Category Archives: Uncategorized

2 New High-End Camcorders at Circ

This is to let you know that we have added 2 new Canon digital HD camcorders (#273 and 274) to our equipment inventory. They are easy to use, compact, excellent video machines that are highly-regarded upgrades to our supply. They each have 2 batteries; one is in the camera, and the other remains in the case. You won’t have to worry about charging the battery upon return, I will make sure the cameras are charged, since the battery charges through the camera. The check list is on the top of the case, with 6 items listed. I have marked the USB cord and the AV cable so those cords are easily recognized. It is a one-day loan, as the other camcorders, and students, staff, faculty can borrow them. We will want to be extra cautious when checking it in so the batteries don’t go missing, and the cords as well. The camera holds video for up to 6 hours so it will be popular for lots of sporting events, and all special occasions.

I’ve included an under 5-minute review from YouTube so you can check it out. Don’t worry, your eyes won’t glaze over. It is pretty interesting!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm_L72e8blA

Rearranged Mac Chargers, VGAs & Laptops at Circ

With the nice additon of  20 new Mac chargers, I have placed a basket next to each student station in the drawer below. This is a convenient place for them to be checked out. There are also some paired with laptops in the metal cabinet directly behind the student computers. Jun helped me switch the metal cabinets because the VGAs/dongles tray did not fit in the taller cabinet. We think you will find the arrangement a little more efficient.

Note: When we check back in student Mac laptops and Dell PCs, please check them to be certain they are shut down. We don’t want to waste the battery while sitting in the cabinet shelf. If the battery is very low, please place them on my desk so I can charge them. You can also charge one or two next to the student side check in computer. Thanks everyone!

Cords, cords and more cords…or less

Circ Student Staff,
When patrons ask for various cords, as in USB, fire wires, or any type of cord to charge iPhones & iPads, please defer to a supervisor. If we are able to accommodate the request, we will do so. Supervisors may get a cord if we have them; there are no barcodes, so cords are loaned with an ID card exchange. DO NOT EVER take cords out of camcorder cases, iPod bags, LCD cases, or any media item. The easiest tactic is to check with a supervisor to pass on the request. We are not in the business of loaning out stray cords and connectors to charge phones and iPads. We lose too many in the process and they are expensive & time-consuming to replace. Thanks!

Student Worker Reminder: Media Equipment Returns

This is a brief reminder to everyone to be sure that the borrowing time periods are followed when checking out various equipment items.  No extensions are allowed without permission from a supervisor. Most popular items are one-day loan periods.
Quick review:
digital cameras (still): 1 day ONLY
camcorders (flash and mini-dv): 1 day ONLY
microphones: 1 day ONLY
LCD projectors: 1 day ONLY – *pay special attention since we do not have many in stock for this high demand item
digital voice recorders:  7 days
calculators – 4 hours

Since we are at the end of the semester, we are turning around these items quickly (daily) so we need to get them back to the desk by their due date. Others are in line for booking.  Many students have blocked accounts due to late equipment returns; you will need to get a supervisor to speak with those students when they come to the desk.  This is a very busy time and we thank you for all of your hard work!  Let us know if you have any questions.

Work Etiquette: clearing the deck of debris (loose books, CDs, etc) between shifts

Hello Circ Students!

Please be absolutely certain to clear away books, DVDs, CDs and all stray items at the end of your shift. There have been several requests from your co-workers about this issue. Several students are beginning each shift by cleaning up after the student employee who worked before their shift. This pertains to the area next to the check in computer. CDs need to be shelved, and not left behind for someone else to put away (moi, for instance). If you see an ILL cart with books to be shelved, please take initiative to take it on and shelve it with your co-worker. One person does not need to do all of the tasks.
This is good information for you to retain and to use in the future when you are hired outside of the college. Leaving a mess for others to clean up does not bode well in the professional world.  Sharing the workload does wonders. Take the tip.
I know this does not apply to all of you, but I hope everyone is conscious of others at work.

On the positive side, thank you to everyone for doing excellent jobs overall at the desk. We are grateful to have you work hard for us. Have a great Thanksgiving weekend as we give thanks to you.

Reminder to all Circulation student staff members

This is a brief reminder to preferably let me, or if necessary, another supervisor know when a piece of equipment is loaned out by you, when that particular item does not have all of its components at checkout time. There have been cases in which a patron has claimed that all of the items within a laptop, camcorder or a camera were not included when checked out. We want to avoid these situations so there is no question about components missing. Today I had this scenario, since a patron said a laptop did not have its mouse when he checked it out by a student. I need to know when this occurs. The best procedure is for you to place that laptop or media item on my desk with a note that the mouse (or whatever the case may be) is missing, and to get another laptop case with all of its pieces intact. Even if a patron says they do not need a particular part inside a case at checkout time, they need to receive the complete case with all of its parts. It is important so we can keep track of responsibility for media.  Thank you very much for your attention to this issue. Details matter.