It’s here at the Science Library! This glorious whiteboard creation (courtesy of the very talented Maricris) greets visitors as they enter the branch. Many of our clients have embraced the opportunity to take a selfie with Spring and smiles are breaking out all over!
Did you know that Outlook may be used as an RSS feed reader? And that you can get new posts to come either directly to your email or to a separate RSS Feeds folder? Here’s how you do it:
On the internet, find the blog you would like to follow. Find the RSS Feed link to the blog and click on it. On the BranchingOut blog, this is located along the right side of the Welcome page and is called “Entries RSS.”
Copy the URL at the top of the new page that opens up. It should contain the word “feed.”
Now, leave the blog and open up Outlook. Find the RSS Feeds folder in the list of folders along the right side. Right click on the folder and choose the “Add a New RSS Feed…” option.
A box will pop up for you to paste the RSS feed URL. Paste the URL the you had previously copied, and hit the Add button.
Another box will pop up asking you to confirm that you would like to add this feed to Outlook.
At this point you have two options:
Add the feed to the RSS Feeds folder where you can go in and check it at your leisure. If your feed contains posts that you have not read the blog title will be in bold with the number of unread posts indicated by a number.
For this option, simply click on “Yes.”
Up pops another box with options to change the folder to which your blog feed goes. Choose the Inbox in order to get new blog posts to come directly to your email.
Stevie: For March, Laurie and I are going to do a shared review of what’s gone down at the University Archives and Special Collections. First off, let me introduce you to Buzz, the newest member of our back corner team.
Buzz is also known as “The Stig”, or “Astronaut on a Camp Stool Drinking Space Lemonade”. He was culled a long time ago from a collection in which he wasn’t the best fit (as is sometimes necessary given the realities of three dimensions within which all libraries operate), and rather than letting him be destroyed, I squirreled him away next to my desk. In fact, after being mesmerized by his sunshiny demeanor, and hearing about his ultimate fate of disposal, I may have uttered a prolonged “nooooooooo” and run off with him.
Laurie: For most of us this winter has been long and cruel with an excessive helping of frozen solid. I didn’t see the exciting rescue of our Buzz but one morning I was greeted by Stevie and her fantastic Stevie grin. She introduced me to Buzz and instantly our winter was better. Some days life in the Archives is like being Indiana Jones, discovering treasures – but without the bullwhip and the bad guys. Personally, Buzz has been fun but he’s also a great example of how the materials in UASC can be unexpected and unforgettable.
Also this month:
f Los Angeles, supplying images of the Harlem Clowns, a group formed by Mr. Al Pullins, one of the first original five Harlem Globetrotters. The Harlem Clowns traveled the globe, playing basketball for charity–including a game against our own U of S Huskies. The people Patrick has spoken with hope to have Al Pullins inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in recognition of his charitable work, and the foundations he laid within the basketball community. Visit their Facebook page, or sign the petition. and click here to see the gallery of proposed flags.
An opportunity for faculty and staff to provide input on upcoming Veterinary Medicine changes ended this week
The Veterinary Library has been working with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Facilities Management, Collections Services, and the Leslie and Irene Dubé Health Sciences Library to plan some changes to our physical space. This week marked the end of a two week period for all visitors to provide input on proposed changes. (Maybe some of you recognize the sign that was re-purposed from the generous snacks provided by the Alumni Association!)
Where Have the Older Journals Gone?
Anyone who has visited has likely noticed that our bound journals have been already been moved … Over the past couple of months all but the current 3 years of journals from the Veterinary Medicine Library have been moved to the Leslie and Irene Dubé Health Sciences Library where they will eventually be interfiled with that library’s journal collection. Thanks for all of those involved in the ongoing and previous work!
Here is some additional info for anyone trying to access our bound journals!
To access these journals please use the request feature of our Catalogue and the item will arrive in 1-2 days if they are in the library at the time of request.
Search for the title you need in the Library’s Catalogue:
• Click on the title to see the full information for that item
• Click on the red “Hold Request” button near the top of the screen
• Enter your NSID, password and location for pick up (choose “Vet Med Library Circulation Desk”).
• For journals, you will be provided with a complete list of volumes available. Check the button next to the needed volume.
Only one item may be requested per process (i.e. if you need several volumes from one title, you need to request each one separately).
February was a busy month in the University of Saskatchewan Archives and Special Collections. The biggest thing we had on our plate was finishing up the processing of some of our most recent acquisitions in time for appraisals, which we accomplished successfully.
Also this month, UASC has been involved in:
* The Heritage Festival of Saskatoon : On February 2, 2014, UASC staff were happy to set up a small table at the annual Heritage Festival held at the Western Development Museum , where we offered glimpses into the University’s past via a selection of Greystone Yearbooks and quite old copies of the Sheaf.
* SCAA Archives Week 2014: February 2nd through 8th saw the annual celebration of archives in Saskatchewan. On February 5th, University of Saskatchewan archival and special collections materials–along with materials from other Saskatchewan archives– were used in a series of celebrity readings held at a new venue, The Bassment.
We also recently put together a display honouring the late Saskatchewan writer Gertrude Story, whose books and papers are held at the University of Saskatchewan Archives and Special Collections. We were especially pleased to have the opportunity to share this small exhibit with her family, who took the time to visit towards the end of the month.
What would you like to see for our next display? We are always open to feedback, and are keen to bring to light any articles of interest that might be found within our holdings. To get an idea of the range of things we have available, check out our Manuscripts and Archival Collections page.
For those who are interested, these recently acquired and recently processed private collections include:
*MG 386: Beach Family fonds – This fonds relates to the lives of an atypically academic and well-travelled Canadian family, for two generations, from 1916 on.
*MG 262: William Deverell fonds- The papers of author, journalist, lawyer, and NDP politician David Smith offer an array of research materials in all of these areas.
*MG 445: Terry Fenton fonds – Fans of abstract art, Canadian art, and landscape paintings should take the time to visit the Terry Fenton collection, which contains exhibition catalogues, photographs, and examples of art by a variety of artists from the fifties all the way to present. This is also a good resource for those wanting to know more about the Emma Lake workshop.
*MG 443: Allan Gonor fonds – Any true fan of aboriginal artist Allen Sapp will appreciate this collection of the papers of his long-time friend and fan, as well as former RCAF pilot, Allan Gonor.
*MG 440: Gerhard Herzberg fonds and MG 441 Luise Herzberg fonds – Come visit these collections to get an inside view of the lives of a family of engineers uprooted by the outbreak of the Second World War.
*MG 444: Doris Hillis fonds- For anyone with an interest in Saskatchewan writers, Doris Hillis’ collection proves a treasure trove of information–biographical materials, photographs, and writing samples from many of the province’s best. Also, puppets.
*MG 251: Glenis Joyce fonds – Those interested in studying equity issues–with a particular focus on pay and employment equity, affirmative action, women`s rights and academic freedom will find Joyce’s papers of use.
*MG 442: John Peter “Jack” Zepp fonds – One of Saskatchewan’s most beloved folk artists, this collection does not fail to showcase both the man himself and his art.
If you would like to view any of these, shoot us an e-mail at ua.sc@usask.ca
February 23rd to March 1st is Freedom to Read Week in Canada. Education & Music Library staff welcome the opportunity to raise awareness each year. We have a variety of materials from the past to the present on our display next to the reading lounge.
What do you do when you have no space for a display? And your library is so open concept that there are no appropriate wall space for noticeable posters? Use the windows! The Engineering Library has covered up their glassed in office windows for a Freedom to Read display. These windows are also a perfect space as the table below the windows is where all the Engineers come to cut, tape, staple, and hole punch so the display is getting much attention.
The display consists of the past 30 years of Freedom to Read posters.
And yes, Maricris (with help from Lexi) made the Freedom to Read banner…freehand…in about 30 minutes.
Late in 2013, the Engineering Library became the University of Saskatchewan’s first branch library completely operated by Generation X and Y. In no particular order, meet the ladies of the Engineering Library:
Lexi Whitter (Generation Y) Before coming to Engineering, Lexi spent some time at the Science and Law libraries, which she really enjoyed! She loves reading and her guilty pleasure is YA fiction. Currently, she is planning a trip to England in April and looking forward to the arrival of her nephew in July.
Tasha Maddison (Generation X) After a nine year hiatus in Toronto, Tasha returned to her hometown to work at her alma mater in 2010. She has always been drawn to the UofS as some of the best years of her life have been spent here as a student and as an employee. She is an avid reader and shares Lexi’s passion for YA fiction, as well as her books!
Maricris Salanga (Generation Y) Maricris has loved art since she was a very young child, and tries to infuse her creativity in all that she does. She is also an avid reader of good manga and fantasy books, and would someday like to be a novelist and children’s book author as well.
Li Zhang (Generation X) Li just came back from her Mexico vacation with a tanned face. She was fascinated by the mysterious Mayan culture in that great land. Back to winter with a warm tropical soul, she is sure that she will be energized for the rest of the year.
Jennifer Murray (Generation X) Jen has been enjoying the last five years as the busiest time of her life. She spends most of her time raising two of the coolest kids around, engaging the UofS campus community at the Library full time, and working on an MLIS degree online. She cannot wait to read for pleasure again. Maybe she’ll borrow some YA fiction from Lexi or Tasha. Or she’ll ask Maricris to introduce her to manga (?).
Artwork by Maricris Salanga.
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In January 2014, a new space for student music listening activities was unveiled in the Education & Music Library. It is designed to meet the needs of students who are required to complete individual and group assignments related to music listening, arranging, editing and composition. The space includes new equipment, which replaces the listening carrels that were in the branch for many years.
The listening area includes movable listening carts and comfortable red armchairs.
The configuration includes four media carts equipped with listening equipment such as LP turntables, tape and CD players and input ports for mobile devices and laptops. The stations can accommodate up to 6 simultaneous listeners at once and students can now also borrow noise reduction headphones from the circulation desk.
A close up look at one of the listening carts.
One computer station equipped with software for music editing and music notation is accessible to all students. The music department has generously donated a midi keyboard for use with the computer station. The station is in high demand these days as students have composition and arrangement assignments due throughout the semester. In addition, the equipment helps to facilitate self-directed student projects in music creation and exploration.
The computer workstation allows students to access music composition and notation software and input with midi keyboard.
The listening area is located in close proximity to the CD and DVD collections. The space is part of a larger project to provide more open and flexible study spaces for library users in our branch.
Thanks to a summer-long shifting project, this area has been opened up for comfortable group study.