Articles by author: Evelyn Smith

  • Doing OK? – a campus-wide mental health campaign

    Brock Library thanks Bailey O’Hagen, Wellness Navigator in the Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre for this exhibit and blog post. Visit the display in the Matheson Learning Commons until October 31. 

    This year, The Wellness Navigators and The Wellness HUB are shining a spotlight on their Doing OK? mental health campaign—an initiative focused on building a compassionate campus where students have the skills and confidence to reach out and support one another.

    Our library display highlights the campaign’s key message of “Doing OK?”—a reminder to check in on a friend. University life can get busy with classes, deadlines, and everything in between, and it’s easy to get caught up in the rush. Through this display, we wanted to reflect on how important it is to take the time to pause, connect, and reach out. Sometimes, it can be as simple as sending a friend a message asking, “How are you doing?”—a small question that can open the door to meaningful conversation and support.

    This campaign encourages students to regularly check in on their friends and loved ones. It focuses on building awareness around the importance of reaching out, recognizing when someone might need extra support, and knowing how to have these conversations with their friends.

    The campaign follows these five steps to guide your check-ins:

    1. Recognize the Signs – Noticing the Changes in mood, behaviour, or routine may signal that someone is struggling.

    2. Ask – A simple “Are you doing OK?” can go a long way.

    3. Listen – Be present, and let them share without judgment.

    4. Encourage Action – Gently support them with next steps – whether it’s reaching out to a resource, a trusted person, or using a coping strategy.

    5. Check Back In – Continued support shows you care and builds trust.

    Together, we can create a campus where compassion and connection thrive.

    The “Doing OK?” campaign is part of the Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre (SWAC). To learn more about the campaign and explore mental health supports and resources, visit our Doing OK? page.

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    Categories: Learning Commons, Main

  • A 10-minute European vacation awaits

    “Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
    ― Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad

    The Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures welcomes you to browse through its latest exhibit in the Library and at the Thistle entrance to the Learning Commons. The display exemplifies the languages and unique cultures explored by MLLC students. May your curiosity be piqued and perhaps some of the questions rooted in the history of these cultures will be raised by the materials on display.

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    Categories: Learning Commons, Main

  • Reconciliation and libraries: cleaning up descriptions of library materials

    As part of the 2025 Truth and Reconciliation events, the Brock Library hosted a discussion of reconciliation work as it applies in the context of library metadata.

    Since the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Report in 2015, libraries in Canada have been hard at work implementing the Calls to Action related to memory institutions (C.T.A. 79). One particular area of concern is metadata: the descriptions which represent material in a library’s collections and allow it to be searched for and discovered. Metadata can, and often does contain outdated and harmful terminology.

    What are libraries doing to address these problems and move to language which is inclusive and respectful of the communities, people, and knowledge represented in them? What are some of the challenges of this work? In this presentation, Brock Metadata Librarian, John Dingle shared the Library’s harmful metadata remediation strategy for the general collection, while David Sharron, University Archivist spoke about this work in the context of the Archives and Special Collections.

    View the presentation on YouTube.
    Duration: 1 hour

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    Categories: Main

  • Notice: Potential service disruption

    As of September 25th, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (Canada Post) are on a national strike. Some of our interlibrary loan and resource sharing services, specifically physical items to and from our Canadian partners, will be affected by this strike. Please expect delays for the duration of the labour action.

    Interlibrary loans will continue as usual with our Ontario university library (Omni) partners and international lenders. Digital resource sharing in the form of articles and book chapters is unaffected, and can be used as a great alternative during this time.

    Questions about interlibrary loans services and delays can be directed to [email protected]. The Brock University Library resource sharing team is here to help with your research.

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  • Burlington Campus Library opportunity

    Brock University Library is hiring a Library Coordinator for our new Burlington Campus location.

    The Coordinator oversees the daily operations of the Library. In addition to providing front-line desk services alongside Burlington Public Library staff, the position collaborates with Brock and Burlington colleagues, staff, faculty and librarians to develop and deliver instruction and training, and to enhance collections and services for Brock University programs located at the Burlington campus. The Library Coordinator provides library research help and proactively promotes user engagement through events and outreach.

    Learn more about the role and apply by October 5, 2025.

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  • Career Opportunity

    Brock University Library is recruiting a Circulation Clerk for our User Services & Engagement department.

    Circulation Clerks are responsible for assisting users with locating, using and borrowing material and providing basic copying and printing services to all users at the Ask Us desk. Depending on departmental needs, Circulation Clerks may work a variety of days/shifts including day, evening, weekend and/or holiday on an “on-call” temporary basis.

    Learn more about this position and apply by September 22, 2025.

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  • Sign up for the Fall 2025 Wellness Book Club

    Registration is now open for the fall 2025 Wellness Book Club.  This term, we will be reading the second book from Jenny Han’s bestselling “The Summer I Turned Pretty” Trilogy: “It’s Not Summer Without You.”  Described as “a convincing and poignant read,” this book series has inspired the streaming series, merchandise and is beloved by fans.

    The Book Club is hosted by librarian, Justine Cotton, who is passionate about the positive impact of reading and community.  You can contact her with any questions about the Club at [email protected].

    There are 8 copies of the book to give away, as well as 2 copies available for loan in our Badger Books Collection.  Meetings will be held online and in-person in October, and participants may choose to participate in a research study on the benefits of reading “for fun” on stress levels in university students.

    Register here: https://bit.ly/wellnessbookclubfall25

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  • Display: Welcome to Brock & the Library

    New and returning students are invited to stop by and view a new exhibit showcasing the many services and resources of the Brock University Library.

    Archives & Special Collections:
    Exhibited at the Thistle entrance to the Library, is cool story in the remarkable life of Sean O’Sullivan.  At the age of 20 while studying at Brock, O’Sullivan was elected to the House of Commons. In this role- some fifty years ago, he undertook a quest to make the beaver the national symbol of Canada. We encourage you to view the entertaining source documents about this chapter in Canadian history.

    Brock University Art Collection:
    Get a sneak peek of Intentional Futures, an exhibition located at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts.

    Brock Library Makerspace and Maps, Data & GIS services:
    The Learning Commons display cases show Niagara’s grape-growing regions visualized in a new and dynamic way. Come and view the Makerspace-created 3D puzzle of the Niagara Peninsula Wine Sub-Appellations map.

    Resources for a successful start at Brock:
    A guide to study spots, wellness resources for loan, and various ways to get help from the library are also featured this month.

    Welcome to Brock University Library runs to Friday, September 26.

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    Categories: Learning Commons, Makerspace

  • Display: Keep calm and succeed at Brock

    Brock Library thanks Kristina Saltarelli, Mohawk College Library Technician intern for this display and blog post. Visit the display in the Matheson Learning Commons through September. 

    University life is more than lectures…it’s about finding balance. Keep Calm and Succeed at Brock is a collection of books that offer tips and inspiration for managing stress, eating well on a budget, building strong friendships, improving study habits, and taking care of your mental and physical health. Whether you’re entering your first year or your last, these reads are here to help you feel your best!

     

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • Library Course Readings service is getting an upgrade!   

    Starting this Fall, we’re moving to a new platform: Leganto.

    What’s new?

    While library staff will still be able to upload and link to course materials in Brightspace, Leganto also allows instructors to build and manage reading lists, engage students, and easily update and reuse content.

    With Leganto, instructors can:

    • Build course resource lists independently or collaborate with others
    • Add any kind of content, including print or electronic Library resources, streaming video, websites, textbooks, journals, OER, and more
    • Allow students to easily access course resource lists in Brightspace
    • Structure lists with weekly, monthly or topic-based sections
    • Easily roll over course resource lists from term to term, adjusting as needed

    Want a sneak peek?

    We’re still configuring things behind the scenes, but you can watch this video for an overview of Leganto and how it can support course planning.

    Is your Fall reading list ready?

    Early submissions will give us the time we need to get everything set up smoothly while we navigate this new system together.

    If you have any questions about Leganto, please reach out to [email protected].

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