A few last minute things

Freshmen are moving in to the dorms today marking the start of back-to-school for the 2010-2011 academic year. Walking to Founder's Hall this morning for updated time-sheets, a building literally next door to the library, I happily gave directions to at least three families looking for the registrars office. They have an exciting and event-filled weekend ahead; activities are planned prior to the first day of classes on Monday.

Last-minute details, things in the library physical space and cyberspace, need to be accomplished today; library and IRC hours updated, the library and IRC blogs will have new animoto welcome videos posted and hours, signs are in place on the main entrance and IRC doors (more visually appealing since the color printer was repaired), and the IRC mouse pads successfully revised. I finished a LibGuides course support guide request a few minutes ago and depending on business in the IRC this afternoon, have possibly unrealistic hopes that two videos can be produced and embedded before the end of the day. I'm lucky enough to have a great group of returning student workers, as well as a new hire or two.

The transition from summer to a new fall term often feels abrupt; in many ways we work all summer to prepare for a successful fall. But there is nothing more invigorating than students thrilled to be on campus. Welcome back!

Feast or famine

One of my instructors in the school library tract consistently evoked the wisdom of and end of year wish list, something prepared when the principal came to the library with an opportunity to spend a specified amount of money in a short period of time. It is a policy that has served me well over the years, allowing me on occasion to say, "Yes, buy this!" When my funds are spent, I routinely create a folder and hold requests for the next fiscal year. But I have wondered which would be worse, feast or famine; having insufficient budget funds or having to scramble to find something when a windfall opportunity arises. After this week, the wondering is moot.

Today was the first day of summer hours for the library, the first day of summer courses at Ashland University, and the first day of the final push to spend remaining budget funds for this fiscal (academic) year. I was on target to finish late last week, until receiving an exciting phone call about the status of the new AU Columbus Center IRC (info here, here, and here) and its collection budget. Unexpectedly the days, hours, and weeks spent preparing a budget proposal and collection overview became an exciting reality. Time and effort put forth gels as the collection begins to takes shape.

• Head of circulation traveled to Columbus to train staff members using OhioLINK and has become a touchstone for those charged with handling responsibilities of being an official OhioLINK pick-up point.
• Systems librarian traveled to Columbus to set up systems, load OhioLINK software, and trouble-shoot connection issues.
• Cataloging librarian created necessary location codes, will be cataloging all of the purchases, and developed a system of call numbers (accession and item type) that will make locating and re-shelving items simple for student workers.
• Acquisitions library ordered everything and managed multiple budget lines as different departments provided start-up funds.
• Technical services assistant is processing all of the collection items, many of them non-traditional in nature.

As a result of this particular feast, I have a bit of collection/resource envy. Why? The roll-top laminator slated for purchase is easy-load with a counter and the materials kits are all fresh and new. But for now, my car is loaded with Ellison starter sets and I will be in Columbus tomorrow for meeting scheduled for 9:30 am and we will be mapping the layout of the new IRC!

'Tis the season

Classes ended last Friday and accompanying the brisk pace of students finishing their independent lab by the prescribed 5:00 pm deadline, considerable time was spent simply putting "one foot in front of the other." Questions were answered, crowds were handled, and the pressure of completion was felt by one and all. It often feels things ends abruptly, even after six weeks of reminders and a large countdown sign on the IRC door.

Last week a young woman stopped in the IRC and took a few minutes to tell me how patient everyone was with her throughout the term and how much she appreciated the time taken to answer all her questions.  She gave me a thank-you card containing a gift certificate for a local pizza shop. It was a thoughtful gift that I passed along to my students this morning; each of them now has a pizza break financed during finals.

It was a very nice moment during a week filled with deadlines and revisions.

It's the most wonderful time ...

Many students are already back on campus and official move-in begins this weekend. The start of another school year is only a few days away. I am a bit farther behind than planned, student work schedules are still under construction, and my current focus is feasibility and budgetary allotments for much needed refurbished computers on the second floor and in the IRC.

Last evening I saw one of the all-time great back to school commercials and had to share. The YouTube Staples Channel says it is "back after fifteen years," those sad-eyed children are now college graduates!