Other actions were less successful. 34-40% of the respondents didn’t recognize the other three listed actions, (library policy template, committee charge templates, and communication expectations for decision-makers). Among those who did know these items, the opinion about their effectiveness was fairly evenly split .

Some responses were ambiguous. On April 11 (time to be set), Lou Wetherbee will host an open meeting to allow individuals to offer additional input and to suggest specific behavioral changes that could further improve communication . More details will be posted in April.

Festivities can begin up to a week before Saint Patrick’s Day. Many popular Irish entertainers go on tour at this time.

Colleges and universities have special Irish programs: poets, violinists: fiddlers, singers, dancers, actors, historians, storytellers and Celtic folklorists.

The highlight of the American celebration is the afternoon St. Paddy’s Day Parade in larger cities, such as New York, Chicago and Boston, which were the traditional settling places of the early Irish immigrants to America. Boston’s Parade is the oldest in this country and began in 1737.

Evenings are filled with dinners, dances, and celebrations in homes, restaurants, pubs, and Irish clubs. Many American bars serve green beer (a custom not shared in Ireland!)

Shamrock-shaped cookies are eaten by the ton and shamrocks are worn in pin form as well as other jewelry.
Many people also get into the spirit of the day by wearing green clothing and sending St. Patrick’s Day cards to friends and family. Green Mardi Gras beads are a new custom just appearing on the scene.

A final interesting fact about the people who started it all:

There are more Americans of Irish descent than the Irish. There are 4 million people on the island of Ireland and 40 million in the USA!

Overall, the damage to books was relatively minor. Although about 1,500 books were slightly wet, only about 100 required further preservation treatment for water damage. The value of the preventive actions taken is seen in the much larger number books (about 8,500) removed from the shelves during the flood as well as the many stack ranges covered with heavy draped heavy plastic sheeting over the shelves so as to protect additional thousands of books from water damage. We owe special thanks to the Preservation Department' for making sure we are prepared for disasters of this kind with adequate supplies and a checklist of what has to be done when flooding occurs.

I am very proud of the responsive and responsible way in which all of you worked together - calmly, smoothly and effectively - to ensure the security of as much of our collections as was humanly possible. You did a wonderful job and we are grateful to you. I was not there that Monday as I was in Quebec City representing Indiana libraries of all kinds at the OCLC Members Council meeting. Dan Marmion called me right away so I knew of the problem. I also knew the library was in good hands - yours. Thank you very much.

Jennifer Younger
Edward H. Arnold Director of University Libraries

See pictures http://libstaff.library.nd.edu/break_time/images/water_damage/index.htm

• Virtually, with new technology and improvements that our users have come to expect
• Physically, the campus landscape is changing directly around us, and within the library building itself there are changes (walls of reference coming down, computer cluster moving to the first floor from the second, just to name a few)
• Organizationally, there are departments that are assessing workflows, processing, and the best ways to re-invent themselves in order to meet our users expectations

So I thought it would be appropriate for me to review a new book on the "eight-step process of successful change" entitled Our Iceberg is Melting. If you liked "March of the Penguins" and "Happy Feet" then this is the perfect book for you. It is the story of a colony of penguins who haven't changed for many, many generations. Then one day one of them learns that the iceberg they have lived on for hundreds of years "appears" to be melting, and worried about their future, he suggests to the head penguins that they need to move. The ensuing fable is a great way to get people thinking about change and one of the authors just happens to be John Kotter, author of the best-selling management book "Leading Change" (library copy HD 58.8 .K65 1996)

Here is the eight-step process -- the authors give it to you at the end of the book, just in case you want to "get right to the good stuff" but I highly recommend reading the book first.

The Eight-Step Process:
1.) Create a sense of urgency
2.) Pull together the guiding team
3.) Develop the change vision and strategy
4.) Communicate for understanding and buy in
5.) Empower others to act
6.) Produce short-term wins
7.) Don't let up
8.) Create a new culture

Here are some great sources (all accessed 3/5/07) on change management to get you started:

http://www.whomovedmycheese.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Change_management
http://home.att.net/~nickols/change.htm
http://www.fastcompany.com/online/30/toolbox5.html
http://www.strategy-business.com/media/file/resilience-04-15-04.pdf
http://www.bpubs.com/Management_Science/Change_Management/

Marcy Simons

IRISH COTTAGE BREAD

1/2c. All-Bran Cereal
1/2c. Rolled Oats
2c. Flour
1t. Baking Soda
1/2t. Salt
1t. Caraway Seeds
1/2c. Sugar
2T. Vegetable Oil
1 1/2c. Buttermilk

Mix together all the dry ingredients, then add the oil and buttermilk. Blend well. Pour batter into a greased pie or cake pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45-60 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.

LAMB STEW

2lbs. Cubeb Boneless Lamb
2T. Vegetable Oil
2 1/2c. Water
1 1/2t. Salt
1/4t. Pepper
1/4t. Dried Thyme
3 medium Potatoes – halved
6 small White Onions
2c. Frozen Peas
1/2c. Mushrooms – sliced large
1c. Light Cream
1/4c. Flour

Brown lamb in margarine in large Dutch oven or heavy saucepan with tight- fitting cover. Add water, salt, pepper, and thyme. Cover and simmer 45 minutes. Skim off excess fat. Add potatoes and onions. Simmer covered, 30 minutes. Add peas and mushrooms. Simmer covered 15 minutes, or until lamb and vegetables are tender. Blend cream into flour; stir into bubbling stew and boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. 6 servings.

IRISH POTATO LALLY

1/2lb. White Potatoes –peeled, boiled and mashed fine, cool to room temp
1/4lb. Butter – melted
4c. Sugar
8oz. Blanched Almonds – crushed
1T. Orange Extract*
6 Eggs – separated
4oz. Whiskey
2 Prepared, unbaked pie crusts

Mash the potatoes until lump-free. Separate the yolks and whites of the eggs and beat separately; the yolks until lemon-colored, the whites until stiff. Add the almonds, orange extract, sugar and egg yolks to the potatoes; mix well, then add the glass of whiskey, and when combined, gently fold in the egg whites with a spatula. Have ready 2 pie crusts and fill them with the mixture.)
Bake at 375F for 40-45 minutes.
* May substitute 1c. dried sweetened cranberries, if desired

This last recipe is guaranteed to bring the leprechauns out of hiding!!

November: Carol Brach
December: Karen Malling
January: Diane Kennedy

Saint Patrick was the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. Most of what is known about him comes from his two works, the Confessio, a spiritual autobiography, and his Epistola, a denunciation of British mistreatment of Irish Christians. Saint Patrick described himself as a "most humble-minded man, pouring forth a continuous paean of thanks to his Maker for having chosen him as the instrument whereby multitudes who had worshipped idols and unclean things had become the people of God."

Saint Patrick is most known for driving the snakes from Ireland. It is true there are no snakes in Ireland, but there probably never have been - the island was separated from the rest of the continent at the end of the Ice Age. As in many old pagan religions, serpent symbols were common and often worshipped. Driving the snakes from Ireland was probably symbolic of putting an end to that pagan practice. While not the first to bring Christianity to Ireland, it is Patrick who is said to have encountered the Druids at Tara and abolished their pagan rites. The story holds that he converted the warrior chiefs and princes, baptizing them and thousands of their subjects in the "Holy Wells" that still bear this name.

There are several accounts of Saint Patrick's death. One says that Patrick died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, on March 17, 460 A.D. His jawbone was preserved in a silver shrine and was often requested in times of childbirth, epileptic fits, and as a preservative against the "evil eye." Another account says that St. Patrick ended his days at Glastonbury, England and was buried there. The Chapel of St. Patrick still exists as part of Glastonbury Abbey. Today, many Catholic places of worship all around the world are named after St. Patrick, including cathedrals in New York and Dublin city.

Saint Patrick's Day has come to be associated with everything Irish: anything green and gold, shamrocks and luck. Most importantly, to those who celebrate its intended meaning, St. Patrick's Day is a traditional day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide.

So, why is it celebrated on March 17th? One theory is that that is the day that St. Patrick died. Since the holiday began in Ireland, it is believed that as the Irish spread out around the world, they took with them their history and celebrations.

Submitted by:
Diane Kennedy

http://www.st-patricks-day.com/index.asp

Have some fun with this word search in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.
St. Patrick's Day Word Search

1. Why is the library participating in this pilot?

*To encourage a more consistent application of performance ratings within the library.
*To better align the library's use of ratings with campus directions.
*To influence the final design of the overall process.
*To respond to concerns raised at LAM or mentioned by staff on the 2006 Recognition Survey.

2. Couldn't we just keep on doing what we have been doing?

This year, we could have used the old form and ratings. By next year, however, we would have had to change – at least for all exempt positions.

3. What are the main changes?

There are two changes. a) We are using three ratings instead of five. b) Each Division will have a calibration meeting at which the AD and the Department Heads will share information in order to develop a common understanding of what evidence is indicative of each performance level (top performer, valued performer, and developing performer). Cindy Ewing will facilitate these meetings. Jo Bessler will also attend to help document the criteria and to promote cross divisional consistency in the interpretation of the ratings.

4. Is the University trying to impose a bell curve or a specific distribution of the ratings?

We have been given no instructions that suggest that any specific number or percentage of the reviews should fall into each category . On the other hand, the use of three ratings and the very design of the rating definitions are likely to create a bigger middle category. The valued employee definition was designed to embrace the large number of employees upon whom the University relies on who regularly demonstrate knowledge, commitment, and cooperation.

5. Will these rating translate into specific amounts of merit?

The ratings will have a significant impact on merit, but we do not yet know the precise nature of this impact.

We do know that the University is committed to offering the most merit to top performers. Valued employees will also receive merit increases. An individual in the "developing" category may or may not receive an increase depending on whether his/her performance is developing as expected or is viewed as problematic.

More details on the distribution of the increases cannot be determined until we receive the budget instructions from the University.

6) How can we offer feedback on this system?

We will solicit formal input after the entire process is complete. You can offer immediate feed back to any of the following:

Cindy Ewing cewing@nd.edu
Jo Bessler jbessler.1@nd.edu

Jo Bessler

October's Winner: Trudie Mullins

self-improvement. Kwanzaa is neither political nor religious and despite some misconceptions, is not a substitute for Christmas. It is simply a time of reaffirming African-American people, their ancestry and culture. Kwanzaa, which means "first fruits of the harvest" in the African language Kiswahili, has gained tremendous acceptance. Since its creation in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa has come to be observed by more than 18 million people worldwide, as reported by the New York Times. When establishing Kwanzaa in 1966, Dr. Karenga included an additional "a" to the end of the spelling to reflect the difference between the African American celebration (kwanzaa) and the Motherland spelling (kwanza).

Kwanzaa is based on the Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles), one for each day of the observance, and is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st.

1.Umoja (oo-MO-jah) Unity stresses the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, which is reflected in the African saying, "I am We," or "I am because We are."
2. Kujichagulia (koo-gee-cha-goo-LEE-yah) Self-Determination requires that African-Americans define their common interests and make decisions that are in the best interest of their family and community.
3. Ujima (oo-GEE-mah) Collective Work and Responsibility reminds one of obligations to the past, present and future, and that there is a role to play in the community, society, and world.
4. Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah) Cooperative Economics emphasizes the collective economic strength and encourages meeting common needs through mutual support.
5. Nia (NEE-yah) Purpose encourages one to look within oneself and to set personal goals that are beneficial to the community.
6. Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) Creativity makes use of creative energies to build and maintain a strong and vibrant community.
7. Imani (ee-MAH-nee) Faith focuses on honoring the best of African-American traditions, draws upon the best, and helps members of the community strive for a higher level of life for humankind.
Gifts are usually exchanged between parents and children and traditionally given on January 1st, the last day of Kwanzaa. However, gift giving during Kwanzaa may occur at any time.
The Kwanzaa Karumu ( FEAST ) It is a very special event as it is the one Kwanzaa event that brings us closer to one’s African roots. The Karamu is a communal and cooperative effort. Ceremonies and cultural expressions are highly encouraged .

Where did THAT come from...?

Decorating with Christmas Trees and Other Evergreens

Christmas tree decorating, decking the halls with boughs of holly, or perhaps even the kiss-promoting mistletoe seems so natural to us now during the holiday season, as it would have to pagans throughout history and pre-history. Surprisingly, the history of the Christmas tree in the winter holiday celebrations has not been one big merry sleigh-ride.

Get beyond the commercialism of Christmas, and think about the symbolism -- and the psychology. Evergreen trees and the clippings of evergreen shrubs are widely harvested from the Northern landscape and brought inside to promote good cheer and hope. When everything else on the landscape is dead or dormant, holly, mistletoe, laurel, boxwood and evergreen trees remind us of better times to come -- the return of a green landscape in spring.

However, Christmas tree decorating and using the clippings of evergreen shrubs as decorations for Christmas has been a controversial practice at times in Western history. When the Roman Church decided in the fourth century that Christmas should be celebrated on December 25, some of the pagan celebrations of the Roman Saturnalia (celebrated at the same time of year) were carried over. This caused much consternation amoung the Church Fathers.

In the sixteenth century John Calvin objected to observing the Christian calendar -- which included Christmas and Easter -- because he felt such celebrations promoted irreligious frivolity. It was in this same century that Germany, by contrast, was establishing Christmas tree decorating - a heritage from their Teutonic forebears. In England the Puritans, influenced by Calvin, forbade the observance of Christmas and it wasn't until the mid-nineteenth century, at the instigation of Prince Albert, German consort of Queen Victoria, that Christmas tree decorating achieved its present status in England.

Given its roots in English history, North America was predictably late in adopting the Christmas tree. The Massachusetts Puritans' second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out 'pagan mockery' of the observance, penalizing any foolishness.... In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of December 25 (other than a church service) a penal offense; people were fined for hanging decorations. That stern solemnity continued until the nineteenth century, when the influx of German immigrants undermined the Puritan legacy. In 1856...Christmas was made a legal holiday in Massachusetts.

Recipes from Near and Far...

KWANZAA RECIPES

Sweet Potato Fritters

1 lb sweet potatoes; peeled and coarsely shredded
3 large eggs
3 T. flour
1 sm onion; coarsely shredded
Vegetable oil for frying
Salt
Pepper

Spread potatoes and onion on clean dish towel; roll up, twisting towel to extract excess moisture from vegetables.

In bowl, whisk eggs, flour, 1/2 t salt and 1/4 t pepper until smooth

In large nonstick skillet, heat 1/4 cup oil over medium-high heat. Ad vegetables to batter; mix. Spoon mixture into skillet, allowing heaping 1 T for each fritter; with back of spoon, flatten slightly. Fry, six fritters at a time, 4 minutes. Turn; cook 2 to 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels; keep warm while frying remaining fritters, adding more oil if necessary.

Yield: 6-8 Servings

Benne Cakes

You will need: oil to grease a cookie sheet
1 c finely packed brown sugar
1/4 c butter or margarine, softened
1 egg, beaten
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 c toasted sesame seeds

Preheat the oven to 325̊. Lightly oil a cookie sheet. Mix together the brown sugar and butter, and beat until they are creamy. Stir in the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Add flour, baking powder, salt, and sesame seeds. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto the cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 15 mintues or until the edges are browned. Enjoy!

Benne cakes are a food from West Africa. Benne means sesame seeds. The sesame seeds are eaten for good luck. This treat is still eaten in some parts of the American South.

Southern Fried Okra

1 lb fresh okra, cut 1 inch pieces
1 lg green tomato, diced
1 med onion chopped
1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
1 Jalapeno pepper halved & sliced, remove seeds if too hot
2 eggs beaten
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 c milk
1 c cornmeal
1/4 c vegetable oil

Combine okra, tomato, onion, garlic & jalapeno in large bowl. In separate bowl combine eggs, salt, pepper, milk. Pour egg mix over veggies and toss to thoroughly coat. Gradually add cornmeal until mixture on the okra and at the bottom of the bowl soaked up. Continue to toss till ingredients evenly mixed. Mixture will have a gooey consistency.
Heat oil in 10 inch skillet over med. heat until hot. Oil is ready when dash of cornmeal sizzles.
Spoon mixture evenly in skillet. Reduce heat to med low. Cover and fry till underside golden brown, 10-15 minutes. Then invert on plate and slide other-side up into skillet and cook uncovered 5-8 min until golden brown. Remove from skillet to paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve hot.

HOT ENGLISH WASSAIL PUNCH

Ingredients:
1 gal. sweet cider
1 cup lemon juice
4 cups orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3 teaspoons allspice
4 pieces stick cinnamon

Directions:
Combine all ingredients; bring to a simmer. Let stand in an earthenware crock overnight. Strain through cloth; reheat and serve hot.

This recipe for Hot English Wassail Punch serves 40

CHANUKAH CHEESE LATKES

Ingredients:

Soft cream cheese; (4 oz.)
2 eggs, separated
1/2 cup flour
1 Tbs. sugar
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
Cinnamon to taste

Directions:

Mix cream cheese with egg yolks. Add sugar and cottage cheese. Add flour, a little at a time, and mix well. Beat egg whites until stiff, then fold into the cheese mixture. Heat oil in pan and drop batter by spoonfuls into oil. Fry until brown, turn once. Serve with sour cream or apple sauce. Makes 30. May be frozen.

Happy Holiday Season to All…

Susanna King

Who doesn’t love Bar-B-Que? Okay, well I can think of a couple people who do not enjoy that wonderful smoky bar-b-que flavor, but only a couple. We have quite a few bar-b-que options here in our surrounding area. I have not tried them all but I will let you know a few of my favorites.

Double T’s Bar-B-Que at 415 Hickory is my newest bar-b-que favorite.
I never heard of Double T’s Bar-B-Que until one of our co-workers recommended this place to me. All I can say is Thank You for the recommendation! This bar-b-que is simply scrumptious. They claim to have the best southern style smoked food in our area and I think they are right! They hickory smoke their pork and brisket slowly for 10 to 12 hours, so it is very tender and delicious. I have only eaten there a couple times but I will eat there again and they are now on my catering list.

Another place that has been around for a very long time is Frankie’s Bar-B-Que located at 1621 Circle Ave in South Bend. It is absolutely delicious. I have experienced the rib tips and the chicken and both are simply mouth-watering good. Keep in mind this is a place for carry out only.

Then there is Famous Dave’s on Grape Road. I have been there several times and have never been disappointed. The food is simply delectable and the side dishes and desserts are magnificent. You have to try their beans, they put little pieces of pork in to add flavor. Famous Dave’s is also on our catering list and we have used them many times for personal events.

These are three of my bar-b-que favorites. If you have a bar-b-que favorite, please share it with everyone. I know I haven’t tried all of them and I would sure love to get another awesome recommendation!

Happy eating.

Diane Kennedy
Amateur Food Critic

Defining initiative: Doing something above and beyond your job description; helping other people; taking risks; seeing an activity through to completion.

When thinking about initiative, keep these four (4) thought-provoking ideas in mind to help you reflect on:

1) Better ways to delight or dazzle internal and external customers
2) Better ways to simplify and improve work processes
3) Better ways to empower all employees
4) Better ways to share critical information with employees so they can feel a greater sense of organizational ownership

A by-product of showing initiative is innovation -- together these two values can help you come up with:

a) ways to improve products/services; b) finding new ways to do something; c) making a task easier or faster; d) saving money; e) enhancing our jobs; and f) increasing your promotability.

Need more ideas to help get you started? Ask yourself these questions:

1) Why was my job created?
2) How does my job relate to others in the organization? (Both library / ND)
3) What opportunities to contribute to the organization exist in my job?
4) How is my job linked to the organization's objectives?

Then, start thinking of "A Better Way":

• Imagine you were doing a task for the first time. Would you do it the way you are doing it now?
• If you had to, how could you do the task twice as fast?
• Do you really need to do the task? What would happen if you skipped it?
• What would be a completely different way of doing the task?
• Can someone else do the task more easily?
• Look for ways to make new ideas work -- not for reasons why they won't
• Make a list of the things you would change in the company, if you could, along with your reasons for changing them. Prioritize the list and plan to take the top items to the next step.
• Learn informal ways of getting things done in the organization.

Who knows -- maybe you will be the one to initiate "the next best thing."