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| About the Libraries | Contact us | My Library Account | Hours | New resources | Digital Initiatives | Gateway NEWS |
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Gateway NEWS | |
On July 15th, UVic Libraries will launch a new website. Our present “Gateway” is almost 7 years old and in “web years” that’s more than ancient. It’s time for a change.
In addition to an updated look, the new website will feature:
• a central search box on the homepage for direct access to articles, books, journals and more
• the ability to search several databases at one time using the same search interface
• more focused options in three colour coded top level menus – Search, Research Help, About the Libraries
• a searchable FAQs application available from every page
• improved sidebar navigation and a breadcrumbs trail so you will never get lost
• new and improved Subject Guides under Research Help
You can get a sneak peak of our demo site at http://library.uvic.ca:8080. Although not all links are presently working, you will definitely get the idea. Please note that the demo site is not accessible from off-campus.
After July 15th, the Gateway will be retired – even the name “Gateway” will no longer be used. The URL for the new UVic Libraries website will be http://library.uvic.ca. Users who have bookmarked old Gateway pages will be redirected to the new site.
Once we have worked out the kinks, user testing will take place in the fall.
Meanwhile you can send your comments and feedback to http://gateway.uvic.ca/dept/access/feedback/
Danielle Russell, Special Collections, sends the following message:
Special Collections and Archives will be closed on Thursday, February 21 during the move to our new location in the Mearns Centre for Learning. We are looking forward to serving you in our brand new facilities beginning Friday, February 22.
Thank-you,
Special Collections and Archives staff
Carlie Graham - Administrative Officer, Media Commons - sends the following message:
UVic Libraries Music, Audio & Media Service Delays During Reading Break
During reading break, Music, Audio & Media Services will be moving to the Bessie Brooks Winspear Media Commons, located on the main floor of the Mearns Centre for Learning. Please allow time for delays while we work with you to get you the collections and equipment you need. You can visit us at the McPherson Library Main Loan Desk where we will take your orders, retrieve your items, and contact you when they’re ready for pickup. All materials borrowed during this time will be due back February 25th, and video delivery services will continue. Ask us about our diverted viewing and listening services during the transition. We will maintain our existing hours of service during reading break, and we are happy to announce that we will be matching the McPherson building hours when we re-open in the new space.
Thank you,
David Street, UVic Computer Help Desk, and Wendie McHenry, Assistant University Librarian, send the following message:
McPherson Library and UVic Computer Help Desk are happy to announce that a satellite of the main Computer Help Desk will be situated in the McPherson Library as of Monday, December 3rd. This marks the beginning of the new Learning Commons, for more information on the Learning Commons please click here.
The desk is located on the main floor of the McPherson Library just past the Reference Desk. The desk will be staffed from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday until December 21, 2007 and staffing will resume again on January 2, 2008.
The UVic Computer Help Desk will deal with problems related to:
1. Blackboard
2. E-mail (UVic accounts)
3. Setting up wireless
4. Netlink IDs
The Libraries Information Commons Assistants (ICAs) will continue to look after printing within the library. The Computer Help Desk will not be involved with library-related printing. In addition, the ICAs often help students with wireless questions and they will continue to do this – the Computer Help Desk will also help out with these kinds of questions.
For more information regarding the UVic Computer Help Desk, please click here or email helpdesk@uvic.ca.
For more information regarding the Learning Commons, please contact Joanne Henning (jhenning@uvic.ca).
Plans are underway to incorporate a Learning Commons into the renovated McPherson Library (the new William C. Mearns Centre for Learning). Watch the Gateway announcements for ongoing updates on the progress of this new initiative.
What is a Learning Commons?
A Learning Commons is a place where accessible academic support is available for students in one physical location. The Commons provides academic services as a cohesive whole so that students have access to effective, efficient and integrated assistance. The Commons also creates a space for collaborative work between students and between students, their TAs and their faculty.
Why are we starting one here at UVic?
The Learning Commons model has been shown to provide excellent academic support to students as they do their research and complete assignments. UVic makes an ongoing effort to create a successful learning environment for students and the Learning Commons is one more way this can happen.
Why is it centred in the library?
Library research is a key component to academic success and as such the library is a good venue for the Learning Commons. On a more practical level, the building of the new Mearns Centre for Learning has allowed the library the opportunity to expand its mission on the university campus.
Who are the partners?
The partners who are currently involved include the Library’s Reference service, the Writing Centre, Learning Skills, Peer Helpers, Math Tutors and the UVic Computer Help Desk. The Library is discussing partnership with others on campus as well. Initial partners will be limited not by imagination, but by space.
When will the Learning Commons open to students?
The Learning Commons will be located in an area of McPherson Library that is currently occupied. Once the library addition is complete, the occupants of that area will move to the new building and the space will be renovated for the Learning Commons. It is anticipated that Learning Commons partners can begin moving into the Commons in late spring and be ready for full operation in August.
What needs to be done to get everything in place?
Many things need to be accomplished to make the Learning Commons a reality, including creating a programme plan; determining a governance model; identifying key players who will oversee the operation; planning space, furniture, signage; creating a communication plan and web presence; and discussing appropriate assessments.
Who do I contact if I have questions or comments?
Joanne Henning
Associate University Librarian
Reference and Collections Services
Phone: 721-8268
Email: jhenning@uvic.ca
Nancy Stuart, Interlibrary Loans, sends the following message:
Interlibrary Loan just got better! New Interlibrary Loan requesting form.
On Sept. 4, 2007 we are introducing a new Interlibrary Loan requesting form. On this form you will be able to request books (including theses and conference proceedings) and articles and also view all your requests. You can also edit your patron profile. The form is intuitive and easy to use. Now your request will go directly to our Relais ILL management system (no deciding which library supplier to choose) and automatically create a list of available suppliers and send the request immediately.
This should result in faster and more efficient service.
Two changes to note: Patrons will need to enter their library barcode and surname at the beginning of the process for each request and patrons will be given a PAT number to indicate a successful request was made. Patrons will also be notified when the item is available for pickup at the Library.
New Mail to office service. If you are faculty, staff or a grad student with a Dept. address, you can request articles (sorry we can’t deliver books) to be delivered to your campus Dept. To do this choose Mail to Office as the Delivery Method and enter your Dept. in the Delivery Address field. There will be no email notification, the article will simply be delivered to your Dept via Campus Mail.
For more information see interlibrary loan FAQs and send comments or feedback to Nancy Stuart, Librarian responsible for Interlibrary Loans (nstuart@uvic.ca or 721-8242).
UVic Libraries are pleased to announce a new way to facilitate open and honest feedback with our library users.
Our new feedback blog: “We’re all Ears!” will be replacing our former system of collecting library user feedback, those yellow forms that were available at library service points. Now, library users can simply access all of their feedback needs in one place (http://gateway.uvic.ca/dept/access/feedback/index.html) on our Libraries Gateway.
We’ve even added the option for you to send us your contact information for a personal response.
We look forward to gathering all kinds of feedback from our users: suggestions, comments, questions and kudos. We know you’ve got lots of great ideas, and we’re all ears!
University of Victoria graduate students can now submit their theses and dissertations electronically and make them immediately available on the Web. This kind of open access gives UVic graduate student research global exposure.
Approximately 350 to 400 theses and dissertations will be posted in PDF format annually in UVic’s digital archive, UVicDSpace. As UVicDSpace grows, we plan to include faculty publications and research as well.
• Benefits:
- easy submission process for graduate students
- instant availability online through UVicDSpace
- instant availability online through Google Scholar, Google and the CARL Harvester
- instant availability online coming soon through Library and Archives Canada Theses Portal
- microfiche format as a preservation copy
- no need to print multiple copies for the Library
- no need for physical storage space
- wider sharing of research; thesis more frequently cited
• For more information see the ETD Website at http://gateway.uvic.ca/lib/dig/uvthesis/index.html or Faculty of Graduate Studies website http://web.uvic.ca/gradstudies/research/thesis.html
•Contact info: Kathy McLeod, 721-8717, garosec@uvic.ca
Interlibrary Loan just got better! Faster and less work for you.
We are happy to report that the library has purchased a new interlibrary loan system called "Relais" which will be implemented May 15, 2007 with the following improvements.
E-mail notification for all Interlibrary Loan requests!
•Library users will receive a UVic e-mail message when their interlibrary loan item is available for pick-up.
•This includes both books and photocopied articles.
•If your interlibrary loan request cannot be filled, you will also be notified.
Time saved!
•No more guessing when your items have arrived. You will receive immediate e-mail notification.
•No more re-requesting of cancelled items. The system will automatically send your request on to the next library.
Even more improvements coming!
•Stay tuned over the next few months.
For more information see interlibrary loan FAQs
Looking for old exams?
For students looking for old UVic final exams, a direct link is found in the Main Catalogue. Choose "Title begins with" and type: UVic final exams
Here is a link to:
UVic final exams : 2004/05 Winter Term
Web Link: http://gateway.uvic.ca/catdocs/UVic_exams/2005Aprexams.pdf
UVic Libraries and the Curriculum Laboratory are launching an online survey to gather feedback from Undergraduates of the Faculty of Education program.
The survey will take place from Monday, November 20th until Friday, December 1st, 2006.
An invitation to participate in the survey will be emailed to all Faculty of Education Undergraduate students on Monday, November 20th. If you do not receive an invitation to participate, please call the Curriculum Lab (721-7900) or email curric@uvic.ca.
The feedback received from the survey will assist us to identify how best to concentrate service improvements and to provide focus for strategic planning and future initiatives.
We are offering incentives to encourage participation – survey respondents may enter a draw to win one of two $25 copy cards. The draw will take place on Monday, December 4th and the winners will be notified via email.
Results from the survey will be available in early 2007 on the Curriculum Lab website.
Thank-you in advance for your participation in the survey and for taking this opportunity to assist UVic Libraries in our ongoing initiative to provide better service to our Library users.
Need to get connected? Laptop lending is a new service offered at the McPherson Library loan desk.
Wireless laptops are available to UVic faculty, staff and students for 2-hour loans. Print and email files; save to CD, floppy, stick drive or UVic temp drive (Wallaby).
For further details, enquire at the main loan desk or find the information online (http://gateway.uvic.ca/top/laptop_lending.html)
Beginning July 4th, UVic Libraries are piloting an Instant Message reference service. This service will be open Monday through Friday, 1pm - 5 pm. MSN Messenger, AOL and Yahoo! Mesenger are supported.
To access or find more information about the new service, click on the AskUs Live icon on the main Gateway page (http://gateway.uvic.ca/cs/iline/askuvic.html).
UVic Libraries are delighted to announce that, after close observation of patron feedback, Music, Audio & Media Services is enhancing some of its services. Beginning Monday May 30, the following enhancements will take effect:
Hours
Summer Hours
Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Winter Hours
Monday to Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Full circulation, viewing, and booking services will be available during desk hours.
Loans
Media Services materials are due the following day at 1:00 p.m.
Fines are $5 per day, (charged at 1:01 p.m.) for late returns.
Videos and DVDs are in high demand, so there are no holds, renewals, or recalls. All Media Services materials must be returned to the Media Services drop slot.
Audio
Patrons may borrow as many audio items as they would like within the maximum item limit assigned to each patron group. There will no longer be a limit to audio loans of 10 per day.
Thank you very much to everybody who contributed to our service enhancements.
For more information, contact:
Carlie Graham, Supervisor
Music, Audio & Media Services
McPherson Library will be open extended hours during the exam period. From April 8-26 the McPherson building will be open daily until 11:00 p.m.
Hours are posted on the Library's Gateway. For the full schedule, click here.
There have been a number of changes made to the Gateway homepage and the Main Library catalogue. The Item Not @ UVic? link will now lead users to a page where they can place a direct request for the item. Also a Digital Initiatives link has been added to the homepage blue menu bar. Access to Endnote and RefWorks is now on the homepage under Research a Topic.
For more information contact:
Nancy Stuart, Technical Services Librarian
University of Victoria Libraries
Phone: (250) 721-8242
Email: nstuart@uvic.ca
The Libraries are pleased to announce extended Sunday service hours in the Curriculum Laboratory, located in MacLaurin Building D201. The new hours are:
Monday to Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday Closed
Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
For further information, please contact:
Shailoo Bedi, Head, Access and Branch Services
shailoo@uvic.ca