Ka-Neng Au
Microcomputer Coordinator
John Cotton Dana Library
Annual Report
FY2003/2004

Highlights | Presentations | Webpages | CIF | Duties | Goals | Statistics

HIGHLIGHTS

The RUL Business Research Guide, in part or in whole, is linked to by hundreds of sites around the world, including several Internet resource directories. The Business Research Guide was selected as "Best of the Biz Web" for 2003 by Find/SVP, and the Stock and Commodity Exchanges portion was picked as one the "Best of the Best Business Web Sites" by the Business Reference and Services Section of ALA's Reference and User Services Association.

The second electronic classroom on the lower level was finally completed, with sixteen PCs in a wireless local area network. RUCS also extended the building's wireless network for Internet access to the first floor, with service to the Norman Samuels Plaza as well.

PRESENTATIONS

I was invited to do several workshops and presentations:
Au, Ka-Neng. "The Marketing Plan," Business Plan Workshop, NJ Small Business Development Center, Newark, NJ, August 29, October 31, 2003, February 27, and April 30, 2004; Bloomfield, NJ, March 27, 2004. [http://newarkwww.rutgers.edu/workshops/bpw.htm]

Au, Ka-Neng. "Selecting and Implementing a Content Management System." New Jersey Library Association Annual Conference, Long Branch, NJ, April 20, 2004. [http://newark.rutgers.edu/~au/cms.ppt]

Au, Ka-Neng. "Accessing Information on the Web." New Jersey Health Initiatives Annual Meeting, Princeton, NJ, March 3, 2004. [http://newarkwww.rutgers.edu/workshops/websearch.htm]

Au, Ka-Neng. "Market Research for Your Successful Business Plan." New Jersey Entrepreneurs Forum, New Brunswick, NJ, November 19, 2003. [http://newarkwww.rutgers.edu/~au/njef.ppt]

WEBPAGES

I am the primary contributor to a twenty-one-part (one created this year) business research guide on the Rutgers Libraries website:
Au, Ka-Neng, Theo Haynes, Wen-Hua Ren, Roberta Tipton, Ryan Womack, and Yoshiko Ishii. "Rutgers University Libraries Business Research Guide," created November 1994; last revised June 2004, --3,200 links. [http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/rul/rr_gateway/research_guides/busi/business.shtml]


The following are part of this Research Guide:
Dana Librarians updated several other Research Guides on the RUL Website: Dana librarians also contributed many new or revised library guides to the Dana Library website:

DUTIES

As the Systems Librarian, I have overall responsibility in evaluating, selecting, and recommending microcomputer software and hardware at Dana. Christopher Singh, our computer technician, continued to provide exceptional service in installing and maintaining our computers systems.

This year, the total number of machines in Newark increased to 182 (see Table A) with the installation of new machines for the second electronic classroom (in the old FDC room) as well as additional staff PCs for the Circulation Department, Reference Office, and IJS. Five staff computers were upgraded as part of the RUL PC Replacement Plan this year, and we can expect at least a similar number next year. Three went to Circulation, and one each to Technical Services and Administration.

RUCS-Newark expanded the wireless network in the building by adding hubs in the South Wing of the 1st Floor. Authentication is by Rutgers email accounts and passwords. These new hubs project a network signal strong enough to support Internet access for laptop users in the Norman Samuels Plaza surrounding the library. The monthly average number of logins was 769 and the monthly average number of users was 183. In other words, on an average day, there are six users on the wireless network, each logging in (and out) four to five times through the day as they visit the library between classes.

At RUL, I continued as Chair of the Web Advisory Committee, and served as the Newark representative to the Technical Services Council as well as the PC Working Group.

COORDINATED INSTRUCTIONAL FACILITIES

This program, run by Rutgers University Computing Services-Newark, allows the Dana Library to have several student assistants available to serve library users of electronic resources, as well as computer hardware upgrades when necessary. In return, computer workstations are available to students for non-library academic computing activities when they are not used for access to the Libraries website. Applications software available include two office suites, a range of course-related instructional packages, and various image-editing programs; students can also do e-mail and FTP.

Dana Library continued to benefit from the presence of the student assistants in both the Reference Area and Media Services. During the school year, the students provided almost 100 hours a week of coverage. Student assistants were also on duty during the Summer months, for about 50 hours a week. There were just three new hires this year: Shevon Jones, Dermot Wang, and Rudy Webster. They joined Sherry Bafour, Nedad Dukic, Henry Gantt, Sherwin Gorrick, Keiann Gravesande, Shelly Jones, Jorge Medina, Patrick Moliere, Shewetal Pandit, Shirley Salvi, Munir Samad, Lisa Stewart, and Katie Sisco from last year. Kenneth Johnson continued as Dana Library Site Manager to oversee the staffing and operation of the two CIF labs, and his assistant was Larry Jones.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES FOR FY2003/04

To continue to maintain, update, and expand the RUL Business Research Guide

To revise the Webpages of the RBS Business CyberLibrary

To submit an article on business resources for publication

To assist in the IT planning for the third floor
KNA: 29 July 04