News

• Research basics for upcoming course assignments

  Thursday, October 22, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Final papers coming up? Unsure how to start your research, or feeling stuck in a sea of information? Attend one of our brand-new Library Research 101 workshops for expert advice on: 

  • Ways you can break your topic down so you can develop an effective search strategy 
  • How to evaluate sources and find what you need 
  • Places for searching, from Omni to Google Scholar and beyond! 

  These sessions are intended for undergraduate students in all disciplines of study, with librarians from both the Humanities and Sciences present. It will include 45 minutes of interactive lecture + 15 minutes of live Q & A. 

  The workshops will be hosted on Thursday, November 5, 11:00-12:00 PM and Monday, November 9, 3:00-4:00 PM. You can register for the sessions on ExperienceBU. 

  For more information, contact: Chelsea Humphries, Liaison Librarian chumphries@brocku.ca, or Evelyn Feldman, Collections/Liaison Librarian efeldman@brocku.ca 

   

  Tags: Students, Workshops
  Categories: Main

• Library Yoga returns!

  Wednesday, October 21, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Library Yoga is back for midterm season! Whether you’re winding down after your exams or preparing for your next big assignment, librarian and yoga instructor Chelsea Humphries is here to help you find space to pause, process, and prepare for your academic experiences, right in the middle of the (virtual) library!

  These two Library Yoga sessions will be livestreamed on LifeSize on Wednesday, October 28th and Wednesday, November 4th from 12:15-12:45 PM. You can register and find the links to the events on ExperienceBU. Recordings of the events will be saved for later viewing on the Library’s YouTube channel.

  These simple mindful movement sequences will pull you into the present moment, providing an opportunity for you to check-in with yourself, notice how you’re feeling, and take a few deep breaths before returning to your studies with refreshed energy and awareness. They are designed to be incorporated into the middle of a busy day, and they can be done in regular clothing and in any open space. Absolute beginners are welcome! After all, we all feel the midterm crunch and have likely had some of the following experiences:

  • You’re doing research and getting frustrated because you aren’t finding what you’re looking for. It’s getting hard to focus because you are feeling overwhelmed.
  • You have been working for hours and can hardly focus your eyes on the computer screen. You wonder how you’re going to manage to write the rest of your paper.
  • After a long virtual class, you’re surprised to find that your back is sore.

  Yoga can help you to notice experiences like these, when your mind and your body are telling you that you need to take a break. As a mindful practice, it can also help you approach your studies with a greater sense of calm and balance.

  If you’re interested in checking out Library Yoga before the live sessions, we encourage you to get a feel for the practice with this curated playlist of Library Yoga sessions and study breaks on our YouTube channel. You can also learn more about Chelsea as a liaison librarian at Brock University on this page and as a yoga instructor on her website.

   

  Tags: Events, Faculty, Staff, Students, Wellness, Workshops
  Categories: Main

• Library and ORS offer “Building Better Research” workshop series

  Thursday, October 15, 2020 | By Colleen MacKinnon

  

  Calling all researchers! The Brock University Library and the Office of Research Services are pleased to announce a new workshop series: “Building Better Research”

  The series, developed from the results of a survey of researchers last year, is comprised of 10 online workshops over the course of the year. Sessions will be recorded and shared.

  Research Data Management, Heather Whipple, Nov. 3, 12-1 p.m.
  This workshop lays the foundation to understand the value of data management expertise in a wide range of contexts, including academia, business, government, and industry. Register here.

  Introduction to the Canadian Common CV, Josie Reed, Nov. 6, 12-1 p.m.
  The Canadian Common CV Workshop will include an overview of CCV basics with lots of time for questions. Register here.

  Intellectual Property, Randy Peterson, Nov. 18, 12-1 p.m.
  This overview will present an outline of IP, how to both protect novel ideas and speed their transition from academia to the broader community, and how ORS can assist. Register here.

  Statistics Canada Landscape, Heather Whipple, Dec. 1, 12-1 p.m.
  The workshop will explain Statistics Canada’s Data Liberation Initiative (DLI) and Research Data Centres (RDCs), their differences, and how to access data. Register here.

  Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Leela MadhavaRau, Liette Vasseur and Margot Francis, Dec. 9, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  This workshop will cover the EDI activities in which Brock is engaged, how EDI is discussed in grant applications and how EDI can be integrated into research design. Register here.

  Digital Scholarship at Brock: Services You Need to Know About, Tim Ribaric, Jan. 7, 12-1 p.m.
  This session will provide participants an overview of what constitutes digital scholarship and what services Brock’s Digital Scholarship Lab has available. Register here.

  Scholarly Publishing: Finding and Evaluating Journals, Open Access Dissemination, and Predatory Publishers, Evelyn Feldman, Jan. 11, 12-1 p.m.
  If you want to learn more about finding and evaluating journals, what open access publishing is, and how to avoid predatory publishers, then this session is for you. Register here.

  Grant Budgeting 101, Iva Bruhova, Sharlee Cranston-Reimer, Agata D’Innocenzo, Danusha Kalinga, Jasmine Little, and Suramya Mihindukulasuriya, Feb. 10, 12-1 p.m.
  Topics include: budgeting tips and considerations; frequent budget mishaps; budgeting for contracts and overhead. Register here.

  Developing Your Scholarly Profile with ORCID, Tim Ribaric, Mar. 25, 12-1 p.m.
  This session will outline the how and why of ORCID, demonstrating how your ORCID profile automatically updates and how it will simplify the process of identifying yourself. Register here.

  Knowledge Mobilization/Translation (KMb), Jayne Morrish, Apr. 14, 12-1 p.m.
  During this workshop you will learn more about what KMb is, why this field exists, some specific strategies for planning and engaging in KMb, and an overview of KMb supports at Brock. Register here.

   

  For more information, contact: Nicole Nolan, AUL nnolan@brocku.ca or Sharlee Cranston-Reimer scranstonreimer@brocku.ca

  Tags: Graduate students, Workshops
  Categories: Main

• October is Canadian Library Month

  Friday, October 02, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  October is Canadian Library Month. Libraries all across the nation take this month to remind Canadians what libraries have to offer. For 2020, the theme is One Card, One Million Possibilities and, as a member of the Brock University community, these millions of possibilities are just a few clicks away.

  While our focus is on academic resources, an important partner for us is our local public libraries. If you live nearby, consider the benefits of becoming a member of the St. Catharines or Thorold Public Libraries. Popular magazines, audio books, streaming videos and music are available for you borrow with your public library card, and offer the perfect complement to our more scholarly collections. 

  Tags: Canadian Library Month
  Categories: Main

• Celebrating Open Access Week and Brock’s new Open Access Policy

  Thursday, October 01, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  October 19-25 is the thirteenth International Open Access Week, an event for the research community around the world to spread awareness of the benefits of Open Access.

  Join in at Brock by attending a presentation on Tuesday, October 20 at 1pm, which will introduce the Open Access movement broadly, delve into how it works in journal publishing, and finish by tying this all together with Brock’s new Open Access Policy.

  The policy, recently adopted by Senate, calls for Brock researchers and scholars to deposit an electronic copy of their academic journal articles into the Brock University Digital Repository, an online collection of scholarly output produced by the Brock community and managed by the Library.

  Researchers can submit work themselves to the repository or use a Library service called Support for Sharing Your Work – complete a form, attach your articles and Library staff will deposit them on your behalf.

  More information about the open access policy, including answers to frequently asked questions and an opt-out form, can be found on the policy webpage.

  For event details and connection information, please visit ExperienceBU. For more information, please contact your Liaison Librarian.

  Tags: Digital Scholarship Lab, Events, OA Week, Open Access, Scholarly Communication
  Categories: Main

• Orange Shirt Day

  Tuesday, September 29, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Orange Shirt Day is held annually on September 30 to bring awareness to the history of residential schools and their negative effects on children’s self-esteem and well-being. Orange Shirt Day was first observed in 2013 at St. Joseph Mission in Williams Lake, British Columbia, where, in 1973, Phyllis (Jack) Webstad had her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of residential school. She never saw the shirt again.

  We wear orange to show our commitment to recognizing and remembering the approximately 150,000 children forced to attend residential schools, where many experienced shame, deprivation, and abuse, as well as more than 6,000 students who did not survive.

  In light of Orange Shirt day, we are highlighting a selection of books, ebooks and streaming video to help us learn more about the impact of residential schools.

  Learn more about Phyllis’ story and Orange Shirt day.

  Tags: Indigenous Collection, Our Collections, Virtual Book Display
  Categories: Featured Collections, Main

• Bookable study space service launches September 28

  Thursday, September 24, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  As of September 28th, 45 bookable, physically-distanced, individual study spaces are available in the Matheson Learning Commons (Library main floor).

  Learn more.

  Make your booking.

  Tags: Services, Students
  Categories: Main

• Local public library collaboration returns

  Wednesday, September 16, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Take advantage of the great online resources from your public library by signing up for free accounts.

  The St. Catharines and Thorold Public Libraries extend free memberships to Brock students in the two communities.

  Popular magazines, audio books, streaming videos and music are available for you borrow with your public library card, and offer the perfect complement to our more scholarly collections.

  Join today!

  St. Catharines Public Library

  Thorold Public Library

  Tags: Collaboration, Community, Students
  Categories: Main

• Book return options

  Tuesday, September 15, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Brock students, faculty and staff are conscientious when it comes to returning their library books. Indeed, “how can I return my books” is a frequent question to libhelp@brocku.ca.

  While it’s not necessary to return items at this time (we’ve renewed regular loans to January 7, 2021), there are procedures in place for users who want to safely return their books.

  Please follow these steps:

  1.   Complete the self-scan survey prior to coming to campus.
  2.   When you arrive, enter at the Rankin Family Pavilion (base of the Schmon Tower).
        Note: Wearing a mask or face covering is required as per Brock’s campus-wide policy.
  3.   Tap your Brock ID card at the Welcome Desk.
        Note: If you don’t have a Brock ID card, follow these instructions to submit a photo and have a card created for you. In the meantime, give your Brock ID number to the staff at the desk.
  4.   Head to the book drop slot just to the left of the stairs to Brock Central and deposit your items.

  Your books will be quarantined for 7 days prior to check-in. Learn more about the quarantine period and a mail-in option for returns (navigate to the returns section).

  Tags: Faculty, MDGL, Our Collections, Staff, Students
  Categories: Main

• What’s New? Version 2.0

  Thursday, September 10, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

  In the two weeks since we posted our What’s New? message (below), a number of updates are already available.

  The Library Pickup Service which premiered in July for faculty, staff and graduate students, has been expanded to all current Brock undergraduates!

  Earlier this summer the Brock News reported on the Pickup Service and explained a little about the process. If you are interested in requesting books from our collection (which aren’t available online), the process is straightforward. Simply sign-in with your Brock credentials to Omni, the Library’s database, search for the item you want and click the ‘Request for pickup’ link. When your book is ready, you’ll receive an email with information about pickup logistics. You can learn more about the service and eligible items on the Library Services and Resources Amid COVID-19 page.

  The Map, Data & GIS Library is pleased to announce that atlases and books in their collection are also eligible for the Pickup Service. As the MDGL will remain closed for the fall term, returning items is not necessary. However, if you want to return Map books and atlases, please use the drop box in the Schmon Tower lobby. A 7 day quarantine period is in place before books are checked in.

  In coordination with the Digital Scholarship Lab, a number of “hands-on” ArcGIS Online workshops are accessible to anyone with a computer and an internet connection. We utilize ZOOM technology to offer these workshops and registration is via ExperienceBU.

  Pop back to our website and check our Social Media channels as, no doubt, we’ll soon have more good news to share.

  FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

  What’s new? We’re so glad you asked. Our team has been hard at work refining Library online services and supports to serve you. We encourage you to keep up with changes to our usual services and resources by reading our Library Services and Resources Amid COVID-19 webpage.

  If you are new to Brock – in any capacity, we invite you to peruse our Discover Your Library orientation site.

  Over the summer, Access Services staff developed and rolled out a print materials pickup service to instructors, graduate students and post doctoral researchers. Keep an eye on our website for details about the expansion of this service to additional user groups this term.

  While not brand new, we are pleased to announce the library scanning service has resumed. Open to all in the Brock community, making a request for a pdf scan of a chapter from a print book or journal article is easier than ever. Learn more about requesting a scan via Omni.

  Instructors at Brock are now able to self-upload their course reserve readings to Ares. Step-by-step instructions as well as video demonstrations are available for faculty interested in trying this out.

  When the Brock University Smart Start Team moved their programming online, we followed suit and offered our Top 10 Tips for new students. As orientation continues, all Library extra-curricular learning opportunities are posted on ExperienceBU. Among the myriad listings, we invite you to embark on your own Library Quest, take a mid-week Library Yoga break, develop your citation management competencies with Zotero, and get introduced to Vector Design for CNC.

  Brock University Library is now a member partner of HathiTrust and has signed onto its Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS). ETAS provides electronic read-only access to approximately 30% of our in-copyright print collections. In addition, over 4 million worldwide public domain items already accessible in HT. The service is available to all current Brock University faculty, students, and staff. Learn more.

  For the immediate future, the Archives & Special Collections is closed to the public. However, the staff of the Archives is still working.  Direct any questions or needs to archives@brocku.ca.  They will do their best to assist you.  You can also find many of their digitized materials in the Brock University Digital Repository.

  During the pandemic, Archives staff have been creating digital exhibits featuring some of the collections and records that we have in the Archives.  See some of the rich history that we have in our collections.

  In March, the Archives and Digital Scholarship Lab Teams started to collect stories, questions/answers, photos, videos, and other materials that chronicle the pandemic in the Niagara area.  To contribute to this project and have your experiences and thoughts preserved into the future, go to our COVID-19 in Niagara website and add your stories.

  The Digital Scholarship Lab in conjunction with the Map, Data & GIS Library invite you to learn from their expertise with their Fall Workshop Series. In addition, both the DSL and MDGL invite you to get ‘hands-on’ by plotting your hometown and entering the Data Visualization Contest.

  Our Makerspace Team invite you to take a virtual tour of their new facilities. Workshops will continue online for the fall term and their website features a new FAQ.

  Stay up-to-date by keeping an eye on the website and our social media channels – Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for any changes or expansion in services as the term progresses.

  The Library Team wish you all the best for a successful start to the fall term.

  Tags: Collections, Digital Scholarship Lab, Our Collections, Services, Students
  Categories: Main