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• Know your Pride flags: celebrating Brock Pride Week

  Friday, March 21, 2025 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Brock Library is joining in campus-wide celebrations of 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride this week with an exhibit focused on the dozens of flags representing the diversity of Pride. 

  From March 21 through 28, we invite you to view Know your Pride Flags, a display documenting the history and identities which are expressed and celebrated through Pride flags. This informative exhibit reflects on Pride’s colourful past, the changing present, and the need for future progress. View it adjacent to the Badger Books collection on the main floor. 

  Wishing everyone a very happy Pride! 

  Tags: display, Events, Virtual Book Display
  Categories: Learning Commons, Main

• Employment Opportunity

  Friday, February 14, 2025 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Brock University Library is recruiting a Library Assistant, Continuations.

  The Library Assistant, Continuations is primarily responsible for the acquisition and maintenance of subscription resources, manages the procurement of resources for the library collection, and serves as the primary point of contact for the publishers and vendors in Collections Services.

  You will:

  • Act as main contact with vendors and publishers for content licenses and contracts, including receiving, completing orders, renewal and license agreement forms, and acquiring authorized signatures;
  • Work closely with other members of the Collections Department to process renewals, cancellations, and assist with consortia reconciliations, monitoring transfer titles, and title list comparisons;
  • Request quotes and place orders for new print/electronic subscriptions, replacement issues, journal backfile, and e-books;
  • Scrutinize and advise on pricing options and conduct price negotiations;
  • Regularly audit information for problems with orders, subscriptions, claims, invoices, access, and records;
  • Utilize the Library Management System (LMS) to process invoices and credits, and the Finance system to enter invoices and verify payments;
  • Communicate with vendors and publishers to expedite access, ensure continued access, and resolve access problems;
  • Coordinate serials weeding and train and mentor library staff on procedures;
  • Support Collections Services by preparing annual donations report, compile statistics, update budget/projects file, and keep up to date with current practices and tools.

  Learn more about this full time position, qualifications, salary, etc. and apply by March 4, 2025 at 11:59 pm.

  Tags: Employment opportunity
  Categories: Main

• Employment opportunity

  Wednesday, February 12, 2025 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Join the User Services & Engagement team at the James A. Gibson Library as a Library Assistant, Engagement. In this role you will:

  • Work with members of the department to develop short- and long-term strategy for promotion and engagement/outreach activity;
  • Develop and deliver departmental engagement initiatives such as events, workshops, experiential programming, and co-curricular programming;
  • Plan, coordinate, and represent the Library at campus outreach events;
  • Manage the Library’s social media platforms;
  • Develop promotional and informational material for the library’s physical and virtual spaces;
  • Act as a content editor for the department by, writing, revising, and updating the library website;
  • Provide front desk circulation services;
  • Provide virtual and in-person reference support;
  • Instruct library users in using all library collections;
  • Provide back-up support, as needed, to departmental teams supporting other key service areas (e.g., Reserves, Interlibrary loan, Stacks Maintenance).

  If you are a highly creative and collaborative person with a strong service ethic, please apply on the Career Services website by March 2, 2025 at 11:59 pm.

  Note: Interested applicants are asked to provide a sample of their promotional work along with resume and cover letter.

  Tags: Employment opportunity
  Categories: Main

• Career opportunity in the Makerspace

  Tuesday, February 11, 2025 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Brock University Library is recruiting a Makerspace Technician and Facilitator.

  The Library Makerspace Technician & Facilitator assists Makerspace Student Assistants by reiterating proper use of the technology as trained by the Makerspace Supervisor, as well as overseeing the use of the equipment.

  You will:

  • Provide end-user support for all Makerspace hardware and software, and work as part of a team that provides user support and instruction during Makerspace drop in hours;
  • Maintain and troubleshoot Makerspace equipment, making recommendations for equipment purchases;
  • Provide Makerspace curriculum support, by preparing and delivering workshops and demonstrations on relevant topics;
  • Work with Student employees on all relevant makerspace equipment, re-enforcing the makerspace values and training given by the Makerspace supervisor;
  • Identify opportunities for enhanced services and learning opportunities for users;
  • Conduct market research and analysis to expand services and programming;
  • Create new programming support in coordination with the Makerspace Supervisor and campus partners.

  Learn more about this full time position, qualifications, salary, etc. and apply by February 25, 2025 at 11:59 pm.

  Tags: Employment opportunity, Makerspace
  Categories: Main, Makerspace

• Join our team as Research Data Librarian

  Tuesday, February 04, 2025 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Brock University Library invites applications for the full-time position of Research Data Librarian.

  Reporting to the Head of the Research Lifecycle department, the successful candidate will lend their expertise to operationalizing Brock University’s Research Data Management Strategy, following the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy, providing data instruction and consultations to Brock’s community of researchers, and building Brock’s unique collection of maps, atlases, and geodata. This role also provides a conduit between the Brock community and the external data and geospatial communities.

  Learn more about this role and required qualifications, and apply by March 6, 2025 (12:01 am).

  Tags: Employment opportunity
  Categories: Main

• Exhibit: Islamophobia Awareness Week

  Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Brock Library thanks the Muslim Students Association for this blog post.

  In recognition of Islamophobia Awareness Week, a new display in the Matheson Learning Commons highlights the tragic events of January 29, 2017, when a gunman attacked the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City, taking the lives of six worshippers and injuring many others. This senseless act of hate continues to deeply affect Muslim communities across Canada.

  January 29th is both a day of mourning and a call to action—a reminder of the urgent need to combat Islamophobia and all forms of hate. Through education and awareness, we strive for a future where every Canadian, regardless of faith or background, feels safe and valued. Join us in standing against Islamophobia and supporting the Green Square Campaign in solidarity with the victims, survivors, and their families

  What is Islamophobia?

  Islamophobia is defined as the fear of, hostility towards, or hatred against Islam or Muslims. It is primarily a form of religious or cultural bigotry and those who harbour such sentiments often stereotype Muslims as a geopolitical threat or a ‘source of terrorism.’

  Learn more about the Green Square Campaign and view the display running until February 1.

   

  Tags: display
  Categories: Learning Commons, Main

• Exhibit: What does self-care mean to you?

  Wednesday, January 08, 2025 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Brock Library thanks the Psychology and Beyond Club for this blog post. 

  Self care today means many things, such as taking the time to allow yourself to recharge, tending to your community ties and friendships, or cultivating your individual interests through hobbies or feel-good activities. It is also a powerful form of protest, choosing to reject a status quo that demands productivity and progress with no limits or pauses for wellbeing.

  This January, the Psychology and Beyond Club at Brock would like to promote and encourage self-care as the Brock community returns to campus for the winter semester. This display aims to educate our community on the value of self care and provides tips and inspiration through a colourful and cozy display. It is designed to be interactive so that anyone can scan the QR code and share their own tips and interpretations of the phrase, demonstrating the individual nature of self-care practices. The display also explores how the meaning of the phrase “self-care” has been changed or is often forgotten in today’s modern world, and has deep roots in social and political activism which stem from the writing of Audre Lorde.

  Genuine self care has wonderful benefits for the mind, body, and community!

  If you’d like to learn more about the Brock Psychology and Beyond Club, join us on Experience BU and follow us on Instagram (@brockpsychology_beyond).

  Tags: display, Student Collaboration, Wellness
  Categories: Learning Commons, Main

• Career Opportunity in Library Collections Services

  Wednesday, December 11, 2024 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  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.

  Tags: Employment opportunity
  Categories: Main

• Career Opportunity

  Tuesday, November 26, 2024 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  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.

  Tags: Employment opportunity, Services
  Categories: Main

• Message from the University Librarian: Library Collections Update

  Tuesday, November 19, 2024 | By nnolan

  

  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  [email protected] 

  Regards, 

  Nicole Nolan
  University Librarian
  Brock University Library 

  Tags: Budget, Collections, Research
  Categories: Main