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! 😊

Laptops!!!

Okay everyone an INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT note about the laptops!

When both checking in AND checking out the laptops double check that the number on the laptop bag matches the number on the laptop and chargers!

We have been having A LOT of issues with the laptops being in incorrect bags lately. So PLEASE whenever you touch one of the laptops, make sure that the numbers match.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns please speak with Kaitlyn or Noreen 😊

REMINDER: SHUT DOWN LAPTOPS WHEN RETURNED

Just a quick reminder to ALWAYS check that laptops are shut down completely when they are returned before putting them back in the cabinet. When they are stored while turned on, even in sleep mode, they easily overheat and then cannot be used until they cool down and charge again.

Check EVERY LAPTOP, EVERY TIME and make sure it is OFF, not just in sleep mode. 

• On the Macs this is pretty obvious - but you can double check by moving the mouse around to see if the screen comes on. 
• On the PCs, sleep mode can be deceiving - look at the power button and if it is slowly lighting up blue and then going off again, the laptop is ON and asleep; you will need to push the power button to bring it out of sleep mode, login and then shut down the computer using the Start menu in the lower left corner of the screen.

Let Kaitlyn know if you have any questions.

"Who You Gonna Call?"

Just kidding...

Below you will find a list of scenarios and a number that you should call if you need help or have questions. Please let Kaitlyn and Noreen know if you have any questions or concerns.

1. You are working at the circulation desk and a student comes to you to talk about a fine on their account. How should you handle this?

A: If Kaitlyn is here have the student speak with her. If Kaitlyn is not here, leave a note with the students first and last name on Kaitlyn's desk and let the student know that Kaitlyn will take care of it when she gets back. 

2. You are working at night and you do not want to walk to your car alone. Who do you call?

A: You should call the non-emergency Safety & Security number at 5-5792 and ask for an escort to your vehicle. (They are happy to offer this service, they want to keep you safe!)

3. You are in the library and someone walks in with or without a badge and is being belligerent. What should you do? 

A: Get your self to safety. If you are at the circulation desk go into the library work room and shut the door (the door locks automatically). And call 5-3333 which is the emergency number for Safety & Security as soon as you can and it is safe to do so.

4. Someone calls the library and would like to bring in medical text books to donate. What should you do?

A: You should transfer the call to Noreen. This can be done by pressing "transfer" 5-3240 "transfer" and then putting the phone back in the cradle. 

5. You answer the phone and the person on the other end is asking for a random person/department that is not the library. What should you do?

A: You should first inform the person that they have reached the library, not the department that they were trying to contact. Then tell them that you are going to transfer them to the hospital operator who will be able to connect them with their desired department. Then you will transfer their call by pressing "transfer" 5-5000 "transfer" and then putting the phone back in the cradle.

To Recap:

Call Safety & Security at 5-3333 for emergencies

Call Safety & Security at 5-5792 for non emergencies 

Call Kaitlyn or leave a note for her for fines and circulation questions or issues

Call Noreen or leave a note for her for scheduling questions or other work related issues

Transfer all calls for persons who do not work in the library/ other departments to  5-5000

Reminder to Enter Statistics

At the beginning of a term, it is easy to forget to enter statistics because you may have not done it for a while.  It is still very important!!  These statistics help show a need for student workers at the Library.

Remember to enter interactions in LibAnalytics statistics program, EVERY TIME YOU INTERACT with a client -  check-out/in (this includes check-ins that are left in the basket), phone calls, directions, referrals, laptops, etc. 

• LibAnalytics should ALWAYS be open on the front desk computers. If you arrive to work and it is not open, ask Kaitlyn or Noreen, or refer to the TVs & Computers section of the codex for the URL and login information.

• You should always enter MCW as YOUR LOCATION and select the appropriate categories for the client. You will probably most often be using MCCN Student, in which case, the client affiliation is MCCN and your location is MCW.

EVERY INTERACTION IS IMPORTANT!

Welcome to the First Quiz-Blog

An Interactive Way to Test Your Knowledge of Library Tasks, etc.

This will not affect your performance evaluation!!  It designed to help you catch mistakes before they are made.

This week's quiz is all about making accounts in Sierra.

Follow this link to take the quiz.