Library News

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01/21/11--09:01: New Program for International Teaching Assistants (chan 1857311)

The Library’s Learning and Curriculum Support team, in conjunction with Teaching Support Services (TSS), is developing a new program to assist international and cross-cultural graduate students in carrying out their duties as teaching assistants. The Canadian classroom often poses pedagogical and cultural challenges to International/cross cultural TAs (ITA/CCTA). To help address these challenges, the team is developing a series of workshops, each covering a specific aspect of teaching in the Canadian context. The program’s one year funding came through the Learning Enhancement Fund (LEF), an initiative designed to boost undergraduate learning.

A pilot of the program will be launched during the Spring 2011 semester, in which a small number of international/cross cultural graduate students will be invited to participate. Based on outcomes emanating from the pilot, the program could be ready for implementation by Fall 2011.

The ITA/CCTA team has developed an online survey designed to capture vital information regarding the needs of International and cross-cultural graduate students who also hold (or will hold) a teaching assistant position. Results from the survey will assist the team in honing workshop content and tailoring the program to meet the needs of graduate students at Guelph.

Are you an International Teaching Assistant? Are you a Cross-cultural Graduate Student? If so, please take a moment to complete the following survey and ensure your voice is heard:

https://surveys.ccs.uoguelph.ca/limeSurvey/index.php?sid=66262&lang=en

For more information, please contact Dr. Gavan Watson, Educational Developer,

Teaching Support Services at gavan.watson@uoguelph.ca.




01/31/11--09:01: GIS - The Perfect Mapping Tool (chan 1857311)

Whether you’re an undergraduate Geography student with a class assignment or working toward your graduate degree in Landscape Architecture, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) may be the perfect tool for you. GIS is a program which helps answer questions and solve problems by looking at your data in a way that is quickly understood and easily shared. GIS is supported by the Data Resource Centre (DRC) on the first floor of the Library and is offered to students and faculty.

More specifically, GIS allows you to view, analyze and interpret data in many ways that reveal spatial patterns in the form of maps, globes, reports and charts. The DRC offers GIS software, staff support from 10am-4pm and space for data storage. GIS is also offered in department labs, the Library and online for those interested in receiving GIS training certificates.

The Data Resource Centre holds a series of GIS workshops each semester for both undergraduate and graduate students. The first workshop this semester, “Planning a GIS”, will be held on March 1st. To access the workshops, visit the Student Affairs Registration System or GSLI.




05/04/11--10:05: Two Lucky Survey Winners Claim Their Prizes (chan 1857311)

Two individuals were randomly chosen to win a $25 Hospitality Services gift card after filling out the Communications Survey released by the Library at the end of the winter semester. Sarah Fay Therrien-Green, a second year Human Kinetics major and Bobbi Henneker, a third year Philosophy major both frequent the Library on a regular basis and were enthusiastic to complete the survey.

The Library is very excited about the overwhelming response rate. There were over 2500 completed surveys from undergraduate and graduate students whose input will be very useful. The goal of the survey is to explore students’ use of communication tools and communication preferences in an attempt to develop new communication methods and to improve existing methods. The Communications Department plans to use the data collected for various inititatives over the coming months.

The Library constantly aims to improve the user experience and we appreciate your help. If you have questions or concerns regarding the survey, please contact Abbey Thompson, Communications Officer, at abbeytho@uoguelph.ca.




07/15/11--10:07: Branch Research Data Centre Open for Use (chan 1857311)

The Grand Opening of the Branch Research Data Centre (BRDC) was held on May 12th, 2011 and it is now open for users. The BRDC is a great addition to the University that allows researchers to access Statistics Canada Master files in a secure environment. Researchers will have access to confidential micro-data from population and household surveys. This data will aid in understanding Canada’s social, health and economic landscape, discerning patterns and trends, and conducting quantitative analyses on numerous social issues.

The BRDC is a significant step for the University of Guelph to support research in health and sciences. Approved researchers can now access the BRDC Monday through Thursday from 9:00am to 2:00pm. For further information on applying for access to Statistics Canada Master files please contact the BRDC at brdc@uoguelph.ca or Extension 56531.




07/18/11--10:07: We're testing an improvement to Primo! (chan 1857311)

Have you ever wished that you could search for books and online journals in one step? Now you can!

Your University of Guelph Library is testing an improvement to Primo. This improvement is an add-in called PRIMO CENTRAL. This add-in enables the regular Primo you know and love to also search hundreds of millions of electronic resources. Resources searched include: ebooks, electronic journals, news articles and more!

We’re hoping that as you use the newly enhanced Primo, that you’ll take a moment and provide us with a few comments. Your feedback will help us evaluate the success of the Primo Central trial. Let us know how you feel by clicking the FEEDBACK link at the bottom of Primo.

To find out more about our temporarily enhanced version of Primo, click the FAQ link at the bottom of any page in Primo.

Please let us know what you think!

Your University of Guelph Library.




09/08/11--10:09: Successful OMAFRA KTT Grant (chan 1857311)

The Library would like to congratulate Wayne Johnston and Carol Perry for the recent grant awarded by the OMAFRA KTT programme for their Ontario Agri-Environmental Research Data Repository project.

Wayne and Carol aim to establish a sustainable strategy and set of tools for the archival storage, preservation and accessibility of Ontario agri-environmental research data. They hope to create a system that allows users to easily submit data sets, discover data sets and repurpose data sets.

The project will receive $75,000 that Wayne and Carol plan to use to hire a data manager. They have begun work on the project this summer with the goal of hiring a data manager in early 2012.

The Library is very excited to follow the progress of their project.




09/08/11--10:09: Expanding Your Reach: Electronic Thesis Submission (chan 1857311)

Electronic submission of theses is now required by the University of Guelph and is fully operational through the Library’s institutional repository, the Atrium. All theses will be published and made available on the World Wide Web through the Atrium which will be harvested and made available through the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) collections database.

As of January 2014, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) will no longer accept paper theses. The inclusion of electronic thesis submission makes Guelph’s graduate research widely available, in a timely fashion, and ensures that our valuable campus graduate work gets the exposure it deserves. Through this initiative we support Library and Archives Canada's vision of providing access to the academic research of Canadian graduate students and showcasing it around the world. Researchers from around the world will be able to access this work for decades.

The Library offers free Electronic Thesis & Dissertations: Hands-on submission workshops once a month. To sign up for a session, visit REG at http://www.uoguelph.ca/studentaffairs/reg/. For further questions, please email lib.research@uoguelph.ca.




11/01/11--10:11: New Library Signage (chan 1857311)

The Library is in the process of changing directional signage over the coming months. The project will be completed in two phases with the first phase currently underway. During the first phase, new directories and signage will be placed in stairwells and elevators along with floor maps on every level. Contractors have been hired by Physical Resources to remove the large floor maps across from the triple elevators and new maps will be installed by Friday.

Phase One should be complete by mid-November and Phase Two should be complete before the winter term. If you have any questions please email libcomm@uoguelph.ca.




11/28/11--09:11: Extended Library Hours (chan 1857311)

The McLaughlin Library will be operating under extended hours beginning December 2nd and ending December 15th.

The building will be open from 8am to 2am.

Beginning December 16, the Library will be operating on intersession hours.

For details on all service hours please see: http://www.lib.uoguelph.ca/about/service_hours/




12/02/11--09:12: What's Cooking in the Archives - Live on the Radio (chan 1857311)

Kathryn Harvey, Head of Archival and Special Collections, has become the local star of the Library after her appearance on Ontario Morning. After news of What's Cooking in the Archives? Spread in the community, Ontario Morning host, Wei Chen, invited Kathryn to the show to discuss the significance of the event and its representation of the Cookbook Collection in Archival and Special Collections. Kathryn did a great job educating audiences about wonderful items found in the Archives.

If you are interested in hearing the podcast, click on the following link and scroll down to Monday, November 28th.

http:www.cbc.ca/podcasting/includes/ontariomorning.xml




12/07/11--09:12: Library Awards Kobo eReader to Lucky Student (chan 1857311)

Despite the fact that the holidays are a time to give, the Library has awarded first year student, Gillian Blackett, a Kobo eReader for a completely different reason. Gillian, along with over 500 students, completed the Library Strategic Planning survey and entered for a chance to win a Kobo eReader. The survey was developed by the Library’s Strategic Planning Committee to assist the Library in determining future direction and priorities.

Gillian is a first year Human Kinetics major who uses the Library on a weekly basis during the semester and on a daily basis during exams. Gillian discovered the survey through a friend, who informed her of its purpose. When asked, “In what ways is the Library succeeding in meeting your needs as a student?”, Gillian replied, “I love that the Library offers food and beverages for users and stays open until 10:00pm – it enhances the studying experience . The Library was also helpful at the start of the semester when I was able to sign textbooks out on reserve prior to purchasing my own.” On the other hand when asked, “In what ways is the Library failing to meet your needs as a student?”, she replied, “Although there is ample seating during the semester, it quickly disappears during exam period. While Library seating is limited, I am able to find seating in other areas such as Creelman and the Atrium which also have extended hours during exams.”

To explore Gillian’s view of the future, she was asked, “Imagine that the year is 2016. How has the Library changed or evolved to become the Library of your dreams?”. Gillian responded, “It would be nice if all of the outlets and lights worked at different stations. It is very disappointing to find that you can’t charge your laptop when you finally find a seat.”

Gillian’s responses, as well as other students’ responses, will be a significant factor in the development of the Library’s Strategic Plan for 2012 – 2017. User input is greatly valued by the Library and is taken into consideration on a regular basis. Please keep your comments coming, email libcomm@uoguelph.ca with remarks or questions.




12/13/11--09:12: Library website unavailable Sun Dec 18 (chan 1857311)

The Library website will be unavailable on Sunday December 18th between 5am and 11am.

The outage is required to permit an upgrade to the underlying storage system on which the Library website is hosted.

For more information, please see the CCS Maintenance Page




12/14/11--09:12: Trellis Unavailable - Thurs Dec 15th from 7am-mid-afternoon (chan 1857311)

Trellis will be unavailable on Thursday December 15th from 7am until mid afternoon to allow for an operating system upgrade.

Primo will be available for the duration of this maintenance.

"MY ACCOUNT" will not be accessible during this period.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.




12/16/11--09:12: Intersession hours now in effect (chan 1857311)

The Library is now operating within intersession hours.

Please see our service hours page for more information.




12/23/11--02:12: Library Closed for the Holidays (chan 1857311)

The Library is closed for the holiday season.

Please see our service hours page for more information.




01/03/12--09:01: New Signage (chan 1857311)

The Library is updating its wayfinding signage the week of January 3 to January 8, 2012. It is our aim to have all new signage fully installed and in place by Monday January 9, 2012.

We apologize for any noise or disruption during the installation process.

If you have questions or concerns, please send them to libcomm@uoguelph.ca.




01/03/12--09:01: January is Time Management Month (chan 1857311)

Learning Services wants to help you kick start your semester and get organized for the next 12 weeks. We have free calendars, timetables and other resources to help you manage your time. For more details, or to register for a free workshop or consultation, please visit the Learning Services.




01/10/12--09:01: Steeves Selected as Acting CIO and Chief Librarian (chan 1857311)

Catherine Steeves, who has held the position of Associate Chief Librarian for the University of Guelph since 2004, has been appointed Acting CIO and Chief Librarian by the University Provost, Dr. Maureen Mancuso. This position is effective as of January 1, 2012.

In addition to her strong commitment to the profession of Librarianship, having served on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Library Association and past board member of the Ontario Library Association, Catherine holds a strong IT background and demonstrates strong leadership skills. Steeves holds an MLIS from the University of Western Ontario and a BA from McGill University. Her past experience includes working as the ITS Operations Manager and Government Documents Librarian for the University of Alberta Libraries.

She has been a participant in and facilitator for the Northern Exposure to Leadership Institute (in 1999 and 2002 respectively) and has also attended the Harvard/ACRL Higher Education Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians. Most recently, she completed the ARL Research Library Leadership Fellows Program which provided her with the opportunity to explore research library leadership, within the context of rapid change in higher education and research, by engaging directly with University leaders and senior administrators from a diverse set of organizations across North America. Catherine also played a significant leadership role in the transitioning of the University of Guelph Library to its new team-based service model.

Catherine can be reached at csteeves@uoguelph.ca.




01/12/12--09:01: Library Signage – Wayfinding to Help You Find Your Way (chan 1857311)

Tell us what you think. Recent student surveys revealed the need to improve signage in the Library. In response, the Library underwent a major signage renewal project to assist with wayfinding for students, faculty and staff.

Although new signs are in place, the project remains in progress. We want to know what you think - are there areas that still need improvement? Are the signs clear, easy to read and easy to understand? Please provide comments and feedback to libcomm@uoguelph.ca.

We value your opinion and hope to use your feedback to provide a clean, efficient and consistent signage system throughout the Library.




01/24/12--09:01: William's or Starbucks...Your Choice! (chan 1857311)

Have your say! Do you like cream or sugar in your coffee? The choice is yours as is the opportunity to pick your brand.

Hospitality Services is considering changing the coffee pub in the Library from Williams to Starbucks - we want you to decide. This survey will take less time than it takes to order a half-caf, grande java chip frappacino with a half shot of espresso, topped with twice whipped cream, hold the fudge...

https://surveys.ccs.uoguelph.ca/limeSurvey/index.php?sid=88638&lang=en