SubscribeDean's Update: Happenings
02/06/13 - 11:02:47 AM - Communications Office
Hashmi and Nitecki pose in front of the Kiosk The past month has been full of surprises – both joyful and sad. As librarians we are very aware of the nature of information, but none of us ever imagined how quickly the news of our new laptop lending kiosk would spread. A University press release triggered a worldwide fascination with the kiosk, which loans 12 MacBook Pro laptops, and we continue to receive calls from other libraries, IT administrators, reporters and vendors. Among the themes of excitement shared with us are; 24-hour access, use of vending machines, no-cost “rental” of equipment, use of donor gifts for innovation and use of Apple products. We are delighted with feedback that libraries are responsive and innovative in supporting learning. I thank Omer Hashmi ’12, a representative from USGA, and John Wiggins, Director of Service Quality Improvement, for their involvement in getting this project underway. Many of us were in shock over the untimely and unexpected passing of one of our beloved colleagues, Peter Ivanick. At a staff gathering to share remembrances of him, individual impressions reinforced that he was kind, an expert in technology and an all around “cool” guy who contributed in wonderful ways to the comradeship and caring nature of the Libraries staff. In other news, managing information has taken a front and center position among the Libraries support services this month, with the live roll out on February 1 of the Faculty Portfolio program. Sponsored by the Provost’s Office, the Libraries, Academic Information & Systems, and faculty users, have partnered with Thomson Reuters to customize its licensed Research in View tool to create a central database about Drexel faculty achievements. Work is now underway to assist faculty members across campus to create individual portfolios. Development work continues to design reports useful for faculty review and promotions as well as to tell the University’s story of research, teaching, civic engagement and other featured areas of faculty work. Danuta A. Nitecki, Ph.D. Dean of Libraries
Hashmi and Nitecki pose in front of the Kiosk
