Articles tagged with: Services

  • Who’s behind the Ask Us desk

    Thursday, September 12, 2024 | By

    The Ask Us desk is your main stop in the Matheson Learning Commons, and is staffed by the User Services & Engagement department. Services at the desk include retrieving course reserves, borrowing resources, lending wellness items, and much more.

    There are several teams working behind the scenes:

    • Course Readings; we help you with access to high-demand course materials in a variety of formats at no cost to students.
    • Engagement and Outreach; we connect you to library resources through events, displays, and partnerships.
    • Interlibrary Loan; we support your borrowing requests by sourcing items from other libraries around the world.

    Learn more about how we can help you by visiting the Use the Library page.

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    Categories: Learning Commons, Main

  • MDGL is Open!

    Tuesday, September 03, 2024 | By

    The Map, Data & GIS Library space features group seating and cozy spots with light streaming in from skylights.

    The Map, Data & GIS Library (MDGL) would like to welcome back the Brock community for the academic year 2024-2025! After being open By Appointment Only, we will return to our regular working hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The MDGL will remain closed for weekends, holidays and intercession.  Reading Week hours will be By Appointment Only.

    Email maplib@brocku.ca for more information.

    The MDGL offers study space, computers, knowledgeable and friendly staff to assist with finding and using our cartographic collections including maps, atlases, books, digital air photos and more! We look forward to serving you.

    Welcome back, Badgers!!!

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    Categories: Main, MDGL

  • 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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    Categories: Main

  • Return and Retrieval Services for IRC Materials

    Wednesday, May 15, 2024 | By

    Several shelves full of library books.

    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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    Categories: Main

  • Exam encouragement exhibit

    Wednesday, April 10, 2024 | By

    The April Learning Commons display case is full of de-stressing activities like colouring and crafting supplies.

    This month, the Learning Commons display cases feature a little bit of encouragement to all those writing exams and completing final assignments.

    The Library offers group, quiet and silent spaces for student work. We host de-stress events during the exam period, and have curated an array of relaxation links in a newly updated library guide. Visit the display today to learn more or, check out the full slate of relaxation activities and our Exam De-stress Guide.

    To all writing and marking exams this month, we wish you success.

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    Categories: Featured Collections, Learning Commons

  • Who’s who: Teaching & Learning

    Monday, February 26, 2024 | By

    Photographs of Brock Teaching & Learning librarians

    We are a group of librarians who are dedicated to teaching students the skills to succeed in modern academic research, as well as building the confidence to navigate an increasingly complex information landscape. Led by Jennifer Thiessen, this department includes Kymberly Ash, Justine Cotton, Ian Gordon, and Vanja Stojanovic.

    As a team, we:

    • work with faculty members to develop library research workshops
    • offer consultations to students with in-depth research questions
    • develop online learning tools to build research skills and confidence

    Learn more about our Team and what we offer by visiting the Library Instruction page.

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    Categories: Main

  • Thank you for your feedback

    Monday, January 15, 2024 | By

    Five speech bubbles on a background of numbers and graphs

    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.
    Some winners of the Library survey incentive prize draw.

    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.

     

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    Categories: Main

  • Career opportunity in Access Services

    Tuesday, November 21, 2023 | By

    Icon of a person inside a magnifying glass.

    Brock University Library is recruiting for 2 Circulation Clerks in an on-going casual capacity.

    Circulation Clerks in Access Services are responsible for assisting users with locating, using and borrowing material and providing basic copying and printing services to all users at the Ask Us desk. Depending on departmental needs, Circulation Clerks may work a variety of days/shifts including day, evening, weekend and/or holiday on an “on-call” temporary basis.

    Learn more about these positions and apply by December 5, 2023 at 12:01 am

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    Categories: Main

  • Public library memberships available

    Wednesday, September 06, 2023 | By

    text and branding representing the Thorold and St. Catharines Public Libraries

    We love libraries! All kinds. So we are delighted to announce on-campus visits by staff from the St. Catharines and Thorold Public Libraries.

    Getting a card is easy, and free. Fill in a form, present some ID, and then you’ll be all set to borrow video games, join book clubs, experience adult craft nights, and more. Online resources such as popular magazines, audio books, streaming videos and music are also available, and offer the perfect complement to our more scholarly collections.

    Who: Thorold Public Library
    Where:     Matheson Learning Commons (Library main floor)
    When:     Wednesday, September 13, 2-4 pm.

    Who: St. Catharines Public Library
    Where: Matheson Learning Commons (Library main floor)
    When: Thursday, September 14, 1-5 pm.

     

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    Categories: Main

  • Instructors encouraged to submit fall term reading lists soon

    Tuesday, July 11, 2023 | By

    A woman works at a desk next to a window. Documents and highlighted books are spread out in front of her.

    Reserve request processing for the fall term is underway at Brock University Library. Beat the rush and ensure your students have timely access to their fall course materials. We encourage you to submit reading lists as soon as possible. Ideally by early to mid-August.  

    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. 

    Questions? reserve@brocku.ca

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    Categories: Main

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