Articles tagged with: Graduate students

• Celebrate GIS Days at Brock!

  Thursday, November 13, 2025 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Every November marks a special time to celebrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS)—and this year is no different! Brock students, faculty, and staff are invited to take part in a FREE virtual conference, “GIS Days,” running from Monday, November 17 to Thursday, November 20. Check out the schedule and register here: https://gisdays-westernu.hub.arcgis.com/

  GIS combines software, people, and data to answer spatially charged questions. It’s used in research across many faculties at Brock—and in the “real world” to identify tornado damage, track coyote sightings, map health care gaps, and more. The tools and skills that GIS provides can make all the difference in your studies and future career.

  On Wednesday, November 19, the Brock Library will host an exciting morning of festivities, including free cake (courtesy of Brock Library), free pizza (courtesy of the Tourism and Geography Society—TAGS), and a workshop on boosting your résumé with GIS training, job connections, and scholarship opportunities.

  📍 In-person activities: Rankin Family Pavilion 214/215, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  🍰 10:00 a.m. – Cake!
  🗺️ 10:30 a.m. – Put yourself on the map!
  🍕 11:45 a.m. – Pizza!

  For more details about GIS Day at Brock, visit this StoryMap.

  Still have questions? Email [email protected].

  Tags: ArcGIS, Faculty, Graduate students, MDGL, Students, Workshops
  Categories: Main, MDGL

• GIS Day coming November 20th

  Wednesday, October 30, 2024 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Wednesday, November 20th marks a special day in the geography world as we gear up to celebrate GIS! Geographic Information Systems (GIS) combines software, hardware, data and people to create, analyze and disseminate geospatial data and ideas around where and why things happen as they do.

  Join us this year to learn more about GIS including ArcGIS Online Analysis tools and the Esri Site License. The Map, Data & GIS Library is hosting a few online and in-person events including:

  Wednesday, November 20, 2024

  9:00-9:30 a.m.: ArcGIS Site License Q&A: This brief Question & Answer session will offer an informative conversation about the Esri educational site license. Esri is the producer of the ArcGIS suite of products including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Esri CityEngine and more! Come with your questions, leave with some answers and guidance. Registration suggested but not required. https://experiencebu.brocku.ca/event/269153 (This is an online event).

  10:00-11:30 a.m. Vector Analysis in ArcGIS Online: This hands-on workshop introduces attendees to this popular modern GIS while answering questions about the distribution of childcare centres, infant capacity, drive-time analysis, polygon enrichment (demographic data from Environics) and more! Registration is strongly recommended but experience with the software is not required. https://experiencebu.brocku.ca/event/269156 (This is an online event).

  12:00-1:00 p.m. Pizza and Cake in the MDGL: Join the Tourism and Geography Society for lunch in the MDGL where anyone can buy a slice of pizza and partake of the infamous GIS Day cake (free)!

  Visit the ArcGIS Storymap https://arcg.is/0uPbPK for more details.

  

  Tags: ArcGIS, Events, Faculty, Graduate students, MDGL, Students, Workshops
  Categories: Main, MDGL

• Library Survey Findings & Next Steps

  Wednesday, June 26, 2024 | By nnolan

  

  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
  [email protected]

   

   

  Tags: Archives and Special Collections, Digital Scholarship Lab, Faculty, Feedback, Graduate students, Makerspace, MDGL, Our Collections, Research, Services, Staff, Students
  Categories: Main

• Thank you for your feedback

  Monday, January 15, 2024 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  The Library wishes to express a heartfelt thank you to the Brock community for taking the time to respond to our 2023 Library Survey.

  We were thrilled to receive approximately 3,900 survey responses, including over 3,270 students, 160 faculty, and 450 staff. Your feedback included over 890 comments. Over the coming months, we will be reviewing and analyzing the survey data. This summer, we will share a summary of the results including our intended next steps to respond to what we heard from you.

  Congratulations to the lucky winners of twelve incentive prizes:

  • Grand prize winner of Bose Headphones: Mohamad E.
  • $100 Visa gift cards: Natalia J., Zahra A., Hillary G., Juhwan O., Simone L.
  • Someday Books Gift Certificate valued at $50: Nathan D.
  • Locker prizes: Deana T., Skylar B., Bhavleen D., Lian Y., Chidinma O.

  

  Pictured above are seven of twelve incentive prize winners. From the left, Simone L., Mohamad E., Hillary G., Chidinma O., Juhwan O., Skylar B., and Nathan D.

  If you have a specific, time-sensitive concern (or compliment!), the Library is always open to hearing from you via our online feedback form.

   

  Tags: Digital Scholarship Lab, Faculty, Feedback, Graduate students, Makerspace, MDGL, Research, Services, Students
  Categories: Main

• Contribute to a delicious data visualization

  Friday, October 21, 2022 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  GIS Day events return in-person this year after a two-year hiatus. In addition to quizzes, learning and laughter, a key part of the annual tradition at Brock is a GIS Day cake.

  Submit one of your map creations (in JPEG format) to Sharon Janzen, Map Library Associate and Geospatial Data Coordinator, for a chance to have it featured on this year’s cake.

  Contribute your JPEG to [email protected] by November 9, 2022.

  Tags: ArcGIS Pro, Events, Faculty, Graduate students, MDGL, Students
  Categories: Main, MDGL

• Omni: the power of collaboration

  Thursday, September 15, 2022 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Thanks to the Library’s partnership in Omni, Brock students, faculty, and staff have access to over 25.3 million books from 18 universities in Ontario.

  Fanny Dolansky, Brock professor in the Department of Classics and Archaeology, shared “I really couldn’t do my research or teaching without the support of the library and having more access to print (as well as digital) resources and efficient, reliable access, makes a huge difference! Omni and other changes at the library have revolutionized student and faculty research.”

  Over the past twelve months, Brock researchers used Omni to borrow approximately 2,000 books! In the same period, Brock Library loaned out over 1,700 books to researchers at other Omni institutions.

  To request an item in Omni, login to your library account and perform a search. Omni searches across all 18 partners for that item and when it finds an available copy, you’ll be able to place a request. You can request to pick up the book at Brock or your choice of partner library. You will be notified when your book is ready for pickup and you will enjoy the same 120-day loan period.

  Search Omni to find resources that support your coursework, as well as featured collections on a variety of themes.

  Tags: Faculty, Graduate students, Services, Staff, Students
  Categories: Main

• Applications now being accepted to the Library Open Access Publishing Fund

  Wednesday, June 01, 2022 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  The Library Open Access Publishing Fund, which assists Brock researchers who wish to publish in a journal which levies article processing charges, is now taking applications for the 2022-23 budget year 

  As always, the fund operates on a first-come, first-served basis and applicants must meet the fund’s eligibility criteria. 

  This year’s criteria have been updated to help ensure the limited grant funding available will have maximum impact and effectiveness: 

  • Researchers who received a grant in 2021-22 may only apply for a 2022-23 grant after January 2023  
  • This grant is intended to support researchers with limited or no funding. Recipients of grants from funders such as the Tri-Agencies or other agencies are not eligible to apply 

  The Library provides other supports to help researchers make their work openly accessible for low or no cost: 

  • Researchers can make their scholarly articles open access – for free – by depositing a copy in the Brock Digital Repository, an online archive of Brock research which can be freely accessed by anyone. Authors can submit papers themselves or use the Library’s supported-deposit process. 
  • The Library has negotiated open access agreements and discounts with a growing number of publishers which allow Brock authors to publish in their journals for free, or at significantly lowered costs. 
  • And finally, researchers can search the Directory of Open Access Journals to select one of more than 12,000 scholarly, peer-reviewed open access journals which do not charge article processing fees. 

  As a reminder, the Brock University Open Access Policy stipulates that Brock authors are expected to make their research articles openly accessible by depositing copies in the Brock Digital Repository.  

  Questions? Contact Research and Scholarly Communication Librarian Elizabeth Yates ~ [email protected] 

  Tags: Faculty, Graduate students, Open Access, Research, Scholarly Communication
  Categories: Main

• Open Access Publishing Fund update

  Monday, January 10, 2022 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  While the Library Open Access Publishing Fund is fully expended for the 2021-22 budget year, the Library continues to support Brock authors in making their research openly accessible – in many cases, at low or no cost.

  Researchers can make their scholarly articles open access – for free – by depositing a copy in the Brock Digital Repository, an online archive of Brock research which can be freely accessed by anyone. Authors can submit papers themselves or use the Library’s supported-deposit process.

  The Library has negotiated open access agreements and discounts with a growing number of publishers which allow Brock authors to publish in their journals for free, or at significantly lowered costs.

  And finally, researchers can search the Directory of Open Access Journals to select one of more than 12,000 scholarly, peer-reviewed open access journals which do not charge article processing fees.

  Questions? Contact Liaison and Scholarly Communication Librarian Elizabeth Yates ~ [email protected]

  Tags: Faculty, Graduate students, Open Access, Research, Scholarly Communication
  Categories: Main

• New workshop for students: Mindful Research

  Friday, March 26, 2021 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Feeling overwhelmed with research?  Are final papers stressing you out?   

  Join Chelsea and Justine, liaison librarians and yoga instructors, for “Mindful Research” to learn how you can incorporate elements of mindfulness into the research process.  We will discuss the unique challenges of library research, outline the benefits of mindfulness, and offer strategies for building easy mindful practices into your day.   

  The workshop will be offered on Thursday, April 1 from 12:00-12:45 and repeated on Thursday, April 8 from 12:00-12:45 live on Teams.  If you have questions, please contact Chelsea or Justine.  Hope to see you there! 

  Tags: Graduate students, Students, Wellness, Workshops
  Categories: Main

• Instructors encouraged to submit spring term reading lists soon

  Friday, March 12, 2021 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Reserve request processing for the spring term is underway at Brock University Library.

  To ensure your students have access to their spring course materials, we encourage you to submit reading lists by March 29, 2021.  

  An instructor self-serve option is also available, providing flexibility to instructors who wish to do this work themselves. All self-submissions will get a final check for copyright compliance, and will then be active for students. 

  An important consideration: print reserve materials remain unavailable for spring 2021 courses.

  Several alternatives to print resources are available including the creation of course-specific online packs. The Reserves team is ready to work with you to develop these for your students. More information about non-print options is available. Liaison Librarians are also available to help you identify alternate resources. 

  The E-Textbook Challenge.

  Providing digital access to some textbooks may be hindered by the textbook publishers because most textbooks are not available to libraries in any format other than print.  Most of the major textbook publishers — Pearson, Cengage, Houghton, McGraw Hill, Oxford University Press Canada Textbooks, Elsevier Imprints, Thieme — do not sell e-textbooks to libraries. This means that for courses that have adopted textbooks from these publishers, students who do not purchase the textbook have no alternative access to the textbook contents.

   

  Questions? [email protected]

  Tags: Faculty, Graduate students, Services
  Categories: Main