Don’t be alarmed! Any odd sounds will probably be the BSL staff enjoying a holiday sing-along. But don’t worry, while we’re out the back *quietly* feasting and singing up a storm, staff from PSE will be looking after the library.

Happy Holidays!

Are you interested in preserving your research materials?

Andrew Long, Manager of Preservation Standards at National Library of Australia will present a digitisation seminar at St Lucia on behalf of the UQ Library.

This seminar will cover types of material, e.g. audio, video, images, print, metadata and standards, preservation and sustainability, tools, services and software available, copyright and licensing issues, housing and access, sources of advice and expertise, outsourcing and commercial options and case studies.

Details:

Digitisation tools and services for academics
Friday, 16 November, 2007, 9:00 am - 1:30 pm (includes morning tea and lunch)
Library Conference Room, level 1, Duhig Building (Building 2)

RSVP - Bookings are essential as places are limited. Please email your details to espace@library.uq.edu.au or phone 3365 8281.

And just to disprove the old fashioned stereotype that library staff never have any fun, above are some photos from my recent trip to Japan.

The Karaoke photos and videos are under lock and key (Seriously!)

Here’s some good news for staff and postgraduate students……..

We have altered our original policy to enable you to borrow new issues of journals much sooner than before. Now, the latest issue of your favourite journal can be borrowed once it’s been removed from the new materials display (on Level 2) and placed in the general journal collection on Level 4.

Thanks to all the people who have taken the time to complete our Library Client Satisfaction Survey. For anyone yet to complete the survey, this is the last week to have your say. That means, it’s also the last week to go into the draw to win an iPod Nano.

The survey can be completed online or, if you prefer, ask for a printed form at the Welcome Desk on Level 1.

Over the next four weeks (13 August – 8 September) the library is conducting its fifth Library Client Satisfaction Survey. The survey covers resources, services, facilities and staff. To complete the survey and enter the weekly prize draw for an iPod Nano, click here. Alternatively, there are paper forms available for completion in each of the UQ branch libraries.

We value your opinions and want to make the University of Queensland library work as well as possible for everyone. Please help us improve library services to you.

BSL lockers for postgraduate students and students with special needs can now be booked online through the Facilities Bookings System. The lockers may be held for a day. Bookings can be made up to one week in advance and students are permitted to make two bookings per week. Keys for the lockers need to be collected from the loans desk within 15 minutes of the booking time or else the booking will lapse.

This Friday (3rd August) is Jeans for Genes Day, the major fundraiser of the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI). The CMRI is an independent organisation committed to unlocking the mysteries of disease - they investigate conditions such as birth defects, cancer and epilepsy.

The Biological Sciences Library is supporting this worthwhile cause and has merchandise available for purchase from the Welcome Desk on Level 1. So drop by and purchase a badge ($5) or sticky notes ($2) or simply make a donation. If you do, you’ll be helping today’s scientist for tomorrow’s children.

Are you an undergraduate student studying at UQ? If so, here’s your chance to win a $500 cash prize!

The UQ Library Excellence Award is presented each year to up to three UQ undergrads who demonstrate excellence in the use of the Library to enhance their studies. The prize is an acknowledgment of how Library resources are used to support teaching and learning.

How to apply
* Submit a 500-700 word essay to the University Librarian, UQ St Lucia, demonstrating how Library resources were used to produce an excellent assessment outcome.
* Provide two statements of support from academic staff with your essay, indicating excellent use of Library services and collections.

Selection Criteria
*Sophistication, originality and/or unusual depth or breadth in the use of Library resources, databases, primary resources and materials in all media.
*Evidence of significant personal learning and the development of a habit of research and inquiry that shows the likelihood of persisting in future.
*Exceptional ability to locate, select, evaluate and synthesise library resources and to use them in the creation of a project in any media that shows originality and/or has the potential to lead to original research.

Judging Panel
* University Librarian
* Chair, Library Committee of the Academic Board
* UQ Student Union Representative

Closing Date
October 1, 2007. The award/s will be announced on November 16, 2007.
(Note: Staff employed by The University of Queensland are ineligible to apply for this award.)
*For more information, please contact Ms Heather Todd at: h.todd@library.uq.edu.au

A big thank you to everyone who attended our morning tea this morning. As a result of your generousity, we managed to raise over $450 for the Australian Cancer Council. Well done And a big thank you also to the pikelet elves who worked so hard for this event.