Research Help during Winter Session

The Library is available for your research needs during Winter Session.  Be sure to check out the summary of Library Services during Winter Session.  The best way to contact a Research Librarian for assistance is the Ask a Librarian service.  Please feel welcome to take full advantage of these services!

Finding Study Spaces at the Library and Beyond

  

Fireplace in lounge at Monty's

   It’s that time of year again…hustle, bustle and crowds everywhere you go. No, we don’t mean the holiday shopping season. Here at BU, we’ve reached that busy time in academia: finals week. 

   Impending projects and large study workloads can make for some tense situations. In an effort to ease the stress, Andruss Library and Student Affairs have made some extra study areas available to you should you find library space limited at this busy time.

Check out the following additional locations, dates and times to study for finals:

Andruss Library
Dec. 6^th: 7:30 AM-9:00 PM
Dec. 7^th: 9:00 AM-9:00 PM
Dec. 8^th: 10:00 AM-Midnight
Dec. 9^th-12^th: 7:30 AM-Midnight
Dec. 13^th: 7:30 AM-7:00 PM

Monty’s Dining Area & Lobby

Dec. 1^st-13^th: SUN-FRI 8:30 PM-Midnight

JKA Community Building

Dec. 1^st-13^th: DAILY 9:00 AM-Midnight

Kehr Union Building
Times & Dates TBA:  Call x5212

Multi-Cultural Center (Kehr)
Dec. 9^th-12^th: 8:00 AM-Midnight

Buildings are staffed and open to all students.

Residential Halls have study space available for residents and invited guests.

Buses run from upper and lower campus Mon-Fri until Midnight (abbreviated schedules Fri-Sun).

Looking for something fun to read?

As promised, and by request, the Popular Reading Collection is expanding!  We've gotten our first shipment of new, fun books to read, and we'll be adding a lot more over the next year.  Look for books by Meg Cabot, Michelle Mead, Ellen Hopkins, Neil Gaiman, Maggie Stiefvater, Lee Child, and more.  YA, thrillers, mysteries, romances, and fantasy books just in time for the Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks.  Check out a few today. 

Want to request a particular book or author?  Contact Katie Yelinek.

 

Spotlight on... Balal Abouelenein

This is the next installment in a series of blog posts to help you get acquainted with some of the people who work in the library. Today we introduce you to one of our student workers.

What is your name? Balal Abouelenein “B”

What is your major? Undeclared, in pursuit of a degree in Digital Forensics as well as an Arabic major when it becomes available.

What do you do in the library? I am the building consultant for the library.  I provide technical support to faculty, staff, and students who use the library computers.

What do you enjoy most about your job? I like everything about my job. I enjoy fixing computers, troubleshooting all new challenges and problems as well as the old. However what I enjoy the most is helping people. For example, students will open an attached file, work on it for hours as it is due that day, then they click save without changing the save location. He or she then closes the paper and is unable to find it and feels it is lost. They then come to me in a panic, hoping I can find it. I then recover it and save it for them and you can just see the relief wash over them.

What’s the best class you’ve taken at BU? I’m only a sophomore and haven’t taken that many classes yet but so far, throughout my college career, Arabic class with Professor Yahya Laayouni has been my favorite class. Learning about languages and cultures and just other people in general is a great life experience and it makes us better well-rounded people.

What else do you want people to know about you? I am CompTIA A+ certified to fix computers. I want to work for a government agency after I graduate and catch bad guys.

Quote: “You can’t just jump to the top of the ladder. You have to take it one step at a time; otherwise you might trip and fall.”

Trials to video and music library databases

The Library is running several trials to a few video and music databases from Alexander Street Press and Naxos as well as JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments). If you're interested, please check them out and give us your feedback. Most of the trials end Nov. 30 (JoVE ends Dec. 31), and faculty and students may use them freely until then.

The databases are listed on the Databases A-Z page at the end under 'Trials' or you can access them using these links:

• Naxos Music Library - TRIAL ENDS NOV. 30 DEC.31, 2013
  Naxos Music Library [NML] is the world´s largest online classical music library. Currently, it offers streaming access to more than 88,900 CDs with more than 1,294,800 tracks, standard and rare repertoire. Over 800 new CDs are added to the library every month.
• Naxos Music Library - Jazz - TRIAL ENDS NOV. 30 DEC.31, 2013
  One of the subsets of the Naxos Music Library
• Naxos Spoken Word Library - TRIAL ENDS NOV. 30 DEC.31, 2013
  Naxos AudioBooks, just like Naxos Music, produces first-class performances and recorded sound.
• Naxos Video Library - TRIAL ENDS NOV. 30 DEC.31, 2013
  Streaming video library of classical music performances, opera, ballet, live concerts and documentaries.
• Naxos Online Sheet Music - TRIAL ENDS NOV. 30 DEC.31, 2013
  Sheet music for a wide variety of musical genres.
• Alexander Street Collections - TRIAL ENDS NOV. 30 DEC.31, 2013
  Gateway to all 80 Alexander Street Collections, including text, audio tracks, videos, images, and playlists. Collections cover literature; music; women's history; black history; psychological counseling and therapy; social and cultural history; drama, medical, theatre, film, and the performing arts; religion; sociology; and other emerging areas. For help in using, view their Video Tutorials.
• JoVE Science Education - TRIAL ENDS DEC. 31, 2013 Contains video demonstrations that teach laboratory fundamentals, including General Laboratory Techniques and Basic Methods in Cellular and Molecular Biology. Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE) is a peer reviewed, PubMed indexed journal devoted to the publication of biological, medical, chemical and physical research in a video format. 

As always, if you have any questions, Ask a Librarian!

Don't leave your belongings unattended!

Remember to keep an eye on your bags, books, phones, and such.  There's a string of thefts in the library recently.  Don't leave your belongings unattended, even if it's "just for a minute." 

Spotlight on... Rick Bailey

This is the next installment in a series of blog posts to help you get acquainted with some of the people who work in the library. Today we introduce you to one of our student workers.

What is your name? Richard (Rick) Bailey

What is your major? Business Management

What do you do in the library? I search for lost books, I self read, and I assist patrons at the Circulation Desk.

What do you enjoy most about your job? The food days when we are celebrating the end of another shift job.  Interacting with all different students, faculty, and my co-workers.

What’s the best class you’ve taken at BU? Supply Chain Operations

What else do you want people to know about you? I have a great sense of humor and I like to make money!

Spotlight on... Linda Lapp

This is the next installment in a series of blog posts to help you get acquainted with some of the people who work in the library.  Today we introduce you to a person you've probably seen before.

What is your name?  Linda Lapp

What is your title?   Stacks Maintenance Supervisor

What kinds of things are you responsible for in the library?   I am responsible for the stacks [library term for shelves] upstairs to make sure things are shelved properly and in a timely manner.  I oversee shifting projects, shelf reading assignments.  Main duty is assisting patrons at the Circulation Desk.

How did you come to work in the library?  I started at the University in 1999 in Development.  In 2003, I came to the library.  I wanted to work more closely with students and I enjoy helping them excel at BU.

What do you enjoy most about your job?  I love to read and I am a voracious reader.  I enjoy seeing what the students are reading and/or researching.  I enjoy the interaction with our students and the energy they bring to the library.  The relationships that are developed are very enriching.

What else do you want people to know about you?  I love to make people laugh.  We need to have more humor in our lives since the times we live in are somewhat trying.

How can people get in touch with you?  email: llapp@bloomu.edu; phone: 570-389-5166

Library Staff Welcomes Patrons at 15th Anniversary Event

 

   Greeted by sunshine, music and sweet treats, staff and students were welcomed to Bloomsburg University's campus for the fall semester by the Harvey A. Andruss Library staff on Sept. 9^th, marking 15 years since the library building was first dedicated in Sept. of 1998.

   A newly formed Community Connections Group at the library presented an outdoor welcoming event to meet and greet passersby, while offering snacks, giveaway items, and even a chance to win some nice prizes*. Live music was provided by John Faus, (Library Custodian), who played the fiddle while Christian Tloczynski, (Student Assistant), played guitar. Those curious about the building’s beginnings were able to view a pictorial display assembled by Robert Dunkelberger (Archivist).

   Thanks to all who made the 15^th Anniversary an event to remember!

* Prizes awarded:

·         $25 Gift Card (compliments of Aramark Dining Service)- Jessica Berstler

·         BU Stadium Blanket (compliments of The University Bookstore)- Krista Zecher

·         Library Themed T-Shirts- Sharif Hassan, Elaine McCauley, Nicole Lanier

·         Library Logo Insulated Travel Mugs- 10 Winners

For more information on the Andruss library, click here.

Linda Lapp (left), Library Assistant,
and Sara Spock (right), Student Library Assistant,
enjoy their time greeting students.

John Faus (left),Library Custodian, and
Christian Tloczynski (right), Student Library Assistant, 
entertain with their musical talent.

Dan Walz, Library Assistant, and

Katie Yelinek, Associate Professor, Library-Reference Services,

look forward to handing out snacks.

Charlotte Droll, Director of Library Services,
stands ready to greet patrons.

Spotlight on... Jamar Smack

This is the next installment in a series of blog posts to help you get acquainted with some of the people who work in the library. Today we introduce you to one of our student workers.

What is your name?  Jamar "Mar" Smack

What is your major?  Communication Studies

What do you do in the library?  I work with the Reference Section, and in the reference section I help reshelf books, I restock printing paper, check the library database weekly and well as shelf read on the second floor.  I also help “Shift” books when it is needed.

What do you enjoy most about your job?  Interaction with the library staff. 

What’s the best class you’ve taken at BU?  Anatomy and Walter Howard’s classes. 

What else do you want people to know about you?  I was born on the same day as Carmelo Anthony and J.F. Kennedy.

GRE Preparation

Want to conquer the GRE?  Take advantage of the BU GRE Preparation Program!  For full details on coaching, sample tests, materials, and more, check out http://guides.library.bloomu.edu/gre



For info on preparation for the GRE and other tests (such as the GMAT), check out http://guides.library.bloomu.edu/testprep

Happy 15th Anniversary to the Andruss Library!

The faculty and staff of the Harvey A. Andruss Library will hold a welcoming event to commemorate the 15^th anniversary of its building dedication.  This casual celebration is set for Monday, Sept. 9th, from 11 AM-3 PM in front of the library. (If it rains, join us inside the lobby area instead.)

Please stop by during your daily travels as we welcome everyone to Bloomsburg University for the fall semester.  Meet library staff and enjoy some treats, giveaways, and live music along the way.  In conjunction with the building anniversary, photos of the construction and dedication of the Andruss Library will also be on   display.

Hope to see you Monday at the library!

Statistical Abstract of the United States: New Database!

We are happy to announce that Andruss Library has acquired access to the Statistical Abstract of the United States.  This new database provides access to authoritative and comprehensive statistics about the United States.  Topics range from population, health, and education to recreation and the arts. 

The Census Bureau used to produce the Statistical Abstract of United States but ceased doing so in 2012.  This new online version is from ProQuest. 



Click here to take a look.

Spotlight on... Linda Neyer

This is the next installment in a series of blog posts to help you get acquainted with some of the people who work in the library.  Today we introduce you to one of our Reference Librarians, who you probably have seen before.

What is your name? Linda Neyer

What is your title? Science/Health Sciences Librarian & Database Coordinator

What is a typical day like for you? I fall back on the cliche: there is no typical day. It's why I love being a librarian. A big part of my time is spent helping students think about, find, and select the information they need for their research projects and class assignments. I’m the librarian for the departments of audiology/speech language pathology, biology, chemistry, nursing, and physics & engineering technology. Students can find me at the Research Center or in my office in the Library. I also come to the classroom, at the invitation of professors, to instruct students on utilizing research strategies and resources for specific assignments. For these sessions, I usually develop web-based research guides, too. The other ‘hats’ I wear include that of co-webmaster of the Library website (this summer the Library Webteam completely redesigned the Library website) and that of database coordinator for our subscribed electronic library databases.  In that role, I implemented a new ‘discovery layer’ on our website, called 'Search Everything.' Users can simultaneously search our catalog for books, media, gov docs, etc. and almost all of our databases for articles through a single, unified search. We hope the discovery layer will improve the users' experiences finding high quality, scholarly information.

What else should people know about you?    My undergraduate degree was in occupational therapy, and I in fact worked for several years as an OTR in inpatient psychiatry, adolescent chemical dependency, and geriatrics. Even though I completely changed careers, my education was not ‘wasted’ as I use the knowledge and skills I learned as an OT every day.

How can people get in contact with you? email: Lneyer@bloomu.edu,  Office:  AL 222,  Phone: 570-389-4801

Need books for research? Try E-ZBorrow!

Want your books faster?
Need a longer loan for a project?

Try E-ZBorrow!

Go to https://library.bloomu.edu/ezborrow/ to see how "EZ" it is to request books from 50 academic libraries in PA, NJ, and WV.  Books arrive on average within 3-4 working days and can be checked out for 12 weeks. 

Questions?  Need help?  Contact: ill@bloomu.edu or 570-389-4218. 

How do you like us now?

Our new website has been officially launched. We hope you'll find it easier to use. Please give us your feedback -- it's a work in progress.

Notable changes:

• Addition of our EBSCO Discovery Search box that includes 'Everything' -- books, articles, media, and more
• Additional tabs to the search box include ones for PILOT, an 'Article' search in EDS, and 'Search our website'
• Fewer tabs with less text for quick linking
• Links in upper right for My Accounts | Study Spaces | Computers | Off-Campus Access
• Helpful left navigation links to frequently used/often needed resources 

Feel free to the contact members of our Web Team with your feedback: Miranda Bailey, Evening Library Supervisor, Bill Barnes, Library Network Administrator, Charlotte Droll, Director of Library Services, Michael Coffta, Business Librarian, Lorraine Letcavage, Administrative Assistant, Linda Neyer, Health Science/Science Librarian, Katie Yelinek, Gov Docs Librarian.

UPDATE: You can use the link on the lower right to our 'Classic Library Website' (old site) if you're not ready to switch.

MP3 Player winner!

Jayne Wilson has won the drawing for the MP3 player.  Congrats to her! Thank you to all who stopped by the Library's table during Orientation to enter the drawing and learn more about all that the Library offers.

PsycTESTS and PsycTHERAPY: New Databases!

Andruss Library is pleased to offer access to two new databases:

• PsycTESTS is a repository for the full text of psychological tests and measures as well as a rich source of structured information about the tests.  It especially provides the full text of many unpublished tests.
• PsycTHERAPY provides streaming psychotherapy demonstration videos through PsycNET.  To access, click on 'I accept' near bottom of initial Disclaimer page.

To try out PsycTESTS, click here.  
To try out PsycTHERAPY, click here.  

Website Changes Coming

Over the summer, the librarians and staff at Andruss Library will be busy working to update the library's website.  You should expect to see some minor and major improvements as the summer continues.  Please excuse the dust as we work to bring you a new and improved website. 

Questions?  Please contact Linda Neyer or Katie Yelinek. 

Anthropology Plus: New Database!

We are happy to announce that Andruss Library has acquired access to Anthropology Plus.  This new database provides indexing for and selected full-text access to leading and minor Anthropology journals from the 1800s to the present.  Major topics of coverage include anthropology, archaeology, ethnography, folklore, and more.

Click here to take a look. 

Popular Reading Collection 2.0

Changes are coming to the Popular Reading Collection!  Due to popular demand (pun intended), the library is making plans to expand this collection.  This will happen in two steps:

• First, over this summer, the books currently in the collection will be added to the library catalog.  You will now be able to search for books in the Popular Reading Collection.  This means you will also check the books out at the Circulation Desk, just like any other item from the library.
• Then, in the 2013/2014 academic year, we will be growing the collection.  This means more mysteries, romances, and fantasy books for you to check out.  

Please bear with the dust as we construct a bigger, better collection.  Contact Katie Yelinek with questions or suggestions for books to add to the collection. 

Library Hosting Study & Snack Break during Finals' Week!

Students, stop by the Schweiker Room in the Library next week during finals for an evening study break! Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cookies, and other goodies will be served by your favorite professors (along with a little wisdom) during finals' week, May 13 - 16, Monday through Thursday evenings, 6 - 9 pm. So stop by, get something to eat or drink, and say hi!

Coffee Nights are sponsored by the Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties (APSCUF), the Friends of the Bloomsburg University Library Association (FOBULA), and the Global Awareness Society International.

All of us in the Library wish you good luck on your finals!

Spotlight on... Lorraine Letcavage

This is the next installment in a series of blog posts to help you get acquainted with some of the people who work in the library.  Today we introduce you to our newest staff member.

What is your name?  Lorraine Letcavage

What is your title?   Administrative Assistant I, Library Services

What kinds of things are you responsible for in the library?  I report to the Director of Library Services, so my assignments vary daily. I enjoy the variety. I assist in budget preparation, statistical reports and data collection for state surveys, research activities, and many operational procedures within the library. Currently, I am part of a team that is redesigning the library website and its contents.

How did you come to work in the library?  Since I worked in education previously and really enjoyed it, I looked at available positions with schools and applied here because I really liked the Bloomsburg area. Luckily, I was hired at the Andruss library this past January. I like to learn and love to read, so the library position seemed well-suited for me. I am the newest staff member on board.

What do you enjoy most about your job?  I like the opportunities to learn new things, to participate in activities, and apply what I know to new projects. Everyone has been really nice and helpful since I started, and that’s a plus on any job.

What else do you want people to know about you?  I used to teach GED and ESL classes to adult learners. It was very rewarding, as most students had very interesting life stories and challenges to overcome. They were very grateful to have a second chance at something many take for granted. It was a pleasure to witness their success and actually make a difference in their lives.
Personally, I love the outdoors, nature and animals. I’m also interested in the entertainment world and photography.

How can people get in touch with you?  Email: lletcava@bloomu.edu  Phone: 389-4077.

Congratulations to FOBULA Award Winners

   The Friends of the Bloomsburg University Library Association (FOBULA) recently presented awards for outstanding service during their annual Author’s Dinner at Monty’s on April 19, 2013.  Staff and faculty members of the Andruss Library were among those rewarded for their outstanding achievements.

“TEDDY” Award
  
   Bob Dunkelberger, University Archivist/Coordinator of Special Collections at Harvey A. Andruss Library, was the proud recipient of the “Teddy” Award, specially named after its first honoree, Thaddeus (Ted) Piotrowski, Faculty Emeritus, one of the founding members of FOBULA.
   Bob is just the third person to receive this award, selected by board members for exceptional service and dedication toward the overall enhancement of Bloomsburg University library programs. Bob volunteers many hours each year to coordinate the Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale, participates in many events to promote library resources, and serves as FOBULA board secretary.  Congratulations Bob!

Bob Dunkelberger, BU University
Archivist/Coordinator of Special Collections,
displays the "Teddy" Award presented to him
by the FOBULA Board of Directors
for special service and achievement.

FOBULA Book Scholarship Award

   An additional award presented during the Author’s Dinner was the FOBULA Book Scholarship Award for outstanding Library Student Assistants. Library personnel submitted student worker candidates for consideration who have worked at least a year, possessed a great work ethic, positive attitude, and provided excellent customer service.
   The FOBULA board proudly awarded $250 gift vouchers toward future purchases at the university bookstore to our five winners from Harvey A. Andruss Library: Rick Bailey, Ashton Keefer, and Tom Malinski (Access Services); Kellie Fisher (Acquisitions); and Christian Tloczynzki (Interlibrary Loan). Congratulations and great job by all!



FOBULA Award Winners Bob Dunkelberger (left), Kellie Fisher (second from left),
Rick Bailey (third from left), Tom Malinski (third from right)
and Board Members Ted Piotrowski (second from right), Chang Roh (right),
gathered recently in the Andruss Library.
Missing from photo: Ashton Keefer and Christian Tloczynzki.




 

Afro-Americana Imprints: New Database!

We are happy to announce that Andruss Library has acquired access to Afro-Americana Imprints.  This new database provides full-text access to over 12,000 documents that chronicle the African American experience from 1535 to 1922.

Afro-Americana Imprints includes books, pamphlets, and broadsides that focus on African American history, literature, and culture.   Click here to take a look. 

Spotlight on... Brad Poust

This is the next installment in a series of blog posts to help you get acquainted with some of the people who work in the library. Today we introduce you to one of our student workers.

 What is your name?  Brad Poust

What is your major?  B.S Geology

What do you do in the library?  I am a student worker in the Acquisitions Department. I label and check in the magazines and journals, as well as sorting and distributing the mail in the library.

What do you enjoy most about your job?  I enjoy talking to my co-workers and the opportunity to have flexible hours that work around my classes.

What’s the best class you’ve taken at BU?  I don’t really have a favorite class; although I am a Geology major I really enjoy all types of literature classes.

  

What else do you want people to know about you?  I am an avid hunter and fisherman; as long as I’m outside I am happy. I am also a sports nut, in high school I played football and wrestled and here at Bloomsburg University I play Rugby.

The Library is Hiring

Want to work for the library?  We are currently looking for someone to work as our After-Hours Monitor.  This person works Sunday-Wednesday from 10pm-2am or 12am-2am.  We are looking for someone who is dependable and responsible, who can answer basic questions, who works independently, and who has a GPA of 2.5 or above (preferred). 

If you're interested, please fill out our online application and return it to the Circulation Desk by April 26. 

Questions?  Please contact Miranda Bailey at 570-389-4222 or mbailey@bloomu.edu. 

Additional PAPA resources on the Test Prep Guide

The library's Test Prep Guide has been updated to include additional material for those of you taking the PAPA.  We hope this will be helpful!

The guide continues to offer links to resources for those of you taking other exams, including the GRE, PRAXIS, LSAT, MCAT, and more. 

You Spoke: Individual Comments

Welcome to the fourth in a series of posts about the LibQual Survey results. Many of the comments that we received could be grouped together.  For example, many comments noted that the computers were slow or that we should have more group study rooms.  But sometimes only one or two people made a particular comment.  Today we are looking at some of those.

• "The library should have a way to print wirelessly."   

We do have a way to print wirelessly!  On the library's homepage, in the For Students box, click on the link that says Wireless Printing.  You can print to the printers on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th floors in the library, or to printers in the Kehr Union Games Room.

• "You should expand the Popular Reading Collection."  

We're glad that you're enjoying our (currently very small) Popular Reading Collection.  This collection has gotten quite a lot of use since it started in the summer of 2011.  We are working on growing this collection.  Look for a new and improved (and larger) Popular Reading Collection sometime next academic year.

• "I'm surprised that the library doesn't have Piaget's book 'Moral Judgment of the Child.'"  

This was surprising, until we realized that we do have this book, only our edition used an alternate spelling of the word "Judgement" in the title.  We do try to catch alternate spellings or even misspellings in books so they can be found easily in PILOT.  This one had gotten by us, but it's now been corrected. 

• "There should be a way to browse/search the CD collection."  
For security reasons, the CD collection is housed behind the Circulation Desk, so we acknowledge that it's not the easiest collection to browse.  However, you can search just this collection--or any collection in the library.  In PILOT, click on the link in the lower right corner that says Search Limits. 

You will see a screen that gives you many ways to limit your search.  You may select to limit by location.  In this example, we will limit to the Compact Disc Collection.

Click the Set Search Limits button, and you can now search only for items in the Compact Disc Collection.

As always, if you have questions about the LibQual survey results, please contact Katie Yelinek. 

Spotlight on... Daniel Walz

This is the next installment in a series of blog posts to help you get acquainted with some of the people who work in the library.  Today we introduce you to someone who you might not have seen before.

What is your name?  Daniel Walz   

What is your title?  Acquisitions Assistant

What kinds of things are you responsible for in the library?
* I’m responsible for ordering, receiving, and then “checking in” most of the books, DVDs, and other physical items in the library’s collection.  One of the neat things about my position is that I frequently get to order items that are requested by faculty, students and staff through the online book request form. Check it out at http://bookrequest.bloomu.edu/
 
* I’m responsible for gathering usage statistics for all of the library’s online databases and journals.

* I also help my supervisor, Joyce Counterman, in scheduling and overseeing the work of our student employees.

How did you come to work in the library?   I’m one of the newest staff members here at the library and April 11th will mark my two year anniversary as a BU employee.  Before coming here, I was a Cataloging Librarian’s Assistant at Brodart Co. in Williamsport, PA.

What do you enjoy most about your job?   I’ve always loved reading and learning new things, so it’s a joy to come to work each day in this awesome library surrounded by all of these great resources we have to offer!  I also really enjoy the people I’ve met here at the library.  They’ve made me feel very welcome since I started.

What else do you want people to know about you?  I’m a U.S. Army veteran and an Army-trained Chinese linguist, although I don’t get much time to keep up on my language skills with three daughters at home!  The Army also gave me the opportunity to jump out of perfectly good airplanes, helicopters, and even helium balloons in South Korea a few times!  When the kids aren’t keeping me busy, you’ll find me rooting on the Phillies and Steelers.

How can people get in touch with you?  Email: dwalz@bloomu.edu  Phone: 389-4206  Room: AL 223

Requests for Assistance

There are many ways you can ask for research assistance when the Research Center is closed, including by email and our Ask Us Anything form.  Now you have a simpler way: simply fill out the paper Request for Assistance at the Research Center.  A librarian will get back to you no later than the next business day. 

Working on a Literature Review?

If you need to write a literature review for your class, take a look at the library's Literature Review guide.  Find out what a literature review is, what a good one should do, and how to write one. 

Other helpful guides can be found under the Subject Guides tab on the library's homepage. 

Want to learn about Big Data?

Perhaps you have heard of this topic on the news or elsewhere.  The Library has a very basic introductory guide to the phenomenon of Big Data.  With this guide, you may find articles, eBooks, and government press releases on the topic.

You spoke: Slow Computers

Welcome to the third in a series of posts about the LibQual Survey results.  Today we are talking about slow computers in the library.

You had a lot to say about computer speed in the library!  It was our #1 comment received.  Of the 581 comments that we received, 163 of them indicated that our computers were too slow.  

We acknowledge that this has been a chronic problem, especially during peak demand times such as midterms and finals.  We have taken another step towards easing this problem.  Over Spring Break, the last of the “thin clients” (those small boxy computers we had) were removed and replaced with regular HP computers.  The thin clients were the main cause of slowness in all of our computers, and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing how much faster the new computers will work. 

The new computers will also:
•         Reduce the noisiness of the keyboards in the library (we got some complaints about that).
•         Be included in LibStats, which lists open computers in the library.  The thin clients couldn’t be included in those counts. 

We value your feedback when it comes to computer speed, so please let us know how we’re doing with the new computers.  And, as always, if you have questions about the LibQual survey results, please contact Katie Yelinek. 

Spotlight on... Ashton Keefer

This is the next installment in a series of blog posts to help you get acquainted with some of the people who work in the library. Today we introduce you to one of our student workers.

What is your name?  Ashton Keefer

What is your major?  Early Childhood (Pk-4)/Special Education (Pk-8)

What do you do in the library?  Shelve returned books, check out books, and help to find course reserve materials.

What do you enjoy most about your job?  The flexibility with my hours.  They know classes come first and understand if I can’t work due to group meetings, advisement meetings, etc.

What’s the best class you’ve taken at BU?  I would have to say two classes I’m currently in with Frank D’Angelo. He really teaches the material in a way that is of interest to me, and only being five weeks into the semester I’ve learned so much!

Real Time Online Research Help

Want real time online help with your research while you are outside the Library?  You may join a  librarian online to simultaneously work with a database, etc. to get to the information you need.  If you are interested, check out the Bb Collaborate link under the Services tab of the Library's homepage.

You spoke: Group study rooms

Welcome to the second in a series of posts about the LibQual Survey results.  Today we are talking about group study rooms in the library.

You had a lot to say about the group study room situation!  Of the 581 comments that we received, 134 of them indicated we should have more group studies.   28 of the comments indicated a frustration with not enforcing the “2+” people preference in the rooms.  15 wished to be able to reserve rooms.  7 thanked us for adding more group studies over the past few years.  Other comments suggested allowing different group sizes in different rooms, converting some spaces to single study rooms, and creating a system to let you know which rooms were taken.

We have thought a lot about the group studies in the library.  You might have noticed that we changed the signage in the rooms.  While groups have priority in the rooms, we do want them to be used as much as possible.  So, a single person is welcome in the rooms but may be asked to leave if a group needs the space.  Please ask at the Circulation Desk if you are a group in need of a room.

We have doubled the number of group studies in the library over the past 3 years, from 16 to 32.  32 is the maximum that we have the room for right now.  We know this isn’t ever enough, especially during midterms and finals, and we remain committed to finding ways of making the rooms available in an equitable, reasonable, and transparent way.  The library is investigating some way to reserve rooms, but we’re going slowly with that.  Just as some of you want to be able to reserve a room, many others want to keep the first-come, first-serve system.  

If you have questions about the LibQual survey comments, please contact Katie Yelinek. 

Spotlight on... Lori Osborne

This is the next installment in a series of blog posts to help you get acquainted with some of the people who work in the library.  Today we introduce you to someone you probably see on a regular basis.

What is your name?  Lori Osborne

What is your title? Daytime Supervisor of Access Services

What kinds of things are you responsible for in the library?
I hire, train and schedule student library assistants.
I place items on Reserve for faculty.
I provide customer service to all students, faculty, staff and community patrons.
I also work with other library departments in maintaining the organization of our various collections.

How did you come to work in the library?
I worked at the Berwick public library when I became aware of an open position here.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I appreciate the opportunity of working with and helping all kinds of people on an everyday basis.

What else do you want people to know about you?
I like to read, garden and cook.  I especially like to be outside.

How can people get in touch with you?  Email: losborne@bloomu.edu  Phone: 389-4220  Room: AL 119

Want to learn about the Fiscal Cliff?

The Library has a research guide on the Fiscal Cliff and related phenomena.  This guide will be updated as developments occur.

You spoke: LibQual results

Welcome to the first in a series about the 2012 LibQual Survey results.  Over the next semester, these posts will go into some detail about the comments and ratings you left for us when you filled out the LibQual survey, and they will let you know how we in the library are responding to them. 

First, thanks to the over 1600 of you who took the time to complete the survey.  Your comments and ratings (both positive and negative) gave us a good snapshot of the feeling on campus about the library. 

Now, a short summary of the results.  

The top three written comments we received were:
1) The computers and/or Internet in the library are too slow
2) The library should have more group study rooms
3) The people working in the library are nice/helpful

The three statements that were rated mostly highly (you thought we were doing well in these areas) were:
1) Employees who instill confidence in users
2) Readiness to respond to users' questions
3) Community space for group learning and group study

The three statements that were rated lowest (you thought we weren't don't so well in these areas) were:
1) A library Web site enabling me to locate information on my own
2) Dependability in handling users' service problems
3) A community space for group learning and group study

How does "A community space for group learning and group study" end up as both rated high and rated low?  Undergraduate students rated us low on this category, but other user groups rated us high in this category. 

Future blog posts will look more in depth at these results, as well as other written comments that we received.  If you have questions about the LibQual survey comments, please contact Katie Yelinek. 

Spotlight on... Aislinn Murphy

This is the next installment in a series of blog posts to help you get acquainted with some of the people who work in the library. Today we introduce you to one of our student workers.

  

What is your name?  Aislinn Murphy

What is your major?  Secondary Education & English

What do you do in the library?  Shelf reading for the Juvenile and Curriculum Collections, which means checking to make sure the books are in the right order on the shelves so people can find them

What do you enjoy most about your job?  I love working among the library collections. Working in the Juvenile and Curriculum Collections is giving me the ability to see what resources are available to me as a future English teacher and I am able to share my knowledge and experience with others in my field.

What’s the best class you’ve taken at BU?   The best class I have ever taken was Classroom Measurement and Assessment with Dr. Supon in the Educational Studies department. Our class totaled about 10 students and we became very close and constructive of each other. Dr. Supon made me really work for everything in that class and I feel like that is what makes a good professor; someone that makes you work, learn, and grow not only as a student, but as a future professional. Her class and her teaching really made me think about what I wish to do in my future classroom.

What else do you want people to know about you?   I love to travel and explore other cultures. The world is full of such wonderful, rich, and interesting people and cultures. I think that learning about others, their traditions and ways of doing things will help me to grow as a person, a professional, and as a future teacher.

Looking Good! Survey Results are Positive

 

Feedback Forum

You like it! We had a good response to the brief opinion surveys placed around the library’s main floor recently. The goal was to gain feedback regarding our experiment with some physical changes that greeted students for the 2013 semester.

Overall, you seem to enjoy the aesthetically pleasing layout of furnishings and new carpeting that were part of the winter update. Our patrons also offered some interesting opinions and suggestions that can help us plan for future arrangements. Actually, feel free to share your thoughts anytime!

Here’s an overview of what you told us. The results are listed in order of popularity:



Your first impression of the changes on the main floor:

* The look is welcoming, warm and inviting. It’s really nice!
* The layout is more practical and conducive to group study.
* Clean and bright, feels roomier.
* Neat and attractive, more organized.



What was mostly liked about the updates?

* The tables by the windows with open views.
* The quiet area in the back for studying and concentration.
* Chair clusters of comfortable furniture, good for group discussions.
* Open floor plan.

 

What was mostly disliked?

Andruss Library, Main Floor

* Feels too secluded along back wall.
* Not enough group areas.
* Not enough private areas.

Some suggestions for future changes are:

* More electrical outlets and accessibility.
* More computers, faster computers.
* Bring in more comfortable furniture.
* Supply more group study rooms during finals.

The most common response was…

* No improvement needed, happy with it as is!

 

We received 35 surveys in 5 days, and 148 total comments were compiled. Thanks to all that responded!

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