Service Point Changes, 2009
Over the course of the summer, we will be consolidating service points in the Main Library, reducing the total number of staffed service areas on the first two floors from six down to three.
Schedules are subject to change, but are tentatively set as follows:
- June 30, 2009: last scheduled day for Main Library ITC help desk
- July 31, 2009: last scheduled day for Information Arcade desk and drop-in use
- August 19, 2009: last scheduled day for Media Services desk
- August 21, 2009: last scheduled day for Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery Services desk
In general, services provided at these service points will transition to the remaining service points: Access Services (circulation, reserve, interlibrary loan, media), Information & Reference, and the north Circulation desk.
Frequently Asked Questions About These Changes
Q: Why are these changes taking place?
A: These changes are driven by the budget challenges that are affecting this and other campuses. In order to respond to major reductions in library staffing, it was necessary to reduce/consolidate the number of service points in the Main Library. Even though some of the service points were not open all 120 hours that the Main Library is open, the cost of maintaining them separately was significant. The new arrangement has the added benefit of reducing the number of separate services desks that students and faculty need to go to for their library transactions.
Q: Is the ITC closing?
A: No, the desktop computers on the 2nd floor are still available and in fact a few new ones have been added. The major change is moving laptop check-out to the Main Library Information Desk on the first floor.
Q: Can I still check out a laptop?
A: Yes. Laptop checkout is moving to the Main Library Information Desk beginning July 1. As a result, the hours available for checkout will reduce slightly. Most noticeably, on weeknights during the academic year, laptops will need to be checked out Sunday through Thursday by midnight and Friday by 5:00pm instead of 2:00am.
Q: Where do visitors go to obtain a guest ID for computer use?
A: Beginning July 1, guest IDs will be issued at the south circulation desk in Access Services or the Main Library Information Desk. Visiting groups should contact Marianne Holton at the University ITS department at 319-335-6304 or marianne-holton@uiowa.edu.
Q: Where do I go for computer help?
A: Printing problems (paper, toner, jams) will be handled by staff at the Main Library Information Desk. Technical support will be handled by the University ITS Help Desk via phone, email, and live chat – or in person in the second floor of University Capitol Centre, one block away. Changes to the campus wireless network will make WiFi connections simpler and are expected to reduce the number of technical support questions regarding wireless.
Q: Where do I go to check out media?
A: Beginning August 20, materials currently held in Media Services (CDs, DVDs, videotapes, etc.) and the Information Arcade (primarily CD-ROMs) can be checked out from the south circulation desk in Access Services. There will be no reduction in access to the collection or hours of availability.
Q: Where can I view microfilm or microfiche?
A: Media services equipment is relocated to an expanded reserve room in Main Library Access Services, with the same hours of availability currently in Media Services. Construction is underway.
Q: How do I request a copy of a journal article located on microfilm or microfiche?
A: As of July 1st, Media Services staff will no longer provide the fee-based copying service for materials held on microfilm or microfiche. Instead, University of Iowa users can request articles through the Article Delivery Service (http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/ill/ads.html) and the pages will be scanned and provided electronically to you. Additionally, there are self-service machines that are located in the expanded reserve room in Main Library Access Services.
Q: Where can I watch a movie?
A: Media services equipment is relocated to an expanded reserve room in Access Services, with the same hours of availability currently in Media Services.
Q: Where can I scan?
A: Flatbed scanners are available on public computers on the second floor (east wall) and third floor north (Government Publications). A slide scanner and a large-format scanner (11x17) are available in the Art Library on the second floor. The number and location of scanners will be evaluated periodically throughout the fall semester and adjustments will be made based on demand. In addition, we expect to have high-speed scanning available by spring. All scanning equipment will be available anytime the building is open, an increase over the current hours in the Information Arcade.
Q: Where can I do digital video editing?
A: Many departments have equipment available within the department for their own students and faculty, as well as for non-majors enrolled in classes that require specific equipment. Check with your department. The library will no longer have high-end audio and video digitizing equipment available for drop-in use. Our current usage is very low and the equipment is expensive to maintain and support. Because the number of students who use this equipment is so low, we do not expect this change to have a broad impact. At the same time, however, it is not our intent to disrupt faculty research or student coursework. If lack of access to this equipment is causing significant harm and your department does not have the resources you need, please inquire in the Libraries Administrative Offices and we will work with you to find a suitable alternative.
Q: Where can I use the multimedia software available in the Information Arcade?
A: Most multimedia software titles, including the Adobe Creative Suite, are widely available in campus ITCs and on library public workstations. While some specific software titles may no longer be supported, software with substantially similar functionality should be widely available. For specific questions, inquire at the ITS Help Desk or the Main Library Information Desk.
Q: Will the Information Arcade classroom (Classroom #1) still be open?
A: Yes. Procedures for reserving the classroom have changed. These changes are required due to a reduction in staffing and a need to increase availability for library-sponsored classes. The Information Arcade classroom was designed to serve as an incubator for digital scholarship and will continue to be used for that purpose. Many departments across campus now have similar classroom technology, a testament to how mainstream a computer classroom has become. All existing classroom reservations throughout the fall semester will be honored. For more information about the classroom scheduling policy, see the Information Arcade Classroom scheduling procedure.
Q: Will the Information Arcade wireless classroom (Classroom #2) still be open?
A: Not in its present form. Wireless classrooms work well for students who bring their own laptops, but the combination of a wireless classroom with public laptops and a secured wireless network creates technical problems that have proven to be difficult to overcome. Even when the equipment all operates as intended, experience has shown that starting up and connecting to the network consumes too much valuable classroom time. We will be exploring a number of new instructional uses for this space, but for the time being, this room is no longer available. For more information about the classroom scheduling policy, see the Information Arcade Classroom scheduling procedure.
Q: Will there still be an “Information Arcade?”
A: Yes. The space will still be referred to as the Information Arcade and it will still be a hub for new technology. In its first 20 years, much of the focus in the Information Arcade was on integrating technology into teaching and learning. This has included making equipment available to students for their coursework. In the coming year, we will refocus on integrating technology into research and scholarship – supporting new forms of scholarly publishing, digital humanities, data curation, and open/linked data. Over the course of the summer, we will be relocating our entire Digital Library Services department to the Information Arcade and engage the campus community to identify themes and a plan of action. Rather than defining a set of services, we want to remain flexible and embrace the notion of “perpetual beta,” mirroring the collaborative, dynamic processes used in e-research and e-scholarship. Look for more details and an open invitation to participate in the planning process as the new academic year unfolds.
Q: Where do I go to pick up an Interlibrary Loan book?
All Interlibrary Loan books will be held at the Main Library north Circulation desk and are available anytime the Main Library is open.
Q: Where do I go to ask a question about Interlibrary Loan or the Article Delivery Service?
Calling the Main Library Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery department directly at 319-335-5917 or contacting them by e-mail at lib-ill@uiowa.edu are the best ways to reach the Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery staff. However, staff at the south circulation desk in Access Services can answer your questions as well.
