News

• New trial databases on offer

  Thursday, November 22, 2018 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  The Library is happy to offer Brock researchers two new databases on a trial basis.

  The AgeLine database focuses exclusively on issues of aging and the population of people aged 50 years and older. Updated on a weekly basis, AgeLine is the premier online resource for social gerontology research. Take a look at the database until January 31, 2019. Feedback to Elizabeth Yates, Liaison Librarian to the Faculty of Applied Heath Sciences is most welcome at [email protected]

  The Pro Sound Effects Library develops highly curated sound effects libraries for sound artists, editors, designers, audio engineers, media companies, schools and nonprofits. Their goal is to inspire and empower you to tell any story with the highest quality sounds available. Browse and listen until December 15, 2018. Please send any feedback about the database to Justine Cotton @ [email protected]

  Tags: Collections
  Categories: Main

• Introduction to ArcGIS – DSL Style

  Monday, November 19, 2018 | By afloyd

  

  On Wednesday, December 5 from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. in Classroom A on the main floor of the James A. Gibson Library, the Digital Scholarship Lab, in partnership with the Map, Data and GIS Library, is hosting an Introduction to ArcGIS workshop.

  Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used to create maps and analyze geospatial data. GIS tools can be used to create data visualizations for a variety projects and its functionality is not constrained to geographical research projects alone. Some examples of diverse GIS applications include research on: disease control, agriculture, tourism, astronomy, archaeology, human behavior, shipping routes and traffic, wildlife tracking, climate change, crime patterns, banking, gaming, history, humanitarianism, and sports. The options really are endless.

  In this workshop you will learn basic functionality of Esri’s front-running software, ArcGIS Pro. Using a fictional scenario, we will use GIS to determine where Starbucks Corporation should build a new coffee shop based on certain criteria. Although previous experience with GIS is helpful, beginners are welcome! This workshop is a great first step in determining if GIS can be applied to your research projects and presentations.

  Sign up at: ExperienceBU or email us at [email protected]

  Tags: BrockUDSL, MDGL, Training & Development, Workshops
  Categories: Digital Scholarship Lab, Main, MDGL

• DSL Invites YOU to Introductory GitHub Workshop

  Monday, November 19, 2018 | By afloyd

  

  The Digital Scholarship Lab is hosting a GitHub and version control workshop on Wednesday, December 5th from 2-4:30 p.m. in Classroom A of the James A. Gibson Library.  This is an introductory workshop and is open to everyone. There is no cost to attend this event.

  GitHub is a very useful version control system that allows for efficient and effective project collaboration. GitHub allows multiple people to share and edit projects, as well as track revisions. If you are working on a group research project, want to connect with other GitHub users, or simply would like more information on this innovative tool then this workshop is for you.

  Sign up at: ExperienceBU or email us at [email protected].

  Tags: BrockUDSL, Events, Training & Development, Workshops
  Categories: Digital Scholarship Lab

• Introducing the Brock Digital Scholarship Lab

  Thursday, November 15, 2018 | By afloyd

  

  Everything is coming together! The building is almost built and the digital scholarship team has formed.  Your DSL team includes: Tim Ribaric – Acting Head, Map Data GIS Library / Digital Scholarship Lab, Daniel Brett – Digital Scholarship Lab Technical Support, and Alicia Floyd – Digital Scholarship Service Coordinator. Together we are working hard to plan services, workshops and investigate innovative digital tools for the Brock community to benefit from.

  The lab itself will feature work stations, high performance computers, and visualization panels.  Some of the digital tools that will be available for use include: Omeka, Tableau, GitHub, OpenRefine, and Jupyter Notebooks, just to name a few.  The DSL team will also host workshops on these tools from introductory level to more advanced, and will offer Compute Canada workshops and webinars, R drop-in sessions, and Python Jams. Experts will be available to assist with Research Data Management and to help users choose the most useful tool for their research initiative.

  Stay connected with the DSL through our various social media channels or email us at [email protected].

  Photograph Attribution: Scott Roper

  Categories: Digital Scholarship Lab

• Celebrate GIS Day @ the MDGL

  Tuesday, November 13, 2018 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Celebrate and explore the power of maps on GIS Day (November 14th) at the Map, Data & GIS Library. Held during Geography Awareness Week, GIS Day “provides an international forum for users of geographic information systems (GIS) technology to demonstrate real-world applications that are making a difference in our society.” (gisday.com)

  At Brock, all are invited to enjoy:

  • pizza lunch (at minimal cost) sponsored by TAGS (Tourism and Geography Society) students
  • Esri scholarship contest presentations
  • Digital Scholarship Lab presentation
  • Games, Trivia, Prizes
  • ArcGIS Workshop
  • Cake

  The days events run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Mackenzie Chown C306

  Tags: Events, MDGL, Workshops
  Categories: Main, MDGL

• Library charging station ready for your devices

  Tuesday, November 13, 2018 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Students have a new option when looking to charge their phones on campus. A new charging station, courtesy of BUSU, is now in operation in the library.  The locker-style unit is easy to use. Simply open a box, plug in your phone, set an access code of your choice on the pin pad, and walk away. Each locker has 3 cables: an apple lightning cable, a USB type-C cable, and a micro USB cable.

  The charging station is located on the main floor of the library, next to the copiers and vending machines.

  Tags: Services, Students
  Categories: Main

• Join us for The Human Library

  Tuesday, November 06, 2018 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Celebrate International Education Week and check out a human book!

  The library has gathered “books’ from countries and regions around the world. Members of the Brock community can meet and chat for short conversations.  Each conversation is an opportunity to hear someone’s story and share your own!

  When: November 15, 2018, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
  Where: Main floor of the Library

  Reserve your 15 minute time slot

  Tags: Events, Staff, Students
  Categories: Main

• Introductory OpenRefine Workshop

  Monday, November 05, 2018 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  The Brock University Digital Scholarship Lab invites you to attend a workshop on the powerful data management tool OpenRefine.  If you work with data in spreadsheets, you will find this tool particularly useful. OpenRefine allows you to work with CSV data in intuitive and efficient ways.  Spot trends in your results, ensure accuracy, and perform transformations to all rows of data based on formulas.  OpenRefine quickly takes messy data and transforms it into a more comprehensive format.  This tutorial starts at the very beginning and provides hands on examples for you to explore.

  When: Monday, November 12^th, 2018, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  Where: Classroom A (ST228), James A. Gibson Library, Brock University

  Sign-up at: https://experiencebu.brocku.ca/organization/dsl

  Questions? Contact the DSL team at: [email protected]

  Tags: Events, Training & Development, Workshops
  Categories: Main

• #RAKDay in the Learning Commons

  Friday, November 02, 2018 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Students, staff and faculty took part in Random Acts of Kindness Day across campus and in the community on Friday November 2nd. In the Library, the day was celebrated with spontaneous candy & highlighter drops to delighted students. The Learning Commons sported a very successful card making station facilitated by volunteers from  Student Life & Community Experience.

  Tags: Events, Students
  Categories: Main

• Learn a new skill with Lynda.com

  Friday, November 02, 2018 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Brock University students, faculty and staff now have unlimited access to Lynda.com, a leading online, self-paced learning platform. Learn more.

  Tags: Staff, Students, Training & Development
  Categories: Main