On August 4th, the Walker Management Library hosted an End of the Summer Social for all Owen faculty and staff.  A good time was had by all, with a delicious assortment of food and beverages allowed in the library for this special event, just prior to the arrival of the new Owen students the following week.  Thanks to Rachel Vacek who lead the planning and preparations for the Owen End of the Summer Social; Deb Sommer who assisted in the planning; and to Sylvia Grant, Deborah Brooks all the other Walker Library staff members who contributed to the preparation and success of this event. 

The Walker Library's Career collection was relocated from shelves in the far back corner of the library, to its own alcove near the front of the library in August.  This new, prominent location not only makes the career related publications more visible to students, but provides a pleasant, comfortable space for using these materials.  This alcove formerly housed photocopiers and other related equipment, which were relocated to the back wall of the library behind the current periodicals.  The move also helped to decrease the noise levels near the library's service desks and adjacent study areas.

We were pleased to see the launch of the new Virtual Career Library on September 19th. Deb Sommer and David Carpenter were early advocates for the development of this new online resource, as a means of collecting and presenting a number of online career resources helpful to Vanderbilt students and others.  David and Deb worked within an ad hoc committee including Janice Adlington , Lee Ann Lannon, Mary Beth Blalock, John Haar and representatives of the Vanderbilt Career Center to develop both the concept and content for the Virtual Career Library.  Janice Adlington deserves credit for doing much of the work in designing and organizing the webpages within the Virtual Career Library, with Suellen Stringer- Hye making the changes necessary to make it look like a Heard Library resource.  In addition to links to Web based career information sites, the Virtual Career Library also offers links to online and print books; databases of company and industry information; and other Vanderbilt-specific resources judged as helpful for students seeking information on career opportunities and further education.  A link to the Virtual Career Library can be found under the Subject Guides section of the Heard Library webpage, as well as from other library webpages.

We are pleased that Brent Tenpenny accepted a new position as our Access Services Manager on October 3rd, after serving as the library's Evening Supervisor since 2003. Brent began his employment in the Vanderbilt libraries in 1987, leaving to work for a private company from 1998-2002. Many of you will also be acquainted with Brent from his former positions in Vanderbilt's Law Library and the former Education Library.

David Carpenter, Deborah Brooks, and Laura Norris served on the selection committee to work toward filling the Access Service Manager position. A new selection committee will be formed to interview and hire someone to fill Brent's former position as Evening⁄Weekend Circulation Supervisor.

For August, we received a total of 362 questions at the information services desk.  This is slightly down from the 387 questions that we had during the same time period last year.  This August, we had 185 directional questions, 162 reference questions, and 15 faculty research requests.

We had a total of 537 questions during September compared to 413 during the same period last year, an increase of 140 questions.  This year, we had 176 directional, 350 reference, and 27 faculty search requests.  I believe that the increase in directional questions for this year (33 more) is probably related to the copiers being moved.  We did have 95 more reference questions this September compared to last year and 12 more faculty requests .   At our reference team meetings, we began a discussion about our philosophy of reference service and how reference services should be provided to our users.

After having received positive feedback from Owen faculty, the collections team made the decision to begin offering electronic access only to periodicals available directly from publishers like Wiley, Blackwell, Elsevier, etc.  The print subscriptions to these titles have now been canceled.  We also received several requests from patrons for materials, which we evaluated for our collection and then purchased. Deb, Deborah and Rahn have started a weeding project for the Career Collection in Walker. They are also updating our collections policy in regards to this special collection within the library. Jordan, our information services student assistant, continues to add new material to the Company Files collection as it is received from the Owen Career Management Center. He has also created new folders and labels for the collection, making it much nicer to browse. Amia continues to evaluate and select books received through our approval plan.

As usual, Elaine Hill found August and September to be one of the busiest periods of the year.  She was actively engaged with hiring/processing/orientating and assisting in various ways with the employment of new and/or returning student assistants for the new academic year.  This year there was a reduction in the budget allotment for student employment, so we limited our new hiring to include predominantly Work-Study students.  We did, however, rehire two direct hire students returning to work for us from last year.  There were some resignations due to class/work conflicts, so we had to hire a couple of new institutional students when we could not find any more Work Study students that needed job placements.  We have a total of 13 student assistants working in the areas of Access Services (9), Collections (1), Reference Services (1) and the Administrative Assistant's office (2). 

Rahn Humber provided introductory sessions for nine BIS clients during August and September, and was involved in seven research projects for BIS clients.  Rahn created a “BIS Overview” document as both a statement of philosophy, and standard practice for her Information Services colleagues for when she is away.  Rahn trained Amia Baker in the use of Dialog as a search tool for doing monthly scans of publications for BIS clients.  Amia performed the monthly Dialog search for a BIS client while Rahn was on vacation in August.

Rahn upgraded to the latest version of the QuickBooks software used for BIS billing and accounting systems.  David Carpenter and Martin Cerjan joined Rahn for a brainstorming session to consider the best way to respond to multiple requests from a new BIS client, with interests in both law and business related subject areas. 

August and September 2005 were months of significant change and transition in the Access Services Department.  Marie Swearingen resigned as Access Services Manager effective August 17th, in order to accept a position in private industry.  After a three months hiatus, Brent Tenpenny returned to his position of Evening Supervisor on August 15th.  Even though there were only three days for Marie and Brent to work together prior to her departure, the transition was relatively smooth.  Marie had updated most procedures for the department before she left, and those were invaluable to the remaining staff. 

Beginning August 18th, Brent and Weekend Supervisor, Jeff Madden shared management responsibilities for the department.  Jeff's hours/days were expanded to Wednesday through Sunday to provide additional coverage and assistance.  Brent continued to work the Sunday through Thursday evening shift while the search for a new department manager was conducted.

Elaine Hill and Laura Norris continued to provide assistance and back-up in Access Services.  Both have worked part-time in the department for several years.  Elaine and Laura graciously volunteered to cover several of the daytime desk shifts, and alternated opening the library Monday through Friday.  Elaine's student assistant, Symya Williams, also provided desk assistance when needed.  Staff from other departments helped to cover gaps in the schedule, and this was greatly appreciated.  Rachel Vacek, Rahn Huber, Sylvia Grant, Deb Sommer and others worked one to two-hour shifts at the circulation desk for several weeks.  Jeff and Brent conducted circulation procedural training for library staff who might be called upon to assist from time to time.  This training will also prove valuable when circulation staff or students need to be away from the desk for short periods.

Five student assistants from the 2004/05 year returned to Access Services in August.  One of the returning students resigned shortly afterward due to a heavy school workload and other commitments.  Four new college work study students were hired to replace the assistants who graduated last May, and to fill some of the vacancies in the daytime schedule. 

Brent and Jeff shared responsibility for training the students.  Brent also revised the Student Circulation Manual in September, and distributed an electronic version to each student.  A hard copy was also placed at the circulation desk, and copies shared with the staff.  While written with student assistants in mind, the somewhat abridged version of the full circulation manual serves as a quick reference for staff who may be called upon to assist at the desk on short notice.

With Marie's departure, it became necessary to modify accounting procedures for the department.  Brent had processed the deposits since 2003; while Marie did the deposit uploads to university accounting.  Auditing regulations require that one person prepare the deposit and another processes the upload.  Jeff had prepared the deposit when he was a temp employee at WML in 2003, so he resumed that responsibility.  Brent then began processing the deposit uploads.

Laura Norris continued processing print edition faculty reserves.  Laura has worked with reserves for several years, and continued to keep the process running smoothly.  Brent and Jeff processed and maintained electronic reserves on Blackboard.  Both links to electronic journal articles and PDF files of scanned articles were linked in Blackboard.  Being knowledgeable of procedures for both print and electronic reserves, Brent, Jeff and Laura provided back-up for one another as needed. 

Laura responded to 30 faculty document delivery requests in August, and 86 in September.  Beginning in August, Laura assumed the responsibility for using her procurement card to pay document delivery incurred bills for companies such as British Public Library, Copyright Clearance Center, and Ingenta.  Laura continued to contact publishers directly concerning copyright permissions not covered by the Copyright Clearance Center.  At the end of September, she had 446 pending permission requests. She has been running weekly reports that reflect orders placed with Copyright Clearance Center for invoice comparison.

Brent continued as faculty contact for study room reservations in the library and 810 Café.  While an attempt had been made to direct all such requests through the circulation mailbox, most faculty continued to contact Brent directly.  This did not prove to be a problem, and seems to promote a positive relationship with the faculty.  

Jeff completed a shift of the bound periodicals at the beginning of this reporting period.  Several bound volumes had been sent to the Annex in the past year, so numerous gaps and runs of empty shelving existed in the stacks.  The shift returned a neat and uniform look to the bound periodicals stacks, and created adequate growth space for new volumes.

646	Periodical issues processed
80	Reference serials processed
9	New Books processed
91	Pages of Looseleaf materials filed
166	Volumes processed for the Bindery
597	Microfiche filed
5	Boxes of microfilm received and processed
44	Table of Contents packets compiled
37	Claims processed.  Ebsco titles claimed on Ebsconet
29	Linear feet were transferred for Annex processing
58	Items were Withdrawn
87	Titles had Holdings maintenance

Deborah compiled a spreadsheet of journal titles considered for “Print to Electronic Only.”  This spreadsheet was eventually given to Chris Waldrop for processing by Order Services and forwarded to Amia Baker as a collection management resource.

With the initiation of the TS online order form, we began a new procedure for ordering Reserve materials.  All of these materials will be ordered this way eliminating the need to purchase them at the bookstore.  We will also order Rush items and patron requests in this manner as well.

25	Orders placed (2-Faculty Request; 1 Patron)
11	Renewal invoices for Direct periodicals subscriptions were submitted to Order Services for payment
5	Renewal invoices for Electronic databases

August and September were busy months technologically.  Rachel continued to publish her "Friday Tech Update" every other Friday to keep WML staff current on new and upcoming technology-related information.  She usually reports the goings-on of various technology committees or task forces she is on, provides tech support and tips, shares news about the latest Google implementation or other cool uses of technology in libraries, provides database updates, reports on progress on the new WML website and staffweb, and, of course, gives a thorough VUprint update.

Yes, VUprint implementation has truly been a favorite topic here in WML, and Rachel has been dedicated to keeping the staff more than informed of its ongoing status.  At this time, Owen students, faculty, and staff will not be charged for printing in WML, but non-Owen users will be charged.  George Anglin installed the lovely print release station near the Kilimanjaro printer, and Bill Hook demonstrated how it functions.

Rachel installed eight brand-spanking new public workstations (beautiful Dell GX280's, as shown above) just in time for the new school year, also updating software, ghosting, and installing DeepFreeze security software on these public workstations. The new computers have Windows XP, Microsoft Office 2003, CD/DVD burners, easily accessible USB drives, slim cases, and are lightening fast at 3.4 GHz.  Rachel also helped us add a new public workstation for the second floor of the library--for quick access to online resources and Acorn upstairs-and set up another computer at a new workspace created for the BIS and Information Services student workers. 

Both Rachel and David met with members of Owen IT to discuss the possibility of getting new printers within WML, as our current printers are many years old.  Danny Sulkin in Owen IT is compiling information on usage and repair frequency for our printers, as well as a recommendation for what new printers might better meet our needs.  We hope funding can be found for replacement printers.

Rachel, after much discussion with colleagues, did two things to improve communication and help to reduce the mass amounts of email:

1. She added an Outlook mailbox called "AskLibrarians" and created a separate email address (asklibrarian@owen.vanderbilt.edu ) just for reference questions.  The former Information Services email address (wmlinfoservicesstaff@owen.vanderbilt ) was not meaningful to users who needed research help, and reference questions could easily get lost amidst all the other reference, instruction, and collection management discussion email messages sent to that address.  The former email address will still be used internally, but the AskLibrarians email address will be advertised to the Owen community.
2. Rachel also created the WML Suggestions & Ideas Forum (http://p2.forumforfree.com/wmlstaffweb.html) which is a casual, online forum/bulletin board for WML staff to share new ideas, make proposals, plan events, and discuss miscellaneous, mostly library-related topics.

Amia Baker and David Carpenter welcomed new Owen students at an orientation session held at the Stadium Club on August 8th. Deb Sommer taught an orientation/library instruction session for a large number of new MBA and M.S. in Finance students at Wilson Hall on August 11th, with David Carpenter and Rachel Vacek assisting.  Rahn Huber provided an instruction session for Prof. David Furse 's MGT 195 on August 31st.

In August, we provided seven instruction sessions for a total of 579 attendees.  In September, we taught eleven instruction sessions for a total of 302 attendees.  Below is a summary of our instruction sessions for September.

Course Number	Description	Instructor	Requestor	Student Attendance	Date
MOT 150	Dynamics of Change: Impacts of Technology	Baker & Sappenfield	Prof. John Bers (School of Engineering)	11	9/1
MOT 221	Introduction to Management of Technology	Baker & Sappenfield	Prof. John Bers (School of Engineering)	51	9/1
	Workshop - Career and Job Hunting Resources	Sommer & Baker	-----------------	12	9/7
	Workshop - Career and Job Hunting Resources	Sommer & Baker	-----------------	26	9/8
	2nd Year EMBA Global Class	Sommer	Prof. Rick Oliver	40	9/9
MGT 554a	Introduction to Entrepreneurship	Huber	Prof. Germain Boer	31	9/14
	Workshop - Company & Industry Research for Internships and Job Hunting	Sommer	-----------------	16	9/15
	1st Year EMBA Orientation	Sommer	-----------------	43	9/16
	Workshop - Company & Industry Research for Internships and Job Hunting	Sommer	-----------------	11	9/19
	Workshop - Company & Industry Research for Internships and Job Hunting	Sommer	-----------------	21	9/20
	2nd Year EMBA Corporate Valuation	Sommer	Prof. Craig Lewis	40	9/23

Amia met with two of the marketing faculty for an overview of library services and resources.  She met with an Owen administrative assistant for an overview of basic research skills for finding scholarly

Deb Sommer met with two new members of the Owen faculty and talked to them about library services and resources.  She also met with three faculty support staff and showed them how to search Business Source Premier, Factiva, and explained how to find electronic copies of journals using ACORN.  Deb devoted a great deal of time to responding to faculty questions and preparing for classes.

Deb wrote draft database descriptions for web content and to be used on instructional handouts.  Deb corrected and updated the following Resource Guides on the current WML website: Investment Guide, Company Information, Industry Research, Main Job Hunting & Career Resources page, Finance and Accounting guide, Hedge Funds, Investment Banking and Investment Management, General Resources on Careers and Occupations, General Resources for Job Hunting, General Resources for Internship Opportunities, Resumes, Cover Letters and Interviewing Skills, Salary Surveys and Job Relocation Guide, Job Search Overview, and Checklist for Company Research.  In addition, Deb developed the following new forms or guides:  Instruction Request/Report Form, Industry Ratio Sources for an Undergraduate class (no instruction requested), and Help Sheet of Analyst and Stock Research for Finance Club. 

In other instruction related activities, Deb: assigned Librarian's EMBA groups for Germain Boer's New Venture course; attended Finance Club meeting on the Max Adler Stock Investment Competition (spoke briefly from the audience); attended Owen HealthCare MBA Club to learn about their instructional needs; met with 2 assigned EMBA groups; and met with Business Plan group from David Furse 's Mgrl 195 class.

Amia, Deb, and Deborah attended a demonstration about the Bloomberg terminal.  Amia hired and trained a new student assistant for the Information Services team.  Amia developed a schedule for weekend coverage of the Information Services Desk through December and planned the September and October desk schedules. 

In early August, David began meeting individually with librarians and other staff members of the library in order to get better acquainted with them and to learn about their roles and responsibilities in the library.  This series of meetings will continue in October and November. During August and September, David began participating in the weekly Library Directors' Group meetings.  He chaired the selection committee to hire the library's new Access Services Manager.  David met with Flo Wilson in August to discuss responsibilities of his new position, and again on Sept. 28 to learn about library budgets and various budgetary procedures. He worked with Rachel to understand VUprint and how the library should prepare for the launching of VUprint.  He met with the Karen Tulla, the library representative for the Owen Student Government Association (OSGA), to discuss library issues, and to examine how the library and the OSGA could work together toward common goals.  In sum, over these two months, David worked to learn the responsibilities of his new position; the mission and services of the Walker Management Library; and the priorities and programs of the Owen Graduate School of Management. 

Sylvia attended the Student Job Fair held at the Student Recreation Center to hire new student assistants for the 2005-2006 academic year .  She continues to process our Ingram orders.  Sylvia agreed to assist with circulation desk coverage until our Access Services Manager vacancy could be filled and student assistants hired to fill the necessary desk shifts.

Rahn completed a Healthcare Resource Guide with recommendations for purchases and updates to the WML collection, and created a SDC Quick Users Guide for reference desk/given to Amia and Deborah for review to finalize as a helping aide.  On August 18th, Rahn attended a transitional GIS group meeting to define the group's new mission and prepare for its continued work as a committee, as she ended her active role with the group.  A report from the GIS group's meeting was sent to Paul Gherman for approval.  Rahn attended the SLA Southeastern Regional Meeting (SARC) in Colonial Williamsburg, VA (9/27-10/1).

Deb attended the two-day Owen Executive Seminar "Marketing for Growth and Profitability." She attended a Bloomberg Training Update (taught by Jessie Picunko). She attended a demonstration of Groupz software, and received "Refresher in Dreamweaver MX" training from Rachel Vacek.  She also became acquainted with the Camstasia Studio multimedia and presentation software (learning and developing online tutorials).

Rachel attended the Library & Information Technology Association (LITA) National Forum in San Jose, CA (9/29-10/2) and met with the various committees she is involved with. Dale Poulter and Jason Battles from LITS also attended the Forum.

Walker Library Weekly Information Services Meetings (Thursdays at 10:00)
Walker Library Weekly Staff Meetings (Wednesdays at 3:30)
Acquisitions & Technical Processing Weekly Meetings (Deborah and Sylvia)
Overview of Circulation Procedures (presented by Jeff Madden and Brent Tenpenny) - David, Deborah, Elaine, Sylvia, Rachel, and Rahn.
Technology Support Coordinators Meeting (8/9 and 9/13) - Rachel
Brown Bag: LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keeps Stuff Safe) (8/10) - Rachel and Rahn
Library Management Council Retreat (8/15) - David
Brown Bag Session: Off on the Road to Morocco (8/16) - Rachel, David and Laura
VUprint Open House (8/17) - Rachel
GIS Task Force Meetings & Tour of the Census Information Center (8/18, 8/29, and 9/21) - Rachel
Owen Faculty and Senior Staff Retreat at Center for Better Health (8/26) - David
Donuts and Coffee Discussion of New Library Committees (9/6) - David and Rachel
Owen Community Lunch Picnic held in The Owen Courtyard (9/8) - Sylvia, Deborah, Laura and Rachel
"Larry Romans Fan Club" Appreciation Party (9/15) - David, Amia and Rachel
Procurement Card Training (9/20) - David
Committee on the Center for Academic Life (9/27) - David