Printing PDFs

Hi All,

Students having difficulty printing PDFs has been an issue that we've seen at the desk a lot lately so here's a possible work around:

If a student can’t print a PDF from Blackboard, even after saving it on their T: drive, have them right click on the PDF icon and select Adobe Acrobat DC to open it.  They should then be able to print that version.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,

Christy

Mobile Printing

Hi Reference Team!

Corey and I have been working together to trouble-shoot mobile printing issues this morning and we have discovered that students have to print using the library or other campus computers first before they can use mobile printing.

If they do not print through the library computers (or other computers on campus) first, the mobile print center will not recognize their UIN, so if you are helping someone with that issue, have them log onto a computer and print something, then have them try logging into mobile printing to print.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,

Christy

Changes to Guest WiFi and ILL System

Hi All,

The "Tarleton-Guest" WiFi option is no longer available.
Guest users will need to log onto "Tarleton-Visitors" to access the WiFi.

Note that this WiFi account does not allow access to the library's databases.
If guest users need to access the library's resources, they will need to ask for a Guest Pass at the Reference Desk.

Additionally, the ILL system has changed from Illaid to Tipasa, so when users log in, the interface will look different. When helping a user, please make sure that they indicate the correct delivery location on the request form because they will need to select a specific delivery location with each ILL request.

Please let me know if you have any questions about the updates to WiFi or ILL.

Thanks!

Christy 

No Guest Passes During Finals

Effective Today: 

We will not be giving out guest passes until Thursday, May 10th due to finals. 

Exceptions:  If a guest user needs to register for classes or perform any other Tarleton-related business, you may issue them a guest pass. 

Let me know if you have any questions! 

Reoccurring Assignment - Coach Biographies

Hi All,

I wanted to give everyone a heads up that we're getting several questions today concerning an assignment. I'm not sure on the exact course name (it may be Principles of Coaching) or professor, but students are needing to check out a biography book focusing on a specific sports coach.

We may need to direct the students to other resources though, as earlier I had a student ask for a book on Gregg Popvich, a basketball coach, and we didn't have any books specifically focusing on that particular coach.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks!

Christy

Nursing Assignment Tips

Hi All,

At Librarians' Meeting yesterday, Cathy indicated that Nursing students are starting to contact her about their assignments. Since Reference students do not have access to the Wiki, I'm posting Nursing assignment information here as well. 

Students, if you find that you are experiencing difficulty with these assignments after-hours (8pm-2am), please direct the Nursing students to contact a librarian for assistance. If it's during the normal work hours of 8am-5pm, please try to contact a librarian to come assist them. 

Let me know if you have any questions! Cathy has worked with Nursing students for several years so she is an excellent resource if you're having trouble or have any questions as well. 

Thanks!

Christy 

Here's some guidelines for the assignments: 

Levels of Evidence:

• Determining Levels of Evidence

• To figure out which level a specific article is, read the abstract and the methods section.
• The strategies the writers used to gather their data/information will determine which level you’d assign to a study.

• Levels of Evidence Chart 1

• The image below offers some explanations and a chart to help students figure out what level of evidence their research articles demonstrate.
• Information was gathered from pages 9-12 in Melnyk, B. M. & Fineout-Overholt, E. (Eds.). (2005). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practices. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  

• Levels of Evidence Chart 2

• This image offers a bit more description regarding whether research is primary or secondary.
• Information is from page 10 in Melnyk, B. M. & Fineout-Overholt, E. (Eds.). (2005). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practices. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Nursing Leadership/Management

First: Talk with student about the topic (which focus? which aspect? definitions of terms?)
Second: Review assignment. 
Task = Evidence-based research regarding a particular management opportunity observed in a clinical setting.  They will need to present a synopsis of the setting, problem, personnel involved, etc. 

How their project takes shape will depend, in large part, on if their topic is a solution or a problem.  They will need to identify/discuss their topic (solution/problem) using published research, evaluate their proposed management tactic using decision-making tools/strategies (using info from their textbook), pick their preferred solution & discuss change strategies required to implement their solution (using info from their textbook).

• Some example topics: 

• Topics = Decrease Code Blue Occurrences in Med/Surg

• Code Blue = cardiac/respiratory (complications, emergency, critical incident, etc.)
• Med/Surg = medical surgical (after surgery, step-down unit, perioperative, ambulatory surgery, etc.)
• Possible first round of searches.  The following is based on the student's preferences.  Each student will be different.
             surgery                  (maybe choose title field later)
  AND   cardiac arrest         (used to narrow the search)
  NOT   "cardiac surgery"   (added 'cause didn't want to look at this set of patients)
• Possible second round of searches.  Based on what student saw the first go-round.
                   perioperative
       AND    cardiac arrest
       AND    prevent* OR predict*
       NOT    "cardiac surgery" 

• Healthcare Quality's Impact on Costs

• Determine with student which costs are being examined: patients? insurance providers? medical provider?  It's probably the last one, but could go to any group.  Depends on what the student wants to do.
• Be sure the student understands to go to reputable sources & to the original sources like Medicare, Census, etc. & help student locate research articles.
• Ask student which aspect of health costs he/she plans to use as focus.
• Possible search terms when looking for possible management solutions related to decreasing costs associated with readmissions.  Each student will be different.
                   readmission* OR readmit* OR rehospital*
       AND    management
       AND    hospital* OR medical OR nurs*

• Closed Staffing in Medical Surgical Units (benefits/effects)

• Possible search terms
            nursing
  AND  closed staffing OR closed-unit OR "closed unit"
• student will need to define the PICO based on teacher's guidance

• Decrease Readmissions -- cost an aspect (maybe facilities, maybe patient)

• Possible search terms to begin looking for articles
            readmission* OR readmit* OR rehospital*
  AND  management
  AND   hospital* OR medical OR nurs*

• Substance Abuse in the Workplace

• Possible search terms to begin looking for articles (CINAHL, Cochrane & Medline probably work best of this one)
            impairment AND health professional (SU term)
  OR    impairment AND nurs* AND __________ (insert drug type or name.  For example, alcohol)
• Looking for substance abuse AND nursing finds too many articles focused on patients with substance issues, instead of the nurses.   

• Sending article links to faculty members:

• For some exercises, nursing students must send their instructor(s) direct links to articles, which has caused some frustration and confusion for them. The following measures seem to work well:
• Use the "Persistent link to the record" URL that shows up in CINAHL records, which will take the receiver to the item's record where the full text can be accessed. These links should now open either on or off campus.  If they will not open off-campus, ask the Systems Librarian to check if EBSCO has "lost" the IP address, so patrons can use their NTNET logins.
• Use links in Cochrane to the PDF or the search page(the link is in the address bar at the browser window's top). Both links seem to work & will let the receiver access (or log in when off-campus) Cochrane and get to the item.
• Instructor might accept the article as an attached PDF. Tell the student to save the PDF to the desktop & then link to it in an email.
• Instructor might be willing to accept the record's accession number and then log-on to CINAHL (or another EBSCO database that has the item), and use the accession number to locate the article.

Reference TV Remote

Hi All,

The TV remote at the Reference Desk kept getting left at the Circulation Desk so I have re-labeled the remote to say "Ref. Dept" in order to help others know that one of the remotes should stay at the Reference Desk.

The reason both of the remotes had a "Circ." label on them was to indicate that they can also turn off the screen at the Circulation Desk. I have replaced our "Circ." label with "Ref. Dept" to prevent any other confusion.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,

Christy

Guest Passes Resume Today

Hi All,

Since finals are now over, we will resume giving out guest passes.

Also, since traffic is slow during this time, guests can come in and get a guest pass at any time we're open.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,

Christy

No Guest Passes During Finals (December 7th-13th)

Hi All,

I placed a sign out at the Reference Desk but also wanted to remind everyone working the desk that we will not be issuing guest passes from December 7th - December 13th.

We will resume guest passes on the first day of interim,  December 14th.

If someone needs to conduct official university business, then they can still receive a guest pass.
For example, if someone is trying to enroll or register for classes then please give them a guest pass.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!

Thanks,

Christy

No Guest Passes During Finals

Hi Reference Team,  

I wanted to send a reminder to everyone working the desk that we will stop giving out guest passes on Wednesday, May 3^rd and will not issue them again until Monday, May 15^th.

There is a sign with these dates posted at the Reference Desk.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,

Christy 

RAK Bingo Sheets at Desk

Hi Reference Team!

RAK Bingo Sheet example 

The Student Counseling Center asked that we place these Bingo sheets at the service desks for Random Acts of Kindness Week.

Students can take a sheet and play bingo by performing the acts listed on the sheet. They are utilizing the honor system for this game so there is no way that we can verify if they have performed the tasks listed.

Once they are done with the tasks and have a "Bingo!", they can fill out the back with their information and place the sheet in the box located at the Circulation Desk.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,

Christy

Nursing 4410 Assignment (Nursing Leadership/Management)

Hi Reference Team!

Cathy mentioned in Librarian's Meeting that a nursing assignment is circulating this semester which involves mulitple parts.

Here is her advice for helping students with this assignment (they may ask for her but if she's unavailable try to assist them with the assignment):

First: Talk with student about the topic (which focus? which aspect? definitions of terms?)

Second: Task = Evidence-based research regarding a particular management opportunity observed in a clinical setting.  Will need to present synopsis of the setting, problem, personnel involved, etc. Identify possible solutions from the published research, evaluate the solutions using decision-making tools (in their textbook), pick preferred solution & discuss change strategies required to implement solution (see their textbook).

• Example topics: 

• Topics = Decrease Code Blue Occurrences in Med/Surg

• Code Blue = cardiac/respiratory (complications, emergency, critical incident, etc.)
• Med/Surg = medical surgical (after surgery, step-down unit, perioperative, ambulatory surgery, etc.)
• Possible first round of searches.  The following is based on the student's preferences.  Each student will be different.
             surgery                  (maybe choose title field later)
  AND   cardiac arrest         (used to narrow the search)
  NOT   "cardiac surgery"   (added 'cause didn't want to look at this set of patients)
• Possible second round of searches.  Based on what student saw the first go-round.
                   perioperative
       AND    cardiac arrest
       AND    prevent* OR predict*
       NOT    "cardiac surgery" 

• Healthcare Quality's Impact on Costs

• Determine with student which costs are being examined: patients? insurance providers? medical provider?  It's probably the last one, but could go to any group.  Depends on what the student wants to do.
• Be sure the student understands to go to reputable sources & to the original sources like Medicare, Census, etc. & help student locate research articles.
• Ask student which aspect of health costs he/she plans to use as focus.
• Possible search terms when looking for possible management solutions related to decreasing costs associated with readmissions.  Each student will be different.
                   readmission* OR readmit* OR rehospital*
       AND    management
       AND    hospital* OR medical OR nurs*

• Closed Staffing in Medical Surgical Units (benefits/effects)

• Possible search terms
            nursing
  AND  closed staffing OR closed-unit OR "closed unit"
• student will need to define the PICO based on teacher's guidance

• Decrease Readmissions -- cost an aspect (maybe facilities, maybe patient)

• Possible search terms to begin looking for articles
            readmission* OR readmit* OR rehospital*
  AND  management
  AND   hospital* OR medical OR nurs*

Please let Cathy or me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,

Christy

Reference Satisfaction Survery

Starting today, October 10^th, the library will be conducting our reference satisfaction survey, which will run until we receive at least 75-80 responses.

 

What this means for you as staff is when you assist users, you should ask them to fill out a survey after you’ve answered their questions. There will be a link on the library’s website to the survey that they can access. 

 

It is a quick 9 question survey that will take them about 2-5 minutes to complete.

 

We will also have print surveys available at the upper, lower, and main desks for people to complete if they would rather do so in person.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions!

 

Thanks,

 

Christy

 

Call Number Sheets at Reference Desks (Main and Upper Level)

 Hi Reference Team!

At the User Services Supervisors Meeting last week, the supervisors decided that anyone working the Reference Desk should be providing the title, item location, and item type in addition to the call number when we write down information for patrons so that other staff may help them if needed.

Ex: When we send a patron downstairs for an item, the item's details can help Amanda with helping them locate what they need.

Here is a screenshot of the call number sheets that I've created for the Reference Desk to assist us with remembering to write down all the details about the item:

You should be filling this out any time you look up a physical item for a patron.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,

Christy 

Texan Hall EDU Students' Assignment (Lisa will be out Thurs/Friday)

Hi Reference Team!

Lisa will be gone on Thurs. and Fri. of this week.  

Just in case someone uses the DSL phone number to call the Reference Desk if someone is not in Texan Hall, they have an assignment going on with the EDU students where they need to check out a Teacher Edition textbook.

Lisa has a cart of textbooks that can only be checkout by hand usually by her or her student worker, Savannah Terrell.  Savannah will be in during these hours: Thurs.: 2-7 p.m. or Fri.: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,

Christy 

Sirsi Down on Friday

Hi Reference Team!

On Friday, May 13th, Sirsi will be down for an upgrade which means that certain services, such as the catalog or the laptop vending machine, will not be up and running for a period of time.  

Margie suggested searching Discovery if anyone comes in looking for an item.

There should be signs posted on the laptop vending machine that day.

Please let Margie or me know if you have any questions.

Thanks!

Christy

C.A.R.E. Team Brochure

Here is what the brochure looks like. 

Hi Reference Team!

Dean Moore provided Cathy with some C.A.R.E. Team brochures and she graciously shared one to be kept at the Reference Desk.

I have placed it in the Emergency Information folder (last folder in the top drawer).

It details what to do if students display any concerning behavior as well as resources for those students.

Please take some time to read through it as we deal with all types of patrons at all hours at the desk.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks!

Christy

Directories in Reference Collection

Hi Reference Team!

Jennifer gave me a list of directories located in Reference to review and possibly weed so I have about 30 items pulled from the Reference Collection.

If someone is seeking an item not on the shelf, please stop by my office to see if it's on the cart.

If I'm not in my office, send me an email, text, or SLACK message.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Christy

LearningExpress Library

Hi Reference Team!

If students come to the desk looking for a database which allows them to take practice GRE tests and provides resources for test preparation, point them to LearningExpress Library. 

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,

Christy

History 1301 Assignment: Library Scavenger Hunt

Hi Reference Team!

Students are working on Dr. Hickman's Library Scavenger Hunt assignment again this semester. I believe this assignment is due on February 1st.  

Yvonne received a copy of the assignment and graciously shared it with me to keep at the Reference Desk.

Here is a screenshot of the first page:

This will remain at the Reference Desk until the first week of Feb. 

I have also let Kim Gragg know since one of the tasks the students have to do is fill out an ILL request.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thank you, Yvonne, for letting me know and obtaining a copy for me! :)

Thanks!

Christy