Milne Library News

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Librarian Kate Pitcher on Maternity Leave

Beginning Feb. 1, 2007 Kate Pitcher, Milne library's web development manager and reference/instruction librarian, will be on maternity leave until July 1, 2007. She and her husband, Jeff, are anticipating a Feb. 12 due date for the birth of their first child. All signs indicate that a baby boy is on the way!

While Kate's gone, website issues will be handled by Bonnie Swoger, collection development by Liz Argentieri and Theresa Mastrodonato, and instruction will be shared among the instruction librarians.

Check Milne Library News during the coming weeks for an "official" birth announcement!


Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Federal tax forms have arrived!

Through Milne Library's participation in the Federal Depository Library Program, every January, we receive shipments of pre-selected federal tax forms to serve the Geneseo community. Additionally, we receive New York State tax forms, which are due to arrive soon.

Tax forms can be found on a multi-tiered rack on the main floor of Milne Library, near the large group study area that looks out onto the Genesee Valley. The forms are sitting to the left of our old card catalog.

Because all tax forms are also accessible online (http://www.irs.gov for federal forms; http://www.tax.state.ny.us/ for New York State forms), Milne Library only carries a small selection of forms; typically those that are most heavily used (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040X, 8863 Education Credits, etc.).

For further information or assistance with locating tax forms, please see Tom Ottaviano at the Circulation Desk (phone: 245-5213, e-mail: ottavian@geneseo.edu).


Teaching & Learning conference announced for May 18th

The Teaching & Learning Center, housed in Milne Library 208, has announced the one-day Conference on Faculty-Student Partnerships: Current Trends of Technology in Teaching & Learning, scheduled for Friday, May 18, 2007.

Two keynote presentations are scheduled on the topic of technology in the classroom. Dr. Judith Boettchner will give a presentation on teaching and learning in high-tech contexts, and Mr. Dean Pape is presenting a talk on using collaborative social software technologies such as blogs, wikis and IMs in the classroom.

For a full schedule of events, or to submit a conference proposal, go to the Teaching & Learning Center Conference website at http://tlc.geneseo.edu/conference/index.php


Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Librarian, Tom Ottaviano, moves to a new office

With so many recent staff changes and an immediate need for space reallocation, Reference/Instruction/Government Documents Librarian, Tom Ottaviano, now calls his desk at the Circulation Desk “home.” Despite the new location (Nancy Greco’s previous office area), Tom’s roles and responsibilities have not changed. He continues to maintain the government documents collection (mostly housed in Fraser), work at the Reference Desk, participate in Milne Library’s Instruction program, and assist with classroom scheduling and oversight. The only additional modification in Tom’s duties is that he will begin to work Sunday and Tuesday evenings until 1 am, where he will serve as a Circulation Supervisor and Reference Librarian.


Monday, January 15, 2007

Milne Library loses Nancy Greco to SJFC's Lavery Library

It is with a heavy heart, but the best wishes for a successful future, that Milne Library’s staff and students say goodbye to former Evening Access Services Librarian, Nancy Greco. After acquiring her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from SUNY Geneseo and her Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University at Buffalo, Nancy began a four-year career at Milne Library, first starting as a Reference Intern. During this time, Nancy brought personality, talent, dedication, and friendship to her colleagues and student workers. Nancy’s experiences at Milne Library included Reference Desk service, teaching library instruction sessions, working with Student Athletes and Greek organizations, creating library resource displays and art exhibitions, and assisting with Summer Orientation.

In her current position, Head of Circulation, at St. John Fisher’s Lavery Library, Nancy will continue to share that unforgettable smile and infectious laugh with a new staff of supervisors and student workers. Additionally, Nancy will be involved in the Library’s instruction program and service at the Reference Desk.

Evenings at Milne Library will never be the same . . . Good luck Nancy!


Thursday, January 11, 2007

Welcome to another New Librarian, Jennifer Potter

Milne Library welcomes our newest reference librarian, Jennifer Dennis Potter, to our staff. Jennifer recently managed an Art: 21 Museum/Library partnership grant project as library assistant at Niagara University, which introduced students to contemporary artists and the library’s collection. She also worked on an oral history project with the Black Pioneers of Niagara Falls; organizing volunteers, transcribing videos and filming elderly African American citizens of Niagara Falls, NY.

Before coming to librarianship, Jennifer worked in commercial photography and TV commercial production and owned a portrait and wedding photography business. She completed The Professional Residency Program at the Maine Photographic Workshops, her BFA in studio art at Binghamton University and will graduate from UB with her MLS in February 2007. Jennifer enjoys running, hiking and drawing. She is looking forward to meeting and working with students, faculty and staff!


Wednesday, January 10, 2007

New librarians develop their teaching skills

Several Milne librarians attended a recent workshop jointly hosted by St. John Fisher College and SUNY Geneseo aimed at giving new librarians the skills they need to be effective classroom teachers. The workshop was taught by St. John Fisher education faculty member Jeff Liles (formerly of SUNY Geneseo) and Milne librarian Kim Davies.

Librarians were introduced to theories of educational philosophy and provided with classroom examples. The attendees found the workshop to be extremely helpful and were impressed with the presenters' teaching styles and ability to put their concepts into action.

The workshop was also an opportunity to meet with other librarians and share experiences and concerns about teaching. These new librarians will be teaching library instruction classes this semester individually and as part of teams.


Tuesday, January 09, 2007

New Technology Training for Faculty and Staff!

Technology Training is once again being offered for interested faculty and staff, taught by CIT and Milne Library staff. Anyone interested in attending these sessions should send an email to Laura Cook in CIT at cookl@geneseo.edu Include the following information in your email:

  • class(es) you want to attend
  • if you have a Windows or Mac computer
  • if you will be bringing your own notebook computer
Microsoft Word Classes (taught by Steve Dresbach, Milne Library):
January 12 Create Brochures & Newsletters

Microsoft Excel Classes (taught by Laura Cook, CIT):
January 10 Advanced Formulas & Functions
January 11 Advanced Tools & Techniques

Microsoft Powerpoint Classes (taught by Steve Dresbach, Milne Library):
January 12 Create Multimedia Presentations

Microsoft Access Classes (taught by John Haley, Administration & Finance):
January 11, 16, 18 MS Access Series

Content Management System (CMS) Classes (taught by Gang Wang, CIT & John Haley, Administration & Finance):
January 11 Basics Classes:
January 18 Menu Management
January 25 Images
February 1 Linking to Files

Google Scholar, Earth, Desktop Classes (taught by Rich Dreifuss, Milne Library):
January 10 Google


Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Welcome to another New Librarian, Theresa Mastrodonato

Starting on December 11th, Theresa Mastrodonato began work in Milne Library as a part-time reference librarian. Theresa recently completed her coursework towards a Masters in Library Science at the University at Buffalo and has a BA in computer science from SUNY Geneseo. Before completing her MLS, Theresa worked as a Team Leader in Technical Support at Sutherland Global Services for 7 years. She worked with several different programs providing support for both hardware and software issues.

Theresa grew up in Rochester and has also lived in Fairbanks, Alaska. She looks forward to finally reading "fun" books and going to the movies now that school is over! One of Theresa's current projects is teaching herself Macromedia Dreamweaver and learning the Milne Library "ropes". Welcome to the library, Theresa!