Wednesday, December 6, 2017

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

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Tuesday, December 6th is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. On that day, 28 years ago, 14 women at l'École Polytechnique in Montreal were murdered simply because they were women studying at a post-secondary institution.

Participate at a memorial event held in the Students' Union Building (SUB stage) December 6th at Noon. You may wish to attend as an opportunity to reflect on the problem of violence against women in our society and consider concrete actions leading toward the elimination of such violence in the future.

For more information about The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, click here:

http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/commemoration/vaw-vff/remembrance-commemoration-en.htm

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Green vs Gold: Digging into Open Access Models

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The world of open access contains a colourful array of options for researchers who want to make their findings publicly accessible. Terms like green OA, gold OA, and even diamond or platinum OA are often used by publishers and funding agencies to describe different kinds of "open," but the distinctions can be confusing!

What you need to know:

1. Green and Gold labels don't refer the the level of openness or the value of either model; they refer to the way articles are being made open:

Green Open Access mean that a version of the author's manuscript OR a copy of the published version of the article is made freely available through an institutional or subject repository, like ERA, PubMed Central, or arXiv.org. Green OA is usually free for the author, and may have conditions imposed by the journal. A recent article exploring the benefits of open science found that 72% of publishers allowed their articles to also be shared through green OA.

The University of Alberta Libraries can work with you or on your behalf to deposit your articles in our institutional repository, ERA: Education and Research Archive.

Gold Open Access means that the article is published by the journal as an open access article and is made available free of charge through the journal's publishing platform or website. Many (but not all) publishers charge article processing charges (or APCs) to authors to publish gold OA.


2. Green and Gold OA both meet the requirements of the Tri-Agency Open Access Policy on Publications.

If you are required by your granting agency to make your research OA, but aren't sure how, contact your subject librarian or the ERA Helpdesk as erahelp@ualberta.ca / 780-492-4359.

3. Green and Gold OA can peacefully co-exist. If an article is published in a gold OA journal, it can often be shared in an institutional repository as a green OA article. This can lead to greater exposure for OA articles, as well as provide additional safeguards for the long-term preservation of the article and allow institutions to display more complete collections of their researchers' works in their repositories.


4. There are better ways to understand how open a journal is. For example, the large non-profit OA publisher Public Library of Science (PLOS), the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC), and the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association (OASPA) have created HowOpenIsIt.This guide looks at the openness of content for readers, the ease with which authors can share their work, and whether software programs can mine text and metadata.

Look up your favourite journals on the OA Spectrum Evaluation Tool and see how they stack up!





Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Indigenous Reads: Beginning Your Reconciliation Journey at UAL

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Many thanks to Kayla Lar-Son for her contribution to this article.

Working within Indigenous librarianship, we often get asked how people can participate in reconciliation. Reconciliation can be very slippery as it is a topic that is partnered with intense emotions coming both from Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. While there is a lot of work to be done towards reconciliation, it doesn’t need to be a scary task. Everyone can and should participate!

...but where to begin?

There are many everyday ways to start your own journey towards reconciliation. There are lots of resources to get you started too! For example, you can check out Crystal Fraser and Sara Komarnisky’s “150 Acts of Reconciliation for the Last 150 Days of Canada’s 150”. OR! You can view RISE’s (Reconciliation in Solidarity) eZine: 150 Everyday Acts of Reconciliation. This issue features artwork and ideas from people all around Edmonton. Both resources suggest curling up with a good book.

This suggestion gets a librarian stamp of approval! If you’re looking where to start, I suggest looking to Indigenous writers (there are a lot!).

These are some of our favourites:

indigenous writes

If books aren’t your thing -- welcome to the club! Yes, I’m one of those crazy librarians that don’t read books. My books come in the form of Graphic Novels, Documentaries, and Children's Picture Books.

the outside circle



Really, it’s a sad day when I don’t have one of these in the my pocket for the train ride home:
  • Deer Woman: A Vignette by Elizabeth LaPensée (Please note: any item that does not have a link are on order. We’ll have them soon!)
    • Moonshot by Hope Nicholson
    • Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers by Arigon Starr
    • UNeducation, Vol 1: A Residential School Graphic Novel by Jason Eaglespeaker
    • Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time by Hope Nicholson
    • The Outside Circle: A Graphic Novel by Patti LaBoucane-Benson and Kelly Mellings

    If you have little ones at home, you might want to consider stopping in to HT Coutts Education & Physical Education Library. There are puppets there. Yes, puppets! That, and they have loads of Children’s Picture Books. There are many great books surrounding reconciliation and Residential Schools in our collection, but when I read to my kids, I am drawn to the books that highlight our stories.

    children's picture books


    My kiddos love:

    Once the kids are in bed, I would suggest easing away from text for the evening. When you are in “chill mode”, pop in one of these documentaries. If the library doesn’t have a physical copy, consider scoping out some of UAL’s film databases. Criterion-on-Demand and Kanopy both have great, blockbuster flicks! So, skip Netflix for one night and look up these titles at the library:

    rumble

    Whether you’re a bookworm or a film fanatic, these titles are sure to put you on a path towards further understanding the Indigenous Peoples of Canada.

    Until next time…

    Thursday, November 23, 2017

    Archives Move into RCRF

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    The archives move into the new Research and Collections Resource Facility (RCRF) will be complete at the end of November ... a month ahead of schedule!

    We expect that the Reading Room will be available for archive appointments in January. Stay tuned.

    Photos


    The Reading Room 


    Moving in




    Fun fact: the shrubbery at the front of the RCRF were chosen with the #yeg bunnies specifically in mind. The shrubs are snack-friendly for our local furry friends.

    Tuesday, November 21, 2017

    Bookmark this: 5 Major US Papers in 1 Place

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    Get real news from five of the most respected daily newspapers in the United States. Updated every morning with the latest issues, and with content going back to the 1980’s, US Major Daily Newspapers is the best place to search for timely news stories.

    Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
    Search across all five titles to compare how news stories are covered, or do a deep dive by looking at decades of coverage on important social, political, or business issues with one easy search.

    US Major Daily Newspapers includes:
    • The New York Times (1980-present)
    • Wall Street Journal (1984-present)
    • Washington Post (1987-present)
    • Los Angeles Times (1985-present)
    • Chicago Tribune (1985-present)

    And if you need to go back further in time for historical research, the Libraries have you covered with digital archives that go all the way back to the 19th century:


    Looking for Canadian or other international news? Check out the full list of News Sources the Libraries makes available to students and faculty.

    Tuesday, November 14, 2017

    Share the Space - Help Make the Library Comfortable

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    The University of Alberta Libraries is introducing a sharing campaign called "Share the Space" to remind everyone using library spaces to be mindful and courteous of others using the library. Sharing is at the heart of what we do in the library, as the collection and spaces are here for all to use. The library has a community expectations policy that includes the expectation that library users will "respect the comfort and safety of fellow library users and library staff." To ensure that everyone enjoys their library experience we ask for you to consider these key aspects when you spend time in the library:

    Clean Up Your Garbage
    In most areas of the libraries you are welcome to bring your food and drinks with you. Feel free to grab a coffee or bring snacks for your study session. Just remember to take away any garbage with you and ensure you leave behind a clean space for the next user.

    Be Careful of Strong Scents
    For some people strong scents or perfumes can cause serious physiological side-effects, such as headaches. Avoid using scented lotions or perfumes when you plan on spending time in the library.

    Mind the Library Noise Zones
    Many new users to the libraries may be unaware that each of our campus libraries has "Noise Zones" that indicate what level of conversation and sound is acceptable. Library users need our spaces for various purposes, some need a space to meet and plan group projects with classmates while others need a place to focus in quiet. Check out the library noise zones directory for your favourite library and be mindful of what type of activities your are doing in silent or quiet zones. The libraries also have numerous group study rooms you can book with your ccid and password for group meetings or study sessions.



    Share the Space
    The libraries provides study spaces and computer spaces for our community and many students rely on our computers to complete their school work. We discourage the 'claiming' of spaces by leaving behind belongings when leaving to go get food or to attend class. Make sure to take all your belongings with you when leaving the library. Also, many libraries now have laptop tables for those with laptops - avoid occupying a desktop computer seat if you are not using the computer.

    Finally, we encourage library users to let us know if they find they are experiencing an issue that affects their comfort and use of the library. You can always mention issues to library staff at library service desks or contact us via our chat service at ASK US on the website.

    Thursday, November 9, 2017

    Remembering the World Wars

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    The University of Alberta Libraries have several collections focused on the World Wars. Trench Journals and Unit Magazines of the First World War features rare magazines published by every type of military and support service unit, from every involved nation. Trench journals allowed men and women engaged in all aspects of World War I to share their thoughts and experiences.

    Canadian titles include:


    Flanders Fields
    The First World War is a collection of primary source materials organized by themes of Personal Experiences, Propaganda and Recruitment, and Visual Perspectives and Narratives. Canadian content includes materials from Mills Memorial Library’s First World War Collections at McMaster University such as personal collections, albums, photographs, trench journals, sheet music, visual sources and trench maps. Also included is material from the Vera Brittain Archive, a collection of her wartime diaries and letters and a heavily annotated first version of her celebrated autobiography Testament of Youth.

    The First World War collection also includes the sheet music for In Flanders’ Fields, the famous war poem written by Canadian Lieut. Col. John D. McCrae and set to music by Alfred Hiles Bergen.

    World War II: U.S. Documents on Planning, Operations, Intelligence, Axis War Crimes, and Refugees features primary source materials including Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Map Room Files, Records of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Records of the War Department Operations Division, U.S. Navy Action and Operational Reports, Records of the Office of War Information, Papers of the War Refugee Board, and Top Secret Studies on U.S. Communications Intelligence during World War II. The collection includes government documents, maps, reports and memoranda reflecting Canada’s participation in the war.

    Monday, October 30, 2017

    Students Needed: Help Us Improve Our Website

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    The UAlberta Libraries are conducting usability testing on our website, library.ualberta.ca. We are looking for students (undergrad, graduate, PhD) to record their interactions with the site. The session will take about 60 minutes to complete.

    By participating in this website usability study, you will receive $25 in ONECard cash. To apply, please complete this form and you will be contacted if selected.

    Welcome COMPASS: The Student Anthropology Journal of Alberta

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    On October 16, we welcomed a brand new publication into the world! COMPASS: The Student Anthropology Journal of Alberta published its inaugural issue, featuring articles from undergraduate, MA, and PhD research of students at the University of Alberta, MacEwan University, and the University of British Columbia, spanning topics as diverse as investigating the possibility of celiac disease in Ancient Rome, to using fossils to identify the origin of stone tools in southern Alberta.

    We interviewed the Editors-in-Chief of COMPASS, Katherine Bishop and Victoria van der Haas, both PhD Candidates in Anthropology at the University of Alberta, about the value of student journals.

    __________________


    Why do you think student journals are important?

    Victoria: For me, students journals are important for two reasons: experience and learning. This goes for the writers as well as the people behind the journal. It allows students to explore and share research is a non-threatening environment, which is so important for their growth and development in academia. In addition, it also provides them with a bit of exposure.

    Katherine: I love working with student journals; they provide so many different opportunities. As an author you learn how to work with feedback. You get a taste for publication in a low-stakes environment and get a final product that looks impressive on a resume. It allows you to grow as a researcher and experience one of the processes that professionals in our field must go through as part of their careers. As a reviewer it will also improve your writing, reading, and ability to give constructive feedback.

    What have you learned from your work on student journals?

    Katherine: I have had the chance to work with three student journals at three different universities. My role has changed from an author to a reviewer and copyeditor, and more recently, an editor in chief for COMPASS. Each role brings different challenges but it has been incredible to see what I have learned with each experience and even more impressive to see how I have used this experience in my own academic and professional endeavours. I can genuinely say that over the last six years I have become a better writer because of my involvement with student journals. I have also become a better reader. Depending on your role with a journal you are looking for different things: grammar, style, referencing, formatting, etc. Each role requires you to read or review a paper differently, which changes how you approach reading for research. Now that I am an editor in chief I have experienced how to manage a team and work with the process through a new electronic forum which has been a lot of fun.

    Victoria: The most important thing I learned is just how much work actually goes into putting together a journal. It seemed like a very straightforward process, but there were more steps involved than I initially assumed. It taught me the importance of time management.

    What advice would you give to students who are interested in starting or volunteering for a student journal?


    Victoria: Make sure you commit and you have the time to do it. As interesting and exciting as it is to start such an endeavour, you must realize nothing will happen if you don't put in the work. It will take time to review a paper, send it back to the author(s), review it again, copy-edit, etc. COMPASS started a year ago, but only now are we able to put out our first issue. Teamwork matters!

    Katherine: If you have the time and are interested in becoming a better writer, editor, and reader of different works – just do it! The UofA’s campus is an incredible environment to help you get involved and succeed with your initiatives. There are lots of different student journals on campus that are always looking for people to help them. If there isn’t one that relates to your research, consider starting your own. That is what happened with COMPASS. We reached out to our department’s library liaison and he soon put us in contact with Sonya Betz, Digital Initiatives Projects Librarian. Not only that, but by contacting other student journals we were able to see what did or did not work for them. The Journal community is very supportive and a great resource.

    Anything else you want to say about journal publishing?


    Katherine: Work with people that you enjoy. People who have similar work ethics, goals, and understandings. My Co-Editor has been a huge help during stressful times throughout our project. Being on the same page about what we wanted to accomplish, how, and recognizing that this was a “for fun” volunteer initiative went a long way for our continued success together.

    Victoria: Enjoy what you do. Everything will be a lot easier if you treat it as a fun side-project, not a job. As a student you'll always have a million things going on, so you need to make sure this isn't just another "chore".
    _______________

    In addition to COMPASS, the UofA Libraries supports several actively publishing student journals through its open access journal publishing service, including:
    For more information about the Libraries’ free open access journal hosting service, please contact Sonya Betz, Digital Initiatives Projects Librarian (sonya.betz@ualberta.ca).

    Thursday, October 26, 2017

    Spotlight on OER

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    Our friends at the Centre for Teaching and Learning are celebrating Open Access Week too! We asked them to share this guest post on Open Educational Resources for today's OAWeek post.

    Spotlight on OER

    Krysta McNutt, OER Project Manager, Centre for Teaching and Learning

    OER (open educational resources) are teaching and learning materials that allow free use and reuse, without charge. OER often have a Creative Commons license that states specifically how the material may be used, reused, adapted, and shared.

    OER can unlock freedom and creativity in the classroom. Instructors are exploring the use of OER to reduce textbook costs, customize activities and assignments, increase engagement with learning materials, and even co-create resources with students. Adapting and sharing OER also builds community among educators and scaffolds collaborative practice.

    Using OER in place of a textbook or other proprietary learning material opens the door for student agency in how they consume this material (for example, students may re-format the content in a way that is more palatable to their learning preference), and the opportunity for instructors to facilitate activities such as non-disposable assignments.
    The true power of open comes not from a resource being free of cost but rather from the freedoms to reuse, retain, redistribute, revise, and remix content. These freedoms empower both students and faculty while widening access and supporting the democratization of education. (Jhangiani).
    Using OER allows educators to customize content to increase relevancy and ensure inclusivity. By sharing educational material “in the open” with open licensing, the impact reaches beyond students at the University of Alberta by increasing accessibility and availability to informal and lifelong learners.
    David Wiley’s 5Rs are frequently cited as defining traits of OER.
    Credit: Image by BC campus, CC-BY 4.0

    Wiley states: “Open educational resources are defined as “any copyrightable work that is licensed in a manner that provides users with free and perpetual permission to engage in the 5R activities”.

    Open Licensing your educational content is one way instructors can get started with OER. AASUA members retain the copyright in the course materials they create and assign an OER-compatible licence. The copyright status on your work does not change when a standard open licence is assigned, such as Creative Commons.

    1. Choose a licence
    2. Mark the work with the CC icon
    3. Link icon to licence deed (e.g. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
    4. Include a statement.

    Example: 



    This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.


    Revising and remixing content is the key to OER. By revising and remixing educational materials, instructors can customize and tailor their instructional materials to meet their students’ needs. By requiring students to revise and remix this content as assignments, instructors can create unique learning experiences, encourage discussion, debate, and uncover new perspectives.

    Finding OER

    Three common methods to discover OER is through the Creative Commons, BCcampus, or OER Commons websites. However, these are just three of many other ways.

    The chart below can be helpful in determining what and how a selected OER may be used. For example, if you select a resource which carries a CC-BY-SA license, you may engage in all 5Rs but you must revise and remix the resource only with content which is also of the same license (CC-BY-SA).


    Credit: Image “Wiley’s 5Rs and Creative Commons Licensing” by Krysta McNutt, CC-BY 4.0 (to view the full version, click here)
    Taking the First Step

    If you’re interested in exploring OER further, whether it is to adapt existing work, adopt it into your course, or create new content, the Libraries and CTL are here to help!

    Your Subject Librarian can be a great starting point. You may also want to check out the CTL Open Education page and consider booking a consultation, read more on the open education movement on the UA Libraries Open Education libguide, or join the UofA OE Interest Group.

    Upcoming Workshops

    • Speedy Intro to Open Education (webinar) October 27, 2017, 9:00am - 10:00am
    • Finding, Creating, and Using OER (CTL) November 7, 2017, 12:00pm - 1:00pm

    Further Information

    McNutt, K., Wakaruk, A. (2017), “Speedy Intro to Open Education”, Centre for Teaching and Learning, University of Alberta, October 24, 2017, https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1uwU_vRxUXMAdS3nqtVAm4Ffg-gqjMdM98Oc_F0iCiDs/view

    Wiley, David. “Defining the "Open" in Open Content and Open Educational Resources.” Iterating toward open, https://opencontent.org/definition/

    Wednesday, October 25, 2017

    Explore the Radical Resources of the Past: dissidents, activists, and advocates

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    In honor of Open Access Week, we are highlighting two open access publishing projects that the University of Alberta supports.

    Independent Voices: An Open Access Collection of an Alternative Press provides access to periodicals produced by feminists, dissident GIs, campus radicals, Native Americans, anti-war activists, Black Power advocates, Hispanics, LGBT activists, the extreme right-wing press and alternative literary magazines during the latter half of the 20th century. It includes titles like:

    Tuesday, October 24, 2017

    UAlberta Libraries: Open in Order to …

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    This week we’re celebrating Open Access Week 2017! The theme this year is “Open in order to _____”, so we thought we’d take some time to highlight some of the ways we support open access all year long.

    The University of Alberta Libraries supports open in order to…

    -make results of our researchers’ hard work available and visible to everyone, including other researchers, policy-makers, practitioners, students, and the general public,
    -contribute to fair and equitable access to information for the widest possible audience,
    -reduce the costs of education for students, and
    -remove barriers to sharing and reusing research.

    What are some of the ways we do this?

    Our people:

    We are experts in “open.” Our team helps researchers and students across the University navigate the world of open access, open data, and open education. Watch for workshops and events, or contact your subject librarian with specific questions. Throughout the Libraries, supporting open access, open data, and open education through our many diverse roles - from copyright and licensing expertise, to metadata and discovery work - is part of what we do every single day.

    Our open access institutional repository:


    The University of Alberta’s institutional repository, ERA: Education and Research Archive (and ERA A+V) provides free and open access to the University of Alberta’s intellectual output, including journal articles written by UofA researchers, theses and dissertations by UofA graduate students, reports, conference proceedings, posters, datasets, and more.

    ERA is an easy, convenient, and no-cost way for faculty to make their research open! For help depositing your work in ERA contact erahelp@ualberta.ca.

    Our open publishing and digitization initiatives:

    For more than 10 years, the UofA Libraries have been publishing open access journals, and now provide free-of-charge journal hosting for any open access Canadian journal. This service has expanded to include more than 45 titles, representing a diverse range of subject areas, from important local and Canadian journals to student and community publications. Using the open source software, Open Journal Systems, we've helped editorial teams publish thousands of articles, all freely accessible for researchers, policy makers, practitioners, and students around the world.

    We also have been working hard to make important materials from our collections and partner libraries open and available through an extensive digitization program. Our Peel’s Prairie Provinces website hosts thousands of historic photos, newspapers, books and pamphlets we’ve digitized. Many collections once hidden on our shelves are now available online, open and free for anyone.

    Open data:

    Not only do we share our own data, such as expenditures, metadata, and usage statistics, we also help researchers find and use open datasets, and provide them with the tools to share their own data with others. You can find many UofA researchers’ datasets in our data repository Dataverse and we have been important partners in major national research data initiatives like Portage, promoting shared national stewardship of data resources.










    Spend Halloween Raiding the Rawlinson

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    Tricks and treats are afoot at the Halloween edition of Raiding the Rawlinson...

    Staff at the John W. Scott Health Sciences Library have unearthed another cavalcade of weird and wonderful texts from the Rawlinson Rare Book Collection to tantalize antiquarian tastes. Explore the secrets of nineteenth century alternative knowledge systems including mesmerism and phrenology. Learn about some of the early strategies medical professionals used to rebuild broken bodies, including the wonders of First World War plastic surgery - not for the faint of heart!

    Visit the Scott Library between 11:30am and 1:30pm on October 31 to get up close and personal with these fascinating, far-out folios.

    Monday, October 23, 2017

    Celebrating Open Access Week!

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    Every year, universities, colleges, research institutes, and libraries around the world host events celebrating Open Access Week, an opportunity to explore and promote open access in its many different forms. This year's Open Access Week runs from October 23 - 29. The theme, "Open in order to ..." is an invitation to answer the question of what concrete benefits can be realized though open access.




    We've put together a list of our top picks for FREE events happening here at the UofA, and online. Find many more on the global 2017 OA Week Calendar, or follow #openaccessweek2017 on Twitter.

    Tuesday, October 24

    At the UofA

    11:30 am - 12:30 pm Scholarly Communications Workshop, CAB 345, University of Alberta
    Join UofA librarians Alison Henry and Victoria Wong for a session on tools for collaborative work, open data and OA publishing.
    Details and registration

    12:00 - 1:00 pm Speedy Introduction to Open Education, 5-02D, Cameron Library, University of Alberta.
    Details and registration

    Online

    8:30 - 10:00 am Fair, Open Free? Copyright, Open Licensing, and Academic Freedom in Canada Panelists: Ariel Katz, Jennifer MacInnis, Sam Trosow, Kelsey Merkley
    Details and livestream from Ryerson University

    10:30 - 11:40 am Keynote: Spotlight on Open Educational Resources Michael Geist
    Details and livestream from Ryerson University


    Wednesday, October 25

    Online

    11:00 am - 12:00 pm What we talk about when we talk about Open Access
    Webcast from the Association of College and Research Libraries
    Details and registration

    Thursday, October 26

    Online

    12:00 - 3:30 pm Open in order to … end extreme poverty
    World Bank and OA Panel, Livestreamed from World Bank HQ in Washington, DC.
    Details and livestream 

    Friday, October 27

    At MacEwan University

    11:00 am-3:00 pm Celebrating Edmonton’s Music: A Canada 150 Wikipedia Edit-a-thon
    John L. Haar Library (multipurpose room 7-269), MacEwan University City Centre Campus 10700 - 104 Ave.
    Details and registration

    Online

    9:00 am - 10:00 am Webinar: Speedy Intro to Open Education
    Details and registration


    Friday, October 20, 2017

    Community and Healing with the Library

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    I’ve said this before…

    Academic libraries are not just about books and research: they’re also about building communities. Oftentimes building a community is about positive relationships and helping people find the tools that they need to succeed.

    Sometimes though, the best thing a library can do for a community is give them space to use the tools they already have.

    Nantâwihiwêwin: Doctoring; healing day after day for a long time is a project that straddles this line, supporting those who participate to share their own stories, and turn our spaces into their own.

    Started by Ambroise Cardinal-Dubitski, an Indigenous student specializing in Kinesiology, explains that Nantâwihiwêwin is:

    “a zine that is meant to act as a tool for achieving the highest form of ‘decolonization’ which is to be healthy, resilient and Indigenous, especially while traversing the adversities of institutional learning and living.
    […] Words of empowerment, art, and poetry are on every page to aid the process of healing our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual selves. Each page is taken as a reminder of our strength, love, and connection to the world as Indigenous Peoples, but also as a challenge. The challenge of healing in a world filled with racism, aggression, and harm towards Indigenous Peoples and people of colour.”

    Hearing those words, my first instinct was to help.

    Helping is the library way, after all. But how do staff, faculty, and members of an institution help when what students want is to empower, and speak for themselves?

    My answer is to offer space, support, and a platform for outreach.

    Living in a city with many universities and colleges, there are a lot of Indigenous students receiving an education. This meant that the project needed to extend beyond our University.

    So, it has!

    Currently, we are engaging students from the University of Alberta and Yellowhead Tribal College, and the hope is to extend the project to Grant MacEwan and other institutions. The Greater Edmonton Library Association (GELA) has also jumped on board: the association is currently working the Remand Centre to bring creative writing workshops to incarcerated peoples.

    Nantâwihiwêwin was well received and created a special healing environment for everyone involved.

    It leaves us with open hearts and open minds towards the notion of reclamation and healing as a community. If you or anyone you know may be interested in participating, the University of Alberta Libraries is hosting a Zine Making Workshop on October 25, at 2:30pm in the Kiva Room.

    If you are unable to make it, you can always create a submission and bring it to HT Coutts Education and Physical Education Library. Otherwise, we look forward to distributing the final zine to everyone in our community.

    Kinanâskomitin. “I am grateful to you”.
    Nantâwihiwêwin is a call to action as well as a gentle reminder, a reminder and invitation to the support and connection you have on your journey both internally, externally, spiritually, and physically.”

    – Ambrose Cardinal-Dubitski

    Thursday, October 19, 2017

    Librarians Encourage Reconciliation Through KAIROS Blanket Exercises

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    Photo: http://www.holytrinitytoronto.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/blankets-672x372.jpg
    Even before the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, University of Alberta Libraries have been implementing ways to reconcile with Canada’s dark past and to move forward by creating positive, meaningful relationships with the Indigenous community. This is reinforced by the University’s 2016-2017 strategic plan “For the Public Good”, where we are all encouraged to “Foster learning opportunities across our campuses that enable student, staff, and faculty participation in reconciliation” (p. 10).

    As a Métis person and educator, reconciliation is something that is near and dear to my heart. In fact, I have started working with RISE (Reconciliation in Solidarity Edmonton) to gain more understanding of my own family’s past in light of everything that has happened between Canada and Indigenous people. Through this journey, I am often faced with the question of: “how do you encourage reconciliation?” and “what is the most effective way to educate students about Indigenous history?” This is where I came across the KAIROS Blanket Exercise.

    So, what is a Blanket Exercise?

    I’ve been asked this questions many times. Whether it’s a family member at a holiday meal or a friendly conversation in the coffee line up, I always say the same thing. It’s a way to educate people on a topic that not everyone is fully aware of -- a way to present Canadian history from an Indigenous perspective.

    This is a perspective that has been muted throughout history. In fact, remembering my elementary school days, I don’t recall learning much about Indigenous culture. To be honest, I think we spent more time talking about pirates than Indigenous Peoples. My own family history was muted as well. We were actively told to hide our true identity as a survival mechanism. This left me and my generation grossly unaware of the struggles that Indigenous Peoples have dealt with for more than 150 years.

    The KAIROS Blanket Exercise is an excellent tool for building a more accurate image of how Canada came to be what it is now. Through an interactive script that engages all participants, it takes participants through time prior to any European settlers setting foot on Turtle Island. By immersing yourself into the activity, every participant feels the impacts that the Canadian government continues to have on Indigenous Peoples.

    Now, what does this have to do with the library?

    This is a tough, but wonderful question. Librarians are not all about books and databases. I see librarians as educators, activists, and helpers. Most important, libraries are a place of community. So, if a student and/or faculty member walks into the library I instinctively want to help.

    This is what happened with EDU 211: Aboriginal Education and Contexts for Professional and Personal Engagement. A friendly conversation about library services evolved into a personal conversation about my involvement with RISE and my role in facilitating Blanket Exercises. It was the perfect combination of relationships and willingness to try new things in the classroom. Since that initial conversation, librarians gathered to help!

    We gathered together in the Education Kiva room to share the exercise with 60 students and future educators. Since this initial Blanket Exercise, I have been asked to facilitate more within the Education community.

    I am extremely grateful and humbled by the experience and being able to share my story with the students. By sharing these moments with the University community, I hope that this will help to inform future generations of instructors and students. 

    Hiy hiy.

    Wednesday, October 18, 2017

    Sleep for Success Exhibit: On Now

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    Did you know that over 30% of students at the UofA do not get an adequate amount of sleep? This deficit can result in poor grades, cognitive deficits, and poor physical and psychological health. Sleep, like good nutrition and exercise, is considered one of the foundations necessary for a happy, healthy life. For many post-secondary students, sleep is a major self-care challenge and a potential obstacle to success. Yuluan Wang and Vineet Prasad, graduate students with the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, are on a mission to make the UofA a sleep-healthy campus.

    Earlier this year, Yuluan and Vineet were awarded a Heroes for Health grant for their proposal to raise awareness of the effects of sleep on health. As a part of this initiative they have created an eClass course called Dream Big, Sleep Tight, where members of the UofA community can learn about the perils of sleep deficiency and how to combat it.

    To help promote this course and the overall importance of sleep, Yuluan and Vineet have put together an exciting new exhibit at the John W. Scott Health Sciences Library. Exploring everything from hidden sources of caffeine to gadgets that can help and harm sleep this exhibit has plenty of solutions to help you catch the Zzzs you need to help you succeed. The Sleep for Success Exhibit will be hosted at the Scott Library from October 16 until November 19, 2017.


    Tuesday, October 17, 2017

    David Sulz Awarded Excellence in Learning Support

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    “David has been a catalyst for my learning. I wish every grad student on campus could benefit from his presence or their own subject librarian during their learning journey...” - Yichuan Wang, Ph.D. student in Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology, one of the Award nominators.

    University of Alberta Librarian David Sulz is known for his enthusiasm for learning and inspiring that in others. He listens to students, creates a safe environment, and is an active learning partner.

    David Sulz and Yichuan Wang


    Recently, he was recognized for these qualities and awarded the UAlberta Excellence in Learning Support. This award is specifically designed to recognize members of the University community whose role does not involve teaching, but who nonetheless directly and significantly contribute to the student learning experience.

    Those who nominated David for his excellence in learning support were graduate students, colleagues, and professors. Each mentioned David’s enthusiasm for learning and his role as a connector of students. He creates a very fun and safe space for struggle with idea formation and an atmosphere where the struggle is embraced as an exciting growth opportunity. His joyful personality, life wisdom, and listening skills make him an active catalyst for learning and great conversation partner.

    He uses alternative techniques to engage students and researchers to think differently about their subject and get excited about their learning. Whether he’s suggesting mind maps or encouraging students to explain their research in a sentence or two to a group of high school students touring the library, David makes learning fun.

    Congratulations David!

    Monday, October 16, 2017

    Celebrate Edmonton Music: Wikipedia Edit-a-thon

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    Friday, October 27, 11am-3pm @ MacEwan University Library, Multi-Purpose Room

    Join librarians from MacEwan University and the University of Alberta for a Wikipedia edit-a-thon celebrating the music of Edmonton. Organized in coordination with the Canada 150: Music and Belonging Project, and in conjunction with Open Access Week, this edit-a-thon invites anyone interested in contributing to information on Edmonton music, editing Wikipedia, and open access to join us for this short, informal event.

    Admission is free and no previous Wikipedia editing experience is required.

    Location
    John L. Haar Library (multipurpose room 7-269)
    MacEwan University City Centre Campus
    10700 104 Avenue Northwest
    Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2

    Schedule
    11am-12pm: Part One: Wikipedia Basics

    12pm-1pm: Lunch

    1pm-3pm: Part Two: Hands-on editing of Edmonton music articles

    Register on Eventbrite by Tuesday, October 18.

    Wednesday, October 11, 2017

    Archives Move to the New RCRF Begins

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    The University of Alberta Archives has begun its move to our new high-density storage facility, the RCRF (Research and Collections Resource Facility).

    The archives move involves the packing and moving of 31,477 boxes of materials or 1028 book carts. The move is expected to take 2 months. During the move, the archives collection is unavailable. For more information, please contact Archives (archives@ualberta.ca).

    Friday, October 6, 2017

    Library Updates: You asked, we listened!

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    In response to student feedback through the Student Library Advisory Committee (SLAC) and informal channels, look for the following changes in Libraries this fall:
    • Introduction of food-free zones in some silent study spaces at Cameron, Rutherford, and Augustana. 
    • Loan periods for laptops & cameras have increased to 48 hours.
    • Addition of lockable cell-phone charging stations at most library locations. 
    What hasn’t changed? We’re here to help! Need help with using the library, getting started on an assignment, searching for info, creating your bibliography…? Don’t hesitate to Ask Us!

    Have a wonderful Fall Term!!

    Thursday, September 28, 2017

    Library Hacks: Holds

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    Welcome to Library Hacks, a monthly segment where we give you tips on using the library.

    This month learn about about HOLDS. 



    What are holds?
    Holds are a service the library provides to make library materials easier to access by delivering them to alternative library locations.

    Why would you place a hold? 
    The holds shelf at the J.W. Scott Health Sciences Library

    There are a couple of reasons you would place a hold. Firstly, if an item is checked out to someone else, placing a hold on it tells the library system you want to use the material next. When you place a hold on checked out material, the person who has it checked out will not be able to renew it. If they have had it checked out past two-weeks they will get a recall notice, explaining the item has to be returned.

    Another reason you would place a hold, is if material is at a different library location. The University of Alberta Libraries is a part of the the NEOS Library Consortium and therefore the library catalogue includes the collection of many libraries that are not on campus. Placing a hold brings the book to campus, to a library that is most convenient for you to retrieve it from.

    How do you place a hold?
    You can place holds in the library catalogue in the item record. When you click on the "place hold" button the catalogue will prompt you for your CCID and password. It will then ask you to choose a pick-up location.

    The holds shelf at the Cameron Library
    How long will the hold take to arrive?
    It depends! Firstly, where was the material coming from? Materials that coming from another campus library, the Book and Record Depository (BARD) or somewhere in the city, typically take about 1-2 business days to arrive.  Secondly, was the material ON SHELF when you placed the hold? Material that is checked out will show a due date in the "location" area of the holdings information. If the material is checked out it could take quite a bit longer for the book to come in.


    How do books get to where they need to go?
    The holds shelf at the HT Coutts Library
    Items placed on hold are retrieved by library staff on weekday mornings. Staff then put the holds into blue bins that get transported by our delivery truck drivers. The same delivery drivers drop-off bins they picked up at other locations. Library staff sort and place the holds on the hold shelf in alphabetical order by last name. When library staff check the materials in, the library system sends you an email telling you the hold is available for you to pick up.

    You will find your holds on the hold shelf the library you selected as your pick-up location. You have five days to pick up your holds before we return them to their home location, or move them onwards to the next hold in line.





    Tuesday, September 19, 2017

    Meet the Dogs (and Cats!) in the Library

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    Dog lovers rejoice! Dogs in the Library is back in session and we’re introducing an exciting new program for campus cat lovers. UAlberta Libraries is once again partnering with CAAWLS for Dogs in the Library. Together we're also piloting the new feline-centric Cats in the Library. As a sneak preview, meet a couple of the dogs and one of the cats you might see around our libraries.

    Hi, my name is Percy. I’m an 8 year old Labrador Retriever-mix who’s spent the summer running, swimming, indulging in my favourite snacks (peanut butter and carrots, if you’re curious) and taking long naps. When I’m a really good boy my family will let me watch my favourite movie - Homeward Bound.

    I’m looking forward to making some return visits to the library where I hope to get a few armpit scratches (I love a good armpit scratch!) and show everyone who’s a good boy… Don’t be shy in telling me if you think I am!



    Hey everyone! Presley’s the name and drooling is my game. My descendants are from Newfoundland, but I was born in Saskatchewan nine years ago… Gosh, has it been that long... I still feel like a pup! Except when my mom plays fetch... Then I let the other dog I live with have all the glory.

    Don’t let my size fool you (150 lbs), I’m just a big softy who loves getting plenty of hugs and kisses. I’m kind of like Dug, the dog from Up... I love that movie! This is the best time of year; the apple tree in my yard is full of apples that I can snack on and I get to visit the libraries again.


    Wow… I like the looks of that Presley guy, and Percy has great taste in movies… Oops, sorry... I got distracted. I’m Gus the cat. It’s my first time working at the library and I’m super excited. Are there any birds at the library? I love birdwatching almost as much as I love my kibble and sleeping. Sometimes for a treat my family lets me eat wet food… A little slice of heaven. I’m also a sucker for cardboard boxes and big dogs.

    Here’s hoping for lots of cuddles and no baths or showers when I visit this fall!


    Excited to meet these guys and their many friends? Here are the dates and times where you can indulge in some canine, or feline, love.
    Dogs in the Library
    • Cameron Library:  September 26, 12:30pm
    • Rutherford Library:  October 4, 2:00pm
    • Scott Library: October 5, 12:30pm
    • Coutts Library: October 12,  12:30pm
    • Cameron Library: October 25, 12:30pm
    • Coutts Library: November 1, 12:00pm
    • Rutherford Library:  November 1, 2:00pm
    • Scott Library: November 8, 12:30pm
    • Rutherford Library: November 22, 2:00pm
    • Coutts Library: November 28,  12:30pm
    • Cameron Library: November 30, 12:30pm
    • Scott Library: December 12, 12:30pm
    • Rutherford Library: December 13, 2:00pm 
    Cats in the Library
    • Cameron Library: October 19, 12:30pm
    • Cameron Library: November 14, 12:30pm

    Augustana students, never fear, Hutch the library dog will be keeping his usual hours at the Augustana campus library.

    We encourage everyone to share their dog and cat selfies on Facebook and Instagram: #CAAWLS, #dogsinthelibrary, and #uofalibraries. We’d also love to see them in our Twitter feed, @uofalibraries.

    Thursday, September 14, 2017

    Science Literacy Week 2017

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    Join us at Cameron Library from September 18 to 21, where we will host a number of presentations, demos, and displays showcasing the diverse scientific research conducted by students and staff at the University of Alberta and by partners from across Edmonton local!



    From paleontology and zoology, molecular gastronomy and board games, to robotics and makerspaces, the breadth of knowledge and research in science is amazing! Science Literacy Week gives students and staff the opportunity to get up close and personal with science and learn from those who are passionately engaged about their research and work.
    Here's a sneak peak into some of the events this year!

    Get Closer - Animal VisitGet to meet, learn about, and maybe even touch some of the smaller animals that live at the Edmonton Valley Zoo.
    Fun with Let's Talk Science!Make your hair stand on ends with awesome experiments bought to you by Let's Talk Science!
    Dino LabLearn about U of A's own Jurassic Park, the Dino Lab!
    Liquid N-Ice CreamDrop by Cameron Library and grab some super chilled ice cream brought to you by CHEMSA!

    Check out our University of Alberta Libraries' Science Literacy Week 2017 website for a list of planned events for the week.


    Science Literacy Week 2016 Science Literacy Week 2016
    In 2016, Cameron Library hosted one of the most successful Science Literacy Weeks in Canada, with a whopping 19+ events! This year, we have partnered with WISEST and many others to bring you even more exciting and informative events from the University and surrounding communities.

    Let's break our own record! Put on your lab coat, find your best beaker, and come join us! Everyone is welcome!
    (And don't forget to share on your experiences on social media with #scilit17 and #ualberta!)
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