Articles tagged with: Our Collections

  • Political Landscapes

    Thursday, October 31, 2024 | By

    A stormy sky with the Capitol Building in front coloured half red and half blue.

    Our November Featured Collection explores works on the intricate and evolving landscapes of current politics in the United States and Canada. With the US election a trending topic, this collection of books and eBooks highlights a variety of related subjects including democracy, campaigns, polling, and parties.

    Read the relevant Electable: Why American Hasn’t Put a Woman in the White House…Yet with a focused chapter on Kamala Harris and the 2020 US election.

    Explore the growing discussion around Illiberal Democracies as it pertains to the history of political ideals in the United States. The newly published Illiberal America: A History looks to the past to understand this recent resurgence.

    If you are interested in a Canadian perspective you can read up on current movements in What’s Trending in Canadian Politics? which explores political communication and democratic governance in a digital age.

    You can browse the collection by visiting the book display next to the Ask Us desk in Matheson Learning Commons, or view the eBooks online.

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  • Featured Collection: Honouring Indigenous Women and Girls

    Tuesday, October 01, 2024 | By

    Fabric prints which reflect First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.

    This month’s featured Omni Collection is intended to honour and remember the lives of Indigenous Women and Girls in recognition of the Native Women’s Association of Canada‘s Sisters In Spirit Day. Browse and borrow from the print collection displayed next to the Ask Us desk and head online to view the Indigenous Women on Film sub-collection of documentaries.

    The collection also acts as a complement to The Canadian Library, a grassroots art installation project that acts as a memorial to all Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people. View the Brock University micro gallery at the Entiohahathe’te Knowledge Den.

    The Entiohahathe'te Knowledge Den

    The Entiohahathe’te Knowledge Den is located home to an Indigenous book collection and Brock’s Canadian Library Project micro gallery.

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

    Tuesday, September 17, 2024 | By

    Residential School Survivors' Flag

    On September 30, we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.  

    Learn more about the impact of residential schools by exploring our virtual book display, a mixture of print titles, ebooks, and streaming video.

    Image credit: The Survivors’ flag was designed during six weeks of consultation, discussion and collaboration with Survivors from across Canada. Inuit, Mi’kmaq, Atikamekw, Cree, Ojibway, Dakota, Mohawk, Dene, Nuu-chah-nulth, Secwepemc, Métis Survivors brought the flag to life by sharing their thoughts, ideas and lived experience to identify the important symbolism you see. The NCTR (National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation) ensured the Survivors’ wishes and ideas were conveyed to Vincent Design to complete the flag.

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    Categories: Featured Collections

  • Brock Library Now and Then

    Sunday, August 25, 2024 | By

    Students sit at a group study table on the main floor of the library in a photograph from 1982

    As part of Brock University’s 60th anniversary celebrations, we present Brock Library Now and Then, a treasure trove of photos showing the development of the Brock University Library and the generations of students who studied here.

    Reminisce in-person by scanning the QR codes located on posters in the Matheson Learning Commons (main floor or the Library), Floor 5, and in the Map, Data, & GIS Library. For those unable to visit in person, navigate to Brock Library Now and Then exhibit online.

    Most of the images are from the University photo collection held in the Archives and Special Collections. We thank Archives staff for their contributions to this exhibit, and invite you to delve further into Brock University history and lore at the Pop-Up Archives event during this year’s very special Homecoming Skyline Celebration.

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • Dark Tourism

    Tuesday, July 30, 2024 | By

    Black and white photograph of a ruined cathedral

    Our August Featured Collection delves into the darker side of tourism, exploring why people choose to visit places associated with tragedy, death, or disaster. “Dark Tourism” is a long-time practice and some scholars describe it as an opportunity to engage with history and gather a deeper understanding of events that occurred in specific locations.

    Read about the preservation of cultural and natural heritage in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, where Ukraine is transforming the site into a tourism attraction. Consider the term social memory and explore collective remembrance of the Holocaust through the visitation of Holocaust memorials and museums.

    These books cover a variety of sites such as: Fukushima, war memorials, concentration camps, catacombs, penitentiaries, and natural disaster sites like Pompeii.

    You can browse the collection by visiting the display next to the Ask Us desk or view the e-books online.

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • Olympic & Paralympic Games 2024

    Wednesday, July 24, 2024 | By

    Women dive into a pool

    As thousands of athletes gather to compete in Paris this week, Brock Library presents an extra thematic collection this month: 2024 Olympics. Featuring print and e-book titles as well as Olympic and sport-related films, the collection takes an inter-disciplinary approach to the world-wide sporting extravaganza.

    Of note: The Olympic Sports Economy and Circus Maximus consider the economic impacts of mega sporting events on host countries.

    Individual athletes are profiled in titles such as Playing the Long Game by Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair, and The Greatest Athlete (You’ve Never Heard of): Canada’s First Olympic Gold Medalist, George Washington Orton.

    The 2024 Olympics featured collection is accompanied by a display of Olympic trivia and posters at the Thistle entrance to the Learning Commons.

    Browse, borrow and enjoy in between catching your favourite events.

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • Canadian Reads

    Tuesday, July 02, 2024 | By

    Book covers from the Canada Reads featured collection for 2024

    Explore July’s curated collection of books and e-books, Canadian Reads, and delve into the print world of Canadiana.

    Looking for a Canadian award-winning fiction to read? The collection includes:

    Interested in educating yourself on contemporary issues in Canada? Try some of these reads:

    Browse the collection by visiting the display next to the Ask Us desk or view the e-books online.

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • Disability Pride Month

    Thursday, June 27, 2024 | By

    The Disability Pride Flag: A charcoal grey flag with a diagonal band from the top left to bottom right corner, made up of five parallel stripes (going from bottom up; left to right) in red, gold, pale grey, blue, and green

    July is Disability Pride Month.

    Take some time to explore this collection of titles in the fields of Mad Studies and Critical Disability Studies. Both fields have been instrumental in advancing the voices and knowledges of Mad and disabled persons to enact transformative change.

    “Disability is not only an identity, but also a community with a diverse culture all their own to be proud of and celebrated. Disability culture is about visibility and self-value. Disability Pride Month is a time for recognizing these facts and listening to people with disabilities.”

    From Ontario’s Bill 128 – “Disability Pride Month Act, 2023”

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • Library Survey Findings & Next Steps

    Wednesday, June 26, 2024 | By

    You spoke. We listened.

    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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  • Unearthed Wonders: Exploring the World of Archaeology

    Wednesday, May 01, 2024 | By

    Aerial photo of Machu Picchu, Peru

    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

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