Daily Archives: November 20, 2017

Events: Nov. 20

Fall 2017
Academic calendar information for all campuses is available online.

horizontal exhibit graphic for The Painted Photograph: Selections from the B & H Henisch Photo-History Collection, extended through September 30, 2017, room 201A Pattee Library, displays five black-and-white historic photo portraits and their encased frames

 

Extended! Now through Saturday, Dec. 8, “The Painted Photograph: Selections from the B. & H. Henisch Photo-History Collection exhibit,” Pattee Library operating hours, Paterno Family Reading Room, 201A Pattee Library, University Park.

book jacket front and back of novel "Sophie's Choice" by William Styron, plus black-and-white photo of author

 

 

Through Jan. 7, 2018: “William Styron: Books and Biography” exhibit, guest curator Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of English James L.W. West III, Styron expert and biographer, Eberly Family Special Collections Library Exhibition Room, 104 Paterno Library, University Park.

 

snowy black and white photo with label in front, text reads "The History of Pattee Library and Paterno Library," exhibit, Aug. 21, 2017 through Jan. 15, 2018, in Pattee Library central entrance exhibit cases and adjacent Sidewater Commons, first floor Pattee Library, University Park.

 

Through Jan. 15, 2018: “The History of Pattee Library and Paterno Library” exhibit, Pattee Library’s central entrance exhibit cases and adjacent Sidewater Commons, first floor Pattee Library, University Park.

 

Nov. 19-25: Thanksgiving week break, no classes Nov. 20-24.

Thursday, Nov. 23: Thanksgiving Day holiday.

Sunday, Dec. 3: International Write-In, Session I 3:30-7:30 p.m. and Session II 8 p.m.-midnight in Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, Dec. 6: Docunight: Iran via Documentaries, 7 p.m. Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Friday, Dec. 8: Last day of fall classes. 

Sunday–Tuesday, Dec. 10-12: De-Stress Fest, University Park locations.

Tuesday, Dec. 12: Tech Update, by I-Tech, 10-11 a.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Tuesday–Wednesday, Dec. 12-20: Hanukkah.

Saturday, Dec. 16: Fall commencement, University Park and other Penn State campuses; details and speaker information at multiple Penn State campuses TBA in December.

Please submit event information — and all Library News submissions — to Public Relations and Marketing via the Library News submission form.

Share the word (or sign up) for the International Write-In!

By: Hailley  Fargo

The Libraries, in collaboration with Penn State Learning and the Graduate Writing Center, will be hosting our International Write-In on Sunday, Dec. 3. Do you know of students, faculty, staff that need to get some end of semester writing done? Our International Write-In creates a productive atmosphere (with snacks and coffee!) to motivate writers to get some writing  finished!

We’ll be hosting two writing sessions on Dec. 3, the first session from 3:30-7:30 p.m. and the second session from 8-midnight. Pizza will be provided to all registered participants at 7:30 p.m.

Interested writers can sign up today, by going to: http://tinyurl.com/psuwritein

International Write-In flyer, Sunday, Dec. 3 3:30-7:30 p.m. in Mann Assembly Room, Paterno Library

Tech tip: Use good chat etiquette in the workplace

By: Ryan T. Johnson

clip art of a hand pointing to a sign that reads "etiquette"

The use of instant message, typically referred to as IM, can save a lot of time at work. Instead of walking over to someone’s desk, you can send them an online chat to get a quick response.

Despite its ease and quickness, professionals should still be mindful of basic etiquette rules when using IM in the office.

Below are some good rules to follow:

  • Start with a Short greeting when starting a conversation over IM. Say “Hi” or “Hello” to check and make sure it’s a good time to chat.  Otherwise you may be interrupting them.
  • Be aware of a status message. Do not send someone an online chat if their status is “away” or “busy.” You may be disrupting their work by popping up in the middle of their computer screen.
  • Never write anything you wouldn’t say aloud. Privacy isn’t guaranteed on chat. It’s easy to send a message to the wrong person by mistake, misread the privacy settings of a group, or even misinterpret a quick note. Remember that work chat is not the same as texting on your personal cell phone or talking at happy hour. So keep it professional.

A good rule: Don’t say anything you wouldn’t want your boss to read over your shoulder.

  • Remember the human behind the chat. This is especially important if you’re providing customer service, live chatting about a help desk ticket, or otherwise interacting in a service capacity. Part of being professional is being respectful and friendly. Don’t abandon basic manners like greeting your recipient, saying please and thank you, and so on. If you’re chatting with someone for the first time, introduce yourself rather than immediately making a request.
  • Slack, like all electronic means of communication, is available to support business purposes. Although chat usage may be very casual outside work, all communications in the workplace should be professional, considerate, and work-related. Remember, information from Slack and other chat services can be subpoenaed.
  • Be particularly cautious about joking, humorous comments, and sharing personal information – not all coworkers welcome these comments. You may not even know if you have offended someone.
  • Do not share sensitive or confidential information. Use more secure means to communicate this info.
  • Whenever possible, talk face-to-face. The nature of Slack messages (very brief) and lack of tone or facial cues make misunderstandings commonplace. Always think about the best means to communicate your message.
  • Remember Slack (or other chat tools) should be used for business purposes only. Information from Slack and other chat services can be subpoenaed.

 

Students say thanks on Day of Philanthropy at the Libraries

students writing thank you notes on Day of Philanthropy in Pattee Library

Photo credit: Amy Miller

By Sarah Bacon 

University Libraries celebrated the Day of Philanthropy on November 15, 2017, at Pattee Library and Paterno Library and the Earth and Mineral Sciences Library by talking to students about the significant impact philanthropy and private giving has had at the Libraries, and on them. Library volunteers also talked about upcoming participation in Giving Tuesday on November 28, where all money raised will support the Textbook and Educational Resources Fund (http://cfund.us/com).

The students were more than happy to say thank you to library donors and share what they appreciate most. During the four-hour Day of Philanthropy event, 287 unique, thoughtful, and inspiring comments and testimonials were collected. Here is a small sampling of what students had to say about the Libraries.

“Group study spaces allow me to grow and learn with my peers. That’s one of the greatest gifts of all! Thank you! Without the technology available to us, I wouldn’t be in the same position I am today.”

“Penn State has what we need before we know we need it. TY!”

“Amazing selection of materials! I actually was able to get the only copy of a
dissertation from Germany through ILLIAD that I needed for my research!”

“I come to the library every day, all of my 4 years here! I am so thankful!”

“I’ve never met a nicer and more helpful staff. Thank you!”

“Textbook reserves and laptop rental saved my life on many occasions!”

“Group study spaces are what got me through the hardest semester of college. It has been a very convenient and helpful study space. Thank you for giving me a second home!”

“Thank you for opening our minds to knowledge and innovation to prosper in this 21st century!”

For more information or for ways to support Penn State students through the
University Libraries, please contact University Libraries Development at
814-865-2258, sac210@psu.edu.

Penn State University Press to showcase new titles at annual Holiday Book Sale

By: Cate  Fricke

Penn State University Press will showcase their newest titles at their Annual Holiday Book Sale on Tuesday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Kern Building lobby, University Park. The one-day event is open to the University community and the general public.

Visitors will receive a 30 percent discount on some of the Press’s newest titles, including Lair of the Lion: A History of Beaver Stadium, Among the Woo People, Henry James and American Painting, books from the Graphic Medicine series, and the revised and expanded edition of Field Guide to Wild Mushrooms of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic. There will also be a $5 book table.

Shoppers can also purchase books through the Penn State Press website, using the code HS2017 for 25 percent off beginning Friday, Dec. 1. The Press offers free shipping to on-campus addresses; regular shipping charges apply everywhere else. For information on any of Penn State University Press’s titles, visit http://www.psupress.org or call 814-865-1327.

Book Cover image: "Henry James and American Painting"     Cover illustration of: "A Field Guide to Wild Mushrooms of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic" by Bill Russell     cover image of : "Among the Woo People; A Survival Guide for Living in a College Town" by Russell Frank

Overview of Library Database & Directory Listing Project

By: Hailley  Fargo

The Library Database & Directory Listing Project is a group working to improve the Penn State University Libraries’ database, staff profile and library guide discovery interfaces.

Our team includes:
Rebecca Miller
Charlie Morris
Hailley Fargo
Joe Fennewald
Binky Lush
Julia Proctor

As we move forward on this project, we are guided by the following project outcomes:
Viewable web changes such as:
– Browse databases by subjects (and other associated metadata)
– Browse experts by subjects (i.e., subject specialists)
– Enhanced database page
– Enhanced staff profile page (expert)
– Update the homepage below the search tabs and the research landing page links

And other outcomes such as:
– The definition of a database
– A flat subject taxonomy
– Use-case scenarios and audience definition
– A weeded database list
– A content strategy for databases
– Pre-implementation user test (baseline)
– Post-implementation user test
– Determine Google Analytics KPIs

This project is very collaborative and involves many stakeholders in library as we work towards these outcomes. Our colleagues will be involved with card sorting and other user experience activities.

For more information, see our staff page:
https://staff.libraries.psu.edu/databases-and-directory-listing-project and be on the lookout for future presentations and communication.

Customer service tip: The attitude anchor

By: Jeff Toister

The Attitude Anchor is a great way to keep our own negative feelings
neutralized, especially when dealing with an upset or difficult customer.

The concept works by focusing on something positive that “anchors” your
attitude where it needs to be to deliver outstanding service. You can use
Attitude Anchors to maintain a positive attitude or to help recover your
positive attitude after a difficult interaction.

Attitude Anchors can vary widely from person to person, but here are a few
examples:
* Pictures of family or friends
* Inspirational (or funny) quotes
* Upbeat music
* Conversation with family or friends
* Humor, including jokes and cartoons
* Going for a walk

Bonus Info: You can learn more about the Attitude Anchor by watching this
short training video