Daily Archives: December 7, 2015

Libraries expand hours and services

Pattee stacks late night

photo by Jill Shockey

Pattee Library and Paterno Library on the University Park campus are expanding hours and services Dec. 6-18 on the University Park campus to help students with end-of-the-semester research and finals study needs. In addition, the Libraries is sponsoring later on-campus bus service Sundays-Wednesdays during the last week of fall classes and finals week. Read the full story on Penn State News

DeStress Fest coming soon

The University Libraries’ University Park locations once again will hold “DeStress Fest” events to help students relax during fall final exams. Events will be held at Pattee Library and Paterno Library from Sunday, Dec. 13, through Tuesday, Dec. 15, while additional subject locations’ times and dates vary, but all will feature snacks and a variety of activities designed to help students unwind. Read the full story on Penn State News.

Dec 10: Dean’s Diversity Forum with Marcus Whitehurst

Dr. Marcus Whitehurst

Dr. Marcus Whitehurst

Dr. Marcus A. Whitehurst, Vice Provost for Educational Equity, will present at the next Dean’s Diversity Forum. His presentation is titled “Striving for Inclusive Excellence.” The forum will be held from 2-3 p.m., on Dec. 10, in Foster Auditorium and Media Site Live.

Whitehurst, who has nearly 20 years of experience in educational leadership, was appointed Penn State’s vice provost for Educational Equity on Sept. 1, after holding the position in an interim capacity for more than a year. The vice provost for the Office of Educational Equity oversees 13 units with 75 staff members, in addition to working collaboratively with a number of offices both within and outside the University. That includes overseeing the Office of Disability Services, the Equal Opportunity Planning Committee, the Multicultural Resource Center, the Office of Veterans Programs, and a number of student support services and programs.

Tech Tip: Firefox now available on iPhone, iPads

by Ryan Johnson, technology training coordinator
CaptureAfter a long absence, Firefox is now available for iOS. Firefox has been available on Android for years, but a dispute over the use of Apple’s standards prevented Mozilla from making the switch. Mozilla ultimately changed its position, and the browser is now available for download.

Firefox for iOS supports many of the most recent features that Mozilla has made available to users on other platforms. They include Private Browsing, which blocks content that could be used by third parties to record a user’s online activity, and Visual Tabs for easier management of multiple browsing tabs opened on the same screen.

Two Factor Authentication (2FA), what does it look like?

by Ryan Johnson

Now that Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is up and running for users that have enrolled at Penn State, what does it look like?

When you first log into any application behind WebAccess, you will presented with your normal WebAccess login screen, simply login as normal:
webaccessduo

Note: The User Id field will appear to have a default userid (xyz500) already entered, simply add your userid.

You will then be presented with an additional authentication screen. Choose from your enrolled devices and how you want to receive the Second-Factor notification.
mobile1

  • If you are using a smartphone or tablet, the Duo Push option is recommended (See examples below).
  • You can also generate a passcode from the Duo App on your device by opening the app and clicking on the key symbol located in the upper-right hand corner:
    codegenerate
  • If you are choosing a landline, you can choose to receive a phone call or you can also generate a code from the Duo App as well.

After selecting the method you want, click on Log In. If you choose to receive the Duo receive push notification it will look something like this on an Android device:
Picture1

Or if you are using an iPhone or iPad it will look like this:
ipadduo

Simply Approve the notification and you will then be automatically logged into WebAccess on your computer or device.

If you are using a landline and receive a phone call, simply select any number on your keypad to accept the authentication.

For further assistance, please use the following resources:

Library Specific FAQ
Identity Services FAQ

Around-the-world cookie sharing event

by Sherry Roth, on behalf of the University Libraries Diversity Committee

Happy December! Please join the Diversity Committee for an around-the-world cookie sharing event from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm., on Monday, December 21, in Mann Assembly Room.

We would like to invite you to share a batch of your favorite cookies with everyone. You could showcase cookies typically found on holiday tables in the countries of your heritage, culture, or ethnicity whether it is one generation or multiple generations in your past. Cookies from the USA are always welcome too. You can use a favorite family recipe or adopt a country to try something new. Don’t have time to bake? Wegmans has a great variety of international cookies, so just grab a pack when grocery shopping.

Even more fun is the chance to crowdsource our map “Cookies ’round the World” on Google Maps. Instructions are attached (Click here: Instructions for Adding Cookies), but it really is easy. (You should enable editing in the Word document for proper viewing on all devices.) Just pinpoint your country, fill in the pop-up with your name and cookie name, and save it. We already started populating the map with our offerings. Go directly to The Cookie Map (press edit to add your cookie)

If you don’t want to crowdsource our map, just send me an email (ssr11@psu.edu) and I will add you to the map. Please print a copy of your cookie recipe (or include an ingredient list) and place it close to your cookies so that folks with dietary restrictions are able to participate.

Campus libraries are welcome to participate in both the cookie sharing in your libraries and in the map crowdsourcing, just for the fun of it! And, since University Park libraries don’t open until noon, the great folks who staff the service desks will get to participate too.

Save the Date: Library League networking event!

The Library League of Centre County will hold a get-together from 5 to 7 p.m., on Friday, February 12, 2016, in Mann Assembly Room, first floor Paterno Library. This free networking event is open to all employees of libraries located in Centre County, whether full-time, part-time, technical service, or other! There will be appetizers, snacks and wine! Join the fun and get to know your counterparts from across Centre County.

RSVP to Ann Snowman (ams32@psu.edu) by Tuesday, Feb. 10.

GIS Day: Advancing the power of maps

by Tara LaLonde, GIS specialist

During Geography Awareness Week (November 16-20, 2015), multiple events provides students, faculty, staff, and community members the opportunity to explore maps! Over 100 participants engaged with one another on the power of maps. GIS Day events were co-sponsored by the University Libraries and the Department of Geography. Monday’s mapping workshop and Wednesday’s morning and afternoon speaker sessions were also part of Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Highlights included:

    • Mapping Applications: Getting to know SimplyMap, PolicyMap, and Social Explorer (11/16/15) demonstrated to students the many datasets available from these applications. Participants explored the differences and similarities of options for map design and output from these library subscribed applications.
    • GIS Day (11/18/15) elevated the presence of geospatial information and analysis occurring on Penn State campus and beyond. During the information fair, participants interacted with many Penn State geospatial groups and programs. They were able to exchange information and get resources to further their exploration of geospatial information. We were thrilled to be joined by multiple groups outside of Penn State. The National Weather Service (State College, PA), Here maps, and ESRI joined us in the Information Fair and provided valuable information to visitors. Attendees also were able to view posters related to GIS topics in the Franklin Atrium.
    • Joseph Kerski, Esri Education Manager, gave two engaging talks to audiences in Foster Auditorium. His first talk focused on why geotechnologies matters, and his second talk focused on ArcGIS Online storymapping web applications. Here maps presented on the many uses of Here maps and how their maps are developed and maintained. Multiple Penn State students and faculty members participated as lightning talk speakers. We learned about Openstreetmap, Sanborn land use code creation, hazards data, uavs, and more. Afterwards, participants were welcomed at a reception to learn more about geospatial interests from one another. Karen Schuckman (Department of Geography) was the recipient of the raffle drawing for the prize of a $75 Amazon gift card contributed by Geographic Research Inc.
    • Recordings of Joseph Kerski’s talks, Here maps, and lightning talk presenters are available on Media Site Live: Morning Session: Joseph Kerski, Lightning Talks and Afternoon Session: Here maps, Joseph Kerski, Lightning Talks
  • OpenStreetMap Mapathon (11/19/15) enabled students and participants to learn how they could map to benefit a community. Participants digitized outlines of buildings for a portion of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (http://tasks.hotosm.org/project/1345) and experienced mapping in a hands-on environment. This OpenStreetMap Mapathon was coordinated by Aaron Dennis, Department of Geography.

Thank you for making this year’s GIS Day a success. We look forward to future GIS events.

GISDay15-Reception-HandmadeMap_7192

The reception included a display of a State College, PA hand-drawn map by Michael Sutherland, Department of Geography. — all photos by Wilson Hutton

GISDay15-InfoFair_7140

Information fair participants sharing geospatial information

GISDay15-reception

The GIS Day planning committee with GIS Day speaker, Joseph Kerski, ESRI Education Manager

Events: Dec. 7

Tues., Dec. 8, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Penn State Press Annual Book Sale, Kern Building Lobby. 30% off all titles! Also open to the public.

Thurs., Dec 10, 2-3 p.m.: Dean’s Diversity Forum, presented by Marcus A. Whitehurst, vice provost for Educational Equity, Foster Auditorium and Media Site Live. The vice provost for the Office of Educational Equity oversees 13 units with 75 staff members, in addition to working collaboratively with a number of offices both within and outside the University. That includes overseeing the Office of Disability Services, the Equal Opportunity Planning Committee, the Multicultural Resource Center, the Office of Veterans Programs, and a number of student support services and programs.

Sun., Dec. 13 through Tues., Dec. 15, 3–8 p.m.: DeStress Fest. Volunteers needed for some shifts. Sign up here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040b4cada929a13-destress

Mon., Dec. 21, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Cookies Around the World, Mann Assembly Room. Do you have a favorite cookie recipe to share? Would you like to sample some traditional cookies made by your colleagues? Join the Diversity Committee for this tasty pre-holiday event with a global theme.

Save the date:

Library League of Centre County networking event, 5–7 p.m., Feb. 12, Mann Assembly Room. Free and open to any and all library employees in Centre County. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to Ann Snowman, ams32@psu.edu

Discovery Day will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2016 this year. If you would like to be a part of this year’s committee please contact Ann Snowman, ams32@psu.edu

LHR News: Dec. 7

Please join us in welcoming the following new hires:

Part-time:
Alexander Redford – Access Services (Annex)
Emely Luna – Research Hub, Maps, EBSL, and Knowledge Commons
Melizza Zavala – Penn State Mont Alto

LHR

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