Monthly Archives: July 2019

Library Clothing Sale – Orders due Aug. 2

By: Heather

Fall is right around the corner and this is your chance to buy Libraries clothing and bags. We are selling:

  • Embroidered polo shirts in two colors ** NEW COLOR
  • Men’s and Women’s Oxford dress shirts in two colors **NEW ITEM
  • Laptop bag (embroidered)
  • Canvas totes in twos sizes (screen printed). **NEW ITEM
  • T-shirts ** NEW COLOR

Orders for Open House student t-shirts (University Park only) will come later. Please do NOT order them here.

Orders are due by Friday, Aug. 2 at 5 p.m. Payment is due by delivery.

We are very excited to be moving to an online store managed through the vendor.

You will need to create an account to place your order. Please remember your userID and password for future orders. Add items to your cart. Check out — You will receive a confirmation email with your total.

Make your payment outside of this site. Payment by cash and PayPal is preferred. If paying by check, please make the checks out to Heather Ross and send to Donna Dean, 3 Paterno Library.

If paying by PayPal – Click on Send or Request money –>Send money–>enter email hdr10psu@gmail.com–>sending to a friend.
Enter the amount and put your name in the notes field. You may be charged a small fee if you are using your bank card to pay but it’s a small amount. There is no fee if link your PayPal account directly to your bank account.

See prices and more details on the order form. I will also try to get some samples of items to try on.

All proceeds benefit the Centre County United Way. Thank you for your continued support.

Penn State Harrisburg Library earns PA Forward Gold Star

By: Emily Mross

The Pennsylvania Library Association just announced the 2019 second quarter PA Forward Star Library awardees, including Penn State Harrisburg Library, which earned Gold Star status. Though more than 30 libraries from throughout the state earned their star status in this quarter, Penn State Harrisburg Library is one of two academic libraries to earn Gold Star status, and one of only 4 academic libraries in Pennsylvania with a Gold Star designation.

“The PA Forward Star Library program spotlights libraries’ efforts to continue making intentional investments in literacy-aligned programs,” said Christi Buker, Pennsylvania Library Association Executive Director. “Yes, you can go to your local library and check out books, but these agile
institutions demonstrate day in and day out they offer more than books,” Buker added. “Libraries offer the world to those who enter their doors.”

To earn a Gold Star, Penn State Harrisburg Library presented programs and highlighted library resources related to the open access and scholarly publishing, medical privacy and research
ethics, sustainable agriculture, midterm elections, and building/repairing personal credit. Throughout the year, the library partnered with Penn State Harrisburg Reads, Open Access Week, Penn State College of Medicine, and First National Bank.

PA Forward, which launched statewide in 2012, works through five key literacies – Basic, Information, Civic & Social, Health and Financial – to assist individuals in enhancing their overall
quality of life. To continue helping libraries use PA Forward to demonstrate all their libraries offer, in Jan. 2017, the Association kicked off the Star Library program statewide. The Star Library recognition offers support to libraries who participate and integrate PA Forward’s literacies in their programming activities. Libraries are recognized for meeting benchmarks within the bronze, silver and gold star levels of the program. While one star is awarded for both the bronze and gold levels, a total of five stars are awarded in the silver category – one silver star for each of the five literacies of PA Forward.

Penn State Harrisburg Librarians have planned another slate of literacy programs for the coming academic year. These programs will highlight primary elections, science literacy, reproductive health, personal finance, and the Campus Reads book, Just Mercy.

Author signings and new books from PSU Press at Ag Progress Days

By: Cate Fricke

Shale Play cover art

Penn State University Press will showcase an exciting array of books that highlight Pennsylvania’s history and natural environment at Ag Progress Days, Aug. 13–15 in Pennsylvania Furnace. Books for sale will include new titles such as “Twilight of the Hemlocks and Beeches” by award-winning nature photographer Tim Palmer and “Reading Shaver’s Creek: Ecological Reflections from an Appalachian Forest,” as well as perennial favorites such as Bill Russell’s “Field Guide to Wild Mushrooms of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic” (now in a revised and expanded edition) and “Common Nymphs of Eastern North America: A Primer for Flyfishers and Flytiers” by Caleb J. Tzilkowski and Jay R. Stauffer Jr. The sale will take place inside the Pasto Agricultural Museum during all three days of the expo. Wild Mushrooms of Pennsylvania cover art

“We’re excited to attend Ag Progress Days for the fourth year in a row,” says PSU Press acquisitions editor Kathryn Yahner. “It’s a great opportunity to share our regional books with
members of our local community. Being there it’s easy to see that our community is one that loves Pennsylvania just as much as we do.” Yahner is the editor of the Press’s Keystone Books
series; the books in this series are “accessible, well-researched explorations into the history, culture, society, and environment of the Keystone State.”

Bill Russell, photo

Bill Russell

Julia Spicher Kasdorf and Steven Rubin photo

Julia Spicher Kasdorf and Steven Rubin

On Wednesday, August 14, the Press will host two author signings. At 11:30 a.m., “Mushroom Man” Bill Russell will sign copies of “Field Guide to Wild Mushrooms of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic.” At 1:30 p.m. will be a signing for “Shale Play: Poems and Photographs from the Fracking Fields” by Julia Spicher Kasdorf (poet) and Steven Rubin (photographer), whose book examines the impact of fracking on Pennsylvania communities by using the words of citizens, workers and activists in those towns. Visitors to the expo are invited to stop by the PSU Press booth inside the Pasto Agricultural Museum to purchase signed copies of the books and to chat with the authors about their work.

The Pasto Agricultural Museum connects the history and science of agriculture for almost 10,000 visitors annually. Exhibits and programs interpret historic artifacts and explore present day research related to food, feed, fuel, and fiber production. For programs and directions, visit agsci.psu.edu/pasto.

 

Customer Service Tip: It’s your fault

By: Shep Hyken (submitted by Carmen Gass)

The other day I was leaving a parking lot that required me to pay on the way out. It was an automated system. I put my ticket in the slot, the machine calculated what I owed, and then asked me to insert my credit card to make the payment. There were even some convenient instructions on how to insert the parking ticket and credit card into the machine. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. Even worse, it took my card and didn’t give it back. The screen read, “Error. Ticket Jammed.” A little frustrated, I noticed a button to push for help. Read more here.

 

Tech Tip: Mark a message as important or urgent in Microsoft Teams

By: Ryan Johnson

If you want to make sure people pay attention to your message, mark it as important or urgent.

Microsoft Teams urgent screen shot

To begin, select Set Delivery Options  beneath the compose box, and then select Important or Urgent. That adds the word “IMPORTANT!” or “URGENT!” to your message. Once in the message, you’ll be able to include files, links, or pictures—whatever you need to get your point across!

Microsoft Teams urgent screenshot

To undo this option, select Standard from your delivery options, and the message will be sent as usual.

Events: July 29

Summer 2019
Academic calendar information for all campuses is available online.

promotional poster - Secret Lives of Girls and Women

Jan. 28-Sept. 1, 2019, Exhibit: “The Secret Lives of Girls and Women” Eberly Family Special Collections Library, 104 Paterno Library. Through the examination of books, letters, hand-written diaries and other archival materials, The Secret Lives of Girls and Women exposes a wide spectrum of feminine mysteries. The exhibition includes many hidden or concealed aspects of female life found within beauty secrets, secret languages created by women, literary secrets, social taboos and more throughout history. On display during Special Collections Library hours.

The Future is Now, exhibit graphic

Mar. 11-Sept. 26, 2019, Exhibit: “The Future is Now.” Diversity Studies Room, 203 Pattee Library. Highlights from current and forthcoming equipment and assistance available to support students’ academic success from the Libraries’ Media and Technology Support Services and Adaptive Technology and Services departments.

Monday, June 3-Tuesday, Aug. 13  Summer Scholarly Communications Workshops. Students, faculty and staff, join Ana Enriquez, scholarly communications outreach librarian, for communications workshops that cover topics such as open access, copyright and fair-use policies.Workshops take place via Zoom and in various locations across Penn State’s campuses. Registration is free but required for all workshops by clicking on the links provided.
Thursday, June 20-Friday, August 23, 2019 Research Travel Awards winning “brown bag” presentations. Seven informal, one-hour lunchtime presentations offered by traveling researchers on a variety of topics, hosted by the Eberly Family Special Collections Library.  All presentations are open to the public and take place in Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library.
Friday, August 2, Library Data Days. A full day to learn about different approaches to working with data, the data we collect, how it’s used, and how it informs our decisions. use of data in decision-making. This Library Assessment and Metrics Council event is open to faculty, staff, and administration from all campuses. Register HERE.
Wednesday, August 7,Docunight: Iran Via Documentaries.On the first Wednesday of every month, Docunight features a documentary film about, around, or in Iran, or made Iranians. All events are open to everyone, and all films have English subtitles. Co-sponsored by the Iranian Student Association and the University Libraries. 7 p.m. in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.
Tuesday, August 13, Public Tour: Secret Lives of Girls and Women. Curated free tours of the Special Collections exhibit “The Secret Lives of Girls and Women” will offer background information and provenance to the books and objects on display, as well discussion about the their meaning and importance. Registration requested. 10-11 a.m., 104 Paterno Library on the University Park Campus.
Monday, August 26, First day of fall 2019 semester.
Wednesday, September 4, US-China College Art Summit. Five panels will discuss the current state of art education at institutions of higher education in the United States and China.The summit promotes the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and experiences of leading art educators from the U.S. and China, through dialogue, group exhibitions, and professional development programs. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.
Wednesday-Thursday, Sept. 11-12, University Libraries Open House. Self-guided tour stops, games, brief presentations and activities for students highlight the Libraries’ services. Faculty and staff are on hand to help students learn more about on-site and online resources available, and answer questions about the Libraries. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at libraries locations throughout the University Park campus.
Tuesday, Nov. 12, Penn State GIS Day. Open to faculty, staff, students, and the public, Penn State GIS Day offers events aimed to create geospatial awareness of geospatial technologies across disciplines, and serve as a way to connect with others who are using geospatial technologies. Visit Penn State GIS Day for information and schedule of events.

Please submit event information — and all Library News submissions — to Public Relations and Marketing via its Staff Site request form and selecting the “Library News blog article” button.

Save the Date: Libraries Open House kick-of party Aug. 1

By: Ali Zawoyski

The Fall Semester is almost here and so is the 17th annual Libraries Open House! Mark your calendars now for the Open House Volunteer Ice Cream Kick-Off at 3 p.m. on August 1, in Mann Assembly Room.

Come sign up for the Libraries’ biggest outreach event of the year and enjoy Creamery Ice Cream and Rita’s Italian Ice!

Not sure what it’s all about? This year’s Libraries Open House will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 11-12. We expect to welcome over 3000 students to learn more about our spaces, our services, and how the Libraries can support their Penn State education.

Kick-off this great event on August 1st at 3pm in the Mann Room! Learn how to get involved, meet members of the Open House committee, and see photos from years past… all with free ice cream and Italian ice!

Questions? Please contact Ali Zawoyski at ajz12@psu.edu or Megan Gilpin at mcg13@psu.edu

Nelson and Spencer present on gamified instruction at national conference

By: Elizabeth Nelson

Elizabeth Nelson, reference and instruction librarian at Penn State Lehigh Valley, and Brett Spencer, reference and instruction librarian at Penn State Berks, presented at The Innovative
Library Classroom (TILC), hosted this year at William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, in June.

Their session, “Argument Architect: Developing a Research Boardgame to Teach Thesis Development and Source Evaluation”, discussed how they created a hands-on boardgame experience for ENGL 15 students learning basic research skills. Argument Architect invites small groups of students to construct a skyscraper with a topic as their foundation and a thesis as the
cap – in between, students must choose appropriate sources from a pile of source blocks by evaluating the title, citation information, and relevant quote from each source. Groups who
construct a building with at least three source “floors” that are relevant to their topic and support their chosen thesis are evaluated by their librarians and disciplinary faculty, who act
as “building inspectors”. Students explain their choice of sources and the “inspectors” help them see potential flaws or additional questions and provide guidance as needed; groups that
pass their inspection choose from an ever-changing Prize Bucket and may immediately build a new structure for a different, contradictory thesis or using different sources. This cooperative game seeks to help students increase their knowledge in the “Authority is Constructed and Contextual” and “Research as Inquiry” frames from the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education.

Attendees of the presentation learned how the game was created and had the opportunity to play a round themselves, using the real boardgame (and playing for real prizes). Overall,  feedback from attendees was positive, with requests for the game’s materials and instructions to be shared online as the most common comment.

As an additional point of interest, the session was led as a hybrid in-person/online presentation. Elizabeth traveled to the event and guided the in-person game session, but Brett was present virtually and able to participate in the presentation itself and engage with attendees during the Q&A portion. Support for hybrid presentations is still growing, but will hopefully become more commonplace as we look for ways to reduce the environmental impact of our physical travel while still participating in and developing our research through national and international venues.

Tech Tip: Microsoft rolling out new Outlook on the web beginning this week!

By: Ryan Johnson

After several months of testing with customers such as Penn State(currently a toggle exists to switch back and forth), Microsoft will begin rolling out the new Outlook on the web to its Enterprise customers beginning this week (July 22).

According to Enterprise IT (EIT) while an exact date is not confirmed, this new experience could roll out anytime beginning next week to Penn State. All Microsoft customers will be updated
by September. When the new version rolls out, you will not be able to switch back.

Read about some of the new features in the article HERE:

Some of the highlights include:

Categories: It’s now easier to identify , right from your message list. Categories make it easy to tag, find, or organize your messages. Add multiple categories to a message, add a category as a favorite, or use Search to find it.

Dark mode: Personalize your inbox with dark mode for those times when your eyes are a little tired. Don’t worry, you can “turn on the lights” when you want to read a specific email or when
composing one.

Expressions: Sometimes you are out of words, luckily, images are worth a 1,000 of those. Add emojis and GIFs to your messages right from Outlook.

Favorites: Favorite what is most important to you and put it front and center in your inbox. You can favorite a contact, a group, or a category by to them so you can have easier access and see the message count for each. Once you favorite them, they sync to Outlook mobile too!

Quickly get to the emails you are composing or reading: When you create new messages Outlook will keep a tab for them at the bottom of the reading pane, so you can start as many as you need, go back to reading a previous email, and still find the one you were writing.

Calendar Search: Now you can search across multiple calendars. Search for a person, keyword, or location and Outlook will show all the matching events across your calendars. You can also use the filters to adjust which calendars you’d like to search, or the timeframe you’d like to search in.

Quickly create events: Creating a meeting is now easier. Right from the calendar surface with one click bring the quick compose form, invite people, find a room, and even get suggested times for when everyone is available.

Focus on today: There is just so much you can pay attention during the week. In order to help you with that, we are making today and tomorrow front and center by dedicating more surface in your calendar to them so you can easily identify your upcoming events with a quick glimpse at your calendar.

Snooze an email: There are moments in which you don’t have time to properly address an email and wish it would have arrived at a different time. For those moments when the time is not right, Outlook now allows you to snooze an email for a more convenient time. When you snooze an email, it leaves your inbox and re-appears as an unread message at the top of your inbox on the time and date you selected.

Upcoming events in month view: Seeing your calendar in month view gives you a good sense of what days or weeks are busier, and now it’s also easier to keep track of your day’s events while still seeing the big picture. In month view, Outlook also shows you how long you have until your next event.

Create an online meeting: We’ve updated our backend to more closely reflect your organization’s online meeting policies. Depending on what services you are enabled for, you will see 1 of 3 options: i) A drop down menu to “Add online meeting” where you can select between a Skype or Teams meeting, ii) a toggle to create a Skype meeting or iii) a toggle to create a Teams meeting.

Join an online meeting from the event peek: Joining an online meeting from the place where you keep track of your day should be easy. And now it is, just go to the meeting event and you can join in one click right from the event peek.

See attendees’ responses to a meeting: You can now easily identify who is invited to the meeting and see everyone’s response. We’ve added a quick summary in the event peek and in
the full meeting invite attendees are grouped attendees by their response. If you use the event peek, you can see attendees’ details if the meeting has less than 3 attendees or a summary of
responses if there are more.

Tasks now sync with To-Do: The new Tasks experience now syncs your tasks with To-Do and across some Office apps like Planner in your “Assigned to me” list. Do you flag emails to remember to follow up on them? Now when you flag an email, it will be created as a task in its own “Flagged email” list in To-Do!

“Site” Seeing with DAWS: Regular updates about UL’s website

By: Karen Hackett

Current Feature: Web Content Platforms and Authoring Workshop

I-Tech’s Discovery, Access and Web Services Team (DAWS) is pleased to share web project updates through a series of blog posts on the University Libraries’ staff site. The goal of the posts, scheduled to be published once or twice per month, is to showcase our web development and content work, as well as share pointers to related resources. Once a post is published, it will be shared through Library News.

Our latest post features a collaboration between DAWS and Library Learning Services. We’re excited to announce that we’re teaming up to present a newly created workshop:  Web Content Platforms and Authoring. The workshop will be held on August 13, 2019, 10:00 a.m. – noon, in Foster Auditorium and on MediaSite. Topics include web content strategy, our primary web content platforms, how to provide content for each platform, and best practices and guidelines. We look forward to seeing you there!

Missed our first posts in this series? Make sure to check out:

Do you have a topic you would like to know more about or feedback you would like to share? Please feel free to contact us by sending your comments and questions to website feedback. As always, we welcome your input, and we look forward to sharing our updates and work with you.

Customer Service Tip: The best phrases for taking ownership of service failures

By: Jeff Toister (submitted by Carmen Gass)

Customer service often involves solving problems we didn’t create.

Our colleagues make mistakes. A defective product, a late shipment, or a billing error can all send fuming customers in our direction. Sometimes, customers themselves cause the issue.

We’re expected to take ownership of these situations, represent the company, and help customers feel better. Yet it’s tempting to deflect ownership when the pressure is on.
Read more here.

Events: July 22

Summer 2019
Academic calendar information for all campuses is available online.

promotional poster - Secret Lives of Girls and Women

Jan. 28-Sept. 1, 2019, Exhibit: “The Secret Lives of Girls and Women” Eberly Family Special Collections Library, 104 Paterno Library. Through the examination of books, letters, hand-written diaries and other archival materials, The Secret Lives of Girls and Women exposes a wide spectrum of feminine mysteries. The exhibition includes many hidden or concealed aspects of female life found within beauty secrets, secret languages created by women, literary secrets, social taboos and more throughout history. On display during Special Collections Library hours.

The Future is Now, exhibit graphic

Mar. 11-Sept. 26, 2019, Exhibit: “The Future is Now.” Diversity Studies Room, 203 Pattee Library. Highlights from current and forthcoming equipment and assistance available to support students’ academic success from the Libraries’ Media and Technology Support Services and Adaptive Technology and Services departments.

Monday, June 3-Tuesday, Aug. 13  Summer Scholarly Communications Workshops. Students, faculty and staff, join Ana Enriquez, scholarly communications outreach librarian, for communications workshops that cover topics such as open access, copyright and fair-use policies.Workshops take place via Zoom and in various locations across Penn State’s campuses. Registration is free but required for all workshops by clicking on the links provided.
Thursday, June 20-Friday, August 23, 2019 Research Travel Awards winning “brown bag” presentations. Seven informal, one-hour lunchtime presentations offered by traveling researchers on a variety of topics, hosted by the Eberly Family Special Collections Library.  All presentations are open to the public and take place in Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library.
Friday, August 2, Library Data Days. A full day to learn about different approaches to working with data, the data we collect, how it’s used, and how it informs our decisions. use of data in decision-making. This Library Assessment and Metrics Council event is open to faculty, staff, and administration from all campuses. Register HERE.
Wednesday, August 7,Docunight: Iran Via Documentaries.On the first Wednesday of every month, Docunight features a documentary film about, around, or in Iran, or made Iranians. All events are open to everyone, and all films have English subtitles. Co-sponsored by the Iranian Student Association and the University Libraries. 7 p.m. in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.
Tuesday, August 13, Public Tour: Secret Lives of Girls and Women. Curated free tours of the Special Collections exhibit “The Secret Lives of Girls and Women” will offer background information and provenance to the books and objects on display, as well discussion about the their meaning and importance. Registration requested. 10-11 a.m., 104 Paterno Library on the University Park Campus.
Monday, August 26, First day of fall 2019 semester.
Wednesday, September 4, US-China College Art Summit. Five panels will discuss the current state of art education at institutions of higher education in the United States and China.The summit promotes the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and experiences of leading art educators from the U.S. and China, through dialogue, group exhibitions, and professional development programs. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Please submit event information — and all Library News submissions — to Public Relations and Marketing via its Staff Site request form and selecting the “Library News blog article” button.

Save the Date: Libraries Open House kick-off party Aug. 1

By: Ali Zawoyski

The Fall Semester is almost here and so is the 17th annual Libraries Open House! Mark your calendars now for the Open House Volunteer Ice Cream Kick-Off at 3 p.m. on Aug. 1 in Mann Assembly Room.

Come sign up for the Libraries’ biggest outreach event of the year and enjoy Creamery Ice Cream and Rita’s Italian Ice!

Not sure what it’s all about? This year’s Libraries Open House will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 11-12. We expect to welcome over 3000 students to learn more about our spaces, our services, and how the Libraries can support their Penn State education.

Kick-off this great event at 3 p.m. on Aug. 1 in Mann Assembly, 103 Paterno Library! Learn how to get involved, meet members of the Open House committee, and see photos from years past… all with free ice cream and Italian ice!

Questions? Please contact Ali Zawoyski at ajz12@psu.edu or Megan Gilpin at mcg13@psu.edu

“Site” Seeing with DAWS: Website navigation update

By: Karen Hackett

I-Tech’s Discovery, Access and Web Services Team (DAWS) is pleased to share web project updates through a series of blog posts on the University Libraries’ staff site. The goal of the posts, scheduled to be published once or twice per month, is to showcase our web development and content work, as well as share pointers to related resources. Once a post is published, it will be shared through Library News.

Our latest post, Website Navigation Update Underway, features information about the work that is being done to transition our current top-level public website navigation to reflect drop-down mega menus – large rectangular menus with grouped navigational items.

Missed our first post in this series? Make sure to check out What Accessibility Means for the Discovery, Access and Web Services Team to learn about the tools and processes we use to ensure our public website’s compliance with accessibility standards.

Do you have a topic you would like to know more about or feedback you would like to share? Please feel free to contact us by sending your comments and questions to website feedback. As always, we welcome your input, and we look forward to sharing our updates and work with you.

Customer Service Tip: 100 Of The most customer-centric companies

By: Blake Morgan (submitted by Carmen Gass)

Customer centricity comes in many forms, ranging from adopting new technology to getting feedback and building relationships. Here are best practices from 100 top customer-centric companies. These companies received customer service awards, topped customer satisfaction surveys and are considered great places to work that focus on employee
experience. Read more here.

 

Events: July 15

Summer 2019
Academic calendar information for all campuses is available online.

promotional poster - Secret Lives of Girls and Women

Jan. 28-Sept. 1, 2019, Exhibit: “The Secret Lives of Girls and Women” Eberly Family Special Collections Library, 104 Paterno Library. Through the examination of books, letters, hand-written diaries and other archival materials, The Secret Lives of Girls and Women exposes a wide spectrum of feminine mysteries. The exhibition includes many hidden or concealed aspects of female life found within beauty secrets, secret languages created by women, literary secrets, social taboos and more throughout history. On display during Special Collections Library hours.

The Future is Now, exhibit graphic

Mar. 11-Sept. 26, 2019, Exhibit: “The Future is Now.” Diversity Studies Room, 203 Pattee Library. Highlights from current and forthcoming equipment and assistance available to support students’ academic success from the Libraries’ Media and Technology Support Services and Adaptive Technology and Services departments.

Monday, June 3-Tuesday, Aug. 13  Summer Scholarly Communications Workshops. Students, faculty and staff, join Ana Enriquez, scholarly communications outreach librarian, for communications workshops that cover topics such as open access, copyright and fair-use policies.Workshops take place via Zoom and in various locations across Penn State’s campuses. Registration is free but required for all workshops by clicking on the links provided.
Thursday, June 20-Friday, August 23, 2019 Research Travel Awards winning “brown bag” presentations. Seven informal, one-hour lunchtime presentations offered by traveling researchers on a variety of topics, hosted by the Eberly Family Special Collections Library.  All presentations are open to the public and take place in Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library.
Thursday, July 18, Public Tour: Secret Lives of Girls and Women. Curated free tours of the Special Collections exhibit “The Secret Lives of Girls and Women” will offer background information and provenance to the books and objects on display, as well discussion about the their meaning and importance. Registration requested. 2-3 p.m., 104 Paterno Library on the University Park Campus.
Friday, August 2, Library Data Days. A full day to learn about different approaches to working with data, the data we collect, how it’s used, and how it informs our decisions. use of data in decision-making. This Library Assessment and Metrics Council event is open to faculty, staff, and administration from all campuses. Register HERE.
Wednesday, August 7,Docunight: Iran Via Documentaries.On the first Wednesday of every month, Docunight features a documentary film about, around, or in Iran, or made Iranians. All events are open to everyone, and all films have English subtitles. Co-sponsored by the Iranian Student Association and the University Libraries. 7 p.m. in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.
Tuesday, August 13, Public Tour: Secret Lives of Girls and Women. Curated free tours of the Special Collections exhibit “The Secret Lives of Girls and Women” will offer background information and provenance to the books and objects on display, as well discussion about the their meaning and importance. Registration requested. 10-11 a.m., 104 Paterno Library on the University Park Campus.
Wednesday, September 4, US-China College Art Summit. Five panels will discuss the current state of art education at institutions of higher education in the United States and China.The summit promotes the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and experiences of leading art educators from the U.S. and China, through dialogue, group exhibitions, and professional development programs. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.

Please submit event information — and all Library News submissions — to Public Relations and Marketing via its Staff Site request form and selecting the “Library News blog article” button.

Customer Service Tip: Predictive customer support

By: Shep Hyken (submitted by Carmen Gass)

In the old days – and even in modern times – if a customer wanted help or support, they picked up the phone and called for help. A (hopefully) friendly and competent customer service professional, also known as an agent or representative, would answer the question or resolve the problem.

Today there are many ways to connect with a company. There’s the traditional phone call, email, messaging, instant chat, social channels like Twitter and Facebook, and many more. But
there’s one mode of communication and customer support that hasn’t been talked about much. Read more here.