The Agenda - Faculty and Staff Newsletter

Category: Universitywide

  • University Librarian’s Report – March 2019

    As we learned in Lorcan Dempsey’s presentation in January, collections are one area where academic libraries face strategic choices along a continuum that ranges from cooperation (weakest) to consolidation (strongest), with collaboration in the middle. When does it make sense to consolidate infrastructure? What are the advantages of offering access collaboratively versus locally? And what are the tradeoffs that come with these decisions?

    It was somehow reassuring to see that libraries in general are grappling with these issues, since asking these questions is something we do every day at Rutgers. When Cabinet developed our Services and Planning Framework, we thought about what aspects of our work it would be beneficial to consolidate centrally, where our efforts would require shared coordination, and which services were best left to local discretion.

    At this point, the majority of our Foundational services are consolidated. These include activities related to acquisitions, cataloging, and discovery, for example, which are all handled centrally. Services that benefit from having a consolidated infrastructure are typically large-scale and have substantial startup and operation costs—especially in terms of faculty and staff time, with the recent Alma/Primo implementation being a prime example. Once implemented, changes to these services have wide ranging impact and need to be carefully planned and communicated.

    Of course, there are pros and cons to consolidation. On the plus side, it increases operational efficiency and lowers the long-term cost of providing the core services that reach the most faculty and students. The biggest drawback is that in order to gain efficiencies, some local features and specializations can be lost.

    In other areas, like reference and instruction, our activities are coordinated. We decide collectively on a tool or service like Credo or Leganto, but how it is deployed locally is up to the individual unit. Then there are the truly local activities. Education and consulting services, from workshops to systematic reviews, can be tailored to meet the specific needs of our local communities. There is a lot of freedom and flexibility in this area to use the available infrastructure in your own unique way.

    Whether in the BTAA or OCLC, the trending discussion is about these tradeoffs between efficiency and autonomy. At Rutgers, we’re fortunate to have experience navigating these same issues. As the larger academic library environment continues to evolve, we will be well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to these discussions.

  • Introducing Libraries HR’s New Website

    I’m happy to announce the launch of Libraries HR’s new staff resources website at https://apps.libraries.rutgers.edu/hr.

    The goal of this page is to be your new one-stop shop for all things related to human resources at the Libraries. It contains need-to-know information for managers, from position management to onboarding and integration; guides to tenure, benefits, and applying for research leave; and a library of useful forms and other documents including CARFs and APPs. There is also a collection of links to resources available via UHR, such as the REHS reporting portal and the university’s holiday closing schedule.

    I hope you’ll have a look and let us know what you think. And don’t forget to update your bookmarks!

  • What’s Happening around Rutgers – January 2019

    Martin Luther King Day of Service

    Each January, Rutgers University–Camden answers a national call to service to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Volunteers, families, and community members come together to participate in a day of action, both on the campus and in the community. Activities run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on January 21 and are open to students, alumni, faculty, and staff of the university; their families; and children and adults from across the city, the state, and the region. As an alternative to participating in a service project, attendees can also register for a marathon reading of “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Visit Rutgers–Camden’s Civic Engagement website for more information.

    New Jersey Film Festival

    The New Jersey Film Festival’s Spring 2019 screening schedule kicks off on Friday, January 25 with showings of Geometry, a short animation inspired by the work of experimental filmmakers Oskar Fischinger and John Whitney, and Diary of Rooftop Water Towers, a poetic homage to New York City’s water towers as they evolve through the seasons. The season continues through March 1. Visit njfilmfest.com for more information.

    MLK Commemorative Lecture

    The Newark Public Library will host a lecture commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. on Tuesday, January 29 featuring antiracism educator and author Tim Wise and president and CEO of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice Ryan Haygood. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served. Visit npl.org/mlklecture for more information or to register.

  • University Librarian’s Report – January 2019

    Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you’ve had a restful winter break and are ready to tackle all the challenges of the upcoming semester.

    Though we are between terms and the activity on campus may have slowed a bit, this is actually a busy time in the Libraries’ planning cycle. The library directors have just completed progress reports on their 2018-2019 plans, adjusting them to reflect progress as well as any changes in their goals for the rest of the year. In addition, the Discovery Working Group, Web Improvement Team, and Virtual Reference Group have updated their annual plans. We have now received news about our 2020 budget, so we will have solid information as we move into the 2019-2021 planning cycle.

    We are also in Town Hall season. Last month the central units had a Town Hall, yesterday was Camden’s, later this week will be New Brunswick’s, and RBHS will hold theirs in February. This year, my Town Hall presentation has focused on our planning cycle. Although some of you have already seen the presentations, and others will soon, it is worth seeing a few times. Like all things Rutgers, the process is a bit complicated but the results are worth the effort. Here are the slides that I’ve been presenting:

    As you can see, the Libraries operate on a two-year planning cycle that is tied closely to the budget activities of the university overall. It’s a three-phase, iterative process that includes establishing local priorities, taking stock of central capacities to support those priorities, and looking ahead to solidify a plan and develop related budget requests. This helps us stay focused on our core services while maintaining the flexibility to respond to important new requests as they come in.

    Our priorities document for 2018-2020 has been added to our mission page and I invite you to read through to get a sense of where we’re headed in the months to come. And, if they haven’t already, your library director will soon be updating you on the local implications of the 2020 budget.

    I know that it seems like a lot to juggle all at once, but sound planning ensures that we continue to build on the momentum we’ve gained and can make the best choices on behalf of all our users. I look forward to seeing all we will accomplish together in 2019.

  • Planner and Teams in Connect

    The Office of Information Technology has enabled two new Office 365 apps, Planner and Teams, for all Rutgers Connect users. These tools will appear in your Outlook app launcher, aka “waffle.” They work best for users who are members of Office 365 Groups.

    Planner is an application for creating, assigning, and managing tasks. It is useful for collaborating among small groups.

    Teams is a chat-based workspace that integrates all the people, content, and tools that the team needs to be more engaged and effective. It is useful for communicating with team members through messages that require an instant response.

    Every group has its own needs and workstyle, so selecting the best tool is important. This article highlights some of the features available in Planner and Teams.

    plannerPlanner

    • Organize your work
    • Manage tasks
      • Assign user(s)
      • Set due dates
    • Collaborate
      • Communicate with group members
      • Attach project related files
    • Monitor progress
      • Use charts to view progress
      • Get email updates

    Teams

    • Communicate with your team
      • Email
      • Chat
    • Share files
      • Store all your files and docs in one place
    • Team OneNote
    • Audio/Video Meetings
      • On-demand
      • Scheduled
    • Integrate other apps

    Still not clear what is suitable for your group? Please submit a ticket in RULhelp and help will be on the way!

  • Ex Libris Implementation Project Update – January 2019

    quicksearch logoAs we move into spring semester, the Ex Libris Implementation Team is working towards optimizing our workflows and resolving remaining issues in the systems. We passed a major milestone in December with the end of our subscription to Symphony. Integrated Information Systems (IIS) has archived our data and will make it available on request. The Ex Libris Fulfillment Team has also transformed in the New Year and will continue in a new form as the Fulfillment Working Group, addressing central coordination for systems and processes for access services. The Ex Libris Implementation Team moved to a new schedule and will be meeting every other week during spring semester as we address the remaining implementation issues. Some other updates from our work include:

    Updates to QuickSearch

    We made several updates to QuickSearch in early January based on feedback from user testing and from system enhancements provided by Ex Libris. These updates include direct linking through Get it @ R, increased clarity in the display of some menus and options, and search improvements.

    Six-Month Health Check

    Megan Drake, a representative from Ex Libris, visited onsite in January to review workflows and address system issues. Representatives from each working group brought lingering problems for review and Megan suggested alternative strategies and optimizations that will help improve efficiency in Alma.

    Analytics Training for Selectors

    We held our first analytics training session for selectors on January 7. This active training session focused on learning the analytics platform and testing queries related to circulation and fund information. Future sessions are planned for 1–3 p.m. on January 17 and January 22 in New Brunswick and via WebEx and 9–11 a.m. on January 18 in Newark. Prior registration is not necessary, but if you have questions, please contact Laura Costello.

    Ex Libris Identity Service

    At the end of January, Ex Libris will debut an identity management service that will improve security for our barcode and password users. New security standards will ensure better privacy protection and users will be able to change their own password and retrieve a lost password via “My Account.” This update will not impact our users that authenticate via NetID.

  • This Month in the Agenda – January 1981

    This month we take a look at what the new year brought to the Libraries in 1981.

    Movin’ on Up

    A recent Association of Research Libraries report by Kendon Stubbs entitled “The ARL Library Index and Quantitative Relationships in the ARL” provided some indication of the relative standing of the Rutgers University Library system in this illustrious group. In 1978-79, based on volumes held, volumes added, microforms, serials, materials expenditures, Rutgers ranked nineteenth out of 98 institutions. It ranked higher than Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, MIT, and a number of other outstanding institutions.

    The Agenda 3, no. 1 (January 5, 1981)

    That’s a Lot of Math

    The final recommendations of the committee for parking lot 34 (rear of Alexander Library) have been accepted and will be implemented in calendar year 1981. The committee consisted of four members: Don Luck of Technical Services, chairman; Jean Koyen of Alexander Library; Donald King of the Library School; and Michael Farley of the Library Administration. The recommendations of the committee are as follows:

    1. The parking lot will be redesigned to accommodate five additional parking slots….
    2. As lot spaces become available the following formula will be used to assign vacant positions. A point system will be established based on the following: Total points equal salary range plus years of service, plus five points for a subcompact/compact car plus ten points for each Alexander area employee carried in a car pooling arrangement. For example, if Jane Smith is a Range 10, has a subcompact car, carries one passenger who works for the library system at Alexander, and Jane has worked for the system for six years, she will accrue a total of 31 points.

    (Points)                (Range)                (Sub)                     (Pool)                    (years)
    (TP=                       10+                         5+                           10+                         6              = 31)

    She will be ranked along with all others who have applied for a sticker and the stickers will be assigned according to those with the highest total points.

    The Agenda 3, no. 1 (January 5, 1981)

    Get Oriented!

    The Staff Development committee is sponsoring an all day orientation for new employees on January 16, 1981. Hendrik Edelman and other library administrators and staff will welcome new employees and introduce them to various aspects of the University Libraries. The orientation will be held in the New Jersey Room beginning at 9:30 a.m. Employees hired since January 1, 1980 are invited to attend. Bring a brown bag lunch. Coffee and dessert will be provided.

    The Agenda 3, no. 2 (January 12, 1981)

    That’s a Lot of Interests
    Map of Libraries Special Interest Groups, 1981
    Map of Libraries Special Interest Groups, 1981

    The Agenda 3, no. 3 (January 19, 1981)

    Calling All Bibliomaniacs

    The auctioneer’s gavel will signal the start of “Bibliomania ’81,” the first annual fund raising event sponsored by the Friends of the Libraries. Scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 3 at Records Hall on the College Avenue Campus, the auction will feature fine collectible items; antiques, coins, stamps, books, works of art, maps, and rare wines, as well as other quality items and services.

    The Agenda 3, no. 4 (January 26, 1981)

  • Introducing Browzine

    Rutgers University Libraries are pleased to introduce BrowZine, a current awareness tool that allows users to find, read, and monitor the top scholarly journals in their field from almost any device.

    BrowZine improves discovery of current issues of academic journals and provides streamlined access to full-text via PC, tablet, or smartphone. It also offers useful personalization features so users can keep current with their favorite publications.

    BrowZine users can:

    • Browse thousands of top academic journals by subject, title or ISSN; review current tables of contents, and download full-text articles published since 2005
    • Follow and receive new article notifications for their favorite journals by creating a personal bookshelf
    • Save and export articles to services such as DropBox, Mendeley, RefWorks, EndNote, and Zotero

    Although it provides access to thousands of titles from major academic publishers, BrowZine does not include every journal available at Rutgers or cover issues published before 2005. It also does not include non-scholarly periodicals such as newspapers, magazines, and trade publications. Access to the Libraries’ complete periodical holdings is available via QuickSearch.

    For more information, see What is BrowZine?

  • Quick Takes on Events and News – November 2018

    Award-Winning Oral Historian to Speak at Clement’s Place

    Patricia Willard, recipient of the 2018 Jazz Journalists Association Lifetime Achievement Award, will talk about her experiences working on the Institute of Jazz Studies Jazz Oral History Project collection and other jazz oral histories on Monday, November 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Clement’s Place. One of the most prolific oral historians on the Jazz Oral History Project, Willard recorded 16 interviews with luminaries such as Juan Tizol, John Simmons, and Teddy Edwards.

    Patricia Willard is an oral historian specializing in jazz, a photojournalist, lecturer, editor, archivist, broadcaster, concert producer, and research consultant, who is currently completing a historiography of Duke Ellington, 1949-74, two additional books, and a play. In June 2018, she received the Jazz Journalists Association Lifetime Achievement Award. She has conducted 38 individual oral histories and one 2005 videotaped group oral history of 19 survivors of the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

    DSMP programming is supported by a Rutgers–Newark Chancellor’s seed grant.

    OAT Program Supports Award-Winning Course

    Rutgers–Camden chancellor Phoebe Haddon recently announced that the Rutgers-Camden Nursing School received a 2018 American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Innovations in Professional Nursing Education Award for their Spanish for the Health Professions Certificate Program, offered in conjunction with the World Languages Department. The certificate is designed to develop the Spanish skills of nursing students, increasing their capacity to provide medical care to Spanish-speaking communities in Camden and across the world.

    Dana Pilla, who was a 2017-2018 OAT recipient and who is serving on our review panel this year, is co-director of the certificate program. Her OAT course, Spanish for the Health Professions II, is a required component of the certificate. Her goal was to redesign the course to avoid costly access codes in order to better meet the demand for increased enrollment, assigning an e-book provided through the Libraries, other library resources, and free materials such as YouTube videos from the CDC and other professional health organizations.

    Congratulations to the OAT team for the role they played in supporting this innovative and award-winning program!

    NBMSA Recognized as Innovative Archives

    The New Brunswick Music Scene Archive was presented with the Innovative Archives Award on Monmouth County Archives and History Day on October 13. Jeff Moy, archivist at Morristown & Morris Township Library, pictured left, presented the award on behalf of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference New Jersey Caucus to Christie Lutz, pictured right.

    SOAR Gets a Shout-Out 

    We’ve just received word that David Axelrod, professor in the Department of Genetics, will be thanking SOAR for its archiving services in his next publication. Congratulations!

    War Services Bureau Digital Collection Goes Live 

    The records of the Rutgers College War Service Bureau can now be accessed via their digital collection portal. This collection features letters from Rutgers students and alumni who served in the First World War, describing their experiences serving in the United States and overseas.

    Rutgers–Camden Embraces The Big Read

    Paul Robeson Library, in conjunction with the Rutgers–Camden Center for the Arts, is hosting The Big Read/In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez now through January 3, 2019.

    Alvarez’s 1994 novel is a work of historical fiction based on the lives of the four Mirabal sisters, who participated in underground efforts to topple dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo’s three-decade-long regime in the Dominican Republic. Three of the sisters—Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa—were executed on Trujillo’s orders on November 25, 1960. Their story haunted Alvarez, whose own family had fled the Dominican Republic just three months earlier in fear that her father’s participation in the resistance would make him a target of Trujillo.

    Complimentary copies of Alvarez’s novel are available on a first-come, first-served basis and viewers will have the opportunity to contribute to the Butterflies in Memoriam installation piece by creating their own butterfly in remembrance or honor of someone close to them.

    Exploring New Jersey’s Diverse Foodways

    Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries’ new exhibition From Cooking Pot to Melting Pot: New Jersey’s Diverse Foodways will open November 12, 2018 at Alexander Library. The opening will feature a presentation by Carla Cevasco of the Rutgers Department of American Studies, historian of food in colonial America and author of the forthcoming Violent Appetites: Hunger, Natives and Settlers in the Northern Borderlands. From Cooking Pot to Melting Pot is one of the first events in Transcultural NJ Revisited 2018-2020, a two-year, statewide celebration of local and global cultures in the Garden State under the auspices of Rutgers’ Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum. Register to attend.

  • This Month in the Agenda – November 1998

    Agenda november 1998It may be hard to believe, but November 1998 was two whole decades ago! What was happening around the Libraries?

    Dana Puts High Schoolers Online

    16 Newark Central High School students… participated in an innovative computer-usage-training program conducted last year by Dana Library and Rutgers-Newark’s Institute for Outreach and Research in Urban Education. This program was conceived by Dana Library Director Lynn S. Mullins and Professor Jean Anyon of the Institute.

    [T]hey learned about navigating the internet, searching government and university websites, finding websites on research topics, and using the networked indexes available at the Rutgers University Libraries…

    After the semester long course was completed, the Rutgers-Newark Teaching Excellence Center was asked to evaluate the program’s effectiveness. The center’s director, Ken Kressel conducted focus group sessions with the 16 students and four Central H.S. faculty members and reported afterwards that “This program received the most collective and heartfelt endorsements of any instructional activity I have studied in nearly four years of doing focus groups at Rutgers.”

    The Agenda 20, no. 22 (November 1, 1998)

    Let’s See Some ID

    The RUconnection Card Office is ready to start issuing the new photo ID card for regular library faculty and library graduate assistants on the New Brunswick campuses starting November 23 through December 11. If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Troy.

    The Agenda 20, no. 23 (November 15, 1998)

    Live to Serve… and to Instruct

    Learning and instruction take a myriad of forms in the Rutgers University Libraries of the 1990’s, from traditional to technological, from distance learning to digital.

    The Instructional Services Committee (ISC), composed of instruction coordinators and/or librarians skilled in instruction or instructional technology, was formed last month to keep track of the range of instructional offerings at RUL, and help develop new opportunities.

    Members of the committee are: Jeris Cassel, Helen Hoffman, Kevin Mulcahy, Ann Scholz-Crane, Julie Still, Thelma Tate, Bobbi [sic] Tipton, and Irwin Weintraub.

    The Agenda 20, no. 24 (November 29, 1998)