Daily Archives: March 9, 2020

EMS Spring Break Writers Retreat in the library

By: Elise Gowen

For the third year in a row, the EMS Library will be giving graduate students a chance to make the most of the quiet on campus during Spring Break by the EMS Writers’ Retreat in the library! Aimed primarily at graduate students enrolled in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, but open to all colleges, the retreat offers a quiet, convivial atmosphere where participants can retreat to and focus on finishing their writing projects. Originally conceived as a thesis and dissertation bootcamp, the event took on a more relaxed mood, where the goal is for students to move at a pace that works them while staying focused and surrounding themselves with other writers in a productive atmosphere.

The Writers’ Retreat offers attendees a free ceramic mug, unlimited coffee, light breakfast, snacks throughout the day, and lunch. Books on writing and time management are also available for check-out, and librarians are also on-hand to provide citation management support.

Attendance for Penn State students, faculty, and staff is free.
The Writers’ Retreat takes place in the EMS Library during spring break, Monday – Friday, Mar. 9–13. 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

If you have questions, please contact Elise Gowen at edg16@psu.edu

User testing for website navigation: drop-down Mega Menu Prototype

By: Karen Hackett

On behalf of the The Discovery, Access, and Web Services (DAWS) team in Libraries Strategic Technologies, I am pleased to share user testing results from sessions conducted in December 2019 and in January and February 2020.

The purpose of the user testing was to see how students use the website to complete a basic task; specifically, we wanted to see how/if students use the drop-down mega menu (on our staging server; not in production yet) to find what they need. Details of the testing method, results, background for the testing, and next steps are outlined in the following blog post published in our staff site: https://staff.libraries.psu.edu/posts/user-testing-website-navigation-drop-down-mega-menu-prototype

As always, please feel free to direct questions, requests, and feedback regarding the public and staff websites through the website feedback form, https://libraries.psu.edu/website-feedback.

Thanks so much! As always, we look forward to hearing from you.

Customer Service Tip: Digital body language

By: Erica Dhawan (submitted by Carmen Gass)

People rely on body language and tone to grasp the real meaning of messages. Without these cues, we misunderstand each other more quickly, argue more, and walk away faster from
relationships. In the virtual world—where most business is conducted—it’s even harder to communicate. If you want to build closer relationships with colleagues and clients, digital
body language is your solution. Access the LinkedIn Course here.

Events: March 9

Spring 2020
Academic calendar information for all campuses is available online.

Roots/Routes: Contested Histories, Contemporary Experiences exhibition graphic

Through Mar. 15, 2020, Exhibit: “Indigenous Roots/ Routes: Contested Histories, Contemporary Experiences.” Special Collections Exhibition Space, 104 Paterno Library. Reflections on the past five centuries of colonization and cultural exchange between Indigenous Peoples. Europeans, Africans, and later, Americans.

Tuesday, March 17, Film: Not for Ourselves Alone. The University Libraries Diversity Committee and the Women’s subcommittee of the Finance and Business Diversity Committee present “Not for Ourselves Alone” in celebration of Women’s History month through film. 2:30 p.m. in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.
Wednesday, Mar. 18, Voices 2020: The Share Your Story Showcase at Penn State.  A series of 45-minute individual storytelling sessions where difficult questions are expected, appreciated and answered. A Showcase event in Foster Auditorium is scheduled for 11 a.m., with sessions throughout Paterno Library and Pattee Library from 1-5 p.m.. Sponsored by the University Libraries in cooperation with Adult Lerner Programs and Services, Schreyer Honors College, the Gender Equity Center, the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, and the Center for the Performing Arts. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., University Park.  
Wednesday, Mar. 18, Restorative Justice Initiative: Higher Education in Prisons.  A film screening of “College Behind Bars,” directed by Lynn Novick, explores the transformative power of education through the eyes of a dozen incarcerated men and women trying to earn college degrees. 5:30 p.m. in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.
Thursday, Mar. 19, Women’s History Zine Workshop. Use the Special Collections archives to create a zine to celebrate Women’s History Month in this hands-on workshop including a brief history of zines and a presentation by University Archivist Angel Diaz on preserving and archiving. You’ll leave with your own zine! 5-7:30 p.m. in Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.
Thursday, Mar. 19, Barbara Jordan Lecture Series presents Dr. Ibram Kendi. Dr. Kendi, author, historian and professor at American University will speak about his bestselling book, How to be an Antiracist” A book sale and signing will follow the event. 6 p.m. in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.
Monday, Mar. 23- Friday, Mar. 27, Wiki Edit-a-thon. A cross-campus Wikipedia Edit-a-thon week in honor of Women’s History Month. No experience is necessary. Information on each campus edit-a-thon can be found on the meetup page.
Wednesday, April 8, Docunight: Iran Via Documentaries.On the first Wednesday of every month, Docunight features a documentary film about, around, or in Iran, or made Iranians. Free and open to everyone, 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.
Wednesday, Apr. 8, A presentation with Bayan abu Sini, head of Library User Services Department at the Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Amman, Jordan. Ms. Bayan will discuss her experiences as a librarian in Jordan, differences between librarianship in the U.S. and Jordan, and her research project as a Humphrey Fellow. Noon-1 p.m. in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, University Park.
Thursday, Apr. 9, Student Employee Showcase. Lighting talks from the Libraries’ Bednar interns, Stelts-Filippelli intern, and other student employees at 1:3-0 p.m. in Foster Auditorium and via MediaSite Live, followed by Outstanding Student Employee Awards at 2:45 p.m. A small reception will be held at 3-4 p.m. in Mann Assembly room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park.
Friday-Sunday, May 8-10, Spring 2020 Commencement 

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.