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Greetings!
The librarians are carefully planning a Collection Update for Currency & Equity, expected to be a multi-year project (but which may be fast-tracked), and we would like faculty feedback!
The survey asks 3 questions about how the book collection applies to your discipline area(s). We appreciate completion by the beginning of January: https://wartburg.libwizard.com/f/collectionupdate
While managing the collection is a continuous task, Vogel Library needs a more concentrated effort to address the currency and equity issues inherent in any library of our size and age. In addition, we are facing a shelving predicament due to the slow death of the outdated technology in our moveable shelves. Since our collection goals are focused on supporting the curriculum, scholarship, and the personal development of our community, we want to include your insight as we embark on this endeavor! We will keep the campus posted about the progress of our update, so stay tuned.
We truly appreciate your insight into how the physical collection supports your discipline areas.
Best,
Jill Westen
"Does copyright give you a MONSTER HEADACHE?" by A. Elder and M. N. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY 4.0
As faculty, we have little control over the rising costs of higher education. The one small area we can impact, however, is course materials. Student access to course materials directly impacts their ability to be successful at Wartburg College.
Free and openly licensed materials can be used to supplement or build an entire course. These resources are licensed to be freely used and adapted.
If you are interested in working with me to locate Open Educational Resources (OER) for an upcoming course, reach out!
I have linked to one of the more well-known Open Textbook collections below.
In planning for the fall term, I've tried not to let myself get sucked into what appears to be an overwhelming and hopeless situation. Trying to prepare for all contingencies is overwhelming. Worrying about the health and safety of my students, colleagues, family, and self makes it even more so. The moments I feel the most at peace, however, are when I feel the community of the people who are in this with me. It helps to know I'm not alone. It helps to know I have a support system. As August is staring us in the face, I wanted to reach out and remind you I'm here. Not just for the things I've always been here for, but in ways, we haven't necessarily dreamed yet.
While Vogel Library does not purchase textbooks for our collection, I know many of you are using texts that aren't strictly textbooks published by big textbook companies. If there is a book or film, you plan to ask your students to consume this term, and it would benefit them to have a copy in our collection, reach out! When possible, I have been purchasing digital items that can be accessed at a distance by multiple users. I have always been concerned about how much books cost our students, but COVID has further shown a light on the inequities of our systems. If I can lessen those economic concerns with my budget dollars, while also ensuring our collection is supporting the curriculum, I'm happy to do it. Do be aware that not all books have an eBook equivalent, but when they are available, they are worth considering. eBooks weren't my chosen purchasing model a year ago, but, hey, mitigated normalcy.
If you're trying to figure out how to include information literacy instruction this fall, but you aren't sure the best way to do that in our current climate. Reach out to me. You don't have to have it all figured out yet. I might have some ideas that include me being physically present but could also pull from some of the synchronous skills I've honed over the last six months. As a trained speech and theatre teacher, I like to think I'm quite dynamic on video! :) If ever there was a time we want to help students understand how to locate, process, and create credible information, this is it. #wearamask
Like many of you, I’m overwhelmed, but in my best moments, I can see the possibilities. Maybe there are some ways that the new norm can be better for more of us.
Library Copyright Experts across the nation have put together a helpful Public Statement: Fair Use and Emergency Remote Teaching and Research document for us to use as a guide. One of the services they are offering is Copyright Office Hours that I can use to get answers for you if you need more guidance. Feel free to reach out to me with these types of questions, and I can go to the experts for support.
I personally am finding the Facebook group Pandemic Pedagogy full of helpful tips! If there is ever the time for community (even a digital one), this is it. I'm here for troubleshooting, brainstorming, and lamenting.
We knew it was coming and it's HERE! Purdue OWL has updated its online materials to support the 7th Edition of the APA manual. Users can still access the 6th edition, but they have to read directions. And let's be honest, many of us in academia are notoriously bad at reading and following directions (for example, are you still reading this correspondence?)!
Many of you have students that rely on Purdue OWL, it would be worth your time to show them this change, especially if you are looking for 100% complaint formatting and citation style. At the top of each page, Purdue OWL has made a heading that clarifies if the user is viewing APA 7 or APA 6. If the user finds themselves on the wrong page, it's an easy link to the other manual.
While my office offers a calming and quiet place to work through a research question, folks have to go out of their way to meet me in my space.
By moving some of my hours out and around campus, I hope to bring my reference skills to the spaces where collaboration and brainstorming are already happening.
During weeks classes are in session, you can find me
I also will hold pop-up reference when a need arises and scheduling allows. If I'm around campus, do not hesitate to "ask me anything."
Vogel Library, Wartburg College | 100 Wartburg Blvd, Waverly, IA, 50677 | Phone: 319-352-8500 | Email: asklibrarian@wartburg.edu