Copyright: The Card Game!

Do you remember that old Shakespeare quote, “To study or not to study copyright, that is the question”? Well, maybe it wasn’t him and instead was something Cathy said when we were talking about playing “Copyright: The Card Game!”.

But, I digress. In honour of Fair Dealing/Fair Use Week that happens annually during the last week of February in Canada and the United States, the Copyright Office hosted five teams to duke it out in a friendly game of who knows the most about copyright. It was kind of like Crossfit® and who can exercise the fastest. Rumour has it that many of the teams pulled all-nighters and diligently scoured the USask copyright website for hints, tips and other advantages. While noshing on Skittles (#DYK they have been in North America since 1979) and peanut butter M&Ms (which Kate accidentally bought instead of normal M&Ms), to a carefully curated 80s Spotify playlist, teams passionately hovered over their cards in hopes to answer the copyright questions posed by Kate. Critical thinking and the highly competitive nature (who knew!?) of library staff helped bring out the copyright ringers on each team (I’m looking at you Myles!).

At the end of the game, after some well-argued-for bonus points had been awarded, we had to go to a tie-breaker between the Legal Eagles and BrainSTEMS!. BrainSTEMS! edged out the Legal Eagles by milliseconds on the squeezing of the squeaky toy to give the correct answer. Congratulations to Team BrainSTEMs! on their inaugural win!

Thank you to all who attended and supported this event – Team TBD ©, Circulation Formation, The Infringers, Legal Eagles and BrainSTEMS! We look forward to seeing you for the second annual Copyright: The Card Game event!

Public Library – that’s us

Every once in a while we have the pleasure of assisting the public at this publicly funded institution. This morning Science received a call from a senior citizen. We were the only library she found in the phone book that had Science in the title and she had a science question. There are volcanoes erupting in Hawaii – how hot is the lava? Quick fingered, our fastest typist comes back with between “700 and 1,200 degrees C”. A happy patron, thrilled that she will be able to impress her grandkids.

Spring Again

Spring has come, (I promise!)  And with its arrival come two new displays at Science! The first, made possible by the talented Beth, focuses on Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).  The second, organized by Megan, gives tips and tricks and laughs for studying and help available on campus – just in time for exams.  Come by to check them out!

In other news, we have gained a new staff member in the form of Steven Kabernack, and said farewell to Glenda Goertzen.  Also joining our team as the joint supervisor for Science and Engineering is Brenda Butler.  We look forward to working together!

Science displays aren’t the only things being curated by Science staff.  Jill Crawley-Low has curated the latest exhibit in the Link at Murray Library, highlighting The History of Veterinary Literature: The Dr. Jack Rosen Veterinary Medicine History Collection.  The oldest book in Dr. Rosen’s collection dates back to 1528, titled Libri de re rustica (The Book of Country Life). The exhibit will run until May 2017.

http://library.usask.ca/archives/exhibitions-digital/exhibitions/vet-med-history.php

 

March at the Science Library

Out and about?  Want to learn a little something?  Come visit us at the Science Library to check out our newest display, History2016 Computers of Computers on Campus.  This display has initiated many conversations between staff and faculty on the differences of computing both in the library (GEAC for those in the know) and around campus in general (line-ups, mess-ups and noise from the punch-card programming computers). Check it out and then share your story about learning, floundering and flourishing with computers on campus!

Along with displays, the Science Library has been running a “Respect Your Space” initiative focusing on gum.

The SUntitled2cience Library is the sole U of S Library branch free of the noise, odours and mess associated with consuming food within its walls. Many students have expressed their appreciation for the policy, but with the temptation of Tim Horton’s just up the stairs from our main entrance, keeping the library a food-free haven has been a challenging task. Signs on every doorway and study surface didn’t seem to be effective, so staff came up with the Respect Your Space Campaign, summarized by this bookmark.

The beauty of the bookmark, besides its creative design, is that it doesn’t require uncomfortable interaction between staff and student. Rather than standing over the miscreant and offering a stern lecture, we can simply hand over the bookmark with a quick “Here is some information about food in the library.”

Recently the Science Library initiated the Anti-gum Phase of the Respect Your Space Campaign. Random gum sheetchecks under the study tables suggest we are having success.

 

Don’t go out in Geology Today

‘Cause if you go out in Geology today, you’re in for a big surprise. The dinos have been corralled for their biennial teeth floss and general wash. This process includes yellow ‘do not cross’ tape, the removal of a center post between the stainless steel double doors to the out-of-doors to allow for the entry of the cherry picker, and, the cherry picker. Not to mention two guys in hard hats and Sue – the official dino wrangler.

Powwow May 28, 2014

OpeningPowwow was in the Bowl, just outside the Science Library. We are lucky to be able to watch PowWow from our office every year. But this year, I decided to go outside, enjoy this event, and celebrate the achievements of these great kids from high schools and universities. I was deeply impressed by the ceremony, the dance, the songs, and, of course, the drums!

Dance

Beautiful ClothesTIPI