IMPORTANT!

An important notice about the door at the far end of the library (near the classroom 310 on the third floor of the library). 

The door that leads from the hallway to the library near room 310 is going to be locked from now on. Students and faculty will be able to exit the library from that door, however they will not be able to enter from that door. This door is being locked as a safety measure so that everyone entering our space will either have to swipe in, or walk past a library employee. This means that persons will only be able to enter into the library after hours if they have a badge.

Please keep an eye on this door! If you see that it has been propped open please close the door and tell Kaitlyn or Noreen. If you feel uncomfortable removing the prop yourself please let Kaitlyn or Noreen know that the door has been left open and they will take care of it for you.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let Kaitlyn or Noreen know!

Strange Things in Sierra: Part 1

So you're trying to check out a book to a patron. You have entered in their name and the correct account has popped up. You then scan the barcode on the book and then you see the below pop-up in Sierra:

There is no need to panic there are a few reasons why this could have happened. 

1. The book that you are trying to check out is not actually a book.
1. check and make sure that the book you are trying to check out is not actually a journal. Our journals do not check out so this could be why you are seeing this pop-up.
2. There could be something wrong with how you brought up the patron record.
1. If you scanned the book first you will likely see this pop-up. If this happens just press cancel and re-enter the patrons information (typing in "n Last name, First name) and try scanning the book again
3. If neither of those work for you, let Kaitlyn or Noreen know and they will try and figure it out.

What are some strange things that you have seen in Sierra that you would like to know how to handle? Please let Kaitlyn know when you encounter something that you are not used to and she will make it into a blog post to help all of the Work Study Students learn something new!

Mysteries of the Health Sciences Library

Every now and then you will have students coming up to you asking you for seemingly random items that they would like to check out. So we have compiled a list below of the most common "random" requested items and if we do have them available for check out.

Calculators

YES! We do have basic calculators that are available for checkout. They are located in the bottom drawer closest to the library work room in a black box. When checking these out please fill out the form that is also in that drawer, and inform the person checking the calculator our that it will be due 15 minutes before the library closes the same day.

Scissors

YES! We do have scissors, they don't actually check out but students can borrow them as long as they promise to bring them back.

Paper Cutter

YES! We have a paper cutter located in room 307 (Poster & Practice Room). It does not check out, and we ask that it does not leave that room. If students ask if there is another paper cutter they can use please tell them no. They are under no circumstances to use the paper cutter that we keep in the library work room.

Binding Machine

NO! I have no idea where this rumor started, but we do not have a binding machine anywhere in the library.

Journals

NO! Journals never check out (even if there is a barcode). However clients are more than welcome to make copies of journal articles and take the copies with them.

Headphones

YES & NO! We have one pair of over the head headphones that can check out, or the students can choose to take a pair of earbuds. If the student checks out the over the head headphones please fill out the form in the drawer where the headphones are kept and let the student know that the headphones are due back 15 minutes before the library closes. If the student takes a pair of earbuds, inform the student that they can keep the earbuds, however they will only ever receive one pair.

MAC Chargers

YES! We have two MAC chargers that are kept in the cabinet in the library work room. The chargers are kept in white bags and the adapters are kept in smaller clear bags on top. When checking out these items be sure that you check out both the charger and the adapter if needed. Also let the student know that they will be due back 15 minutes before the library closes.

Art supplies

KINDA! We do have various art supplies that we make available to the students, and they are kept in room 307. There are times, however, when the students will ask you for a supply that has run out. You are more than welcome to check the cabinets in the library work room (they are all labeled) for the requested supply. If you can not find the supply that they have asked for ask Kaitlyn or Noreen. If Kaitlyn and Noreen are both out of the office please leave a note on Kaitlyn's desk describing the supply that is needed.

Phone Chargers

NOPE! While we do not have phone chargers that check out, we do have the stationary charging station on the third floor of the library that clients are more than welcome to use. We do like to remind them though that we are no liable for any items that are lost, stolen, or broken.

Paper

YES & NO! If a client asks for a piece or two of paper that is absolutely okay to give to them. On the other hand, if a client asks for paper for the copiers downstairs, for their own department or office politely tell them no. 

School supplies (folders, notebooks, etc.)

NO! We do not provide the students with school supplies. If a student requests a notebook or folder or something of that nature please let them know that the library does not provide these. 

Are there any other "mysteries" that you can think of? If there are please let Kaitlyn know so she can add it to the list!

So You're Bored At Work?

Have no fear! I have created a list of things you can do when you find yourself to be B.O.R.E.D!

B is for Books

• Check in all books at the desk
• Check for books that are in the book drop and need to be checked in
• Make sure that the all of the books shelves look nice (books are standing straight, and shelves are not dusty)
• Shelf read- Look and make sure that the books on the shelves are in order, and that the journals are shelved in chronological order.

O is for Organize

• Make sure that all supplies and handouts at the circulation desk look neat and are orderly.
• Check on room 307 (poster and practice room). Make sure that all of the supplies in there are tidy and that the cart is neat and organized.
• Take a look at the lost and found, is it overflowing and a mess? Take a minute to make sure that items can be easily found.

R is for Refill

• Make sure both trays in all of the copiers on the 3rd floor are full.
• Check that the staplers have plenty of staples and that the paperclip container is full.
• Check the ones in room 307 as well!
• Also check that the tape dispensers are full
• Check the ones in 307 as well

E is for Engage *Kudos to Mariel for coming up with this one!

• Greet all clients that come into the library with a smile and a hello
• Start a conversation with the library staff, we don't bite and we would all love to get to know you more!

D is for Circulation Desk

• Lysol everything at the circulation desk, people touch this desk all day every day. It can never be cleaned too often!
• Windex the front doors, again people touch this every day so they get messy quickly!
• Read past student blogs, you can review things from the past and maybe even learn something new!
• Empty all of the hole punches
• Make sure that the leisure collection is full, if you see an empty space get a book from the cart in the back and fill it!
• Check the empty tables and make sure that they are clean and that the chairs are pushed in.
• Take all of the handouts off of the display for MCCN, clean the shelves with windex, and then put the handouts back.
• See if we are running low on laptop check out forms. If we are, make 20 color copies of one.
• REMEMBER: while you have to stay close to the front desk, you are not chained to it. You can get up and look around the third floor for items that may be out of place and need to be straightened. 

As always, if you have any questions or concerns please let Kaitlyn or Noreen know! 😊