Author Archives: rpc14

Save the Date: Dean’s Forum July 20

Save the date for the next Dean’s Forum to be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 20 in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park, and on Mediasite Live.

The program includes faculty and staff kudos and a presentation by Libraries administrators on organizational transition.

 

July 18 discussion focuses on benefits of Summer Academy programs

orange sun with triangular yellow rays with text below for Pennsylvania Summer Academy at Penn State

Shelly Faust-Jones and Karen Walsh-Emma, co-directors of the Summer Academy Program at Penn State, will host a discussion from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18 to raise awareness about these unique programs offered on the University Park campus. The discussion, with a question and answer session to follow, will be held in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, and will also be available on Mediasite Live at live.libraries.psu.edu. An archived recording of this event will be closed captioned and available following the discussion.

Summer Academy, hosted by Penn State, University Park, offers a multi-week, intensive program focused on enhancing independence skills for students transitioning to postsecondary education. The experience is available at no cost to eligible Pennsylvania students currently enrolled in high school and who anticipate attending a two- or four-year college or technical/trade school after graduation.

This discussion is co-sponsored by the University Libraries’ Accessibility and Diversity Committees in recognition of Global Accessibility Awareness Day.

 Faust-Jones and Walsh-Emma, who work in the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services within Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry, will discuss how the Summer Academy Program was conceived; what is involved in putting this program together; what outcomes have been derived from the Summer Academy for the Blind and Visually Impaired in the past few years at University Park; and Penn State’s contributions to the programs.

The full Penn State News article is available to read online. For more information on the July 18 discussion event, or for questions about accommodations or the physical access provided, contact Emily Rimland, at 814-863-2480 or elf113@psu.edu in advance of the event.

Application period for 2017-18 Innovation Microgrants now open

The application period for the 2017-18 UL Innovation Microgrant Program begins Monday, July 3, 2017. This program is open to all faculty and staff across the University Libraries and the Penn State Press, and collaboration among colleagues is highly encouraged.

The application form, judging criteria, and additional information about the award may be found on our intranet site at https://staff.libraries.psu.edu/deans-administrative-office/library-staff-and-faculty-awards/microgrants. Depending on the nature of the proposal, some projects may require approval from I-tech and/or IRB, so please plan accordingly.

If you have questions, email the Microgrant Committee at ul-microgrants@lists.psu.edu.

The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 26.

Tribute to visionary filmmaker featured July 5 for Docunight

Just one day after the one-year anniversary of the death of world-renowned filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami, “76 Minutes and 15 Seconds with Abbas Kiarostami” will be featured for Docunight: Iran via Documentaries. The film will be shown at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5 in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, on the University Park campus. Co-sponsored by the Iranian Student Association and Penn State University Libraries, Docunight events are scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month and are free and open to the public.

Acclaimed photographer Seifollah Semadian, long-time collaborator with Kiarostami, turned years of behind-the-scenes footage shot during their close creative partnership into a beautiful, understated and inspiring tribute to this giant of cinema by simply allowing the audience to watch Kiarostami at work.

The entire Penn State News article can be viewed online. For more information on this event, or for questions about accommodations or the physical access provided, contact Mark Mattson, global partnerships and outreach librarian, at 814-863-2480 or mam1196@psu.edu in advance of the event.

Use “we” not “they”

Try to use the word “we” instead of “they” when discussing your company with a customer.

Why?

Your customer naturally thinks of you and your company as one and the same. Customer service representatives tend to use the word “they” when dealing with something negative, but this can make your customer think you are not committed to the job.

Here are a few examples:

  • “They typically take two days to get that done” becomes “We typically get that done in two days.”
  • They won’t let me do that for you” becomes “I’m unable to do that, but here’s what I can do.”
  • “They will be with you in just a minute” becomes “We will be with you in just a minute.”

Bonus info: “We” vs. “They” isn’t just a language choice – it’s an attitude.

Check out this example from Jeff Toister of Toister Performance Solutions: How Customer Service Problems Quite Literally Get Moldy where a “They” attitude led to a problem literally getting moldy.

– submitted by Carmen Gass, User Training Services

Tech Tip: New Settings app in Windows 10

by Ryan Johnson, I-Tech

A new Settings interface in available in Windows 10. This is designed to be a more user-friendly way to configure your computer with a single unified settings area.

To access the Settings app, click on the Start Menu and select the Gear icon:

The new Windows Settings App will appear:

However, it still doesn’t contain every setting. The old Windows Control Panel is still included. Some older settings may only be available in the Control Panel, while some newer settings may only be available in the Settings app. To quickly access the Control Panel and other advanced options, you can right-click the Start button or press Windows Key + X

Events: July 3

Summer 2017

Academic calendar information for all campuses is available online.

Through Sunday, July 30, “The Painted Photograph: Selections from the B. & H. Henisch Photo-History Collection,” Pattee Library operating hours, Paterno Family Reading Room, 201A Pattee Library, University Park.

Through Wednesday, August 9, 2017: “Plastics: Knowledge and Information Taking Shape” exhibitPattee Library operating hours, Sidewater Commons and central entrance, Pattee Library, University Park.

Through Friday, August 30, 2017: “100 Years of the Pulitzers: Celebrating Our Humanity,” exhibitArts and Humanities Library operating hours, Diversity Studies Room, 203 Patee Library, University Park.

Through Sunday, September 10, 2017: “ABC: An Abecedarium from the 15th to the 21st Century” exhibit, Eberly Family Special Collections Library, 104 Paterno Library, Paterno Library operating hours, University Park.

Tuesday, July 4: Independence Day, no classes.

Wednesday, July 5: Docunight: Iran via Documentaries: 76 minutes 15 seconds with Abbas Kiarostami,” documentary screening of a film about, around, or in Iran, or made by Iranians, 7 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Thursday, July 6: Pop-Up Library (for LEAP), 4-6 p.m., Redifer Commons lobby area, University Park.

Monday, July 10, Data Days, various locations at Pattee Library and Paterno Library, University Park. Register here.

Thursday, July 13: Pop-Up Library (for LEAP), 4-6 p.m., Redifer Commons lobby area, University Park.

Wednesday-Sunday, July 13-16, Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, Children’s Day July 12, BookFest July 15, State College and University Park campus.

Tuesday, July 18: Summer Academy for the Blind at Penn State, 90-minute discussion, 1:30-3 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, July 19: PA Forward Information Literacy Summit, Pattee Library and Paterno Library, University Park.

Thursday, July 20: Special Collections Library Research Travel Awards “Learn at Lunch” presentation, by Albert M. Petska Eighth Air Force Archives winner Marla Okner, noon-1 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Thursday, July 20: Dean’s Forum, 1 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park, and via Mediasite Live.

Thursday, July 20: Pop-Up Library (for LEAP), 4-6 p.m., Redifer Commons lobby area, University Park.

Wednesday, July 26: Open House Volunteer Kickoff Party, 3 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Thursday, July 27: Special Collections Library Research Travel Awards “Learn at Lunch” presentation, by Mary Ann O’Brian Malkin Research Award winner Tilden Russell, noon-1 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Thursday, July 27: Pop-Up Library (for LEAP), 4-6 p.m., Redifer Commons lobby area, University Park.

Wednesday, Aug. 2: Special Collections Library Research Travel Awards “Learn at Lunch” presentation, by Dorothy Foehr Huck Research Award winner Kinohi Nishikawa, noon-1 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, Aug. 2: Docunight: Iran via Documentaries, documentary screening of a film about, around, or in Iran, or made by Iranians, 7 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, Aug. 2: Pop-Up Library (for LEAP), 4-6 p.m., Redifer Commons lobby area, University Park.

Friday, Aug. 4: Special Collections Library Research Travel Awards “Learn at Lunch” presentation, by Dorothy Foehr Huck Research Award winner Kristoffer Smemo, noon-1 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, Aug. 9: last day of classes, second six-week summer session, University Park.

Thursday, Aug.10: study day, second six-week summer session, University Park.

Wednesday, Aug. 10: Pop-Up Library (for LEAP), 4-6 p.m., special pop-up event with coffee and snacks, Redifer Commons lobby area, University Park.

Friday, August 11: Final examssecond six-week summer session, University Park.

Friday, Aug. 11: Special Collections Library Research Travel Awards “Learn at Lunch” presentation, by Through the Flower Research Travel Award winner Monica Steinberg, noon-1 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Saturday, August 12: Summer Commencement, University Park.

Tuesday, August 15: Tech Update, by I-Tech, 10-11 a.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, August 16: University Libraries Picnic, 5-8 p.m., Holmes-Foster Park, State College. All University Libraries current and retired employees and their families invited. RSVP details to come.

Friday-Sunday, August 18-20: Arrival days

Monday, August 21: First day of fall semester classes

Tuesday, August 29: Open House Volunteer Training, 2-3 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, August 30: Open House Volunteer Training, 11 a.m.-noon, Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Please submit event information to Public Relations and Marketing via the Library News submission form.

Six pop-up library events introduce resources and collections to LEAP students

 

A pop-up library will greet Penn State students participating in the Learning Edge Academic Program (LEAP) for six afternoons this summer as the University Libraries introduce its services and resources. All pop-up library events will be held weekly from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. beginning Thursday, July 6, in the Redifer Commons lobby area on the University Park campus.

Each week, the pop-up library will feature collections, titles and items from various subject libraries and units as well as from University Libraries’ leisure reading and viewing collections. Penn State students can also learn about the Libraries’ extensive online resources such as academic journals, databases and the Ask A Librarian service.

The six dates for the pop-up library events are:

  • Thursday, July 6
  • Thursday, July 13
  • Thursday, July 20
  • Thursday, July 27
  • Wednesday, Aug. 2
  • Thursday, Aug. 10

Free coffee and snacks will be provided at the special pop-up library event on Aug. 10, similar to the Libraries’ DeStress Fest held at the end of each semester.

For more information on this event, or for questions about accommodations or the physical access provided, contact Hailley Fargo (hmf14@psu.edu/814-865-1850) or Megan Gilpin (mcg13@psu.edu/814-867-0069) in advance of the event.

Creative, scientific process helps EMS graduate student bake edible book winner

by David Kubarek, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences for Penn State News

Preeya Kuray, a third-year doctoral student majoring in materials science and engineering at Penn State, was thrilled to win the People’s Choice Award at the inaugural Edible Book Festival, so also winning “Best Depiction of a Classic” was, so to speak, the icing on the cake.

Kuray was awarded for crafting a cake tribute to the cover of “A Wrinkle in Time,” illustrated by Peter Sis, one her favorite artists. The event was hosted this spring by Penn State University Libraries.

In two days, Kuray meticulously constructed the edible creation. First, she baked a chocolate cake and cut it into a prism. She then covered the cake in buttercream frosting, followed by white fondant so that it resembled a book. With the blank canvas in place, she spent the second day painting the cover using edible watercolors that she made using food coloring and vodka.

“Cake decorating is one of my favorite hobbies, so I like to make cakes that will teach me new skills that push me past my limits,” Kuray said.

Winning two of the five categories surprised Kuray, who said there were parts of the cake she wished that she could have done better.

“Painting with vodka is a very unforgiving technique,” Kuray said. “Once you make a stroke, you can’t undo it and are forced to improvise on ways to cover up mistakes. But I think the occasional feeling of dissatisfaction with your work is universal among artists and serves as a driving force to improve. There’s nothing better than looking back on past work and seeing how far you’ve come.”

two women standing behind beautiful baked goods

Lourdes Bobbio with her Quidditch World Cupcakes, winner of the “Most Appetizing” category, and Kuray with her award-winning creation.

The science-minded Kuray has used her expertise to improve her baking skills, too. She’s always tasting her creations and plotting experiments to improve her edibles. She discovered overmixed batter, which excessively activated the gluten, was the culprit for an undesirable chewy, dense texture. To promote even baking throughout, she places metal flower nails in the cake center that are easily removed after the cake cools.

“When I make cakes, I try to think about what is happening at a fundamental level in order to troubleshoot when things go wrong. Cake making is a science,” Kuray said. “It’s incredibly satisfying when you understand the reason why things are going wrong and figure out a solution to move forward. It is similar to doing research, in that sense.”

For more on the contest and to view the other winners, click here.

Docunight presents touching portrait of cinema giant Kiarostami July 5

Just one day after the one-year anniversary of the death of world-renowned filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami, “76 Minutes and 15 Seconds with Abbas Kiarostami” will be featured for Docunight: Iran via Documentaries. The film will be shown at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5 in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, on the University Park campus. Co-sponsored by the Iranian Student Association and Penn State University Libraries, Docunight events are scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month and are free and open to the public.

Acclaimed photographer Seifollah Semadian, long-time collaborator with Kiarostami, turned years of behind-the-scenes footage shot during their close creative partnership into a beautiful, understated and inspiring tribute to this giant of cinema by simply allowing the audience to watch Kiarostami at work. Kiarostami was a visionary, known for his films “Koker Trilogy” (1987), “Close-up” (1990), “Taste of Cherry” (1997), which was awarded the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and “The Wind Will Carry Us” (1999), a Silver Lion winner at the Venice Film Festival, among many others.

The entire Penn State News article can be viewed online. An 8.5×11 promotional poster for “76′ 15″ with Abbas Kiarostami” is available as a downloadable PDF to print or share. For more information on this event, or for questions about accommodations or the physical access provided, contact Mark Mattson, global partnerships and outreach librarian, at 814-863-2480 or mam1196@psu.edu in advance of the event.

Application period for Innovation Microgrant Program begins July 3

The application period for the 2017-18 UL Innovation Microgrant Program begins on Monday, July 3, 2017. If you or your team have unique ideas that would foster innovation in support of the University Libraries, begin brainstorming now!

This program is open to all faculty and staff across the University Libraries and the Penn State Press, and collaboration among colleagues is highly encouraged.

The application form, judging criteria, and additional information about the award may be found on our intranet site at https://staff.libraries.psu.edu/deans-administrative-office/library-staff-and-faculty-awards/microgrants. Depending on the nature of the proposal, some projects may require approval from I-tech and/or IRB, so please plan accordingly.

If you have questions, email the Microgrant Committee at ul-microgrants@lists.psu.edu.

The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 26.

– information from Carmen Cole on behalf of the 2017-2018 UL Innovation Microgrant Program Committee

Save the Date: Open House volunteer kickoff ice cream party July 26

One month from today, on Wednesday, July 26, the Open House Steering Committee will host the volunteer kickoff ice cream party in the Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

The Open House volunteer kickoff party begins at 3 p.m. with a selection of Berkey Creamery ice cream and Rita’s Italian Ice as well as information about upcoming training sessions and Open House activities.

This fun event is just the beginning as University Park Libraries’ Open House volunteers will help welcome more than 3,000 students Wednesday-Thursday, Sept. 6-7 and introduce them to the services and resources we provide. The Open House is our biggest outreach event of the year—
come find out how you can make a difference!

Time slots for volunteer signups will be available at the party.

We appreciate the support this event has received through the years and look forward to having another great Open House in 2017!

– submitted by Ali Zawoyski, Open House Steering Committee (ajz12@psu.edu).

What happens backstage will not remain backstage in customer service

In any field of customer service, or in any job, what happens “backstage” at work matters.

“Backstage” refers to anything that happens behind the scenes from the customers. This can be something that influences the culture in the smallest of ways, as Jenny Dempsey explains in her article, “What happens backstage will not remain backstage in customer service.”

– submitted by Carmen Gass, User Training Services

Tech Tip: Getting ready for Windows 10?

by Ryan Johnson, I-Tech

Windows 10 will begin to roll out to campuses and University Park this summer and into the fall semester. Over the summer, I will offer tech tips on what to look for in Windows 10.

My first tech tip will feature the new Windows 10 start menu. The Start menu looks very different then it does in Windows 7. When you left click, a long list of programs will appear. Two new sections exist, Life at a glance and Play and Explore. The live tiles (some are pulling data from the Internet) found in these sections can be removed, just right-click them and remove them. If you want to add a commonly accessed program, just drop and drag a program from the left menu into these sections.

You can also pin them to the start menu or taskbar by right-clicking any item in the start menu.

While the Start menu looks a bit different, it has all the usual features you’d expect — a list of all your installed applications as well as power options for shutting down or restarting your PC.

Move your mouse to any edge of the Start menu and you’ll be able to resize it. The left side of the menu brings a sense of continuity with Windows 7 in that it contains options for regularly used apps, File explorer, Settings, and a Search bar.

Note: The calendar and mail applications located in the start menu are not associated with UCS.

Events: June 26

Summer 2017

Academic calendar information for all campuses is available online.

Through Sunday, July 30, “The Painted Photograph: Selections from the B. & H. Henisch Photo-History Collection,” Pattee Library operating hours, Paterno Family Reading Room, 201A Pattee Library, University Park.

Through Wednesday, August 9, 2017: “Plastics: Knowledge and Information Taking Shape” exhibit, Pattee Library operating hours, Sidewater Commons and central entrance, Pattee Library, University Park.

Through Friday, August 30, 2017: “100 Years of the Pulitzers: Celebrating Our Humanity,” exhibitArts and Humanities Library operating hours, Diversity Studies Room, 203 Patee Library, University Park.

Through Sunday, September 10, 2017: “ABC: An Abecedarium from the 15th to the 21st Century” exhibit, Eberly Family Special Collections Library, 104 Paterno Library, Paterno Library operating hours, University Park.

Monday, June 26: final exams, first six-week summer session, University Park.

Wednesday, June 28: first day of classes, second six-week summer session, University Park.

Tuesday, July 4: Independence Day, no classes.

Wednesday, July 5: Docunight: Iran via Documentaries: 76 minutes 15 seconds with Abbas Kiarostami,” documentary screening of a film about, around, or in Iran, or made by Iranians, 7 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Thursday, July 6: Pop-Up Library (for LEAP), 4-6 p.m., Redifer Commons lobby area, University Park.

Monday, July 10, Data Days, various locations at Pattee Library and Paterno Library, University Park. Register here.

Thursday, July 13: Pop-Up Library (for LEAP), 4-6 p.m., Redifer Commons lobby area, University Park.

Wednesday-Sunday, July 13-16, Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, Children’s Day July 12, BookFest July 15, State College and University Park campus.

Tuesday, July 18: Summer Academy for the Blind at Penn State, 90-minute discussion, 1:30-3 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, July 19: PA Forward Information Literacy Summit, Pattee Library and Paterno Library, University Park.

Thursday, July 20: Special Collections Library Research Travel Awards “Learn at Lunch” presentation, by Albert M. Petska Eighth Air Force Archives winner Marla Okner, noon-1 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Thursday, July 20: Dean’s Forum, 1 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park, and via Mediasite Live.

Thursday, July 20: Pop-Up Library (for LEAP), 4-6 p.m., Redifer Commons lobby area, University Park.

Wednesday, July 26: Open House Volunteer Kickoff Party, 3 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Thursday, July 27: Special Collections Library Research Travel Awards “Learn at Lunch” presentation, by Mary Ann O’Brian Malkin Research Award winner Tilden Russell, noon-1 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Thursday, July 27: Pop-Up Library (for LEAP), 4-6 p.m., Redifer Commons lobby area, University Park.

Wednesday, Aug. 2: Special Collections Library Research Travel Awards “Learn at Lunch” presentation, by Dorothy Foehr Huck Research Award winner Kinohi Nishikawa, noon-1 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, Aug. 2: Docunight: Iran via Documentaries, documentary screening of a film about, around, or in Iran, or made by Iranians, 7 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, Aug. 2: Pop-Up Library (for LEAP), 4-6 p.m., Redifer Commons lobby area, University Park.

Friday, Aug. 4: Special Collections Library Research Travel Awards “Learn at Lunch” presentation, by Dorothy Foehr Huck Research Award winner Kristoffer Smemo, noon-1 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, Aug. 9: last day of classes, second six-week summer session, University Park.

Thursday, Aug.10: study day, second six-week summer session, University Park.

Wednesday, Aug. 10: Pop-Up Library (for LEAP), 4-6 p.m., special pop-up event with coffee and snacks, Redifer Commons lobby area, University Park.

Friday, August 11: Final examssecond six-week summer session, University Park.

Friday, Aug. 11: Special Collections Library Research Travel Awards “Learn at Lunch” presentation, by Through the Flower Research Travel Award winner Monica Steinberg, noon-1 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Saturday, August 12: Summer Commencement, University Park.

Tuesday, August 15: Tech Update, by I-Tech, 10-11 a.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, August 16: University Libraries Picnic, 5-8 p.m., Holmes-Foster Park, State College. All University Libraries current and retired employees and their families invited. RSVP details to come.

Friday-Sunday, August 18-20: Arrival days

Monday, August 21: First day of fall semester classes

Tuesday, August 29: Open House Volunteer Training, 2-3 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, August 30: Open House Volunteer Training, 11 a.m.-noon, Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Please submit event information to Public Relations and Marketing via the Library News submission form.

Consultation event to support faculty in adopting open educational resources

In support of faculty members who are interested in adopting, adapting or authoring open educational resources (OER) or incorporating library resources in new or existing courses, the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence, Teaching and Learning with Technology, and the University Libraries will offer a drop-in consultation event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 29, in 315 Rider Building.

Consultants Deena Levy from the Schreyer Institute, Julie Lang and Angie Dick from Teaching and Learning with Technology, and Torrie Raish and Rebecca Miller from the University Libraries will be available to speak with attendees. Faculty members are free to attend as their schedules permit.

Faculty can receive support in areas such as:

  • Defining course/lesson goals and objectives and selecting appropriate open content to help support them
  • Finding OER to replace course textbooks/high-cost materials
  • Adapting existing OER to replace course textbooks/high-cost materials
  • Authoring OER to replace course textbooks/high-cost materials
  • Licensing content with a Creative Commons License
  • Creating content in Pressbooks
  • Creating a project-planning document to support adoption, adaption and authoring
  • Methods/tools to share open content/courses
  • Matching with a library subject expert who can help identify free library resources, including course reserves and e-books
  • Help developing lesson plans and assignments utilizing OER
  • Library support in providing full modules that include content for and assessments of information literacy skills

While the event was designed to provide Integrative Studies Seed Grant Program awardees with support in OER and library resources, all Penn State faculty members are invited to attend.

Appointments are not required. However, faculty members are asked to indicate their intention to attend by registering for the event at https://www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu/events.

2017 edition of “A Baker’s Dozen: Best Books for Family Literacy” announced

Committed to providing an annual list of the best books to support family literacy, the Pennsylvania Center for the Book has announced its 13 books for the 2017 edition. “A Baker’s Dozen: The Best Children’s Books for Family Literacy for 2017” was compiled by a panel of children’s literature experts from the many children’s books published last year.

The titles for the 2017 list include:

  • “123 Dream” by Kim Kranz (published by Random);
  • “ABCs on Wheels” by Ramon Olivera (Little Simon);
  • “D Is for Dress-Up: The ABC’s of What We Wear” by Maria Carluccio (Chronicle);
  • “Ella and Penguin Stick Together” by Megan Maynor, illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet (HarperCollins);
  • “Faraway Fox” by Jolene Thompson, illustrated by Justin K. Thompson (Houghton);
  • “Lion Lessons” by Jon Agee (Dial);
  • “Owl Sees Owl” by Laura Godwin, illustrated by Rob Dunlavey (Random/Schwartz & Wade);
  • “The Saddest Toilet in the World” by Sam Apple, illustrated by Sam Ricks (Simon/Aladdin);
  • “They All Saw A Cat” by Brendan Wenzel (Chronicle);
  • “Walter’s Wonderful Web” by Tim Hopgood (Farrar);
  • “We Found A Hat” by Jon Klassen (Candlewick);
  • “A Well-Mannered Young Wolf” by Jean Leroy, illustrated by Matthieu Maudet (Eerdmans); and
  • “When Spring Comes” by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek (Greenwillow)

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The Pennsylvania Center for the Book, assessing hundreds of new children’s books each year, prepares book lists, activities and curriculum materials. Working with its youngest audience, preschool children, the Baker’s Dozen list complements the center’s family literacy activities to help parents and caregivers to create and nurture lifelong readers. Tips for using the books with children and families, previous years’ selections, annotations, selection criterial and more are available through the “A Baker’s Dozen” website.

The Pennsylvania Center for the Book, sponsored by Penn State’s University Libraries and Barbara I. Dewey, dean of University Libraries and Scholarly Communications, is one of 51 similar organizations nationwide established by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. Its mission is to study, honor, celebrate and promote books, reading, libraries and literacy to the citizens and residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

For more information, visit http://www.pabook.libraries.psu.edu or contact Caroline Wermuth, outreach coordinator, Pennsylvania Center for the Book, at cvw1@psu.edu or 814-863-5472.

302 Paterno and 211 Davey fall semester schedules

Many questions have been asked about the availability of the fall semester schedules for 302 Paterno and 211 Davey — the two General Purpose Classrooms in the Libraries. Because updates are made to these schedules up to the final weeks before classes, the fall schedule will
be available on August 14.

Once the schedule is posted to UCS after August 14, you can contact me, Rebecca Peterson (rmr28@psu.edu), to schedule either of these spaces. In the meantime, all of our other rooms in the Libraries are available for scheduling! Feel free to contact me with any questions you have
about scheduling.

While I’m out on leave (July and August), Anne Behler (acb10@psu.edu) will manage the instruction room schedules and Emma Davidson (emd21@psu.edu) will manage 302 Paterno and 211 Davey requests through CollegeNet.

– submitted by Rebecca Peterson, Library Learning Services