Daily Archives: May 8, 2017

Reminder: University Libraries Awards May 11

Mark your calendar and join us for the University Libraries Awards celebration at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park, and on Mediasite Live. A reception will immediately follow in the Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library.

This year’s winners are:

Margaret Knoll Spangler Oliver Award – Ann Thompson, Information Resources and Services Manager, Physical and Mathematical Sciences Library

Shirley J. Davis Staff Excellence Award – Wendy Stodart, Generalist, Libraries Human Resources

University Libraries Award – John Shank, Head Librarian, Thun Library, Penn StateBerks

University Libraries Diversity Award – Jacqueline Peagler, Monographs Cataloger and Training Coordinator, Cataloging & Metadata Services

University Libraries Teaching Award – Karla Schmit, Interim Head, Education and Behavioral Sciences Library and Assistant Director, PA Center for the Book.

2017 Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award winner announced

The Penn State University Libraries presented the 2017 Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award to Schreyer Honors College Scholar Alexander Walsh following his public oral presentation May 4. Walsh will receive $1,250 for his thesis, “Effects of Extrusion Temperature and Printer Nozzle Speed on the Tensile Properties of 3D Printed Polylactic Acid.” Walsh received his degree in mechanical engineering this past weekend.

Aviva Doery, a Schreyer Scholar who graduated with degrees in international politics and global and international studies, won $750 for her thesis “The Lives of Lesbian Women in Berlin Before and Beyond the Rise of the Nazis 1933-1945.” Schreyer Scholar Samuel Lapp, a graduating senior who earned his degree in engineering science, was awarded $500 for his thesis “Modeling Intonation in Non-Western Musical Cultures.”

The annual competition included a review of the submitted theses by a faculty jury and a public oral presentation by the three finalists. The Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award provides an opportunity to fully appreciate the academic quality of Penn State students and the depth of their undergraduate research.

The Libraries initiated this award as a way to emphasize the importance of utilizing quality research methods and employing a thorough understanding of the legal and ethical issues related to the use of information — both key components of academic excellence. For Schreyer Scholars, the thesis is the capstone of their honors experience at Penn State. This competition recognizes the discerning inquiry and diligent research undertaken by the scholars in preparation of the completion of each thesis.

This year’s panel of judges was composed of six Penn State faculty: Julian Avery, senior lecturer and research associate of wildlife ecology and conservation, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, College of Agricultural Sciences; Carter Hunt, assistant professor, Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, College of Health and Human Development; and from the University Libraries, Larry and Ellen Foster Communications Librarian Jeffrey A. Knapp; Eric N. and Bonnie S. Prystowsky Early Career Science Librarian Robert Olendorf, Instruction and Outreach Archivist Julie Porterfield, and Louis and Virginia Benzak Business Librarian Diane Zabel, the panel’s chair.

The submissions process for the Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award begins in January of each year. Students who have graduated in summer of the previous year or fall or spring of the current academic year are eligible to participate. Details are available at https://libraries.psu.edu/about/student-awards/outstanding-undergraduate-thesis-award.

For more information, contact Wendi Keeler at 814-863-5449 or wak109@psu.edu.

The three finalists selected for the 2017 Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award participated in a public oral presentation on May 4, 2017. University Libraries Associate Dean Anne Langley, Diane Zabel, Louis and Virginia Benzak Business Librarian and jury chair Diane Zabel join Schreyer Honors College Interim Dean Kathleen Bieschke (far right) in presenting the winner Alexander Walsh and finalists Aviva Doery and Samuel Lapp with their prizes.

Diversity Programming and Research Colloquium May 17

The University Libraries’ Diversity Committee is hosting its Annual Diversity Programing and Research Colloquium from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17, in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park, and Mediasite Live.

This event will share research, projects, and programs that build on the Libraries’ commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion. Our presenters will examine a number of approaches that include working with our colleagues, collections, and community. We hope you will be able to join us!

Schedule:
Each presenter will deliver a 15-minute presentation followed by a brief question and answer session.

1. Carmen Gass, 2:30-2:50 p.m.
Team Library: What exactly was it all about?

2. Emily Mross & Christina Reihman-Murphy, 2:50-3:10 p.m.
Commonality of Prayer Spaces in Libraries

3. Megan Mac Gregor, 3:10-3:30 p.m.
Libraries, Community Outreach, and LGBTQ History

4. Kimberli Kelmor, 3:30-3:50 p.m.
Measuring Diversity in Academic Law Library Collections

5. Elizabeth Hobart, 3:50-4:10 p.m.
Researching Racial Privilege: The Role of Library of Congress Subject
Headings in Finding Materials

6. Mark Mattson, 4:10-4:30 p.m.
The Many Faces of Intercultural Dialogue: Working with Other Campus Groups

– submitted by Jose Guerrero, Diversity Resident Librarian

Abington Library gives information literacy awards to student researchers

woman and man standing beside a research presentation poster

Penn State Abington students Natalie Martino and Joseph Gregory with their award-winning research project.

The Penn State Abington Library in cooperation with Penn State University Libraries established Information Literacy Awards for undergraduate research projects this year.

The awards recognize scholarly work based on a foundation of careful background research and literature review. The winners demonstrated excellence in information literacy through background research and literature review and/or the use of manuscript, archival or other primary resources to conduct original research.

Head librarian Dolores Fidishun, Ed.D., spearheaded the awards. Fidishun leads a coordinated effort that encourages students to explore the wealth of information available and identify quality resources most relevant to scholarly inquiry.

One winner was chosen in each of the campus’ three academic divisions during the annual ACURA (Abington Undergraduate Research Activities) poster fair in April.

Division of Arts & Humanities

  • “Seventeenth Century Medicinal Recipe Keeping and its Progression of Social and Environmental Feminist Perspectives” by Rachael Shulman / Faculty Adviser: Marissa Nicosia

Division of Science & Engineering

  • “Electrophilic Substitution Reactions of Tryptanthrin” by Patrick Lamping and Jamie Madison / Faculty Adviser: John Scovill

Division of Social Sciences

  • “Don’t Go Toward the Light! How Light Pollution Affects Perceptions of Natural Settings in National Parks” by Robert Nutt / Faculty Adviser: Jacob Benfield

Honorable Mentions

  • “’Dude, Where’s My Bike Rack?’: Preventing Bicycle Theft at Penn State Abington” by Joseph Gregory and Natalie Martino / Faculty Adviser: Oren M. Gur
  • “Has The Story Changed?: Children’s Picture Books About Illness and Disability Over the Decades” by Courtney Colkett-Harvey and Darby McGurk / Faculty Adviser: Judith L. Newman

Penn State University Press unveils new titles for Fall/Winter

three images of covers of the Penn State University Press catalog, Lair of the Lion book and Where Honeybees Thrive

Penn State University Press announces its Fall/Winter 2017 Catalog, featuring more than 40 new releases. The Press continues its long tradition of publishing high quality and insightful scholarship in the fields of animal studies, art history, rhetoric and communication studies, medieval and early modern studies, and more.

The season’s trade titles include Heather Swan’s Where Honeybees Thrive, a lyrical blend of nonfiction and visual art investigating the worldwide plight of honeybees and the humans who work to save them; Among the Woo People: A Survival Guide to Living in a College Town, a collection of humorist Russell Frank’s columns on life in Happy Valley; and Lair of the Lion: A History of Beaver Stadium by two Penn State experts, Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering Harry H. West and Librarian Emeritus Lee Stout.

A revised and expanded edition of the perennially popular Field Guide to Wild Mushrooms of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic by State College mycologist Bill Russell will also be available this fall.

Lair of the Lion: A History of Beaver Stadium is currently available for preorder through Wednesday, May 31, at a special price of $20.00 (tax and shipping included). Visit the following link or call Kathleen Scholz-Jaffe at 814-867-2224 for more information: http://www.psupress.org/SocialMedia/StoutWest_BWgameWeb.pdf

See all of Penn State University Press’s forthcoming Fall/Winter 2017 titles here: http://www.psupress.org/catalogs/PDFs/Fall2017Web.pdf.

To learn more about the Press’s books and to stay up to date on local author events, follow the Press on Facebook and Twitter.

– submitted by Cate Fricke, Penn State University Press

Inside Access: Turnaround time for patron holds

by Peg Tromm, Robert E. Eiche Library, Penn State Altoona

An Access Services Council subgroup charged under the Libraries Strategic Action Material Delivery Program Expansion Team investigated ways to reduce the turnaround time for delivery of holds to PSUL locations.

After tracking several hundred holds, the team found that most patrons were notified their holds were ready for pickup within a one- to two-day window. This included items that went in transit and items that were still being processed (in-marking, in-process). The turnaround time was consistent across the campuses. As a result, the group felt that the current procedures were producing satisfactory results and were impressed by the quick turnaround.

Team members, Peg Tromm (Chair), Barb Kopshina, Margie Kruppenbach, Amy Miller, Mary Murray, and Bernie Whitehill approached their charge by discovering a method to actually calculate the length of time patrons waited to receive their requested holds.

Using the “On Shelf Hold” wizard and following the daily procedures, items with holds were pulled Monday, February 13, at the Altoona, Berks, Brandywine, Harrisburg and University Park locations. The data was entered into a spreadsheet tracking items’ current location, pickup library, the date the hold was placed, the date of any in-transit items, on-hold date and checkout date. Of the 366 items tracked:

  • 55% items stayed in their shelving library, meaning that the requesting patron selected the home location as their desired pickup.
  • 45% of the remaining items went in-transit. These were items requested by campus or branch libraries’ patrons.
  • 91% of all items were placed on-hold within two days.
  • 48% of all items were placed on-hold the same day they were pulled.
  • 54% of items were checked out within two days.

To assist staff in the processing of holds, the subgroup is creating a “Best Practices” document outlining the most efficient methods to process these materials. Stay tuned for further updates.

Stay tuned for further updates.

Team Jedi Archive wins Wilkes-Barre campus walking competition

image of small yellow high-top sneaker in front of award certificate for Most Miles Walked competitionThis spring, the Wilkes-Barre campus nurse, Suzanne Attanasio, hosted a fitness initiative called “Walk to the National Parks.” To participate in this six-week event, individuals and/or teams had to submit weekly step counts for tally. Our goal of walking to all the National Parks and returning home to Lehman, Pennsylvania, was 7,285 miles. Altogether, the campus participants walked 7,894.17 miles.

The Nesbitt Library team at Penn State Wilkes-Barre had an impressive record. Comprised of Jennie Knies, Megan Mac Gregor, John Owens, and also several family members, “Team Jedi Archives” placed first, walking a total of 1,244.36 miles. As an individual, John Owens came in second with an impressive 314.08 miles.

How did we accomplish this, especially during the cold months of February and March? For those of you who have visited the Nesbitt Library, you know that we are small and comprise just one floor. However, completing the “Library Loop” through our five ranges of stacks can add an additional 300+ steps in a matter of minutes. Parking at the far end of the parking lot allows for approximately 500 steps to the library. And on nice days? Walking was also an incentive for campus outreach, and let’s just say that it IS possible to walk and listen to presentations at the same time. The mobile apps for Zoom and MediaSite work quite well.

Participating in this event has certainly increased our fitness here in Wilkes-Barre, and we have all pledged to try to keep up the habit – rumor has it that we will be repeating this program in the Fall.

– submitted by Jennie Knies, Nesbitt Library, Wilkes-Barre

Connect with I-Tech Open House event

University Libraries staff are invited to “Connect with I-Tech” from 2-4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24 in the I-Tech suite, E1 Paterno Library, University Park. The Open House event will showcase I-Tech services and projects, staff expertise and will give our colleagues a chance to see who we are and what we do.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Service demonstrations will be offered to our campus colleagues who are unable to attend in person via Zoom at http://psu.zoom.us/ (meeting ID 814 863 0626).

We look forward to seeing you at the Open House!

– submitted by Karen Hackett, I-Tech

Libraries’ United Way hoagie sale for June 1

illustration to promote hoagie sale on June 1The University Libraries’ United Way Committee will sell hoagies to supplement the snacks and drinks available in the Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, for those individuals participating in Discovery Day. The delicious hoagies are also available to those who wish to order for lunch on June 1. All proceeds benefit the Centre County United Way.

Selections available:
Italian
Ham
Turkey
Roast Beef
Three Cheese

7” hoagies are $4.50, 12” hoagies are $7.50

Order your hoagie at http://tinyurl.com/psulibshoagiesale by noon on May 22.

Money is due June 1Please pay by cash or check. Make all checks out to Amy Miller and send them to Donna Dean in 126 Paterno Library.

If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please e-mail ul-discovery-day-cmte@lists.psu.edu in advance.

Tech Tip: Some tips on using Slack

by Ryan Johnson, I-Tech

illustration of logo for Slack

Now that Slack is up and running in the libraries, here are a few suggestions to get you started:

  • Instead of using your Penn State ID as your username which can be hard to recognize for everyone, use your full name. To change your username you need to log in on the website version here https://psu-libraries.slack.com/account/settings#username, click expand under username and change it.
  • Remember Slack should be used for business purposes only. Information from Slack and other chat services can be subpoenaed.
  • Create your own dept/team channel by clicking on the + sign next to Browse All Channels.

screenshot of options for selecting a channel on Slack workgroup chat

  • Set your status from the browser, desktop and mobile versions of Slack. From your computer, click your name in the upper left corner of your sidebar, then select Set a Status. On the iOS or Android apps, tap the More items icon (…), or edit your status directly from your profile.

 

LHR News: May 8

Please join us in welcoming the following new hires:

Full-time:
Heather Froehlich, Digital Scholarship Fellow

Part-time:
Tesa Burns – Penn State Harrisburg
Deborah Brady – Penn State Behrend

Events: May 8

Spring 2017

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,” exhibitArts and Humanities Library operating hours, Diversity Studies Room, 203 Patee Library, University Park.

Maymester 2017 / Summer 2017

Academic calendar information for all campuses is available online.

Monday, May 8: first day of classes, Maymester, University Park. Academic calendar information for all campuses is available online.

Monday, May 8: MediaTech Expo, Media and Technology Support Services invites vendors to showcase the latest in technology products, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., President’s Hall, Penn Stater Conference Center, University Park.

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

Thursday, May 11: University Libraries Awards, 2 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park, and Mediasite Live. 3 p.m. reception in Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Sunday, May 14: arrival day, first six-week summer session, University Park.

Monday, May 15: first day of classes, first six-week summer session, University Park.

Monday, May 15: Deadline for Discovery Day tours registration, University Park.

Wednesday, May 17: Dealing with Challenging Patrons webinar, 2–4:30 p.m., W 23 Pattee Library, University Park.

Wednesday, May 17: Libraries’ annual Diversity Research and Programming Colloquium, 2:30–4 p.m., Foster Auditorium and Mediasite Live.

Tuesday, May 23: Content Strategy conversation, 9-10 a.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Tuesday, May 23: Dean’s Forum, 2-3 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park and Mediasite Live.

Wednesday, May 24: Connect with I-Tech Open House, 2-4 p.m., E1 Paterno Library (I-Tech Suite), University Park.

Monday, May 29: Memorial Day, no classes.

Thursday, June 1: Discovery Day, University Park library locations.

Monday, June 5: last day of classes, Maymester, University Park.

Tuesday, June 6: study day, Maymester, University Park.

Tuesday, June 6: Panel Discussion, answers and information about service dogs, with the Sight Loss Support Group of Central PA and Happy Valley Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, 1:30-3 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park and Mediasite Live archive recording with captions.

Wednesday, June 7: final examsMaymester, University Park.

Wednesday, June 7: Docunight: Iran via Documentaries, 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, June 22: Tech Update, by I-Tech, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

Friday, June 23: last day of classes, first six-week summer session, University Park.

Saturday-Sunday, June 24-25: study days, first six-week summer session, University Park.

Sunday, June 25: arrival day, second six-week summer session, University Park.

Monday, June 26: final exams, first six-week summer session, University Park.

Wednesday, June 28: first day of classes, second six-week summer session, University Park.

Tuesday, July 4: Independence Day, no classes.

Wednesday, July 5: Docunight: Iran via Documentaries, 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.

Wednesday-Sunday, July 13-16, Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, Children’s Day July 12, BookFest July 15, State College and University Park campus.

Monday, July 18: Summer Academy for the Blind at Penn State, 1-3:30 p.m., Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Tuesday, July 19: PA Forward Information Literacy Summit, Pattee Library and Paterno Library, University Park.

Wednesday, Aug. 2: Docunight: Iran via Documentaries, 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.

Wednesday, August 9: last day of classes, second six-week summer session, University Park.

Thursday, August 10: study day, second six-week summer session, University Park.

Friday, August 11: final examssecond six-week summer session, University Park.

Saturday, August 12: Summer commencement, University Park.

Tuesday, August 15: Tech Update, by I-Tech, 10-11 a.m., Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.

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