Tribal Librarians' Conference, Budget

Tribal Librarians' Gathering
On Monday the library hosted the 6th Tribal Librarian’s Gathering. The all-day program, held on the 4th floor, featured speakers on a variety of health topics. Jennifer Swift-Martin gave a well-received presentation on Diabetes Information Resources. (see photos below)

Budget
We have fared well during the first round of budget cuts. We learned on Monday that our cut would be 4.2% of our state budget (excluding the amount allocated for collections.) This comes to about $71,000. I am still working on rearranging our budget to accommodate this cut, but it can be covered without threatening any jobs.

Photos from the Tribal Librarians Gathering (courtesy of Jacque Doyle)Annabelle Nunez, Frances Ruiz-Nakai (speaker), Ramona Tecumseh (organizer), Pat Auflick

Attendees

Dr Yvette Roubideaux

Dr. Francisco Garcia

Jennifer Swift-Martin

Book loss/theft, Campus transformation, Construction, PR

Book loss/theft
This semester the information desk staff have noticed that some of our newer textbooks and reference books have gone missing soon after hitting the shelf. At the same time testing has shown that our front security gates have not been 100% reliable when tested. In addition we learned that the alarm on the first floor hallway doors had been disabled during construction of the new teleconference room. This week UAPD informed us that someone had tried to sell one of our books to the Pima Community College Bookstore. The bookstore had gotten an ID from the suspect and UAPD is following up on this case.
In the meantime we have moved the TV monitor away from the gates to try to improve their performance by avoiding any interference. We’ve had electricians reconnect the alarm system. We’ve had our security company look into installing cameras at all exit doors. We’re waiting to get a quote from them. Please help by keeping your eyes open for any suspicious activity!

Campus Transformation
I have been in contact with the four deans of the health sciences colleges about the transformation process. The deans are very supportive of AHSL and, I believe, will ensure that the library will be protected from any major reorganization. However, it appears likely that the AHSC will be working to centralize business functions. We will have to wait and see what form this takes.

Construction to begin
Facilities Management will be starting construction at the end of next week on the three offices next to the Information Desk. There will be some noise during portions of this construction.

Exhibit publicized
The latest AHSL exhibit describing our liaison program in the Colleges of Public Health and Pharmacy is featured in the Pharmacy Newsletter available at:
http://www.pharmacy.arizona.edu/newsletter/sept2408.html

New Group Study, Webcast, Campus transformation

New Group Study Room
What used to be the photocopier room on the third floor (with windows looking into CTS) is now a group study room with two whiteboards.

Webcast of Annabelle’s testimony
Many of you got this URL, but for the record, the webcast of Annabelle’s testimony before the Congressional Committee on Educaiton and Labor, Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee is available at:

http://edwork.edgeboss.net/wmedia/edwork/hfc/hfc091108.wvx

Budget and Campus “transformation”
We still do not know what size our budget cut will be. My best guess is that it will be between 5-6%. Although this will affect our ability to clean and refurbish the building and will mean a flat budget for collections already hit by inflation, it is not as bad as it could be. However, we’ve been warned to expect another 2% cut in mid-year and at least a 6% cut during the next fiscal year.

Provost Hay has asked the campus to reduce the number of departments by 50% by 2010 and to look for ways to combine units to increase efficiency. All units are expected to participate and those who do not voluntarily participate will have decisions made for them. We are likely to see a centralization of administrative functions and a reorganization of many of the Colleges, Schools and departments across campus.

Publicity for PHRILS & PILS, 4th Floor

Publicity for PHRILS & PILS
For three days during the first week of classes Annabelle and Jennifer set up a table in the Drachman Hall courtyard to publicize the library liaison services now called the Public Health Research and Information Liaison Service (PHRILS) and the Pharmacy Information Liaison Service (PILS). They had around 250 visitors to this very successful event. Here are some photos:



Fourth Floor
Study carrels and tables have been moved up to the south end of the fourth floor. In addition, some of the moveable whiteboards have been anchored to the room dividers. All of the moveable furniture has been relocated to the north side of the room. The cloth on the carrels is awaiting cleaning. Once clean they will be available for use. So far some students are using the space as we envisioned it – as a quiet study area. Run up and see it if you have a chance.

Dr. Hank Yamamura

Dr. Yamamura
As many of you have heard, Dr. Henry (Hank) Yamamura, Regents Professor in the Department of Pharmacology, passed away last week. You may not know that he was a valuable and long-time member of the AHSL Library Advisory Committee and a friend of the library.
A card was sent to the family on behalf of the library staff.

Office space, 4th floor, new exhibit coming

Office Space
The College of Medicine has accepted our offer to use the offices behind the desk in 2101 (Java City) as the base of operations for the IT Help Desk. In addition, because they are in need of more office space, they will be moving staff members into room 1149E, the former Systems offices. We will be using several vacant office spaces around the building to accommodate the librarians affected by these changes.

Fourth floor update
Here’s a diagram of the furniture arrangement for the fourth floor. It’s not exactly to scale but gives you an idea of the reading room type arrangement on the south side near the stairs. We will start off using existing tables and chairs and see if we might need to add to them later. The “boxes” represent study carrels. Carpenters and movers will be here on Monday to start getting the right furniture up there.

New Exhibit
AHSL will be hosting another National Library of Medicine traveling exhibit from Feb. 12 to March 27, 2009. Called “Changing the Face of Medicine” the exhibit traces the history of women in medicine and recognizes contemporary (and local) female physicians. Jeanette is coordinating this effort and Jose has attended a meeting in Washington, DC to learn more about the displays. More details to follow!

Mari in MEZCOPH

We now officially have two library liaisons in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. Mari has moved into her new office/cubicle right across the aisle from Annabelle. Together they make up PHRILS – The Public Health Research and Information Liaison Service. Here are some pictures of Mari in her new digs: