Web 2.0 Award Winners

Wow what a collection of great websites! The one I spent the most time on, Farecast, was awesome. It's a travel website and it works on the same basic premise as websites like expedia or orbitz, which allow you to search multiple airline websites to find the lost airfare prices to a destination. Farecast does all that and it has one feature which really sets it above the rest, it can predict w/ reasonable accuracy if the price of a plane ticket will rise or fall in the near future. Farecast keeps track of increases and drops in price over the last month and somehow uses that information to project the price in the near future. The website claimed it had been third-party certified as being accurate in its predictions 76% of the time. I decided to do little test of my own. I've been looking for a cheap plane ticket to somewhere for memorial day weekend. After a couple of searches I latched on to San Diego, $225 round trip that's a great price for a ticket somewhere over memorial day weekend. If I had found that price on expedia I would have booked right away, because in my mind that price could only go up from there, but fareast predicted that there was 68% chance the price would drop further, a 20% chance it would stay the same and only a 12% chance that it would increase. So against my better judgment I waited. And guess what today that same $225 ticket costs $203 and farecast is predicting the price will rise (48%) or stay the same (33%), so I'll be buying my ticket today. Thanks (Farecast and web 2.0) for making my life $22 (one seafood dinner) better!

Google Labs

For my Google labs assignment I checked out igoogle, google trends and google mars.

I had seen igoogle before and sort of poo-pooed it, but I decided to give it another shot. I'm glad I did, because igoogle is totally my favorite now. It really makes a difference when you get to add your own widgets! I loved adding all kinds of news feeds and such to my site, this one is definitely a keeper.

I enjoyed google trends as well, my compulsive statistical side really enjoyed being able to track how often a search is performed and how often it is performed relative to other searches, the way it tracks searches by geographic area is also pretty darn cool. I'm not sure this site has any useful application, but it's cool to look at.

Google mars was my least favorite tool. Partially because it was hyped to me by other people, but mostly because of a major glitch i encountered. When you scroll back all the way mars repeats over and over again. I guess this isn't really a glitch, it allows you to work your way all the way around mars and then back to the beginning again, but I wish it could be accomplished in another way. I was about to say google maps doesn't repeat, but then I checked and it does and now that bugs me too. It's sad that google mars has managed to tarnish google maps- one of my favorite sites- but it has and it makes me wish google mars had never been created. Shame on you google mars!

Online Web Applications

Online Application tools, boo-yah! That's an expression meant to convey happiness or excitement for those of you unfamiliar w/ boo-yahing. Google Docs is great. If this had been around when I was in college I would have been all over it. Way back in the early to mid-2000s when I went to college, I faced a significant dilemma. What's the easiest way of transporting a paper in electronic format? In the end I just settled on emailing the paper to myself so that it would available to me on whichever computer I found myself in front of. Google Docs would have cut out the middlemen, my yahoo and hotmail email accounts. Google Docs has all the basic word features I need and works great. I'm using it to make some suggested revisions to the LEO handbook and it has been 100% equal to the task (see below). I looked at some of the other stuff, such as zoho, it seemed pretty similar to Google Docs to be honest, so kudos to zoho. Google calendar was great, if you're into that kind of thing, but to be honest the only thing I use calendars for is to have a new picture to look forward to each time I turn the page.

(italic= suggested revision)
LEO Handbook

This is the second revised edition of the LIBRARY EMPLOYEES HANDBOOK. Each section of this edition has been reviewed and revised. This is the Handbook of the Library Employees= Organization of the Salt Lake City Public Library.

Members should make all recommendations or observations on the effectiveness of this Handbook, in writing, to the Executive Council member of their choice.

This Library Employees= Organization handbook is submitted by committee members:

Matt McLain

Randi Carter

Jered Hundley

Approved by the LEO Membership, and confirmed by the Executive Council and Representative Council at the August 2004 Monthly Representative Meeting.

August 2004 LIBRARY EMPLOYEES= ORGANIZATION

The Library Employee�s Organization exists as an instrument for the improvement of the library staff as a whole. LEO acts as an intermediary between the administration and the staff to increase communication and improve morale. LEO also works with the library leadership to protect the interests of the staff.

LEO plans staff social functions, including the Summer Picnic and Holiday Party. (Add in something about Halloween?) LEO also aims to participate in charitable and service projects. Ongoing contributions include volunteering at the Cathedral of the Madeline and monthly food donations benefiting the Crossroads Urban Center.

LEO participates in the implementation of the Grievance Procedure. Each staff member who has passed the initial six-month probationary period is given the benefit of the Procedure. Once a grievance is filed, LEO begins the process as described in the Employee Handbook.

LEO is comprised of all library staff members. LEO Representatives are selected by each agency to support LEO. The Representatives report ongoing LEO activities to their agencies. They also seek input about issues and challenges that are happening throughout the Library and report back at the LEO Representative Council meetings

CONSTITUTION

OF THE

LIBRARY EMPLOYEES =ORGANIZATION OF THE SALT LAKE CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Approved August 1980

Revised March 1989

Revised August 2004

ARTICLE I�Name

Section 1: The name of this organization shall be the Library Employees Organization of the Salt Lake City Public Library (LEO).

ARTICLE II�Purpose

Section 1: The purpose of the Organization shall be to promote the professional, economic, social interests of staff, and to encourage and support service opportunities.

ARTICLE III�Membership

Section 1: Membership is open to every person who is employed by the Salt Lake City Public Library. Membership is for the duration of the employee=s tenure at the library.

Section 2: LEO encourages active participation of its members. Active participation can include paying membership dues, participating on and assisting LEO committees, and participating in LEO events and parties.

ARTICLE IV�Structure of the Organization

Section 1: All elected officers and departmental representatives must be active members of the Organization. This organization shall consist of a three member Executive Council and a Representative Council.

Section 2: The Executive Council shall be elected by the active membership according to the procedures set forth by the Bylaws. Each agency will select a staff representative for the Representative Council. Candidates for the Representative Council may be nominated by any library staff member.

Section 3: Members of the Executive Council shall serve a term of twelve months. Elections will occur the first week of January for the term beginning January 15. .

Section 4: Members of the Representative Council shall consist of a selected representative from each agency and branch in the system serving a term of one year. The selection for the Representative Council will occur prior to June 30 for the term beginning July 1, in conjunction with the Library�s committee selection process.

Section 5: The Executive Council shall appoint a Treasurer to serve at least annually.

Section 6: The Executive Council, with the approval of the Representative Council, shall appoint committees as needed.

ARTICLE V�Meetings

Section 1: Meetings shall be held as provided for in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE VI�Amendments

Section 1: All proposals for amending the Constitution or Bylaws shall originate in the Executive Council and/or Representative Council.

Section 2: All members shall be notified of such a proposal in writing and given sufficient time for consideration.

Section 3: A proposed amendment shall be adopted by a ballot vote of a simple majority of the members voting.

BYLAWS

OF

THE LIBRARY EMPLOYEES= ORGANIZATION OF THE SALT LAKE CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Amended November 1980

Amended June 1982

Amended March 1982

Amended October 1989

Amended August 2004

ARTICLE I�Dues

Section 1: Membership dues are payable on LEO Membership Drive Day. The membership drive day shall be in March, as determined by the LEO Executive Council. LEO will accept payment of dues at any point in the year.

Section 2: The Executive Council shall determine dues as an article of business prior to the LEO Membership Drive, which shall be approved by the Representative Council. Employees working less than 20 hours per week will pay one-half the amount.

Section 3: Persons employed by the Library throughout the year shall pay pro-rated dues as follows:

March-May 100 %

June-August 75 %

September-November 50 %

December-February 25 % (Let's cut pro-rated dues)

ARTICLE II�Rights and Privileges

Section 1: All members shall have the right to vote on matters of Organizational business.

Section 2: All members may serve as members of the Executive Council, Representative Council, Committee Chairs, and/or Committee members.

ARTICLE III�Meetings

Section 1: General meetings of the Organization and its committees shall be open to the entire membership.

Section 2: The Executive Council shall meet as needed.

Section 3: The Representative Council shall meet monthly, currently on the fourth Thursday of the month. (second Monday)

Section 4: Committees shall meet at their own discretion or at the request of the Executive Council

ARTICLE IV�Committees

Section 1: Any member of the Library Employee�s Organization may voluntarily serve on a LEO committee, or at the request of an Executive Council member. Other committees shall be appointed as needed by the Executive Council.

ARTICLE V�Executive Council Elections

Section 1: The Elections Committee (Events Committee) shall request candidates to run for the Executive Council, including at least one candidate for President. The highest vote recipients will be selected for the Executive Council. If there is no candidate for President, the highest vote recipient will be selected as President. If no candidates run for LEO Executive Council, the current Executive Council and the current Representative Council will select new Executive Council members from combined councils.

Section 2: Executive Council members shall serve for a calendar year, beginning January 15. LEO members who wish to run for election shall announce their candidacy on or about December 1. After the campaign, LEO members shall elect one candidate for each seat on the Executive Council. Current members of the Executive Council may run for re-election. Candidates for the Executive Council should seek their agency manager�s approval before running.

Section 3: The election of the Executive Council members shall be by ballot vote. The Election Committee will send ballots to all LEO members on or around the first business day of January. Completed ballots must be returned within seven days of issuance.

Section 4: A vacancy occurring in the Executive Council before the end of a term shall be filled for the balance of the term through appointment by the executive Council as approved by the Representative Council.

Section 5: Candidates for the Executive Council must be current members of the LEO Representative or Executive Council to run. (Or from a location which is currently unrepresented in the representative council?)

ARTICLE VI�Representative Council Selection

Section 1: Each agency or coalition of agencies shall be responsible for having an active LEO representative that serves for one year. Each agency will select a representative no later than the fourth Thursday in August. Any LEO member may make a nomination for the Representative Council.

ARTICLE VI�Responsibilities under the Employee Handbook

Section 1: The Executive Council will be responsible for the Grievance Procedure as outlined in the Employee Handbook (Section 27).

Section 2: The Staff Rooms at Main and the branches are under the jurisdiction of the Library Employees= Organization. Their maintenance is the responsibility of all staff members of the Organization.

Duties of the Executive Council

� Members of the Executive Council are elected by the membership of LEO. The Council consists of three members elected to serve for one year. The elected President will be the Council Chair for the entire year.

� Basic duties of the Council as outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws include appointing a treasurer, a secretary as needed, and LEO committees and committee chairs.

� If a member of the Executive Council is unable to complete his/her term, the Council will appoint someone to serve the balance of the term. The Representative Council will confirm the selection.

Additional duties of the Executive Council include:

� Meeting as needed with Library Director and staff.

� Acting as mentors to successive Executive Council members; providing and organizing information to make transitions between Executive Councils smooth and seamless.

� Posting relevant information on staff room bulletin boards.

� Coordinating attendance at monthly Library Board, Management, and other significant meetings.

� Arranging for staff Brown Bag lunches with the Director. Also arranges LEO Town Hall meetings at least annually. (Do we do this? Do we want to do this?)

� Selecting staff for the Distinguished Service Award at least once a year (Staff Development Day) to honor staff members who have provided outstanding service or contributions in the library system, the library field as a whole, or the community at large. (Do we still do this?)

� coordinating monthly LEO e-newsletter. This should include:

� minutes of LEO meetings

� calendar of upcoming events

� announcement of Employee of the Month and E-Interviews and call for nominations

� other relevant information to be distributed to LEO members

Duties of the President of the Executive Council

� Conducts Executive Council and Representative Council meetings and prepares an agenda.

� Participates in the Grievance Procedure as outlined in the Employee Handbook and LEO Bylaws.

� Keeps a record of LEO activities.

� Assigns a LEO member to take minutes for the Representative Council meetings.

� Purchases supplies for LEO events.

� Serves as a President Emeritus for three months following the election of a new President to provide counsel and guidance to the new President.

Duties of the Treasurer

� Responsible for collection of all funds and debts owing the Organization.

� Responsible for disbursement of LEO monies for all expenses paid by check.

� Keep Organization books, entering income and expenditures on weekly basis.

� Deposit money in bank as needed.

� Reports monthly income and expenditures.

� Record membership dues.

Duties of the LEO Representative Council Member

Each agency will select a representative to serve on a fiscal year basis.

� Attends the monthly LEO Representative Council Meeting. If the representative cannot be in attendance, the rep should appoint someone else to attend.

� The LEO Representative should report the matters discussed at the meeting to staff in the agency they represent.

� The LEO Representative should notify the Recognition Committee of illness, death, births, etc. of staff members they represent so that cards and/or a flower can be sent.

� LEO Representatives shall actively participate on LEO Committees as listed under Standing Committees of LEO.

� Report on any changes in the agency; e.g., staff leaving or new staff members entering the system. (Do we really need a report each meeting of this?)

� Provide New employees w/ a LEO welcome letter and overview of what LEO does

Standing Committees of LEO

ELECTION COMMITTEE (Now part of events)

The Election Committee is charged with holding regular elections for the LEO Executive Council. The Election Committee should seek candidates for yearly election to the Executive Council, including at least one candidate for President. The Election Committee shall encourage campaigning, print ballots including biographies and photos of all candidates, provide a method for submission of ballots, collect ballots and tabulate the results of the election, and announce the results of the election.

SERVICE COMMITTEE

LEO is committed to being involved in a variety of community service projects. The service committee will select several projects over the course of the year. The committee will plan and organize each project, including logistics and staff participation. Examples of service projects include sandwich making at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, food donations for Crossroads Urban Center, purchasing holiday blankets, TV/Radio pledge drives, lunches at the Sorensen Center, or other projects.

NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE

This committee is responsible for the collection of articles, typing and editing of material for the newsletter. Each newsletter should include minutes from the previous meeting, a calendar of upcoming events, Employee of the Month announcements, Staff Interviews (E-Interview), and any other information pertinent to library staff.

RECOGNITION/EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH COMMITTEE

This committee arranges for a card or flower to be sent to staff on return from birth or death leave. Other special occasions for staff members are also remembered with a card. This committee will request nominations for Employee of the Month from the staff-at-large and will selected a monthly winner. Additionally, the Recognition Committee should consider a Distinguished Service Award recipient to be given out at the library�s annual Staff Development Day. This committee is also charged by LEO to be responsible for the purchase of a book to be donated to the library in honor of each retiree. The committee may also determine other awards to be given to individuals or agencies.

EVENT AND PARTY COMMITTEE

This committee shall plan, develop, and host LEO parties. The committee shall be responsible for the entire event, including arranging for volunteers, bringing supplies, providing entertainment and activities, and cleanup. Examples of LEO parties include the Halloween Party, the Holiday Party, the LEO Summer Picnic, and LEO Baseball nights. (Baseball nights sound awesome) Other LEO Events include LEO Membership Day, Town Meetings, Movie Nights, Sport activities (e.g. bocce, softball). The Event and Party Committee will also arrange food for the Friends� Booksale.

Staff Rooms

A staff room, located on the fifth floor of the Main Library, is maintained by LEO for the use of library personnel, volunteers, official library guests and others having approval of the Library Employees� Organization. A lounge, kitchen facilities and vending machines are provided. Anyone using the staff lounge or kitchen is responsible for cleaning up after themselves. Each branch library has staff room facilities that are maintained by the staff members at that branch.

PLEASE KEEP THE STAFF ROOMS CLEAN!!

PLA's take on Library 2.0

I went to PLA in Minneapolis this year and I promised I would blog about any "tech stuff" I learned. I believe the Library 2.0 session I attended qualifies as "tech stuff."

The speakers (hereafter referred to as robots, so as to engage readers w/ shorter attention spans) started the session by pointing out that Web 2.0 (and Library 2.0 by extension) isn't really a tech phenomenon, it's a social phenomenon, enabled by technology. What separates web 2.0 from web 1.0 is that Web 2.0 is able to engage users as individuals.

So how does the library (hereafter referred to as moon base) successfully integrate web 2.0 services to engage our users as individuals?
By experimentation. Several of the robots advocated abandoning the culture of perfection which permeates so many moon bases. Moon bases, they argued, tend to avoid implementing changes until the proposed changes have been thoroughly tested, reviewed and- most importantly of all- the changes must run a near endless gauntlet of meetings and committees. For the rapidly changing world of web 2.0, this equation doesn't work. Instead, moon base websites should be in state of constant beta-testing. New features should be added to the website as they become available. If the feature isn't successful, remove it and try something new. Even initially successful features can become unsuccessful over time. If that happens try something new. There is NO right and wrong, only experimentation.

8 Easy “neat-o burrito” things a moon base can do to get 2.0.

#1 Make a myspace page. A myspace page is easy to make and easy to maintain. Many moon bases use their myspace page as just another way to pass on information, kinda like an online bulletin board. Successful moon base myspace pages often allow multiple librarians to add content. For example all the teen librarians might be responsible for posting information about teen programs.

#2 RSS feeds. Add the ability for patrons to receive RSS feeds about new items or content. It was also noted that a little “what is this?” type information link is helpful. Many patrons won’t know what an rss feed is, but if they have a link that will tell them, they’re more likely to use the feature.

#3 Create a flickr account. Encourage patrons to contribute content. One moon base asked patrons to take a picture of themselves reading and add it to flickr.

#4 A presence on wikipedia. Millions of people use wikipedia each day, make sure your moon base’s website is listed. (Ours already is hurray!)

#5 YouTube- Moon bases can use youtube to make online video tours of the moon base.

#6 Meet your librarians. Some moon bases have added a little bio section for their staff members. It’s not necessary to post actual pictures, sometimes an “online avatar” (see example at right) can be even more hip. The bio can be very general, favorite books, movies, interests, etc. The ideas is that librarian bios make patrons feel more connected to their library.

#7 Allow user tagging of books. Moon base catalogs don’t always use the most intuitive subject headings, so allow users to create their own.

#8 A second fix for those notoriously user-unfriendly moon base catalogs. How often have you performed a search and had it come back w/ no results? Now imagine how often that happens to patrons. Now imagine how frustrating that must be for them (you probably don't have to imagine, I bet you've seen it already). Library 2.0 to the rescue! One of the robots described a catalog that addressed this problem. Whenever a search returns no results, the catalog asks the user would like to talk to a librarian? If the patron clicks yes the catalog opens up a chat window where the patron can ask a librarian for help. Wow! Now that is neat-o burrito.

Library 2.0

So here's my summary of the “Web 2.0: Where will the next generation of the web it take libraries?” article.

Rick Anderson had a couple of good points about library services: "We need to focus our efforts not on teaching research skills but on eliminating the barriers that exist between patrons and the information they need, so they can spend as little time as possible wrestling with lousy search interfaces and as much time as possible actually reading and learning" and "...if our services can’t be used without training, then it’s the services that need to be fixed—not our patrons." Spot on! What patron is going to know that our library catalog's subject search is garbage unless you happen to be a master of library of congress subject headings? Or that the best way to limit a keyword search to children's materials is throw the word juvenile on? Who uses the word juvenile? "So yesterday I was hanging out with some juveniles when I realized...." Ridiculous!

Chip Nilges the Vice President for OCLC might have had some good ideas, but he couldn't go 2 sentences w/ out tooting his own organization's horn (and acting like I knew what the heck OCLC is- I googled it, it's a "not for profit computer service and research organization whose systems help libraries locate, acquire, catalog, and lend library materials"). Anyway sorry Chip the topic was Library 2.0 not “What’s great about your non-profit organization, OCLC”, I lost patience w/ your article and so I skipped it.

John J. Riemer's article was good as well I like his comments about relevance ranking. "Relevance ranking techniques should be driven by much more than the mere prevalence of keywords in the bibliographic record and be fed by a wider range of metadata, such as circulation activity, placement of materials on class reserve lists, sales data, and clicks to download, print, and capture citations." I wish that good books came up first when I did a search. If I do a keyword search for caterpillar fiction The Very Hungry Caterpillar should come up not Arabella Miller's tiny caterpillar, a book which I hvae never heard of and probably never will. Also props to John on his awesome beard. I think his beard alone doubled the relevance of the article.

Dr. Wendy Schultz the futurist sure does believe in sweeping change. Also a rather utopian future, I hope the future is so luxurious, I mean check out the library of the future: "Library 4.0 will add a new mode, knowledge spa: meditation, relaxation, immersion in a luxury of ideas and thought. In companies, this may take the form of retreat space for thought leaders, considered an investment in innovation; in public libraries, the luxurious details will require private partners as sponsors providing the sensory treats. Library 4.0 revives the old image of a country house library, and renovates it: from a retreat, asanctuary, a pampered experience with information—subtle thoughts, fine words, exquisite brandy, smooth coffee, aromatic cigar, smell of leather, rustle of pages—to the dream economy’s library, the LIBRARY: a WiFREE space, a retreat from technohustle, with comfortable chairs, quiet, good light, coffee and single malt. You know, the library."

Of course how we go from underfunded inner-city urban libraries to exquisite brandy, aromatic cigars and the smell of leather is beyond me, the librarians of the future must be better fundraisers than the librarians of today. As for me, I'm still waiting for the flying cars and the futuristic unitards that the not so distant past promised me.

Search Engines

I tried out 4 new search engines today, Mooter, Exalead, Gravee and Clusty (in that order).

Mooter was an interesting idea. But I didn't much care for it myself. It initially organizes the information graphically, but not in a particularly useful way. It has a preset template that it just plugs the results into. I was hoping it would do something kinda like a tag cloud, where it made the result bigger if it had more results, but alas.

I did a search for "Mastodon Research" here are the top 2 results (and an image i found on google):

#1 Hyde Park Mastodon Research: Mastodon Teeth Isotopes "You are what you eat." This is true not only for humans, but extinct mastodons as well. .

#2 Research in Progress: TaphonomyHyde Park Mastodon Research: Taphonomy. Taphonomy basically means "studying what happens to animals ... This question often allows scientists to discover a .

Exalead I did like. It had an interface that was easy to read and it provided a preview of what the website looks like. I might use this website if google's website was down.

Results:

#1 same as mooter's #1

#2 Post-modern Research: Mastodon - Freemasonic Shriner Metal??

Post-modern Research You saw it here first! (most likely anyway) Tuesday, August 01, 2006 Mastodon - Freemasonic Shriner Metal??

Gravee was the worst one. I think the site might have been down, I hope so anyway, because when I tried doing a search all I got was a blank screen, not so useful.

Clusty was the last search engine I used. It seemed alright. It used a sidebar w/ the results divided by category and the number of results within each category. Bully for it. Here are the results of my mastadon search on clusty:

#1 Welcome to the Mastodon Page at PRI

Since August, 1999, PRI, in conjunction with Cornell University, has been involved with three mastodon excavations, one in Hyde Park, NY and another (Cornell's .

#2 Hyde Park Mastodon Unearthed!

Matrix Project - Get yourself, your highschool class, or even your Girl Scout troupe, involved in the research

Staff Technology Skills Survey

Friends, Tech Reps, Complete Strangers,
Here's my proposed changes to the staff technology skills survey, go ahead and leave me and comments you might have on my proposed changes. There's also a friendlier-to-read-excel-spreadsheet version which can be downloaded off the wiki under tech reps. Were I choosing to read this I would do it that way and then leave me a comment here or by email, but to each his own.

SLCPL STAFF TECHNOLOGY SKILLS REVIEW
March 2008 version
Name:______________________________ Date:_________________________

Agency:_______________________

Key
After reading each statement in the following sections please mark one of the follwing:

1- I don't understand how to perform this task.
2- I understand the principle, but I have never actually perfomed this task.
3- I understand have perfomred this task in the past and I believe I am still able.
4- I could perform this task right now without difficulty.
NA- This task is not applicable to my job.

What you should now about… General Computer Operation

Opening and Closing Please mark 1,2,3,4, or NA


How do I turn on or off all catalog, patron internet, Gates computers, staff reference and circulation PC's? Push the power button located on the front of PC towers, upper right hand corner of the Cybernet (Keyboard) PCs or on the bottom front or right side of all monitors or catalog terminals.

How do I troubleshoot... X
*A computer with no power? Check to see if it is plugged in and the power is turned on (note: some PCs have a unit between the PC and the outlet, make sure it is plugged in tight as well.)
*The wrong login screen (on a public computer)? Check the network cable….is it plugged in tightly? Restart the PC, if it still doesn't work, call the CS on-call pager.
*A staff PC that won't logon? Re-enter your logon and password, Domain should be SLCPL. If this still doesn't work, call the CS on-call pager.

How do I turn computers off? Patron PCs automatically shut down. Staff PC's: click on start and select shut down. Finish the shut down. Public PCs: logoff, when monitor says No Signal, hold the power button down until PC turns off. Other procedures: ask your supervisor.

How do I restore a blank or sleeping screen? Touch a key on the keyboard.


Staff PC's Please mark 1,2,3,4, or NA

How do I log on using the department username and password? If the windows log in screen isn't showing press the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys. Enter the department username on the first line and department password on the second (if you don't know these ask your department supervisor or tech rep), on the third line make sure "log on to SLCPL" is selected.

How do I turn on/off PC? Click Start, click Shut Down, select Shut Down, click OK. This will shut off the power. To turn on, push the power button.

How do I check connections? All conncetions should be located on the back of the tower or keyboard PC. The following cables should be attached firmly: monitor cable, network cable, power cord, mouse and keyboard cables. On some PCs the following conncetions are color coded: Mouse is green, keyboard is purple, and Monitor is blue.

How do I open and close software applications appropriately (Word, Intranet, Millennium, Internet, III)? Double click on desktop icon, if available; otherwise, click Start, click on Programs or All Programs, select the software application you want to use. If you need to save a document before closing, click File and select Save or Save As and save the document in your HEDGEHOG folder. To close an Office Product (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Intranet ot Internet application, click on the in the upper right hand corner of the screen or click File and select Close. To close III, back out to the Main Menu and type X to disconnect or close. To close Millenium, click the in the upper right hand corner of the Millennium screen. When it asks if you want to exit Millennium, click Yes.

How do I use a USB Flash Drive? Look for the symbol. This indicates a USB port. It could be located on either the front or the back of the PC. Plug in the Flash Drive. To access the Flash Drive click on the My Computer icon on the desk top.
How do I manipulate and navigate multiple windows or applications (including minimizing and maximizing windows)? Minimize to tray Make window smaller Maximize (make window bigger) Close program.


Computer Vocabulary, If you understand place a check mark in the box. √

What is the start button? Located in the lower left hand corner of the screen, it allows you access to software on the PC, and is what you click on to log off or shut down the computer.

What is the tray/taskbar? Located at the bottom of the screen, it allows quick access to multiple programs or files which are currently open.

What is the Clock/Calendar? Located at the bottom right-hand corrner of the screen (in the blue bar) gives you quick access to time and date. Double -click ot access a calendar. If you look at another month, click Cancel to close without saving changes.

How do I use icons? Double click on an icon on the desktop to open a file or program.
What does the right mouse button do? Clicking on the right mouse button brings up a context sensitive menu (most frequently it gives you the options of copying, cutting, pasting and printing).

What is the difference between a PC and a dumb terminal? A dumb terminal is a display monitor that has no processing capabilities and is simply an output device that accepts data from the CPU. A PC or personal computer has processing capabilities and can run a variety of software.


Public Internet Access PC's Please mark 1,2,3,4, or NA

What are the startup and shutdown procedures for public internet pc's? Startup: turn on Envisionware Management consol, then the PC Reservation/ Print Release station. After these are up, turn on the patron PC's. Shutdown: the public PCs automatically shutdown 5 minutes before closing. If the PC does not automatically shut down: press Ctrl/Alt/Delete and select Shut Down.

How do patrons access public internet computers? Patrons can access public internet computers by finding an available computer and entering in their library card number.

How do I save files on removable media (USB flash drive, Floppy disc, etc) on a public machine? Open file to be saved, Insert floppy or attach memory stick, Click on File, select Save As. Save As window appears. In Save File: use drop down arrow to choose location to save file. Enter file name at bottom and click Save.

What are the limitations of a public internet computer? They are unable to download software or files.

How do I perform physical maintenance (clean screens, keyboards, mouse) on public internet pc's? Clean gently and with lots of common sense. For more specific instructions ask your tech rep or computer services.


Gates Computers


Printers- the easy stuff: If you understand, place a check mark in the box. √

What are the types of printers in my agency? hp4100's; hp4200's; hp4100mfp; hp 4; Okidata Turbo 320: receipt printer


Printers Please mark 1,2,3,4, or NA

How do I cancel a print job on each type of printer in my agency? Hp4100& hp4200-press pink cancel job button (you may need to do this multiple times, depending on how the web page is formatted); hp4100mfp- press pink Stop button; hp4-Press OnLine to take the printer offline. When the display reads 00 Offline, hold down Shift and press Reset to clear any remaining pages in the printer’s memory.

How do I add paper? Hp printers- Paper reams have a label "Print on this side first"--It does matter! Do not overfill paper bin. Hp 4100 and hp 4200 printer will hold a maximum of 1 ream. Hp4 holds about 200 sheets or just under 1/2 ream(package). Each of these printers have a paper tray which pulls out from bottom front. Okidata uses track-continuous feed paper. The printer sits on a rack with paper underneath. Paper comes up from behind and is placed on the tracks. Track covers are snapped down, press FORM FEED or LINE FEED to move paper into position for printing.

How do I install toner or ribbon cartridge? Make sure you have the correct toner (printer models are listed on the outside of the box). For hp printers: when display shows message "toner low", remove, shake, reinsert cartridge (usually 8-10% toner left in cartridge). If the message appears after above process or if the printouts continue to leave white streaks, replace the toner cartridge. Open top and remove empty toner, remove new cartridge from packaging, remove the tab and pull the plastic strip to release toner. Slide the new cartridge into the printer and close the top. Okidata: replace the ribbon when tangled or when it is no longer printing dark enough. Lift cover, pop out ribbon and put new one in it's place.

How do I correct a paper jam? Try one or all of the following: Remove the toner cartridge, open the paper tray, open the back…check for paper jam and remove any paper or small pieces of paper. Replace tray and cartridge and close everything back up. Check to see if the main paper tray is set for letter sized paper. If that doesn’t correct the problem, talk to your Tech Rep or call the Computer Services On-Call pager.

How do I print to a printer other than the default? Click on File, select printer. When printer box appears, click on the down arrow next to the Printer Name box, select the printer from the drop down menu or list.
How do I feed envelopes and single sheets and switch back after using custom features? Open tray 1 (the top tray, put in paper or envelopes, using the guides on the flipdown tray. Send the print job from PC. When finished printing, close tray 1 and print jobs will be printed from paper in tray 2.

How do I switch printer functionality (portrait, landscape)? Select File on the Menu bar, click on page setup. When the page setup box appears, click on your choice of portrait or landscape. Click OK. This will change the orientation of the individual document.

What do I do when the printer won't print? 1- Check to see if it is turned on. 2- Check the pc's default or selected printer. 3- Check to see if the network cable or printer cables are connected. 4- Check to see if there are instructions or error messages displayed on the printer (i.e. paper jam; toner low; offline; needs maintenance). 5- Check the printer manager on the pc (staff printers only). 6- Restart computer to restore connectivity (staff PCs only). 7- Call the CS on-call pager.

How do I troubleshoot receipt printers? Check power connections. If there's no paper: put a new roll in, roll feeds from the bottom.


Public and Staff Copiers

How do I make copies?

How do I send faxes?

How do I cancel a fax, copy or print job on the MFP? Push the salmon(pink) buton labeled Stop. You may need to press it more than once.

How do I replace a toner cartridge? Remove old toner, open new toner package, remove the toner seal and insert into the printer.

Who do I call to repair a printer? Computer Services for service on HP 4100 & 4200 copiers.

How do I load paper? Remove tray 2, fan the paper and load into tray, reinsert tray.

How do I clear paper jams?


Self Checkout at Main Please mark 1,2,3,4, or NA

Where are the Self Checkout stations located? At Main only in the AV area, North of the Circulation desk & the Level 5 Reception area.

How do I change paper in the receipt printer? Remove the cover; remove the leftover tube from the old paper roll; insert the new paper roller with paper rolling off the bottom; thread through the guides.

How do I fix a misfeed in the receipt printer? Remove the paper and reinsert.

How do I troubleshoot exceptions with self checkout? Check to see if card is valid or if item is reference. Some items have billed status and need to be dealt with at Circulation. If the station is not working properly, call the CS on-call pager.

What do I do when CheckPointed materials set off the alarm? Check the checkpoint log to determine which items set off the alarm, check the patrons items for associated barcode, look it up to see if the item was checked out using the scanner instead of the CheckPoint pad. Note: CheckPointed materials checked out using hand keying or laser scanner will set off the alarm (notify the patron that this may happen, and that we will correct the problem when the item is returned).


Help! If you understand place a check mark in the box. √

Who do I contact if additional software is needed (do NOT install or download software on library computers)? Computer Services.

Who do I contact if a PC freezes or has problems? Contact your Tech Rep or call the CS on-call pager.
If all else fails, who you gonna call? The Computer Services on-call pager. If that fails try the ghostbusters.

What you should know about… The Integrated Library System.


Network Vocabulary, If you understand place a check mark in the box. √

Why do we have logins and who should have my login or our agency logins? 1- Logins and passwords are set up to provide security for our network and your individual work. 2- Agency and individual logins and passwords allow you access to the parts of our network that allow you to do your job. 3- You should never give your agency or individual logins or passwords to volunteers, family members or friends (there is a volunteer login them).

What is the difference between the Library network, the intranet and WWW or the internet? X
*Library Network: The Library’s LAN/WAN which includes HEDGEHOG server, internal or staff e-mail, printer servers, library catalog server, as well as other servers to staff pc’s to make our jobs easier. Intranet: A network based on the same communication protocols as the World Wide Web but limited to a specific group of computers. Intranet sites look and function exactly like Internet sites, but access is restricted to those computers with special permission. In our case, a Library staff based network for staff based information.
*WWW (World Wide Web): A hypermedia-based system for browsing Internet sites. It is called the Web because it is made of many Web sites linked together. You can travel from one site to another by clicking hyperlinks. The World Wide Web is just one part of the Internet. Internet: A worldwide network made up of many smaller interconnected networks. Computers connected to the Internet can access documents, files, databases, and programs from around the world. Computers called Web servers store information and make it available to other computers on the Internet

What is HEDGEHOG and what should I save on it? HEDGEHOG is part of the Library LAN. It is a server dedicated to saving staff documents and work in progress. Files saved to hedgehog can be accesed from any computer connected to the library network.

What is the My Documents folder and what should I save there? The My Documents folder is associated with your log on. Files saved to this folder can only be accessed by you when you log on with your user name and password

Which dinosaur is best? Stegosaurus.


The Library Network Please mark 1,2,3,4, or NA

How do I open or close files/folders on HEDGEHOG? 1- To open a file, click on the icon labeled Hedgehog on your desktop. Click on your agency folder, your folder and/or double click on the file (document) you want to open. 2- To close a file, click on the white x in the red box in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

How do I create folders and manage files on HEDGEHOG? To create a folder, go to HEDGEHOG, open the folder you want to create a new folder in, right click and select New then Folder. A new folder will appear, type the name of the new folder in the blue highlighted box.

How do I delete unwanted files and folders? To remove a folder or file, right click on the folder or file and select Delete or single click the file/folder and and press Delete on the keyboard. You will be asked if you really want to delete, click Yes.

How do I copy and move files from one folder to another? 1- Find the files or folder you want to copy. Right click and select Copy. Open the folder you want to copy the files or folder to. Right click on white space (anywhere in the folder except on one the icons representing a file) and select Paste. A copy of the file or folder and contents will be placed in the destination folder. If the file or folder is large, this may take a minute or two. 2- To move a file or folder, follow the instructions for Copy, clicking on Cut instead of Copy.


III Please mark 1,2,3,4, or NA

How do I perform basic searches on our online catalog (also called the OPAC)? For a full explaination attend the Reference I training class.

How do I perform basic circulation functions? For a full explaination attend the Circulation I and II training classes. Also see the Circ Skills Training Checklist.

What you should I know about… the Internet and Online Resources Please mark 1,2,3,4, or NA


The Internet, If you understand place a check mark in the box. √

What is a web browser is and how do use I it? A web browser is a software application used to locate and display Web pages.

How do I open and navigate a web site? Attend Reference III or ask your tech rep for a full explaination.

What are my options for printing all or part of a web site? X
*All- Prints everything.
*Selection- Prints just the parts you have highlighted with the mouse.
*Pages- Prints a range of pages, or select pages. For example you could choose to print the first three pages by typing 1-3, or you could print pages 3, 4 and 6 by typing 3,4, 6.

How do I use search engines? Attend Reference III for a full review

How do I add, open, and delete Favorites from staff PC's? X
*To add favorites: 1- Go to the website you would like to add. 2- Click on favorites in the menu bar then add to favorites. 3- You can choose to save the link in the default folder (by selecting ok), in a different folder (by selecting create in) or in a new folder (by selecting create in and then new folder).
*To delete favorites: 1- In internet explorer click on favorites then click organize favorites. 2- Select the link or folder you would like to remove then click delete.
*To rename a link in favorites: 1- In Internet explorer click on favorites then click organize favorites. 2- Select the link or folder you'd like to rename then click rename.

Which databases are offered on the Library Webpage? For a list open the public page on the internet. Select Search Databases under Research Center.
"What is Pioneer and what is available on it? Pioneer is an Online Library of electronic resources used throughout the state of Utah. Pioneer provides access to a variety of online resources ranging from newspapers and magazines to government information.
"

Which databases are available only at Main? You tell me, I have no idea.


Library Webmail and the Internet Please mark 1,2,3,4, or NA

How do I login to library email? Open the web browser of your choice (Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox). If you are on a Library staff computer, click on "Webmail" on the Staff Intranet page. This will open the Webmail log in page. Use your username and password to log in.

How do I receive (open and read) messages? After logging in to your webmail click on the message you would like to read.

How do I delete messages? Click on the check box next to the message then click on delete on the webmail tool bar.

How do I open attachments? Open the message. Then click on the attachment you'd like to open. Attached files will be listed underneath the subject line. To open the attachment click on the download icon and select the program you would like to use to open the attachment.

How do I insert attachments? 1- Scroll down to the bottom of the message composition window. 2- Click on browse, then find the file you would like to attach. 3- Click attach. The attachment is now ready to send.

How do I organize folders in my webmail account? Log in to your webmail. From the menu along the top of the screen select folders. The next screen will display a drop down menu bar, which will allow you to create, delete and rename webmail folders.

How do I access the Library home page and databases from home? Open your web browser in the address bar, type: www.slcpl.lib.ut.us To access databaese from home click on research center and then search databases. Click on the database you would like to access, most databases will ask your for you library card number when logging in from home.

Webmail Vocab If you understand the term or phrase place a check mark in the box. √

What is the size restriction on webmail attachments? 2,097,152 bytes

What is spam? Most spam is commercial advertising sent via email. Some spam may contain computer viruses.

What should I do with spam? Delete it.

What do I do with attachments with an .exe extension? Delete them!

What do I do if I don't know who sent the message? Delete the message.

What do I do when webmail asks to perform maintenance operations? Click "Perform" or yes.


Public Webmail Please mark 1,2,3,4, or NA

Where on the internet should I direct patrons to set up personal email accounts? Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail or any other website offering free email services. (Parental consent is required for email accounts for children under the age of 13).

How do I insert or open an attachment on a public webmail account? Procedures vary depending on the account, but all of the major free webmail providers (Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo) use a format similar to library webmail.


What you should know about… Phones Please mark 1,2,3,4, or NA

How do I answer the phone? Answer politely, state your name and department or branch.

How do I make a phone call? To dial a library number dial the four digit extension (the last four digits of the phone number). To make a call outside the library dial nine and then the phone number.

How do I transfer calls on all phone sets? On the cordless phones press the flash button, dial the number, then press flash again to transfer. On the corded phones press the Trans/Conf button on the phone, dial the number, then press the Trans/Conf button again.

How do I pick-up a call from a different extension? Press *68.

Where do I make long distance phone calls (and who do I ask for authorization)? Ask your manager for permission. Managers' phones can make long distance calls.


What you should know about… Assitive Technology Please mark 1,2,3,4, or NA

What assistive technology is available and where is it? Oversize Keyboard and large ball mouse (Cha, Fth, Riv, Spr, Swe, Main:Technology Center); Magnifyer (Main Library: Level 2 and Technology Center); Conversa Web (Verbal input) Main Technology Center.

Is there a password? At Main, Sprague and Day Riverside only: username: assisttech, password: lib00terms Staff need to log the patron in, do not give the patron the login information. (Is this still true?)

How do I use assitive attachment devices? The giant mouse and keyboard plug into USB ports.

Which assistive options are available on the Technology Center computers and how do I set them up? Big print profile, log onto the big print profile, Click on options available on the right hand side of the screen to change settings. You can set up the magnifyer, mouse settings. If you don't want to log on to the Big Print profile, you can access the screens to make the same changes by clicking: Start>Programs>Accessories>Accessibility>Magnifyer or Accessibility Wizard.


What you should know about... Microsoft Word Please mark 1,2,3,4, or NA

How do I create documents using Word? Your TechRep can help you or you can attend one of the classes offered to the public or
staff.

How do I format margins or adjust page setup? In Word, click file and select Page Setup? The Page Setup dialog box will appear. Format to your heart's content!

How do I format text? Use the Font, Font Size or Font Color buttons or click on Format, select font and use the Font dialog box to make changes.

How do I preview a document before printing? Click on File, then select Print Preview.

How do I print all or part of a document? To print everything, click on the printer button (or click on File and select Print), click on OK to print. To print part of a document, select or highlight the part of the document you want to print. Click File and select Print. Click on Selection and then on OK.

How do I save a document to a disc or the network (HEDGEHOG)? Click File, select Save As. The save as dialog box will appear. Use the "Save in:" drop down arrow to locate where you want to save your file. Enter the File Name and click OK. You tech rep can show you how to save on HEDGEHOG.

How do I open a saved document? Find the file and click on it; or open the program the file was created in (i.e. Word, Excel, etc) and click on the open folder. The open dialog box will appear and you can use the drop down arrow to locate your file. If you have difficulty, talk to your TechRep. Double click on the file or single click on the file and click "Open."

How do I create and format tables? Click where you want to create a table. On the Table menu, point to Insert, and then click Table. Under Table size, select the number of columns and rows. Under AutoFit behavior, choose options to adjust table size. To use a built-in table format, click AutoFormat. Select the options you want. To add other formatting, click on Table, select Table Properties. To add shading, select the area, then select Borders and Shading button and select the color/shade you want.

How do I create and format graphs? In the Insert menu, click Object, and then click the "Create New" tab. In the Object type box, click Microsoft Graph Chart, and then click OK. Graph displays a chart and its associated sample data in a table called a datasheet. To replace the sample data, click a cell on the datasheet, and then type the text or numbers you want, import data from a text file, import a Microsoft Excel worksheet, or copy data from another program (Click Edit, select Import File, locate file, click Open).

How do I create and format columns? Click Format, select Columns or click the columns button on the Standard Toolbar.

How do I insert WordArt, clip art or graphics? Click on Insert, select Picture. In the next menu choose WordArt, clip art, from file, or one of the other choices. Select the picture you would like to insert. If you need more help, check with your TechRep or use the Help question box in the upper right hand corner of the screen.


Excel


Powerpoint


Other Equipment