Digital Repository

We are in the very early stages of working with the Main Library on a Digital Repository. The repository will act like a database of digital collections. They may be archival, historical, scholarly publications, or sound or video files. The collections will most likely represent the intellectual work of the university but may include items such as the digitized minutes of the Pima County Medical Society which we have been working on.

Here are links to two examples of existing repositories.
University of Utah http://ir.utah.edu/
University of Kansas https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/dspace/

To begin with, the project members are looking at adding materials to the repository that are already in a digital format. At some point we might want to digitize materials for inclusion. We might be able to do this “in-house” or we may have to outsource it. Digitization could include tasks such as scanning, assigning chapter headings, adding metadata (keywords, indexing), etc.

Do you know of materials that would be good candidates for inclusion in the UA Digital Repository?

Can you imagine a role that you might play in helping to create the repository?

How could the library work with faculty to encourage contributions to the repository?

Liaison Program

We have started extending our liaison program with two and soon three librarians spending large amounts of time physically located with the groups they are serving. But the questions below apply to all liaison activities.

How can you or your department support the liaison librarians?

What information can the liaison librarians bring back from users that would be useful to you or your department?

Can the liaison librarians help to publicize the services that you or your department offer?

Would it be useful for you to meet regularly with the liaison librarians?

Planning for 2008

The next two posts describe two projects that are a focus for us in the coming year. If you have suggestions for other projects that need attention, please comment on this message. Otherwise, please post your comments on the appropriate message.

When you post a comment, others will be able to read it and all comments will be saved so that a chain of discussion is preserved. Feel free to post questions and to jump in with an answer if you know it!

Construction of Teleconferencing Room

Construction has begun on the new teleconferencing room in the space behind the old Circulation Desk. This room, like several others in the library, will be on the campus room scheduling list and available to campus groups. The Circulation Desk is being torn out and a wall will be constructed to close off the area.

Evaluation of Supervisors

We have formed a committee to explore evaluation of supervisors. The members, a mixture of faculty and staff, supervisors and non-supervisors are:

Amanda Escalante
Carol Howe
Gary Freiburger
Kathy Tower
Nga Nguyen
Pat Auflick
Vera Godinez

We will keep the library posted as to our progress by reporting regularly.

Third group from Kosovo, Kosovo nurses, Jose and the Wildcat

AHSL will be working with its 3rd group from Kosovo next week, Sept 18-20 (Tue-Thu). There are 6 this time. The welcoming coffee will be at 10am on Tuesday in the Staff Lounge. Please plan to attend.

On the afternoon of October 5, we'll be working with nurses from Kosovo. Their trip, which is also sponsored by Dr. Latifi's telemedicine funds, are spending most of their time with UMC nurses in a variety of settings.

Hope everyone caught the article about Jose in yesterday's Wildcat. If not, you can see it online at
http://wildcat.arizona.edu/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&uStory_id=bda1f370-5a4d-47a3-a64f-78296e397e54
(you may have to cut and paste twice if this very long URL wraps on your screen.)

Have a very good weekend!

Jeanette

Digital Repository and the "back door"

Digital Repository
Many universities are creating or exploring the creation of digital repositories or institutional repositories. These are online collections of digital files. It might include university publications, theses and dissertations or research articles published by faculty members. In most cases the library is the unit that is organizing the creation of these collections.

AHSL is going to join with the Main Library to explore options for a UA Digital Repository. A team has been formed at the Main Library to define Goals, Business Policies, Marketing, Functionality and Services. Robin Sewell is going to meet regularly with this team to insure that AHSL can play a role in this exciting experiment. Eventually almost everyone in the library may have a role to play in finding content, “cataloging” content, digitization or training. Robin will report back regularly on the progress of this project.

CatCard Access to the 1st floor door
As of today all AHSL faculty and staff will have 24/7 access through the “back door” on the first floor. Remember that we expect no one to be in the building when we are closed without prior consent of his or her supervisor.