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Circulation, O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library, Services

UPDATE: O’Shaughnessy-Frey Rearranging its Books and Periodicals Collections

It has been a little over a year since the O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library started shifting its book collection up out of the Sub Level.

The purpose of this project is so that we can move ALL bound journals to the Sub Level of the library and start the book collection on the Lower Level, extending up to Level 4.

As the Fall semester begins the following book call number ranges will be on these new floors:

Level 4: PQ – Z ll

Level 3: HX – PN

Level 2: E – HV

Lower Level: A – D, this will be an ongoing shift throughout the fall semester

Note that Periodicals with titles that begin S – Z have been shifted from Level 4 to Sub Level. 

If you have questions or comments about this project, please let us know.

See the Library’s March 12th, 2014 blog post for more details on the project

August 20, 2015 by
English, Libraries, News & Events, Services

3,344 lbs. of Food and Counting: UST Libraries Annual Food Drive

The UST Libraries just kicked off their 7th Annual Food Drive. Since the Library’s first drive in 2009, where we received 156 lbs. of food to last year’s donation of 927 lbs., the Library has donated a total of 3,344 lbs of food to local food shelves.

For the first 6 years of the program the Library emphasized the opportunity for library users to donate food in exchange for the forgiving of overdue library fines. A student could donate 1 can of food and the Library would then waive $2 of fines. Over the years the Library has forgiven a total of $6,836 fines.

However, over time we noticed that the vast majority of donors were either students, whole dorms, or staff and faculty, who just wanted to give food, regardless of any reciprocity.

2011_1In the fall of 2011 the Library was approached by the English Department to offer a mid-year food drive, in collaboration with their Common Context theme “Hunger”, which “focused on numerous aspects of hunger and scarcity on a global and local scale, but they also are designed to inspire the consideration of related dimensions of hunger including desire, longing and the struggle for justice.”

Since the inception of the food drive the Library’s primary interest was to offer students an alternative to paying for overdue fines and at the same time allow for the UST community to bless a local food shelf. We wanted to donate to food shelves that may be impacted by our campus and likewise may even serve some members of our institution. Since we started offering the program, we have donated to the Franciscan Brothers of Peace (’09, ’10, ‘11), Francis Basket Foodshelf (‘11), and Saint Paul Area Council of Churches (’13, ’14, ’15).

2013_FoodForFines

This year’s UST Libraries Food Drive started during Library Week, April 12th and will run until the end of the semester, May 31st.

We encourage any and every one to donate to this program, regardless of having overdue fines. Consider how fortunate our campus is, with the wonderful community that surrounds us, and give a little back today.

How many of the UST Libraries Food Drives have you donated to? We would love to hear your stories and how these drives may have affected you. #USTLibraries

April 22, 2015 by
Archbishop Ireland Library, Circulation, New Materials

Waiting in Line for a Best-Seller

You’re waiting with bated breath. The library just got a copy. It’s that series your friend hooked you on, a new mystery, biography, or adventure, and its hot… too hot to touch! Welcome to the back of the line for this week’s bestseller, but before you do:

HOLD your horses! Before you place a request through CLICnet, pay attention to your competition or else you’ll sell yourself short. When you view your objet desire, ask yourself how many copies are available, what their due dates are, and how many holds are already in the queue.

CLICnet-AllTheLight

Let’s say you want to read Anthony Doerr’s latest novel. Observe: of three copies, none is guaranteed to be back in circulation until late April. It gets worse: while no one will be able to renew their loan before you can take a peek, everyone gets a full loan period of at least two months, and eight people are ahead of you in line! Thankfully, there are some fast readers in this world, and spot #9 will become #1 soon enough.

What’s a bibliophile to do?

If you’re desperate, you can put in an Inter-Library Loan (ILL) request.  But think, the public library queues are probably longer and they’re likely to pass on filling another library’s request.  While it never hurts to check your local library, be realistic about your prospects.

If you can wait, just place a request with us, but do it intelligently. After logging in, you’ll be asked to set a date for your request to expire.  It is AUTOMATICALLY SET AT 30 DAYS FROM TODAY. Obviously, you may need more time than that for your ticket to be called.

CLICnet_ReqVerify-ATL

When you come to the screen pictured above, enter the latest date you’d be interested in receiving the book. You’ll get the book based on the date you place your request, NOT the date your hold request expires.

Or if you want to get mathematical about it, multiple 8 weeks (shortest student loan period plus some time on the holdshelf) by 8 requests (or however many requests are ahead of you), then divide by 3 (the number of copies).  Here the total is 21+ weeks, so extend that request expiration date out 5 months or so.

Keep waiting, but breathe easy. Play it smart: those eight people waiting in line, they might not be so clever; in two months, maybe less, their holds may expire while yours is there to stay.

~Mason M., Ireland Library Staff, Graduate Student

March 5, 2015 by
Database Highlights & Trials, Libraries, News & Events, Services

Do you Summon?

Hi Students! As your research is gearing up this semester, we have a question for you:

Do you Summon?

Summon is a Google-like search tool here at UST Libraries, and you can use it just like you’d use Google…Go ahead and search our databases, book catalog, video collection, and more – all at once!

We know your professors ask you to find specific types of resources for assignments.  With Summon, you can easily filter for peer-reviewed articles, items published in a particular time range, and more.  Even better, it automatically refers you to a relevant UST librarian if you need more help!

Watch the short video below for more great tips and hints about using Summon, and (as always), Happy Searching!

March 2, 2015 by
Archbishop Ireland Library, Circulation

‘Tis the season to return books!

Greetings, Ireland Library users!  Congratulations on finishing another term strong! OSFBookdropMap1

After the semester ends you’ll be catching up on lots of mundane but important tasks, like sleep, laundry, paying bills, and returning library books! 

Ireland Library will be closed for the majority of Christmas Break, so please plan to return library items to the book returns outside of O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library.  There are two of them.  The easiest one to get to is located on the south side of the building in the loading dock area off of Cleveland Ave.  The other book drop is located off the quad on the northwest corner of the building. 

Of course, you can return library items and chat with staff when Ireland is open as well. 

  • Fri, Dec 19:  8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Mon, Dec 22:  8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Tue, Dec 23:  8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • J-term hours begin at 8 a.m. Mon, Jan 5, 2015.  For more details see http://tinyurl.com/IrelandLibHours. 

You can also return items by mail.  Please see details on the library’s Returning Books page. 

Blessings on your holiday preparations and celebrations with family and friends.

Your friends at Ireland Library, Curt, Betsy & Conie

December 18, 2014 by
Archbishop Ireland Library, Charles J. Keffer Library, Circulation, Libraries, O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library, Services

Bookdrop Locations during Christmas Break!

book drop

Just a brief reminder that if you need to drop off library materials that are due after regular library hours or over holidays, you can use one of our various bookdrop locations:

  • Outside O’Shaughnessy-Frey:  north of the front door at the bottom of the steps
  • Outside O’Shaughnessy-Frey:  south side of the library
  • Outside Keffer: in skyway near old front entrance & elevator

For more info, see our Returning Books page.

December 18, 2014 by
Libraries, News & Events, O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library, Services

Stressed About Finals? UST Libraries Can Help!

It’s the most stressful time of the year!
Keyboards are clicking and printers are printing and tables are full… 
Of students waiting to be done.
Oh, it’s the most stressful time of the year… 

As we see stressed out faces around campus, we just wanted to remind everyone that UST Libraries are here to help out!  We have prepared a variety of resources for the next week to help you get through.  Here’s a list of the highlights:

 

Extended Hoursextended_hours_finals_web

As the Newsroom reported, we will be opening early and/or closing late many days in the next week.   Here’s a quick rundown of the extended hours (in bold):

Friday, 12/12: 7:00am – 10pm
Saturday 12/13:  10am  – 10pm
Tuesday-Thursday, 12/16-12/18: 6am – 2:30am
Friday, 12/19: 6am – 6pm
 

Screen Shot 2013-12-15 at 9.22.35 PM

 

Therapy Pets

Yes, folks – the therapy pets are back!  Stop by 6-8pm on Study Monday, 12/15, to get some furry cuddles in with dogs, rabbits, and a Guinea pig!

Treats

Look for updates about regular study break treats, hosted by the USG and Wellness center.

bagcid

Coffee Bene has also graciously agreed to be open on Saturday (!), 12/13, from 10:30am-4pm

Stress-Free Zone

Do you need to just get away from it all for a moment or two?  Stop by our “Stress Free Zone” in room 102 each afternoon 12/15-19 for some coloring, puzzles, card games, and more.  Remember, it’s been proven that regular study breaks can help with concentration!

Ear Plugs and Lockers

Need some help focusing?  Grab some earplugs in the OSF Rotunda and/or drop off your valuables in a locker at the circulation desk.  Noise and worry about theft will be gone, leaving more time to focus on your work!

Library StaffPicture2

We are ALWAYS here to help you – whether to find out how to cite that pesky article or figure out a quiet place to study, we are here for you!  Let us know if there’s anything else we can do to help out, and best of luck on Finals!

December 11, 2014 by
Circulation, News & Events, O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library, Services

Need storage while studying in the Library?

lockers1The OSF Library now has 14 lockers available for patrons to use!

The lockers will offer patrons a place to store personal belongings such as laptops, small backpacks, and purses when they leave the library for dinner or class instead of leaving these items unprotected at tables, study carrels, and in study rooms.

So stop by the Circulation Desk to check-out a locker for a 4 hour period, today.

 

 

 

December 4, 2014 by
Archbishop Ireland Library, News & Events, Services

Our “New” Print Management System

PrintPromptReturning to UST this fall, you probably noticed that our printing system has changed a bit from last year. The halcyon days of simply hitting the print button seem to be gone with new pop-ups, web pages, and printers showing up all over campus. It all seems so new, doesn’t it?

Don’t worry… it isn’t!

While there are new copiers on campus (or call them MFD’s, or MFP’s, or MFC’s with your preferred use of this multi-functional device on the end) and we now use a different print interface, UST has always had a tracking system in place. Last year, students had a print account of $40.00 each semester, i.e. 400 black and white pages, $.10 each.

Nothing has changed, friend! Though you started the new semester with a balance of $32.00, you’ve been given you a 20% discount.  Those 400 black and white pages are now $.08 each. Same difference!

PrintWebLoginIf you’re worried about running out of cash or wish to track your print history, checking your balance is easier than ever before. Just log on to http://print.stthomas.edu to see your balance over the semester, a listing of previous jobs, and even your total environmental impact!

What if you have a bit too much fun with color copying and dry up your account? Go ahead and keep on copying, but expect the balance to be charged to your student account at the end of the semester.

Got questions or concerns? Contact the IRT TechDesk online at irthelp@stthomas.edu, give them a call at (651) 962-6230, or visit them in the basement of OEC, just north of O’Shaughnessy Frey Library. For other locations, see: http://www.stthomas.edu/irt/

October 1, 2014 by