Articles by author: Evelyn Smith

• GIS Week is November 16-20

  Friday, November 13, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Celebrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day looks a little different this year. Universities across Ontario and Québec have joined forces to present workshops, and lectures, open to all, online.

  Events include: the Geography of Pokémon Go, QGIS, the mapping of conservation, of history and of COVID-19, as well as networking events and a trivia night.

  Organizers note that technical experience is not required. “Maps and mapping technology are more accessible now than ever before [and] no prior GIS experience [is] required.”

  The Brock University Map, Data & GIS Library will present a hands-on workshop as part of the week’s events.

  Western University’s Map and Data Centre is the hub for all events. View the full event listing and prepare to broaden your horizons.

  Tags: ArcGIS Pro, MDGL, Workshops
  Categories: Main, MDGL

• Intersectional feminism: from Beyoncé to data science

  Monday, November 09, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  We welcome you to check out our latest virtual book display. This month’s topic is “Intersectional feminism”. All of these reads are available electronically, so you can dive right in!

  Tags: Collections, Virtual Book Display
  Categories: Featured Collections

• Introduction to the Canadian Common CV (CCV)

  Thursday, November 05, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  The Office of Research Services will present a timely workshop for Brock researchers on the Canadian Common CV (CCV). This session is part of the Building Better Research series, a joint effort by the ORS and Brock University Library

  The Canadian Common CV Workshop, held Friday, November 6 from 12 to 1 p.m., will include an overview of CCV basics with lots of time for questions. It will be led by retired research officer Josie Reed.

  Register for this online workshop via ExperienceBU.

  Tags: Faculty, Graduate students, Research, Workshops
  Categories: Main

• Faculty encouraged to submit winter term reading lists soon

  Friday, October 30, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Reserve request processing for the winter term is underway at Brock University Library.

  To ensure your students have access to their winter course materials, we encourage you to submit reading lists by November 20, 2020.  

  An instructor self-serve option is also available, providing flexibility to instructors who wish to do this work themselves. All self-submissions will get a final check for copyright compliance, and will then be active for students. 

  An important consideration: print reserve materials remain unavailable for winter 2021 courses.

  Several alternatives to print resources are available including the creation of course-specific online packs. The Reserves team is ready to work with you to develop these for your students. More information about non-print options is available. Liaison Librarians are also available to help you identify alternate resources.  

  Questions? reserve@brocku.ca

  Tags: Faculty, Graduate students, Services
  Categories: Main

• Research Data Management Presentation

  Thursday, October 29, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  In collaboration with the Office of Research Services, Brock University Library begins the Building Better Research series with an online workshop focusing on research data management.

  Professionals and researchers alike increasingly rely on accurate and comprehensive information describing the data they create and use, as well as secure and reliable storage options where data may be safely stored and readily discovered.

  Data management principles enable the best means to document, protect, preserve, and reuse all kinds of data, whether that be before, during or after the completion of a project.

  This workshop will give you the foundation to understand the value of data management expertise in a wide range of contexts, including academia, business, government, and industry.

  Register for this online workshop via ExperienceBU.

  Tags: Faculty, Graduate students, Research, Workshops
  Categories: Main

• Research basics for upcoming course assignments

  Thursday, October 22, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Final papers coming up? Unsure how to start your research, or feeling stuck in a sea of information? Attend one of our brand-new Library Research 101 workshops for expert advice on: 

  • Ways you can break your topic down so you can develop an effective search strategy 
  • How to evaluate sources and find what you need 
  • Places for searching, from Omni to Google Scholar and beyond! 

  These sessions are intended for undergraduate students in all disciplines of study, with librarians from both the Humanities and Sciences present. It will include 45 minutes of interactive lecture + 15 minutes of live Q & A. 

  The workshops will be hosted on Thursday, November 5, 11:00-12:00 PM and Monday, November 9, 3:00-4:00 PM. You can register for the sessions on ExperienceBU. 

  For more information, contact: Chelsea Humphries, Liaison Librarian chumphries@brocku.ca, or Evelyn Feldman, Collections/Liaison Librarian efeldman@brocku.ca 

   

  Tags: Students, Workshops
  Categories: Main

• Library Yoga returns!

  Wednesday, October 21, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Library Yoga is back for midterm season! Whether you’re winding down after your exams or preparing for your next big assignment, librarian and yoga instructor Chelsea Humphries is here to help you find space to pause, process, and prepare for your academic experiences, right in the middle of the (virtual) library!

  These two Library Yoga sessions will be livestreamed on LifeSize on Wednesday, October 28th and Wednesday, November 4th from 12:15-12:45 PM. You can register and find the links to the events on ExperienceBU. Recordings of the events will be saved for later viewing on the Library’s YouTube channel.

  These simple mindful movement sequences will pull you into the present moment, providing an opportunity for you to check-in with yourself, notice how you’re feeling, and take a few deep breaths before returning to your studies with refreshed energy and awareness. They are designed to be incorporated into the middle of a busy day, and they can be done in regular clothing and in any open space. Absolute beginners are welcome! After all, we all feel the midterm crunch and have likely had some of the following experiences:

  • You’re doing research and getting frustrated because you aren’t finding what you’re looking for. It’s getting hard to focus because you are feeling overwhelmed.
  • You have been working for hours and can hardly focus your eyes on the computer screen. You wonder how you’re going to manage to write the rest of your paper.
  • After a long virtual class, you’re surprised to find that your back is sore.

  Yoga can help you to notice experiences like these, when your mind and your body are telling you that you need to take a break. As a mindful practice, it can also help you approach your studies with a greater sense of calm and balance.

  If you’re interested in checking out Library Yoga before the live sessions, we encourage you to get a feel for the practice with this curated playlist of Library Yoga sessions and study breaks on our YouTube channel. You can also learn more about Chelsea as a liaison librarian at Brock University on this page and as a yoga instructor on her website.

   

  Tags: Events, Faculty, Staff, Students, Wellness, Workshops
  Categories: Main

• October is Canadian Library Month

  Friday, October 02, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  October is Canadian Library Month. Libraries all across the nation take this month to remind Canadians what libraries have to offer. For 2020, the theme is One Card, One Million Possibilities and, as a member of the Brock University community, these millions of possibilities are just a few clicks away.

  While our focus is on academic resources, an important partner for us is our local public libraries. If you live nearby, consider the benefits of becoming a member of the St. Catharines or Thorold Public Libraries. Popular magazines, audio books, streaming videos and music are available for you borrow with your public library card, and offer the perfect complement to our more scholarly collections. 

  Tags: Canadian Library Month
  Categories: Main

• Celebrating Open Access Week and Brock’s new Open Access Policy

  Thursday, October 01, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  October 19-25 is the thirteenth International Open Access Week, an event for the research community around the world to spread awareness of the benefits of Open Access.

  Join in at Brock by attending a presentation on Tuesday, October 20 at 1pm, which will introduce the Open Access movement broadly, delve into how it works in journal publishing, and finish by tying this all together with Brock’s new Open Access Policy.

  The policy, recently adopted by Senate, calls for Brock researchers and scholars to deposit an electronic copy of their academic journal articles into the Brock University Digital Repository, an online collection of scholarly output produced by the Brock community and managed by the Library.

  Researchers can submit work themselves to the repository or use a Library service called Support for Sharing Your Work – complete a form, attach your articles and Library staff will deposit them on your behalf.

  More information about the open access policy, including answers to frequently asked questions and an opt-out form, can be found on the policy webpage.

  For event details and connection information, please visit ExperienceBU. For more information, please contact your Liaison Librarian.

  Tags: Digital Scholarship Lab, Events, OA Week, Open Access, Scholarly Communication
  Categories: Main

• Orange Shirt Day

  Tuesday, September 29, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Orange Shirt Day is held annually on September 30 to bring awareness to the history of residential schools and their negative effects on children’s self-esteem and well-being. Orange Shirt Day was first observed in 2013 at St. Joseph Mission in Williams Lake, British Columbia, where, in 1973, Phyllis (Jack) Webstad had her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of residential school. She never saw the shirt again.

  We wear orange to show our commitment to recognizing and remembering the approximately 150,000 children forced to attend residential schools, where many experienced shame, deprivation, and abuse, as well as more than 6,000 students who did not survive.

  In light of Orange Shirt day, we are highlighting a selection of books, ebooks and streaming video to help us learn more about the impact of residential schools.

  Learn more about Phyllis’ story and Orange Shirt day.

  Tags: Indigenous Collection, Our Collections, Virtual Book Display
  Categories: Featured Collections, Main