With a party organizer on our team like Megan Johnson can you doubt it? Yes, we had High Tea at the Science library – in celebration of Jill Crawley-Low’s birthday. Originally we planned for her actual birthday, sent our almost engraved invites and everything…then Brenda pointed out that though her calendar said she would be at the staff meeting (our cover story), Jill was actually going to be beaching it in Hawaii. Oops.

Plan B. The next staff meeting, when Jill was back. Heather loaned tablecloths, teacups and plates, Beth brought a tea service, Megan and Steven and Brenda and DeDe and Li brought the food. Lexi did the centerpiece. DeDe was to corral Jill in her office while we set up. We should have added the precaution of locking the kitchen door. Bunnies in the headlights. Dead silence. Jill deciding she should be in her office. Close the door.

She was soooo surprised when we asked her in fifteen minutes later. We had a wonderful time. And we are still munching the muchness of the moreish edible delights.

In 2016 we ran a survey on our website asking why users were visiting library.usask.ca. Check out the new post on the alpha.library.usask.ca news blog about what we learned from the survey responses and how we are going to incorporate that feedback into the new design.

The first Book Club will feature the Saskatchewan Library Association’s  March One Book, One Province program selection, The Education of Augie Merasty.  The Book Club discussion will take place with two offerings being given, one on Tuesday, May 23rd and the second on Wednesday, May 24th , right after the long weekend, from 11:45 until 1:15 (for CUPE employees, the 90 minute session includes your 30 minute lunch break), in Room 102.

This particular book is quite short (less than 100 pages) so it will not take long to read.  We have several copies available in our collection; it should not be a problem to obtain a copy.  If you haven’t already read the book, please ensure if you sign one out that you return it as quickly as possible for those who may also require a library copy to read.  This book can also be purchased in local bookstores.

This is a great opportunity for anyone who has already read, or is interested in reading this important recollection of residential school life, with learning and understanding being strengthened through discussion.

To register, please choose one of two signup dates:

May 23rd: The Education of Augie Merasty First Offering

May 24th: The Education of Augie Merasty, Second Offering

As cold as it was on Tuesday, there seemed to be a great turn out for the first student orientation of 2017.

Eva Wong, Gina Koehn, and I (Kelly Juliusson) were happy to run the booth for the University Library and Student Learning Services during the final portion of the orientation. We were stationed on the second floor of the new and absolutely gorgeous Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre along with many other important groups on campus.

The students were tasked with learning something new from 8 different booths to enter a draw for some winter gear, but we had also had a little game at our table. Students were asked 1 of 3 questions and told to use the library’s website to find the answer. One question even had students interacting with our Ask Us IM service (a special thanks to Chalyse LaLonde for this). For participating in this game, students were given a water bottle for their efforts. There was also candy and toothbrushes (you read that right) for everyone!

*This was posted by Amy St-Jacques on behalf of Kelly Juliusson

Congratulations to the Collection Services staff who completed the American Sign Language classes in June and July. There were ten students: Danielle Mikituk, Michael VanderKooi, Sarah Rutley, Aaron Bird, Steven Kabernack, Anna Thompson, Anna Houle, Christine Cuggy, Crystal Hampson, and Jaclyn McLean. Classes were held in the Collaborative Learning Lab in the Murray Library, and led by instructor Janet Dittrick. Library staff who passed by the lab when class was in session commented on how lively we looked, and how we seemed to be having a lot of fun. (We were!)

Thank you to the Learning Development Committee for sponsoring the ASL classes. Picture below of 8 of the participants signing “ASL 1 2016”

Posted on behalf of Anna Thompson

September saw the Science Library walls refreshed with a new art collection. Science-themed paintings, prints and photos have been installed on all four levels. The highlight of the collection is the painting Studio Garden in Future Time by U of S alumna Alicia Popoff, a prominent member of the province’s art community. Her work has been featured in many exhibitions across Canada. Following her death in March 2015, friends of Popoff raised money to have Studio Garden in Future Time donated to the University of Saskatchewan’s permanent collection. The exhibit was commemorated by a dedication ceremony in the Geology Building on October 1, 2016. Over 80 people attended the event. Visitors are welcome to view the painting displayed just inside the entrance of the Science Library.

Did you know chickpeas, lentils, dry peas, and dry beans are an affordable source of protein, iron and potassium? They are also gluten-free and high in anti-oxidants. You will learn this and much more from our International Year of the Pulses display. While admiring the pulses, help yourself to a free pulse recipe book.

Our second display case illustrates Open Access literature. These materials are online, free of charge, and free of most copyright and licensing restrictions. For more information, check out the display or visit the online Open Access Guide created by DeDe Dawson, Science Liaison Librarian.

If you’re too busy to visit the Science Library, you can still take a tour via our new video. The Science Library Welcome Tour is posted on our Science Library 101 page and on the University of Saskatchewan Library YouTube Channel. The new art installation had not been completed at the time of production, so you will have to visit the library in person to view the works. We’re in the Geology Building; find the T-Rex and you’re there!

Photos courtesy of Glenda Goertzen

The Engineering Library’s ‘interim phase’ is here! There is now much more space for students to research, study, and collaborate — sharing in learning and the creation of new knowledge and ideas. And the students are happy! The library has already seen a significant increase in use these first two weeks — and the buzz will simply grow as the term progresses.

Over this weekend and during the next couple of weeks, wiring will be pulled for the new carrels and the final pieces of furniture will arrive.

A HUGE thank you to Jill, Brenda, Lexi, and Heather. An enormous amount of work went into this project (with things not always going quite as planned) involving collection moves, design changes, furniture ordering, and tight timelines — and they are still smiling!

As summer speeds along with hot days, warm evenings and the ever present threat of thunderstorms, a new game has people wandering around our beautiful campus.

Pokémon Go

This interactive game that everyone has probably heard of (but might not know a lot about) has been downloaded  millions of times, and has the world out and about finding Pokestops, Gyms, and of course, Pokémon.  There are several Pokestops scattered around campus, including one at the T-Rex just outside of our library doors.  What, you may ask, is a Pokestop?  A Pokestop is a designated place, usually around buildings, artifacts, art pieces and areas of interest that attracts Pokémon, and allows you to spin the photo attributed to the stop to get items to help you in the game.  You can also put a “lure” at a Pokestop to attract even more Pokémon, and that is generally when you see large groups of people converging at one stop, much like our T-Rex.  There are many notable stops on campus, including the Lesya Ukrainka Statue just outside of Murray Library’s doors.

Pokemon Players Playing Pokemon

As for the Science Library, we are all hard at work with summer projects and preparing for the new term, which is quickly coming upon us.  In the works are a couple of handouts for the students new to our branch, and cleaned up signage throughout the library.  We have also recently completed the duplicates project and those items involved will be out for people to take home with them for a few more weeks.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!