Daily Archives: December 19, 2016

Report of the Penn State Open Educational Resources Task Force available

The final report of the Penn State Open Educational Resources (OER) is now available online at http://oer.psu.edu. The OER Task Force was charged in February 2015 by Provost Nick Jones to pilot OER adoption, examine consortial opportunities for OER, and to develop a plan for university-wide support in support of President Barron’s Access and Affordability imperative. The report was accepted by Provost Jones on Dec. 8, 2016.

The OER Task Force was chaired by Dean Barbara Dewey and included three additional University Libraries faculty colleagues, Joe Salem, John Shank and Ann Snowman, among university-wide representation. Among its key findings, the Task Force discovered that there is already significant work underway to reduce cost through OER and other affordable course content adoption, but that no central coordination currently exists. University Libraries and Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT) were found to be the two central units providing the most support and coordination and the most innovative work in affordable course content at Penn State was underway at the Commonwealth Campuses.

The Task Force recommendations include lead positions designated by both University Libraries and TLT to coordinate affordable course content initiatives throughout Penn State. Those initiatives are recommended to include joining the Open Textbook Network and OERu, leveraging the Unizin consortium, and creating faculty development programs.

Since the competition of the report, University Libraries has launched the new Electronic Course Reserves platform from Springshare to better integrate that service into Canvas and has started to pilot a proactive course reserves project for World Campus courses. The University Libraries is working with TLT to embed affordable course content as one supported element in the faculty seed grant program for General Education course revisions in partnership with the new Office of General Education. During the spring semester, a search will commence for the Open Education Librarian position described in the report.

Please feel free to direct any questions to any member of the OER Task Force:

  • Barbara I. Dewey (Chair), Dean, University Libraries and Scholarly Communication
  • Fred Aebli, IST Instructor and Internship Coordinator, Penn State Worthington Scranton
  • Kate Domico, Executive Director, Learning Design and Public Media, Penn State Outreach and Online Education
  • Steve Falke, Head, Penn State Barnes & Noble Educational Operations
  • Yvonne Gaudelius, Assistant Vice President and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education
  • Lee Giles, David Reese Professor, College of Information Science and Technology
  • Andrea Gregg, Online Learning Researcher, Penn State World Campus
  • Emily Miller, student representative, University Park
  • Przemyslaw Maslak, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, University Park
  • Joseph A. Salem, Jr., Associate Dean for Learning, Undergraduate Services, and the Commonwealth Campuses, University Libraries
  • John Shank, Head Librarian, Penn State Berks
  • Ann Snowman, Head, Access Services, University Libraries
  • Jennifer Sparrow, Senior Director of Teaching and Learning with Technology, Information Technology Services

– submitted by Joe Salem, associate dean

‘100 Years of the Pulitzers: Celebrating our Humanity’ exhibit opens

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Commemorating the centennial anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize, the new University Libraries’ exhibit “100 Years of the Pulitzers: Celebrating Our Humanity” will be on display through Aug. 30, 2017, in the Diversity Studies Room, 203 Pattee Library. The exhibit, which features Pulitzer-related materials from the University Libraries’ arts and humanities collections, is free and open to the public during Pattee Library’s Arts and Humanities Library operating hours.

A companion exhibit, “100 Years of the Pulitzers: Celebrating our Musicality,” is located near the entrance to Pattee Library’s Music and Media Center on the second floor of West Pattee Library. It highlights several Pulitzer winners for music and award-winning scores and recordings in the Libraries’ collections and will be on display through the spring 2017 semester.

“100 Years of the Pulitzers: Celebrating Our Humanity” and “100 Years of the Pulitzers: Celebrating our Musicality” is curated by the University Libraries’ Knapp; Alia Gant, diversity resident librarian; Jose C. Guerrero, diversity resident librarian; and Pembroke Childs, information resources and services support specialist. The exhibit is part of a Penn State campus-wide commemoration of the Pulitzer Prize centennial, including events sponsored by the College of Communications, the School of Music, and the Center for Performing Arts, and supports the spirit of “All In at Penn State: A Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion.”

The full article about the “100 Years of the Pulitzers: Celebrating Our Humanity” exhibit is available on Penn State News.

Celebrating sixty years: New direction and brand for Penn State University Press

psup_panelIn celebration of its sixtieth anniversary year, Penn State University Press reaffirms its commitment to excellence and innovation in scholarly publishing with a reinvigorated brand that reflects the exciting changes taking place in the world of publishing and speaks to the Press’s values, mission and future.

The Press’s internal design team collaborated with Brad Norr Design to create a new mark and visual identity, which will be seen across multiple platforms, from catalogs, books, and journals to a fully redesigned website. The new mark, a stylized “P” and “S” evoking a stack of books, is paired with a classic typeface, reflecting the Press’s respected history as well as its fresh outlook as a publisher of learned, relevant, and enduring books and journals.

The entire article on the new direction and brand for Penn State University Press is available on Penn State News.

– submitted by Cate Fricke, Penn State University Press

Reminder: Dec. 20 deadline for faculty and staff achievement awards

The nomination deadline for the 2017 Faculty and Staff Achievement Awards is on Tuesday, Dec. 20. These awards are a great way to recognize faculty and staff who go beyond their basic duties to bring about positive and lasting change to the university and/or the community. Please consider making a nomination!

2017 Faculty and Staff Achievement Awards
This is your chance to recognize colleagues who go “above and beyond!” All Penn State faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate a fellow Penn Stater for an award.

The six awards that comprise the Faculty and Staff Achievement Awards are the following:

To make a nomination or to view descriptions, eligibility requirements, and the intended purpose of the awards, please go to awards page located on the Office of Human Resources website.

At the time of making a nomination, nominators will be asked to upload a letter of support and list the names of up to three additional individuals who will provide documentation that supports the nomination.

– submitted by Rob Harris, Human Resources

November GIS Day events: Exposing insights and making connections

man and woman presenting a slide on the universal transverse mercator coordinate system in Pennsylvania

Colin Grube and Miranda Waldman, University Libraries interns, presented their aerial imagery project during GIS Day activities in November.

by Tara LaLonde, GIS Specialist

During the  week of Nov. 14-18, Geography Awareness Week, the University Libraries and the Department of Geography co-sponsored geospatial events for students, staff, faculty and the community on the many application areas and prevalence of geospatial information in our daily lives. These free events offered attendees a glimpse into the ways disciplines across the Penn State community are using geospatial technologies in their teaching, research, and work activities. During this multi-day event, more than 100 attendees gained insights into the multiple ways geospatial information can be viewed, analyzed, visualized and studied, both here at Penn State, and beyond.

Key highlights and summary of activities included:

Nov. 14, 2016

  • Poster Display in the Franklin Atrium: Selection of research posters using geospatial technologies demonstrated how location information can be analyzed using multiple methods to gain valuable insights.
  • Ten Groups participated in the Information Fair in the Leisure Reading Room: Penn State groups and external representatives from Blue Raster and DigitalGlobe shared information on their latest geospatial activities and key information on academic programs using geospatial information, such as the Department of Geography, Online Geospatial Programs and the Geodesign program.
  • Seven professionals shared insights on a Career Panel: Representatives from state and county government, Blue Raster and DigitalGlobe provided insights into the critical skills employers are seeking in candidates, trends in careers that use geospatial information, and insights into career decisions.
  • Networking Reception provided an informal time to connect with career panelists and attendees.

November 15, 2016

two men speaking to a group from behind a podium

Penn State alumni Stephen Ansari and Christopher Gabris, speakers from Blue Raster, shared their efforts to investigate geospatial issues of international importance.

  • Twenty-One speakers (including keynote speakers and lightning talk speakers) provided presentations on a broad range of geospatial topics. Speakers from Blue Raster spoke about how their organization uses geospatial information to protect the world’s forests, and DigitalGlobe GeoHive spoke about the DigitalGlobe’s imagery and crowdsourcing efforts to further gain insights from imagery products.
man standing behind a podium speaking to a group with a slide about crowdsourcing efforts and university partnerships

James Wilson of DigitalGlobe GeoHive spoke on GIS Day about how universities can connect with their crowdsourcing efforts.

November 17, 2016

  • GPS activity led by ESRI campus ambassador showed attendees how to navigate to a location via GPS unit.
  • As part of GEW week, a session on library -subscribed mapping applications, PolicyMap, SimplyMap, and SocialExplorer, demonstrated how participants both in person and remotely can access a wide range of data from these applications to explore demographics, business data, and many more variables about geographic locations of their interest.

Thank you for your support of GIS Day activities!

Final Space Steering Committee brown bag Dec. 21

Join the Space Steering Committee for its final monthly Space Planning brown bag of 2016 from noon-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21, to ask questions, look at floor plans, and discuss your concerns. The brown bag will be held in 510A Paterno Library (Dean’s conference room) where you can drop in and leave at your convenience as there is no set agenda or presentation. Feel free to bring your lunch!

– submitted by Dace Freivalds, I-Tech

Call for Discovery Day planning committee volunteers

What is Discovery Day?

Discovery Day, scheduled for Thursday, June 1, 2017, is about:

  • professional development
  • developing a rapport with colleagues
  • sharing information and knowledge

Staff and faculty alike are invited to join the Discovery Day planning committee which will be charged in early January to produce this exciting event for the 12th-consecutive year. By popular request, Discovery Day 2017 will again be held on a Thursday!

Please contact Ann Snowman (ams32@psu.edu) by Friday, Jan. 6 if you are interested in serving on the Discovery Day planning committee.

We again will be counting on supervisors and managers to commit to minimal staffing at service points to allow staff to participate as fully as possible in Discovery Day activities.

A brief history of how Discovery Day came to be what it is now can be read on the University Libraries Staff Site.

We hope to hear from you soon!

– submitted by Carmen Gass, User Services Training

Save the Dates: Instruction Community of Practice spring 2017 discussions

Save the dates for the following Spring 2017 COP discussions:

  • Wednesday, Jan. 11: Instruction Steering Committee updates
    (Rebecca Miller and Instruction Steering Committee members)
  • Wednesday, February 22: Digital badges and micro-credentialing
    (Emily Rimland and Torrie Raish)
  • Wednesday, March 15: Ithaka Survey results and instruction
    (Steve Borrelli and Rebecca Miller)
  • Wednesday, April 12: ACRL 2017 debrief (TBA)

All COP meetings will be held at 2 p.m. We’ll be moving our discussions from Adobe to Zoom. So, in order to join these discussions, join our Zoom room at https://psu.zoom.us/j/6791385247.

Please also save the date for the Learning Showcase on May 9, 2017. Registration information will be sent out very soon!

In case you missed it, recaps of discussions from fall 2016 are available:

Want to join the COP listserv? Email Rebecca Peterson (rmr28@psu.edu) with your PSU access ID.

– submitted by Rebecca Peterson, Library Learning Services

Foundational Instruction fall 2016 wrap-up

As the semester wraps up, we hope plenty of students are utilizing the research skills they gained at the library. Library Learning Services (LLS) taught more than 2000 students in 123 sections. Focusing on foundational instruction, the department primarily taught ENGL 015, ESL 015 and CAS 100 classes.

Library instructors focused on various learning outcomes which, among others, included  helping students recognize the variety of resources available to them, determining appropriate information sources and using information resources to gain an understanding of their research topics.

In an effort to assess the effectiveness of the instruction sessions, LLS sent surveys to both the students and instructors. While still gathering feedback, the reviews have been positive with 96 percent of instructors agreeing that the library session helped their students identify a variety of library databases as potential sources of information.

We’ve received some of the following praise from instructors:

“Library instruction at Penn State is top notch.”

“I always enjoy taking my students to the library session!”

“Most of the freshmen are more interested in using google than doing serious research. I feel it was very helpful to expose them to the databases and to show them the ways you need to evaluate sources.”

Library Learning Services greatly appreciated the help of Paula Contreras, John Meier, Jade Atwill and Jose Guerrero for teaching sixteen of the sections. The remainder of the classes were taught by eleven LLS librarians.

Interested in teaching a few first-year sections next semester? Please contact Anne Behler at acb10@psu.edu, LLS’s instruction coordinator. New to teaching? No worries! LLS will work with you to get started.

– submitted by Rebecca Peterson, Library Learning Services

Workplace fun is fundamental for learning on the job

According to a team of researchers, all work and no play may dull on-the-job learning at workplaces. This article “Workplace fun is fundamental for learning on the job,” featured in the Dec. 13 edition of Penn State Today, suggests that current findings are promising to support the notion that fun has instrumental value in the workplace.

– submitted by Carmen Gass, User Services Training

 

Limited number of openings for CPR/AED training remain

A limited number of openings remain for the Thursday, Jan. 5 CPR/AED training at University Park. Two classes are scheduled, a morning class (9 a.m.-noon) and afternoon class (1-4 p.m.). As an incentive for your participation, there are no out-of-pocket costs to you as a Libraries employee. The Libraries Health and Safety Committee is sponsoring these training sessions.

Please contact Len White at lmw6@psu.edu to register for the CPR/AED training sessions and indicate your preference for the morning or afternoon class. Once class maximums have been reached, a “stand-by” list will be maintained in case there are any participant cancellations.

More information about these training sessions can be found in the Dec. 5 edition of Library News.

– submitted by Len White, Facilities

Reminder: Contribute through United Way payroll deduction form

Before the end of the year, please remember to turn in your payroll deduction form which allows you to make a pretax contribution to the United Way. Payroll deductions provide a stable source of income for the United Way and its 38 partner agencies.

You may designate how your money can be used by selecting (or deselecting) agencies or sending your donation to another county. Undesignated funds are best since they go where the need is, but the choice is yours.

The need in Centre County for assistance is increasing, and with that increase in need, our goals and the amount we need to raise has increased as well. The Libraries and Penn State have both set goals to raise the funds needed by our community.

  • Libraries – $21,000
  • PSU – $832,000
  • Centre County United Way – $2.2 million

If you didn’t get an envelope with a payroll deduction form, please contact Ann Kopesky (ask190).

Thank you in advance for your contributions and for helping the LIbraries and Penn State try to meet our United Way goals!

– submitted by Heather Ross, United Way Committee co-chair

Save the Date: State College Young Professionals (SCYP) reception Jan. 18

Please join us for finger foods and fun from 4:30-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 18 in the Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, at University Park! Representatives from the State College Young Professionals (SCYP) will be our special guests at Pattee Library and Paterno Library.

SCYP strives to enhance the community by providing an opportunity for professionals to network, volunteer, socialize and have fun. They work from the ground up by promoting local businesses and organizations, and volunteering their services to make Happy Valley a great place to live, work and play.

Members are typically between the ages of 22 and 40, but there is no age requirement. If you are young at heart and have a passion for our area, you’re welcome—and encouraged—to join.

Learn more at: http://www.scyoungpros.com.

Tech Tip: New login procedure for Windows 7 lab and podium computers

by Ryan Johnson, I-Tech

example of required login addendum for new lab and podium computers

Starting Dec. 22, 2016, Windows 7 lab and podium computers will require users to log in by appending “@dce.psu.edu” to the Access ID username (e.g., xyz5000@dce.psu.edu).
Login attempts that do not include “@dce.psu.edu” will result in a “The user name or password is incorrect” message, even if the Access ID password is correct. Staff computers in the Libraries have been using this procedure since earlier this year.

This new login procedure will affect all University Libraries-managed computers at all locations. The new procedure will also include: Office of the Vice Provost for Information Technology (OVPIT) Teaching and Learning with Technology (formerly ITS, CLC) Windows 7 general purpose lab and podium computers at University Park, as well as all College and Commonwealth Campus labs and podiums that are part of the University’s Cooperative Lab Management (CLM) service, this includes the Libraries.

OVPIT staff will be providing signage and communication to students, this includes: signage in the room for lab computers and podiums, at the podium, or on the computer’s login wallpaper to denote this new procedure. I-Tech expects to receive this signage soon and will be distributing it to all public areas at University Park. OVPIT will be sending signage to campus locations via their local IT.

This new procedure is a result of a mandated security patch that addresses an authentication vulnerability in the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system. CLM Administrators will release this patch on Dec. 22, 2016.

For login-related issues, please contact the Penn State IT Service Desk at (814) 865-4357.

Service may be affected during the ITS maintenance window (5:00-7:00am) on Dec. 22, 2016.

For the most current information regarding this alert, please see http://alerts.its.psu.edu/alert-4376.

 

LHR News: Dec. 19

Please join us in welcoming the following new hires:

Part-time:
David Woytowich – Annex

Wishing the following employees well as they leave us:
Eric Delozier – Penn State Harrisburg
Patricia Mrozowski – Penn State Behrend
Sharon Romaniello – Penn State Worthington Scranton
Russ Souchak – Social Sciences Library

Events: Dec. 19

Fall 2016

Monday, Dec. 12 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.

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.

Spring 2017

Wednesday, Jan. 4: “Developing a customer service-focused attitude,” presentation by Kathy Gates-Moore, Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park, and Mediasite Live.

Thursday, Jan. 5: Adult CPR/AED training, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park. Contact Len White at lmw6@psu.edu to register.

Thursday, Jan. 5: Internet privacy and security workshop, presentation by Karen Estlund and John Russell, 3-4 p.m., W23 Pattee Library, University Park and via Zoom.

Monday, Jan. 9 through Friday, May 5: “From the Trenches: The Great War in Sepia” exhibit, spring semester hours, Special Collections Library, 104 Paterno Library, University Park.

Monday, Jan. 9: First day of spring classes.

Monday, January 16 through Friday, May 5: “Research Wrapped in Aesthetics: The Air Wall,” documentary exhibit, spring operating hours, Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library, 111 Stuckeman Family Building, University Park.

Tuesday, Jan. 17: Dean’s Diversity Forum, “Growing up Moses: Why I show up in love,” by Moses Davis, director of the Multicultural Resource Center, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park and Mediasite Live.

Wednesday, Jan. 18: “Studying African Indigenous Knowledge for Improved Health and Biodiversity,” with Abderrahim Ouarghidi and Bronwen Powell, 3-4 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, Jan. 18: State College Young Professionals introduction to library and reception, 4:30-6 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, Jan. 25: M.G. Whiting Award Winner presentation, with Annie Marcinek, noon-1 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, Jan. 25: “The Politics of Struggle: The National Council of Indigenous Peoples in Mexico, 4-5 p.m., presentation by Maria Muñoz, Susquehanna University, Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Thursday, Jan. 26: TEAM Library, 2-3:30 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library & Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Friday, Jan. 27: Coffee with Carmen: Diversity Component, noon-1 p.m., with speakers Alia Gant, Jose Guerrero and Athena Jackson, Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Monday, Jan. 30: Dean’s Forum, 10 a.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park and Mediasite Live.

Wednesday, Feb. 1: M.G. Whiting Award Winner presentation, with Nari Senanayaki, 1-2 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, Feb. 15: Human Library, 1-7 p.m., multiple locations at University Park.

Wednesday, Feb. 22: Coffee with Carmen: Morgan Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes, noon-1 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Thursday, Feb. 23: TEAM Library, 2-3:30 p.m., with Moses Davis, Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Saturday, Feb. 25: One-day workshop on Indigenous Knowledge, with Abderrahim Ouarghidi and Bronwen Powell, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park. RSVP to Mark Mattson at mam1196@psu.edu.

Sunday-Saturday, March 5-11: Spring break, no classes.

Thursday, March 23: TEAM Library, 2-3:30 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Friday-Saturday, April 7-8: “Boundaries of the Human in the Age of the Life Sciences,” 4-5 p.m., with speaker Scott Gilbert, Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Friday, April 28: Last day of spring classes.

Sunday-Tuesday, April 30-May 2: DeStress Fest.

Monday-Friday, May 1-5: Final exams.

Friday-Sunday, May 5-7: Spring commencement weekend, most campuses.

Tuesday, May 9: COP Workshop, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

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