The newsletter OFF THE SHELF continues to garner much user feedback. Each newsletter has a mix of topical or theme articles, recurring columns and a contest. In addition to the links on our website, the newsletter is emailed to faculty and learners and shared via the NOSM Pulse (weekly bulletin issued by Communications).
Recurring columns include:
"Library Voices" is a new column highlighting feedback and comments from our users:
Fortune cookies were a new and popular promotional item. The cookies are customized with Library-related fortunes such as "Little time? Lost in a database? Visit the Library!".
Food for Fines allows library users to donate non-perishable food items in exchange for their overdue fines. Each food item correlates to $2.00 in waived overdue fines. This year's event was held in May to coincide with convocation, as this provides an opportunity for students to settle their outstanding library fines prior to graduation. We forgave $45 in fines.
The refreshed website includes a feature box, which can be used to promote our collections and services, integrates Twitter and Chat widgets, has updated images including the Library's logo, and improved navigation/organization.
#AppOfTheMonth continues to be a well referenced feature. Apps are selected through a review process with an emphasis on reasonable cost and relevance to our users. Recommendations from our users are also shared:
55" digital TV displays were added to each campus. They cycle through slides that highlight our services and resources, as well as reminders about our policies i.e. turn off cell phone ringers. The displays are dual purpose as they are also used for instruction.
Donna Brown & Marian Diamond won Staff Awards of Excellence for Service Excellence and Reliability respectively.
Michael McArthur was on sabbatical from January 1st until June 30th.
We had several extended sick leaves impacting our support staff, a cumulative total of 12 months. The leaves were filled by temporary staffing.
Jessie Belanger accepted a 1 year contract as Administrative Assistant at our Laurentian campus beginning January 1st.
