Monthly Archives: January 2016

Library News: Jan. 25

Save the Date: Tech Update Feb. 9 event has been cancelled

** Update: This event has been cancelled**

Save the Date! The next Tech Update is on Tuesday, February 9, at 10:00 a.m. in Foster Auditorium. More details to come.

“The Great Book Move” to be held Feb. 2

“The Adventures of Chet Blake – Plastic Man” is one of 2,000 books that Katrin Hornek will use to create an on-site sculpture in the Borland Project Space. Photo credit: Penn State

Several Libraries faculty and staff have been involved in coordinating “The Great Book Move,” a performative event to be held on Tuesday, Feb. 2, where the public is invited to help transport hundreds of books with “plastic” in the title from the Curtin Road entrance of Pattee Library to the College of Arts and Architecture’s Borland Project Space. They will be used to form a sculpture of more than 2,000 University Libraries books with “plastic” in the title by visiting artist Katrin Hornek.

Approximately 700 books originating from Pattee/Paterno and several campus libraries will be picked up inside Pattee Library outside Foster Auditorium for Hornek’s “Visible (Plastic) Entanglements: A Working Exhibition.” Volunteers are asked to enter at the Curtin road entrance between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Participants will not be required to check out books under personal accounts but are asked to RSVP at hmd17@psu.edu.

The books will be staged on a couple of large blue book trucks. Representatives from the Libraries and the College of Arts and Architecture and the artist will be on hand to facilitate the move. In addition, a documentary videographer and photographers from the college will be record the activities.

Volunteers willing to make a second run will then pick up identified books at University Park branch libraries:

— 5 books at the Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library ,111 Stuckeman Family Building;

— 48 books at the Physical and Mathematical Sciences Library , 201 Davey Laboratory;

— 112 books at the Fletcher L. Byrom Earth and Mineral Sciences Library , 105 Deike Building; and

— 146 books at the Engineering Library , 325 Hammond Building.

Volunteers will be given reusable bags by the College of Arts and Architecture to transport the books.

In addition, the Libraries’ receiving room will be delivering approximately 1,000 books Feb. 1-2 from annex locations directly to the Borland Project Space.

Judy Chicago Art Education Award invites applicants

In honor of artist, author and educator Judy Chicago and her many varied accomplishments, including “The Dinner Party,” Through the Flower — working with the Penn State School of Visual Arts — has established an award for outstanding educators who have developed projects related to “The Dinner Party” K-12 Curriculum or other materials in the Judy Chicago Art Education Collection.

This award — which consists of a check for $1,000 and a certificate — is given annually and administered by the Penn State School of Visual Arts.

Criteria: A project with students that utilizes the underlying principles of “The Dinner Party” Curriculum Project or other materials in the Judy Chicago Art Education Collection and furthers the goals of Judy Chicago, Through the Flower and “The Dinner Party,” i.e., to extend understanding of and appreciation for the achievements of women. It is open to all teachers with preference given to those projects that most embody feminist goals.

Submissions can be uploaded digitally at http://judychicago.arted.psu.edu/news-events/submit-curriculum-project/ by Feb. 1. For files larger than 10 MB, use WeTransfer and send the files to Karen Keifer-Boyd at kk-b@psu.edu. See instructions here. Please include your name and your submission ID in files. (After submitting your curriculum project, you will receive an email with your submission ID.)

Submissions must include:

First page: Title of project and full contact information (name, email address, phone number and mailing address).
Project overview (not to exceed 500 words) that emphasizes how the underlying principles of “The Dinner Party” Curriculum Project or other materials in the Judy Chicago Art Education Collection were used in your project, specifically what was used, the significance of the project, who was involved and when, and the demonstrated impact of the project.
Documentation (minimum of two to five supporting materials, not to exceed 10 items) may include: video or photographs of the process, artwork or exhibition; student essays; interviews with students; selected quotes by students and others engaged in the project; planning documents; journal reflections; teaching resources; press coverage; examples of scholarship. Please note that you must have written permission to include student work (written or visual), and photos or audio-visual recordings of students. If students are younger than 18 years of age, a parent or guardian of the student must also grant permission. The permission form is linked here.

The award is sponsored by Through the Flower and the Penn State School of Visual Arts Art Education Program. For questions or more information on the award, contact Karen Keifer-Boyd at kk-b@psu.edu.

Since 2011, the Judy Chicago Art Education Collection has been housed in the Penn State University Archives in The Eberly Family Special Collections Library, 104 Paterno Library. It includes videos, photographs and notes on Chicago’s teaching projects. The collection includes online The Dinner Party Curriculum Project, developed by Marilyn Stewart, Peg Speirs and Carrie Nordlund, under the directorship of Marilyn Stewart, and in collaboration with Judy Chicago and Constance Bumgarner Gee. It was given by the Through the Flower organization to Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture for stewardship by the Art Education program.

Original announcement published Nov. 6, 2015, via Penn State News.

Faculty News: Young recognized by Simmons College SLIS

Penn State Greater Allegheny Head Librarian Courtney Young was recently awarded the 2016 Simmons College School of Library and Information Science Alumni Association Achievement Award. This honor is given annually to a graduate of the school who has demonstrated significant achievement in the profession and who has demonstrated excellence by achieving influence as an outstanding role model for library and information professionals. Young, who is also professor of women’s studies at Penn State Greater Allegheny, received the award during the Simmons Graduate Alumnae/i Reception at the ALA Midwinter Conference.

Special art tour Feb. 4 for Libraries employees

Mark your calendar: 2-3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, is reserved for a special tour and meet-the-artist event for University Libraries employees at the Borland Project Space, Borland Building, University Park. Visiting artist Katrin Hornek will be on hand to discuss “Visible (Plastic) Entanglements: A Working Exhibition,” her sculpture installment including more than 2,000 University Libraries books with “plastic” in the title.

Several Libraries faculty and staff have been involved in coordinating “The Great Book Move,” a performative event to be held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2, where the public is invited to help transport more than 1,000 books for the installation from Pattee Library and University Park branch libraries to the Borland Project Space. Participants will not be required to check out books under personal accounts but are asked to RSVP at hmd17@psu.edu.

Hornek’s residency and installation, Jan. 25 through Feb. 11, highlight the multidisciplinary potential of “entangled research.” Originally educated as a sculptor, Hornek, of Vienna, Austria, is interested in looking at shaping forces and casting molds causing social, geological and abstract environments to materialize in forms. Her work in installation, video and photography stages a dialogue between the industrial and digital revolution, often discussing tension fields between growth and construction, control and an uncertainty, geo-engineering and climate change. Hornek’s work at Penn State is building upon her previous book project, “Title Word on Plastic*s,” which was composed of all the title pages of books on plastic in the Los Angeles Central Public Library (2013).

Books have been recalled from multiple campus locations for the installation. In addition to “The Great Book Move,” the Libraries’ receiving room will be delivering approximately 1,000 books Feb. 1-2 from annex locations directly to the Borland Project Space, where security will oversee the book sculpture.

Libraries hosts staff training Feb. 4

Training is for Penn State staff on key library services

A brief workshop titled “What the Libraries Can Do For You: Training for Penn State Staff” will be held from 1 to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park. This program is specially designed for Penn State staff and will focus on the materials and services available in the University Libraries for personal and work-related use.

Topics covered include finding books and other materials, delivery services, interlibrary loan, course reserves, citation management tools, available technology, and leisure reading and video collections.

Interested Penn State staff should submit name, email address and department information to Megan Gilpin at mcg13@psu.edu. Registrants are asked to please include at least one library-related question that they have been asked that they wish they knew how to answer.

Those who anticipate needing accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided should contact Megan Gilpin at 814-867-0069 or mcg13@psu.edu in advance of the program.

Indigenous Knowledge Research Award: Call for proposals

Please share this information with students who may be interested:

The 2016 Whiting Indigenous Knowledge Research Award is now accepting proposals. The award is open to all full-time Penn State undergraduate and graduate students at any Penn State campus, including World Campus. Students are invited to submit proposals to conduct research between April 2016 and April 2017, on topics related to indigenous knowledge. A maximum amount of $2,000 per project will be awarded. The application deadline is March 21, 2016.

For more information on the award, see https://icik.libraries.psu.edu/whiting-endowment/whiting-student-research-awards. For information on past recipients, see https://icik.libraries.psu.edu/about-icik/whiting-endowment/past-recipients.

For details, contact Helen Sheehy hms2@psu.edu or Amy Paster alp4@psu.edu.

Images from past Indigenous Knowledge presentations

Data Learning Center offers free workshops

The Data Learning Center will offer a number of free workshops this semester for faculty, staff and students. Faculty and staff should register using the Learning Resource Network (lrn.psu.edu) and students should email datalearning@psu.edu.

Focus on ArcGIS Online: Web mapping tool for interdisciplinary applications
4–5 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 27, 211A Pattee Library, University Park

Tara LaLonde, GIS specialist in the University Libraries will provide an introduction to ArcGIS Online, a Web mapping application that can be used to communicate many spatial research interests across disciplines. Participants will explore applications created with ArcGIS Online and work with a sample dataset for Centre County, Pennsylvania, to learn the functionality of ArcGIS Online Web maps and applications. In addition to learning how maps can enhance understanding of relationships and enhance project presentations, participants will gain hands-on experience creating a Web map.

Getting your map project started!
4–5 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 24, 211A Pattee Library, University Park

This session, also conducted by LaLonde, will provide an overview of key elements and decision factors for the inclusion of a map or spatial component in a project related to a class assignment, thesis or individual research. Elements discussed will include project planning principles, spatial thinking concepts and more. This session will present items to consider in relation to mapping and working with geospatial data.

Publishing social science data: your other publication
1–2:30 p.m., Thursday, March 17, 211A Pattee Library, University Park

Stephen Woods, social sciences librarian, will provide an overview of the process for publishing social science data in ICPSR, a premier data archive. Participants will be introduced to Nesstar Publisher and Collectica tools that will assist in describing data using DDI, a core meta-data standard for social science data. There will also be a brief introduction to Open ICPSR, a data archive solution and a comparison of Open ICPSR with other, fee-based solutions. In this session, participants will learn about data discovery solutions that utilize elements of data description to highlight ways a researcher’s data can potentially be discovered.

A world of census data
1–2 p.m., Thursday, March 31, 211A Pattee Library, University Park

This session, conducted by Woods, will explore the wealth of census data from around the world that are available to Penn State researchers as well as from free sources outside of the library’s collection. The presentation will discuss limitations such as language, format and reporting.

All of the above sessions will be available for remote participation at https://meeting.psu.edu/ul-dlc.

Text analysis using R: an introduction
Session 1 (in-person): 1:30–3 p.m., Thursday, April 21, 302 Paterno Library, University Park
Session 2 (remote): 10–11:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 26: meeting.psu.edu/ul-dlc

Text analysis is the process of extracting information from text using a blend of statistical, computational and linguistic techniques, and can be useful for qualitative research. Stefanie Austin, statistical information specialist, will present a hands-on workshop exploring the basics of text analysis using R, a free, open-source software for statistical computing and graphics. Participants may bring content of their own, but sample files will be provided. In-person and remote sessions will be offered separately in order to better serve both groups of participants. Remote participants are encouraged to download and install R before the session by visiting www.r-project.org. While there are no prerequisites for this workshop, a general familiarity with R is useful.

If you are interested in registering for a workshop and anticipate needing accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Tara Lalonde at 814-863-5753 or tll38@psu.edu in advance of your participation.

The Data Learning Center, located in 208 Paterno Library, offers services related to data discovery, geospatial analysis and statistical analysis. Services include one-on-one consultations, training workshops, software access, guest instruction, and data resources. The center is staffed by librarians, subject specialists and students. Appointments are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. Drop-in hours (no appointment needed) are available from 3-5 p.m. on Wednesdays.

New Box Capture app

by Ryan Johnson, technology training coordinator

Box Capture is a new iOS application that connects your phone’s camera directly to Box, ensuring that critical information from the field gets to all the right people in your work group. Box Capture makes it easy for mobile workers to take photos, videos, record audio and document scans and instantly save them to Box. Users can turn on location metadata for their uploads as well as control the resolution of the images and videos they upload.

This app can be downloaded for free from the iOS App Store.
For more information about the app, read about it here.

LHR News: Jan. 25

Please join us in welcoming the following new hires:

Full-time:
1/25/16 – Richard Riccardo, Associate Director Facilities Planning and Construction, Facilities Administration
1/26/16 – Douglas Burchill, Information Resources and Services Supervisor/Manager (Supervisor, Lending and Reserves Services)

Part-time:
Abelina Barra – Bednar Intern, Public Relations and Marketing
Thomas Stewart – Public Relations and Marketing
Ileen Carter – Research Hub, Maps, EBSL, and Knowledge Commons
Gabriel Simmons – Penn State Abington

Events: Jan. 25

Wednesday, Jan. 27, 4–5 p.m.: Focus on ArcGIS Online: Web mapping tool for interdisciplinary applications, 211A Pattee Library. Tara LaLonde, GIS specialist in the University Libraries will provide an introduction to ArcGIS Online, a Web mapping application that can be used to communicate many spatial research interests across disciplines. Participants will explore applications created with ArcGIS Online and work with a sample dataset for Centre County, Pennsylvania, to learn the functionality of ArcGIS Online Web maps and applications. In addition to learning how maps can enhance understanding of relationships and enhance project presentations, participants will gain hands-on experience creating a Web map. Faculty and staff should register using the Learning Resource Network (lrn.psu.edu) and students should email datalearning@psu.edu. Also available for remote participation at https://meeting.psu.edu/ul-dlc.

Monday, Feb. 4, 1 p.m. –1:30 p.m.: Short staff training workshop: What the Libraries Can Do for You, Foster Aud. See blog post

Monday, Feb. 4, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.: Art tour at Borland Building. See blog post for details

Friday, February 12, 5 to 7 p.m.: Library League of Centre County networking event, Mann Assembly Room. This free reception is for all full-time and part-time employees from any library in Centre County, and offers a great opportunity to meet, network and share experiences with local colleagues. Last year, the reception was held in Schlow Library, in downtown State College. This year, the University Libraries will host the event. Light refreshments and wine will be served. To register, please e-mail organizer Ann Snowman, ams32@psu.edu. The Library League of Centre County aims to promote networking among employees from academic, public, school, historical, museum and all other types of libraries in the area.

Wednesday, Feb. 24, 4-5 p.m.: Getting your map project started! 211A Pattee Library. Tara LaLonde will provide an overview of key elements and decision factors for the inclusion of a map or spatial component in a project related to a class assignment, thesis or individual research. Elements discussed will include project planning principles, spatial thinking concepts and more. This session will present items to consider in relation to mapping and working with geospatial data. Faculty and staff should register using the Learning Resource Network (lrn.psu.edu) and students should email datalearning@psu.edu. Also available for remote participation at https://meeting.psu.edu/ul-dlc.

Save the date:

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

Outstanding undergraduate thesis award: proposals due April 11

The University Libraries has announced its fifth annual competition for the Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis. The competition aims to find the best thesis submitted by a Penn State undergraduate student in consultation with his or her adviser.

Undergraduate students from all Penn State campuses who have graduated in summer or fall 2015 or plan to graduate in spring 2016 are eligible for the spring 2016 award. The competition includes a review of the submitted theses by a faculty jury and oral presentations by the students chosen as finalists. Read the full story on Penn State News

‘Against the Odds’ exhibit on display in Life Sciences Library

Submitted by Sherry Roth, supervisor–manager, Life Sciences Library

The traveling exhibition from the National Library of Medicine, Against the Odds: making a difference in global health, is on display in the Life Sciences Library January 18 through February. The exhibition consists of standing panels that engage viewers in thought-provoking analysis of a myriad of global health issues that include the legacy of war, the impact of agricultural practices on community health, the cause of disease as well as the impact of its cures, and action on AIDS. The answers to these dilemmas can be found through research, global collaboration, and finding new ways for science to serve society.

A view of the display in the Life Sciences Library. — Photo by Sherry Roth

While the exhibit itself is just six panels, the National Library of Medicine has compiled rich supporting resources that include podcasts by major contributors to global health, educational games and materials, and has documented real actions taken by communities to address global health issues, resulting from this display. Life Sciences Library has collected a few resources from its collections and displayed them for borrowing. Also, videos selected to support these global health issues will be shown each Wednesday at 3pm and 6pm and are open to the public.

Please drop in to see this thought-provoking display. For more information, or if you anticipate needing accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, contact Sherry Roth,ssr11@psu.edu.

Library News: Jan. 18

Events: Jan. 18

The 31st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration poster was designed by Kushtrim Loshaj, senior graphic design/music technology student

Monday, Jan. 18: Special events in the Libraries for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Commemoration:

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Continuous showings of two videos: “Martin Luther King Jr.: Look Here” and “Martin Luther King Jr. Day: The Making of a Holiday,” Foster Auditorium, E102 Paterno Library
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Essence of Joy Vocal Performance, Barbara Hackman Franklin Atrium

For all events happening across campus on this day, go here: mlk.psu.edu/schedule-of-events/. This year’s theme is Keep Moving Forward #TakeTheNextStep. For more information, see: mlk.psu.edu/.

Tuesday, January 19, 10:30 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.: User Services Training Coordinator presentation. Foster Aud. and Mediasite Live. Go to live.libraries.psu.edu and log in . Click on Libraries in the left menu bar and then click on the candidate’s name. If you have any questions, please email the search committee at: ul-trainingcoor-search@lists.psu.edu.

Tuesday, January 19, 2:30 p.m. – 3:05 p.m.: User Services Training Coordinator presentation. Foster Aud. and Mediasite Live. Go to live.libraries.psu.edu and log in . Click on Libraries in the left menu bar and then click on the candidate’s name. If you have any questions, please email the search committee at: ul-trainingcoor-search@lists.psu.edu.

Wednesday, January 20, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Wage and Tax Fundamentals, Mann Assembly Room, Paterno Library. Taxes are something nobody enjoys thinking about, but it’s important that you educate yourself on important issues related to your taxes. This will ensure that you fulfill your legal obligations and avoid penalties or other problems—and may even help you save some money on your tax bill. In this workshop, Penn State Financial Literacy Manager, Daad Rizk and Cathy Bowen, professor and consumer issues specialist, will cover some important tax-related topics.

Save the date:

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

Watch latest Drupal migration forum

The recent Drupal migration forum held on Jan. 13 highlighted a number of key areas, including an update on the new “Staff Site” and details about the new home page image. The forum can be accessed on MediaSite Live. If you have any questions, please contact the Web Implementation Management Team. To report broken links on the website, go to https://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/ask/website-feedback.html.

Internet Explorer 8, 9 and 10 no longer supported

by Ryan Johnson, technology training coordinator

Starting Jan. 12, Microsoft no longer supports older versions of Internet Explorer, including IE 8, 9 and 10. What this means is Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or technical support for these versions of its browser. You can still use them, but if a new security hole is discovered in IE — and it eventually will be — your browser will remain unpatched and your system will be in danger.

The University Libraries is using Internet Explorer 11. If you need to use a previous version of IE for Director’s Station, you should turn on Compatibility Mode. Compatibility mode is a software mechanism in which a software either emulates an older version of software, or mimics another operating system in order to allow obsolete or incompatible software or files to remain compatible with the computer’s newer hardware or software.

Don’t forget to update your home browsers as well!