Library Gazette

RITS 2009 Team Portrait

L-R: Bobbie Collins, Jean-Paul Bessou, Mary Scanlon, Erik Mitchell, Tim Mitchell, Giz Womack, Roz Tedford, Lauren Pressley, Susan Smith, Kaeley McMahan, Barry Davis, Ellen Daugman, Molly Keener, Kevin Gilbertson

Last summer the RITS Team was formed by combining the Research and Information Services and the Information Technology teams. Our initial team retreat was held early-on to help organize the new unit but we met on-campus for just a morning. This fall, after a year of working together, we decided to take our retreat on the road to the Wake Forest Lodge at Fancy Gap, adopting a long-standing Tech Team tradition.

This has been an extraordinary year for the team - one that has seen this new team rise to meet every challenge that’s been thrown at it, including:

• bad economic conditions that caused a hiring freeze that kept positions unfilled for the majority of the year,
• a change to library faculty status for many of the team that came with a new set of additional expectations and responsibilities,
• major consolidation of collections and services on the 4th floor,
• a merged service project with IS that has transformed the ITC area to “The Bridge”
• successful marketing of the library saw a 37% increase in traffic that translated to record demand for BI sessions, Personal Research sessions and other services, and
• a mandate to move toward migrating IT services to the cloud.

It has become next to impossible to find many hours during the week where the 15 RITS team members are available to come together as a group, let alone have a meaningful all-day retreat. Realizing this, 6 months ago we booked the Fancy Gap house and put October 30th on all of our calendars to reserve the day to reflect on our accomplishments and challenges, as well as to look toward the future.

Some RITS members (Giz, Tim, Roz and Susan) formed an advance team and went up the hill to the lodge on Thursday evening to prepare for the larger group to arrive Friday morning. We had the fire burning and breakfast ready when the rest of the group arrived via carpool groups (we missed Sarah who had a family illness that prevented her from coming). We were pleased to include the new team members that luckily (for all of us!) had come aboard when the hiring freeze was lifted in July: Barry Davis ( Coordinator for Multimedia and Digital Production Services), Jean-Paul Bessou (Systems Librarian), and Molly Keener (Scholarly Communication Librarian).

After breakfast, the retreat began with an ice breaker activity (no, it wasn’t a team hike!). We divided into 4 smaller groups. Each person was given a “deck” of personal value cards and was asked to sort each of the values into one of five categories: “always value,” “often value,” “sometimes value,” “seldom value,” or “never value.” Within each group, participants discussed the reasons for their choices and compared similarities and differences. The goal of the exercise was to get people talking about their own value system and how these intersect with each other and with their professional values. An online example of a value sort will give you an idea of the types of values included. Following the group breakout, we reconvened as one large group and talked about which of these values are important to the RITS team as a whole. The values identified as important to the team are: “help others,” “knowledge,” “compassion,” “competence,” “wisdom,” “reflection,” “challenge,” “personal development,” “happiness,” “change/variety,” “community,” and “location.” We found that each of these values may mean different things to each of us, but are all qualities we find important in our professional lives at ZSR Library.

We had set an ambitious list of topics to cover during the day and addressed most of them (with a break for a great buffet lunch), but two main topics seemed to resonate the most with our diverse group, so we ended up giving these the time they deserved:

• The VuFind project. There were important exchanges about the prognosis for continued progress in relation to its current state’s impact on services during the fall semester. The technology end of the team listened to specifics from the public service end of the team that clarified the types of roadblocks they are encountering in trying to meet the library’s mission of helping our faculty and students succeed. The potential of VuFind is not yet the reality of VuFind and this disconnect has daily implications when we are trying to give our community the best help. The public service end of the team listened to the technology end to understand the actions they are taking to bring VuFind to the point where it can be relied upon to deliver the desired up-to-date, accurate data. We talked about how to modify access to it and the classic catalog to improve things in the short term.
• “What Can Give?” I think everyone recognizes that this has been an eventful year that has stretched all teams’ ability to deliver current and new services effectively. It’s no secret that there is a higher level of stress in all of us as we take on the increase in new challenges and opportunities. We spent most of the afternoon discussing which (if any) activities aren’t producing adequate results for the investment of time and resources. We’ve compiled a list that will be offered to the library administration to contribute to a wider discussion of fine tuning our services to optimize the impact of what we offer. We finished with a lengthy discussion of what barriers are preventing each of us from optimal productivity and brainstormed possible solutions. Again, we will compile a few proposals that we hope will be a basis for a wider discussion.

The day ended with the taking of the official 2009 RITS team portrait that we have decided to title “RITS in the Cloud” in honor of our goal to move to the cloud and because the day was so foggy nobody could see past the driveway most of the day! Thanks to Bobbie’s husband Jim for serving as the photographer.

The Fun Run/Walk Participants start their journey!

After months of preparation by a group of dedicated ZSR Library faculty and staff, the 2nd Annual WTL5K/Fun Run was held yesterday morning, October 10, 2009. The final count is not yet tallied but we estimate that there were close to 270 registrations between the fun run/walk and the 5K. And since the fun run was a family affair, there were close to 300 people from the Wake Forest and greater Winston-Salem community who came out to enjoy a health-focused event on Homecoming weekend.

The weather threatened to be a challenge, but, for the most part, the rain held off and we were even treated to a rainbow prior to the start of the race. The weather was actual quite good from a runner’s point of view as a slight drizzle creates a good natural cooling system.

There were different challenges that were designed to increase participation: an Alumni Challenge for those in the 4’s and 9’s (this year’s homecoming reunion years) which was won by the 1989 graduating class, a Winston-Salem Forsyth County School system challenge to win library materials to the school with the most registrations which was taken by Southwest Elementary, and a repeat of last year’s Greek Challenge for WFU students to win intramural sports points for their series (winners: Sigma Chi and Kappa Delt). The most successful was the school challenge and it was great to see plenty of local young students participate in both events.

For the first time, we offered a grand prize to the top male and female finisher in the 5K race. The prizes, Ideapads, were donated by Lenovo. The overall male winner was our own Leek Deng for the second straight year. The female winner was Nicole Weiler.

Without a doubt, the WTL5K could not have succeeded without all the great teamwork from everyone in the library. It was really a case of “taking a village” to put on this event. The core “WTL5K” steering committee that coordinated all the many details was comprised of Erik Mitchell, Susan Smith, Mary Beth Lock (race directors), Roz Tedford (for the Marketing Committee) and Carolyn McCallum (for the WTL Planning Committee). Wanda Brown headed the fund raising efforts. Carolyn and Tim Mitchell managed securing food for the participants from local stores. Carolyn took charge of getting really wonderful t-shirts. Roz found new ways to get the word out, including a facebook ad. Mary Beth coordinated a crackerjack team of race day volunteers. In addition to our fabulous student assistants who came out to help on an early Saturday morning, thanks go to; Heather Gillette, Ellen Makaravage, Mary Scanlon, Ellen Daugman, Patty Strickland, Kaeley McMahan, Roz (Registration); Sarah Jeong, Steve Kelley, Barry Davis, Roz Tedford (Race Course Guidance); Derrick Hiatt (Water Stop); Tim Mitchell, Carolyn McCallum, Mary Reeves, Doris Jones (Finish Line Food); Carol Cramer and many others (after race clean up); Kevin Gilbertson (race website and marketing graphics); Craig Fansler (Award Certificates and other marketing materials); Kristen Morgan (Financial tracking); Charles Bombeld, Ron Smith, John Borwick (photography); Mark Strickland, Richard Lock (and Lock kids), Mark McCallum, Rachel Hiatt, John Borwick, Ron Smith (Giving up their Saturday to help their spouse’s cause). And last, but certainly not least, thanks go to our fearless Dean, Lynn Sutton, who patiently let the race directors (Susan, Erik and Mary Beth) blow off steam throughout the planning process without judging (we hope!) and who continues to promote and support innovative ways for ZSR Library to make its mark on the Wake Forest community.

We have started to post pictures that document the day’s events:

General Event Photos Including the Fun Run

WTL5K Contestant “On Course” Photos (search by bib number)

Photos by John Borwick

Photos by Thomas Fischer (Race photos start on page 6, #64 and go to page 21)

Erik submitted the Digital Forsyth project to DuraSpace, an organization formed by Fedora Commons and the DSpace Foundation, whose goal is to”provide leadership and innovation in open source technologies for global communities who manage, preserve, and provide access to digital content.” It was selected as a DuraSpace OA Week Winner. Read Erik’s winning submission.

As part of the award, Erik has been invited to participate in a DuraSpace, SPARC International, and Sun Microsystems “All About Repositories” web seminar on Wed. Oct. 14 at 1 pm. This web series highlights technology solutions and community initiatives from community leaders. Access to the seminar, which will also feature Sun and SPARC introductions to OA Week, is at http://www.education-webevents.com/.

Heather Works on Trusses at the WFU Habitat House

As part of the Wake Forest University/Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Habitat Build, ZSR Library sent a crew of 10 to work on the site on Wed. September 9. Volunteers from all 4 library teams were represented and worked together so well that the Habitat crew chief voiced how impressed he was with the quality and quantity of work that was accomplished in our 4 hour shift.

At 7:45 am this morning we gathered to get instructions and direction for the day. Reporting for duty were: Prentice Armstrong, Heather Gillette, Erik Mitchell, Tim Mitchell, Jean-Paul Bessou, Kevin Gilbertson, Craig Fansler, Barry Davis, Susan Smith, and ZSR volunteer Ron Smith. Our assignments included dismantling/moving/assembling scaffolding, bracing trusses from the interior, adding more trusses on the front of the house, installing sheathing on the upper end of the house, stapling up vapor barriers, installing two wing rafters, and then securing them to roof sheathing.

I think I speak for the group when I say that it was a very rewarding experience and that, as a volunteer opportunity, it rated with the best. Our crew supervisor Tony, and his assistant, Courtney, were excellent instructors and patiently taught us what we needed to know to do a very competent job.

Take a look at the pictures from this morning to see all that was accomplished!

Student assistants Rebekah Warner and Brad Binder work the first shift at the Bridge.

ZSR Library is partnering with the University’s Information Systems to bring a new combined service to the space in the library that previously housed the Information Technology Center.

ZSR technology services will continue to be offered with a multimedia lab equipped with scanners and audio and video capturing stations. The screening room now includes a multimedia center with video production equipment. Instruction is available by appointment or as needed during use of the space. The screening room can be booked for group or class use. Digital still and video cameras, along with other equipment, can be checked out from The Bridge.

We are very excited that the IS Service Desk will join The Bridge later this fall. Students, faculty and staff will then be able to bring their University issued laptops to this area to get help on hardware and software issues. Stop in to visit the new space and check back for updates as the moving date for the IS Service Desk gets closer.

Once both services are in place and operational, we plan to have a Grand Opening celebration of the new combined services.

Craig Races to the Toilet!

Craig Watches Heather and Prentice in the Water Balloon Toss

Another successful, fun filled Summer Olympic Challenge came to an end yesterday with a final “Mystery Event” Relay. The Zephyr Relay Team for the challenge was Craig (who competed in the toilet plunger toss), Prentice and Heather (water balloon toss) and Mary Beth (Cracker eating whistler!).

Can MB chew and whistle at the same time?

The Annual Staff Summer Olympic Challenge took place this year over a 7 week period. This year there were 12 teams from departments across campus. This year’s weekly events included some old favorites like archery and water polo, but introduced some new ones like the adventure race and bowling. The event has been offered by Campus Recreation since 2003, with ZSR Library fielding a team every year except 2007. Over the years, we have fielded winning teams, bringing home the gold three years, silver last year, and bronze this year (like Lance at the Tour this year!). Each Zephyrs team member received a Starbucks gift certificate as our prize (very handy, don’t you agree?) In addition, Erik secured third place in the men’s individual competition that rewards daily lifestyle points earned for exercising and taking classes.

This year’s Zephyrs team was Heather Gillette, Travis Manning, Prentice Armstrong, Mary Beth Lock, Craig Fansler, Carolyn McCallum, Susan Smith and Erik Mitchell.

Way to go, Zephyrs!

Students Meet over Dinner in Carswell Hall

On Sunday morning, at 8 am, Erik and I will board a bus with 13 Colgate and 6 WFU students to participate in Angela Hattery and Earl Smith’s fourth iteration of “Social Stratification in the Deep South.” The library first participated in this bi-annual sociology summer travel course in 2007 and we were delighted to be invited back this year. We invite you to travel along with us virtually. As previously, we will be managing the course technology. This time we are introducing a facebook page, twitter and video documentation of speakers and experiences. We would love to have you become a fan. Just visit our facebook page and sign up as a fan. You can follow our “south tweets” also and see images on the course flickr site. Also, be sure and checkout how Colgate is following our trip!

On one of the coldest days in recent years, the ZSR Zephyrs gathered to celebrate our 2nd place finish in last summer’s staff Olympics. Our prize was a $50 gift certificate to Chipotle’s and it languished in my desk drawer for months. But, when everyone remembered it, we quickly set a time for a “reunion” over burritos! Team members Erik, Roz, Heather, Mary Beth, Carolyn, Prentice and Susan chowed down and decided this was our first 2009 season training session!

On Saturday, Z. Smith Reynolds Library’s first annual Wake the Library 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run took place under beautiful sunny skies along with cool fall temperatures. Over 150 people participated in either the fun run or the 5K race. The great weather contributed to 40 people coming out and registering that morning.

The race was started by Student Government president, Jermyn Davis. The Demon Deacon made an appearance and awarded all the children in the fun run with Chick-Fil-A stuffed cows.

Runners and walkers alike enjoyed the campus route that started and ended in front of the library and wound through the cross-country trail for 3.1 miles. Awards were presented for men and women in overall and age groups for first through third places. In the Fastest Greek contest, Delta Zeta won the sorority honors, while all the fraternities slept in.

The race was successful, thanks to the many individuals and organizations that supported our event: ARAMARK, Frank L. Blum Construction, SAFE, Fleet Feet Sports, Lenovo, Metabolic Effect, Gold’s Gym, WFU Campus Recreation, WFU Office of Multicultural Affairs, WFU Office of Student Life, Alibris, The Garage, Lowe’s Foods, Harris Teeter, Paceline Bicycles, SunTrust, DataMax, Chick-Fil-A, C& K Bagels, Village Tavern, Mark Welker, Earl Smith, WFU Bookstore, Kineticsware and the Student Government.

Thanks go also to all the ZSR Library staff who worked in the days leading up to the event, and to those who gave up their Saturday morning to help execute the many details that assured a safe, fun event for the WFU and Winston-Salem community. Many of our student assistants volunteered as well.

Take a look at the pictures of the event and of the contestants who came out to spend a gorgeous fall morning running and walking through Wake Forest while they supported ZSR Library’s programs.

For the past three years, an ongoing weeding project has been taking place in ZSR Library’s Government Documents Department. As more resources go online, efforts are being made to convert to electronic and reclaim much needed shelf space by removing out-of-date and out-of-scope materials. We work with the Regional Depository at UNC to ensure that only appropriate materials are removed and that we send UNC any titles that are needed for the regional collection.

In conjunction with this effort, similar activities are taking place in the Microtext Department. We are assessing where we have exact duplication of microtext collections with archival electronic versions. We are offering the microtext versions to other schools who may not be able to afford the electronic purchase.

When both collections have been downsized, the Microtext Department will be moved into current Government Documents space. This will reduce the number of service points on the 4th floor, improving our ability to serve our patrons effectively. The space vacated by Microtext can be repurposed for other essential needs.

This project will be under Mary Scanlon’s leadership. Joining her in the core working group are Steve Kelley, Carolyn McCallum, Lauren Pressley, Mary Lib Slate, and Susan Smith. Consulting members are Erik Mitchell, Laura Spear and Roz Tedford.  As this sizable project proceeds, we plan to share our progress with you in the Gaz.