Articles tagged with: Students

• Esri Canada Scholarship Competition returns for 2021

  Wednesday, February 24, 2021 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Sample map of shoreline erosion in the town of Lincoln. Created by 2020 Esri scholarship recipient, Meredith Caspell.

  The Esri Canada GIS Scholarship Award competition is now on at colleges and universities across the country.  The award includes software, books, training, funding and other benefits to undergraduate and graduate students who can demonstrate competent use of Esri’s geospatial technologies.

  Brock University has been privileged to take part in the Scholarship Award program for the last 8 years. For 2021, the competition will be held virtually with a deadline for applicants set for April 1^st. A cash prize of $1000 is in addition to the prizes noted above.

  Projects may include personal research, academic projects or assignments. The winning participant will be required to complete a poster or Esri StoryMap by June 1, 2021 outlining how they used ESRI’s suite of products to enhance or conduct their research. A full list of requirements and information about the application process is available from Esri.

  Want to learn more or apply? View the Brock University Institution page for Esri, or contact Sharon Janzen at sjanzen@brocku.ca

  Discover ArcGIS at Brock, view examples of GIS mapping at Brock, and get your own copy of the software under the University’s site license.

  Tags: ArcGIS Pro, Collaboration, Events, MDGL, Students
  Categories: Main, MDGL

• UPDATE: Library Service Adjustments During Provincewide Shutdown

  Friday, January 08, 2021 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  In response to Brock University moving into Stage 1 of the University’s Response and Recovery plan, the Library is adjusting its in-person services.

  During this period, bookable study space will not be available.

  The book pickup service will continue, but with shortened hours and a new contactless model. The new hours for pickup are Wednesday from 10am-2pm. Upon arrival for pickup and after screening by campus security, please come to our Book Pickup table just outside the entrance of the library. Give us a call at 905-688-5550 x4583 to let us know you have arrived, and Library staff will bring your books out to you. Full instructions will be provided to you over email when your items are ready for pickup.

  Online library services such as scanning requests and Hathi Trust are unaffected by the shutdown. We will continue to support access to the information you need for your research and teaching.

  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at libhelp@brocku.ca

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

• Exam resources from A-Z Services & the Library

  Friday, December 04, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  As we approach the end of term, the Library along with colleagues in A-Z Learning Services are keen to support Brock students who are completing final assignments and preparing for exams.

  We’ve highlighted a number of resources and tips along with links to research guides, ways to contact us, and stress-relieving diversions in an online booklet this year. We hope you enjoy it and share it with friends.

  A-Z Learning Services has excellent guides available to help you with:

  • time management,
  • exam preparation,
  • essay writing and much more.

  Learning Skills Specialists are also running several online drop-in study sessions that you can visit to study with others, or get help on a specific assignment or question.

  Students looking for quiet spaces to work are encouraged to book a single study spot in the Library. We will be open from 9 am-noon and 1-4 pm right up until December 24 at noon.

  Finally, if you could use a little motivation or reassurance, download our smartphone and desktop wallpapers.⬇️

  Smartphone wallpaper thumbnails (click for full size render and to download)

  

  Desktop wallpaper thumbnails (click for full size render and to download)

  

  Tags: Services, Students
  Categories: Main

• Research basics for upcoming course assignments

  Thursday, October 22, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Final papers coming up? Unsure how to start your research, or feeling stuck in a sea of information? Attend one of our brand-new Library Research 101 workshops for expert advice on: 

  • Ways you can break your topic down so you can develop an effective search strategy 
  • How to evaluate sources and find what you need 
  • Places for searching, from Omni to Google Scholar and beyond! 

  These sessions are intended for undergraduate students in all disciplines of study, with librarians from both the Humanities and Sciences present. It will include 45 minutes of interactive lecture + 15 minutes of live Q & A. 

  The workshops will be hosted on Thursday, November 5, 11:00-12:00 PM and Monday, November 9, 3:00-4:00 PM. You can register for the sessions on ExperienceBU. 

  For more information, contact: Chelsea Humphries, Liaison Librarian chumphries@brocku.ca, or Evelyn Feldman, Collections/Liaison Librarian efeldman@brocku.ca 

   

  Tags: Students, Workshops
  Categories: Main

• Library Yoga returns!

  Wednesday, October 21, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Library Yoga is back for midterm season! Whether you’re winding down after your exams or preparing for your next big assignment, librarian and yoga instructor Chelsea Humphries is here to help you find space to pause, process, and prepare for your academic experiences, right in the middle of the (virtual) library!

  These two Library Yoga sessions will be livestreamed on LifeSize on Wednesday, October 28th and Wednesday, November 4th from 12:15-12:45 PM. You can register and find the links to the events on ExperienceBU. Recordings of the events will be saved for later viewing on the Library’s YouTube channel.

  These simple mindful movement sequences will pull you into the present moment, providing an opportunity for you to check-in with yourself, notice how you’re feeling, and take a few deep breaths before returning to your studies with refreshed energy and awareness. They are designed to be incorporated into the middle of a busy day, and they can be done in regular clothing and in any open space. Absolute beginners are welcome! After all, we all feel the midterm crunch and have likely had some of the following experiences:

  • You’re doing research and getting frustrated because you aren’t finding what you’re looking for. It’s getting hard to focus because you are feeling overwhelmed.
  • You have been working for hours and can hardly focus your eyes on the computer screen. You wonder how you’re going to manage to write the rest of your paper.
  • After a long virtual class, you’re surprised to find that your back is sore.

  Yoga can help you to notice experiences like these, when your mind and your body are telling you that you need to take a break. As a mindful practice, it can also help you approach your studies with a greater sense of calm and balance.

  If you’re interested in checking out Library Yoga before the live sessions, we encourage you to get a feel for the practice with this curated playlist of Library Yoga sessions and study breaks on our YouTube channel. You can also learn more about Chelsea as a liaison librarian at Brock University on this page and as a yoga instructor on her website.

   

  Tags: Events, Faculty, Staff, Students, Wellness, Workshops
  Categories: Main

• Bookable study space service launches September 28

  Thursday, September 24, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  As of September 28th, 45 bookable, physically-distanced, individual study spaces are available in the Matheson Learning Commons (Library main floor).

  Learn more.

  Make your booking.

  Tags: Services, Students
  Categories: Main

• Local public library collaboration returns

  Wednesday, September 16, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Take advantage of the great online resources from your public library by signing up for free accounts.

  The St. Catharines and Thorold Public Libraries extend free memberships to Brock students in the two communities.

  Popular magazines, audio books, streaming videos and music are available for you borrow with your public library card, and offer the perfect complement to our more scholarly collections.

  Join today!

  St. Catharines Public Library

  Thorold Public Library

  Tags: Collaboration, Community, Students
  Categories: Main

• Book return options

  Tuesday, September 15, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Brock students, faculty and staff are conscientious when it comes to returning their library books. Indeed, “how can I return my books” is a frequent question to libhelp@brocku.ca.

  While it’s not necessary to return items at this time (we’ve renewed regular loans to January 7, 2021), there are procedures in place for users who want to safely return their books.

  Please follow these steps:

  1.   Complete the self-scan survey prior to coming to campus.
  2.   When you arrive, enter at the Rankin Family Pavilion (base of the Schmon Tower).
        Note: Wearing a mask or face covering is required as per Brock’s campus-wide policy.
  3.   Tap your Brock ID card at the Welcome Desk.
        Note: If you don’t have a Brock ID card, follow these instructions to submit a photo and have a card created for you. In the meantime, give your Brock ID number to the staff at the desk.
  4.   Head to the book drop slot just to the left of the stairs to Brock Central and deposit your items.

  Your books will be quarantined for 7 days prior to check-in. Learn more about the quarantine period and a mail-in option for returns (navigate to the returns section).

  Tags: Faculty, MDGL, Our Collections, Staff, Students
  Categories: Main

• What’s New? Version 2.0

  Thursday, September 10, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

  In the two weeks since we posted our What’s New? message (below), a number of updates are already available.

  The Library Pickup Service which premiered in July for faculty, staff and graduate students, has been expanded to all current Brock undergraduates!

  Earlier this summer the Brock News reported on the Pickup Service and explained a little about the process. If you are interested in requesting books from our collection (which aren’t available online), the process is straightforward. Simply sign-in with your Brock credentials to Omni, the Library’s database, search for the item you want and click the ‘Request for pickup’ link. When your book is ready, you’ll receive an email with information about pickup logistics. You can learn more about the service and eligible items on the Library Services and Resources Amid COVID-19 page.

  The Map, Data & GIS Library is pleased to announce that atlases and books in their collection are also eligible for the Pickup Service. As the MDGL will remain closed for the fall term, returning items is not necessary. However, if you want to return Map books and atlases, please use the drop box in the Schmon Tower lobby. A 7 day quarantine period is in place before books are checked in.

  In coordination with the Digital Scholarship Lab, a number of “hands-on” ArcGIS Online workshops are accessible to anyone with a computer and an internet connection. We utilize ZOOM technology to offer these workshops and registration is via ExperienceBU.

  Pop back to our website and check our Social Media channels as, no doubt, we’ll soon have more good news to share.

  FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

  What’s new? We’re so glad you asked. Our team has been hard at work refining Library online services and supports to serve you. We encourage you to keep up with changes to our usual services and resources by reading our Library Services and Resources Amid COVID-19 webpage.

  If you are new to Brock – in any capacity, we invite you to peruse our Discover Your Library orientation site.

  Over the summer, Access Services staff developed and rolled out a print materials pickup service to instructors, graduate students and post doctoral researchers. Keep an eye on our website for details about the expansion of this service to additional user groups this term.

  While not brand new, we are pleased to announce the library scanning service has resumed. Open to all in the Brock community, making a request for a pdf scan of a chapter from a print book or journal article is easier than ever. Learn more about requesting a scan via Omni.

  Instructors at Brock are now able to self-upload their course reserve readings to Ares. Step-by-step instructions as well as video demonstrations are available for faculty interested in trying this out.

  When the Brock University Smart Start Team moved their programming online, we followed suit and offered our Top 10 Tips for new students. As orientation continues, all Library extra-curricular learning opportunities are posted on ExperienceBU. Among the myriad listings, we invite you to embark on your own Library Quest, take a mid-week Library Yoga break, develop your citation management competencies with Zotero, and get introduced to Vector Design for CNC.

  Brock University Library is now a member partner of HathiTrust and has signed onto its Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS). ETAS provides electronic read-only access to approximately 30% of our in-copyright print collections. In addition, over 4 million worldwide public domain items already accessible in HT. The service is available to all current Brock University faculty, students, and staff. Learn more.

  For the immediate future, the Archives & Special Collections is closed to the public. However, the staff of the Archives is still working.  Direct any questions or needs to archives@brocku.ca.  They will do their best to assist you.  You can also find many of their digitized materials in the Brock University Digital Repository.

  During the pandemic, Archives staff have been creating digital exhibits featuring some of the collections and records that we have in the Archives.  See some of the rich history that we have in our collections.

  In March, the Archives and Digital Scholarship Lab Teams started to collect stories, questions/answers, photos, videos, and other materials that chronicle the pandemic in the Niagara area.  To contribute to this project and have your experiences and thoughts preserved into the future, go to our COVID-19 in Niagara website and add your stories.

  The Digital Scholarship Lab in conjunction with the Map, Data & GIS Library invite you to learn from their expertise with their Fall Workshop Series. In addition, both the DSL and MDGL invite you to get ‘hands-on’ by plotting your hometown and entering the Data Visualization Contest.

  Our Makerspace Team invite you to take a virtual tour of their new facilities. Workshops will continue online for the fall term and their website features a new FAQ.

  Stay up-to-date by keeping an eye on the website and our social media channels – Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for any changes or expansion in services as the term progresses.

  The Library Team wish you all the best for a successful start to the fall term.

  Tags: Collections, Digital Scholarship Lab, Our Collections, Services, Students
  Categories: Main

• Scanning service for print collection resumes

  Monday, August 10, 2020 | By Evelyn Smith

  

  Brock University Library is pleased to announce that we are resuming our scanning service – and it’s easier and more convenient than ever. You can now request a scan of a book chapter or journal article right from within Omni, the Library’s academic search tool.  

  This service is available, free of charge, to all current Brock students, staff, and faculty.  

  When looking at a book or print journal in Omni, simply click on ‘Request a Scan’ and provide us the details about which chapter or page selection you want. Our team will pull the book from the shelves, scan your requested section, and email you within a few days. That email will include a link – click it, log in with your Brock ID and then download the PDF.  

  Please remember that we must abide by the guidelines in Brock’s Fair Dealing policy, which generally means one chapter from a book, one article from a journal issue, or up to 10% of the total work.  

  Note: Books available electronically through Hathi Trust Emergency Temporary Access Service are not eligible for ‘Request a Scan’. 

  Learn more about our scanning service and other supports.

  Tags: Faculty, Our Collections, Services, Staff, Students
  Categories: Main