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Open Enrollment 2013
 Open Enrollment 2013 will begin on November 4 and continue through November 15. This is the only time of the year when you may enroll in or change your coverage for many benefits, unless you undergo a " qualifying life event." This is also when you must elect your contributions to Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to help lower out-of-pocket expenses on health care and dependent care. News for 2014: The new University Wellness Initiative offers you significant benefits through Optum and embody, the two key components of the initiative. The University also is pleased to announce new or enhanced health plan coverage for hearing aids and breast pumps, as well as a new concierge service from US Imaging to help enrollees schedule outpatient CT scans, PET scans, and MRIs. While some medical co-pays are going up for 2014, those for preventive care and primary care physician visits will remain the same. Again this year, the Office of Human Resources has scheduled a number of Open Enrollment Information Sessions on campus. Employees are encouraged to attend one of the scheduled sessions to learn about the benefit changes for 2014. Four webinars are also planned. An information session is scheduled to take place in Bird Library on Tuesday, November 5 at 8:30 a.m. in the Peter Graham Scholarly Commons. No RSVP is necessary; the session should last approximately one hour. Keep an eye out for more detailed information regarding Open Enrollment 2013 arriving in your inbox soon. |
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Save the date!
Gathering in Memory of Michael DeSalvo
Thursday, October 31 between Noon - 2:00 p.m.
Benches on the corner of University Place and College Place
Share memories and thoughts of Michael or just hang out to remember him.
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Farewell Reception for Mamie Procks Thursday, October 31 from 1:45 - 4:15 p.m.
Hillyer Room, Bird Library, Sixth Floor Celebrate Mamie who is retiring after 25 years of service.
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New staff
Amanda Perrine, Supervisor in Access & Resource Sharing, holds an MLS from Syracuse University and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Cultural Heritage Preservation, also from Syracuse University. She received a B.S. in Political Science from SUNY Oneonta, where she participated in a study abroad program in South Africa on "Nation Building after Apartheid".
Please welcome Amanda to the Syracuse University Libraries!
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New and improved mobile website
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New and improved mobile website
 We've launched a redesigned mobile website! In addition to an overall design update, the new mobile site is packed with mobile-optimized applications to aid students and researchers on the go. New features include: - The Summon search box;
- Link to Subject Guides;
- Expanded list of mobile accessible databases (under Search), such as EBSCOhost, JSTOR, Lexis/Nexis, SciFinder, and more;
- Listing (under Locations) of all study spaces, meeting rooms, and Today's Room Schedule;
- Expanded hours to include weekly hours and exceptions;
- Full events listings;
- Streamlined staff directory.
The Libraries welcomes comments and feedback on the new site through the "Give Us Your Feedback" link on the main mobile page. |
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DRS blog
The Department of Research and Scholarship (DRS) launched a new blog this fall intended to keep the campus community up to date on library collections and the department's activities in support of teaching and research. Written collectively by all of the DRS librarians, the blog will provide a multiplicity of perspectives and include information on new library resources, services, staff, current issues, and news related to the greater academic information world. http://library-blog.syr.edu/drs/blog/ For more information on the blog, contact Anne Rauh. |
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Learning Commons hosts panels on reference transactions
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Learning Commons hosts panels on reference transactions
The Learning Commons Department will host the second of two panels on "interesting reference transactions" on Thursday, November 7, from 2-4 p.m. in the PGSC. This special session is part of the Learning Commons' staff development program and features librarians from SUL and local libraries. Panelists include: - Christine Demetros, Assistant Director for Student Learning, Barclay Library, SU College of Law
- Jane Verostek, Associate Librarian, Moon Library, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- Michael Pasqualoni, Librarian for Communications, Public Administration, Political Science & International Relations, Syracuse University Libraries
- Amy Slutzky, Reference Librarian, Upstate Health Sciences Library
The panel is a continuation of an event held this past August, where the same four panelists answered questions about odd and challenging questions as well as rewarding experiences. The November panel will address questions relating to changes in reference over the years, favorite reference sources and modes, and other topics related to providing reference service. Please join us for a lively discussion and opportunity to network with colleagues from SUL and neighboring libraries. Attendees are welcome to share reference stories as well. RSVP to Abby Kasowitz-Scheer by Thursday, October 31 so they can plan for space and refreshments.
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October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month
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 October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month As part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, a program designed to raise awareness of online and internet security, ITS is offering to all SU faculty and staff " Securing the Human," a series of short videos each featuring a different IT security topic. These vary in length, with the longest being only five and a half minutes, and can be viewed one at a time in multiple sessions. As an incentive to view the videos, employees who complete the first group of eight (8) videos by October 31, 2013 will be eligible to win one of two Nexus tablets.
To view the videos:
- Log in to blackboard.syr.edu with your SU NetID and password
- Click on "Organizations"
- In the "My Organizations" box, click on "Information Security Videos"
- Disable your browser's popup blocker (if it isn't already)
- Double click the video title you wish to watch.
In addition, ITS will be hosting a live workshop on October 29, featuring hands-on demonstrations of security threats and ways you can counter them. The hour-long workshop will be held in room 304 in the Schine student Center at 11:30 a.m., and includes pizza and great giveaways for all attendees! Questions? Comments? Ideas? Drop us an email at infosectranhelp@listserv.syr.edu.
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Libraries' involvement in the Library Publishing Coalition
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Libraries' involvement in the Library Publishing Coalition
 The Libraries are a founding institution of the Library Publishing Coalition, which is "dedicated to advancing the emerging field of library publishing." Below is a link to our profile, entitled "Scholarship in Action: Publishing at Syracuse University Libraries and Syracuse University Press." Thanks to Suzanne Guiod, Suzanne Preate, Yuan Li, and Pamela McLaughlin for contributing to the profile. http://www.librarypublishing.org/library-profiles/syracuse-librariesPublishing initiatives are part of the new and innovative Services the Libraries can and will provide over the coming years. Our participation in and support of Public, the e-journal that is being published as part of the University's involvement in Imagining America, provides evidence of the Libraries' innovation and commitment in this sphere. |
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Call for Nominations: Distinguished Service Award 2013
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Call for Nominations: DSA 2013
It is almost time for us to honor another distinguished co-worker! Please consider nominating a co-worker who has made significant contributions to the service of the Syracuse University Libraries user community.
What's the process for nominating, you ask?
Send a brief letter to any member of the DSA committee (listed below) outlining your candidate's contributions. Please provide specific examples. Ask for 2-5 letters of reference for your candidate from his/her co-workers and supporters. One should come from the candidate's supervisor. Additional details can be found here.
Who can be nominated?
Any SUL employee with at least 3 years of service*
*Exceptions:- Current DSA Selection Panel members (listed below)
- Current SULA Executive Board members (Nicole Dittrich, Marianne Hanley, Jeanette Norris, Gerry M. McCarthy, Fantasia Thorne)
- Any previous winners
Only individual nominees are allowed (no dual or team nominees).
Please send nominations to either Tarida Anantachai, Shannon Pritting, Sue Ehlers, David Stokoe, or Pat Bench.
The deadline for nominations and letters of reference is Friday, November 8.
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News from the Green Team
A new American Library Association (ALA) Round Table: SustainRT was approved by ALA in 2013. Information about this Round Table is now on the SustainRT ALA site, which includes links to SustainRT on Facebook, information about the Round Table's listserv, and more. Please feel free to contact SU Libraries Green Team co-chair, Tasha Cooper, if you have questions about SustainRT or suggestions for the SU Libraries' Green Team.
How Recycling Bias Affects What You Toss WhereNPR reports on research by a Boston University team that makes some interesting insights into how and what we recycle and what we consider to be trash. Read/listen to the full story »
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Kudos
Three Learning Commons librarians were part of the team that came in second place in September's CLRC Bibliotrivia Contest. The "Savvy Searchers" included Fantasia Thorne, Tarida Anantachai, and Abby Kasowitz-Scheer, as well as their colleague Pauline Shostack from OCC's Coulter Library. The Savvy Searchers participated in this fun and challenging competition by answering questions about CLRC member libraries, sometimes visiting various libraries around the region to snap photos of themselves at specific locations or with specific items. As a reward for their efforts, each member of the Savvy Searchers team will receive a certificate for ANY continuing education event offered by CLRC in the upcoming year.
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 On October 5, 2013, the third anniversary of their first date, Thomas Michael Wasylenko proposed to Theresa Anne Gipson at WaterFire in Providence, RI. When Theresa said "yes," she made Tom and many other people extremely happy. Among those celebrating were Tom's parents, Michael (Professor of Economics and Maxwell School Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs & Administration) and Lydia (Librarian in DRS). Theresa, daughter of William and Adeline Gipson of Belmont, MI, graduated from the University of Michigan in 2009 and will receive a Ph.D. in Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2015. She is a researcher at MIT's Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, working in the area of Huntington disease. Tom, who was an SUL-LITS student employee while in high school, completed his undergraduate studies at Princeton University, Class of 2008, and will receive his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from MIT in 2014.
A chapter from Tom's doctoral dissertation in the field of metabolic engineering ("Kinetic isotope effects significantly influence intracellular metabolite13C labeling patterns and flux determination") was published in the September issue of Wiley's Biotechnology Journal. In late October, Tom and 19 other invited graduate students from 15 selected universities around the globe will travel to Denmark to participate in the BIOPRO World Talent Campus, a Ph.D.-level course and international networking initiative focused on cutting-edge developments in biotech manufacturing processes.
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Comments and complaints from the Interwebs
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Comments and complaints from the Interwebs
 Almost every day, SU students comment and complain about the Library using social media outlets, such as Twitter. Many of their musings receive a reply from the Library's official Twitter handle, @SyracuseULib or the Learning Commons (@sulibrarylc). Here are some of the things that have been on their minds:
- That moment when you see prospective students on a tour in Bird Library #pickSyracuse
- Faster than ever! @SyracuseULib upgraded their public workstations.
- YAY! RT @SyracuseU: Students, rejoice! @SyracuseULib upgraded public work stations with faster machines.
- There is absolutely no excuse for why Bird library has desktop computers from 2006 when people pay over $56,000 to go to this school ... There are no outlets in here and the computers run at the speed of molasses.
- Hey @SyracuseULib Bird literally has the worst layout. It's 2013 and everyone uses a laptop. Get more plugs and get it together.
- Thanks to @SyracuseULib for the help they provided to #605campus students so far this semester!
- You know it's midterms when you close down a floor in the library. Where is everyone? #nolights
- Oh hey Twitter I've missed you these last 14 hours, I found another bird to spend my time with. #LibForDays
- I might as well be making my rent checks out to #Bird Library.
- Sign up for #OA week by FRIDAY @SyracuseULib! All the cool kids r doin' it.
- "Hey let's go to the third floor that's supposed to be quiet and run a vacuum" -Bird Library staff
- The 4th floor in SU library scares me.
- The basement of Bird Library is my nightmare.
- I think the bathroom at Bird Library is haunted. Or maybe I'm just delirious.
- Makin' an appearance @ Bird Library always feels good.
- If I die young, bury me in Bird Library, lay me down in a bed of all that history.
- The difference between Bird Library and a Cornell library is beyond hilarious.
- Bird Library at Syracuse University would easily be my purgatory.
- (Bird Library) + (Coffee) x (Amaretto flavor shot) = productivity
- Offer more individual quiet study areas for grad students and studious undergrads.
- Add gluten-free bagels to the menu in the café.
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Staff news
Got news? Please feel free to send us any news items that you would like to share with colleagues -- graduations, weddings, new babies, travels, and such. As always, we welcome your feedback, comments, questions, or story ideas. Send your contributions to libcom@syr.edu.
Many thanks for your interest!
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The Syracuse University Libraries Staff Newsletter
Editors:
Pamela Whiteley McLaughlin, Julie Sharkey
Contributors: Bevan Angier, DeAnn Buss, Annette Carbone, Tasha Cooper,
K. Matthew Dames, Sue Ehlers, Abby Kasowitz-Scheer, Kelley Parker,
Amanda Perrine, Anne Rauh, Lydia Wasylenko
Click here to view past issues of the Staff Newsletter
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