-
October 31, 2011
By: Jenny James Lee
In the past month, Libraries staff conducted around 160 sessions for new Drexel students in English 101 classes, reaching well over 3,000 undergraduates, and introducing each to methods and tools of library research.
'The goal is to introduce new students to the methods and tools of library research and guide them on their path to becoming information literate individuals,' said Larry Milliken, Liaison Librarian for Humanities and Social Sciences.
Through these many instructional sessions, students, with direct assistance from a librarian, learn how to search for scholarly information. Students learn in real-time and can ask questions as they arise.
The Libraries participated in these instructional sessions for the past several years as a part of the Freshman Writing Program. This year, twenty librarians and library staff participated in the instruction, representing all three Drexel University Libraries and the Legal Research Center.
The Libraries' instructional sessions help students to develop skills for lifelong learning and to identify librarians as experts who can help them learn to find reliable information.
Read More
-
October 31, 2011
By: Emily Missner
Walk into any of the library locations on campus, and you'll find students working on collaborative projects including class presentations, group research papers, capstone projects, and lab reports. The Libraries already provide space for group work and self-directed learning to take place, and now we've taken it a step further with the Group Work Survival Guide.
Group work is a necessary part of a Drexel education. It teaches students how to work collaboratively with a diverse team, how to manage a project, and how to leverage each teammate's strengths and abilities. However, learning the skills to successfully complete a group project can be difficult for students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Realizing that learning together was an important aspect of student life here at Drexel, three librarians spent the summer learning about group work. Emily Missner, Peggy Dominy, and Jay Bhatt interviewed faculty, staff, and students across disciplines to learn about their thoughts on group work. They also read journal articles on helping students to navigate group work, and on group work best practices.
The librarians are currently compiling the Group Work Survival Guide, a frequently-updated blog of best practices, trouble shooting, and examples of groups who are exploring academic team work.
Read More
-
October 31, 2011
By: Jenny James Lee with assistance from Jay Bhatt, Drexel University Libraries' Liaison Librarian for Engineering and Chris Baccash, Vice President for External Relations, Drexel Smart House
The partnership formed between Drexel University Libraries and the students of Drexel Smart House (DSH) has led to a unique relationship built on a culture of collaboration and a dedication to building strong information literacy skills.
DSH, a student-run organization founded in 2006, seeks to engage students both in and out of the classroom, bringing laboratory research and classroom instruction into a real world environment. The program encourages collaboration between disciplines, working in areas such as architecture, civil and architectural engineering, mechanical engineering, interior design and digital media design.
Students who are a part of the Smart House organization have the opportunity to work on cross-disciplinary projects, expanding their research skills. Engaging in the process significantly helps these students, professionals competent in finding, evaluating and using many different types of information resources.
Early on, Drexel Smart House founders realized the need for information literacy instruction for the organizations' growing student body. They reached out to Liaison Librarian for Engineering Jay Bhatt to ask for his assistance in helping students become familiar with a wide variety of print and electronic resources.
'There was a helpful session from the library during freshman design, where several engineering search engines were presented to us. However, because the nature of the Smart House is multidisciplinary, sometimes individual consultations are what some students need in order to attain research specific to what we are working on,' Michael Magee, past Vice President of Drexel Smart House, said.
The partnership between The Libraries and Drexel Smart House has grown and has resulted in additions to the Libraries' collection, the creation of specified research guides and numerous consultations. Thses help those involved in the research for Drexel Smart House build information literacy skills.
'Being able to provide students a variety of information resources from face-to-face interactions and virtual informative research consultations, to library instruction sessions, has become my favorite part as the collaboration has continued,' Liaison Librarian Jay Bhatt said.
The relationship will only grow from here as more students become involved in the Smart House project and as work begins on renovating the physical house.
'There are constantly students coming to us with ideas and they don't exactly know where to get started. Most of the time, all they need is a little boost in efficient research methods in order to give their ideas merit, and with it, the encouragement to move on,' Magee said. 'Consultations can also lead to some very interesting dialogue which spawns inspiration for new ideas.'
In 2009, the two organizations developed the Library-Smart House Collaboration for Information Literacy Development, which aspires to be an example of collaboration among students, faculty and libraries.
____________________________
For more information about the Drexel Smart house, please visit: www.drexelsmarthouse.com.
To read an article about the collaboration between the Libraries and Drexel Smart House please click here.
Read More
-
October 30, 2011
Thursday, November 10th from 6 - 8 PM
Library Learning Terrace, 33rd & Race Streets
Add to my calendar
In 1985, Steve Jobs visited Drexel to congratulate the University on its cutting edge decision to require all incoming students to have a personal computer. This project, the Microcomputer Project, changed learning at Drexel and inspired a culture of innovation. Join Drexel University Libraries for a special screening of the entertaining and informative documentary, Going National, produced by Dean of Pennoni Honors College, Dave Jones, Ph.D., which details the project and the cutting edge decision that Drexel took by choosing Macintosh computers.
Following the film, a panel of special guests will speak about the film and the Microcomputer Project, as well as how technology can impact and influence learning.
Panelists:
Dave Jones, Dean of Pennoni Honors College & Director of Going National
Paula Cohen, Distinguished Professor of English
Sheldon Master, member of Apple's first dedicated sales force, President/Owner at Haddonfield Micro Associates, Inc.
John Gruber, Apple enthusiast, writer, blogger and Drexel alumnus
Moderator:
Youngmoo Kim, Associate Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Assistant Dean of Media Technologies
This event is in conjunction with Access Everywhere: Computing at Drexel, 1984 - Present, an exhibit mounted by the Drexel University Archives. The exhibit is on display at W. W. Hagerty Library from October 18, 2011 - December 10, 2011.
Read More
-
October 30, 2011
By: Rob Sieczkiewicz and Jenny James Lee
Several new items were added to the Archives' collection at W. W. Hagerty Library after the opening of a time capsule, found in Matheson Hall, during a sledgehammer ceremony on October 5th. The ceremony was lead by Dean of LeBow, George Tsetsekos, with members of his advisory board, Drexel students, staff and faculty, as well as representatives from the Keating Building Company.
During construction at Matheson Hall on September 30, crews found the time capsule behind the building's 1965 cornerstone plaque. The capsule was sealed and in good condition, as were its contents.
Contents found in the time capsule are currently on display at W. W. Hagerty Library, and are listed below:
- Brochure: Answers to your Questions about Drexel and the Drexel Plan of Cooperative Education
- Drexel Institute of Technology Bulletin: Undergraduate Curricula 1965-66
- Drexel Institute of Technology Blue Book (blank examination book)
- The Drexel Triangle, April 23, 1965
- The Ledger: The Quarterly Journal of the Undergraduate College of Business Administration, 1963-64 (three issues)
- Bus Ad Day card (Business Administration Day), circa 1965
- Robert B. Mitchell and Stanley B. Tunick. Prentice Hall 1964 Federal Tax Course, Students Edition
- Two cigarette butts with the following names written in ink: W. Martin, E. Martin, Macauley, S. Smith, Carlo, Barry, Lucke, Halpin, McNamara, Mueller
Additional Coverage of the Sledgehammer Ceremony and Time Capsule opening:
Inside Matheson, Workers Discover Time Capsule from 1965 - DrexelNow
1965 Time Capsule Opened - Drexel University Archives blog
Matheson Time Capsule Opened, Demolition Underway - DrexelNow
Amid Campus Construction, Drexel University Opens a 1965 Time Capsule - KYW Newsradio (1060-AM)
Read More
-
October 28, 2011
On Tuesday, October 25th nearly 40 faculty, staff and students attended Make it Yours: Transforming Drexel University Libraries, to participate in a discussion about the future of the Libraries.
After months of planning, and a July Future Search Conference, the Libraries presented a draft of the strategic initiatives that will help to shape its future. These initiatives were briefly presented by Dean of Libraries Danuta A. Nitecki, who then held an open discussion with attendees asking for suggestions and feedback.
The passionate audience carried on a conversation for the remaining 45 minutes, asking for clarification on issues, agreeing with initiatives and presenting new ideas to be considered in the final draft. Among suggested distinctions faculty members made were that the Libraries provides access to ideas and authoritative information and that it guides students in use of technologies.
For more information about the Make it Yours transformation, please visit www.library.drexel.edu/make-it-yours.
Read More
-
October 26, 2011
[caption id='attachment_516' align='alignleft' width='190' caption='University Archivist Rob Sieczkiewicz, Professor Jeremy Johnson, Professor Tom Hewett and Professor Ray Brebach']
[/caption]
Drexel faculty, students and staff gathered at W. W. Hagerty Library on Tuesday, October 18, for Coffee, Conversation and Computing, an event in collaboration with the exhibit Access Everywhere, Computing at Drexel 1984 - Present.
The exhibition, which runs through December 10th, begins with Drexel's Mircocomputer Project and the distribution of Macintosh computers to Drexel students and faculty in 1984. Attendees of the event were treated to a conversation with professors Tom Hewett and Ray Brebach, who were on campus for this exciting event in Drexel's history. They shared their memories and experiences of a time when the entire campus quickly adjusted to incorporating computers in all disciplines and in many projects.
Professor Jeremy Johnson added the perspective of a computer scientist as attendees discussed the impact of several key information technologies at Drexel over the past several decades. The group seemed to agree that while the introduction of the Macintosh computer to Drexel was the most dramatic change several other computing innovations have also drastically affected the campus community. One of these transformative items was wireless computing. Mr. Hewett remembered the moment when a colleague first demonstrated how the Apple base station could connect several items in a room to the Internet without cables.
Conversation ranged from Drexel's role as an innovator in computing, to the complex relationship between books and hypertext, and to the future of input devices beyond the mouse and keyboard.
Missed this discussion? Join us for Going National with Apple Computers: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow on Thursday, November 18th, as we discuss the role of technology in learning and its impact on the Drexel community and beyond.
Read More
-
October 24, 2011
Add to my Calendar
What is Digital@Drexel?
Digital@Drexel is an informal group of individual Drexel research and teaching faculty, librarians, and archivists, who create, manage, and/or provide support for the unique digital content produced in research and class projects. The group has a diverse membership that works together to identify digital research and preservation needs, problems, opportunities and advances.
Digital@Drexel began in summer 2011 after faculty members and Drexel University Libraries identified a need to support the evolving digital culture and for managing the digital assets produced by the Drexel community.
9:30 AM - Digital Landscape and Content Strategy in Higher Education
A presentation by William Ying, Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Technology for ARTstor. Mr. Ying received his Doctorate of Engineering Science and Masters of Science from Columbia University and his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and Computer Science from Cornell University.
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM - Digital@Drexel
Showcasing digital projects from Drexel University faculty, students and staff including:
- Digital Cultural Heritage - Dr. Glen Muschio, Associate Professor, Westphal
- Augmented Avenue: Memories of Lancaster Avenue - Dr. Mimi Sheller, Director of the mCenter at Drexel
- Digital@iSchool - Dr. Xia Lin, Professor, iSchool at Drexel
- Seeking Women's History - The Legacy Center, Drexel University College of Medicine
- Leveraging Google Spreadsheets with Google Apps Scripts for Manipulating Chemical Information and other Bibliometric Tasks - Dr. Jean-Claude Bradley, Associate Professor, Chemistry
- Photographs of the Tidewater Granary Explosion - Drexel University Archives
- Interactive Technologies @ Drexel for Research, Learning, and Entertainment - Dr. Youngmoo Kim, Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean of Media Technologies
- Drexel Smart House
- More projects coming soon...
For more information, visit our website at www.library.drexel.edu/digitalatdrexel
Read More
-
October 21, 2011
We're excited to announce NEW extended hours at the Library Learning Terrace, beginning Sunday, October 23rd.
Monday - 9 AM - 2 AM
Tuesday - 9 AM - 2 AM
Wednesday - 9 AM - 2 AM
Thursday - 9 AM - 2 AM
Friday - 9 AM - Midnight
Sunday - Noon - 2 AM
Let us know what you think of these new hours on: Facebook, Twitter or in the Comments field below.
Hours for all Drexel University Libraries sites can be found on our website.
* The Learning Terrace will be closed November 23 - 26th for Thanksgiving Break
* Starting December 4th, The Learning Terrace will remain open 24/7 for Finals' Week.
Read More
-
October 17, 2011
Tuesday, October 25th from 4 - 5 PM
W. W. Hagerty Library's Bookmark Cafe
Join the Libraries and learn about the transformation of the organization at this presentation and discussion. After months of planning, and a July Future Search Conference, the Libraries will unveil new proposed strategic directions and offer the opportunity for feedback from attendees.
These proposed directions will further guide the Libraries in its transformation to a learning enterprise. Do not miss this opportunity to join the discussion and make the Libraries yours!
More information about the Make it Yours milestones, as well as key documents and drafts, is available online.
To leave comments or feedback about Make it Yours and the Libraries transformation, please use the comment box below.
For more information, please contact Jenny James Lee at 215-571-4095.
Read More
-
October 16, 2011
On Monday, October 3rd the Libraries welcomed Shawn Woodson as the Information Assistant for Library Academic Partnerships. For nearly four years, Shawn worked as a Library Associate at the Roanoke (VA) Public Libraries, where he worked primarily provided circulation and information services at the main library. Prior to that, he was a videographer/video editor at WDBJ TV in Roanoke. Shawn has a BS in Media Studies from Radford University and is a graduate student in Drexel's MSLIS program.
The Libraries is excited to welcome Shawn! He can be reached at W. W. Hagerty Library.
Read More
-
October 11, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 5 - 7 PM W. W. Hagerty Library
Join Drexel University Libraries at this special event, which kicks off the opening of Access Everywhere: Computing at Drexel, 1984 - present exhibit. This event will feature conversation about the changing role of computers at Drexel and topics will include email, internet, wireless access, and other computer advances that have brought Drexel to where it is today.
This event is free and open to the public. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.
For more information, or to suggest a topic for conversation, please contact Jenny James Lee via email or at 215-571-4095.
Read More
-
October 11, 2011
You asked for them...and here they are! The hours for the Library Learning Terrace during weeks 4 & 5.
Monday: Noon - 10 PM
Tuesday: Noon - 10 PM
Wednesday: Noon - 10 PM
Thursday: Noon - 10 PM
Friday: Noon - 5 PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Read More
-
October 5, 2011
View the October Issue online. Articles include:
- Welcome Article from the Dean
- Upcoming Events
- Access Everywhere: Computing at Drexel, 1984 - present, exhibit.
- Coffee, Conversation...and Computing? on Tuesday, October 18th
- Going National: A Special Screening Event on Thursday, November 10th
- The Personal Librarian Program
- Libraries staff earn Employee Olympics 'Gold'
- Libraries Launch New Search Interface: Summon
- Libraries Welcome New Staff
- Staff News
- Service Spotlight
- Wish List
Read More
-
October 5, 2011
[caption id='attachment_476' align='alignright' width='150' caption='Holly Tomren']
[/caption]
On September 26th, the Libraries welcomed Holly Tomren, Head, Metadata Services. Holly previously worked at the University of California, Irvine, where she was the Head of Monograph, Electronic Resources and Metadata Cataloging.
Holly is starting a term as an American Library Association (ALA) Councilor and was selected by ALA in 2009 as an Emerging Leader. She has a number of research interests including metadata literacy, mobile content and services in libraries, and emerging trends and technologies in technical services.
Holly will work to develop a program at Drexel University Libraries that expands library services from an internal focus on cataloging, to a broader focus including cataloging and metadata. She will also work with researchers on campus on their metadata and data organization needs.
We are excited to welcome Holly to the Libraries!
Read More
-
October 4, 2011
Monday - 2 PM - 10 PM
Tuesday - 2 PM - 10 PM
Wednesday - 2 PM - 10 PM
Thursday - 2 PM - 10 PM
Friday - 2 PM - 5 PM
Saturday & Sunday - Closed
The Library Learning Terrace will be closed on Monday, October 10th for Columbus Day. W. W. Hagerty Library, Hahnemann Library and Queen Lane Library will remain open for normal Monday hours.
What hours would you like to see The Learning Terrace open?
Read More
-
October 3, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
5 - 7 PM
W. W. Hagerty Library
Join Drexel University Libraries at this special event, which kicks off the opening of Access Everywhere: Computing at Drexel, 1984 - present exhibit. This event will feature conversation about the changing role of computers at Drexel and topics will include email, internet, wireless access, and other computer advances that have brought Drexel to where it is today.
This event is free and open to the public. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.
For more information, or to suggest a topic for conversation, please contact Jenny James Lee via email or at 215-571-4095.
Read More