LISTSERV mailing list manager LISTSERV 16.5

Help for CODE4LIB Archives


CODE4LIB Archives

CODE4LIB Archives


CODE4LIB@LISTS.CLIR.ORG


View:

Message:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

By Topic:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

By Author:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

Font:

Proportional Font

LISTSERV Archives

LISTSERV Archives

CODE4LIB Home

CODE4LIB Home

CODE4LIB  February 2013

CODE4LIB February 2013

Subject:

Re: A newbie seeking input/suggestions

From:

Ellen Wilson <[log in to unmask]>

Reply-To:

Code for Libraries <[log in to unmask]>

Date:

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 11:19:24 -0600

Content-Type:

text/plain

Parts/Attachments:

Parts/Attachments

text/plain (132 lines)

You got a second cashier at Jo-Ann's? That's amazing!

On Thu, Feb 21, 2013 at 11:17 AM, Greenspun, Cindy <[log in to unmask]
> wrote:

> Thank you for your warm welcome, encouragement and ideas.  I'd like to
> respond to some of the suggestions while this topic is still fresh, so to
> speak.
>
> Walkie-talkies, we did try this route.  Not as easy and straight-forward
> as one would wish.  There were battery problems (needed coverage from
> 8:30a-12mid), staff putting them down and losing them, sound interference,
> even disability (I am deaf, me + walkie talkie = bad idea), and reluctance
> to have to carry one around.
>
> Intercom, we do have one and have considered a ping only to encounter
> complaints from readers.  It is a library that is supposedly quiet after
> all... we only use this to announce that the library will close in 15
> minutes, then 5, then.. closed!
>
> We even scheduled backups to the backup.  Staffed a person to sit at a
> desk behind the service points.
>
> But there's always work that takes folks back to their main workstations.
>  Now about the workstations -- we're a large staff, about 50/60 so they're
> seated broadly in two different libraries which means they are away from
> service points.  So, we can't holler for help like a cashier did when I was
> in Joann's Fabrics yesterday.  I was impressed at how easily it was for her
> to just yell, "need second cashier!" when a lined formed.  I do wish it was
> that simple for us.
>
> So, I started thinking -- why can't we create some sort of floating
> message 'ping' -- like those 'netflix' ads that somehow open as a second
> page when you're surfing the web.  and how likely would it be that there
> are 50 staff members away from their computers/workstations when someone
> 'pings' for help electronically?  Right?
>
> I'm so happy and encouraged to see such responses.  Thank you!!
>
> Cindy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> Karen Coyle
> Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2013 11:33 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] A newbie seeking input/suggestions
>
> Cindy,
>
> Welcome!
>
> I think your situation in your library is a very common one, most likely
> more common than being a "coder" in the sense of creating new software or
> adding functionality to existing software. In fact, in every office I have
> been in, including ones not in libraries, many people who didn't start
> their careers with computer science in mind are the ones maintaining
> systems, creating reports, running queries.
>
> In the library world I think we have an obligation to provide as much
> support and encouragement as possible for library employees who perform
> these tasks. As you imply, oftentimes these employees (librarians by MLS or
> not) have been kind of thrown into the job and have few places where they
> can go to ask questions, get needed training, or have a shoulder to cry on.
>
> The code4lib list and the two related IRC channels (both on the freenode
> network), #code4lib and #libtechwomen are good places to start. If you need
> help setting up IRC, contact me off-list and I will do my best to walk you
> through it. Also, there may be similar lists specifically addressing the
> library management software in your institution, and the experts in that
> particular system probably hang out there.
>
> kc
>
>
>
> On 2/21/13 7:57 AM, Greenspun, Cindy wrote:
> > Hello -
> >
> > I'm a newbie to this listserv.  I'm not a librarian, nor am I a coder.
> I primarily do systems related work with our library management system, run
> SQL reports as needed and project management.  I also work for Access
> Services and even though I'm considered IT, I'm not in the library IT
> department.  This is a new position in my department and we're still
> figuring things out as we go along.
> >
> > I work in one of the many libraries at Yale University.  In the
> department I work in, we have three busy service points - two circulation
> desks and a privileges/registration office.  There are about 50/60 staff
> members and roughly 50+ student employees who rotate at these service
> points.  There are times when there are students who are late reporting to
> a service point, no-shows, or suddenly there's a long line and only one
> person at a staffed service desk.  At a meeting recently, I was listening
> to a work leader lament how, if she is the only person there, she is just
> too busy to make a phone call or send an email asking for help - a common
> occurrence.  After I heard her, I wondered how possible it would be to
> create some sort of desktop 'app'.  One that requires only one click and is
> smart enough to know its service desk location and is sent to the right
> folks who could come assist right away, upon demand.  These would be on
> Windows workstations.
> >
> > Recently, I've seen many encouraging responses to the latest 'getting
> > started...' emails and feel motivated to write to this listserv as I'm
> > eager to learn and to try to do this myself.  I hope that this will be
> > a simple enough project for me but I'm just not sure where to start or
> > what I should be looking at.  So, here I am, not a librarian, nor a
> > coder.  I write to this listserv seeking suggestions, ideas and
> > encouragement.  :)
> >
> > Thank you -
> > Cindy
>
> --
> Karen Coyle
> [log in to unmask] http://kcoyle.net
> ph: 1-510-540-7596
> m: 1-510-435-8234
> skype: kcoylenet
>



-- 
Ellen Knowlton Wilson
Instructional Services Librarian
Room 250, University Library
University of South Alabama
5901 USA Drive North
Mobile, AL 36688
(251) 460-6045
Please note new email address:
[log in to unmask]

Top of Message | Previous Page | Permalink

Advanced Options


Options

Log In

Log In

Get Password

Get Password


Search Archives

Search Archives


Subscribe or Unsubscribe

Subscribe or Unsubscribe


Archives

December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
December 2003
November 2003

ATOM RSS1 RSS2



LISTS.CLIR.ORG

CataList Email List Search Powered by the LISTSERV Email List Manager