Category Archives: Academic

Academic, Training

Planting Seeds of Knowledge with Free Webinars from GPO this May

May 2, 2017 Mary Jordan

Check out these free webinars from GPO, or make them available for your patrons!

Creating a Compact & Retrievable Government Documents Collection, May 2, 2017, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Eastern): https://www.fdlp.gov/about-the-fdlp/fdlp-events-calendar/event/267-creating-a-compact-and-retrievable-government-documents-collection

Using the HathiTrust Federal Documents Collection, May 3, 2017, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Eastern): https://www.fdlp.gov/about-the-fdlp/fdlp-events-calendar/event/283-using-the-hathitrust-federal-documents-collection

Adventures in Digitizing Primary Resources: Story of the 701 Program Reports, May 4, 2017, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Eastern): https://www.fdlp.gov/about-the-fdlp/fdlp-events-calendar/event/282-adventures-in-digitizing-primary-resources-story-of-the-701-program-reports

Continue reading Planting Seeds of Knowledge with Free Webinars from GPO this May →

Academic, Services, Tech

Do you have ideas on virtual reference service in academic libraries?

May 1, 2017 Mary Jordan

From a library listserve – another library person reaching out for ideas! We are posting a few of the suggestions other people have offered. If you have other ideas, you can leave them below; and if you are facing this issue hopefully you get some ideas!

“Has anyone working in an academic library providing virtual reference services tried increasing usage?

If so, how did you market/promote this service? What were the results of the plan you generated?

At this time, we are beginning to test the waters of a promotion plan geared towards increasing usage of virtual reference. Particularly those of a research nature. Currently, most questions are directional, informational or instructional (unrelated to research).

The big roll out will be in the fall as we will work over the summer to develop specific marketing based upon student demographics such as: international, online, graduate, undergraduate, non-trad, traditional, commuters etc…. Going into finals, we are running a contest to encourage students to use virtual reference while conducting research for papers and projects. The prize for both weeks will be a pair of wireless headphones (Skullcandy). Keeping our fingers crossed…

Thanks for any feedback you’d like to share”

Continue reading Do you have ideas on virtual reference service in academic libraries? →

Academic, Communication, Research

Academic Libraries: Looking for Info on Scholarly Research!

April 25, 2017 Mary Jordan

From researcher Laura I. Spears, PhD:

“Dear Colleagues:

Thanks to those who have already participated and for your responses to us about this study! PLEASE share this link with ALL of your institution’s librarians and professional staff professional-level library employees regardless of appointment status, job type or educational credential – a diverse data pool
is key to our query!

Background:
In light of the increasing demand for scholarly research in libraries, we are seeking to explore the research training and supports for academic librarians to help effectively meet evidence-based decision making requirements and to balance human subject research standards.

This multi-method approach includes a survey of academic librarians; and, an examination of IRB standards and digital data collection research practices in ARL libraries.

You may access the online survey by clicking on this link or by copying and pasting the URL below into your Internet browser. The survey will close on Friday, May 5, 2017 at 11:59 PM EST.

Follow this link to the Survey:
https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4PLeZDdtTj6uUXb

This study has been approved by the UF Institutional Review Board
(IRB201700941). If you would like more information about this study, please contact Dr. Laura Spears, at laura.spears@ufl.edu or (352) 273-2711.

Thank you and best regards!

Laura I. Spears, PhD
Assessment Librarian
University of Florida Smathers Libraries
LW519
(352) 273-2711

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Notable Dates for your Noggin: May 2017

April 25, 2017 Angie

Each month we’ll bring you a compiled list of fun national holidays, birthdays of authors, and publication dates of favorite books. You can use these for your own personal use or for some library inspiration! Share what inspired you in the comments.

May is National Bike Month! Other things to celebrate in May. . .

Academic, Conference, School Media Specialist

Library discount for Twin Cities Startup Weekend Education

April 24, 2017 Mary Jordan

From the ITEM Listserve:

“Hello, ITEM members,

I’m helping an education professor at St. Kate’s develop a Twin Cities Startup Weekend Education, so I was able to get a discount for any library staffers who are interested and I wanted to pass on the information to you.

*Launch a startup to help solve education’s greatest problems!* 2017 Twin Cities Startup Weekend Education (TCSWEDU) is a 54-hour event that brings together passionate educators, entrepreneurs, developers and designers to help design and produce viable products, services, and school models that solve some of education’s most pressing problems. *Pitch to prototype in 54 hours! No experience required!*

On Friday night, ANYONE with any idea related to education has 60 seconds to pitch it to the whole group. From there, participants vote and form teams around the boldest ideas. After that, it’s all about action!

Continue reading Library discount for Twin Cities Startup Weekend Education →

Central Minnesota Libraries Exchange