Monthly Archives: February 2016

Library News: Feb. 29

Countdown to 2FA!

Submitted by Dace Freivalds, I-Tech

Two factor authentication (2FA) will be mandatory for all Libraries’ employees (full- and part-time) by May 10, 2016. This means that you will need to enroll in 2FA prior to that date; if you have not done so you will not be able to log in to UCS, ESSIC or other services protected by WebAccess starting May 10.

As of today, 114 (or 19%) of the Libraries’ employees have enrolled in 2FA. We now have 70 days to reach our goal of 100% enrollment by Libraries faculty and staff.

What is 2FA?

Two factor authentication (2FA) is a second layer of security for your Access Account, meaning that, in addition to your password, extra information or a physical device (typically a phone) is required to log in to your account. Verifying your identity using a second factor such as your phone or other device prevents anyone but you from logging in even if someone else knows your password. Penn State’s two factor authentication is provided through Duo Security, a cloud based two factor authentication service.

What Do I Need to Do?

Enroll in 2FA before May 10. I-Tech will offer regular drop-in sessions as well as departmental sessions to provide assistance with enrollment. The one hour drop-in sessions have been scheduled for every Friday, March 4 – May 6 at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. in the I-Tech Training Room. In addition, beginning March 1, Ryan Johnson (I-Tech) will contact department heads, campus library heads and supervisors to set up departmental sessions. These sessions will include a brief overview of 2FA for the entire department/unit, one week for enrollment, and a return visit from Ryan after the week is up for some more targeted assistance if needed.

You do not have to wait for the drop-in or departmental sessions to enroll. If you want to get going on this, the 2FA web site created by Identity Services/ITS provides instructions on how to enroll. In addition, you can refer to I-Tech’s 2FA FAQ for answers to your questions. And if you bump into a problem, submit a Service Desk request and we’ll provide assistance.

Will I Get Reminders to Enroll?

Yes. Four weeks before May 10, Identity Services will begin to send weekly email reminders to individuals who are not enrolled in 2FA. We will also have a weekly countdown in Library News so that you do not lose sight of the deadline for enrollment.

What Do You Mean by a 2FA Device?

2FA requires that you use a physical device as your second level of authentication. The preferred physical devices are smartphones, cell phones, landlines or tablets. It’s important to enroll more than one device in 2FA in case you misplace or something happens to your only enrolled device. For example, if you accidentally leave your cell phone at home, you could use your landline office phone as a backup way to log in to WebAccess.

Duo hardware tokens can also be used as the second factor device. At the Libraries, tokens are available by request per guidelines established by the Libraries administration.

Where Can I get Help?

For more information on 2FA, please see Identity Services’ Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Enrollment and I-Tech’s 2FA FAQ web pages. If you cannot find answers to your questions in these pages, please submit a service desk request or email dace@psu.edu.

Product owners and library IT services

By Karen Estlund, associate dean for Technology and Digital Strategies

When I first arrived as a new associate dean in the Libraries, I conducted SWOT analyses with several departments. One of the outcomes was an evaluation of the many applications that we support through Libraries IT, and a desire for wider input and ownership throughout the libraries was expressed by all. At the same time, the University Libraries’ website migration also offers us an appropriate opportunity to formalize ownership and receive broader input for important functional sections of the Libraries’ website.

To address this, we’re experimenting with a concept from the Scrum Agile software development framework, the role of “product owners.”¹

What is a product owner?

A product owner is the person who is accountable for an IT service, application or product’s success. They are the liaison between the IT team and the stakeholders. Product owners are the folks that make decisions about directions for a service. They also are then accountable for demonstrating success and notification of failures so that resources can be redirected and/or problems addressed. As part of this role, they also are responsible for helping to select tools / technologies to solve problems and work collaboratively with the IT team.

A product owner should be both empowered and accountable.

What are product owner responsibilities? ²

Representing the voice of the patrons/users
Understanding and delivering on ROI or cost/benefit (through assessment)
Managing communication and cooperation among stakeholders
Facilitating content provision from content providers or delegating role as appropriate
Maintaining communication with the technical team
Making rapid tactical development decisions if they impact functionality or usability
Participating in technical release planning
Writing user stories and functional scenarios
Maintaining product backlog (a list) of the product’s feature / issue requests
Helping the team to estimate development time for each functional scenario with the technical lead
Participating in periodic feature development review meetings and providing feedback to the team
Monitoring progress and making ongoing adjustments based on larger strategic objectives

Why are product owners being introduced into our culture?

By introducing product owners in the Libraries, we hope to accomplish the following goals:

Disperse ownership of and responsibility for technology services throughout the libraries
Eliminate languishing applications
Increase stakeholder input

How are product owners being rolled out in the Libraries?

Product ownership in the Libraries is an experimental and evolving process. The first identified service to use a product owner was LibGuides as a discrete entity, and the timing from migration to sustained product fit the bill. Rebecca Miller, Head of Library Learning Services, was identified as the LibGuides product owner and has worked with I-Tech, assessment, and stakeholders to explore how this process may unfold. Other high-priority projects, such as the Libraries website and digital collections, have been identified as areas where product owners may help solidify directions and responsibilities going forward.

We are still learning how this approach will evolve and hope to gain experience from these instances before rolling out for all Libraries IT products and services.

In some cases, individuals throughout the Libraries already have been serving as product owners, and this process is an affirmation of those responsibilities. Jill Shockey’s role as the product owner for News & Events within the Libraries’ website is one example.

We also identified product owners of large IT services, and took advantage of an opportunity that Penn State ITS arranged, and sent a few people to product owner certification training. They included Ben Goldman for digital preservation services, Rob Olendorf for data management, and Tara LaLonde for GIS/spatial data web-embedded services.

It is important to note that product ownership takes a significant amount of time and responsibilities and should be integrated into the job description and goals of a product owner.

Who are current Libraries product owners?

The list of identified product owners is available on the Libraries’ Staff Site (intranet).

How can I learn more?

Stay tuned for an upcoming Tech Forum, April 12 at 1:30 pm, where I will lead a discussion on product owner strategies and a vision for how product ownership may influence our IT services.

What’s next?

We are formalizing what it means to be a product owner in the libraries and seeking feedback from those who are starting out in this role. We’re also excited to work together in new training efforts for assessment and writing user stories, which may have interest beyond “product owners” and will be broadly advertised. These are very pivotal collaborative roles that bridge the library stakeholders, IT, campus community, and users to ensure a successful product. By working in this collaborative environment, we hope to expand technology responsibilities across the libraries, knowing that working together and trusting expertise, we will better serve our users.

¹Adapted from: Kaminski, Andre. “The Mythical Product Owner.” Pragmatic Marketing. http://pragmaticmarketing.com/resources/the-mythical-product-owner
²Pichler, Roman. (2010 Dec. 15) “The Product Owner on One Page.” Scrum Alliance. https://www.scrumalliance.org/community/articles/2010/december/the-product-owner-on-one-page

LHR News: Feb. 29

Please join us in welcoming the following new hires:

Full-time:
2/29/16 – Beth Ann Downey, Information Resources and Services Support Specialist 2, Cataloging and Metadata Services
Part-time:
Barbara Weaver – Collection Maintenance
Yan Lu – Collection Maintenance
Jo Ann Smith – Collection Maintenance

Wishing the following employees well as they leave us:

Frank Schrader – Access Services

Annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day program canceled

This year’s Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, scheduled for April 28, will not be held at Penn State’s University Park campus due to budgetary constraints. The program, presented in the past by Penn State’s Office of Human Resources and Educational Equity, is being eliminated as the University attempts to capture savings wherever possible due to a lack of appropriation money from the Commonwealth. Activities that are not core to the mission of the University are being scrutinized for potential reinvestment in other more necessary programs. Penn State employees are still invited to bring their daughters and sons to work on April 28, however there will be no coordinated central program or organizing activity destinations for participants, nor any featured luncheon speaker. Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work program is a national effort to expose girls and boys to what a parent or mentor in their lives does during the work day as a way to introduce them to careers and share the value of their education.

2016 Hopkins Poetry Award winner announced

Penn State University Libraries and the Pennsylvania Center for the Book are pleased to announce the winner of the 2016 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award. This year’s winner is “Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings: A Memoir” written by Margarita Engle, published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.

The award and a $1,000 prize, courtesy of Lee Bennett Hopkins, will be presented at Penn State in the fall.

Read the full story on Penn State News

Events: Feb. 29

Tuesday, March 1, 3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.: Re-Imagining the Civil War: Gender Roles and the Ethics of History, Mann Assembly Room, first floor, Paterno Library. Centre County Reads event featuring a panel of speakers.

Tuesday, March 1, 6:00–9:00 p.m.: Screening of Spike Lee’s latest film, Chi-Raq, Foster Aud. Co-sponsored by the University Libraries, Department of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies (CAMS), Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) and Residence Life. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Jeanine Staples (African American Studies), Moses Davis (MRC) and Mathias Hanses (CAMS). Free and open to all.

**This event is CANCELLED: Will be rescheduled**: Wednesday, March 2, 3:00 p.m.: Open forum on project management tools, including an overview of a few (e.g., Trello and Asana). Mann Assembly Rm. What do you use and how do you apply it as a PM tool? What has worked? What hasn’t worked? What do you need a PM tool to do for your projects?

Thursday, March 3, 11:00 a.m.: Dean’s Forum with Lorcan Dempsey, vice-president and chief strategist of the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC). His presentation will address collection trends and collection assessment in libraries today. Foster Auditorium and Media Site Live

Friday, March 4, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.: Penn State’s second annual Wikistorming Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon, held to elevate the presence of women artists online. Sponsored by the University Libraries as part of Art+Feminism 2016, the Edit-a-Thon invites members of the public to participate and encouraged to bring a laptop. The event begins at 207 Arts Cottage, University Park, and includes lunch, a viewing of the documentary “Right Out of History: The Making of Judy Chicago’s ‘Dinner Party,’ ” a visit to the Judy Chicago Art Education Collection at the University Libraries, and a talk by visual artist Susan Hill, who narrated the documentary. Hill’s talk is titled “When this happens / Then that happens = Working Wisdom.”. More information is on Penn State News; register at http://tinyurl.com/wikistorming.

Wednesday, March 9, 3:00 p.m.: Open forum on project management tools, including an overview of a few (e.g., Trello and Asana). Mann Assembly Rm. What do you use and how do you apply it as a PM tool? What has worked? What hasn’t worked? What do you need a PM tool to do for your projects?

Tuesday, March 15, 10-11 a.m.: “Mommy, Where Does Metadata Come From?” Mann Assembly Room. The presentation will discuss the two basic kinds of metadata, the two basic kinds of searches our patrons conduct, and then examine in detail the metadata ecosystem and its ever-more-rapidly-proliferating series of silos (The CAT, LionSearch, CONTENTdm, Google Scholar, WorldCat, ScholareSphere, HathiTrust, DPLA, etc.). We’ll see how the silos are linked, or not, who creates what metadata where, and how the complex relationships that exist and evolve between silos directly impact discovery and access, collection development and assessment, and the user experience both here at Penn State and around the world. The presentation will be recorded and made available on the Web one week after the event. Presented by Metadata Man. For more, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKIqmTeFlzI

Tuesday, March 15, 2:00–3:00 p.m.: Hiring for Diversity presented by Rob Harris, Libraries Human Resources manager, Mann Assembly Room, and Adobe Connect. Content will include search committee formation, issues to be aware of in the hiring process, the interview, and more. If you area is hiring or planning to hire in the future, this presentation will be a useful primer on what you need to know before and during the hiring process. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions. No registration required for this program.

Wednesday, March 16, noon–1:00 p.m.: Annual Diversity Potluck, Mann Assembly Room. Everyone is welcome to join us! (Note: You don’t need to bring a dish!) Sign up sheet: https://surveys.libraries.psu.edu/TakeSurvey.aspx?PageNumber=1&SurveyID=983M3ol&Preview=true!

Wednesday, March 16, 5:30 p.m.: Spring Clean Financial Clutter, Mann Assembly Rm. Spring cleaning can clear clutter in your personal financial life just like it does for your closets and garage. In this workshop, learn how to take control of your finances and simplify financial record-keeping for year-end tax purposes, reducing stress and saving time in the long run.

Wednesday, March 16, 7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.: An Evening with Karen Abbott, John Bill Freeman Auditorium, 117 HUB. A book signing will follow the event.

Thursday, March 17, 1-2:30 p.m.: Publishing social science data: your other publication 211A Pattee Library, University Park. Stephen Woods, social sciences librarian, will provide an overview of the process for publishing social science data in ICPSR, a premier data archive. Participants will be introduced to Nesstar Publisher and Collectica tools that will assist in describing data using DDI, a core meta-data standard for social science data. There will also be a brief introduction to Open ICPSR, a data archive solution and a comparison of Open ICPSR with other, fee-based solutions. In this session, participants will learn about data discovery solutions that utilize elements of data description to highlight ways a researcher’s data can potentially be discovered. Available for remote participation at https://meeting.psu.edu/ul-dlc.

Monday, March 21, 2:00–3:00 p.m.: GIS Interest Group meeting, 126 A Paterno Library. Discussion topics include updates from the last Penn State GIS users group, library geospatial activities, and current geospatial events and news.

Thursday, March 31, 1:00-2:00 p.m.: A world of census data, 211A Pattee Library, University Park. This session, conducted by Stephen Woods, will explore the wealth of census data from around the world that are available to Penn State researchers as well as from free sources outside of the library’s collection. The presentation will discuss limitations such as language, format and reporting. Available for remote participation at https://meeting.psu.edu/ul-dlc.

Save the date:

Wednesday, March 18, 8:30 a.m.-noon: Data Day 2016, Social Science Library and Data Learning Center, 208 Paterno Library, with lightning talks in Foster Auditorium. More information at http://sites.psu.edu/dataday.

Tuesday, April 12, 2;30–3:30 p.m.: Speak Up for Civility workshop, Mann Assembly Room. More information to come.

Monday, May 23, 2:00–3:30 p.m.; Annual Diversity Colloquium, Foster Aud. and MediaSite Live. Look for a call for presentation proposals in March.

GIS interest group: March 21 meeting

The next GIS Interest group meeting is Monday, March 21, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in 126A Paterno Library. Discussion topics include updates from the last Penn State GIS users group, library geospatial activities and current geospatial events and news. — Tara LaLonde

Updating and installing programs on your library machine

by Ryan Johnson, technology training coordinator

Are you not sure when you should update various programs on your machine? What are some best practices if you decide to update?
Here are some general guidelines you should follow when deciding to update programs on your library machine:

If the software came pre-loaded on your machine – I-Tech will manage these updates (This includes browsers, flash, java, etc.)
If you install a new program with Privilege Guard, you can update that program at any time.
When updating or installing programs, beware of adware. Many installers will try to install other programs or redirect your homepage. Make sure to uncheck unnecessary updates.
Download from the Vendor directly and avoid sites like CNET.re you not sure when you should update programs on your machine?

Diversity News: Hiring workshop and potluck details

Hiring for Diversity Workshop

Penn State’s new Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence has been described as a “call to action” by Marcus Whitehurst, vice-provost for Educational Equity. One area of focus outlined in the statement relates to the workforce: “We will advance and build our workforce by assessing hiring practices and performance review procedures to attract, retain, and develop talented faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds.” If you want to learn more about diversity-related hiring issues and practices, please join us for a “Hiring for Diversity workshop,” from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., on Tuesday, March 15, in Mann Assembly Room, presented by Rob Harris, Libraries Human Resources manager. Content will include increasing diversity in candidate pools, issues to be aware of in the hiring process and more. No registration is required for this program, which will also be available for remote participation via Adobe Connect.

Annual Diversity Potluck

Join us from noon to 1 p.m., on Wednesday, March 16, in Mann Assembly Room, for a Diversity Potluck!

Everyone is welcome: bring a dish, or just bring yourself! Please complete this sign up sheet: https://surveys.libraries.psu.edu/TakeSurvey.aspx?PageNumber=1&SurveyID=983M3ol&Preview=true

Reminder: Chi-Raq Film Screening and Discussion

Free film screening of Spike Lee’s latest, followed by short discussion, 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 1, in Foster Auditorium. Open to all.

Library News: Feb. 22

Events: Feb. 22

Wednesday, Feb. 24, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.: Getting your map project started! 211A Pattee Library. Tara LaLonde will provide an overview of key elements and decision factors for the inclusion of a map or spatial component in a project related to a class assignment, thesis or individual research. Elements discussed will include project planning principles, spatial thinking concepts and more. This session will present items to consider in relation to mapping and working with geospatial data. Faculty and staff should register using the Learning Resource Network (lrn.psu.edu) and students should email datalearning@psu.edu. Also available for remote participation at https://meeting.psu.edu/ul-dlc.

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 3:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.: Against the Odds: Making a Difference in Global Health documentary screening, 403 Paterno Library. Global Collaboration: “Global Disease Detectives” provides an overview of CDC’s activities worldwide to identify and contain infectious disease threats, confirm their sources, treat the victims, and refine their surveillance.
“Michael Green: How we can make the world a better place by 2030” asks whether we can end hunger and poverty, halt climate change and achieve gender equality in the next 15 years.

Thursday, March 3, 11:00 a.m.: Dean’s Forum with Lorcan Dempsey, vice-president and chief strategist of the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC). His presentation will address collection trends and collection assessment in libraries today. Foster Auditorium and Media Site Live

Wednesday, March 16, noon–1:00 p.m.: Annual Diversity Potluck, Mann Assembly Room. Sign up sheet will come soon!

Wednesday, March 16, 7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.: An Evening with Karen Abbott, John Bill Freeman Auditorium, 117 HUB. A book signing will follow the event.

Save the date:

Tuesday, April 12, 2;30–3:30 p.m.: Speak Up for Civility workshop, Mann Assembly Room. More information to come.

Monday, May 23, 2:00–3:30 p.m.; Annual Diversity Colloquium, Foster Aud. and MediaSite Live. Look for a call for presentation proposals in March.

PALCI ebrary DDA program resumes

By Barbara Coopey, assistant head, Access Services

The PALCI ebrary DDA (demand driven acquisitions) program resumed on February 8. Our users now have access to around 7,000 titles in ebrary, a digital book collection available through ProQuest and discoverable in LionSearch. There are not enough funds to maintain this program during the entire year, so heavy-use times are chosen during Fall and Spring semesters to allow our users access to all of the ebooks (including not owned, potential purchases) when they need them the most.

In this DDA program, an ebook is “triggered” for purchase after it reaches 10 minutes of use, or there is a download or print action. The ebook is collectively purchased and owned by participating PALCI members, and access to purchased ebooks will remain available on LionSearch after the DDA program closes. This “collective collection” of purchased ebrary titles has grown to nearly 1,000 titles since the ebook program began in Spring Semester 2014.

Penn State patrons are heavy users of the PALCI ebrary content. Of the 261 titles purchased during Fall Semester 2015, Penn State patrons used half of them. Many of these titles were used by three or four other universities in addition to Penn State. For example, the ebook “Undoing the Demos” was “triggered” for purchase on November 18, 2015. By the end of January 2016, it was used by Allegheny College, Dickinson College, and The New School, in addition to Penn State. There were 29 user sessions, 337 pages viewed, and 487 pages printed. This title was not “triggered” for purchase by Penn State, but Penn State users took advantage of the online content, especially since both the Penn State print copy, as well as the print copies at seven other E-ZBorrow libraries that own it were checked out.

Group video calling for Skype on mobile phones and tablets

by Ryan Johnson, technology training coordinator

Skype recently announced its rolling out its group-video calling services for iOS, Android and Windows Phones. The service is slowing rolling out and will be available to everyone in March.

With this new service, up to 25 people will be able to join in a Skype group video call. That’s more than the 10 people Google Hangouts can accommodate at maximum and currently Apple’s Face Time doesn’t allow group video calls.

The group calling feature will work with Skype users regardless of whether they are on mobile or desktop versions concurrently, and callers can send a link via email, or any other messaging platform that others can click on to join in a call.

Upcoming CMS dates of note…

Migration:

Migration meeting this week with Special Collections Library
First Content Board working meeting on February 29 to set milestones and plan pre- and post-migration workflow
Migration meetings with campus libraries will begin in March

Development:

Ongoing development:

Promotion and Tenure Recognition
Alumni Library
News and Events
Intranet
Global Navigation and Information Architecture changes

We want your feedback! Please submit questions and comments via the website feedback link at the bottom of every page.

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New site feature: Search Box on every page

Our new search box appears in the right top corner of every page on the Libraries new site. We are following Penn State policy by providing the ability to search Penn State, the Penn State Directory and Penn State Departments on every page. We have added to that the ability to search the Libraries site (default search) as well as Lionsearch (Books Articles and More) from every page. The search is a drop down (as shown in screenshot). Once the user clicks in the search box, the default option of “in Penn State Libraries” appears – performing a Libraries site search, across the new Drupal site, the existing CQ site, as well as LibGuides. Clicking on the arrow to the right of “Penn State Libraries” presents users with their other search options.

Questions? Suggestions? Please submit questions and comments via the website feedback link at the bottom of every page.

Getting to Know You: Chris Brida

by Andrea Pritt, Penn State Mont Alto Library

Originally from Marion Heights, a small town in northeastern PA, Chris Brida joined Penn State as a development intern, and later a development assistant, for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences in 2013. His role in the Division of Development and Alumni Relations has him currently stationed in the University Libraries as the Assistant Director of Development.

Chris’s main function is to engage and interact with supporters of the Library and to ensure that our supporters get the most out of their connection, both to the Library and University. Whether it be through financial contributions or volunteer opportunities, Chris helps many of our supporters give back to the Library. His ultimate goal is to align the passions of the donors with the needs of our Library community in a way that leaves both parties feeling satisfied.

Outside of his work with the Libraries, Chris is a member of the Academic Library Advancement and Development Network, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, as well as the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He currently lives in State College with his wife, Rachele (who also works for the University, in Human Resources), their two year old son, Connor, and their Old English Mastiff, Bella. Chris is an avid comic book fan and still enjoys collecting comic books in his spare time; something he hopes to pass on to his son someday. In addition, he likes to play basketball on the weekends and loves to cook for his family.

LHR News: Feb. 22

Please join us in welcoming the following new hires:

Full-time:
2/22/16 Carmen Gass — User Services Training Coordinator, Access Services and User Services Training

Part-time:
Paul Burnell – Collection Maintenance
Tom Hendricks – Collection Maintenance
Abigail Woods – Interlibrary Loan
Amanda Graybeal – Interlibrary Loan

March 3 Dean’s Forum features Lorcan Dempsey

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for a Dean’s Forum with our guest, Lorcan Dempsey. Lorcan is the vice-president and chief strategist of the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC). His presentation will address collection trends and collection assessment in libraries today.

DATE: Thursday, March 3, 2016
TIME: 11:00 a.m. – noon
WHERE: Foster Auditorium and Media Site Live

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us.

Canvas Day: Breakout session on library integration in Canvas

As part of Canvas Day on March 18 the library CMS group will be presenting a breakout session on library integration in Canvas and possibilities for use of the library in Canvas. Pencil in your calendar to learn more about our progress with library integration in Canvas and to get feedback from faculty and designers on how they would like to use Canvas and what they don’t know about how the library can help students in their class. For more information, see last week’s post on Canvas Day.