Tuesday, July 23, 2019

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• IST making changes to its Media Resources library service
• Police Services provides pointers on preventing bike theft

IST making changes to its Media Resources library service

A message from Information Systems & Technology. 

Due to declining use of the Information Systems & Technology (IST) Media Resources service (a collection of resources that is intended to supplement the University’s academic curriculum and research needs), the Media Resource office and viewing room (located in MC 1007/1009) will be closed.

Over the past 24 months, IST reviewed the services offered through our Media Resources office and found usage of the physical media resources, and preview room, has declined. Of the 9,500 titles in the physical media collection:

• Seven of the 1,800 16mm films have been used in the past 24 months.
• 12 of the 3,900 VHS tapes have been used in the past 24 months.
• 370 of the DVD’s have been used by Waterloo faculty in the past 24 months, with 195 of those used a single time in the past 24 months.
• On average, physical media is used 36 times per month.

Effective August 1, 2019, services will be offered as follows:

Media resources

• Physical resources:
  • Approximately 500 media resources used in the past 24 months will continue to be readily available, through sign-out from the IST Service Desk located in the Davis Centre (DC) Library.
  • A DVD player and viewing area will be available at the service desk if required by the student.
  • Resources will now be available over the lunch hour, during the evenings and on the weekend (availability will align with DC Service Desk hours).
  • The remaining 9,000+ physical resources, which includes DVD’s not used in the past 24 months, and other media formats (e.g. 16mm and VHS), will be kept in storage, and may be signed out from the IST Service Desk located in the Davis Centre (DC) Library, with 24 hours’ notice. Popularity and/or use of these remaining titles may be reviewed in future.
  • Inter-university loan of physical resources will continue to be available, with two weeks’ notice required to obtain materials from other universities.
• Online resources: Over 20,000 titles will continue to be available for streaming.
• Copyright licenses: All of the titles owned by the University have a campus-wide license and can continue to be used in a course for instructional purposes. Related questions can be submitted to copyright@uwaterloo.ca.
• Student Operators: Requests for a student operator can be sent to Marcel David, mdavid@uwaterloo.ca.  

Podium fobs

Administration of podium fobs will transition to Instructional Technologies and Media Services (ITMS). The new process will simplify and automate podium fob assignment and access.

• Obtaining a new fob: Instructors and teaching assistants (TA) can now obtain a podium fob from the IST Service Desk in either the Dana Porter or Davis Centre Libraries.
• Assigning or changing access: Podium access can be assigned or updated by the instructor/TA via a new website. Link will be shared closer to the launch date (August 1).
• Lost or stolen fobs: Please report to itms.rf@uwaterloo.ca. A new fob can be obtained from any IST Service Desk. Access can be assigned to the new fob via the online form. 

These changes will take effect on August 1, 2019. 

Questions about media services should be sent to ITMS at eclass@uwaterloo.ca or ext. 33233. Questions about signing out media resources should be sent to the IST Service Desk, helpdesk@uwaterloo.ca or ext. 44357.

Questions about the decision to close the Media Resources office may be directed to the Chief Information Officer Bruce Campbell at bruce.campbell@uwaterloo.ca.

Police Services provides pointers on preventing bike theft

University of Waterloo Police Services is helping campus cyclists keep their bicycles safe and secure this summer with a collection of tips and a safety video.

"Cycling is one of the best ways to commute to and from the University of Waterloo," says the article from Police Services. "The university currently provides dozens of open air bicycle racks, conveniently located close to all academic and residence buildings."

"During the warm weather months many faculty, staff and students rely on bicycle travel as a preferred method of transportation. Unfortunately due to the increased number of bicycles on campus, the problem of bicycle thefts becomes a more prevalent concern. While it is not possible to make your bicycle 100% theft-proof, there are some simple steps that you can take to increase the security of your bicycle and its parts. In the time it takes you to read this headline someone can steal your bike."

Watch video on YouTube