Learning Commons

  • Canadian Reads

    Tuesday, July 02, 2024 | By

    Book covers from the Canada Reads featured collection for 2024

    Explore July’s curated collection of books and e-books, Canadian Reads, and delve into the print world of Canadiana.

    Looking for a Canadian award-winning fiction to read? The collection includes:

    Interested in educating yourself on contemporary issues in Canada? Try some of these reads:

    Browse the collection by visiting the display next to the Ask Us desk or view the e-books online.

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • Disability Pride Month

    Thursday, June 27, 2024 | By

    The Disability Pride Flag: A charcoal grey flag with a diagonal band from the top left to bottom right corner, made up of five parallel stripes (going from bottom up; left to right) in red, gold, pale grey, blue, and green

    July is Disability Pride Month.

    Take some time to explore this collection of titles in the fields of Mad Studies and Critical Disability Studies. Both fields have been instrumental in advancing the voices and knowledges of Mad and disabled persons to enact transformative change.

    “Disability is not only an identity, but also a community with a diverse culture all their own to be proud of and celebrated. Disability culture is about visibility and self-value. Disability Pride Month is a time for recognizing these facts and listening to people with disabilities.”

    From Ontario’s Bill 128 – “Disability Pride Month Act, 2023”

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  • Indigenous History Month at the Library

    Tuesday, June 04, 2024 | By

    Among the various visual elements illustrating Indigenous cultures, the sun represents the summer solstice. First Nations, Inuit and Métis as well as the four elements of nature (earth, water, fire and air) are represented by different symbols and colors. The visual is supported by a multicoloured smoke*reminding us of Indigenous spirituality but also the colors of the rainbow, symbol of inclusion and diversity of all FirstNations, Inuit and Métis communities and their members.

    In June, we commemorate National Indigenous History Month to recognize the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada. We invite you to browse our newly updated Indigenous Reads collection of print and ebooks. Recent additions include:

    A sub-collection of streaming videos features several genres including science fiction, documentary, and drama.

    Indigenous Peoples Awareness Week (IPAW), hosted by Hadiya’dagénhahs First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Centre, celebrates Indigenous Peoples through four days of workshops and educational activities. IPAW runs from Monday, June 17 until Thursday, June 20 and is open to everyone, including those in the Brock and wider community. More information about the IPAW schedule and how to register will be posted on The Brock News as it becomes available.

    The University will also host the Indigenous Leader Speaker Series on Wednesday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m.

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  • Artificial Intelligence

    Monday, June 03, 2024 | By

    A robot with a human face and a torso of exposed wires

    Take time in June to explore literature around the expanding impact of artificial intelligence. Read about how the digital world and machines are affecting our daily lives.

    This Featured Collection includes titles about:

    Browse this collection of e-books online, and print books by visiting the physical display next to the Ask Us desk.

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  • The History and Enduring Appeal of the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories

    Tuesday, May 14, 2024 | By

    Two book covers from The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene.

    Has there ever been a more perfect heroine than Nancy Drew?

    She solves mysteries so effortlessly that the police often look to her for advice. She is beautiful, talented, athletic, and has a loyal group of friends. Her boyfriend, Ned Nickerson, is an equally high achiever: captain of the Emerson College football team, President of his fraternity, and top of his class!

    She’s perfect in so many ways but what’s even better is the fact that she has almost complete freedom to do whatever she wishes, from taking off in her convertible to flying overseas to solve a case. It’s easy to see why so many girls devoured this series.

    I can vividly remember discovering my first Nancy Drew book, at the Pen Centre public library branch when I was around 7 years old (yes, the Pen Centre had a branch right beside Eaton’s!). It was The Mystery of Lilac Inn and it was a classic mystery story, with hidden panels, ghostly figures, and a diamond theft. I loved the twists and turns but, even more, I just wanted to BE Nancy.

    Many readers have shared that feeling, which is part of Nancy’s enduring appeal. Nancy Drew stands out in popular culture, but not everyone is as familiar with the controversy and the history around the mystery stories!

    Fun Facts about The Nancy Drew Mystery Stories: 

    There never was a Carolyn Keene. 

    The Nancy Drew Mystery Stories were ghostwritten by a series of authors throughout the years.  

    Children LOVED Nancy Drew, but teachers and librarians did not!  

    Years ago, the immense popularity of series books (think The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden) was a source of frustration for librarians and teachers who felt they were a “menace to good reading.” (see: “The Menace of the Series Book” by Lucy Kinloch, 1935)  

    Children still loved Nancy, despite the concerns raised by adults. A child’s review from 1932 where she writes: “The Nancy Drew Mystery Stories” are my favorite books…the book became very exciting…”: 

    A book review of 'The Mystery at Lilac Inn' by a young reader as published in a newspaper.

    Marjorie Thorsen’s book review of The Mystery at Lilac Inn.

    Nancy evolved over the years 

    In the earliest Nancy Drew books (1920s-1940s), Nancy was a blonde 16-year-old girl who took incredible risks. There were plane crashes and Nancy was gagged and bound in a few stories. The books were long (200+ pages) with 25 chapters.  

    In the 1950s, Nancy’s character was transformed to be a demure, Grace Kelly-like girl with “titian” hair who was now 18 years old. She was still daring and intelligent, but she also dabbled in flower arranging and attended balls and fraternity parties. The books became shorter (20 chapters) and older books were revised to be easier to read and to (thankfully) remove racist language.  

    Collecting the Books is challenging 

    It’s difficult to ascertain if a hardcover Nancy Drew is an original because there were so many iterations of the books. The originals had dustjackets, some books had blue inside covers with reenactments of the stories, and some had different illustrators. There have also been reprints of the original series, which adds to the confusion!  

    While I don’t have any true originals from the 1920s/1930s, I love the book collection that I do have. Some of my copies belonged to girls in the 1950s and it’s fun to see their inscriptions and how they marked off the stories they had read in the series or planned to read next. It’s fun to think that Nancy Drew has appealed to girls for over 100 years and that there is even a television show still running featuring this famous detective! 

     

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  • Unearthed Wonders: Exploring the World of Archaeology

    Wednesday, May 01, 2024 | By

    Aerial photo of Machu Picchu, Peru

    As some of you set off for various archaeological practica this Spring Term, those of us at the Brock Library encourage students, staff, faculty, and community members to adventure between pages.

    Dig into the topic of archaeology and its interdisciplinary exploration of the ancient world in May’s Featured Collection. Learn about underwater archaeology and the amazing excavation campaigns of the ancient port of Amathus. Examine the use of physical anthropology on human remains in Sweden, uncovering information about The Viking Age.

    Browse this collection of virtual e-books online, or print books by visiting the physical display next to the Ask Us desk.

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • Exhibit: The Mother of all Game Jams

    Wednesday, April 10, 2024 | By

    Board Games from the Mother of all Game Jams are on display

    At the end of February, the Department of Digital Humanities hosted “The Mother of All Game Jams,” a two-day game design workshop open to both community members as well as Brock students, staff, and faculty where participants were asked to design games on the theme of motherhood, mothering, and maternal identity. Organized by Dr. Sarah Stang, and facilitated by the Library’s Makerspace, this event was designed to push back against the idea that moms don’t play or make games and to explore what it means to be a mother through game design.

    On May 11 – Mother’s Day weekend – the games will be showcased at the St. Catharines Public Library in a drop-in, family friendly event held in the Mills Room from 10am-4pm. Come check them out!

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons, Makerspace

  • Exam encouragement exhibit

    Wednesday, April 10, 2024 | By

    The April Learning Commons display case is full of de-stressing activities like colouring and crafting supplies.

    This month, the Learning Commons display cases feature a little bit of encouragement to all those writing exams and completing final assignments.

    The Library offers group, quiet and silent spaces for student work. We host de-stress events during the exam period, and have curated an array of relaxation links in a newly updated library guide. Visit the display today to learn more or, check out the full slate of relaxation activities and our Exam De-stress Guide.

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

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  • Exam supports: studying in the Library

    Friday, April 05, 2024 | By

    Students work in a study pod on the 6th floor of the library.

    Brock University Library offers a variety of study options which include areas for group learning and collaboration as well as quiet individual zones and silent areas. Just in time for exam season, here’s a reminder of the options available to you.

    Silent Zones: No talking please

    • Learning Commons Classroom B
    • Floor 5 Silent Study room (ST 500)
    • Floors 9 & 10 (even in the single study rooms)

    Quiet Zones: Low level conversation between individuals

    • Learning Commons Classroom A, one-person study desks, and computer areas.
    • Floors 5, 6, 7 at single study desks
    • Floor 8

    Group Zones: Low level conversation in groups

    • Learning Commons group tables and hallway seating
    • Floor 5
    • Floor 6
    • Floor 7

    Wherever you choose to study, stop by the Ask Us desk first and pick up some free ear plugs.

    Exam time often means high stress and high spirits. If you have concerns about noise, please contact us in-person at the Ask Us desk for immediate assistance.

    Beyond the James A. Gibson Library, additional sweet study spots include:

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  • Exam supports: Unstudy spot, de-stressing events return

    Friday, April 05, 2024 | By

    A library crowd favourite from last term is returning in April. As part of wellness and exam de-stressing activities, the Unstudy Spot will be available from April 9 to 23 in the Learning Commons. Colouring sheets, jigsaw and crossword puzzles, a giant Sudoku, and more were a welcome diversion for students in December, and we are happy to bring it back.

    Check out the full slate of relaxation activities and our Exam De-stress Guide.

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

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