Articles by author: Evelyn Smith

  • Thank you for your feedback

    Monday, January 15, 2024 | By

    Five speech bubbles on a background of numbers and graphs

    The Library wishes to express a heartfelt thank you to the Brock community for taking the time to respond to our 2023 Library Survey.

    We were thrilled to receive approximately 3,900 survey responses, including over 3,270 students, 160 faculty, and 450 staff. Your feedback included over 890 comments. Over the coming months, we will be reviewing and analyzing the survey data. This summer, we will share a summary of the results including our intended next steps to respond to what we heard from you.

    Congratulations to the lucky winners of twelve incentive prizes:

    • Grand prize winner of Bose Headphones: Mohamad E.
    • $100 Visa gift cards: Natalia J., Zahra A., Hillary G., Juhwan O., Simone L.
    • Someday Books Gift Certificate valued at $50: Nathan D.
    • Locker prizes: Deana T., Skylar B., Bhavleen D., Lian Y., Chidinma O.
    Some winners of the Library survey incentive prize draw.

    Pictured above are seven of twelve incentive prize winners. From the left, Simone L., Mohamad E., Hillary G., Chidinma O., Juhwan O., Skylar B., and Nathan D.

    If you have a specific, time-sensitive concern (or compliment!), the Library is always open to hearing from you via our online feedback form.

     

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    Categories: Main

  • Wild Reads

    Tuesday, January 02, 2024 | By

    A badger is on the prowl through a forest

    Explore the amazing world of animals with our latest collection of print and e-books.

    Go on a deep dive by reading Full Fathom 5000: the Expedition of the HMS Challenger and the Strange Animals It Found in the Deep Sea. Learn the story of Najin and Fatu, the last two northern white rhinos, and the conservation efforts to save them. Take to the sky, and uncover the science of avian scent.

    You can find the print titles next to the Ask Us desk in the James A. Gibson Library. In addition to these wild reads, this month’s collection contains BBC and CBC videos which you can stream from anywhere.

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • Supporting Brock students at exam time

    Wednesday, December 06, 2023 | By

    A woman rests her head on her school work. She is smiling

    One of our Library Strategic priorities is student success.  At this time of year, we are busy supporting students who are completing final assignments, and preparing for exams. In recent years, supporting student wellness has become a mission close to our hearts as well. This month, we are happy to host de-stressing activities for students throughout the exam period including Mindful Moments (3 short meditation sessions), Library Yoga, and an Unstudy Spot. Located in the Learning Commons, students can find a drop-in zone that is filled with crosswords, puzzles, origami, and colouring sheets. We are also happy to share a newly revamped online Exam De-stress Guide.

    To all writing and marking exams this month, we wish you success.

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    Categories: Main

  • Get out of this world at Brock Library

    Wednesday, December 06, 2023 | By

    A stylized galaxy with a dragon and robot alien floating among the stars

    Do you like to read about the unknown? Are you a fan of worldbuilding? Do extraterrestrials walk among us? If so, get cozy with an imaginative read. You can browse the Out of This World featured collection all December long!

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • Career opportunity in Library Acquisitions

    Friday, November 10, 2023 | By

    Icon of a person inside a magnifying glass

    Brock University Library is recruiting a Library Assistant for the Acquisitions department.

    Reporting to the Head, Collections Services, the Library Assistant, Acquisitions completes the acquisitions process for all digital media, as well as print and electronic monograph resources, completes financial processes, coordinates and processes all donations, and provides operational support for the department.

    Learn more about this full time position, qualifications, salary, etc. and apply by November 22, 2023 at 12:01 am

    Categories: Main

  • Community researcher letter of gratitude

    Wednesday, November 01, 2023 | By

    Silo and Buchner barn in the Town of Pelham, Ontario

    A Special Thank-you to Brock U. from a Grateful Local Resident
    Graham Segger, BA, FCA, FCPA

    I should perhaps start with a few confessions. First, I am not a Brock student, faculty member, employee or alumnus. I do, however, live less than 15 kilometres SSW of the Schmon Tower in the Town of Pelham (and former Village of Fonthill). The history of a part of that town has been the subject of a fascinating research project which has absorbed a substantial part of my spare time over the last couple of years. This brings me to my next confession. That BA listed above was not in history, or even the liberal arts, and the FCA designation simply means that I spent my pre-retirement career as a moderately successful chartered accountant. Research is research, however, and my third confession is that I have spent more time in the various Brock and other Niagara Region libraries over the last two years studying history and geography than I did through any comparable two year period during my own university days, lo those many years ago.

    This then is my letter of thanks to the many Brock faculty, staff and alumni who have generously helped me during this research project.

    My initial interaction with Brock was in the Archives and Special Collections 10th floor reading room where Edie Williams and Anne Adams lugged heavy and dusty Registry Office Copy Books out of the Archives Stacks for my perusal on numerous occasions. These books provide an incredibly detailed accounting of land transfers and other documents such as Will probates back to the 1790s. The carefully compiled Finding Aids supporting several of Brock’s other Special Collections were also helpful in my research. The Archives head David Sharron provided some leads while I was tracking down permissions for other materials incorporated into my project.

    When I was seeking information on the glacial origins, Indigenous history and early land surveys of the area the 9th floor stacks supplied a wealth of authoritative texts, and far too many rabbit holes to descend into.

    I’ve been a map geek throughout much of my life so my discovery of the treasure trove of Niagara related Historical Maps and Air Photos maintained online by the Map, Data and GIS Library was a revelation as was the collection of physical Pelham maps. The 1827 and 1840 sketch maps of a proposed military fortress on Pelham Heights contained a huge amount of data about Upper Fonthill (then called Riceville) including roads, distances, school houses, cider presses, tanneries, soil conditions, tree species and springs. The names of the 100 acre lot owners and the locations of their farm houses, fields and orchards were identified for both years allowing me to appreciate the evolution of the community during the intervening years. Sharon Janzen of MDGL also helped me navigate the new world of Open Data multi-layer map building. The result was two very informative maps she generated based upon my content wish lists.

    Dr. John Menzies, Professor of Geography and Earth Sciences, and a global authority on past glacial environments kindly read my initial glacial era chapter. He then politely explained to me how the understanding of the science has changed dramatically since most of my original source texts were written 50 years ago and more. He generously stuck with me through several more iterations of that chapter and contributed a helpful illustration. I hope he has my back when the good people of Fonthill (where he also lives) read that the huge mound of sand and gravel at the top of the Fonthill is not really a kame.

    Dr. Anna Lathrop, Professor of Kinesiology and former Vice-Provost and Associate Vice President, Students, as well as a life-long resident of Pelham, generously contributed a foreword to the book which emerged from the research, and was supportive from the beginning of the project.

    Dr. Michelle Vosburgh, Instructor in the Canadian Studies and History departments, and another Pelham resident, provided excellent insights into the early surveying of Niagara and also contributed other very helpful suggestions and edits. Many other Brock alumni also provided support and assistance, including Adam Shoalts and Robert Young in particular.

    This project has demonstrated the huge value of living so close to an excellent academic institution like Brock. Much of my research was done in the May to August periods of 2022 and 2023 at times when the campus was quiet and the parking was free, though I did make some considerable financial contributions through the Honk parking app at other times. I am forever grateful for this access to these extensive research materials, the excellent interaction I have had with hard working and knowledgeable staff and the insights provided by authoritative faculty members.

    Editor’s note: Mr. Segger’s new book The Land at the Crest of the Hill: Clues to Niagara History from Upper Fonthill is available in eBook format through the website of its publisher The Pelham Historical Society. Paperback copies are available at several Fonthill retailers. All net proceeds from the sale of the book go to charity.

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    Categories: Archives

  • Celebrating International Education

    Wednesday, November 01, 2023 | By

    A hand holds a model of the globe

    Enjoy this curated collection of books and ebooks focusing on international education and studying abroad. International Education Week (IEW) is celebrated globally on the third week of November each year. IEW highlights the importance of a globally oriented learning experience and showcases the impact that international education has in preparing students for the world.

    Brock International Education Week events, held November 20-24, are great opportunities to get involved, expand your knowledge and connect with the world.

     

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    Categories: Featured Collections

  • Wellness Week at the Library

    Wednesday, November 01, 2023 | By

    Librarian Justine Cotton in a yoga pose and an Origami paper crane are pictured.

    BUSU Wellness Week (November 6-10, 2023) invites students to de-stress, unwind, and have fun in the midst of the semester. As part of the week’s events, the Library is happy to offer three beginner-friendly workshops.

    Library Yoga: Monday, November 6, 6-7 pm. and Wednesday, November 8, 9-10 am.
    Librarian and yoga instructor Justine Cotton will guide you through a series of gentle poses and mindful breathing exercises, helping you let go of stress and calm your mind. Everyone is welcome (no yoga experience required!) and mats will be provided – simply wear something comfortable and bring your water.  Limited spots are available, so participants are encouraged to reserve their place in advance.

    Mindful Folding, Wellness Week Origami:  Tuesday, November 7, 12-1 pm.
    Join Amanda and Evelyn for some ‘mindful folding’ over the lunch hour. This session by beginners for beginners is open to all skill levels. All materials supplied.

    Library wellness sessions will take place in Learning Commons Classroom B (ST 230).

    For more Wellness Week resources, events, and activities, visit the Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU) website.

    A variety of resources aimed at supporting students’ well-being are available at Brock Library all year long. Board games, light therapy lamps, and the Badger Books (recreational) collection are available to borrow as well as colouring pencils and jigsaw puzzles. Visit Wellness at the Library to see the different ways we can help you unwind and de-stress.

     

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  • Career Opportunity in Library Systems & Technologies

    Tuesday, October 31, 2023 | By

    Icon of a person inside a magnifying glass

    Brock University Library invites applications for a full-time Library Systems Analyst.

    Working in our Library Systems & Technologies department, the systems analyst will be responsible for:

    • Day-to-day operation of the technical aspects of the Library Services Platform (LSP):  configuration, maintenance, troubleshooting, training, working with outside parties to resolve problems, etc.;
    • Providing development specifications for library system integrations, working as part of a team to enhance and streamline integrations with existing University systems (in collaboration and consultation with ITS partners);
    • Implementing library application solutions that are reliable and secure;
    • Analyzing and implementing robust data management procedures by integrating third-party software solutions, and more.

    Learn more about the role from the Brock Career Services site.

    Apply online by November 22, 2023 at 12:01am EST.

    Questions? Email jyounker@brocku.ca, Head, Library Systems & Technologies.

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    Categories: Main

  • Exhibit: Modern Languages, Literatures, Cultures

    Monday, October 30, 2023 | By

    A paper model of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France

    As stated by Noam Chomsky: “Language is not just words. It’s a culture, a tradition, a unification of a community, a whole history that creates what a community is”. The Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures welcomes you to browse through the display showcasing the cultures that are explored in our courses that is currently mounted in the Library and Thistle corridor. Let your curiosity be piqued, ask the questions rooted in the history of these cultures, smile – and perhaps shiver, as Halloween is the theme of the current installation.

    Questions and comments are welcome. Please send them to: dbielicki@brocku.ca

     

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

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