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New Library Employees
Departing Employees
Event HighlightsDay of Caring -- Book Drive The Book Drive continued to be a huge success this year. Final figures aren't in as yet. The tally right now is 4,026 books. In addition to books donated, many of you made generous cash donations to a grand total of $440.00. Thank you again for your generous contribution
and support. SPECIAL THANKS go out to Andrew Gray, Joe Simone and the team in
the Shipping Room of Sterling, who handled the pick-up and deliveries: Manager,
Anthony Ferraiolo, John Charczynski, John Giamattei, Edward Hutnik and Linnard
J. Inabinet.
Beinecke/Sterling Lunch The Beinecke Lunch at Spoon was an invitation by the University Librarian Alice Prochaska to show continued support and sympathy for staff affected by the ongoing construction of the Plaza. It also provided an opportunity for all present to hear from each other about the progress and developments of the Library system as a whole.
Tea with Alice
Staff HighlightsLong Service Awards
Staff Members in FocusJulie Renko I have been employed at Yale University for 20 years. For the majority of this time I was the Associate Administrator at the Yale Psychiatric Institute responsible for all non-clinical departments (Dining Services, Security, Facilities, Custodial, etc). I have been with Custodial Services for the past two years with the majority of my time working in Davenport and Pierson Colleges. Contact Information:
Joe Garibaldi joined the security team at Sterling Memorial Library on September 16, 2004. Joe comes to us from the Yale Security Department where he started in 1991. Born and raised in New Haven, Joe currently resides in North Haven with his wife and three boys. Joe is currently undertaking his Masters in Sociology at the Southern Connecticut State University. He has received his Bachelors in Criminal Justice and Associates in Private Security both from the University of New Haven. Joe is on duty
Sundays through Thursdays from 3:30pm to 11:30pm.
Preservation Bookmark Slogan Winner
Marybeth Bean began her library life at SML in 1980 in Circulation. She well remembers using pneumatic tubes and entering GEAC data! From Circulation she moved onto Privileges, then to CCL as Evening/Weekend supervisor. In 1984 she left Yale to join her husband and to see the world as a military family. In 1990, after three stations (the Philippines, Massachusetts, and Washington state), she returned to CCL to work again as the Evening/Weekend supervisor. In January of 1998 Marybeth became the manager of the Kline Science Library, where she has been happily ensconced since. Yale libraries are a family affair. Marybeth's husband Rick is the Evening/Weekend Supervisor of the Medical Library. They live with their two children in the Westville section of New Haven. When not at work or chauffeuring teenagers, Marybeth enjoys reading, painting glass Christmas ornaments, being part of a big Irish family, and music, especially singing and song writing. Actually, the singing may take place at work, while chauffeuring, or while participating in any other activities! When considering what might make a good slogan for the Preservation bookmark, Marybeth thought about why we preserve things: one is for economy, another is for posterity. Marybeth sees the mission of the Preservation Department, and any one who cares for collections on any level, as keeping what is valued now to share with future learners. Hence, the wining slogan is: Preserve the Past for the Future The
slogan appears on the book mark shown. These bookmarks will be distributed to
all libraries.
Staff SubmissionsRecipes
A Message from the University Librarian This
moth's message from the University Librarian was covered in the Librarian's Report
to the Staff on Tuesday, September 28, 2004.
Library in FocusSocial Sciences Library The Social Sciences Library reading area has a new look. Gone are the solitary carrels and ordinary wood tables. Now, comfy chairs give patrons the opportunity to sit and read alone. The unique shape of the split trapezoid tables makes it much easier for people to work together. As seen in the pictures below, the furniture is already being put to good use.
Progress Update: Beinecke Library Tired of the sight of blue
bunting on High and Wall, imperfectly concealing heavy machinery and a torn-up
Plaza? Confused by the sudden migrations of the entrance to the Beinecke Library
from one signage-laden corner to another? Starting to forget why you used the
shortcut through Woolsey, anyway? Repeated drainage
problems and fear of future leaks forced the migration of the entire Manuscript
Unit from its usual location to the Beinecke's main conference room and led to
the extensive use of plastic sheeting in the stack areas, as well as some prudent
shifting of materials. At one point in late August, direct access to the Beinecke
disappeared completely. Our Sterling colleagues saw quite a bit more of us--and
our determined readers--as we all navigated the tunnel between the two libraries.
But progress has been made. The first layer of the new waterproofing
membrane is said to be coming along nicely; glass has reappeared in the ground
floor window wall; the Manuscript Unit is back in the West Wing; and disposable
earplugs seem to be less and less in request these days. It will be some time
before all of that blue bunting and heavy machinery disappears for good, but when
it does, we will have a newly waterproofed and refurbished Beinecke Plaza, and
we can all start cutting through to Commons and to Grove Street again. It may
be quite some time, however, before everyone at Beinecke stops getting vaguely
anxious whenever it starts to rain. Food & Drink Policy
Our new Food & Drink policy guidelines for staff can be found at http://www.library.yale.edu/about/staff_policy.html . The guidelines require staff to use spill-resistant containers for any beverages consumed in the library and restricts food to designated areas. The amount of food being consumed in the Sterling Library has decreased noticeably since the introduction of the policy. Julie Renko, supervisor for the Custodial staff in Sterling & Beinecke libraries, has noticed a significant decline in food and the associated spills and accidents. She said the custodial staff are very pleased with the impact of the new policy. The Preservation Department is interested in hearing about results in other libraries on campus. Please drop Bobbie Pilette an email at roberta.pilette@yale.edu with comments and information related to this new policy. Through everyone's efforts, especially the public service staff in all the libraries and the guards, we will continue to eliminate the sources of potential damage to collection materials, library furnishings and technology. Thank you to everyone and please keep up the good work. The Anna Amalia Library in Weimar, Germany was heavily damaged by fire on September 2, when tens of thousands of rare books and documents were destroyed and many more severely damaged. Among the losses were the musical score collection of the library's 18th century patron, Duchess Anna Amalia, and the rare book collection of its first librarian. A 1534 edition of Martin Luther's translation of the Bible was among the works saved. Sadly, the library was within two months of moving its entire collection so that extensive renovation could begin on the 473-year-old building which has housed it since its foundation. The cause of the fire has not been determined, but faulty electrical wiring is suspected. The New York Times reported on September 22 that the damage was even greater than first reported: over 50,000 rare items were destroyed, while another 62,000 were heavily damaged both by the fire and by the water used to extinguish it. For a good initial news account of the fire, see:http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0908/p07s01-woeu.html An
"American Friends of the Anna Amalia Library" has been formed in consultation
with WESS officers and Dr. Michael Knoche, the Director of the Anna Amalia Library.
Its website is: http://adminstaff.vassar.edu/patkus/Americanfriends.htm
New Staff in LHRLibrary Human Resources welcomes two new staff members
Linda Pina- Morris joined LHR on August 30, 2004 from Central Human Resources. Linda is the fresh new face of the Library Administrative Front Office. Her responsibilities include; coordinating new staff orientation, providing support for librarian recruitment, scheduling appointments and meeting room assignments, coordinating travel arrangements, processing resumes, and completing Resumix reports.
Upcoming Events
Yale
Holiday Calendar
Learning Plan HighlightsDivinity Library - Technical Services In recognition of the great achievements that Library staff have accomplished with their Learning Plans, different staff members and departments will be highlighted in the Learning Plan Spotlight section of Library Links. This month, kudos goes to the Technical Services staff in the Divinity Library for their commitment, courage, and creativity in undertaking the challenge of evaluating their existing workflows to ensure that they were working as effectively and efficiently as possible. One of the impetuses for change is the implementation of new technology. The Library's transition to the Voyager software required some changes in workflow and processes. However, these workflows had not been evaluated for efficiency. Paul Stuehrenberg, Divinity School Librarian decided to involve the technical services' staff in business process redesign. Paul knew about the flexibility of Learning Plan funds and met with Kate Reynolds, Staff Training and Organizational Development Officer to see how this could be applied towards the Divinity Library's technical services process improvement exercise. Kate informed him of the "Process-Based Transformation through Business Process Redesign" course that was delivered by the IMPACT Group that was offered through the Learning Center and recommended Paul Crotty, of Odyssey Consulting to guide the staff through this process. Two of the technical services managers, Mary Ellen Barbarito, Acquisitions Manager; and Eric Friede, Catalog Librarian; attended the course. Both Mary Ellen and Eric left this class empowered to lead the mapping exercise for technical services. The technical services staff brainstormed to identify and flesh out the positives of this process - primarily that it would help them to perform their jobs more efficiently and that they would get a better understanding of other people's work. Paul Crotty also advised them on what might come up when people are dealing with change and how to work well with each other. Communication was key. Updates were given at regular staff meetings to keep staff informed and supervisors encouraged two-way communication. So, how did the staff respond to the news that their job tasks would be mapped out? Paul Stuehrenberg indicated that "Staff saw it as a positive and there was a high level of trust…" According to Eric, "Many people were excited to do this [process mapping]." The mapping process involved several 3-hour meetings during the summer months with everyone who would be impacted. Although this was a significant commitment of time, Eric reported, "There was value in learning co-workers jobs". Mary Ellen added, "You don't know how detailed or complicated their job is." After the mapping process, 31 activities were identified for process improvement. Prioritizing these was critical. Six to eight of these were identified for implementation this fall. Mary Ellen said, "The staff's voice is really important because they are close to the process…We had to be mindful that we are not cogs in a machine. We are people…People want to be valued and appreciated for what they do." Rolfe Gjellstad, Serials Librarian pointed out that, "Some of the smaller steps [that have been implemented] look encouraging…We will be changing some things for the better and we can accomplish that." Divinity Library, keep up the positive changes! Although the Divinity Library's Learning Plan allocation for FY02-03 and FY03-04 provided most of the funds for the process improvement in their technical services operations, Ann Okerson, Associate University Librarian; supplied additional funding from her discretionary funds. If you have a Learning Plan success that you would like to share, contact Shaundolyn Slaughter at 432-1810. For more information on the Learning Plan go to: http://www.library.yale.edu/training/stod/learningplan.html
Halloween SpecialA Document Regarding Paranormal Activity Within The Yale University Library System Compiled by Tanya Angell Allen I. DOCUMENTED YALE GHOSTS Because Halloween is fast arriving, this reporter/Art and Architecture Library Assistant decided to investigate information pertaining to paranormal activity within the Yale libraries and at Yale University itself, as she knew that this topic would be of utmost importance and interest to the readers of Library Links. When this reporter inquired whether Chief Research Archivist University Librarian Judith Schiff might know pertinent information, Schiff responded that although she has "been asked about Yale ghosts many times," there is unfortunately "no documentation on the subject in the archives." This intrepid reporter next consulted the World Wide Web. The main documented information on Yale ghosts that this reporter found on the Web came from a website on Connecticut Hauntings which mentioned the ghost of Woolsey Hall, who enjoys playing the Woolsey Hall organ. According to a page on the aforementioned website, the Woolsey Hall hauntings commenced when the building-originally intended for the playing of classical music--began to be used for rock concerts. To this day the ghost of Woolsey Hall gives vent to its agitation by spontaneously playing the organ at strange hours of the night. II. A THANK YOU TO THE BRAVE MEMBERS OF THE YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY STAFF Although they have not been documented, it has come to this reporter's attention that there are many other ghosts, demons, and sprites who also inhabit parts of Yale other than Woolsey. This is one of the main reasons that the Yale Library System has attracted such a fantastic library staff. As the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer (which documents the adventures of eminent librarian Giles) and the movie The Mummy (whose main character is also a librarian) have demonstrated, librarians are the world's best defense against evil. If it was not for the Yale library staff, Yale University would not be the happy, carefree-feeling university it is today. After all, according to one website this reporter found about Yale's Skull and Bones Society (rumored to use the deceased head of Native American hero Geronimo in its initiations) "the current darkness in America and the world stems from Skull and Bones, a far-reaching brotherhood of power, which defiled the remains of Geronimo." Thus, Yale University is the world's Center of Darkness. We are grateful for the members of our library staff, as they work tirelessly to keep the evil in check! Most people don't know this, and if asked they will deny it…but all members of the Yale library staff hold black belts in the martial arts, and--thanks to the efforts of a degree passed down by the STOD Committee--new staff members undergo extensive exorcism-training at the Divinity School Library. Also, to set the record straight: although most people believe the term "SCOPA"refers to "Standing Committee on Professional Awareness," it actually refers to "Standing Committee on Paranormal Activity." Keep up the fantastic work, oh fearless SCOPA members! III. NOTES ON OTHER DARK CREATURES WITHIN THE YALE LIBRARY SYSTEM Although there are too many paranormal creatures at Yale to address thoroughly within the parameters of this article, this reporter wishes to make note of a few of the most interesting undocumented ghosts and other creatures of the Yale library system: There are rumors that the Geology Library is haunted by rock stars. The Art and Architecture Library is haunted by the ghost of an architect whose ashes, according to rumor and Metropolis Magazine, were scattered throughout the Art and Architecture Building. The Beinecke Library is filled with the ghosts of bookworms. Mudd is home to the ghost of Seeley G. Mudd, who wanders around moaning "My nammmme is Mudd…Mudd is my full last naaaaaammmmme…" Anyone who dare ask what the library's name ("Mudd") is short for gets a pile of dirt dumped on them. (The mud disappears as soon as it hits the floor, which is why Manuscripts and Archives has no documentation of these occurrences.) The Drama Library is often visited by the ghost of an actor who died after mentioning the real name of "The Scottish Play". The Map Collection is filled with lost souls. There are no ghosts to report within Sterling's main library, but every once in a while in the stacks one can catch a scent of fried chicken and hear what sounds a bit like the ghostly whirring of video cameras. There are rumors that one of the books somewhere in the Yale Library system, unused for centuries, has a genie trapped inside. The first lucky person who opens this book will be granted three wishes. Yale is also home to gremlins, who regularly get into computers and bar code readers; poltergeists, who like to hide books; and the spirits of malevolent departed librarians and library assistants who attack patrons who mark passages in pen or use post-it notes to mark their pages. These
ghosts also attack all staff members who dare partake of beverages or other nourishment
while in areas not designated for this sort of consumption. Think NowDraft-Proof Your House It makes Maryland homeowners like Pat and Richard Wilhelm scramble to button up their 75-year-old house against both blustery winters and humidity-laden summers. Candles
and a Blow-Dryer Caulk
and Weather Stripping The weather stripping of window sashes and exterior doors is Richard's domain. "There's a wide variety of weather stripping products out there, but I prefer thin spring metal weather strips because they're long-lasting and hardly visible when installed," he says. "They're cut to length with tin snips and tacked in place. After tacking, I lift the outer edge of the strip with a screwdriver for a better seal. I have also screwed in door sweeps to the inside bottom of our front and back doors to cover the gap by the floor, and I have insulated the attic access panel." Energy and construction consultant R.C. Greene gives the Wilhelm family high marks for efforts, but he says they need to go further. "Pat and Richard need to check the newer windows and doors for drafts as well," he says. "If the contractor used an oil or resin caulk, it may have pulled loose in as little as one year, depending on expansion and contraction caused by weather extremes. "They also need to caulk around foundation walls, pipe outlets, the clothes dryer vent and any other gaps on the outside of the house," he asserts. "Air infiltration from electric switch and plug outlets can be significant, too, so it's smart to insert draft blockers. They're inexpensive and readily available at hardware stores and home centers. And don't forget to weather strip overhead doors of attached garages." Other Recommendations for Lowering Costs "In cold weather, set the thermostat at 68 degrees and leave it alone during the day," he says. "Overnight, lower setting by 5 to 10 degrees. And make sure the thermostat isn't affected by drafts that will give an incorrect reading. In hot weather, set it at 78 degrees when you're home and lower it a bit for night. "Develop energy-saving window habits, too. In the winter, open curtains or shades of east, south and west-facing windows on sunny days to let the sun heat the house. Close them at night to preserve heat. Keep the draperies closed all day on north-facing windows. Do just the opposite in summer. "Turn the heat way down in rooms you don't use. And turn the A/C off in those rooms or close vents in the summer. And check with your utility company to see if they offer free home inspections and energy surveys." from: Homestore.com
© 2007 Yale University Library This file last modified 10/01/04 Send comments to andrew.gray@yale.edu  |
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Geraldine
"Gerry" Burke was recognized this spring for her 30 years of service
to the University. Gerry started in July of 1966 in Sterling in the card processing
division. A year later found her at Kline Science Library doing serials check
in and becoming an InterLibrary Loan Assistant. She had a break in service in
1973, returning in 1980 to the Organic Chemistry Department as a Lab Assistant,
and returning to Kline and the Library System in 1990. She came back to serials
check in, and three years ago was promoted to Catalog Assistant. 
Joe
Garibaldi
Marybeth
Bean
Most
library staff have now received the Yale University Library spill-resistant mug.
This mug has been an important part of introducing the new Food & Drink policy
to both staff and library users. 
HR
in Focus 
Wellness
in Focus 