Daily Archives: October 24, 2016

Faculty honored with 2016 Promotion and Tenure program

Three individuals, two men with a woman in the center, standing in front of a filled bookcase

University Libraries faculty Tom Reinsfelder (left) and Joe Fennewald (right) were congratulated by Dean Barbara I. Dewey at the 2016 Promotion and Tenure reception Wednesday, Oct. 19. (Nancy Adams and Bernadette Lear also were honored.)

Each year since 2003, the University Libraries and Penn State’s Office of the Provost and Office of the President have sponsored an initiative to recognize recently tenured and promoted Penn State faculty. Through the program, each newly tenured or promoted faculty member is asked to select a book for the University Libraries’ permanent collection, which is then identified with a personalized bookplate to acknowledge the individual and the date or his or her achievement.

Seventy-seven members of the Penn State faculty and staff were recognized at the promotion and tenure program and reception on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, in the Paterno Family Humanities Reading Room in Pattee Library.

Barbara I. Dewey, dean of the University Libraries and Scholarly Communications, and Nick Jones, executive vice president and provost of Penn State, congratulated the honorees in attendance. Dean Dewey commented on the importance of celebrating the important milestone and Provost Jones remarked on their commitment to “stellar teaching, research, and service.”

The books were displayed at the reception, each with a personal statement that provided insight into Penn State’s multifaceted faculty. The faculty statements included memories and reflections of how the books enlightened and inspired them in their scholarly activities and throughout their lives.

Included in this year’s selections was Painting as a Pastime, authored by Sir Winston S. Churchill, and chosen by Adam Muchmore, professor of law. Muchmore wrote in his statement about “how the value of interdisciplinary academic work is frequently discussed,” and noted that “this book makes the case for an interdisciplinary approach to life.”

In his statement about selecting his book, Methods of Teaching Agriculture, Daniel Foster, associate professor of agricultural and extension education, wrote, “I am blessed to have the opportunity every day engaging in the worthwhile task of helping individuals realize their power for positive change in the world around them through agricultural education.” Foster’s selected title is the text required for a class he has taught since coming to Penn State.

Professor and Head of Biology Tracy Langkilde accompanied her book selection, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance with a motivational statement. “If you want something badly enough and don’t give up, you will achieve it,” Langkilde wrote. “Regardless of your talent, follow your dreams.”

All book entries and personal statements are archived by year and name and can be viewed on the University Libraries Promotion and Tenure Recognition site at https://libraries.psu.edu/promotion-and-tenure-recognition.

Two Fall 2016 e-book trial subscriptions

Penn State users have access to two e-book trial subscriptions through Dec. 31 — eBooks on EBSCO and ebrary. Each subscription has over 200,000 titles offering unlimited access. EBSCO collections include Academic, Business, History, Religion, Clinical, Engineering Core, and University Presses subscriptions, while ebrary has Academic Complete, College Complete, Public Library Complete, and University Presses subscriptions.

These trials are currently being promoted on the Libraries’ homepage feature, which links to the E-Book Collections Guide, and are also available under the Databases tab. Since these are a trial, the e-books are not accessible in LionSearch.

The subscriptions are coordinated by PALCI (Pennsylvania Academic Library Consortium, Inc. http://www.palci.org/). Jaime Jamison and Barbara Coopey are members of the PALCI ebooks Task Force.

– submitted by Barbara Coopey, Access Services

Next Dean’s Forum set for Wednesday, Oct. 26

The next Dean’s Forum is set for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26, in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, and on MediaSite Live. Dean Barbara I. Dewey will present an impressive list of kudos and the agenda continues with an update on the HathiTrust Digital Library by Ann Snowman and a Digital Public Library of America update by Linda Ballinger.

Maps Cataloging Team milestone: Pennsylvania maps cataloging completed

Members of the Maps Cataloging Team in the Cataloging and Metadata Services Department recently achieved a major milestone with the completion of the cataloging of the Pennsylvania maps. The team began cataloging the entire maps collection to full level standards in 1995 and a decision was made at that time to start the process by working on maps of international places beginning with Australia and New Zealand. After completing the international maps, in 2010, team members began cataloging those maps in the collection that cover the United States starting with Maine and continuing through New England and the Northeast then began work on the Pennsylvania maps collection.

This project included:

creating bibliographic records for previously uncataloged maps
enhancing existing minimal-level records created decades ago
adding titles and headings to make retrieval easier
adding or correcting call numbers to allow maps to be filed properly
and quickly found in maps drawers
adding subject and form genre headings that collocate maps with intuitive terms
adding coordinates which will facilitate future geographic searching

Record creation and enhancement work was done from the start using the international cataloging standards until a major change in standards occurred in 2013 across the profession to RDA. Five years later the Donald W. Hamer Maps Library has the most completely cataloged collection of Pennsylvania maps in the country. Completing this important work means that our entire collection Pennsylvania is accessible through OCLC’s WorldCAT.

timeline depiction of maps cataloging projects from 2010 through 2016

Click on the image above to view at full size.

In all the team touched 8,766 titles over a five-year duration in this project. The team additionally worked on 2,317 Sanborn Fire Insurance titles and 2,800 Flood Insurance Rate titles, for a total of 13,883 titles/52,973 sheets over seven years.

To put this accomplishment in perspective, the project encompassed 93% of the Pennsylvania map collection in the Maps Library and Annexes while the team also worked on other projects simultaneously for the Maps Collection and the Earth and Mineral Sciences Library’s cartographic collections.

Click on the image to view the graphic at full size.

Other notable Pennsylvania collections previously cataloged in the Maps Library include:

Topographic series maps – 9,621 sheets/1,088 titles
Aerial photographs – 2724 sheets/4 titles

The Team recently finished cataloging all Maryland and Washington, D.C., maps.

Congratulations to the Maps Cataloging Team on this accomplishment. Now on to the rest of the country! Westward Ho!

– submitted by Heather Ross, Donald W. Hamer Maps Library

Inside Access: New training bulletin for retiree library privileges

by Ann Snowman, Access Services, User Services

Access Services Training Bulletin #25 Retiree Library Privileges provides clarification on this topic. Because we anticipate the question will arise often over the next few months, we took some time to compile OHR policy and Libraries policy in a single document.
Training Bulletin #25 can be found on the Access Services Training Bulletins
intranet page at https://staff.libraries.psu.edu/access-services-council/access-services-training-bulletins.

Fall blog series: Embedded librarian Emily Mross

The second librarian to be featured in this series on embedded librarianship in a World Campus course is Emily Mross, a business and public administration liaison librarian who is located at the Penn State Harrisburg campus. She is embedded in PLSC 439: The Politics of Terrorism taught by Christopher Cook and designed by The Filipelli Institute for e-Education and Outreach. Emily has had a lot of interest in getting embedded in other courses as an off-shoot of this course and she shares her reflections of what it is like to be embedded below.

by Emily Mross, business and public administration liaison librarian

I am new to Penn State and new to embedded librarianship. A program within my liaison duties, Homeland Security, is a World Campus program. Because I knew that many of my students might be solely online, I jumped at the chance to be a part of the embedded librarianship pilot in Spring 2016, soon after starting my position at the Penn State Harrisburg campus.

I am currently embedded in two sections of PLSC 439: The Politics of Terrorism. This course has many undergraduate students in the Homeland Security minor and a number of Homeland Security graduate students. My primary activities for the course have involved creating a video about library resources with the instructor prior to the start of term, building a course guide, and managing a message board throughout the semester to help students with their research for a term paper.

The first thing I noticed about my students is how far flung they are–located in numerous states, countries, and time zones. I originally had ideas about providing online office hours, but it quickly became clear that could be a distinct challenge due to timing. They are also incredibly varied in terms of academic and career experience. Some are traditional college students, but those students are divided between non-residential online students and residential students taking an online course. A majority of the students are non-traditional. Many are older than 25 and have significant work experience, much of which is military-related.

PLSC 439 is an upper-level class, and these students, in addition to their work and life experience, are nearly finished with their degrees. However, it seems like many students still struggle with the research process and writing advanced academic research papers, which is the primary reason the course instructor requested an embedded librarian.

What I have enjoyed most is becoming very familiar with the course, the instructor, and the students. I spend some time each week checking up on student assignments for the week and browsing through some discussions to stay up to date on the course and any questions that may arise from the students as they work. I do not have to feel blindsided by requests for assistance with an assignment, because I have access to the course and a good line of communication with the instructor.

The preliminary work for the research paper was recently assigned, so I do expect an uptick in my interaction with the students as they really dig into their research in the coming weeks. The interaction with PLSC 439 students has largely been online via email or message board, and has been manageable. Due to their global locations, many do not expect an immediate answer, though I do make sure to respond as soon as possible.

I really enjoy being embedded. I feel that it allows me to grow more in my liaison duties and build relationships with students and faculty. Since the start of this course, I have received several requests to embed in future courses, and I am looking forward to new opportunities in this area of librarianship.

“Wood Hicks and Bark Peelers” book launch weekend Oct. 30-31

Ronald E. Ostman and Harry Littell, the authors of Wood Hicks and Bark Peelers, published this fall by Penn State University Press, will present their work and sign books at two events in the area on Sunday, Oct. 30, and Monday, Oct. 31.

Wood Hicks and Bark Peelers showcases the stunning photography of William T. Clarke. Clarke worked at the turn of the 20th century to document the everyday life of lumber workers in northern Pennsylvania and the impact that their work had on Pennsylvania’s forests. The photographs themselves are a surprising discovery, developed from salvaged glass plate negatives found in a toolshed belonging to descendants of Clarke. The book and the story of the discovered photographs were recently featured by Slate’s The Vault blog.

At 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30, the authors will present and sign books at Penn State’s Pasto Agricultural Museum at the Ag Progress Days site, 2710 West Pine Grove Road in Pennsylvania Furnace. More info about this event is available at http://agsci.psu.edu/pasto/events/wood-hicks-and-bark-peelers.

The authors will speak at 1 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31, at the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum, 163 Boal Estate Drive in Boalsburg.

Ostman and Littell will discuss the discovery and restoration of the Clarke photographs in the book, and the lives of the workers in the lumber camps so hauntingly depicted in the photos. Copies of Wood Hicks and Bark Peelers will be available for purchase at a discount, and the authors will sign books after each presentation.

For more information about the book, contact Penn State University Press publicity manager Cate Fricke at crf16@psu.edu, or by phone at 814-865-1329.

– submitted by Cate Fricke, Penn State University Press

Libraries to host virtual accessibility conference Nov. 16-18

The Libraries will be hosting the virtual accessibility conference, Accessing Higher Ground Virtual Conference 2016. AHG focuses on the implementation and benefits of:

Accessible media, Universal Design, and Assistive Technology in the university, business, and public setting
Legal and policy issues, including ADA and 508 compliance
The creation of accessible media and information resources, including web pages and library resources

For institutions of higher education, there is a strong focus on campus accommodation, universal design, and curriculum accessibility.

For more information and details about the streaming sessions, please visit the Accessibility at Penn State website at http://accessibility.psu.edu/2016/10/accessing-higher-ground-virtual-conference/.

– submitted by Binky Lush, I-Tech

The “Customer Service Zone”

Employee Curt Henderman is about to enter another dimension. A dimension of welcoming customers with friendly greetings and great attitudes; of hearing customers and understanding their needs; of taking action to accomplish customers’ objectives and satisfying their needs; and thanking them for their business. This is a journey to discover the four essentials of customer service.

In the galaxy of customer service, Curt is lost in space — then, the tables are turned as he learns about the importance of assisting others the hard way when he finds himself needing urgent help from his own customers. During his trip to the “Customer Service Zone,” he discovers the four essentials of customer service and the lesson of serving others the way you want to be served. Watch Curt’s journey in this 19-minute video here: http://search.alexanderstreet.com/view/work/2315599.

– submitted by Carmen Gass, User Services Training

Libraries’ Halloween party

Sponsored by the Libraries’ United Way Committee, Safety Committee, and the University Park Libraries Employee Association (UPLEA), the Libraries’ Halloween party will take place noon-3:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31, in the Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

The afternoon of fun includes refreshments, photos, games, prizes, and entertainment. Costumes are encouraged, but not required.

Need more information or have questions? Please contact Pembroke Childs at prc107@psu.edu.

Tech Tip: New Box web interface launches this week

by Ryan Johnson, I-Tech

On Tuesday, Oct. 25. 2016, a new-look Box web interface will be introduced for all Penn State users. Box has re-designed the interface to take into account the increase in functionality that has been added over the last 18 months (Office Online, preview of video, single file collaboration for Box Notes, etc.). In addition, they’ve collected lots of user feedback that they have now implemented. Almost all of Box’s functionality remains the same; changes on the new interface are designed to help users navigate better around the tool.

There are some resources that you can use to become familiar with the new look beforehand:

Introduction to the New Box Interface (Video)
New Box Web Experience (PPT)

This change pertains to just the Box web interface, not to Box Sync, Box Edit, or any of the Box mobile clients.

All current features with the exception of tags are supported in the new interface.

NOTE: Tags will initially not be available or visible in the new interface. Box has committed that this will be their first enhancement after the new interface goes live. When that is complete, all users’ existing tags will re-appear exactly as they were before the interface change. Some alternatives to tags:

Search — which appears to be faster and more accurate in the new interface;
Metadata — can be applied to files and then used while searching.

LHR News: Oct. 24

Please join us in welcoming the following new hires:

Full-time:
Michael Pazmino, AV Technician, Media and Technology Support Services

Part-time:
Wanda Devlin – Life Sciences Library
Katelyn Servey – Research Hub, EBSL, Maps, and Knowledge Commons

Events: Oct. 24

Fall 2016

Monday, Oct. 24, through Friday, Dec. 2: “Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature” exhibit, Penn State Hazleton Library, Hazleton.

Through Wednesday, Nov. 30: “Penn State Wilkes-Barre, 100 Years: 1916-2016” exhibit,
8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday, Friedman Gallery, Academic Commons, Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus, Lehman.

Through Friday, Dec. 16: “Expanding Horizons: Penn Staters in the Olympics” exhibit, Special Collections Library, 104 Paterno Library, University Park.

Through Friday, Dec. 16: “Japanimation: Exploring Anime” exhibit, Sidewater Commons and central entrance, Pattee Library, University Park.

Through Friday, Dec. 16: “From Gay-Related Immune Deficiency to AIDS: The Emergence of HIV in the 1980s” exhibit, second floor Pattee Library near entrance of Arts and Humanities Library, University Park.

Tuesday, Oct. 25: Patron Privacy Training, presented by Ann Snowman, 3-4 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park and Mediasite Live.

Wednesday, Oct. 26: Dean’s Forum, 10-11 a.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park, and Mediasite Live.

Wednesday, Oct. 26: Penn State Beaver Library Open House, noon-1:30 p.m., Beaver campus library.

Wednesday, Oct. 26: “Why I used to dislike customer service: Tips and tricks for working at a public service desk,” User Services Training by Aaron Procious, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Thursday, Oct. 27: “Understanding of What Life Is,” noon-1 p.m., lecture by Carl Frankel, in conjunction with the “Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature” exhibit, Hazleton campus library, Hazleton.

Thursday, Oct. 27: Penn State Hazleton Library Game Night, 7-10 p.m., Hazleton campus library.

Friday, Oct. 28: Interdisciplinary Research Colloquium, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Morrison Gallery, Penn State Harrisburg Library, Harrisburg.

Sunday, Oct. 30: “Wood Hicks and Bark Peelers,” 1 p.m., presentation and book signing by authors Ronald E. Ostman and Harry Littell, Penn State’s Pasto Agricultural Museum, 2710 West Pine Grove Road, Pennsylvania Furnace.

Monday, Oct. 31: “Wood Hicks and Bark Peelers,” 1 p.m., presentation and book signing by authors Ronald E. Ostman and Harry Littell, Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum, 163 Boal Estate Drive, Boalsburg.

Monday, Oct. 31: Libraries’ Halloween Party 12-3:30 p.m., sponsored by the United Way Committee, Safety Committee and University Park Libraries Employee Association, Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno, University Park.

Tuesday, Nov. 1: “Orphaned and Homeless: UNESCO and the fate of Jewish books,” 4:30-5:30 p.m., with speaker Miriam Intrator, Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Tuesday, Nov. 1: Penn State Wilkes-Barre Centennial Anniversary Gala, 6-9 p.m., by invitation only, for more information, contact Rachel Olszewski-Rybicki at 100YearCelebration@psu.edu, Genetti Hotel and Conference Center, Wilkes-Barre.

Wednesday, Nov. 2: “Supervisor: Helping New Librarians Find Success and Satisfaction in the Academic Library,” 2 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park, and MediaSite Live.

Wednesday, Nov. 2: “Website Building 101 (for the non-coder),” User Training Services event presented by Hailley Foster, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, Nov. 2: “Apocalypse Then: The Collapse of the Bronze Age World,” Archaeological Institute of America Public Lecture, presented by Dimitri Nakassis, 6 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Thursday, Nov. 3: Librarians: Helping New Librarians Find Success and Satisfaction in the Academic Library, 2 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park, and MediaSite Live.

Tuesday, Nov. 8: New employee orientation, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Tuesday, Nov. 8: Library Learning Services: Exhibition information literacy class, 10 a.m., 140 Pattee Library, University Park.

Tuesday, Nov. 8: Meditation techniques lecture, 12:20-1:10 p.m., Hazleton Library, L-12, Hazleton.

Tuesday, Nov. 8: “Poetry without Borders,” poetry reading and reception, 6-7 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library; 7-8 p.m. reception in Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, Nov. 9: Behrend Common Read Book Club, with author Will Allen, noon-1 p.m., Smith Chapel, Penn State Behrend, Erie.

Thursday, Nov. 10: Beating Burnout, 10 a.m.,Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park, and Mediasite Live.

Thursday, Nov. 10: “Climate and Conflict,” biology seminar about El Niño, presented by Illiana Baums, Penn State associate professor of biology, 4-5 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Friday, Nov. 11: Coffee with Carmen, with special guests Dean Barbara Dewey and Associate Dean Anne Langley, noon-1 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, University Park.

Friday, Nov. 11: Geography coffee hour, with speaker Chris Oxendine, 3:30 p.m. refreshments; 4 p.m. program, 112 Walker Building, University Park.

Monday-Tuesday, Nov. 14-15: GIS Day events, Pattee Library and Paterno Library, University Park.

Monday-Tuesday, Nov. 14-15: GIS Day poster display, Pattee Library, Franklin Auditorium, University Park.

Monday, Nov. 14: GIS Day career panel, 3:15-5 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park, and on Mediasite Live.

Monday, Nov. 14: GIS Day information fair, 1-3 p.m., Leisure Reading Room, W101 Pattee Library, University Park.

Monday, Nov. 14: GIS Day networking reception, 5 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Tuesday, Nov. 15: GIS Day lightning talks and keynote address, 10-10:30 a.m., keynote address: “Protecting the world’s forests with GFW fires,” by speakers Stephen Ansari and Christopher Grabris of Blue Raster; 10:30-11 a.m., GeoHive, DigitalGlobe’s crowdsourcing platform, presented by James Wilson; 11 a.m.-noon, GIS Day lightning talks, Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Tuesday, Nov. 15: GIS Day lightning talks, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park and Mediasite Live.

Tuesday, Nov. 16: “Why Didn’t I Learn about Native American History in School?” International Education Week presentation sponsored by ICIK, featuring speakers Sarah Shear and Madison Miller, 10 a.m.-noon, Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, Nov. 16: “Educating for Social Justice and Preservation of Mayan Culture, Language and Historical Memory,” International Education Week presentation co-sponsored by ICIK, featuring Juana Perez, 5-6 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, Nov. 16: Space planning brown bag session, Libraries’ Space Steering Committee open discussion and Q & A, noon-1 p.m., 510A Paterno Library, University Park.

Tuesday, Nov. 17: Prize mapping scavenger hunt with ESRI, 11 a.m., presented by Charles Krugger, ESRI campus ambassador, introduction to event at the Donald W. Hamer Maps Library, W13 Pattee Library, University Park.

Thursday, Nov. 17: Team Library, 2-3:30 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Friday, Nov. 18: International Education Week presentation, featuring speakers Victoria Sanchez and Rasa Drane, 11 a.m.-noon., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Sunday-Saturday, Nov. 20-26: Thanksgiving holiday, no classes.

Saturday, Nov. 26: Huddle with the faculty, “Thou Didst Mold Us: Penn State Accomplishments Through the Decades: 1855-2016, presented by University Archivist Jackie Esposito, 8:30-10 a.m., Nittany Lion Inn, University Park.

Wednesday, Nov. 30: “Letters from Sana’a–How to Preserve Archives, Monuments, and Museums in Yemen,” Archaeological Institute of America Public Lecture, presented by Alexander Nagel of the Smithsonian Institute, 6 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, Dec. 7: Meditation techniques lecture, 12:20-1:10 p.m., Hazleton Library, L-12, Hazleton.

Friday, Dec. 9: Last day of fall classes.

Sunday-Tuesday, Dec. 11-13: DeStress Fest, 3-8 p.m., University Park library locations.

Monday-Friday, Dec. 12-16: Final exams.

Wednesday, Dec. 14: Tech Update, by Libraries I-Tech staff, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, and Mediasite Live.

Thursday, Dec. 15: Coffee with Carmen, with special guest Steven Herb speaking about storytelling, 1-2:30 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, and Mediasite Live.

Saturday, Dec. 17: Fall Commencement, University Park and several Commonwealth Campus locations.

Wednesday, Dec. 21: Space planning brown bag session, Libraries’ Space Steering Committee open discussion and Q & A, noon-1 p.m., 510A Paterno Library, University Park.

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