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February 2014 Vol. 2, No. 4 MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR Research and Learning Services New Spaces & Equipment in Alkek Creating the Learning Commons Hey Undergrads! Quick Guide to Alkek’s Service Desks THIS ISSUE OF eNews includes Sarah Naper’s article on new spaces and equip- ment in the Alkek Library and an interview with Lorin Flores, recently appointed Step Up Your Research Learning Commons Librarian. So, what exactly is a learning commons? Research Support for Faculty & Grad Students The learning commons concept evolved from a combination of library and computer lab. Physically, the commons is a meeting space, where students can rear- Meet Our Staff range furniture to accommodate impromptu planning sessions or secure a quiet Lorin Flores, Learning Commons Librarian place to work near a window. In response to changes in course assignments calling for creative and/or collaborative components, the learning commons provides areas News from the North for group meetings, tools to support creative work, and staff specialists to provide Meet Our Newest Librarian, Angela Swift help. But a successful learning commons is more than new furnishings and tools. Collections Spotlight Its strength lies in the relationships it supports between students and other stu- Thousands of Online Streaming Videos dents, faculty, staff, equipment, or information. An effective learning commons promotes active, engaged learning. Specialized Collections The learning commons reflects the shift in our conception of the library Find a Movie or TV Show on DVD at Alkek from a provider of information to a facilitator of learning: meshing traditional reference and research services while supporting new technologies in an integrated At the Wittliff environment. Nye Confronts Stereotypes of Mental Illness To work efficiently and successfully in the future, students need to become critical consumers of information, effective problem solvers, capable decision mak- Texas State University History Our First University President, T.G. Harris ers, and innovative communicators. A learning commons becomes the physical and virtual catalyst where inquiry, imagination, discovery, and creativity are fos- tered, enabling life-long knowledge-seeking attitudes and behaviors. INSIDE THISISSUE As we move into the learning commons model at Alkek, feedback from our library users becomes even more important. Please let us know what you think Editorial team about the changes you see or those you would like to see. Write a comment on Sarah Naper, chair our whiteboard near the library entrance or tweet comments to @alkeklibrary, slip Kay Hetherly, editor a note in the suggestion mailbox (coming soon), use the “How Are We Doing?” Anthony Guardado form on our library homepage, or talk with our staff. As always, we look forward to Misty Hopper hearing from you. See you at the library! Jessica McClean Michele Miller Joan L. Heath Liane Taylor Associate Vice President and University Librarian Tara Spies Smith, photographer 1 RESEARCH AND LEARNING SERVICES by Sarah Naper New Spaces & Equipment in Alkek THE ALKEK LIBRARY has made several Curvy couches—Pull up a table or just sit online reservation form. These editing stations recent changes to accommodate student needs. back and relax. These new seats are a great place are equipped with software for digital edit- We invite and encourage you to check these to soak up the Alkek ambience. ing projects, including Adobe Creative Suite out and let us hear your feedback! And here’s our newest space....Alkek C2 (with Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Fireworks, Whiteboard space—Behind the Research (Collaboration Center)—On the fourth Illustrator, and others). Six charging stations & Information desk on Alkek’s main floor, new floor, to the right of the grand staircase, are (regular electrical and USB ports) are available comfortable chairs, mini-tables, and white- two enclosed collaborative technologies rooms. on the counter outside of the rooms. boards are available for students to rearrange Each room has rich technology, including a Additionally, computers and printers on and reconfigure to meet small group collabo- camera, podiums (similar to what instructors the main floor of the library have been updated. rative needs. Don’t be bashful about moving use in many campus classrooms), and large- On a pilot basis, you don’t even have to log in things around; we really want you to shift this screen monitors. One room (480A) even has to a library computer to print something. The new furniture to accommodate your needs. the capability for videoconferencing. You can Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) printing pro- Instant Theater—Behind the grand stair- reserve these rooms online for a two hour gram allows you to either upload documents to case, a 90-inch monitor is available for various block. Alkek C2 also includes three digital the Web or email documents to be printed (see training sessions. Initially, the training will production bays available through the same complete directions online). showcase Library or IT workshops, but our hope is to also feature other campus services. Visit our Workshops page to keep up with the latest offerings. Additionally, we’re hoping to host some fun events in the area, like our popular dog therapy sessions during finals, and other cool things as well. Movable tables & chairs—Next to the Instant Theater screen and by the windows behind the grand staircase, more than 40 chairs and 20 small triangular tables are available. The small tables are perfect for an individual user; however, groups can push the tables together to make half circles or full circles for group work. Collaboration zone—Bring your laptops to one of the three large tables with monitors and share your screen on the monitor with other group members. These tables have power- charging capability. Priority is for group use. Mini Research Sessions in Alkek New Instant Theater Space Sign up or just join in. Find us behind the central staircase on Alkek’s main floor. Here are a few upcoming sessions: *Our Texas State World: Celebrating the History of Texas State *Using the Texas State Mobile App *Searching PsychINFO Database Check for more sessions, dates, and times on our Workshops page. Terrence Edwards, Instruction Librarian 2 HEY UNDERGRADS! by Jessica McClean Quick Guide to Alkek’s Service Desks IF YOU COME to the library with an urgent can get help from the Research & Information question, it can be tricky to decide which of the desk in person, by email or phone, or via chat. many staff members to ask. To help you choose For questions about the computers or the right place for your problem, here’s a quick printing on the main floor, visit the Printer guide to what each service desk does. Help desk beside the Research & Information Research & Information Desk Staff The Research & Information desk is the desk; if you’re on the fourth floor, ask at the place to go for research assistance or general Computer Lab. the interesting collections on that floor. questions about the library building or collec- At the Circulation/Reserve desk, located Last but not least, the Government tions. That’s the big desk in the center of the just to the left of the front doors as you enter Information desk on the fourth floor is a main floor as you enter the library. No matter the library, you can check out items, pay for fantastic resource for questions related to gov- what kind of help you need, this desk is a good fines or color printing, and find materials your ernment, history, political science, or geogra- place to start. instructors put on Reserve for your class. This phy—especially if you are in need of statistics This semester, the Research & Information desk is also where you’ll go to remove holds or primary source material. Gov Info staff can desk will be extending its hours with the addi- on your record and pick up Interlibrary Loan also help you navigate the SuDoc call number tion of specially trained student workers. On (ILL) items or other materials on hold. system and assist with map printing requests. nights and weekends, they will be able to help To check out DVDs or CDs on the third Providing good service is important to us with simple research and directional questions floor, take the item’s case to the Periodicals/ here at Alkek. We hope you’ll be able to find and will refer more complicated queries to the Media desk—discs are behind the desk for exactly what you need at one of our many ser- appropriate research librarian. Don’t forget you safekeeping. You can also get help navigating vice desks. STEP UP YOUR RESEARCH by Lisa Ancelet Research Support for Faculty & Graduate Students ALONG WITH CHANGES in the library regard- their assigned subject disciplines. One of the be doing this year is the work of a new team ing learning spaces and expanded staffing at our first steps is an environmental scan of academic charged with identifying and developing pro- Research & Information desk, we are working liaison departments. The methodology will be gramming to inform the Texas State commu- hard to address the research needs of faculty a multi-pronged approach, including a thor- nity on topics related to scholarship. Some of and graduate students as the university moves ough review of assigned academic departments the topics being developed to serve the needs of forward as an Emerging Research Institution. focusing on the research and teaching needs researchers include authors’ rights (maintain- Exploration of new programming and ser- of faculty. Tasks will include updating current ing copyright), management of researcher data, vices to support faculty and graduate students collection development guides with attention avoiding predatory publishers, and under- is the primary charge of what has traditionally to new programs and courses offered, online or standing impact factor.

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