LET THERE BE SOUND!

The left computer that runs meebo must have the sound on in order for us to hear when a message comes up. Frequently, I've found that someone has muted the sound or turned off the speakers. The sound should stay on; if it seems too loud, you can turn it down enough so that it isn't loud.

We do get meebo requests at times and they should not have to wait too long for us to get the request...

Thanks!

IMPORTANT SCANNER FACT!

The scanner must be ON when rebooting the computer or the computer won't recognize it. If an error is encountered while scanning, if all else fails, do a hard reboot with the scanner on...

LIBRARY-SIDE PRINTING PROBLEM...

Occasionally an error will pop up on the library computers when folks go to print. There are two ways to deal with this. An OIT student discovered that if you first choose the color printer and print, and then go back and choose the black and white printer and print...it works.

Or if that doesn't, have the patron save their document in a SAFE place and do a hard reboot (push in power button until it goes off and then push it to turn it on again).

If you have any questions, ask your supervisor.

Trivial but true facts: Big sturdy staples go into the BIG stapler; Small, thin staples go into the smaller staplers... ...and not the other way around...

GET SOME EXERCISE! IT'S GOOD FOR YOU...

And...it's good for our patrons. If someone needs help, think about getting up and helping them in person. Get out from behind the desk and show them how things work, especially if they seem new here. This is particularly important when people are new to the UCard machine...people will not lose their money if you accompany them to the machine and help them in person.

Thanks!

REMINDER....

If you forget how to log into the desk computers and/or meebo.com, look in the blue notebook under the OPENING PROCEDURES tab. You will find the secret passwords there. :-)

Print to the Learning Commons from anywhere on campus!

Patrons can now download a small plug in from the OIT website, install it on their own computers, and send print jobs from anywhere on the campus network (including the wireless network) to the OIT printers in the Learning Commons. The service is compatible with the following operating systems: Windows XP and 2000, Mac OS 10.3 or newer.

We are starting to promote this service more heavily, so you may get more questions about it at the LC desk. OIT has a webpage that contains details about the service as well as the download that students must install on their computers. Here's the URL:

http://www.oit.umass.edu/classrooms/printing/remote.html

There are also lots of answers to common OIT printing questions on OIT's Pay-for-Print FAQ:

http://www.oit.umass.edu/classrooms/printing/faq.html

Please ask a supervisor if you have any questions.
Thanks!
--Emily Alling, LC Coordinator

Important re: attendance at work

When you were hired, you committed to a set weekly schedule of hours at the Learning Commons. It is very important that all student employees honor this commitment by working the hours they have signed up for.

Missing shifts: If, for some reason, you cannot work one of your shifts, it is your responsibility to find another Learning Commons student employee to cover your hours for you. You must also let a supervisor know as soon as possible if you know you cannot work one of your shifts, and keep us informed about any substitute arrangements you make.

Missing a shift and failing to arrange for coverage may constitute grounds for dismissal.

Because student employees are allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week, you may find that in order to get a substitute for your shift, you need to swap hours with someone else so that they do not go over the limit.

Schedule changes: At this point in the semester, we cannot accommodate requests for changes to your schedule. We are well past the Add/Drop deadline, and academic schedules should be set. If you choose to commit to other activities at this point that interfere with your scheduled hours (another job, an assistantship, an outside pursuit), you may need to choose between that activity and your position at the Learning Commons.

Resignations: If you decide to leave your position at the Learning Commons, we request that you provide at least two weeks' notice. If you leave with less than two weeks' notice, this will be noted in your library personnel file and you will not be hired for future employment at the University Libraries.

All of these policies are included in the two documents you were asked to read when you were hired: "What Should I Be Doing While On My Shift?" and "Student Employment Manual." If you have any questions at all, please speak to a supervisor.

That said, I also want to take a moment to acknowledge how important our student workers are and how much we appreciate your contributions to the Learning Commons. Thank you for your excellent work.

--Emily Alling, Learning Commons Coordinator

If someone comes to the desk and ask you to stamp their Museums 10 Bookmarks booklet, please direct them to the Information Desk on the entrance level of the library. They have the stamp.

(Background info: the University Libraries are a participating partner in the Museums 10 program, which showcases art and exhibits throughout the Valley. If people visit 10 locations and get their books stamped, they become eligible to win a trip to Rome. Unfortunately, as employees, we're not eligible.)

WELCOME NEW STUDENT STAFF! MANDATORY READING!

This blog is one of the major ways that we'll be communicating information regarding LC policies and procedures! So please check in with this blog once a shift at least! A good place to start would be to get familiar with some of the information in the sidebar ------>

Mandatory reading:

STUDENT EMPLOYEE MANUAL
What Should I Be Doing While on My Shift?
How to Use Meebo
Learning Commons