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:
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