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

• Join our team as Teaching & Learning Librarian, Business and Education

  Friday, February 04, 2022 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Brock University Library invites applications for the full-time probationary position of Teaching & Learning Librarian, Business and Education. Qualified candidates will have experience in library instruction, and the desire to collaboratively support the development and implementation of a curriculum integration strategy, open educational resources & open pedagogy, assessment, online/blended learning, and learner accessibility.

  We are at an exiting time in our organization, examining the structures, processes, and service models that best align with the Library’s and the University’s strategic plans.

  Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply. Applications will be accepted until Tuesday, February 28 at 12:01 am.

  Tags: Employment opportunity
  Categories: Main

• New workshop applies critical thinking to social media influencers

  Thursday, February 03, 2022 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Do you follow health and wellness accounts on Instagram or other social media platforms?  How do you know if the people you follow truly know what they are saying and showing about fitness, nutrition and wellness?

  Join librarians Chelsea and Justine for a workshop on “investigating the influencer” where they will discuss:

  • how to verify health & wellness claims
  • the impact of algorithms on what we see in our feed
  • how to check credentials and discover expert advice on social media
  • uncovering affiliate marketing and questionable promotions

  Join this online event February 14 from 12 to 12:45pm.

  Tags: Students, Wellness, Workshops
  Categories: Main

• Welcome Back to Campus

  Monday, January 31, 2022 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  As some Brock students return to on-campus classes this week, the James A. Gibson Library has resumed regular hours.

  For everyone’s safety:

  • Masks are required at all times. 
  • No food permitted. Lidded drinks okay.
  • Seating has been reduced to encourage physical distancing. 
  • Capacity in group study rooms has also been reduced.

  Access to upper floors / bookable rooms / graduate spaces:

  • Individual study spots in the Learning Commons / Library main floor no longer require advanced-booking. 
  • All upper library floors have re-opened and the book stacks are fully accessible.
  • Group study rooms and the Graduate Meeting room are available for booking. The graduate study space has also re-opened.
  • Attending hybrid classes? We recommend the individual study carrels on floors 5, 6, and 7. Please use headphones. A number of individual closed study rooms are available on floors 8, 9, and 10 are available for advanced booking. 
  • Classrooms A & B are not available for drop-in use.

  Questions?
  Visit the Ask Us desk or email us at libhelp@brocku.ca

  Tags: Faculty, Services, Staff, Students
  Categories: Main

• Learn more about data extraction with Covidence

  Wednesday, January 26, 2022 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  To support researchers conducting evidence synthesis reviews – systematic reviews, scoping reviews, etc. – the Library subscribes to Covidence: software which streamlines the process of screening citations, assessing risk of bias and/or extracting study characteristics and outcomes.

  Covidence is presenting two webinars focused on the data extraction process at 11 am EST or 4 pm EST on Feb. 3.

  This session includes a live Q&A session on how to set up your template, organize your process, define your outcomes, resolve consensus, and the opportunity to get your specific questions answered.

  Please be sure to register here for the 11:00 am session or here for the 4:00 pm session if you’d like to join, or if you’re unable to join but would like to receive a recording of the session ~24 hours after it commences.

  Tags: Research, Workshops
  Categories: Main

• Open Access Publishing Fund update

  Monday, January 10, 2022 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  While the Library Open Access Publishing Fund is fully expended for the 2021-22 budget year, the Library continues to support Brock authors in making their research openly accessible – in many cases, at low or no cost.

  Researchers can make their scholarly articles open access – for free – by depositing a copy in the Brock Digital Repository, an online archive of Brock research which can be freely accessed by anyone. Authors can submit papers themselves or use the Library’s supported-deposit process.

  The Library has negotiated open access agreements and discounts with a growing number of publishers which allow Brock authors to publish in their journals for free, or at significantly lowered costs.

  And finally, researchers can search the Directory of Open Access Journals to select one of more than 12,000 scholarly, peer-reviewed open access journals which do not charge article processing fees.

  Questions? Contact Liaison and Scholarly Communication Librarian Elizabeth Yates ~ eyates@brocku.ca

  Tags: Faculty, Graduate students, Open Access, Research, Scholarly Communication
  Categories: Main

• Update on Library resources & services

  Monday, January 10, 2022 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Brock Library re-opens January 6 at 9am. Here’s what to expect.

  Hours of Operation:

  James A. Gibson Library
  

  • Monday to Friday: 9am – 5pm
  • Saturday-Sunday: Closed

  Archives and Special Collections, Digital Scholarship Lab, Makerspace, and Map, Data & GIS Library open by appointment only. 

  Access to collections:

  The upper floors of the library are currently closed. The following services are in place to provide you with access to our print materials:

  • Hathi Trust Emergency Temporary Access Service. ETAS provides electronic read-only access to approximately 30% of our print collections.
  • For items not available in Hathi Trust, use the request for pickup service
  • A scanning service is also available for print journal articles and book chapters.
  • Interlibrary Loan and borrowing via Omni partner libraries remain available.

  Access to study space:

  • Students looking for a quiet space to work can book one of 50 individual study spots  on the main floor of the library. Book up to 8 hours per day and up to 2 weeks in advance.
  • Printing and copying is available.
  • Group study is not available.
  • Classrooms A and B are not available.

  Research help:

  • Ask a Librarian chat service resumes January 10
  • Email us at libhelp@brocku.ca
  • Book an online research consultation with your Liaison Librarian.

  Your Library Account:

  • When returning books, please use the drop slot in the Rankin Family Pavilion/Schmon Tower Lobby.
  • Here’s how to renew your items.

  Delivery and intercampus transfer:

  • Intercampus transfer between the main campus and Marilyn I. Walker remains operational. Items can be picked up at the MIW Security desk.
  • Departmental delivery for faculty and staff is unavailable at this time.

  Alumni and community member access:

  • Visitors are asked to complete the self-screen survey for COVID-19 risk before arriving on campus. It can be completed via web form or through the Brock Safety mobile app.
  • Check in at  the Visitor/Guest COVID-19 Screening desk in the Rankin Family Pavilion (base of Schmon Tower) or in the east entrance of the Cairns Complex.
  • Provide your proof of vaccination and confirmation from the screening survey to the screener on duty.

  Keep up to date with developments by visiting the Brock University Library COVID-19 page. Questions? Email libhelp@brocku.ca

  Tags: Archives and Special Collections, Digital Scholarship Lab, Makerspace, MDGL, Services
  Categories: Main

• What’s new 2022?

  Friday, January 07, 2022 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Welcome to the Winter 2022 term. Your library has the people and resources you can count on for academic success.

  With classes running online this month, library hours and services have been adjusted. Read about the changes and keep up-to-date by monitoring the Library Resources and Services Amid COVID-19 page.

  Have you made resolutions to try something new or, perhaps leave a habit behind? Get inspired by the Fresh Start book collection. A mix of print and online titles, topics include mindfulness, healthy eating, positive aging, friendship, and living sustainably.

  If academic improvement is on your list, explore new content for Research Help On-Demand. Learn the mechanics of research with short videos and lessons on peer-review and compiling annotated bibliographies among other must know topics for success in your studies.

  The Wellness Book Club returns this term with Liaison Librarian and Fitness Instructor Justine Cotton leading participants through a reading of Dr. John Ratey’s 2008 book Spark: The Revolutionary new Science of Exercise and the Brain. Sign up at: bit.ly/wellnessbookclubwinter2022 

  And, on the topic of wellness, Library Yoga with Liaison Librarian and Yoga Instructor Chelsea Humphries, returns this month with online sessions via ExperienceBU  and an in-person event coming later this spring.

  Best of luck on the term ahead!

   

   

   

  Tags: Our Collections, Services, Students, Virtual Book Display, Wellness
  Categories: Main

• Winter wellness reading group forming soon

  Thursday, January 06, 2022 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Registration for the Library’s Winter Wellness Book Club, beginning in February 2022, is now open.  Reading for ‘fun’ has so many positive effects on our physical and emotional health, from better sleep to increased empathy for others.  This term, we will be reading Dr. John Ratey’s 2008 book Spark: The Revolutionary new Science of Exercise and the Brain (watch his TEDx talk). 

  Ratey’s book teaches us all about the benefits of exercise for all aspects of brain health, using stories and science to promote physical activity.  In this Book Club we will be getting the positive effects of reading PLUS learning all about how exercise can reduce your stress and boost your brain fitness! 

  The Book Club will be hosted by Liaison Librarian (and Fitness Instructor!), Justine Cotton, who is passionate about sharing the life-changing benefits of exercise and reading.  You can contact her with any questions at jcotton@brocku.ca 

  SIgn up at: bit.ly/wellnessbookclubwinter2022 

   

  Tags: Students, Wellness
  Categories: 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