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  • Message from the University Librarian: Library Collections Update

    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: 

    • Permanent access to all Springer journal content from 2024 and earlier will remain available through Omni and Springer Journals Online. 
    • Springer Nature journals are not impacted; these subscriptions are managed separately.   
    • The Library is currently exploring individually subscribing to a small number of high-use Springer journals. Once determined, this information will be shared on the Subscriptions and Budget FAQ page. 

    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 

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  • Notice: potential service disruption

    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.

     

     

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  • Career opportunity

    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.

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  • Spotlight your research, teaching, or BUSU club interests in the Learning Commons display cases

    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

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  • GIS Day coming November 20th

    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.

    GIS Day is an annual event that celebrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and its impact on society. It typically takes place on the third Wednesday of November during Geography Awareness Week. The day provides an opportunity for GIS professionals, educators, students, and enthusiasts to showcase how GIS is used in various fields like environmental management, urban planning, disaster response, and more.  GIS Day was first observed in 1999, initiated by Esri, a prominent GIS software company, as a way to promote GIS technology and its potential to solve real-world problems. Events held on GIS Day often include workshops, presentations, map demonstrations, and educational activities aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of GIS and inspiring new users to explore its possibilities.

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  • The Digital Repository is getting an upgrade and associated downtime

    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.

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  • Professional librarian career opportunity

    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

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  • Who’s behind the Ask Us desk

    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:

    • Course Readings; we help you with access to high-demand course materials in a variety of formats at no cost to students.
    • Engagement and Outreach; we connect you to library resources through events, displays, and partnerships.
    • Interlibrary Loan; we support your borrowing requests by sourcing items from other libraries around the world.

    Learn more about how we can help you by visiting the Use the Library page.

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  • MDGL is Open!

    The Map, Data & GIS Library (MDGL) would like to welcome back the Brock community for the academic year 2024-2025! After being open By Appointment Only, we will return to our regular working hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The MDGL will remain closed for weekends, holidays and intercession.  Reading Week hours will be By Appointment Only.

    Email maplib@brocku.ca for more information.

    The MDGL offers study space, computers, knowledgeable and friendly staff to assist with finding and using our cartographic collections including maps, atlases, books, digital air photos and more! We look forward to serving you.

    Welcome back, Badgers!!!

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  • Welcome Autumn, and the Wellness Book Club

    Do you love to hear what others have read and loved?

    Are you bursting with excitement to share the book that enthralled you this summer?

    Do you need some inspiration to read for fun (and reap the benefits!)?

    This is your opportunity to try out a new kind of book club! The Wellness Book Club is returning this fall with a new spin…instead of reading the same book, you are invited to bring along a book you recommend and tell us why you loved it.

    Join Teaching & Learning Librarian, Justine, for a gathering this fall – bring your coffee/tea and let’s chat about books. Participants will also have the opportunity to be part of a research study about the effects of recreational reading on stress levels in university students.

    Sign up here: bit.ly/autumn2024bookclub

    We will meet in October and November – dates will be announced soon.

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