Monthly Archives: January 2016

New Fondren Brochures

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Fondren Brochure

New series of brochures for Fondren Library

The library has recently modified its brochure marketing strategy. Based on the success of the Fondren Owl Cards, which advertise specific departments and services, we have reduced the number of large brochures by updating the primary “Welcome to Fondren” brochure and creating smaller, single-sheet brochures for select departments. Service points should replace any existing brochures with the newly updated brochures; you can check the back of the “Welcome to Fondren” brochure to ensure that your copies show that they have been revised as of 1/16. Any departments interested in a future brochure or owl card should contact Debra Kolah or Norie Guthrie of the C-MACS committee.

Back cover of new brochure showing the recent date of revision

Back cover of new brochure showing the recent date of revision

Owl cards now provide concise information about departments and services that previously was conveyed through brochures.

Owl Cards now provide concise information about departments and services that previously was conveyed through brochures

 

Executive Committee Summaries (Dec. 10, 2015-Jan. 14, 2016)

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Dec. 10

The group discussed new members and the 2016 charge for the Horizon Group. Melinda Flannery and Lisa Spiro will draft a charge and continue to serve as liaisons to the group.

Sara Lowman announced that Marie Lynn Miranda, the new provost, will attend a 2016 Fondren town meeting. She shared information from recent Board of Trustees meetings. Groups working on Rice’s three new strategic initiatives (data science, molecular/nano, research competitiveness) have been named. IT is conducting a process to choose new software for Rice’s development activities. The office building behind the Allen Center will have five floors of offices plus parking. It will not be connected to the Allen Center. The new building is scheduled for occupancy in August 2017.

The group discussed recent library volunteers and work on developing a Fondren fellows program for Rice students.

Dec. 17 No meeting

Dec. 24 No meeting

Jan. 7 No meeting

Jan. 14

Sara Lowman shared with the group that the university uses an international travel service called SOS (http://riskmanagement.rice.edu/Default.aspx?id+38). SOS provides services such as trip registration, illness-related services, evacuations due to terrorism, lost passports, etc. It is possible that, for a fee, SOS can be used to register non-work-related trips. She would like the Library Travel, Training and Development Committee to update the travel forms to include links to this service.

A timeline was established for performance appraisals. All appraisals are due to Sara Lowman by 3/18/16. Self-evaluations for Sara’s direct reports are due 2/12/16, as are salary and bonus recommendations. Sara will send out a libstaff message announcing these deadlines to all staff.

Sara shared that she has attended several meetings on the Careers@Rice project to evaluate all jobs at Rice; she anticipates that the project will continue well into 2016.

The group discussed disposition of the areas managed by Diane Butler, who is leaving Fondren at the end of January.

Additional topics were suggested for the town meeting scheduled for 2/4/16. Marie Lynn Miranda, the new provost, will speak.

National Park Service – 100th Anniversary & Exhibit

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Did you know that there are over a dozen national parks in Texas? The nearest park is the Big Thicket National Preserve. The newest one, designated in 2015, is the Waco Mammoth National Monument. This year is a great time to visit a national park and celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary!

The National Park Service was created in 1916 by an Act of Congress and signed by President Woodrow Wilson. Beyond the natural areas, the federally designated parks include historical areas, battlefields, rivers and trails and the White House, covering over 400 sites, and 84 million acres. Find parks using this handy map.

The Mission of the National Park Service
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources NPS logoand values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The National Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

The NPS is an agency under the Department of the Interior. As a federal depository library, the Kelley Center includes numerous NPS publications, including annual reports, maps and research reports on topics ranging from Hurricane Katrina to bike trails to NPS facility management. The agency supports preservation, conservation and heritage management with research and community engagement. The NPS hosts a variety of programs and activities to increase awareness of America’s national parks, and the work of the NPS.

As you make travel plans for Spring Break and summer, consider visiting a national park! There is something for everyone! Here is a list of national parks located in Texas.  In Fondren, there are two exhibit cases which showcase materials from the Kelley Center about the NPS.  They are located on the 1st floor and basement elevator lobbies.  Stop by the Kelley Center to check out even more!

Explore, learn, be inspired, and have fun!

Follow the NPS on twitter #NatlParkService #FindYourPark or their website, www.nps.gov