Comeau, Marc
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10222/27819
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Item Open Access Securing Library IT - A View From The Ground(2016-06-21) Comeau, MarcThe Dalhousie Libraries Information Technologies Services team has a lot in common with other IT departments when it comes to security, but we do face some challenges that are unique to libraries. We have large numbers of computers for student and public use at the front end and server infrastructure at the back end that must all be protected while maintaining a balance with the open, accessible nature of libraries. Academic libraries spend a great deal of money to provide their faculty and students access to electronic resources in order to support learning and research. Many others outside that audience want access to these resources as well, creating a security problem for libraries. The threat has evolved significantly over the years from single breached accounts to the modern Sci-Hub controversy that has leveraged automation and technological sophistication to get past security systems of old. To resolve these issues we’ve developed better tools to share information faster within the university and have developed an improved dialogue with some of our major content vendors.Item Open Access 3D Printing In An Academic Library - One Year Later(2013-05-15) Comeau, Marc; Groenendyk, MichealThe idea of bringing 3D printers to libraries has gone from concept to reality in the past year. The new service has been spreading rapidly the world over. That reality has sparked a debate. Should we or shouldn’t we? Are we blinded by technolust or stepping up to meet an emerging need? One of the key pieces of evidence necessary to inform the debate is some idea of what students actually do with a 3D printer. Are they printing downloadable trinkets or unique creative masterpieces? We’ve found that the truth lies somewhere in between. We’ll discuss what we’ve been seeing at the Dalhousie Libraries since we began offering 3D printing to our students in June 2012. We’ve seen some trends in usage and we want to share what we’re learning as our service continues to evolve.Item Open Access “One and One are Sometimes Eleven”: Local Source Partners and Technologies in the Killam Learning Commons(2013-05-16) Paon, Michelle; Comeau, MarcEleven stakeholders currently share space in Dalhousie University’s Killam Library Learning Commons, with services ranging from research assistance and the IT help desk to tutoring, GIS & data services. Although some partnerships already exist between service providers, the future challenge lies in finding new and effective ways for these partners to collaborate among themselves. There is also an opportunity to incorporate new technologies to enhance the student learning experience and help increase retention. With that in mind, recent initiatives have been undertaken to help foster new partnerships and deploy new technologies in the commons.Item Open Access A Help Desk In Transition(2012-06-05) Comeau, MarcPrior to November 2009, the Learning Commons Technical Support desk was located on the main floor of the Killam Library, and provided application support for the Learning Commons. The main Help Desk on campus was located in the basement and provided IT infrastructure support with some application support. Students in the Learning Commons would often find themselves journeying between the two locations to resolve their issues. Attendees at this session will hear how Dalhousie combined the two disparate support functions at one site, and the benefits, both expected and unexpected, that resulted.