new website lab info

FYI - ICS has a new project this summer to create a website with real time info about the labs on campus ( machines busy, out of service, etc.)
Sander Wasser is the project manager.
Some information is already available - see http://vhd.mcgill.ca/lab/
The goal is to have more comprehensive information added for the beginning of the fall term, inlcuding restrictions, hours, software availability.
Sander expressed interest to me about hearing user feedback this summer, as the project takes shape.

Sharon

ARTS Computer Lab

Hi,

The Arts Computer Lab in Leacock is currently closed and will be moving, according to Anastassia. There is no info. on their web site, but I found a Feb. PPT presentation by T. Masi that indicates the lab will be moved to the Ferrier building.

FYI
Karen

Copy cards - info

Hi! We keep stray copy cards at the Info Desk for emergencies and extraordinary acts of charity. The techies and SNAs also have cards for such purposes. If you decide that a user has a legitimate need (e.g., a student has a four paper to hand in in ten minutes and is unable to buy a copy card having no money on hand)(or a scholar is only in town for a hour and needs a ten pages of a journal, there being no use in buying a two dollar card that they will never use again), you are encouraged to make their day with an act of kindness. Go with them over to the printer and print it for them: Don't hand out the card.
However, a copy card is a necessary piece of equipment for life at McGill for staff and student alike. The card at the desk is not a substitute for buying a card. If you feel you are being exploited, (and there is a student who is currently exploiting us, saying that the 2$ fee is outrageous because unrefundable) sternly encourage the student to purchase one. They can take up the question of the unrefundable fee with Ancillary Services.
Kendall
PS If the guards turn in found cards, give them to the Desk Supervisor (Maryvon), who will distribute them to those who need them: Klaus and Henry, Jennifer for the SNAs, Karen for the Library Ambassadors, Valerie for Ill, etc.
PPS The Redpath Copy Service is closed summer weekends. They have been asked to fix their signage and Gen has already adjusted the Library's webpage http://www.mcgill.ca/library-using/copying/copyservice/
Kendall Wallis,

Computers at Info Desk - Use of; question forms

The 3 computers at the Info Desk are to be used by the staff working at the desk only.

I would like to remind everyone that the HSSL is not a internet cafe in which we provide access to our computers for all members of the public to check the internet or emails. Non-McGill walk-in users can have access our subscribed resources for scholarly research. If the public don't know where to go, printouts of internet cafes around McGill are available at the desk and can be handed out. Special guest accounts we create every morning are provided mostly for scholars/faculty members only. Also, please keep track our out-of-town visitors asking the special guest account.

Don't forget to use the 'question forms' to write reference questions asked via phone or in person. Within 24 hours, we should answer the question on the clipboard or provide a follow up to the user so please try to work and answer them while working at the desk.

Maryvon

_________________________________
Mr. Maryvon CôtéPolitical Science / Communication Studies Liaison LibrarianHumanities & Social Sciences LibraryMcGill University3459 McTavish Street, Montréal, QC, H3A 1Y1Tel: (514) 398-4696Fax: (514) 398-7184maryvon.cote@mcgill.ca

CISTI Source Info from Schulich workshop (Feb)

Notes from CISTI Source training session in Schulich, (Feb 28,2007) conducted by Marika.

The service is available to ALL faculty and graduate students.
No charge, no limits to the number of papers requested - the service is funded by the Library.
CISTI Source is used when you require a "piece of something" that the Library does not have, i.e. a journal article or a paper from a conference proceeding. If you need the entire conference proceeding, this is handled by ILL.

A username and password is required and it is obtained from the departmental rep - see contacts on the web page http://www.library.mcgill.ca/psel/pseill/cisti/lib_rep.html

Documents are delivered by fax to the department's office, so it is very important to enter your real name when you are placing the order. (No more FTP delivery to the department's server. This method stopped in Feb 2007 because of copyright restrictions.)
It is also important to keep a record of the order number, so you can follow-up on your request with CISTI Source.

There are two categories of ordering:
(1). articles published after 1993 - search for your journal name in the database, find it and order it.
(2). articles published before 1993 & conference papers & articles not found in (1) above - choose the account option, so you can open up a blank form and order either " from a Conference" OR " from a Journal". You will need to type in as much info as you have, including the citation source and do not make anything up! If you do not know leave it blank.
In order type (1) the system will prevent you from ordering from a journal McGill has.
In order type (2) the system does not verify McGill holdings and will accept all orders.

If CISTI does not have the item, they will contact their partners in an effort to locate it. Then the article arrives by courrier in an envelop.

It is possible to logon and look at the status of your order (in the tracking system) or to call toll free to check up on it.
Normal delivery times for order (1) is next day.

NOTE: Schulich has a Library account and uses this account sometimes to order an item for a student (i.e. A really desperate undergrad.) HSSAL should request a departmental account and have procedures for its use.

The web address for CISTI/Source is http://source.cisti.nrc.ca/
The Library webpage has information about the service - see http://www.library.mcgill.ca/psel/pseill/cisti/swetscan.htm

Sharon

Marty Alert

Hi All,

Marty is once again calling us for everything and anything.
He is not "a first-time-caller", we have done business with Marty in the past; perhaps before you were engaged as Liason librarians.
Marty is a threat to no-one but does have psychological problems. He may be considered a "nuisance caller".
If Marty calls we can politely tell him that we are in a very busy period right now and that we are unable to respond to his request.
Marty may also know people by name; please do not transfer his call to anyone. Own the call and politely insist that we are very busy.

Let's hope this method works as a deterence.

Thanks and regards,

Lonnie