Printing from ICollege

There has been much confusion over the new system of printing from iCollege. There's a handout at the desk that explains how to do it, but basically, here's the scoop.

For .pdf use internal icons to give the print command.

For a Microsoft file, enable editing , then use file>print in the usual way.

The Desire to Learn 24/7 support line is 1-855-772-0423.

New Year, New Semester, New Faces

2014 got off to a chilly start!  The threat of black ice gave the full-timers a delayed opening on the 6th,  and a water main break gave us most of the day off on the 7th. Everything at the corner of Tilly Mill and Womack was a literal sheet of ice, but the main problem for us was that there wasn't enough water to flush the toilets!

You'll notice that the African art was removed over break and replaced by the work of local artists: mostly GPC students.  The new exhibit features student work in a variety of mediums interpreting the theme "Home," a response to the GPC Reads book this year, Beyond Katrina.  We've got some great talent here at GPC!

Finally, you'll be seeing some new faces on staff.  Two part-time librarians have joined our ranks:  Mary Etta Thomas and Vikki Walters.  I'll soon ask them to write a short self-introduction for you, but very briefly... 

• Mary Etta has been a school media specialist for decades.  She recently retired from the Dekalb County School System. 
• Vikki is a  recent MLIS graduate of the University of North Texas, and a long-time paraprofessional in the Atlanta Fulton Public Library System.

Please welcome these new colleagues.  And WELCOME BACK to ALL of you!

Finals and Food

It's that time again.  Students are stressed, loud, apparently hungry, and borderline crazy.  We had to put up very explicit "No food in the library" signs, because of a couple of incidents when students got belligerent after being asked to take their snacks to the lobby.  (Public Safety got involved.) Just so you know, we're trying to consistently enforce the "no food/covered beverage only" rule. If you have an unpleasant encounter, I'd advise getting another staff person there as a witness and then "call for back up."

 Finals Schedule can be found at http://registrar.gpc.edu/final_exam_fall2013.html  (There are a couple of print copies at the desk.) So far as I know there is only one exam in our classroom & that's on the afternoon of Monday, the 9th from 1-3.

Thanks for all you do to help the students finish their projects and abide by the library rules!

Respondus Lockdown Browsers

If anyone is trying to take a test that requires the Respondus Lockdown Browser program, the computers in the Jag Spot (computer lab) have it. Go Jag Spot!

Night or Weekend Tech Troubles

We arrived this morning to a line of students and no way to print because Pharos had a problem with JCard authentication.  We found out by talking with  Clarkston that the problem began over the weekend.  So sorry you had to cope with that.  Clarkston uses a tech trouble log to communicate all the computer/printer/copier trouble, but we'd rather opt for direct communication. When such trouble arises on the weekend or in the evening, please send email to Tamika, Carmel and Pat so that one of us can deal with it ASAP the next morning.  Please also remember that in an emergency, you can allow students to use the classroom as long as a librarian is in there at the podium to supervise.

Printing A-OK and Superstitious Behavior

My superstitious post from yesterday worked.  All is well for Dunwoody student printing, thanks (in reality) to Aviva's persistence and Neil's computer skills!

Beth Welch and I got curious about the origins of superstitious behavior like knocking on wood, crossing fingers, etc.  Turns out there are many theories about knocking on wood.  One is that in the children's game of tag, a tree is often designated "home" or a "safe" place.  Another possible origin has Biblical roots, equating wood with the cross.  A third idea is that in even more ancient times folks knocked on trees to ask the help of the spirits they believed dwelled within. (Hendrickson, Robert. Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins, Fourth Edition, New York: Fact on File. 2008, 480-81)

The origin of "keep your fingers crossed" is also not definitive, but probably related to the "sign of the cross" as protection from evil or hope for success.  Some sources (Wikipedia) attribute it to a secret code of Christian identification during persecution.  Others suggest it began among African Americans in the 17th century. Tradition indicates that little fibbers also think that crossed fingers make a lie "not count." (Hendrickson, 471).

Isn't being a reference librarian fun? 

Printing...Argh!

No doubt you're aware of our printing woes.  Both printers on the main floor are dysfunctional. One has been out for over 3 weeks.  Because this is a prime time of semester for printing, the students are understandably confused and anxious when they can't print in their customary way.

They don't know there is a printer downstairs that networks to all the computers on campus.  Many don't know there even is a downstairs in this building.  (No kidding.) They definitely do not know where room 1540 is. Thank you for being patient with them, reassuring them their work will be on the system downstairs, and showing them the revised maps of where to find the room.

This has been routine for those of you who have been on the desk in the last week.  I'm hoping that writing this post will (magically) make the repair parts arrive, and that I'll need to write an update later today.  :-) Seriously, we have no estimated date on the repair. Let's all keep our fingers crossed (though it's hard to type that way-LOL)