Library News

Chris Shaffer, Assistant Director for Public Services, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, has been approved for membership in the Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP) at the Distinguished Member level. AHIP is the peer-reviewed professional development and career recognition credentialing program of the Medical Library Association (MLA). This credential denotes the highest standards of professional competency and achievement in the field of health care information.

Chris earned this designation through a variety of activities. He served as the Associate Editor for Electronic Resource Reviews for the Journal of the Medical Library Association. Chris has also worked on a national program committee for the MLA. These are just a couple of examples of his work to advance the profession of health information librarians.

During the first week of July, the management of computing and printing services in the University Libraries will be transferred the University’s Information Technology Services (ITS). This new partnership offers some significant benefits to library users:

• Users will have access to the full range of software provided by campus ITCs (including the Microsoft Office suite); lists are available at http://itc.uiowa.edu/Software.aspx.
• Students will only have one account and will finally be able to use their free print allowance in the library.
• All computers in the Libraries will have the same configuration and library users will be able to use any of the machines for research, writing and other applications.
• Though authentication will be required, non-UI users will still be able to use the machines. We are developing procedures to issue temporary HawkIDs and passwords; more information will be forthcoming once those procedures are finalized.
• Printing will be managed either through individual or departmental printing accounts or by acquiring a Print Key.

To meet the changing needs of our users, several UI Librarians are assuming new responsibilities that better utilize their unique talents.

Karen Fischer will be assuming new responsibilities as Collection Analysis and Planning Librarian. She will provide coordination and support for resource selection, assist in the evaluation of resources, analyze budget trends and develop reports on expenditures and provide support for outreach efforts to the campus on scholarly communication issues. Currently, Karen is an Information Resources Librarian at Hardin Library for the Health Sciences.

Ericka Raber will serve as the point person for our distance education services. She will be meeting with faculty, answering questions from students, making class presentations, maintaining the distance education website (http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/disted/), doing consultations and helping to arrange reserves. Currently, Ericka works as a Reference & Instruction Librarian in the Main Library.

Sandy Ballasch will become Database Maintenance Specialist Librarian. Sandy has a strong background in database maintenance and a good understanding of how problems in the InfoHawk catalog records affect users’ ability to get library materials. Previously Sandy was the Coordinator for Access Services.

Kim Bloedel will assume responsibilities as Business Reference Librarian in the Marvin A. Pomerantz Business Library. This reassignment will require a period of transition. Kim will fulfill her teaching responsibilities with the College of Pharmacy through fall semester 2006.

The Art Library will open today in our new location (235 ABW). The 8 week summer session hours are:

Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday Closed

Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

A University of Iowa faculty member, staff member, student and a clinic started by students are this year’s recipients of the UI President’s Award for State Outreach and Public Engagement, UI President David J. Skorton announced today.

The annual award, created as part of the Year of Public Engagement, honors faculty, staff and students (individuals or groups) who demonstrate exemplary outreach to the State of Iowa. The $1,000 awards are given in four categories — faculty, staff, student and group/organization. Group winners share the $1,000 stipend equally.

The 2006 recipients are Don Coffman, professor and area head in the College of Education’s music education program and faculty member in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences School of Music; Nancy E. Kraft, preservation librarian in UI Libraries; Mark Kresowik, former UI Student Government president; and the Mobile Clinic, an interdisciplinary project that was started by and engages students from the health sciences across the UI.

“I am very gratified at the large number of nominations we received for this award and for the truly impressive amount of creative and generous outreach and service in which our university community engages,” Skorton said. “Our awardees are representative of a remarkable spirit of caring and giving that permeates our entire campus and community. I thank the selection committee for their dedication and excellent work in providing me with a number of wonderful nominations from which to make still-difficult choices.”

Nancy Kraft is being recognized not only for her general contributions to the preservation and accessibility of historical sources in Iowa, but also for two particular initiatives: the Iowa Conservation and Preservation Consortium (ICPC) and the Iowa Heritage Digital Collections. Ms. Kraft has played an important leadership role in the ICPC in developing and delivering a training program for Iowans (delivered in part through the ICN), especially those who work in small repositories around the state, on ways to take care of historical collections of all kinds. Many attendees work in isolated settings with little or no access to additional expertise and advice. Ms. Kraft has also led the creation of the Iowa Heritage Digital Collections, a statewide project designed to make the wide range of collections pertaining to Iowa that are housed in different types of libraries, museums, and historical societies throughout the state widely available through an online database (http://iowaheritage.lib.uiowa.edu/). Ms. Kraft has helped ensure that Iowa’s cultural assets and cultural memory last well into the future and remain widely accessible.