Recently, we’ve made the plunge into creating PRIMO Collections. What are PRIMO Collections? It’s a browsable discovery interface that’s created in ALMA. Designing these collections is a process of creating Sets, running Jobs, and finding appropriate pictures for the thumbnails. Users are also able to pin their favorite titles, collections, and subcollections to reference later. 

We’re hoping PRIMO Collections will generate a new way to highlight established collections, monthly celebrations, and anything that users would find helpful. For more information about PRIMO Collections, you can find an overview on the ExLibris site here and you can see what we’ve been working on here.  

Have questions or ideas for a PRIMO collection?  Contact Jason Heckathorn at jrheckathorn@uflib.ufl.edu.  

After working in the new UF GO system since April 2023, PCard holders, delegates, and approvers in the department have gained more knowledge and expertise and have become more comfortable in the new system. In the process, new workflows and working relationships have developed and teams collaborate better than ever to ensure transaction documentation and completion. Teamwork at its best!

The collections support unit has a weekly rotating task for course reserves, which includes monitoring and ordering from a program called ARES and in Rialto Market, troubleshooting, and regularly communicating questions and updates.  I recently asked JoAnne Endorf to explain Course Reserves, and how our two departments work so well together.  Here's what she had to say:

Course Reserves is a unit of the Access and Resource Sharing department that is considered “behind the scenes.” The primary Course Reserves Unit is located in Library West and its two employees work with instructors to process requests for UF courses. The Course Reserves unit provides physical and electronic course materials for student use. Each library branch on campus has a staff member who handles Course Reserves materials and assists the primary unit by making them available to students and instructors.

Items that are not currently owned by the university are requested for purchase through the Acquisitions and Collections Services department. We request purchases such as hard copy books and DVD/Blu Ray discs as well as electronic materials such as eBooks and streaming video. We know we can rely on the services provided by the dedicated employees in the Acquisitions and Collections Services department. They are available to search for and locate the most relevant products as well as order said materials on a rush basis for us. Upon receipt of the purchased items, we provide access to the students in the most efficient way possible.

In the spirit of getting to know the people who comprise the Acquisitions & Collections Services Department, staff are given the space to share a book, TV show, game, podcast, or album title that entertained them this quarter.  Here's some of what they said in their submissions:

The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd (a fun, library themed book!)

Watched The Duke (with Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren) "It was delightful"

I’m currently being highly entertained by a YouTube channel named “Layla the Boxer,” starring Layla (the Boxer) and Luna, her Australian Shepherd little sister.  A MUST!  All the videos are only like 90 seconds long, and tell wonderful little stories all through the dogs’ POV.  Here's an example!

Fast and the Furious movie franchise.  Seriously.  I never thought this would be my bag but I’m totally digging the over-the-top wackiness of it all.

I've just finished up Poker Face, that was a fun watch. Now on to the 4th season of Barry! The last book I read was The Relentless Moon by Mary Robinette Kowal. Currently reading The World We Make by N.K. Jemisin.

We are delighted to announce the availability of new electronic resources! 
These are funded by FLVC on behalf of all state institutions.  Individual titles are discoverable in Primo and we’ve included direct links on the A-Z database list.  Please see details below, and let us know if you have questions at er-help@uflib.ufl.edu.  Thank you!  Sheri Edwards

PBS Video Collection: Fourth Edition

This collection of more than 1,200 streaming videos provides an exceptional range of content with the most valuable video documentaries and series from PBS (Public Broadcasting Service). From science to history, art to Shakespeare, diversity to business & economics, and more, the PBS Video Collection: Fourth Edition gives your patrons access to one of television’s most trusted networks. 

The title list can be found at: https://alexanderstreet.com/products/pbs-video-collection-fourth-edition

You can access it from the A-Z database list here:  https://video.alexanderstreet.com/channel/pbs

SAGE Skills: Business

Develop and practice real-world skills needed to successfully transition from campus to the modern workplace.

Identify knowledge gaps and skill sets in need of development.

Put knowledge into action with interactive application tools.

You can access it from the A-Z database list here:  https://sk.sagepub.com/skills/business

SAGE Skills: Student Success

Help students transition to College or University

Access 10 modules with 1,100+ topics focused on practical skills that are applicable across all disciplines and courses.

Integrate skill topics into an LMS (Learning management system) through LTI (learning tools interoperability) or embeddable code.

Students may self-direct their learning journey through video, interactive scenarios, and more.

You can access it from the A-Z database list here:  https://sk.sagepub.com/skills/student-success

Introduction Video:

• Sage Skills Suite– introduces both Skills Business and Student Success with examples of how its flexible, interactive environment can be used by students who are interested in engaging in a self-directed journey as well as by faculty, instructors, and librarians to support skill development among students.

You’ll find links to all these resources on the A-Z database list and, whenever possible, in Primo.  It’s exciting to gain access to such rich, primary source collections and archives!