Brock University Library invites applications for the full-time position of Acquisitions Coordinator in Library Collections Services.
The Acquisitions Coordinator plays a critical role in the procurement process for Brock University Library by overseeing the ordering, receiving, and invoicing of library materials for the James A. Gibson Library, the Map, Data & GIS Library and the Archives & Special Collections.
Learn more about this opportunity and apply by December 22, 2024.
Employment opportunity
Categories: Main
Brock University Library seeks applicants for the new position of Resource Sharing Coordinator in the User Services & Engagement department.
The Resource Sharing Coordinator is responsible for coordinating interlibrary loan (ILL) workflows for the borrowing and lending of physical and electronic document delivery and oversees the work of Library Assistants in carrying out their ILL responsibilities. In addition, the Resource Sharing Coordinator, provides circulation, basic copying and printing services, and reference assistance to users at the Ask Us Desk and is also a member of the library’s group of Reference Assistants who provide in-depth research help to students.
Learn more about the role, the key skills & experience required, and apply by December 15, 2024.
Employment opportunity, Services
Categories: Main
November 19, 2024
As Brock community members are aware, the university underwent an intensive budget mitigation exercise in order to reduce the operating deficit for the fiscal year 2024-2025. As a result, the library acquisitions budget was frozen at the 2023-2024 level ($5.75 million). This translates to a projected $250,000 shortfall due to the perpetual rise in the costs of library subscription prices.
Background
During the summer of 2024, the library conducted a comprehensive review of our collection expenditures. To have a balanced budget, we determined that we need to reduce spending on both journal subscriptions and books/e-books.
As shared in our June update, a significant structural challenge is the ‘Big Deal’ model: Major publishers bundle their catalogue of journal subscriptions into large, expensive packages. At Brock, the Big Deals with Elsevier, Wiley, Taylor & Francis, Springer, and Sage exert outsized pressure on our constrained budget, even when the data demonstrates that researchers are not using a majority of these bundled journal titles.
Decision and Impact
The outcome of this evidence-based evaluation is that we are cancelling the Springer Big Deal subscription, effective January 1, 2025. Our analysis indicated that cancelling the Springer package (~2,100 journal titles) would help us achieve the necessary savings while having a lesser impact on Brock’s research and teaching when compared to other packages. Relative to our other Big Deals, Springer has the poorest value proposition, with relatively lower usage but at a high cost.
As a result, the Brock community will lose subscription access to Springer publications from 2025 onwards. Researchers will continue to be able to request new Springer articles using the expanded interlibrary loan service. Open Access versions of articles can often be located using a number of alternative approaches.
Please note:
Cancelling the Springer package will achieve about half of our budget reduction target. The remaining savings will be found by reducing our spending on new books and e-books, and cancelling a number of smaller, low-use subscriptions.
Communication and Next Steps
At Senate meetings this fall, I shared the state of the collections budget and the challenging context of the profit-driven scholarly publishing industry. We had productive discussions about the unsustainable ecosystem and the frustrations of academics worldwide. The Library continues to advocate for and support Open Access publishing as the main path to effect change.
We appreciate your support for the Library and your patience with this process. If you have any questions, please reach out to me at nnolan@brocku.ca
Regards,
Nicole Nolan
University Librarian
Brock University Library
Budget, Collections, Research
Categories: Main
As of November 15th, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (Canada Post) are on a national strike. Some of our Interlibrary loan services, particularly physical items from our national partners, will be affected by this strike. Please expect delays for the duration of the labour action.
Interlibrary loans continue through many Ontario university library (OMNI) partners and international lenders. Digital lending (articles and book chapters) is unaffected.
Questions about our interlibrary loan service can be directed to libhelp@brocku.ca.
Interlibrary loan, Services
Categories: Main
Brock University Library is recruiting a Circulation Clerk for our User Services & Engagement department.
Circulation Clerks in Access Services 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 November 24, 2024.
Employment opportunity, Services
Categories: Main
The Library welcomes members and groups of the University community to showcase their work within the Matheson Learning Commons. We offer display space to bring attention to the unique research, services, and teaching & learning projects that are happening around campus.
See exhibit guidelines and make your booking request.
Questions? Please email esmith@brocku.ca or aemery@brocku.ca
display, Services
Categories: Learning Commons, Main
Wednesday, November 20th marks a special day in the geography world as we gear up to celebrate GIS! Geographic Information Systems (GIS) combines software, hardware, data and people to create, analyze and disseminate geospatial data and ideas around where and why things happen as they do.
Join us this year to learn more about GIS including ArcGIS Online Analysis tools and the Esri Site License. The Map, Data & GIS Library is hosting a few online and in-person events including:
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
9:00-9:30 a.m.: ArcGIS Site License Q&A: This brief Question & Answer session will offer an informative conversation about the Esri educational site license. Esri is the producer of the ArcGIS suite of products including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Esri CityEngine and more! Come with your questions, leave with some answers and guidance. Registration suggested but not required. https://experiencebu.brocku.ca/event/269153 (This is an online event).
10:00-11:30 a.m. Vector Analysis in ArcGIS Online: This hands-on workshop introduces attendees to this popular modern GIS while answering questions about the distribution of childcare centres, infant capacity, drive-time analysis, polygon enrichment (demographic data from Environics) and more! Registration is strongly recommended but experience with the software is not required. https://experiencebu.brocku.ca/event/269156 (This is an online event).
12:00-1:00 p.m. Pizza and Cake in the MDGL: Join the Tourism and Geography Society for lunch in the MDGL where anyone can buy a slice of pizza and partake of the infamous GIS Day cake (free)!
Visit the ArcGIS Storymap https://arcg.is/0uPbPK for more details.
Starting October 28, 2024, the Brock University Digital Repository will begin an upgrade process that will last 5 weeks. During that time adding new submissions to the system will not be possible. However, it will still be possible to search and use content. Submissions will return on December 2, 2024 when the upgrade is complete.
In the meantime, please consider using our staff-assisted deposit program. We can take your submission details and submit on your behalf once the system is back online.
The new version of the site should bring better stability, and some other behind the scenes enhancements. Any questions or concerns? Please contact us.
Digital Repository, Research, Services, Students
Categories: Main
Brock University Library invites applications for the full-time, permanent position of Teaching & Learning Librarian, Math & Science and Applied Health Sciences.
The successful candidate will join the Library’s highly collaborative Teaching & Learning department. Reporting to the Head, Teaching and Learning, this position will support the teaching & learning mission of the Library alongside a team of four other librarians. The Teaching & Learning Librarian, Mathematics & Science and Applied Health Sciences collaboratively develops tools, processes, and resources that support the department’s strategic goals, including curriculum integration. The successful candidate will lead the department’s instruction and course support within the Faculties of Mathematics & Science and Applied Health Sciences.
Learn more about this role, and apply by Monday, October 7, 2024 at 12:01 am
Employment opportunity
Categories: Main
The Ask Us desk is your main stop in the Matheson Learning Commons, and is staffed by the User Services & Engagement department. Services at the desk include retrieving course reserves, borrowing resources, lending wellness items, and much more.
There are several teams working behind the scenes:
Learn more about how we can help you by visiting the Use the Library page.
display, Events, Faculty, Services, Students, Virtual Book Display, Wellness
Categories: Learning Commons, Main