Do You Know Someone Getting an iPad Mini?

Okay. I'm a self-confessed technophile, no doubt about it. I've got more gadgets than I have time for, and I'm always on the lookout for more. But I'll be honest: the iPad mini doesn't interest me. At all. And I'm curious about what other people are thinking about it. I assume the target audience is people who can't afford a full iPad, or want something with a little more portability. Or is it trying to eat into the Kindle Fire market? I'm just not sure.

So that's where you come in. Anyone out there getting a Mini, or know someone who is? Why are they doing it? Do they already have an iPad or an iPhone? Again, I can only assume Apple is going after new customers with this device. People who have neither an iPhone nor an iPad, but are interested in diving into Apple's iOS environment. For that demographic, it makes sense. It's a cheaper entry point.

But maybe I just don't "get it."

Thoughts?

Video Friday: Thinking in pictures

Today's video is a classic topic - this is Temple Grandin, famous for her work with animals and her writing about her own autism. She talks about the importance of engaging different kinds of thinking, what kinds of thinking we need to encourage creativity and solutions. She touches on visual thinking, pattern thinkers, verbal thinkers, and the importance for different kinds of minds to work more productively together.

What kind of study space are you looking for?

If you've been in the library lately, you may have noticed that we are trying to accommodate many different study styles.  We have places for solo and group study, quiet and collaborative spaces. In other words, we've been paying attention to how students use the library, and the spaces and equipment that best meet those needs. Lately, we've been focusing on making large-group study spaces available, because that's what seems most in demand. We opened the staff conference room on the second floor to study groups, because it comfortably seats a small crowd, as well as turned one of the first floor Project Zones into a Smartboard enhanced group study/classroom.  Both spaces get used a lot.
So I was a little surprised to see this infographic from a survey of 250 grad and undergrad students from around the country.  (The article itself is on co.EXIST) The survey asked the students what they wanted from their campus and library in terms of work and study space, as well as preferred format for classes and lectures. The survey results seem to suggest that the majority of students in the survey want quiet, solo study spaces.
 Hmmmm.
Take a look at the infographic...and please leave a  comment: what do YOU want to see in our library for study spaces?  Your feedback is important to us.

A few recent changes

Last week, we made a few changes to our library computers, and I wanted to update and let you know about them. There's three big things you might notice: printing changes, some fixes to improve login speed and some ongoing annoyances, and community patron login changes

Printing changes: We have moved to the same printing software as much of the rest of campus. Now, once you select an item to print (such as by going to File -> Print, making any needed selections, and clicking the Print button), you will be prompted for a username and password.

UMF students/faculty/staff, please enter your UMF login (the same one you use for email and MyCampus.) You can also choose how long to stay logged in to the print queue (anywhere from 5 minutes until you log out).

Community patrons: Please see below.

Back-end changes: 
I'll spare you the technical parts, but the changes we made:

• Improve login time (once you enter your username and password, it now takes about 30 seconds instead of the 2+ minutes it used to). 
• Fix some problems with Firefox treating every new user on a particular machine like a newly upgraded browser. 
• Simplify some other details for easier management.

One change here is that (for UMF Students/faculty/staff) your H drive will no longer map automatically. Instead, double click on the "Connect to H drive" icon on your desktop, enter your username and password, and you'll be connected.

Community patron changes:
We are moving back to a system of a generic username/password for everyone, rather than having a unique account for each community patron. Please stop by the Access Services desk as you enter the library and ask them for a handout with more information.

Once you have your login information, you will log in using the new username/password. If you wish to print, enter it again when prompted. Community patrons will see a small window pop up in the lower right of the screen, letting you know your print job has been sent to the queue. This is completely normal.

When you are ready to get your print job, come to Access Services. They may ask for information to identify your print job - the number of pages, the number of the computer you were printing from, or the name of your document all will help. Printing remains at $0.10 (10 cents) per page.

Any questions? Please ask here, or you can stop by Access Services for more information. 

Vote!

We take a break from this normally scheduled Technology Tuesday post to just tell you one thing

Please go vote.

See you next week!

Mantor Monday

On Thursday, November 8,  we invite you to join us for a discussion of The Cellist of Sarajevo, our On Our Minds reading selection for 2012.

We will be exploring themes of war and survival, art and humanity, and the redemptive power of music.

The discussion will take place in the Browsing Room of Mantor Library at 3:00 p.m. This Gold Leaf event is open to the public.
Refreshments will be served.

If you have not yet read The Cellist of Sarajevo, we have copies available for borrowing in the library lobby.

Hungry?

 I am. Always. But I'm one of the lucky ones: in my life, a snack or a good meal is always close at hand. There are many right here in our own community who are not so fortunate. Hunger is real, and it's close to home. We'd like your help to do something about it.
The On Our Minds Program is sponsoring a food drive, inspired by our book selection The Cellist of Sarajevo. 
During the siege of Sarajevo, citizens of the city suffered terrible deprivations.  Hungry people stood in line for hours for a loaf of bread - and on one tragic day, a mortar round landed in a bread line, killing twenty two. To protest the brutality and senseless deaths of his fellow Sarajevans, a lone cellist vowed to brave bombs and sniper fire to play for twenty two days at the site of the attack. The Cellist of Sarajevo is based on these events.
To help fight hunger in our community, from now until November 16, we will have a box available in the lobby of the library for the collection of non-perishable food items. Some suggested items are canned food, peanut butter, cereal, evaporated milk, dry pasta, beans, and rice. Personal care items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, dish soap, and toilet paper would also be welcome.
All donations we receive will be brought to the Care and Share Food Closet in Farmington.