WebFeat Transition: Simple Searches Take Many Hands
Jesse Koennecke
An important role for the library today is to facilitate access to the vast array of resources available to our users. The Cornell University Library (CUL) Web site helps to accomplish this by providing search options for the catalog, articles, database names, e-journals, images, and experts. Each of these search options is a combination of technology and record maintenance behind the scenes that helps get a user from their idea of what they are looking for to having the book, document, or information in hand or on their screen as easily as possible.
CUL had been using Serials Solutions' WebFeat federated search system for several years to power the articles, database names, and images searches. For articles and images, users could search across several databases simultaneously, rather than searching each one in succession. For database names, users could search the names and descriptions of several hundred selected licensed databases or see lists of databases by subject. Once they found one or more databases that met their needs, they could either go directly to the databases’ interface or search one or more directly from WebFeat. Though a powerful tool, WebFeat had a few drawbacks. The searching tended to be slow compared to search engines like Google that users are accustomed to today. WebFeat did not provide the specialized functionality that many licensed databases provide to help users focus their results after an initial search. Late in 2009, Serials Solutions announced that WebFeat would be discontinued. CUL’s contract was set to end in August 2010, so something had to be done in fairly short order to continue to provide these search services.
The planning and work to replace WebFeat began in earnest in February with the formation of the WebFeat Transition Team, led by Nan Hyland and including Jeremy Cusker, Michael Engle, Jesse Koennecke, Chris Miller, and Rick Silterra. This team was charged with investigating what products and technologies were available to continue to offer our users article, database, and image search tools. They had a short timeline to learn what was out there, gather feedback from CUL constituencies, and make a recommendation to the Library Executive Group (LEG).
The team worked with vendors to set up demos of their products, met with their colleagues throughout CUL, presented their findings, and conducted an online survey to get a sense of what direction to take. In April, they presented their recommendations to their sponsors on LEG:
- Revert Database Names to the Innovative Interfaces ERM system interface and update voyager records. CUL had previously powered the Database Names search with the ERM system that was being used for the e-journal search.
- Link the Articles search box to EBSCOhost and implement interface. CUL has access to several dozen databases via the EBSCOhost platform. There is a way to integrate all of these databases into a single searchable interface, complete with up-to-date features to help users quickly navigate to what they really need.
- Link the Images search box to ARTstor and add a drop-down box in the interface to choose LUNA as an alternative database (and possibly Flickr). ArtStor and Luna provide access to many image collections.
- Resolve any technical and interface issues that arise in the process of implementing the recommendations.
Soon after, a new team was formed to actually put the changes in place. The WebFeat Transition Implementation Team consisted of Adam Chandler, Matt Connolly, Jeremy Cusker, Jesse Koennecke (chair), and Maureen Morris. This group took the recommendations and quickly developed a plan of action for addressing the many tasks that had to be completed to transition away from WebFeat. The team had just over two months to get the new systems running and ready for the new semester.
For the article search, the team had to configure the system to have a CUL Web site look and feel. In addition, they were concerned that although the EBSCOhost databases covered a lot of subject areas relevant to Cornell, it was somewhat lacking content in the hard sciences. To address this they implemented a pull-down menu on the CUL Web page that allows users to choose from a “general” category that searches all the EBSCOhost databases (covering the humanities, social sciences and some area studies), Google Scholar, or Web of Science to better cover the sciences.
For the database names search, the previously used interface had to be updated to CUL’s look and feel. In addition, considerable record maintenance had to be completed to ensure that the databases would be searchable. Many thanks go to Peter Martinez, Liisa Mobley, Pam Stansbury, Nanci Trapani, and Rebecca Utz for their hard work updating nearly 500 records in the ERM system to make this possible.
The images search, similar to the article search, provides a pull-down menu to allow users to choose from ARTstor, Cornell’s Luna Collections, or the Flikr Commons.
In each instance, the team had some complications to overcome and decisions to make. They had to consider on and off-campus access issues, so users could do their research wherever they might be. Sending a search to an external system from a search box on a local Web site can often have challenges that require hours of programming, testing, and tweaking to work properly. The end results of this work are search systems that are fast, functional, and readily available from the Library Web site. Although none of these options are a complete view into the content available to CUL users, each provides access to a vast array of resources that should help many CUL users find what they need quickly and easily.
Staff continue to work to keep records updated, add new resources to these search systems, and address any new issues that arise. In addition, eyes and ears are trained on finding new tools that will continue to improve our users' ability to find and access the resources they need.
R & O Brings the Library to Students and Staff
Kaila Bussert (Co-chair), Jean Callihan, Jim Del Rosso, Susan Kendrick (Co-chair), Jeffrey Petersen
Each year, the Library participates in a series of events that expose our myriad resources to Cornell students and staff. PSEC's Reference and Outreach Committee (R & O) arranged for a library presence at a number of recent functions.
In July 2010, during Staff Education Exploration Day (S.E.E.D.) held in Biotech G10, library volunteers interacted with more than 200 Cornell employees. Volunteers informed Cornell staff that the library is available to them and not just to students. They also answered questions about book delivery and library access for employees recently laid off from Cornell.
In August 2010, at the Resident Assistant (RA) Fair, Library volunteers provided incoming RAs with materials for their dorm bulletin boards. The RAs were pleased to learn how the library can assist students with their research and those more experienced with using the library shared the fact that they consider the chat feature of Ask a Librarian to be indispensable! R & O came up with a number of ideas for improving next year's event including having a flyer of research programs that librarians can offer to RAs and their dorm groups. (Kaila Bussert above at S.E.E.D.; photograph by Susan Kendrick)
Two unique orientation events that the Library participated in this year included the Pre-Orientation Service Trips (POST) dinner and the Hasbrouck Mini Fair. The POST program brings a small selection of incoming freshman to campus early so that they can participate in community service projects in the Ithaca area. R & O sent two library staff members to a POST hosted dinner where participants dined with faculty and staff and discussed their service projects as well as learned more about their future academic life at Cornell. Christian Miller represented the library at the Hasbrouck Mini Fair and answered questions from graduate students and their spouses.
Right before classes start, two of the largest orientation fairs on campus take place in Barton Hall--the undergraduate and graduate student orientation fairs. The library table was triple staffed for most of the day during both fairs as nearly 800 students learned about services and employment opportunities offered at CUL and also which library was best suited to their area of study. Incoming freshman discovered that CUL is "not their high school library" as teams of subject experts are available to assist with complex research questions and public services staff are eager to assist with all of their needs including laptop loans and course reserves.
Jeffrey Petersen and Jill Powell in Barton Hall at the undergraduate orientation event (photograph by Susan Kendrick)
R & O found that physical handouts matter at large events like these where students are visiting 20 or more other booths and students need reminders of URLs, phone numbers, and maps. Many unit libraries submitted materials for the library tables. Handouts listed workshops or noted collections and subject expertise. Library Communications sponsored an "Ask a Librarian" highlighter and a “Getting Started” guide which included a map with the location of individual libraries that proved to be very popular. This year, instead of handing out a large booklet of library jobs, Library Human Resources produced a handy postcard and application forms, thereby saving reams of paper while still disseminating the most important information to the students.
The success of these events relies on the energy and enthusiasm of the library volunteers who donated their time and expertise to interact with nearly 1400 members of the Cornell community. The Reference and Outreach Committee would like to thank the following library staff members for their efforts and for their advice toward making next year's events even better: Liz Brown, Kathy Chiang, Virginia Cole, Jeremy Cusker, Gwen Glazer, Lance Heidig, Shu-Jan Lin, Chris Manly, Dan McKee, Chris Miller, Maureen Morris, Jim Morris-Knower, Fred Muratori, Jill Powell, Jennifer Sawyer, Nancy Skipper, Susanne Whitaker.
For those interested in volunteering for next year, contact R & O (refoutlib-l@cornell.edu).
GLIN Meets in Seoul, Korea
Claire M. Germain
The Global Legal Information Network (GLIN) annual meeting, usually held in Washington, D.C., was held this year for the first time in Seoul, Korea, during the week of September 6-10, 2010 at the National Assembly Library. The conference planners had gone over the top, with myriad photographers, cinematographers, and webcasts. Lectures proceeded with simultaneous translations. For the local posting in The Korea Herald see here.
The national parliamentary library, with some 290 staff members, is located in a spectacular setting. Samsung-funded, it is the largest library in Korea with the status of a national library and holdings both in print and digital formats (digital holdings comprise half of the collection). Everyone seems diligent and eager. The Library is modeled after the Library of Congress, with a similar Congressional Research Service that includes many staffers with law degrees from the U.S.
The Conference itself was like a mini United Nations. Each of the speakers had their national flags at their seats. Twenty-two countries had prepared reports on how they post laws and court decisions (and sometimes legal literature) online as part of this network, an infrastructure run by the Library of Congress but with decentralized local workstations.
At the welcome reception and banquet on September 6, from left to right: delegate from El Salvador; Dr. Jae Il Yoo, Director of National Assembly Library; Barbara Bintliff, Professor of Law & Director of Tarlton Law Library at the University of Texas, Austin; Claire Germain; Congressman Je Se Oh
GLIN works from government to government and provides authenticated official legal information. It has been particularly useful in using technology and a common platform/search engine/thesaurus to help emerging countries in Latin America (Uruguay, El Salvador, etc.) and Africa (Gabon, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo). Korea, Argentina, Brazil, and Kuwait among others, are major contributors. Currently a public database of legislation and cases from different countries, GLIN is at a cross roads as it works to reposition itself toward a central, overall portal providing links to GLIN but also to the laws of other foreign countries. See more at www.glin.gov.
During the week, I had lunch with three Cornell law alumni in a private room at the Lexington Hotel, which was very pleasant. The Cornell Club of Korea is strong, boasting close to 1,000 members. The event was posted on the Club Web site.
Stuart Basefsky and Claire Germain at lunch with Cornell law alumni, from left: Myoung Jin Kim; Dr. Hyun Kim, President of the Seoul Bar Association and host of luncheon; Judge Sung Yong Lee, LLM '09
We went on an excursion to Ganghwa Island, one hour north of Seoul, the former capital (a long time ago!) where we found the Peace Observatory. There we could see North Korea less than two miles across the water. We were told that the mountains had no trees; they had been cut long ago to provide wood for heating and cooking.
The two lead speakers were assigned a personal escort. My escort was Jeong Kwon Cho (pictured below), Director of Programs at the National Assembly Library, who went to library school in Pittsburgh and is planning to attend the American Association of Law Libraries annual conference in Philadelphia in July 2011. One of the congressmen, the Honorable Je Se Oh, invited me to tea in his office where everyone was open and very friendly. It was a great learning experience.
My presentation on “Digitizing the World's Laws” was well received. It can be found here (scroll to the last item in the list). My research assistant, Hyun Kim, a third year student at Cornell Law, is spending the fall semester at Seoul Law School. She was kind enough to attend my presentation which allowed me to recognize her in the audience. It was also the occasion to celebrate Cornell’s Legal Information Institute (LII) and its pioneering role in open access to legal information.
As I said, the conference was a wonderful learning experience. Connections and friendships were established with our Korean hosts and also with the delegates from some 22 countries that participate in the Global Legal Information Network. It is an honor to serve on the Board of Trustees for GLIN and an honor to be asked to speak at the conference. In a world where history continues to repeat itself with gross violations of human rights, how fitting it is to sponsor the GLIN conference to promote democratic ideals through free global access to law, and to sponsor it in South Korea no less!
North Korea, only 2.8 km away across the water, as seen from the Peace Observatory on Ganghwa Island; photograph by Stuart Basefsky
Do You Like Our Owl
Lance Heidig
Cornell’s New Student Reading Project celebrated “ten years of reading together” this fall as students, faculty, alumni, and library staff read Philip K. Dick’s science fiction classic, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, the book 
on which the film Blade Runner is based. This year 20 members of the Library staff supported the Reading Project by leading small group discussions during Fall Orientation Week.
As they have done for many years, Carla DeMello designed the Project's signature poster, bookmarks, and Web graphics and Jennifer Colt-Demaree assisted with Web site design. Lance Heidig provided background and contextual information for the Project’s Web site, authored its Android blog, and posted Reading Project updates on Twitter and Facebook. Katherine Reagan procured Android and Blade Runner materials for an exhibit in the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections.
Links:
New Student Reading Project
Androids blog
Android Dreams: Philip K. Dick and Ridley Scott’s Replicant Futures (RMC exhibition)
CornellReading on Twitter
Cornell Chronicle Online Reading Project article
Carla's poster for the Project was inspired by a line from Blade Runner: “Do you like our owl?”
Unit in the Spotlight: CLO Receiving and Government Documents
The Receiving and Government Documents Unit in Central Library Operations, back row from left: Tsedal Yeshak, Sandy Sinclair, Lisa Maybury, Laurie Stevens, Milena Ataian; front row from left: Ben Abel, Chun Mei Lyons, Francis Lutkenhouse; photograph by Joan Brink
In Acquisitions, the Receiving and Government Documents Unit really have their hands in a little bit of everything, from searching, inputting, and ordering to paying and receiving. The team’s main focus is updating bibliographic records and processing invoices for payment for a variety of plans, which include firm orders, approval/blanket orders, serials, and continuations in many languages.
The Government Documents part of the Unit is responsible for several depository programs such as Federal, New York State, European Union, and the United Nations. The unit as a whole is very versatile and has cross-trained within the department and outside, so all areas are always covered. In order to address a fluctuating workflow, we seek assistance from fellow Delivery and Database Management staff such as Sally Lockwood, Cathy Cooke, and Natalya Pikulik.
Welcome to the (New) Hotel Library
Don Schnedeker
During 2008 and 2009, the School of Hotel Administration undertook an ambitious construction project, the Statler Tower. This project created additional office and meeting space for the School’s research centers. The construction project had a major impact on the Nestlé Library. About 40% of the library was located in the construction zone. We needed to vacate this space for the duration of the project.
In the winter of 2010, we moved back into our reconstructed library space. We were able to use this construction opportunity to remove book stacks and create more user spaces in the library. Students returning for the Spring ’10 semester were surprised and pleased to get ‘their’ space back!
Here we have pulled together some before and after pictures so you can see how this was managed.
Nestlé Reference Desk, pre-construction (above) and post construction (below). Note that in the second photo the book stacks have been removed. Netprint printers and the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Statler were relocated.
Nestlé Periodical Room, before (above) and after (below). In the Periodical Room, we also removed periodical stacks. This reflects more e-only subscriptions.
Nestlé reference area, before (above) and after (below). In the Nestlé reference area, we reduced shelving and opened the floor plan by moving computers to the wall.
Nestlé Library quiet study room, before (above) and after (below). Perhaps the biggest change occurred in the Library’s Quiet Study Room. This room faces East Avenue. As a result of the construction, we were able to open the room to Campus Road, extending this space and bringing more natural light into the library.
Photographs by Nestle Library staff
Welcome
Jude Corina has joined the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections as manuscript processor for the Hans Bethe Papers. Jude recently concluded work in RMC as a temporary employee where he focused primarily on the William Provine Collection. Jude has an AAS in Criminal Justice as well as a Bachelor of Technology degree from SUNY Canton. He also holds a concurrent position with the Cornell Police department.
Tracey Snyder is the new librarian for CLO-Cataloging in the Music Library.
Most recently, Tracey held the position of Music Cataloger at the University of Chicago. She has an MA in musicology and an MLS in library science from Indiana University, an MA in ethnomusicology from the University of Limerick, and a BM in clarinet performance and a BM in music education from Ithaca College.
Tracey is responsible for A/V selection and cataloging and will serve as lead music cataloger. In addition, she will provide reference assistance and work on library instruction, particularly for undergraduate courses.
Hilary Wong has joined the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections as senior manuscript processor for the Hans Bethe Papers. Hilary’s work background includes positions at Wells College Library and Ithaca College Library, as well as a recent temporary position in RMC at Cornell. Hilary has a BA in history and German literature from Whitman College, an MA in German history from Cornell, and an MLS from Syracuse University.
Transfers/Promotions/Changes
Ron Clark has been promoted to Facilities Coordinator II in Library Administrative Operations.
Elizabeth (Liz) Kluz has transferred from Mann Library to O/K/U Access Services.
Cynthia Rich has been promoted to Library Administrator II in Central Library Operations.
Out & About
CLO’s E-Resources & Database Management Research Librarian, Adam Chandler, was a featured speaker in a recent National Information Standards Organization (NISO) Open Teleconference on the project Improving OpenURLs Through Analytics (IOTA). Adam chairs the IOTA Working Group which is examining the feasibility of creating industry-wide, transparent, and scalable metrics for evaluating and comparing the quality of OpenURLs across content providers.
Joy Paulson, Digital Collections Librarian at Mann Library, participated in "eBooks, eReaders, and Libraries," a webinar sponsored by the South Central Regional Library Council on September 28th. The conference focused on library related aspects of eReaders and eBooks in public, academic, and K-12 school environments. Joy’s presentation “ Can eReaders Be Used in an Academic Library Setting?” focused on the possible uses and challenges to usage of eReaders in academic libraries.
Along with Jason Price (Claremont Colleges Library) and Sarah Ultsch (Oxford University Press), Glen Wiley, Assistant Director of CLO Cataloging & Metadata Services and a member of the Oxford University Press Americas Library Advisory Board, gave a presentation at the OUP Library Advisory Board meeting in Cary, North Carolina in late September. Glen and his colleagues spoke about the ways in which both libraries and the Oxford University Press are influencing and facilitating content discoverability.
Announcements
From: Scott B Wicks
To: cu-lib@cornell.edu
Sent: Fri 8/27/2010
Subject: BorrowDirect Implementers
Colleagues: Earlier this week something quite good happened behind the scenes to allow the Library to continue to serve our users’ needs when they cannot be met by a local resource. The GetIt! Team (Michael Cook, Adam Chandler, Jesse Koennecke, Caitlin Finlay, Margie Ditmars, and Kathy Hartman), along with colleagues in CUL’s Information Technology (Rick Silterra, Peter Hoyt, and Chris Manly) led the Library’s transition from the former Borrow Direct system (URSA) to the new interface supported by Relais, International.
Most people were unaware that the older Borrow Direct software was quite fragile and being held together by programmers at Yale. To replace this failing software required the Borrow Direct member libraries to acquire a new system, one that was designed with Borrow Direct user needs in mind and that could be modified as those needs change in the future. After over two years of planning, negotiating, and developing, Borrow Direct has a new lease on life.
Apart from a more robust software platform, the new software allows for a few new benefits:
- Advanced search options, including subject searching
- Six-week loans, with the option for one six-week renewal for books checked out in the new Borrow Direct system
- Borrow Direct items appear in the Cornell Library account page where they can be renewed along with all other materials
Today a user took time out to send a note to Libgateway-l to offer positive feedback, telling us that the new user interface is ‘extremely good’. I’m taking time out to let you all know of the extremely good work our own staff completed behind the scenes. Thanks, GetIt! Team and CUL IT.
***
From: Philip A Koons
To: cu-lib@cornell.edu
Sent: Wed 8/25/2010
Subject: Staff changes - Library Facilities
It is with great regret that I announce the departure from the Cornell Library of Tom Cotton, Facilities Coordinator in the CUL Department of Facilities and Business Operations. Tom has served the library since 1998, and with his departure we will be losing a valuable member of the facilities team. Tom has accepted the position of Director of Operations at the Candor Emergency Squad Inc. His last day at the library will be Friday, Sept. 3. Please join with me in wishing Tom all the best in his new job.
I am pleased to announce that Ron Clark will be promoted to the position of Facilities Coordinator II that Tom is vacating. Ron has close to ten years of experience in Library Facilities. His knowledge and skills are a tremendous asset to the Library. Ron’s office will be in 2B05 Uris Library and his phone numbers will be: Office: 255-2405 Cell: 327-0282.
As in the past, if you have questions or service requests and need to contact CUL Facilities, please send an email to: cul-fachelp-l@cornell.edu. See also CUL Facilities Website.
***
From: Nan Hyland
To: cu-lib
Sent: Mon 8/9/2010
Subject: CUL Web Development
Good Afternoon CU-LIB: The CUL Web site development team would like to update everyone on our recent activities. We have implemented many bug fixes and enhancements to the site, the most significant of which are:
- transitioning away from WebFeat for the integrated search box on the home page,
- implementation of an iPhone "app" developed by a team of student developers overseen by Matt Connolly and Rick Silterra,
- creation of a mobile Web interface to the CUL site,
- deployment of interactive My Account functions, such as renewing and canceling requests, along with usability improvements to the My Account interface,
- numerous improvements to Course Help have been made, including performance enhancements and more convenient access to Ares course reserves data, and
- the site now points to a map for software and equipment campus-wide (with thanks to Annemarie Morse and PCAC).
In the Fall, we are planning to address the following areas:
- continued Course Help improvements,
- enhancements to hours and maps,
- exploring ways to improve library spaces information, and
- continued iPhone development
For the entire text of this update see here.
CUL Web Site Development Team: Matt Connolly, lead software developer; Tony Cosgrave, content management trainer; Nan Hyland, co-director; Maureen Morris, content management trainer; Rick Silterra, My Account developer and system administrator; Adam Smith, co-director
***
From: Pat Schafer
To: cu-lib
Sent: Mon 9/13/2010
Subject: Olin Fire Safety - Update
Colleagues – The majority of the basement portion of the fire safety project is finished. This morning we opened the stacks to the public and B52 Olin/Kroch passageway to the staff. All re-relocated staff (see here) are scheduled to be back in their offices and workrooms by the end of the week with the likely exceptions of the B39 Conservation and B40 Collection Maintenance staff due to a delay of some critical construction material. The basement rest rooms are now open to the public. The Copy Center and Media Center are also open. Construction continues on the following other floors: sub basement, 2, 7, and 8. The 7th floor stacks are closed to the public. Users should request items in call number ranges B-CT at the Circulation Desk or via the Book Delivery Service.
***
From: Janet A. McCue
To: cu-lib
Sent: Fri 9/17/2010
Subject: Update on Some Changes in Teaching, Research, Outreach & Learning Services
Dear Colleagues, Just a quick update on some changes in my area of responsibility. As Anne indicated in her August 9th Take One message, I am the new interim director of the Hotel/ILR/Management libraries. Soon we will begin a recruitment process for a new permanent director but until we do, I have some new responsibilities. In order to make room for these new areas, I’ve shifted some of my responsibilities in the areas of teaching, research, outreach, and learning services. The changes include:
- Public Services Executive Group (PSEC): I will no longer chair the PSEC team but I’m pleased to report that Deb Schmidle and Kathy Chiang are the new co-chairs of the PSEC group. Bonna Boettcher who serves on the PSEC group will be the liaison to the Library Directors’ Leadership Team.
- Managers’ Council Steering Committee: Scott Wicks will continue to serve on the Steering Committee and I have stepped down as the second LibExec representative.
- Instruction & Information Competency Initiative: Mary Ochs will assume leadership in the library and work collaboratively with colleagues in CIT, CTE, the Instruction Committee and colleagues throughout the library.
- Faculty Engagement: I’ve asked Kornelia Tancheva to take the leadership in this area and work closely with colleagues in Collection Development and Digital Scholarship as well as with staff and faculty throughout the university.
- Research Data Management & VIVO: Dean Krafft will be the LibExec lead on Research Data (although I am still engaged in the two year DISCOVER grant) and I have also stepped down from my involvement with VIVO.
I am very grateful to my colleagues for their willingness to take on these responsibilities and will look forward to their leadership of these key initiatives. They are each activities that are near and dear to my heart—and ones critical to our success as a library. I am looking forward to my new areas of responsibility and the opportunity to focus on the programs and services in ILR, Hotel, and Management. Angela, Don, Curtis, and I have an ambitious set of goals before us but I am confident that with their leadership and the commitment of the staff that we will be able to meet the goals outlined by the Deans and Anne. Feel free to send me a note if you have any questions or if you’d prefer to meet to discuss some of these changes, just let me know.
Good-bye
Good-bye and good luck to Tom Cotton, Library Administrative Operations, Jeff Diver, Mann Library, and Rich Paige, O/K/U/ Collection Maintenance, who recently left the Library.
And one more good-bye to Carolyn Reid who retired after 23 years at Weill Cornell Medical Library (see our August issue). Her staff presented her with several gifts including a scrapbook, tee shirt with matching scarf from the Metropolitan Museum of Art gift shop (where else?) depicting Central Park, and a donation in her honor to Save the Turtles. Helen-Ann Brown presents some of the gifts to Carolyn below.
Retirements
Jeff Diver, Mann Library
After 40 years at Cornell (37 of them at Mann Library), Jeff Diver has decided to retire. His last day at Mann Library is October 3rd. We are planning a celebration in his honor tomorrow, Wednesday, September 29th, from 3-4 PM in Mann Library, Room 160. We hope you will plan to attend and help us give Jeff a well-deserved send-off!
Jeff – Your colleagues are here today for the low-key celebration you requested – no songs, no fanfare. But 40 years of service really does deserve a virtual flag flying from the roof of Mann Library or perhaps a virtual parade down Tower Rd. or maybe even an official declaration of Jeff Diver Day!
You have certainly been witness to many changes at Mann Library, and your career has evolved to meet the challenges of those changes. You were our reserve coordinator in the day when there were ring-binder notebooks lined up on a reserve desk that used to be where the glass doors to the library now open. You were also our night supervisor at a time when mostly Ag and 
Human Ecology students studied at slanted tables in long rows in the old reading rooms. And then you took on the challenge of supervising our public computing operation also known as “the farm.” 
“The farm” will never be quite the same without your careful cultivation of a fine team of students to oversee the rows of computers and the many tasks our users come to Mann to do.
We would like to recognize your many accomplishments and your many contributions to Mann Library over the years. We will all miss you, and we hope you will not be a stranger and we will see you back in Mann often. We wish you the best as you begin your retirement. (Mary Ochs)
Photographs by Frank Brown; power point slide of official proclamation by Shirley Cowles;compilation of photographs of Jeff through the years created by Shirley Cowles, including above an early photograph of Jeff in Acadia National Park from 1967; ties supplied by Jeff's colleagues and worn as a surprise in his honor.
Obituaries
Ed Zieba, 1957 - 2010
For those who have not already heard, I’m sorry to report that Ed Zieba passed away last week. Ed was an energetic member of the CUL staff for over 20 years with a passion to help patrons meet their information needs. Ed was also a good friend to many of us.
I’ve heard from several people that they were looking for an outlet to share memories of Ed. For those who would like to do so, I have created (I think I created) a public blog on blogspot where you can share your memory by posting a comment. Please let me know if you can’t access the blog.
If you haven’t seen the obituary from Friday’s Ithaca Journal, you can read it here to learn about tomorrow’s memorial observances at Bang’s Funeral Home. Thank you. (Scott Wicks, sent to cu-lib 8/30/2010)
From the blog
Many of us remember Ed as the e-resources guy. He was there at the beginning of Cornell’s venture to offer access to electronic journals, reviewing license agreements, making sense of IP ranges and addresses, trouble-shooting access when our users couldn’t get connected. Many of the vendors knew him on a first-name basis because he was the guy who would call them when things weren’t right.
But before all of the e-stuff, he headed the Ordering Unit, was in charge of the Searchers, helped to catalog materials in the New York Historical Resources Center and, even before all of this, was one of the cheery folks who greeted anyone entering Olin Library early in the work day (yes, there used to be door guards in Olin).
When I first started in 1988, Ed was the guy who made the click-clack, click-clack noise as he entered Olin (he had special footwear associated with his biking gear). Because biking was so much a part of his life and he was so enthusiastic about the sport, I will always remember them together. I hope he’s found a nice new mountain to take on with his bike. (Posted by Scott on Monday August 30, 2010)
Photograph of Ed and his faithful friend from Cycle CNY
Credits: Kaleidoscope is published bi-monthly except June and July
by Cornell University Library. Editor: Elizabeth Teskey, Layout: Carla DeMello and Jenn Colt-Demaree
