Monthly Archives: April 2017

Strategic Plan Update: Action Plan progress as of March 31, 2017

The March 31, 2017 action plan update for the University Libraries 2014-2019 Strategic Plan is now available as a PDF. Please note the progress that has occurred in since the December update.

On February 27 and 28, the 2016-2017 Action Plan Team held open forums to solicit feedback on the 2015/2016 Action Plan process and gather ideas for 2017/2018 Action Plan. In addition, surveys were conducted to collect the feedback and suggestions.

The Strategic Plan Steering Committee hosted a forum on April 13 at which John Russell, Cheryl McCallips, Jeff Knapp, Mark Mattson and Lauren Reiter gave reports on the accomplishments of several the Action Teams. The forum is available for viewing on Mediasite Live.

We welcome your feedback on the current update of the action plan, process for updating the action plan, communication strategy, and revisions to the strategic plan. Please feel free to send your comments or questions to any member of the Strategic Plan Steering Committee:

Chris Avery (cca2@psu.edu)
Matt Ciszek (mpc16@psu.edu)
Karen Estlund (kme20@psu.edu)
Jennifer Gilley (jrg15@psu.edu)
Anne Langley (ael22@psu.edu)
Lana Munip (lzm10@psu.edu)
Rob Olendorf (rko5039@psu.edu)
Kimlyn Patishnock (kjp2@psu.edu)
Sheila Sager (sss2@psu.edu)
Joe Salem (jas1218@psu.edu)
Diane Zabel (dxz2@psu.edu)

– submitted by Martha Ney, Administrative and Financial Services

Deadline for University Libraries’ scholarship applications April 28

The deadline for applications for the University Libraries’ scholarships is Friday, April 28. In addition to scholarships geared towards those who have an interest in library science, the University Libraries’ scholarships provide financial assistance to undergraduates who have a demonstrated financial need.

The first criteria for both the Cynthia M. Joyce Trustee Scholarship and the Mayo-Alessandri-Esther Family Undergraduate Scholarship in the University Libraries are for students with demonstrated financial need. The Mayo-Alessandri-Esther Family Undergraduate Scholarship then prioritizes for students who have been placed in foster care.

For detailed information about each scholarship and the criteria, please visit https://libraries.psu.edu/scholarship-opportunities.

Awards start at $500. Most scholarships are renewable for the next academic year if the student continues to meet the eligibility requirements. Students may apply for more than one scholarship at the same time.

Application requirements:

  • All applicants must have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Office of Student Aid.
  • All submissions require the completion of an online application form and a letter of application from the student plus one letter of recommendation.
  • All applications and letters of recommendation must be submitted no later than the last day of classes for the spring semester, Friday April 28, 2017.
  • Complete the online application form
    • NOTE: You will be asked to paste your letter of application into this form, and to provide the name of the person writing your letter of recommendation.
  • Letters of recommendation should be emailed to Wendi Keeler (wak109@psu.edu) or sent to:

Dean of University Libraries and Scholarly Communications
The Pennsylvania State University
510 Paterno Library
University Park, PA  16802

For more information, contact Wendi Keeler at wak109@psu.edu.

Open budget request sessions

Open Budget Request Sessions will be conducted by Courtney Dillon and Pam Hough in Pattee W211A on the following dates and times:

  • 2-4 p.m., Thursday, April 27
  • 9-11 a.m., Monday, May 1
  • 10 a.m.-noon, Thursday, May 4
  • 2-4 p.m., Thursday, May 11

Budget administrators and budget assistants should feel free to come to Pattee W211A anytime during our these two-hour sessions for assistance with inputting their budget requests or questions about the new system.

We will also be available for the campuses via Adobe Connect during the above dates and times.

Questions from our Campus Budget Administrators and Budget Assistants will be handled either via the chat pod in Adobe Connect or via telephone.  If you would rather ask your question via the telephone, please send a chat pod message to us asking us to call you and please include your phone number.

– submitted by Courtney Dillon, Business Office

Chancellor’s Grant funds museum pass program at Abington Library

Through 2017, the Penn State Abington Library will lend museum passes to faculty, staff and students as part of a new pilot program. Jennifer Hunter, reference and instruction librarian at Abington, proposed the pilot and it was selected for $1,500 of funding through the inaugural Chancellor’s Grants competition.

Passes are free and can be checked out for up to five days at the Woodland Building library. Each pass admits a specific number of guests and some offer discounts at museum shops and for dining and special programs. The library guide provides specific information on each pass.

Nine institutions, most of which are easily accessible by public transportation, agreed to participate:

  • Academy of Natural Sciences
  • African American Museum
  • Battleship New Jersey
  • Elmwood Park Zoo
  • Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
  • National Constitution Center
  • National Liberty Museum
  • Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
  • Philadelphia’s Magic Garden

Abington Chancellor Damian J. Fernandez awarded the funds from the Albert and Suzanne Lord Chancellor Endowment in the fall for efforts that include programs targeting freshman and first-generation students for success in college.

The grants fund new programs, activities and initiatives that are innovative and sustainable. The winning proposals support student engagement, retention and graduation; fresh approaches to academics and teaching; seed funding for larger projects; and robust community partnerships for service learning and civic education.

Getting to Know You: Brett Spencer

The Star Wars' franchise character Yoda holding a book for a promotional "Read" campaign posterby Jennifer Cywinski and Tracy Reilly

Brett Spencer has been a part of the social fabric at the Penn State Berks Thun Library since 2014. He is the Reference and Instruction Librarian for the Social Sciences and also the liaison to the Humanities and Art Sciences.

Brett originally worked in a public library while in graduate school and earned his degree in Library Sciences in 2000 from the University of Southern Mississippi. He was then hired at the University of Alabama and left his native home of Mississippi. However, living in the south had some drawbacks, and eventually, Brett’s family began looking for better opportunities for their son Trent, who has autism.

After doing some research, Brett and his wife discovered that Pennsylvania was supportive of families who have children with autism. Brett applied for his position at Penn State Berks Thun Library while looking forward to moving and helping his son prosper. Now Trent attends The Vista School in Hershey, which boasts wonderful staff and state-of-the-art facilities to address the special needs of children.

When Brett isn’t working he enjoys spending time with Trent and their little rat terrier dog “Nemo.” Both he and his wife, Danielle, are big Star Wars fans and Brett actually owns a homemade lightsaber!

Brett says that working for Penn State has been a great opportunity for him and his family. He says “the co-workers, faculty, staff, and students, you could not ask for a better work environment!”

De-Stress Fest: University Park library locations help students during finals week

The University Libraries’ will offer fun and relaxing activities during “De-Stress Fest” at the University Park campus to help students reduce stress as they study for finals and complete papers and projects. From 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday-Tuesday, April 30-May 2, students can stop in the Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, and enjoy free coffee and snacks or stretch their minds with a quick game and mental break.

The list of dates, times and activities is available at https://libraries.psu.edu/destress-fest-spring-2017.

Branch library locations at University Park also will offer snacks and relaxing activities for students. The Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library will provide origami projects and puzzles all day Tuesday-Thursday, April 25-27, with snacks and drinks offered from 7-9 p.m. The Fletcher L. Byrom Earth and Mineral Sciences Library will offer puzzles and other study-break activities as well as apples and snacks, while supplies last, each day Sunday, April 30, through Thursday, May 4.

Bring your own cup and enjoy snacks and drinks from 6-7 p.m. at the Engineering Library Sunday-Wednesday, April 30-May 3, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday-Wednesday, May 1-3. With newly configured group workspaces, the Physical and Mathematical Sciences Library will have snacks and drinks available all day, while supplies last, Monday-Thursday, May 1-4, with puzzles and other activities for study breaks.

An 8.5×11 downloadable PDF for this event is available to print or share with colleagues and organizations. For more information about De-Stress Fest or for questions about accommodations for this event, contact Megan Gilpin at 814-867-0069 or mcg13@psu.edu.

What Maslow’s Hierarchy says about customer service employees

We’ve all felt beaten up by a customer.

It’s part of the job. A customer is angry, maybe even unfair. Intellectually, we know they’re complaining about the product, the problem, or the situation.

The attack still feels personal.

Years of pithy advice tells us to “not take it personally.” That’s an instinctive impossibility. We’re wired to take it personally.

What happens next is interesting. Read more of customer service expert Jeff Toister’s article here: http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?e=19c9d795c1&u=5807a192a714bb01025f1d318&id=9f93d3c84e.

– submitted by Carmen Gass, User Training Services

 

Instruction Room Best Practices: New instructor kits

You may have noticed that the tackle box Instructor Kits have been replaced with smaller, clear boxes that now fit in the podium. The exceptions are W140 Pattee (the tackle box still fits in the podium) and 403 Paterno (this room remains locked).

You may have also noticed there are some new items being supplied in the kits and podiums in general. The kits now have No. 2 pencils, instead of the golf pencils, as well as index cards. There’s also a box of Kleenex stored inside each podium.

Tthe typical supplies will continue to be stocked, such as:
AAA batteries
AA batteries
9V batteries
Dry erase markers
Dry erase board erasers
Staplers/staples
Tape
Paper clips
Rubber bands
Pencil sharpeners

The rooms and kits are checked on a weekly basis, but if you notice any problems or have supply requests for the kits, don’t hesitate to contact Rebecca Peterson at rmr28@psu.edu or at 865-9257.

– submitted by Rebecca Peterson, Library Learning Services

Don’t miss Discovery Day! Registration opens May 1

The Discovery Day committee is hard at work to make sure this year’s event on Thursday, June 1 is a memorable one!

New this year:
Want to visit a co-learning space where students, faculty and staff members can explore emerging technologies and work with the TLT team to leverage these tools in their teaching and research? Then take a tour of the Dreamery!

Or if you are a sports buff:  take a tour of the Penn State  All-Sports Museum.

The Museum features exhibits focusing on Penn State’s unique approach to intercollegiate athletics as well as the history of 31 current varsity sports and three that have been discontinued.

 

The official Discovery Day program will be released on May 1. Visit our website for updates: tinyurl.com/discoveryday17.

– submitted by Angel Peterson, Discovery Day committee

Tech Tip: Box folder invitation links going away

by Ryan Johnson, I-Tech

The Box feature of Folder Invitation Links will be removed on May 2, 2017 due to a security vulnerability being discovered. For more information please visit this page on Folder Invitation Links.

Although this feature is going away, the capability will be retained under Shared Links.

For more information on using Shared Links in Box, please visit the following Box documentation page.

 

LHR News: April 24

Please join us in welcoming the following new hires:

Full-time:
Sarah Koczan – Information Resources and Services Support Specialist, Penn State Behrend

Events: April 24

Spring 2017

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

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.

Through Sunday, July 30, “The Painted Photograph: Selections from the B. & H. Henisch Photo-History Collection,” hours of operation, 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,” exhibit, Arts and Humanities Library operating hours, Diversity Studies Room, 203 Patee Library, University Park.

Wednesday, April 26: Financial Literacy Workshop, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.,
Black Box Theater, Slusser/Bayzick Building, Hazleton.

Wednesday, April 26: Conversations with Carmen: Religious and Spiritual Life at Penn State, with guest speaker Bob Smith of the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development, Pasquerilla Spiritual Center/Eisenhower Chapel, noon-1 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, April 26: Discovery — Tell Us What you Think, Discovery Solutions Working Group Brown Bag, noon-1:30 p.m., Dean’s Conference Foom, 510A Paterno Library, University Park.

Friday, April 28: Last day of spring classes.

Sunday-Tuesday, April 30-May 2: De-Stress Fest, 3-8 p.m, University Park library locations.

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

Wednesday, May 3: Docunight: Iran via Documentaries presents “Decadence and Downfall — The Shah of Iran’s Ultimate Party,” documentary screening of a film about, around, or in Iran, or made by Iranians, 7 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park and Mont Alto Campus Library, first floor, Mont Alto.

Thursday, May 4: Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award Public, Oral Defense, three award finalists, 3:30-5 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

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

UPCOMING SCHEDULES:   Maymester & Summer 2017

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

Final day to submit University Libraries Awards nominations

Nominations for the University Libraries Awards will be accepted until midnight Monday, April 17, 2017 (today).

All award criteria and nomination forms are available at the Libraries staff and faculty awards page of our intranet. Nominations from previous years may be submitted for consideration in 2017.

Five awards will be presented at the University Libraries Awards celebration on May 11:  the Libraries Diversity Award; Libraries Teaching Award; Margaret Knoll Spangler Oliver Award; Shirley J. Davis Staff Excellence Award; and The University Libraries Award.

Please consider nominating a colleague who makes your job easier or who exemplifies the excellence of one of these awards.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at jaf23@psu.edu if you should have any questions about criteria or the nomination process.

– submitted by Joe Fennewald, Libraries Awards Committee

LAMC projects aim to strengthen culture of assessment

by Steve Borrelli, Library Assessment

For this Focus on Assessment, I want to highlight the work of the Library Assessment and Metrics Council (LAMC). In 2016, the council expanded to 20 members, with four membership slots reserved for colleagues outside of University Park. Presently, the LAMC includes staff and faculty from seven campuses. Together, we’re working on four projects aimed at developing data and assessment skills and perspectives, and at developing an infrastructure to support the assessment needs of the University Libraries.

  • On Friday, April 21, we’ll be hosting researchers from the University of Minnesota, Jan Fransen and Krista Soria. They’re part of a research team that has been successful in connecting library data (checkouts, reference, database use, etc.) to student retention. They’ve also shown how first-year first-time students’ GPA is impacted by library use (check outs, using databases, reference, etc.). They’ll be visiting University Park to discuss their work and to discuss considerations for conducting our own similar analyses. They’ll also be delivering a talk about developing a research agenda. The presentations are open to all and will be available on Mediasite Live. The full schedule for the day is available here.
  • The Assessment Archive will be a place where faculty and staff can submit completed assessment projects, both large- and small-scale, so that others can find and make use of these assessment results. We see this as also having the secondary benefit of providing a central location for those looking for ideas for their assessments. Each project will have a searchable project page describing the project, the submitted materials and results. We anticipate launching this project by the end of July. More information about the Assessment Archive will come soon.
  • Library Data Days is envisioned to be a full-day event providing professional development around the central theme of “using data.” The project is currently in an exploratory stage to gauge interest and develop a loose budget. An interest survey was recently sent out and is available here for anyone interested who may have missed it. The event is tentatively scheduled for Monday, July 10, in University Park.
  • The Library Data Inventory project is aimed at learning what data is collected broadly around the libraries to support decision making. The first phase of the project is looking at the data collected through Desk Tracker. The idea here is to get an understanding of what data is collected consistently across the libraries, then to talk with those using the data in their decision making in order to make recommendations or suggest best practices for recording. The LAMC group working on this has met with representatives from the Desk Tracker Team, and will be touching base as we move forward on the project.

If you have questions about any of these projects, talk with anyone on the LAMC, or contact me directly at sborrelli@psu.edu.

 

Safety in the Libraries

The safety of visitors and employees in all of our libraries is a top priority, and we always are striving to maintain a welcoming and secure environment for all who wish to use our facilities. Our goal is to strike a balance between offering a broad, open-door policy and ensuring a safe, secure environment.

While we are committed to having all people feel welcome, a wide variety of visitor actions can prove disruptive, from loud conversation to argumentative confrontations and abusive language. We are always on the lookout for dangerous conduct.

Continuing our efforts to maintain the University Libraries’ locations as safe and welcoming places, we have begun the installation of both “Take It With You” and “Now You See It, Now You Don’t” signage, both intended to remind everyone not to leave possessions unattended.

To further our goal of a safe and welcoming environment, we have added student patrols during the highest-occupancy hours in Pattee Library and Paterno Library to promote a more protected environment.

Thank you in advance for helping us continue to make our libraries a safe and welcoming place for all.

– submitted by Rick Riccardo, Facilities

Mann Lecture Musings: Steps in Time

by Sandra Stelts, Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts, Special Collections Library

woman showing a dance pose with 18th-century images on the projection screen behind her

The 2017 Charles W. Mann Jr. Lecture in the Book Arts was given March 30, 2017, by Professor Linda Tomko from the University of California at Riverside, on “Books, Bodies, and Circulations of Dancing in Early 18th-Century France and England” in Foster Auditorium. Photo by Nathan Valchar.

On Thursday, March 30, members of the Foster Auditorium audience found themselves immersed in the time and space of 18th-century stage sets, courts, ballrooms, and dance masters’ studios. We imagined ourselves in corsets and tri-cornered hats, humming tunes from the pages of books, all the while attempting to follow the pathways of the mysterious and, to us, unknowable patterns of lines known as dance notation.

Linda Tomko used illustrations such as this one, from “The Art of Dancing Explained by Reading and Figures” by Kellom Tomlinson, London, 1735, considered to be one of the most beautiful of all dance notation books, in her talk for the 2017 Charles W. Mann Jr. Lecture.

Some notation systems are like tiny stick figures that depict gestures; others present an abstract beauty of their own, quite independent of the motion being described. Click on the image to view a high-resolution version in detail.This year’s Mann Lecture celebrated books found in Penn State’s Mary Ann O’Brian Malkin Early Dance Collection (1531–1804), which includes books on the history of European dance, its dancers (both amateur and professional), and on the development of dance notation—the visual dictionaries of dance elements. Systems of dance notation translate human movements into signs that permanently preserve the visual moment—a combination of flowing lines and disciplined gestures. Malkin herself often referred to these mystifying patterns as “chicken scratches,” and it was Tomko’s mission to enliven a number of examples of dance notation by occupying their space and literally “dancing by the book.”

In the 1680s, the ballet teacher Pierre Beauchamp invented a dance notation system for Baroque dancers. His system, known as the Beauchamp-Feuillet notation, was published in 1700 by his student, Raoul-Auger Feuillet, in 1700 as Chorégraphie; ou, l’art de décrire la dance (“Choreography; or, The Art of Describing the Dance”). The system spread rapidly throughout Europe, with English, German, and Spanish versions soon appearing. The notation became so popular at court and among the educated classes that books of collected dances were published annually.

Some notation systems are like tiny stick figures that depict gestures; others present an abstract beauty of their own, quite independent of the motion being described. Click on the image to view the detail in high resolution.

Tomko offered our audience an opportunity to reinvigorate the chicken scratches by first explaining and then demonstrating the intricate footwork and appropriate arm gestures represented in the notation. She guided us through the signs that indicated the steps used in the various dances, including which ones distinguished the male and female dancers. As a historian, dancer, and performer, Tomko is herself an embodier of dances past.

The Mann Lecture is an annual series that honors the late Charley Mann, the first head of the Department of Special Collections who served in that role for more than forty years. Beginning in 2002, the series has featured lively speakers and topics relating to the book arts, including printing, writing, illustration, and book design—anything that might be considered an aspect of the book arts, broadly construed. The series is a fitting tribute to Charley because such talks provide a vibrant forum to learn from the past, as well as a delightful reason to gather together people who share interests in books and bookmaking. The series is funded by the Mary Louise Krumrine Endowment.

We are already excited about the topic and speaker for next year’s Mann Lecture, and we hope you’ll make the series a regular appointment on your calendars.

National Library Week recap, responses

We hope you enjoyed National Library Week! Do you have any stories to share? We invite you to share them in the comments below.

The University Libraries wrapped up its participation in National Library Week (April 9-15) via the rollout of 15 of our first “Libraries Transform” (a.k.a. “Because”) series of promotional statements. The Libraries’ @psulibs social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter all saw high rates of engagement; as of 4 p.m. Friday, April 14, we counted week-over-week engagement increases of 21% on Facebook*, 363% on Instagram and 490% on Twitter. Of course, we posted more frequently than during the past week because of the campaign, but overall, it delivered high levels of visibility and positive sentiment for the Libraries.

Special thanks to the social media admins who shared the Libraries’ messages on their pages as well, especially the Commonwealth Campus Libraries, and to Hailley Fargo, who has offered to share her Box folder of photos from her trip to the Blissell Library at Penn State New Kensington that show how the library was decorated with several framed Libraries Transform signs. Kudos to the team of Jennifer Gilley, Amy Rustic and Yesenia Figueroa-Lifschitz, who coordinated the library’s displays, including Yesenia’s creative cupcake toppers!

Following are Twitter posts in response to the campaign, which we are sharing here because these messages of appreciation are meant for all of us in the Libraries community. In the interest of time and space, related images haven’t been uploaded, although hyperlinks are active. There also are a few posts of special note to point out. One is from Brazil — our campaign went international! — and another is from the “I Love Libraries” initiative, run by the American Library Association. It was nice to see our national organization taking note of the University Libraries. (ALA also acknowledged our campaign on Instagram.)

Cody Kondratenko (@codykon)
4/8/17, 7:13 PM
As always, ♥️ ya @psulibs pic.twitter.com/NswqDcqUzw

[This post was in response to our “Because the library is the heart of the university” post:]
Schlow Library (@schlowlibrary)
4/9/17, 11:07 AM
We wholeheartedly concur! #NationalLibraryWeek #LibrariesTransform #SeeWhatWeDidThere? ? twitter.com/psulibs/status…

Penn State BW ENVI (@PSUBW_ENVI)
4/9/17, 11:52 AM
We ? the @PSUBrandywine #VairoLibrary – a center of scholarship, collaboration, innovation, and a supportive community for the entire campus

Bethann Rea (@bazani330)
4/9/17, 12:35 PM
PSU Libraries will always be a safe space for research & social activities. Thank you for your dedication to learning! #nationallibraryweek

John Patishnock (@JohnPatishnock)
4/9/17, 9:42 PM
In recognition of National Library Week, here are a couple photos that showcase the heart of #PennState ?⚪️?⚪️??? pic.twitter.com/vNJFEuFFw9

Penn State (@penn_state)
4/10/17, 8:45 AM
Happy #NationalLibraryWeek!

Adriana ??‍? (@Adriana_Lacy)
4/10/17, 3:37 PM
Happy #NationalLibraryWeek to my favorite library, @psulibs! ? pic.twitter.com/rYiW5qBaIz

Schlow Library (@schlowlibrary)
4/11/17, 8:32 AM
We salute all our #LibraryColleagues, wherever they work! #NationalLibraryWorkersDay #NationalLibraryDay #LibrariesTransform

Raise Penn State (@RaisePennState)
4/11/17, 10:15 AM
Happy #NationalLibraryWorkersDay to the dedicated staff of @psulibs! TY for all you do for #PennState libraries serving 3.2 mil visitors/yr! pic.twitter.com/682p8E6ECB

[The following tweet is from the Federal Council of Education Librarianship, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil:]
biblioufsc (@BIBLIO_UFSC)
4/11/17, 11:44 AM
melhor mecanismo de busca na biblioteca 🙂
[Translation: “best search engine in the library” — which was what was displayed in our tweet.] 

Linda Struble (@lms27Linda)
4/11/17, 8:37 AM
Happy National Library Workers Day!! @EngineeringLib @psulibs #NationalLibraryWeek pic.twitter.com/JCen5G0tMe
[Linda, the cupcakes in your photo looked delicious!]

Penn State (@penn_state)
4/11/17, 1:33 PM
A big thank you to all of the library workers at all Penn State campuses. #LibraryWorkersDay @psulibs pic.twitter.com/lZODDiRPtB

Geospatial Ed @ PSU (@PennStateGIS)
4/11/17, 3:24 PM
We love our #geospatial, #geography, and #mapping specialists at the Penn State libraries. Thanks for all your hard work!

[The following website is an initiative of the American Library Association:]
Ilovelibraries.org (@ILoveLibraries) 
4/11/17, 3:26 PM
Indeed. #LibrariesTransform #NationalLibraryWeek
twitter.com/psulibs/status…

PSU Press (@PSUPress)
4/11/17, 3:49 PM
Wishing all our colleagues in the @psulibs system a happy #nationallibraryworkersday!

Penn State Online (@PSUWorldCampus)
4/11/17, 8:05 PM
We ? the librarians who help our students access #PennState resources no matter where they are! #NationalLibraryWeek

Donna Quadri-Felitti (@DrDonnaQuadri)
4/11/17, 9:26 PM
#LibraryWorkersDay thank you @psulibs

Schlow Library (@schlowlibrary)
4/12/17, 5:39 AM
Celebrate #NationalLibraryWeek at your favorite libraries! #AccessEqualsOpportunity #LibrariesTransform @ALALibrary @psulibs pic.twitter.com/V1FR4opuDh

Schlow Library (@schlowlibrary)
4/14/17, 8:33 AM
We wholeheartedly concur! ?? twitter.com/psulibs/status…

We would love to hear responses from you! Did any of our visitors wish you a happy Library Week or Library Workers Day? We invite you to post about your experiences in the comments below.

Finally, in response to employees’ requests, a PDF containing 17 print-friendly, letter-size versions of this first series of the promotional campaign’s signs is now available for download and individual printing by Libraries employees. The PDF is linked at the bottom of the Public Relations and Marketing (PRaM) department’s intranet page. (PRaM recommends the use of heavy-bond paper or card stock, especially for ink jet printers, as the design may cause ink to bleed through 20 lb. paper.)

*Considering that our first National Poetry Month video, courtesy of internationally renowned children’s poet/anthologist and Libraries donor Lee Bennett Hopkins, was posted April 3, Facebook engagement during National Library Week was nearly impossible to beat. As of Friday afternoon, April 14, his video has received a Libraries page record-high organic post reach of 3,854 with 1,711 views and 242 reactions — including 160 likes, 37 “loves” and 27 shares. (That’s a feat, especially because our page has 1,898 likes.) If you haven’t seen it yet, we encourage you to view Lee’s recitation of his well-loved poem “Good Books, Good Times” (closed-captioned, requires Facebook login) recorded in his home in Florida, courtesy of our Director of Development Nicki Hendrix. Thank you, Nicki! Lee’s second video, also in honor of National Poetry Month, will be shared on our Facebook page soon.

‘Henry Pisciotta: My Research is Your Research’ April 18-20

vividly colorized interlocking books in a circular structure

image by Henry Pisciotta

“Henry Pisciotta: My Research is Your Research” will be on display in the Borland Project Space (125 Borland) from Tuesday, April 18, through Thursday, April 20. Visitors can meet with Henry from 1:30­ to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Assisting with other people’s research is part of College of Arts and Architecture Librarian Henry Pisciotta’s job. In this three-day working research residency, Pisciotta invites faculty, staff and students to visit him in the Borland Project Space to talk about research problems they may be having. He will have equipment and resources on hand to help visitors pursue their work.

Also on display will be posters summarizing Pisciotta’s own publications on topics such as institutional critique by artists of the University Libraries, a statistical analysis of art publishing from university presses, and a systematic study of the use of digital images for teaching.

Pisciotta invites researchers who cannot make it to the Borland Project Space to phone (814-865-6778) or tweet (@HenryPisciotta) in their questions during his residency.

For more information, visit the Borland Project Space website: http://borlandprojectspace.psu.edu/

For more information on Henry Pisciotta’s research projects, read an article about the “Air Wall” article: http://bit.ly/2jlkzoS