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September 2011

Introducing: Louisa Choy

Name: Louisa Choy

Job title: Digital Services Librarian

Location in Library: 3rd Floor

Louisa Choy

Tell us what you do in 50 words or less: I manage, troubleshoot, and evaluate the web applications and services that the library staff and patrons use.  This includes the library’s website, databases, e-journals, and subject guides.  If you have a question or suggestion about any of them or have trouble accessing them, I’m your go-to person.

Choose one service that your department provides that you most want the Wheelock community to be aware of: This would be the subject guides.  There are guides for over 50 courses and subjects and each one compiles a list of useful databases and websites for that subject.  It is a great starting point for your research, especially when you have too many things going on to dive into your research cold.

What is a typical work day like for you? I’m not exactly sure what the “typical” day is like for me.  In general terms, my day is often split between completing project-based tasks and troubleshooting any technical problems with our web services that crop up during the day.

What is your favorite website? I often visit Hyperbole and a Half for fun times.  This is a blog of sorts filled with the musings, situational anecdotes, and childhood memories of its creator, Allie Brosh.   She hasn’t posted in some time, but I enjoy reading through the posts again when I need a bit of humor.  Each post is illustrated with hilarious drawings done on MS Paint.  Some of my favorite posts include The Alot is Better Than You at Everything and How a Fish Almost Destroyed My Childhood.

What is your favorite book in the Wheelock Library collection? Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery.  It is a delightful coming-of-age story about a plucky orphan girl whose vivid imagination, big heart, and funny adventures frustrate, yet enchant all those around her.  I have read it several times, and it gets better with each read.

When I’m not at work, you can find me…at home, watching television, reading, or just dancing by myself in my room.  I used to dance in my apartment elevator too, but I’ve moved since then, and I’ve also noticed more elevators have installed security cameras in them nowadays.  When I’m not at work or at home, I’m usually around the Allston-Brighton area enjoying board game nights and pigging out with my friends.


Introducing: Cortney Tunis

Name – Cortney Tunis

Job title – Resource Center Manager

Location in Library – Lower level of the Classroom building

Tell us what you do in 50 words or less – I run the day to day operations of the Resource Center, including scheduling workshops, classes and study groups, maintaining the collection and keeping the space organized. I also supervise a great team of work study students and support the students and faculty in their use of Resource Center materials.

Choose one service that your department provides that you most want the Wheelock community to be aware of:  Button making! For a small fee you can come down to the Resource Center and create a customized button. It is pretty cool.

What is a typical work day like for you? Typically I will be scheduling groups to use the Resource Center, and making sure we have the materials they need. I will be directing the work study students as to which sections need to be repackaged or reclassified, and I will be reading up on what is going on out there in the world of education and technology. Now that we are beginning to think about transitioning to the new Center for Learning and Innovation, a typical day will also often involve talking to various members of the community or the project team about the upcoming move.

What is your favorite website? The Huffington Post

What is your favorite book in the Wheelock Library collection? I love our literacy kit collection—books and dolls or manipulatives to go along with the story. I think Corduroy is my favorite—the little bear is so cute!

When I’m not at work, you can find me…Cooking in my new kitchen or playing my banjolele on the porch.

 


Introducing: Youngmi An

Name: Youngmi An

Job title:  Administrative Assistant

Location in Library: 2nd floor

Tell us what you do in 50 words or less: I provide administrative support to the library so that means I order all the print and non-print materials, take care of invoices, and maintain the library’s financial records.

Choose one service that your department provides that you most want the Wheelock community to be aware of: Since I’m a recent addition to the Library, I’m still exploring and discovering all the resources that we have to offer. I would encourage people to wander through the different sections and poke around in subjects that are outside of your field of study. You never know what you may find! On my last wandering, I discovered Food and Feasting in Art, a great book that discusses the use of food and food symbolism in art, and the fascinating (and giant) Historical Atlas of the United States.

What is a typical work day like for you? Unpredictable. Days when a package lands on my desk are the best since I get to sort through all shiny, brand new books that we’ve ordered. Other days I’m poking around in the budget to ensure that everything is recorded accurately or trying to think of interesting topics for the display case (if you have any ideas please do share!).

What is your favorite website? http://dailybunny.org/ – Always a good place to go for a daily dose of fluffy happiness. http://pinterest.com/ – Pinterest is a virtual pin board where you can save, collect, and share various images from around the internet. I follow a ton of design and crafting blogs so this helps me to keep track of my favorites. Eye candy and inspiration galore!

What is your favorite book in the Wheelock Library collection? Most of my favorite books are children’s or young adult books. I grew up reading “Little House on the Prairie” and I still love the series. I’m also a HUGE Harry Potter fan. I’m not sure if I have a favorite but every time I read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I bawl like a baby.

When I’m not at work, you can find me… Reading in the courtyard at the Copley Library, eating Thai food at Nud Pob, or at home making something crafty and most likely getting glue in my hair. I always get glue in my hair.


Brand New Videocameras!

This summer, the Library purchased several new additions to our AV collection, including Kodak PlayTouch flash memory digital camcorders.

These lightweight, easy-to-use models can upload digital footage quickly to a computer.  You’ll need to supply your own SD memory card, available for cheap at Best Buy.

Wheelock students may check out these cameras, along with the rest of the Library’s AV equipment collection (digital voice recorders, digital cameras, and the older miniDV tape videocameras) for 7 days at a time.  If you ever need help operating AV equipment, get in touch with Jeff Pearson, Library Technology Specialist, at jdpearson@wheelock.edu or 617-879-2223.

Also, suggestions for new equipment are always welcome!


Changes in the Printing System

After tracking the usage in the print management system this past year and getting feedback from you, we have made some changes:

  • The print allowance for each student is $30 (the equivalent of 300 b&w prints) for each semester.
  • The allowance will be reset each semester; unused allowance from the fall will not carry over into the spring.
  • The pricing of b&w and color prints will remain the same: $0.10 for b&w and $0.50 for color.
  • The cost of double-sided printing will decrease.  The second page of a double-sided print job will decrease to $0.07 for b&w and $0.40 for color.

We will not be granting an automatic allowance increase upon request as we did during the trial period last year; only a small percentage of students printed in amounts that exceeded the allowance.

  • Once the allowance is exceeded, printing can be paid for with Fenway Cash.
  • We will consider an increase on a case-by-case basis when there is a determined need.
  • Look for other technology enhancements coming in the future. Improved computers and printing capability are already being installed in all the residence halls.

If you need assistance in using the print system or in learning how to print double-sided, please contact the Library Service Desk. Instructions are also available on the Library webpage http://www2.wheelock.edu/wheelock/Library/Printing.html.