News

  • Collections update: budget planning for 2024-2025

    As Brock community members will be awarethe 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): We did not receive the inflationary protection increase as we have in previous yearsFor context, annual inflationary protection in the acquisitions budget (~2-3% increase) has historically aimed to sustain the library collection.

    Structural Challenges: Annual Subscription Increases

    In planning for the coming year, the Library must account for standard annual subscription price increases from publishers and vendors. These increases can range from zero to over twelve percent.

    Subscriptions constitute the majority of our annual spending (see Figure 1). As a result, recurring pressure in the form of annual increases can have an outsized impact on the overall picture.

    Pie chart of the 2024 Library Acquisitions Budget.

    Figure 1: The 2024 Library acquisitions budget is $5,745,000. Subscriptions account for 75% of the total, books: 19%, and infrastructure: 6%

    As terms come up for renewal, we are negotiating to keep increases as low as possible – but a frozen acquisitions budget means we need to find savings to absorb anticipated price increases.  

    Structural Challenges: The ‘Big Deal’

    The prominent business model for most publicly funded research is the profit-driven, highly consolidated scholarly publishing industry. Publishers gain the rights to the work of academics and then sell the research back to university libraries with steep profit margins.  

    The major publishers bundle their catalogue of journal subscriptions into large, expensive packages, known as “Big Deals”. Brock University Library subscribes to all five major scientific journal Big Deals: Elsevier, Wiley, Taylor & Francis, Springer, and Sage. 

    Over the last decade, academic libraries worldwide have been responding to the combination of budgetary pressures and a broken, exclusionary publishing system by closely assessing and sometimes cancelling some of their Big Deals.  A non-comprehensive list of “Big Deal” journal cancellations can be found on SPARC’s website: Big Deal Cancellation Tracking – SPARC (sparcopen.org) 

    Summer 2024 Assessment Project

    The Library is currently focused on an assessment project, reviewing our current usage and spending patterns to find savings. The assessment team includes librarians and staff from the Collections Services department, led by the Head of Collections Services.

    Project Principles:

    1. Ensure any cuts are distributed: Not overly harming a single discipline.
    2. Evidence-based. Collect usage data to inform decisions. 
    3. Assess high-cost materials. Evaluate Cost Per Use/value for money.
    4. Balance with qualitative data. Consider Brock’s unique programs and strategic directions.
    5. Consider what work the library can reasonably absorb: Cuts are not labour-neutral & typically remove efficiencies. 

    Communication

    In April 2024, the Library presented information about the acquisitions budget and collections assessment to various stakeholders, including Research & Scholarship Policy Committee, Teaching & Learning Policy Committee, Research Strategy Operations Group, Library Representatives Meeting, and the Associate Deans Meeting. Library budget planning was also presented at the February meeting of the Planning Priorities and Budget Advisory Committee. 

    Further communication efforts will include keeping this webpage updated with project developments and additional information sessions in the fall. 

    You are welcome to contact us with questions or concerns. 

    Monica Rettig, Acting Associate University Librarian Research mrettig@brocku.ca  

    Alicia Zorzetto, Head Collections Services azorzetto@brocku.ca  

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    Categories: Collections, Main

  • Library Survey Findings & Next Steps

    In November 2023, we ran a campus-wide survey, asking the campus community for feedback on library services and resources. In January, we shared a brief note thanking you for your feedback and announcing the prize winners.

    We have taken these recent months to analyze and understand the results.

    A major finding from the survey was that, on balance, the Library is performing quite well! The majority of respondents ranked our performance high across most categories. We are gratified to hear that the Library is largely meeting the needs of the Brock community.

    We also heard that there are a number of areas where we can improve, and we take that seriously. At this time, we’d like to share with you a summary of what he heard, as well as our next steps in responding to your feedback.

    Brock University Library Survey Key Findings report.

    Biggest priorities for improvement

    • Finding a quiet place in the Library to study
    • Finding a place in the Library to work in a group

    Other areas we can improve

    • Managing levels of noise and behaviour
    • Power/ electrical outlet availability and maintenance
    • Informing you about Library services
    • Faculty members: Information resources that meet learning and research needs

    Where we are doing well

    • Wireless access
    • Accurate answers to questions
    • Help is available from Library staff when needed
    • Off-campus access to Library resources and services

    What are we going to do in response to the survey results?

    We are kicking off a number of projects, large and small.

    • Usability issues with study spaces (findability, noise, etc.): We will strike a team with members from across the library to directly address these concerns and propose improvements. We expect this work to begin this summer and continue into the fall term.
    • Electrical outlets: Working with Brock’s Facilities Management (FM) team, we have tested and repaired faulty outlets throughout the entire library building. We will continue to work with FM on a regular basis to repair outlets as new issues are reported. We have also begun a project to determine where additional electrical outlets are needed and will have these added over the summer.
    • Group study: We have been piloting a mobile-friendly version of our room booking software, which makes it easier to see each room’s features. You are welcome to try it out now, and we plan on rolling this new version out this summer.
    • Communication: Survey respondents indicated that their preferred way to receive library updates is via email. We will be investigating options for email updates in Fall 2024: Watch your inbox!

    In some areas, we have more to learn before we can determine how to address a problem. For example, we are considering strategies for specific input from faculty about their library resource needs.

    We will be in touch as we make progress on the projects described above.

    Again, we are so grateful to you for taking the time to respond to our survey. We look forward to making changes and improvements that respond to your concerns. We were especially pleased to hear your resounding praise for the people who work in the library:

    “Our library is a wonderful, inclusive space that (in my opinion) is very welcoming to students, staff and community members. The staff are very knowledgeable and happy to help students with any questions they may have.”

    “The library’s standout features is its knowledgeable and approachable staff. They are always willing to assist students, providing valuable guidance in locating resources, conducting research, and navigating databases. Their expertise has been invaluable to my academic pursuits, and I am grateful for their continuous support.”

    My favourite place with my favourite people!

    I would like to express my gratitude to the members of the 2023 Library Survey Team who led the survey implementation and supported the analysis of results: Monica Rettig (Lead), Kym Ash, Daniel Brett, Alicia Floyd, Laurie Morrison, and Tanya Sicoli.

    For any questions or comments please don’t hesitate to reach out.

    ~Nicole Nolan, University Librarian
    nnolan@brocku.ca

     

     

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  • Career Opportunity in Library Collections Services

    Brock University Library invites applications for the full-time, permanent position of Collections Librarian.

    The successful candidate will be responsible for developing collection management strategies related to various resource formats including print, ebooks, streaming media, databases, and journals for the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences and the Faculty of Math & Science.  They will assist in collection analysis and assessment and, alongside the Library’s other Collections Librarians, will develop a coordinated approach to collection development.

    Learn more about this role, and apply by July 16, 2024 at 12:01 am

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  • Indigenous History Month at the Library

    In June, we commemorate National Indigenous History Month to recognize the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada. We invite you to browse our newly updated Indigenous Reads collection of print and ebooks. Recent additions include:

    A sub-collection of streaming videos features several genres including science fiction, documentary, and drama.

    Indigenous Peoples Awareness Week (IPAW), hosted by Hadiya’dagénhahs First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Centre, celebrates Indigenous Peoples through four days of workshops and educational activities. IPAW runs from Monday, June 17 until Thursday, June 20 and is open to everyone, including those in the Brock and wider community. More information about the IPAW schedule and how to register will be posted on The Brock News as it becomes available.

    The University will also host the Indigenous Leader Speaker Series on Wednesday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m.

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • Artificial Intelligence

    Take time in June to explore literature around the expanding impact of artificial intelligence. Read about how the digital world and machines are affecting our daily lives.

    This Featured Collection includes titles about:

    Browse this collection of e-books online, and print books by visiting the physical display next to the Ask Us desk.

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • Happy Pride Month

    We’re celebrating 2S&LGBTQ+ Pride month by:

    • sharing a curated selection of books – including non-fiction and novels – and films which take an intersectional approach to examining 2S&LGBTQ+ life and issues such as race, disability, class and politics. The collection includes e-books you can read right away, print titles you can borrow from the library, and streaming videos,
    • showcasing a related collection fiction and non-fiction from our Badger Books, and
    • providing Pride-themed colouring sheets – stop by and grab some from the Ask Us desk.

    Happy Pride Brock U.

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  • Return and Retrieval Services for IRC Materials

    The Library has established return and retrieval services for materials held in the Faculty of Education’s Instructional Resource Centre (IRC) on the St. Catharines Campus. The materials housed in the IRC are not physically browsable at this time but can be requested on demand. 

    Returning IRC materials 

    All returns can be brought to the Ask Us desk on the main floor of the James A. Gibson Library.  

    Requesting retrieval of IRC materials 

    Materials previously labelled with the IRC location in Omni are now identified as “Request-Only Storage”.   

    To borrow these materials, use the ‘Request for Pickup’ button (see below) and Library staff will retrieve the item for you. You will receive a notification when the item is available for pickup at the Ask Us desk in the James A. Gibson Library. We anticipate the turnaround time to be approximately 2 business days.

    Below is a screenshot of how to place a request in Omni:

    An Omni catalogue record for a Request-Only Storage item. A purple arrow points to the red Request for Pickup button.

    An Omni catalogue record for a Request-Only Storage item. A purple arrow points to the red Request for Pickup button.

    We welcome your feedback and appreciate your patience as we navigate this transition.  

    The Library will be working in collaboration with the Faculty of Education over the coming months on a project that includes an assessment of IRC materials, and a plan for integrating these into the James A. Gibson collection.  

    Questions? Contact us at libhelp@brocku.ca

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  • The History and Enduring Appeal of the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories

    Has there ever been a more perfect heroine than Nancy Drew?

    She solves mysteries so effortlessly that the police often look to her for advice. She is beautiful, talented, athletic, and has a loyal group of friends. Her boyfriend, Ned Nickerson, is an equally high achiever: captain of the Emerson College football team, President of his fraternity, and top of his class!

    She’s perfect in so many ways but what’s even better is the fact that she has almost complete freedom to do whatever she wishes, from taking off in her convertible to flying overseas to solve a case. It’s easy to see why so many girls devoured this series.

    I can vividly remember discovering my first Nancy Drew book, at the Pen Centre public library branch when I was around 7 years old (yes, the Pen Centre had a branch right beside Eaton’s!). It was The Mystery of Lilac Inn and it was a classic mystery story, with hidden panels, ghostly figures, and a diamond theft. I loved the twists and turns but, even more, I just wanted to BE Nancy.

    Many readers have shared that feeling, which is part of Nancy’s enduring appeal. Nancy Drew stands out in popular culture, but not everyone is as familiar with the controversy and the history around the mystery stories!

    Fun Facts about The Nancy Drew Mystery Stories: 

    There never was a Carolyn Keene. 

    The Nancy Drew Mystery Stories were ghostwritten by a series of authors throughout the years.  

    Children LOVED Nancy Drew, but teachers and librarians did not!  

    Years ago, the immense popularity of series books (think The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden) was a source of frustration for librarians and teachers who felt they were a “menace to good reading.” (see: “The Menace of the Series Book” by Lucy Kinloch, 1935)  

    Children still loved Nancy, despite the concerns raised by adults. A child’s review from 1932 where she writes: “The Nancy Drew Mystery Stories” are my favorite books…the book became very exciting…”: 

    A book review of 'The Mystery at Lilac Inn' by a young reader as published in a newspaper.

    Marjorie Thorsen’s book review of The Mystery at Lilac Inn.

    Nancy evolved over the years 

    In the earliest Nancy Drew books (1920s-1940s), Nancy was a blonde 16-year-old girl who took incredible risks. There were plane crashes and Nancy was gagged and bound in a few stories. The books were long (200+ pages) with 25 chapters.  

    In the 1950s, Nancy’s character was transformed to be a demure, Grace Kelly-like girl with “titian” hair who was now 18 years old. She was still daring and intelligent, but she also dabbled in flower arranging and attended balls and fraternity parties. The books became shorter (20 chapters) and older books were revised to be easier to read and to (thankfully) remove racist language.  

    Collecting the Books is challenging 

    It’s difficult to ascertain if a hardcover Nancy Drew is an original because there were so many iterations of the books. The originals had dustjackets, some books had blue inside covers with reenactments of the stories, and some had different illustrators. There have also been reprints of the original series, which adds to the confusion!  

    While I don’t have any true originals from the 1920s/1930s, I love the book collection that I do have. Some of my copies belonged to girls in the 1950s and it’s fun to see their inscriptions and how they marked off the stories they had read in the series or planned to read next. It’s fun to think that Nancy Drew has appealed to girls for over 100 years and that there is even a television show still running featuring this famous detective! 

     

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • Unearthed Wonders: Exploring the World of Archaeology

    As some of you set off for various archaeological practica this Spring Term, those of us at the Brock Library encourage students, staff, faculty, and community members to adventure between pages.

    Dig into the topic of archaeology and its interdisciplinary exploration of the ancient world in May’s Featured Collection. Learn about underwater archaeology and the amazing excavation campaigns of the ancient port of Amathus. Examine the use of physical anthropology on human remains in Sweden, uncovering information about The Viking Age.

    Browse this collection of virtual e-books online, or print books by visiting the physical display next to the Ask Us desk.

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • Exhibit: The Mother of all Game Jams

    At the end of February, the Department of Digital Humanities hosted “The Mother of All Game Jams,” a two-day game design workshop open to both community members as well as Brock students, staff, and faculty where participants were asked to design games on the theme of motherhood, mothering, and maternal identity. Organized by Dr. Sarah Stang, and facilitated by the Library’s Makerspace, this event was designed to push back against the idea that moms don’t play or make games and to explore what it means to be a mother through game design.

    On May 11 – Mother’s Day weekend – the games will be showcased at the St. Catharines Public Library in a drop-in, family friendly event held in the Mills Room from 10am-4pm. Come check them out!

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons, Makerspace