The latest tech news in the Walker Management Library, for the third of February 2005.

1)   Database Updates:

• Accounting & Tax: You can now go into the database and search just that database and not all the Proquest databases simultaneously.  It works both on and off campus, and without a username.
• Waiting to hear back from Dale about access to EconLit from off campus, and the configuration of EconLibrary.com (formerly the Economic Literature Database on Public Workstation #9).  He has been "out".

2) Rachel attended the Technology Support Coordinators (TSC) Meeting (Feb. 8).

• Acorn will be updated near the end of February
• LMC has approved the move for e-reserves from Prometheus to Blackboard/OAK
• There was a Firefox (web browser) deployment among library staff, and plans are being made for it to be added to public workstations as well
• LITS created a wiki and has asked the TSC to "play" with it and see all that it does and doesn't do.
• Rick Stringer-Hye is gathering info on the libraries to create a page for users looking for info on any computer lab/library workstations (such as software, # of computers, hours, etc.), which will be linked from the various ITS and computer lab pages.
• The Heard Library System (or at least LITS) has now gotten involved in LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe), which works collaboratively around the world with other institutions and multiple servers to preserve and keep accessible online resources.  For more information, see: http://lockss.stanford.edu/

3) Last week, Danny came across some problems with his boot disks, and the finishing up of the public workstations has come to a screeching halt until Danny figures out how to fix the problem. Cross your fingers.

4) Mills came over here last week and configured Ariel.  Rachel is in communication with Jim Toplin about training using Ariel.  Rachel needs to know who all needs to have Ariel training so arrangements can be made.  Please contact her by MONDAY afternoon if interested.

5) Rachel did a 30 minute presentation to WML staff on Netfix on Thursday, February 17 for those people who expressed interest in learning how to report library-related technology problems (not Owen/hardware/network-related technology problems)..  There were 3 in attendance.

6) Rachel will be attending the "midnight pizza party at LITS" Sunday night to observe (and satisfy her curious nature) the upgrade of Acorn and other server maintenance.  Rumors have it that she's a bit crazy to do this.

7) Rachel attended on Friday, February 18, the weekly MetaLib meeting.  Developing a usability test is in the progress, as well as determining what databases are going to be included in the test.  The trial is probably going to take place in mid May.

8) Rachel, Deb, and Amia attended a live Webcast today:  Library Marketing: Tips & Techniques

More info:  Friday, February 18, 2005 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Central Classroom, 612A. This will be a discussion on techniques being used by innovative librarians to promote their libraries and services. Listen to the success stories of fellow librarians as they share their personal experiences in finding interesting and effective ways to mass-communicate and promote the value of their libraries. Panelists: Buff Hirko, Statewide Virtual Reference Project Coordinator at Washington State Library; Howard McGinn, Dean of Libraries at Seton Hall University; Linda Wallace, Library Communication Strategies, Inc., formerly head of ALA's Public Information Office.

Have a good weekend, everyone! Thanks for your attention and time!