Articles tagged with: Research

• The Digital Repository is getting an upgrade and associated downtime

  Wednesday, October 09, 2024 | By tribaric

  

  Starting October 28, 2024, the Brock University Digital Repository will begin an upgrade process that will last 5 weeks. During that time adding new submissions to the system will not be possible. However, it will still be possible to search and use content. Submissions will return on December 2, 2024 when the upgrade is complete.

  In the meantime, please consider using our staff-assisted deposit program. We can take your submission details and submit on your behalf once the system is back online.

  The new version of the site should bring better stability, and some other behind the scenes enhancements. Any questions or concerns? Please contact us.

  Tags: Digital Repository, Research, Services, Students
  Categories: Main

• Collections update: budget planning for 2024-2025

  Wednesday, June 26, 2024 | By mrettig

  

  As Brock community members will be aware, the 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 years. For 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.

  

  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  

  Tags: Budget, Collections, Research
  Categories: Collections, Main

• 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
  nnolan@brocku.ca

   

   

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

• Exhibit: The Mother of all Game Jams

  Wednesday, April 10, 2024 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  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!

  Tags: display, Faculty, Makerspace, Research, Students
  Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons, Makerspace

• GIS scholarship opportunity

  Thursday, February 22, 2024 | By sjanzen

  

  Attention all Brock ArcGIS users! It’s time for the Annual Esri Scholarship Competition. Eligible students (current students including undergraduate to graduate with B+ Major average) are invited to submit a ~500 word Esri GIS Project Proposal with their resume to sjanzen@brocku.ca by April 1st 4:30 p.m. A nominee will be announced by April 15th with project deliverables due by June 1st. The deliverables for the successful candidate will include a poster and report in the form of an Esri StoryMap. Prizes include $1,000 cash reward, software access, books, conference passes and more!

  Esri is the industry standard for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) across all sectors. GIS is used at Brock in Health Sciences, Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, History, Literature & Language, Political Science, Earth Sciences, Recreation and Leisure Studies and Geography/Tourism.

  More details: https://scholars.esri.ca/profile/?uid=Brock%20University
  Student FAQ: https://scholars.esri.ca/students/faq-students/

  Submissions and questions should be directed to Sharon Janzen, sjanzen@brocku.ca in the Map, Data & GIS Library, MC-C306

  Tags: ArcGIS Pro, Digital Scholarship Lab, MDGL, Research, Students
  Categories: Main, MDGL

• International Love Data Week comes to Brock

  Tuesday, February 06, 2024 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Join the Map, Data & GIS Library for events celebrating International Love Data Week 2024 (February 12-16). A variety of workshops will explore queer data, scraped data, geodata, census data, and more. The Brock University community can learn more about the events and is encouraged to sign-up on ExperienceBU.

  Nicole Stradiotto, Data Services Librarian says, “Love Data week is a chance for the Brock community to highlight the importance of data literacy and to highlight the variety of creative ways that researchers can use data.”

  For more information contact maplib@brocku.ca

  Tags: BrockUDSL, MDGL, Research, Research methods, Workshops
  Categories: Main, MDGL

• 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

• Learn about systematic reviews, scoping reviews and more

  Friday, October 27, 2023 | By Elizabeth Yates

  

  Join the Library’s evidence synthesis team members Elizabeth Yates, Denise Smith and Ian Gordon for an online workshop entitled Introduction to evidence synthesis research – including systematic reviews and scoping reviews – as part of the Building Better Research series on Nov. 2, 12-1 pm.  

  Evidence synthesis projects such as systematic or scoping reviews use rigorous and comprehensive methods to gather, synthesize and analyze data from large sets of primary studies. These reviews are increasingly popular in a variety of academic disciplines. However, these time- and resource-intensive projects are challenging, involve a team of researchers, and are not appropriate for all research objectives. This session will cover the key steps and tools in conducting a systematic or scoping review, present alternative review types, and discuss how to identify the review type most suited to your research question. 

  Register for this workshop via Experience BU 

  Tags: Research, Research methods, Workshops
  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 ~ eyates@brocku.ca 

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

• Connecting you to end of term and exam supports

  Tuesday, April 12, 2022 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  From academics, to physical and mental well-being, our brand new Exam Survival Guide is full of resources from the Library and campus partners to support you.

  At exam time and always, do your best, and forget the rest. 

   

  Tags: Research, Students, Wellness
  Categories: Main