They’re also loaded up with specialist hardware and software to allow for the best access. So, if you’re asked to move to another PC to allow a visually-impaired user to use the kit, we really appreciate your cooperation.

One more for the foyer, there are still some pieces being added here. Our change machine has now arrived so we’re just working on the process for getting it replenished regularly, and it will then be up and running. The coffee machine (real beans I’m told) is on it’s way, there’s a snack machine already out there, and the Worcester Archaeological Society collection is being rehoused in some new cabinets upstairs. It’s a bit like a game of chess at the moment to get all of the foyer to the places where we need them, but things are now coming together nicely. Of course, what you’re interested in is the level of support you get and the access to our resources, and these things are still top of our agenda and being delivered to at least the same standard as last year.

So, this is getting quite long. I’ll post some more tomorrow, perhaps starting with an update on the evening and weekend services this year, and then our printers and copiers!

Well, those of you who have used ILS Matters in the past will have noticed a couple of things. Firstly, it’s not where it used to be (so well done for finding me again!) and secondly it looks a little different.

We’ve taken the chance of relaunching the blog this summer, and prettifying it a bit. As always, your views are welcomed and we’ll do whatever we can to answer any questions you might have. ILS Matters has been going since 2005 now, so I think we’re all pretty comfortable with blogging and the value we can get from it. If you’ve never used one before, look at this as an opportunity. Find a post you’re interested in and leave some comments.

I’m sure we’ll all get on famously..!