Extended print "wait" time

Every time a user sends a print job it sits on our network waiting for them to print it out.

If they do not pay for it within two hours...the network automatically deletes it.

For Gerstein only...this time period has now been extended to four hours.

Academic Success Centre staff at Gerstein

Earlier this year, staff from the Academic Success Centre (of the Koffler Student Centre) set up shop at our information desk for a trial project.

Beginning Wednesday September 28, the learning skills counsellors from the Koffler Centre's Academic Success Centre will again join Gerstein's usual staff at the information desk to advise students on general academic techniques.

They will be available for advice on strategic reading, time management, preparing for tests, understanding assignments, etc.

They will be stationed at the sit down side of the information desk from 1-3 on Wednesdays.

Staffing the service will be: Susan Hopkirk, Kathy Chung and Nellie Perrett.

Susanne Tabur
Sept 26

Antivirus changes

As of fall 2011 the Information Commons is no longer giving away Symantec Antivirus to students.
It is still available for staff.

Students will still have access to free security software.
The web page address for information on antivirus remains the same and has various suggestions for Windows and Mac users.
http://antivirus.utoronto.ca/

The students that usually "need" to get antivirus, are undergrads with Windows machines. They are the group that is infrequently asked to run the ESP scan. If they have no antivirus on their computer they cannot pass the scan and use our wireless network.
This means that most questions will be from Windows users. And the antivirus page is now referring them to Microsoft Security Essentials.

U of T Wireless (new network connection)

The old UTORwin wireless network connection will continue, but alongside it users can now see the UofT wireless network connection.

This new connection supports a, b, g, and "n" ranges. It should work better at longer distances because it has "n", and UTORwin does not.

It requires that the user logs in only once. So it is very convenient compared to UTORwin where a user must login in everytime. This benefits handheld users a lot. However it is not recommended for anyone that "shares" their device with others. (not good for multiple UTORid logins)

For a period of time users will have to use the UTORid "verify" procedure before connecting for the first time. They only have to validate once, but hopefully this will be changed soon so no one ever has to do it.
VERIFY HERE: https://www.utorid.utoronto.ca/

More information from the InfoCommons Knowledge Base here:
http://help.ic.utoronto.ca/index.php?action=artikel&lang=en&cat=20&id=704&artlang=en#UofT
Short link to the same information: uoft.me/icuoft

UTMail+ (new student email system)

Some links regarding the new web-based email system that began August 2011:

For information on the service:
http://email.utoronto.ca/

To login to the service:
http://mail.utoronto.ca/

IC Knowledge Base help on all aspects of UTMail+:
http://help.ic.utoronto.ca/category/3/UTmail.html

IC Knowledge Base help on the email portion of UTMail+:
http://help.ic.utoronto.ca/solution_id_1774.html

Update on new library online services

--------------------------------------
Summon update
--------------------------------------
As described previously, we are currently making a technical change in how we retrieve Article (Summon) results, to allow us to integrate the digital rights for our online resources into the Summon display. This work is ongoing and will be completed within the coming week. Once done, the Summon (Article) results will be presented in a way that is visually consistent with our other library web pages. Summon functionality will remain the same. We will notify you when this step is completed.

After this work is completed, we will add the ability to easily switch from catalogue to article search results, within the Endeca interface. After that, we will integrate Recommended Databases and Library Web Pages into our search results.

--------------------------------------
Summon Tips and tricks
--------------------------------------
1. Summon includes and indexes more data than it displays. For example, you can locate articles within Summon by searching on their PubMed identifiers, even though the PMIDs are not displayed in Summon.

2. Serials Solutions is currently indexing the full text of recently published books that are deposited in HathiTrust for Summon. This will enable you to search within the full text of books from our printed collections, where those titles are part of the HathiTrust collection. To try out an example, search Summon for "Virginia Woodhull" or "arnaldia", de-select the default limit to journal articles, and then limit to items in the library catalogue.

3. When we migrate to Serials Solutions, our simplelinks URLs will continue to work as they do now. If you have questions about specific links that are in your webpages, please get in touch with us at onesearch@library.utoronto.ca

-------------------------
Catalogue records for e-resources
-------------------------
The updating the e-resource records in our catalogue is now targeted for the weekend of Sept 16-17, as the data required has just been received from Serials Solutions.


Sian Meikle
Sept 7, 2011

Changes to our online services and systems

Here is an update about key changes to our online services and systems that are happening soon.  It is meant to summarize some of the key changes and how they fit together.



1. Proquest databases and content are moving to a new platform.

Proquest has built a new platform for all its databases and content. Over the next two weeks, you begin to see the new Proquest interface as we update our Proquest links. By August 5, all Proquest resources will be available through the new interface. If you have included direct links to Proquest resources in your web pages, your old links will continue to work over the next few months; they will be automatically redirected to the new URLs. Please update them, and contact Marc Lalonde if you have questions. Marc is in consultation with librarians throughout this system as he manages this migration process.



2. Scholars Portal Search discontinued

Proquest is also discontinuing the CSA Illumina platform, and as you may know, CSA Illumina powers Scholars Portal Search.  Scholars Portal article databases that are available through Proquest will be migrated to the new Proquest interface, and other Scholars Portal article databases to which we are subscribed will be available through their providers' interface.  Please note that this change does not affect any of the many other Scholars Portal services including Scholars Portal Books, Journals, ODESI,  and Research Management



3. Summon Search introduced

Coinciding with the discontinuation of Scholars Portal Search, we are introducing Summon Search from Serials Solutions as a replacement. Therefore, as of August 5, the Article Search box (on the library homepage, Blackboard Library Resources pages, and elsewhere) will be powered by Summon. You will see the Summon search interface continue to be refined throughout August, and we invite your feedback about the new interface, using the feedback links on Summon web pages. Summon introduces some great new fulltext search features and pulls millions of journal articles and much more into a single, powerful search interface.  -- please look for updates.  Staff training for this product will begin in the Fall.  In the meantime, a group of staff have been experimenting with Summon. Their findings are noted on the LibGuide found here: http://guides.library.utoronto.ca/aecontent.php?pid=219660&sid=1824343. Debbie Green has been coordinating a librarian team in gathering these findings.



4. Serials Solutions ERM replacing SFX/Verde ERM

In early Fall 2011, our new Serials Solutions Electronic Resource Management system will go into service, allowing us to manage our burgeoning e-resource collections more quickly and easily. The new system includes 360 Link, which will replace SFX as the Open URL resolver software powering Article Finder. This migration culminates the work of a large team of staff from across the system.



5.  New look for library homepage

As of September, the library homepage will look familiar but streamlined, and will include a new feature. In addition to our current homepage search options -- catalogue, articles, e-journals -- you will have the option of searching across all resources at once (catalogue, articles, e-journals, and library web site). You will also continue to have, as now, the options of searching just the catalogue, e-journals, or article databases from the homepage. We'll send out a preview of the homepage's new look in the week of August 2-5.



If you have any questions, please get in touch with us.



Caitlin Tillman and Sian Meikle

on behalf of the Serials Solutions and Summons implementation teams

July 25, 2011

Changes to Scholars Portal link on Gerstein's homepage

I wanted to let you know about the change to the Scholars Portal link on Gerstein's homepage (under Major Resources). When you click on it, you come to an interim page that states this database will be changing at the end of this month. Both the interface and collection of databases will change.

At the end of July, I will remove this link from our homepage. If someone needs to search a broad multidisciplinary database, they can use Scopus or Web of Science.

The change to Scholars Portal Search will also affect the search box (see image below) on the Search for Articles tab. This search box will be removed at end of July as well.

Heather Cunningham
July 20, 2011

Journal records not indicating holdings

Once in a while you might notice that the bib record for a journal title does not indicate the holdings, so you have no idea what volumes we have.  This is due to an error in a program run on the old holdings field (090) a few years ago.  If you happen to come across a Gerstein serial that does not have a holdings statement, please note the title and let me know (please copy Meredith).  We are trying to get a list of the titles so Cataloguing can correct the missing holdings.  Thanks very much.

Carla Hagstrom
July 13, 2011

New UofT Wireless Network Now Available in Addition to UTORwin

A new wireless network access option, "UofT", is now available on the St. George campus. Unlike UTORwin, the UofT network does not require a browser-based login each time you connect. After authenticating for the first time, most wireless devices will automatically connect you to the network when you are in range. As well, the UofT network supports wireless b, g and n. For devices capable of wireless n, it is faster and has increased range. If you have problems setting up and/or connecting to this network, please contact the Information Commons Help Desk at 416-978-HELP (4357).

Before you can access the UofT network for the first time, you will need to verify your UTORid. There will be a short delay between verifying and being able to access UofT. Full details and step-by-step instructions for connecting to the UofT wireless network.

Please note that the device will be configured with the UTORid and password that was used to set it up and it is therefore not recommended for shared computers or devices. Central ITS is also working to resolve a configuration problem for users of Android versions 2.2 and lower. Some Android devices may need to stick with the UTORwin wireless network in the short term.

Vehicles blocking handicapped entrance

On the weekend there was a motorcycle parked in front of the handicapped exit, blocking it. If you find a vehicle blocking the exit please call UofT Parking and Transportation Services at 978-7275. They will issue a parking ticket.

Peter Gurney
May 30, 2011

Non student use of material in STL

This question came up and there seems to have been some inconsistencies in the application of our policy. I have reminded the SLAs but an sending this to you in case you are asked.

Individuals who do not have a current record in Sirsi must use STL material in the STL area only. A user insisted that he had been allowed to use material elsewhere in the building if he left his drivers license as collateral. This practice was discontinued a couple of years ago.
If you have any questions please speak with me or Anita.

Renata

Microform Collection at Robarts

The Media Commons now has a full listing of the newspapers and periodicals held by the Media Commons. Many of the titles listed are not listed in the online catalogue. The guide includes titles, publication locations, dates of holdings, call numbers and reel numbers and rough subjects. The guide is very large, but is broken down according to country and city. For Canada, it is further broken down by province and then city. The following link will bring you to the introduction page:

http://mediacommons.library.utoronto.ca/research/microform/finding-microform-materials

The list is complete to today's date. As we receive more material, we will update the list. Please note there is a separate guide on the same page for the science journals and to the Irish newspapers.

Enjoy,
Joan Links
Media Commons

Procedure for Clearing Abandoned Study Rooms

This came out of a librarians meeting earlier in the year, when we had received some complaints from students about study rooms being left 'abandoned' with people's belongings in them for long periods of time.

Jeff has modified the sign at the end of the study room corridor on the 2nd floor to note the '20 min rule.'

PROCEDURES FOR CLEARING AN ABANDONED STUDY ROOM

This procedure should be followed when a group of students complains that they are looking for a study room, and there is a room left abandoned with people’s belongings in it.

Staff member will notify a supervisor or librarian (or Peter Gurney, Dana or Jeff if a supervisor is not available) of the situation and:

- the supervisor verifies that 3 people are waiting for the room and there are no other rooms in the area which could be used

- when possible, if there is another room with 2 or fewer students in it, they should be asked to vacate first, before the abandoned room is used.

- 20 minutes after the initial report the supervisor goes to the group room, verifies again that no other room could be used, moves the abandoned possessions to a corner of the room and leaves the flyer explaining the group room policy (Flyers are found at the Loan services desk and also in the 2nd Floor RRUnit staff lounge filing cabinet)

During evenings and weekends, Library Patrol will handle the clearing of abandoned rooms.

Important Changes to Crown Copyright

The Government of Canada announced in February that Crown Copyright and Licensing (CCL) will no longer require users to seek permission for the reproduction of Government of Canada documents and publications for non-commercial purposes (unless otherwise specified in the materials).

Users reproducing works for non-commercial purposes must:

• Exercise due diligence in ensuring the accuracy of the materials reproduced.
• Indicate both the complete title of the work reproduced, as well as the author organization.
• Indicate that the reproduction is a copy of an official work that is published by the Government of Canada and that the reproduction has not been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada.

Permission is still required to revise, adapt, or translate Government of Canada documents and publications even for non-commercial purposes, and in all cases when the purpose of reproduction is commercial in nature.

Read more.

From the March 2011 Staff Update

New in the catalogue -- Permitted Uses and Print on Demand

Two new options are now available in the catalogue (Endeca interface) --

1) Permitted Uses
All online resource records now provide information about their permitted uses under our licenses. You will see Permitted Uses icons on the hitlist, and more information about permitted uses on detailed records. Users are informed whether material from each online title may be reproduced in Blackboard and course web pages, and in printed course packs. The Permitted Uses information is linked to a page providing a permanent link to the title that may be used anywhere, and also more information about the title's license. A contact to request this information is provided if it has not yet been recorded in the database. Permitted Uses information is available through the Endeca catalogue, and also from the e-journal and e-resource tabs on the library homepage.

2) Print on Demand
Users may now order printed copies of selected online resources through our print-on-demand program. Some 220,000 online titles (out-of-copyright titles, scanned from our collections) now display a Print Book option, in the hitlist drop-menu of options for these titles, and also on their detailed records. Users may order a printed copy of the title through the University of Toronto Bookstore Espresso Print on Demand service or download a pdf to print themselves. More print on-demand options, and more print-on-demand titles, including recently published materials, are coming soon.

Sian Meikle
Dec 13, 2010

About old exams...

We're getting quite a few questions about which old exams are available online here, so I imagine you are too. Here's some information:

St. George Faculty of Arts and Science
We have a rolling set of the 3 most recent years of exams available online, by policy of the Faculty of Arts and Science. The current set is December 2007 - August 2010. Old exams are handled as a batch through ITS, by arrangement with the Faculty of Arts and Science. Exams are loaded once annually, in the fall.

Links to old exams for a given course will appear automatically in the Blackboard Library Resources page, if they are available. Only exams are made available through this channel -- term tests and exam solutions are not, although individual faculty members may choose to post them on their course pages.

If a user is enquiring after a specific exam that they cannot find, here are some helpful facts. By Arts and Science policy, all exams are posted, unless they have been restricted -- this happens when a professor makes an application to the Faculty, on the grounds that an exam shouldn't be published because it will affect the ability to set future exams without repetition. Another explanation for a lack of previous exams is that a course may not have been offered in a given session. And finally, course codes sometimes change. I generally direct the student to the instructor for more information.

St George other faculties
At present, we are not mounting exams for any other St. George campus faculty through the library, though we would be very open to doing so, if you get enquiries. Please contact me, to discuss further.

Scarborough
The librarians at Scarborough work directly with instructors to make some exams and course tests available. Again, they appear directly in Blackboard Library Resource pages where available.

Mississauga
UTM exams are available at http://eres.utm.utoronto.ca.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/courseindex.asp. The collection is not limited to the most recent 3 years.

Sian Meikle
Dec 6, 2010

=======Additional entry from Sian Meikle, Dec 9th:
-- here is more information about where the exams collections are linked from:

1) Library website: From the page-top navigation menu, choose Research -> Special Collections -> Exams and Course Collections.
This takes you to http://eres.library.utoronto.ca/courseindex.asp. Old exams are the first option on the page. You go to http://exams.library.utoronto.ca.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca.

2) Blackboard course web pages: choose the Library Resources link on the left menu. You will get at least one, and possibly two, links to old exams:
(a) There is always a link to the old exams collection at the bottom of the page. This takes you straight into the Old Exams collection (http://exams.library.utoronto.ca.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca)
(b) If the old exams collection includes exams for your course, you will also see a link at the top of the Library Resources page, taking you straight to those exams in the course collection:

===============Additional entry from Cris Sewerin, Dec 9th:
there is a collection of old exams that perhaps was missed since it is outside of Fac. Arts & Science : the Skule (engineering) exams: http://courses.skule.ca/. Would it be possible to add it?

Gerstein & Information Commons Support Changes

Gerstein & Information Commons Support Changes

All staff,

The Information Commons (IC) Support for public workstations & printers and instruction labs is being consolidated in Robarts under the direction of Mark Leighton as of next Monday, March 15th.

Contact with IC regarding public equipment will be handled very similarly to current practice. That is, with the assistance of all staff, Jeff will continue to be informed about any problems with public equipment. Jeff will also continue as Gerstein's contact with the IC support team, reporting equipment problems via their new OneStop service (416-978-0429 or email icicle.support@utoronto.ca ).

If there are minor equipment problems and Jeff is unavailable, please email or voicemail Jeff.

If there are major equipment problems and Jeff is unavailable, please call the IC support team at 416-978-0429 and then email/voicemail Jeff about the issue.

Sandra
March 10, 2010

Zotero now enabled for our catalogue

A quick note to let you know that the new catalogue interface is now zotero-enabled, with thanks to Bilal Khalid and Ken Yang in the Information Technology Services department for their work in making this possible.

For the metadata-inclined, we are using unapi with RIS format for the zotero data import currently, as it was the most expedient method for making this useful service available. This is roughly equivalent to the catalogue data we export to RefWorks. As time permits, we'll be switching to unapi with MODs, as it allows us to make a richer view of our catalogue records available to zotero.

Sian Meikle
Nov 8, 2010

Vision enhancement/magnifier for public PC's

Our public PC's have a magnifying option for those who require a visual aid to use a computer. The Information Commons has placed its location at:

1. "Start" button
   
2. Accessibility
3. Magnifier

Doing the above immediately places a small rectangular section at the top of the screen. This area magnifies whatever the mouse cursor is hovering over.

Alternatively...instead of choosing "3. Magnifier", in the same folder there is a "wizard" that will walk the user through the process of selecting personal visual settings of a greater variety than just a magnifier.
The wizard is a very helpful tool and should be pointed out to all users interested in this type of assistance.

This is a standard component of the existing Windows XP operating system. When this operating system changes to Windows 7 (probably in 2011) the location of this tool may be different.