Learning Commons

Brock Library services and resources highlighted in new exhibit

Tuesday, August 30, 2022 | By Evelyn Smith

New and returning students are invited to stop by and view a new exhibit in the Library and Learning Commons display cases. The exhibit features unique items from Brock’s Archives and Special Collections, the Makerspace, and Map, Data & GIS Library. A guide to study spots, research basics, and the various ways to get help from the library are also featured. Welcome to Brock University Library runs to Friday, September 16.

Tags: Archives and Special Collections, Makerspace, MDGL, Services, Students
Categories: Archives, Learning Commons, Main, Makerspace, MDGL
Local nautical history highlighted in new exhibit

Wednesday, July 13, 2022 | By Evelyn Smith

Note: this post originally published by Jocelyn Titone in Seen & Heard.

In anticipation of the 90th anniversary of the opening of the Fourth Welland Canal this August, Brock University Library Assistant Sue Sykes has created several exhibits in Library spaces that highlight some facts and history of the canals, their bridges and the ships that have passed through them. Items were curated from Brock’s Archives and Special Collections, Archives Canada and Sykes’ own personal nautical collection. The Brock Makerspace helped create lithophanes of the Welland Canal flight locks. Items on display from her personal collection include a brass door stop and running lights from the Venitia steam yacht that was once owned by local shipping company Scott Misener Steamships; examples of shipping flags from marine carriers Algoma, Patterson and Great Lakes Towing; a model laker ship that travelled through the Welland Canal; a 1920s photo of the Port of Goderich filled with ships carrying grain; and an artifact from John A. Roebling, the Chief Engineer of the Niagara Falls railway bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge.

The displays are located on the main floor of the Library in the Matheson Learning Commons near the Ask Us desk and in Thistle Hall next to the Library’s south entrance. Additional historical information on the Welland Canal can be found in several digital exhibits curated by Brock Archives and Special Collections: Building the Welland Ship Canal, The History of the Welland Canal — All four of Them, and The Welland Canal’s Bridges and Tunnels — The Solution to Traffic Jams for over 100 years. Ship schedules are tweeted daily by the St. Catharines Museum Twitter account, and can be found on the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System Bridge Status webpage.

Tags: display, Staff
Categories: Archives, Learning Commons, Main
Pandemic Pastimes

Wednesday, April 20, 2022 | By Evelyn Smith

In March 2020 none of us could predict what the COVID-19 pandemic had in store, including months of extra time on our hands. Many of us in the library took to crafting, baking, gardening, dancing, doing yoga, hiking and more.

New creations and hobbies became themes of discussion among our team, boosting morale and keeping us positive. Whether it was bread, cakes, clay or cacti, we all had something that kept us going.

Our Pandemic Pastimes are now exhibited for you to enjoy. Stop by to view in the James A. Gibson Library and at the entrance to the Matheson Learning Commons.

Tags: display, Staff
Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons
Student Picks

Thursday, March 31, 2022 | By Colleen MacKinnon

We all need a healthy distraction from the stresses of school and work from time to time. Digging into a good book can be just the ticket to break from the daily grind and dip into something different. Last December during Exams, we asked students for some book suggestions and we got some awesome recommendations that we think you’ll really like too! Some highlights include:

The Boys of Dunbar: a story of love, hope, and basketball (Alejandro Danois). This biography will appeal to more than just the sports enthusiast. Check out this short video with the author who also produced the inspiring ESPN documentary Baltimore Boys.

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race (Renni Eddo-Lodge). Winner of the Best International Nonfiction of 2017 award. You can read the original blog post that inspired the author to write the book or watch this short video with the author.

Five Little Indians (Michelle Good). Canada’s #1 best selling book in 2021, winner of several prestigious awards and currently in the running for the Canada Reads Competition. Check out this short video with the author for an introduction to the book.

You can check out the full list of recommendations in our Student Picks Collection.

Looking for more recommendations?
Check out the first Student Picks Collection from Welcome Week. Or browse any of our Featured Collections curated by Brock Library Staff.

Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons
Traumatic brain injury awareness is the focus of a new student exhibit

Tuesday, March 15, 2022 | By Evelyn Smith

Over the fall and winter terms, Student Library Assistants in the James A. Gibson Library have curated displays of the library’s collections on topics with which they are passionate.

This month, Catherine (Katie) Vandongen, a second year co-op student in Psychology, is exhibiting titles related to brain injury awareness.. Katie notes: “As a student in the Psychology program at Brock, it seemed fitting to create a display for a topic that is close to my heart, while educating my fellow peers. Traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions, are very common among young adults, especially student athletes. It is important to know the signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injuries to prevent irrecoverable damage from occurring. I hope that library users will take a moment to view my display and educate themselves on the warning signs of traumatic brain injury.”

Please stop by, throughout the month of March to view this exhibit located in the James A. Gibson Library and at the Thistle entrance to the Matheson Learning Commons. Many thanks to Katie.

Tags: display, Students
Categories: Learning Commons, Main
World Religions focus of new student exhibit

Tuesday, February 15, 2022 | By Evelyn Smith

James A. Gibson Library Student Assistants are beautifying our display cases with striking new exhibits on a variety of themes. This month, the interior library cases exhibit the work of Dani Shae Barkley.

Artist’s Statement:

I was inspired to create this small exhibit on World Religions to promote the flourishing of faith amongst members of the Brock community. I believe spiritual wellness is a key aspect of living a whole life, especially during the difficult times of the pandemic. It is my hope that this display will spur faith-based people on in their religious practices and challenge everyone to dig more deeply into their personal beliefs. I also hope that this display helps to create a culture of curiosity, acceptance, understanding, and love for all people, especially within the Brock community. Please enjoy this exhibit on World Religions, which is meant to inspire, bless, encourage, and honour everyone who has the opportunity to witness it.

Stop in and view the exhibit which runs until Thursday, March 10. Many thanks to Dani Shae.

Tags: display, Students
Categories: Learning Commons, Main
Student exhibit explores the love and care of plants

Tuesday, December 14, 2021 | By Evelyn Smith

James A. Gibson Library Student Assistants are beautifying our display cases with striking new exhibits on a variety of themes.

This month, the interior library cases are exhibiting the work of Chyna-Rose Bennett whose display “is all about plants, and plant care, as I have a love for plants and wanted to share it with the Brock community.” She notes that “plants have been a huge part of my life this past year, and they have really helped me cope with the isolation of the pandemic.”

The exhibit features tips on plant maintenance and care and features a selection of Brock books which will be available to borrow when the display ends at the end of the month.

Stop in and view the exhibit which runs until the holiday break. Many thanks to Chyna-Rose.

Tags: display, Our Collections, Students
Categories: Learning Commons, Main
Featured Collection: Student Picks

Wednesday, December 08, 2021 | By Colleen MacKinnon

During Welcome Week 2021, we put out a large white board and asked you “What was the last good book you read?” We were impressed by the variety of titles. What a well rounded bunch of readers you Badgers are!

The list of titles included classics works such as Lust for Life by Irving Stone, Canadian literary fiction such as Motorcycles & Sweetgrass by Drew Hayden Taylor, Murder on the Orient Express, by renowned mystery fiction writer Agatha Christie, to popular non-fiction works such as Atomic Habits (James Clear), and The Mastery of Love: a practical guide to the art of relationship (Don Miguel Ruiz) and of course being the life long learners that you university students are, even titles such as How to Watch Television (E.Thompson & J.Mittell) and A History of Economic thought (W.Barber).

We loved the book suggestions so much, that we went out and bought them all! (or at least the titles we didn’t already have). You can browse the full list of Student Picks in Omni and of course place a hold on any of them (Holiday reading anyone?).

We plan to put them all on display in the Learning Commons soon. Keep your eye out!

Tags: Our Collections, Students
Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons
New Canadian Titles

Monday, November 01, 2021 | By Evelyn Smith

After a long hiatus, we are happy to bring new thematic print book displays back to the Library. Our newest collection (next to the Ask Us desk in the James A. Gibson Library), features recent titles by Canadian authors. Please stop in and explore new books on climate change, decolonization, neuroscience, urban planning and more. There’s even a little fiction in the mix.

Tags: display, Our Collections
Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons
Display sponsored by the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures (MLLC)

Tuesday, September 28, 2021 | By Evelyn Smith

Explore modern languages, literatures, and cultures by browsing the colourful exhibits on display in the Library and Learning Commons this month.

Doing so may benefit your wallet as well as pique your curiosity!

Find an image from the collage or an object from the display and write about it. Be it a memory, a meditation, or simply a comment, submit your response to dbielicki@brocku.ca by Friday, October 22 at midnight.

You will find the display cases just past the Ask Us desk inside the library and also in the Thistle hallway at the south entrance to the library.

Tags: display
Categories: Learning Commons, Main