News

  • Streamlining Access to Course Material

    Brock’s new Academic Plan is centered on five key priorities, including a teaching and learning environment that is “Accessible, Flexible, and Customizable” (Priority #2).  One of the actions nested under this priority is to “Streamline the processes by which students access learning materials and maximize the use of library resources for course support”. 

    We know from research that access to learning materials such as textbooks, readings, open educational resources, and other learning materials is a key factor in equity and academic outcomes.  Conversely barriers to course materials have a significant negative impact on student success.   

    We also know that instructors play a pivotal role in helping students access and use course readings.  On March 2nd, the Library, the Campus Store, and CPI hosted an event for faculty highlighting various options available to instructors to help facilitate access for students.  The goal was to promote resources and services available to faculty through the Brock Library, Campus Store, and CPI, and to kickstart a discussion about how to better streamline the course materials landscape at Brock. 

    Library support for Course Material 

    One of the ways that the library supports affordable and accessible course materials is through the Course Readings service. Instructors can share their course syllabus with the Library’s Course Readings team, who will then locate the material and load it into an online platform which connects directly to the course within Brightspace.

    We can add digital material from: the library collection, the web (including open educational resources), audio/visual sources, and materials we source from partner institutions. Additionally, we ensure the resources we put in the platform are accessible and copyright compliant.  

    While online/electronic material offer the greatest flexibility for students, we are also able to put print material (including instructor copies) on short term loan at the Ask Us desk in James A. Gibson Library. 

    The Library currently supports over 300 courses across the University. Learn more about the Library’s Course Readings service.

    If an instructor is considering moving away from the traditional textbook model and into adopting an open textbook or other open educational resources (OER), the library can help with that, too. Learn more about Library support for OER.

    Campus Store support for Course Material 

    Did you know any profits earned through the Campus Store are invested right back into faculties, programs, and courses at Brock?  

    The Campus Store’s Course Materials team actively connects with instructors to ensure course materials are available for students when courses start. The team is currently finalizing adoptions for the Spring/Summer and working hard for the Fall/Winter terms so students can start the semester with material in hand.  

    Through the My Course Materials platform, students receive a personalized shopping list of course materials available through the Campus Store for the courses they have registered in. Over 25,000 students viewed the Campus Store’s My Course Materials this past fall and winter terms – you’ll find a link to it in the Brightspace menu. 

    With course materials continually evolving and affordability at forefront, the Course Materials team is a knowledgeable resource for multi-format sourcing and price matching with leading competitors. 

    Missed the email from the Campus Store Materials Team? Please contact us at adoptions@brocku.ca 

    What’s Next 

    The Library, Campus Store and CPI are committed to finding ways to streamline access to course materials and finding new ways to make course materials more affordable and accessible to all students.

    This past year, the Library and Campus Store have worked together on a pilot project to make printed course packs more affordable by leveraging library-acquired materials when possible, and we will continue to build on this collaboration. All three partners have been working to ensure access to all resources can happen through Brightspace.

    Future initiatives are likely to include making open educational resources easier to adopt for instructors and easier to use for students. We welcome your feedback, ideas, and suggestions on how we can make your experience and access to course materials even better.

    Categories: Main

  • Spotlight on Trans titles

    In support of International Transgender Day of Visibility, held March 31st, Brock Library presents a newly updated  selection of books and e-books by and about trans people on a diversity of genres and topics such as allyship, memoir, poetry, and history.

    Included in the collection are several titles by Canadian author, musician, and performer Ivan Coyote whose recent book Care Of: Letters, Connections, and Cures was selected as the title for the inaugural One Book, One Niagara event. As the grand finale of the event, Ivan will speak at Brock University on Wednesday, March 29 at 7pm. 

    Browse the collection, and reserve your ticket to see Ivan @ the Sean O’Sullivan Theatre this month.

     

     

     

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • Reading Pride Week at the Library

    Brock University 2S&LGBTQ+ Pride Week is just around the corner and we have the resources to support the annual celebration.

    This curated book selection takes an intersectional approach to examining queer life and issues such as race, disability, class and politics. A sub-collection of films features documentaries and drama.

    Wishing everyone a very happy Pride Week!

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • Annual Esri Scholarship Competition returns to Brock

    Attention all Brock GIS users! It’s time for the annual Esri Scholarship Competition. Eligible students (current students from undergrad to grad) can submit a ~500 word ESRI GIS Project Proposal with their resume to sjanzen@brocku.ca by April 24th 4:30 p.m.

    Geographic Information Systems is mapping and analysis software. Esri is the industry standard for GIS across all sectors. GIS is used at Brock in Health Sciences, Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, History, Literature & Language, Political Science, Earth Sciences, Recreation and Leisure Studies and Geography/Tourism.

    The deliverables for the successful candidate will include a poster and report in the form of an Esri StoryMap due by June 1, 2023. Prizes include $1,000 cash reward, software access, books, conference passes and more! 

    Submissions and questions should be directed to Sharon Janzen, sjanzen@brocku.ca in the Map, Data & GIS Library, MC-C306 

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    Categories: Main, MDGL

  • Employment Opportunity

    Brock University Library is accepting applications for the position of Library Assistant / Operations Support in our User Services & Engagement department.

    The Library Assistant will provide circulation assistance, research help and delivery of basic copying and printing services to users at the Ask Us Desk. The Assistant will process interlibrary loans and reserve materials, and participate in collection maintenance. The incumbent will provide occasional support for the Supervisor by preparing staff schedules and serving as a resource person. A Bachelor’s degree and the ability to work evenings and occasional weekends is required. A two-year Library Technician Diploma, and familiarity with copyright legislation and related policies are preferred.

    Learn more about the role, qualifications, salary, etc. and apply by March 20, 2023 at 12:01 am

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    Categories: Main

  • Student-curated display celebrates International Women’s Day

    This month, in support of International Women’s Day, Student Library Assistant, Mishrka Bucha has curated a thematic display of books by and about remarkable women and their contributions to society. Browse and borrow from the print display next to the Ask Us desk in the James A. Gibson Library, or read the e-books from anywhere.

    Mishrka notes: “The women today are the thought of their mothers and grandmothers embodied and made alive” is a quote by Matilda Joslyn Gage which embodies the 2023 celebration of International Women’s Day. More than ever today, women are free and empowered to have a voice and make a difference in many fields including science, business, social sciences and humanities. More than ever today, women are safer to be strong and make a difference. This 2023 let us imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquality

    I wish all a very happy International Women’s Day Celebration.

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • Library Yoga and other activities planned for Wellness Week

    Brock University Wellness Week (March 6-10, 2023) invites students to de-stress, unwind, and have fun in the midst of the semester.

    Brock Library is pleased to be a part of the Wellness Week roster, offerings two Library Yoga practices with Sara Nixon, Library Engagement Assistant and certified yoga instructor. All are welcome to this in-person beginner-friendly yoga practice, with yoga mats generously provided by Brock Recreation and library books used as yoga blocks. Dim lights and ambient music will help create a relaxing atmosphere, and Sara will guide you through feel-good yoga postures with gentle cues and demonstration. Two 45-minute practices will be offered: Tuesday, March 7 at 9 a.m. and Thursday, March 9 at 4 p.m. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Sign-up on ExperienceBU.

    A wide variety of resources aimed at supporting students’ well-being are available at Brock Library all year long. Students, and any member of the community, can borrow board games, light therapy lamps, and recreational reading titles from the Badger Books collection, to name a few wellness options. Visit Wellness at the Library to see the different ways we can help you unwind and de-stress.

    For more Wellness Week resources, events, and activities, visit the Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU) website.

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    Categories: Main

  • ArcGIS Online – analysis tools!

    The “new” Map Viewer came to us in 2021 but users were mystified by the gaping lack of analysis tools! We were “forced” to return to Map Viewer CLASSIC to perform analysis and bring the results into the new map viewer. Well, my mappy friends, the day has come! ArcGIS Online Map Viewer now has a whole suite of GIS analysis tools including overlays, buffering, proximity analysis, data enrichment and georeferencing! Plus, so much more.

    Visit arcgis.com and sign in using your Brock credentials as per these instructions to start analysing today!  For more information about analysis in ArcGIS Online check out this blog.

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    Categories: MDGL

  • Archives & Special Collections the focus of podcast episode

    Looking for podcast recommendations? David Sharron, Head of Archives & Special Collections at Brock Library was recently a guest on Foreword, a podcast produced by Brock University’s Faculty of Humanities. David and podcast host, Alison Innes, sat down to discuss what an archive is, how to conduct archival research, and how technology is changing archives, to name a few topics.

    In the episode, David also shares some of his personal journey in the archival world and spotlights a few of the archival collections cared for here at Brock.

    Listen to the episode now. Also be sure to subscribe to Foreword on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

     

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    Categories: Archives, Main

  • Freedom to Read Week begins Sunday, February 19

    In celebration of Freedom to Read Week (February 19-25), we’ve created a featured collection of censored and banned titles for you to explore.

    Included in the collection are several recent titles including George, Asha’s Mums, and Tendencies which continue to be challenged, restricted or banned from schools for LGBTQ2S+ content. But, censorship is hardly new. William Tyndale’s English translation of the New Testament was ordered burned in 1525 by Church authorities who determined the Bible should only be available in Latin. King James I of England banned Sir Walter Raleigh’s work The History of the World for “being too saucy in censuring princes.”

    Freedom to Read Week “is organized by the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee, a group committed to promoting intellectual freedom in Canada. Since 1978, the committee has worked with educators, librarians, publishers, writers, booksellers, advocacy groups and the community at large to provide information that addresses censorship and book and magazine challenges in Canada.” (Book and Periodical Council, 2023).

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    Categories: Featured Collections