polycomm tech stuff/LOC VC

So, I’ve have everything set for the conference call and now i’m working on the technical aspects of the polycomm.  LOC wants to test the system so i’m working on scheduling with their tech VP person and SLIS to have a tech testing check before the actual conference call.   Also, I need some training on the system because I’ve never used it.  Vicki has worked out with Jim’s schedule so we will meet next thursday at 11.  This was the only time the three of us could meet, unfortunately, it is during class, but I will just have to excuse myself for a few moments.  I’m going to send my professor an email with an explanation as to what we are doing. 

I have also given Cliff the contact information of both of the presenters so he can touch base with them before the videoconference. 

I have been sick, so I was out yesterday, but did do some work from home.

project and task management, el segundo

Last week I found out that I needed to add my project to the project and task management system and associated tasks, so I spent a lot of time playing catch up with this.  I wish I would have known this when I first got here, but now I feel like its finally updated to the point that it shows what I’ve been doing for these last few months.  Now its just adding tasks as I get items done. 

Actually, I’m finding this overall very helpful, it helps me keep organized as to what I am doing and what needs to be done.  I also think it will also leave those who come after me a very thorough understanding as to what I have worked on.

Library of Congress MODS session, Its a go!!! :-)

I’ve been working with Library of Congress to work on a informational session on MODS for Widernet.  These last couple of days it seems like we’ve finally gotten everything together.  I’m really excited by this because it seems like its going to be useful not only to us at Widernet but to everyone.  SLIS was nice enough to let us use the SLIS Polycomm that from what I understand is really only for the IMLS teacher librarians, but Jim approved that we could use the equipment, which I am really thankful for because LOC really preferred using videoconferencing over Elluminate. 

Yesterday, I approved through Kit that we could use the equipment, then tentatively set up the time/date for 11/7 at 1:00 to 2:30.  Yesterday, I also sent an email to all of the eGranary librarians to make sure that date/time works for them.  Unfortunately Brent P. will not be able to attend the meeting because he will be out of town.  I approved with Cliff yesterday that we should go ahead and have the meeting even thought Brent will not be available.   Today, I’ve inquired with Kit and Cliff to see who I need to speak with regarding a technical training session on how to use Polycomm.   I am also looking at how to set up a conference call in the case that the equipment does not work.

Once I have everything solidified I hope to invite people in SLIS to join in on the meeting.  I am thinking it would be informational for all.

project and task management

We had our weekly meeting on friday to go over everything we’ve been doing.  So today I spent some time updating Confluence and the project and task management lists for my project.  I was a little frusterated because I wasn’t aware that I was supposed to be putting items into the project and task management.  I was putting almost everything into Confluecne.  Then when I did try to catch up with that this weekend, my name wasn’t in the system.  All is well now though because I spoke with Cliff this morning and he added me to the system.  I just wish I would have known this a month ago so I could have been adding tasks that I’ve completed.

As far as feedback in coming things are still going well and I feel like most people I write to ask for feedback are usually very thoughtful in their responses.  Today, I wrote back to OCLC and LOC to follow up on setting up the MODS session with LOC and to see if OCLC had anything else to offer as far as feedback.  I’ve also continued to gather information on various integrated library systems, koha and everygreen.  I’ve found out from Cliff that they have already tried greenstone but it does not scale well so I’ve stopped looking into them.  Overall things are going well, I hope to have a meeting with Nicki S. and Mark at DLS soon.

Today I’m also doing some Drupal training.  We have a DVD from them so I’ve been watching that.  Its interesting and I can see the purpose of it. But honestly, its more of an overview, and stuff I already think I know and understand.  But its good to get it done and it can be helpful in the long run.

meeting at ITS

So today I had a nice meeting at ITS with Bharani to go over apache, mysql, and php. I have installed WAMP on my laptop and I’ve been playing around with it. Its been great to be able to create php programs and to test them out. Even though this isn’t specifically part of my digital fellowship project, I think it will come in handy later. I’ve also signed up for an online course in php and mysql to help me learn more. The course was farily inexpensive and the company has several courses so I hope to take more programming courses after I’m done with this one, maybe in java, i’m not sure yet.  I’ve also  been working with Pico, i’ve downloaded putty.  Again, I know this isn’t specifically related to widernet, but i’m sure it will be useful at some point.

exhibit opening event (off topic)

So today was the opening event for the north exhibit hall of the main library.  We had a lot of fun.  It was so nice to see what we had worked on for the last six months finally come together.  A lot of faculty and staff stopped by to see it and I as happy to see some old professors from the english department and spanish department.  What a great day, I really felt like we had an excellent turnout.  I’m lucky that the staff here let me hang out and help out

getting things done

Well this last week has been really successful and I feel like I’ve been able to get a lot done.  I’ve had several meetings with Cliff and we’re making a lot of progress as far as information gathering for both cataloging standard and library integration software.  There’s a lot of open source projects that I’ve been looking at such as Evergreen, Greenstone, Koha, etc and I’ve been working on reading through information available to see if it would be something we would be interested in.  I’ve also been in touch with Library of Congress and am in the process of setting up a web meeting/informational session regarding MODS.  It took some time to get this meeting worked out because LOC did not respond to my emails or phone calls for about a week.  I decided to use “chat with a librarian” there and was able to get through the the person I needed to speak with right away yesterday.  She’s working out the details with the person in charge of training for MODS and we will be able to have our session hopefully in the next few weeks.

somewhat successful week

This week I was able to gather a lot of feedback, which is what Cliff wants so I feel that it has been somewhat successful.  I have emailed or called nearly everyone I know who could give feedback on this project, DLS, reference librarians, ALA Spectrum Scholars, LAMP Scholars, staff, faculty, you name it.  Most people are saying that LCSH with Dublin Core is the best route to go.  Other people have also asked, what system are we going to be using, such as Horizon, Kola, Evergreen etc, so that’s a question that probably needs to be addressed.

I was really hoping to get an informational session on MODS from Library of Congress, but so far no luck with getting them to respond to my emails, but I will certainly try again.