Departmental Library Representatives Termly Briefing, Summer 2017

This briefing provides a digest of key information from the Library for the Summer 2017. Please take a few minutes to update yourselves by reading the summary below and help us to communicate by sharing relevant information with staff in your departments.

Resource Lists – migration to new platform

In the Lent briefing we shared with you plans to evaluate a potential replacement for Talis Aspire, the platform that we use to provide online Resource Lists. During the pilot investigation we compared features  between the two tools and received feedback from the community of existing Resource List users.

There was widespread support for moving to the new platform, called Leganto (http://www.exlibrisgroup.com/category/Leganto ), and we have begun preparations to make the move over the summer. All published resource lists from the current year and from 2015-16 will be copied to the new platform, which will be available to use from mid-July. Launch of this new interface for resource lists will also be accompanied by an updated ‘look and feel’ for OneSearch.

The existing resource lists platform (Talis Aspire) will be available until the end of August and can continue to be used throughout.

Further communication and support for familiarisation to follow shortly. Any Library Reps or other academic staff interested in finding out more should contact (academicliaison@lancaster.ac.uk )

Additional library study spaces

Plans are being developed which aim to increase the Library’s capacity. Following staff and student feedback on the first phase of the refurbishment, the plans will consider furniture type and study spaces which may be improved and expanded as part of a scheme of continuous improvement. Over the summer vacation work will be undertaken to install a power supply to each study space within the reading room; provide additional spaces for study in the reading room and on A floor west and update some furniture to provide additional formal study space.

Library contacts, new information pages

We shared with you earlier this year plans to provide greater clarity about who to contact in the library. Academic Liaison Librarians and Learning Developers are now working together in Library Faculty Teams to support the departments in each faculty. Details of your Library Faculty Team are summarised on a new Academic Services page and associated faculty team pages. Further details are available at http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/library/academic-services/

Jonathan Gratus

 

New Central Printer on B Floor Physics

Good news, there’s an extra central printer on B Floor by the main lift (opposite to B505). Which means a shorter walk for some. Go and try it out, but don’t go too wild.

Rob & Steve (Physics IT)

 

Fire Door Interface Inspections

We have been informed by Facilities that the fire door interface inspections will take place in Physics Building on Wednesday 5th July from 9am.
Every month the University is required to test the interface between the fire alarm system and door control systems in all buildings with access control and/or automatic doors.
This work is undertaken by Honeywell Control Systems Ltd and requires the physical inspection of all doors controlled by the access control system while the fire alarm is active and the doors are locked. This check is to ensure that all doors on escape routes will allow evacuation in the event that the fire alarm is activated. In most cases the alarm will be silenced during the inspection, but for some older systems, where it is not possible to silence the alarm, the checks have to be conducted while the alarm is sounding. Owing for the requirement for the doors to be locked during this test some buildings, where access is required during the week, will be tested at the weekend.

Shonah Ion

 

End of Academic Year drinks and PG prizes

We’ll be having drinks and nibbles to mark the end of the academic year next Friday 30th June at 1500hrs in the Physics Atrium. PG prizes will also be given out at the event.

See you there.

Grainne Wilkinson

 

14th & 15th July Open Days HELP Physics recruit

I have been working on plans for the Open Days and like always the admissions team needs your support. This year we have two Open Days back to back on Friday 14th July and Saturday 15th July 9:30 -3:30. This is the first year we can show off our new building and facilities so the plan is to be bigger and better than ever before!

Physics Welcome desk – ACADEMICS NEEDED!
This year we are located in the Learning Zone and will be chatting to potential applicants and guests and guide them in the direction of the physics building for demos, tours and the talk in Faraday.

Physics Building – DEMOS NEEDED!
I plan to fill the atrium with interesting demo’s or items for people to look at and more importantly engage in. Do you have anything that would be suitable (we need a risk assessment for it). If you can think of anything please talk to me, if it needs someone with it I hope to have enough ambassador to share the work load.

Tours – LAB ACCESS
These will be run by our ambassadors however if you happen to be working in a lab and would be willing to take over as the ambassador comes in this would be fantastic there is nothing as enthralling as listening to a passionate academic talk about their subject area! Or maybe you hadn’t planned to but don’t mind working in a lab to talk to guests occasionally?

I desperately need volunteers to help support these important days that ultimately fuel our applications. We need to show we going above and beyond so any help or ideas are very much welcome.

I will be working both days from 8:30 – 4:30 however I am only asking you for a couple of hours here or there – as much or as little as you can give. In previous years I have been able to get you a lunch voucher and I hope this will happen again. Also I do give Jim details of who works for the work load allocation so it is recognised.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask and if you are happy to help please email me with dates and times available.

Helen McAlley

 

Physics refurbishment update

Please see below details of scheduled works on the Physics refurbishment project for week commencing Monday 3rd April.

Physics scheduled works:

• Notice boards and signage installation – low noise, low vibration
• Paint works – low noise, low vibration
• Staircase cleaning on Level A and B – low noise, low vibration
• Suspended Ceiling tile installation – medium noise, low vibration
• Floor coverings – low noise, low vibration
• Mechanical & Electrical commissioning – low noise, no vibration
• Electrical Installation in comms rooms – medium noise, low vibration
• Re-soiling works – medium noise, medium vibration
• Ground works around Isolab – low noise, low vibration
• Delivery of Mobile site accommodation on Monday
• Removal of site accommodation on Thursday and Friday

Should you have any queries regarding the project please contact the Senior Project Manager, Helen Wood, via the Facilities Helpdesk on facilities.helpdesk@lancaster.ac.uk or 01524 593333.

Marketing and Communications

 

Physics Away Day – Thursday 5th October 2017

The next Physics Away Day will take place on Thursday 5th October at Green Lane Conference Centre, (Lancaster House Hotel). An agenda is not yet available.
Attendance is mandatory for academic staff and all other staff are welcome to attend if they wish. Please confirm your attendance to me with any dietary requirements by Weds 27 September at the latest.

Grainne Wilkinson

 

Performance Development Reviews for 2016/2017

The 2016/17 Performance Development Review (PDR) cycle is drawing to a close. All Lancaster University staff employed for more than 12 months continuously, including those on fixed-term contracts, are expected to take part in the PDR process. Staff who are on probation do not need to have a PDR but new starters in support areas should have objectives set using an ‘Initial PDR form (for new starters)’.

For full information on PDR policy, guidance and PDR forms please visit http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/hr/pdr/ The PDR forms were updated quite recently so please ensure you use the current version from the webpage. The period of review will generally be from the beginning of August 2016 to the end of July 2017.

When forms are complete and signed by both reviewer and reviewee please could they be passed to me.

Grainne Wilkinson

 

July Safety Induction

July’s safety induction session will be held on Thursday 6th July at 2:30pm in B24 Physics. If you are a new member of the Department, just want a refresher or to ask a question come along.

Shonah Ion

 

Re occupation of Phase II Physics

We expect to be re-occupying phase II of the Physics building during the week commencing 1st July. The first day will be ISS working confirm networking is as it should be and establishing the wi fi system for the building. We plan to be moving people and equipment up from the Science & technology building during the rest this week. The following week (Graduation week) we will move people internally within the building.

Shonah Ion