Alfred University Libraries offers course reserves at both Herrick and Scholes Libraries. 

What are Course Reserves? 

• The Library’s Course Reserves service allows instructors to set aside materials related to a current course for in-library use, so they may be shared by students.
• Reserves are typically books or DVDs, but may also include other items related to your course, such as maps, samples, diagrams, or photos.
• Items will remain on reserve for the semester while the course is running and are removed from reserves at the end of the semester, unless you request them for longer. 

Why place items on Course Reserve in the Libraries? 

• It allows students to access materials that can be expensive or hard to obtain. 
• Students have expressed appreciation for having required readings on reserve, as this can save them substantial costs. 
• Because AU Libraries are open 7 days a week during the academic year, placing items on course reserves increases access to shared-use items. 

What can be placed on Course Reserve in the Libraries? 

• Library-owned materials, such as books, DVDs, and other media in our collection.
• Instructor-owned materials. (Your items are returned at the end of the semester/year). Copies of textbooks are very popular! 
• Non-traditional items, such as shared equipment or small supplies. Previous examples have included graphing calculators, rock samples, and small toolkits for group projects. If you would like to place a non-traditional item on course reserve, please email the Public Services Librarian, Rai Yiannakos (yiannakos@alfred.edu), to discuss the logistics.
• Please note: Interlibrary Loans and Resource Sharing items cannot be placed on course reserve.

How do Faculty submit a Course Reserve Request?

In Person 

• Visit Herrick or Scholes Library and select the items from the shelf that you would like to place on Course Reserve. Or bring in your own materials/books. 
• Ask at the service desk for a Reserve Request form and complete the item and course information.
• Plan to allow up to 5 business days for processing items you request be placed on reserve before they are available to students.

Online 

• Complete the online Course Reserve form found on our website at: https://libraries.alfred.edu/reserves/faculty-info
• The form will request: Name of the course; Course number and section number; List of item call numbers or permalinks to the library items through our online catalog, Primo. 
• Plan for up to 5 business days for processing before the items are available to students.

Is there an Electronic Reserve Service? 

• For information on linking library materials in Canvas, contact your liaison librarian or email libraries@alfred.edu 

For more information: Visit: https://libraries.alfred.edu/reserves/faculty-info

Email questions about course reserves to: Rai Yiannakos, Public Services Librarian at yiannakos@alfred.edu

For information on textbook alternatives like Open Education Resources (OER) email Scholarly Communications Librarian, Samantha Dannick at dannick@alfred.edu

-Alfred University Libraries

Alfred University Libraries are excited to share our newest LibGuide: AI Literacy

Librarians across the United States are on the front lines of figuring out what AI means for research, and the Alfred University Libraries are no different. We are excited to share our newest LibGuide: AI Literacy.

This guide is meant to complement the recently developed Alfred Univesity Teaching and Learning Center AI webpage by offering a dynamic set of definitions for AI terminology; guidance on use of Generative AI for research; ethical considerations for using AI in research including privacy, bias, environmental impact, and copyright concerns; guidance for evaluating AI powered research tools; as well as an overview of research tools in the libraries that utilize AI.  

This LibGuide also provides an example of how Alfred University Librarians can support faculty, staff, and students in their teaching and learning. Faculty who would like a librarian to come to your class to talk about AI, please reach out to your library liaison or email us at Alfred University Libraries. Students who would like to schedule a reference consultation can reach out to their Personal Librarian directly or to Alfred University Libraries.

How Faculty can use Library Course Reserves to enhance students’ access to learning materials

What are Course Reserves?
The Alfred University Libraries’ Course Reserves service allows instructors to set aside books, DVDs, or other materials related to a current course for in-library use, to be shared by students. Course Reserve lists typically include required and recommended reading for a course, but can consist of other items related to your course. Items will remain on reserve during the semester the course is running.

Why place items on Course Reserve in the Libraries?
This service enables students to share materials, thereby improving access to items that may be expensive or difficult to obtain. Students have expressed appreciation for having required reading placed on course reserve, as this can create substantial cost savings for them. Because AU Libraries are open 7 days a week during the academic year, placing items on course reserves increases access to shared-use items.
Items are accounted for. Even though the items are used within the library space, students still check them out. This allows us to obtain usage statistics and ensure the return and continued availability of the items.

What can be placed on Course Reserve in the Libraries?
Library-owned materials such as books, DVDs, or other media in our collection.
Instructor-owned materials. (Your items are returned at the end of the semester/year). Copies of textbooks are very popular! Non-traditional items like shared equipment or small supplies are needed for a course and are a good match for storing in a library. Previous examples have included plug-and-play keyboards, graphing calculators, and small tool kits for group projects.

How can faculty submit a Course Reserve request?
In Person
Visit Herrick or Scholes Library and select the items from the shelf that you would like to place on Course Reserve. Or bring in your own materials/books.
Ask at the service desk for a Reserve Request form and complete the item and course information.
Plan to allow up to 5 business days for processing items that you request to be placed on reserve before they will be available to students.

Online
Complete the online Course Reserve form found on our website at: https://libraries.alfred.edu/reserves/faculty-info
The form will request:
o Name of the course
o Course number and section number
o List of item call numbers or permalinks to the library items through our online catalog, Primo.

Please allow up to 5 business days for processing before the items will be available to students.
Faculty, if you have placed library materials on course reserves in previous semesters, please check in with library staff to confirm if the items are still on course reserve, or notify library staff if items you have previously placed on course reserve are no longer needed.

Do Alfred University Libraries have an Electronic Reserve Service?
Alfred University Libraries do not currently operate an electronic course reserve service. The best way to make electronic materials available to your students is through your courses’ Canvas page. For information on linking library materials in Canvas, contact your liaison librarian or email libraries@alfred.edu

For more information:
Visit: https://libraries.alfred.edu/reserves/faculty-info
Email: Alfred University Libraries

Alfred University Librarians, Maria Planansky, Mechele Romanchock, and Rai Yiannakos will serve as editors for the forthcoming book Student Workers in Academic Libraries.

Call for Chapter Proposals

The editors of Student Workers in Academic Libraries, a forthcoming title from the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) invite library professionals from all levels – library student workers, library staff, librarians, and administration alike – to share their work and submit chapter proposals for the volume. 

Several years after the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a renewed focus on mentorship, career readiness, pedagogical approaches, and empathy-forward leading when it comes to higher education and student employment in academic libraries. Student workers don’t fit a mold; they are a diverse group ranging from first-generation students to student athletes to parents. Student workers are the heart of the library and integral to its operations. Student Workers in Academic Libraries serves as a community space to showcase the whole student worker experience and help readers create high-impact work experiences. 

We invite chapter proposals that can take a variety of forms: case studies, best practices, pedagogical theory, or novel and unique program models. Chapters are strongly encouraged to include practical sample documentation for readers to modify and adapt such as job descriptions, applications and interview questions, contracts, orientation and training plans, budget templates, as well as reflections from current or recent library student workers.  

Potential topics include, but are not limited to: 

• Developing job descriptions, recruiting, and hiring  
• Orientation and training 
• Project management and creating meaningful work for student employees 
• Budgeting for student worker programs including federal work-study and non-work-study students 
• Communicating expectations, performance evaluations, coaching, and feedback 
• Incorporating transferrable professional skills and career-readiness 
• Scaffolded work experience 
• A mentorship approach to supervision of student workers  
• Leadership philosophy as a supervisor  
• Connecting your student worker program to your institution’s goals 
• Program models such as student supervisor programs, graduate student programs, or internships 
• Case studies on student workers in different academic library departments such as: Reference, Access or Public Services, Special Collections, Technical Services, Archives 
• Equity and accessibility in the workplace in the context of library student workers 
• Working with and within labor unions 

Timeline: 

• Chapter proposals due April 1, 2025 
• Notifications sent by May 1, 2025 
• Final chapters submitted July 11, 2025 
• Feedback and revisions September and October 2025 

Chapter proposals should include the names of all contributing authors, a contact email for the main author, a working title, 3-5 keywords describing your proposed topic, a description of your proposed chapter that does not exceed 500 words, and a list of potential sample documents your chapter would include. 

In the proposal review process, we will prioritize practical applications of proposals that focus on critical perspectives such as (but not limited to): gender and sexuality theory, critical race and ethnicity studies, disability studies, neurodiversity, decolonization, and other perspectives and experiences underrepresented in both libraries and academia. We also encourage those new to publishing to submit. 

Chapters should be no more than 5,000 words in Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-spaced, and citations in Chicago Manual of Style notes and bibliography. 

If you are interested in submitting a chapter proposal, please fill out the Microsoft Form by April 1, 2025.  

Note: the editors of this book believe in compassion-based care, mentorship, and communication at all levels. We understand the stress and anxiety involved in submitting items for review and publication and strive to ensure transparency, respect, and support to all who submit.

For any questions, please contact Maria Planansky, Mechele Romanchock, and Rai Yiannakos at studentworkersinlibraries@gmail.com.   

The Alfred University Libraries are pleased to accept nominations from AU faculty and staff for the AU Libraries Outstanding Researcher Award to be given to a student at this year’s Honors Convocation. 

AU Libraries Outstanding Researcher Award  

This award recognizes student researchers at the undergraduate or graduate level who have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and an understanding of information literacy and the research process as part of an original course-related research project, in any format or medium including creative work, that utilizes AU Libraries collections, resources, and services.  

Nomination Form for Outstanding Research Award 

Nominations will be accepted through Monday, March 3^rd 2025 

Student award winners receive $150, a certificate, and recognition for their outstanding efforts at the Honors Convocation ceremony on April 25th, 2025.  

Questions about eligibility or criteria may be sent to libraries@alfred.edu. 

The Alfred University Libraries are pleased to invite nominations from Alfred University staff and faculty for the AU Libraries Community Impact Award to honor our exceptional students. 

The AU Libraries Community Impact Award acknowledges and celebrates undergraduate or graduate students who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in promoting the Libraries’ values on campus and in the community with clear and positive impacts as the result of these efforts. Some of the Libraries’ core values are a commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression, support for intellectual and cultural diversity, the free and open pursuit of knowledge, and a passion for sustainability. As part of an ongoing dedication to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, the Alfred University Libraries seek to empower students to explore diversity issues, expand scholarly conversations beyond the historically dominant voices and perspectives, and inspire others to advance social justice.  

AU Libraries Community Impact Award Nomination Form 

Nominations will be accepted through Monday, March 3^rd, 2025  

Student award winners receive $150, a certificate, and recognition for their outstanding efforts at the Honors Convocation ceremony on April 25th, 2025.  

Questions about eligibility or criteria may be sent to libraries@alfred.edu. 

AU Libraries will maintain the following hours during Thanksgiving Break:

Herrick Library
Wednesday 11/27: Open 8 am-4 pm
Thursday 11/28-Saturday 11/30: CLOSED
Sunday 12/1: Open 5 pm-12 am

Scholes Library
Wednesday 11/27: CLOSED
Thursday 11/28-Saturday 11/30: CLOSED
Sunday 12/1: Open 5 pm-10 pm

The 24-hour rooms will remain accessible to students throughout the break. Please note that the Herrick 24-hour room uses card swipe access with the new version of the AU student ID cards and the Scholes 24-hour room uses keycode access.

Note: All of Scholes Library will briefly lose power on 11/27 for planned grid repairs. See the Alfred Alert communications for current information and times. The Scholes 24-hour room will not be available during the outage time.

Contact libraries@alfred.edu with questions

Brian Sullivan, Dean of Libraries at Alfred University, recently received the 2024 Mentor Award from the State University of New York Librarians Association. The award honors and encourages the efforts and dedication of individuals in the library field who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the mentoring of members of SUNYLA.

Sullivan was nominated for the award by his colleagues, who in a letter to SUNYLA praised him as “a compassionate and visionary leader, a mentor for us as librarians and our biggest advocate.”

He additionally was praised for his “compassionate leadership” and for building “an environment of trust where we feel comfortable asking for feedback or advice on any issue that we bring forth. He is always happy to lend his expertise and will gladly coach us through difficult situations we encounter as supervisors, team leaders or in other areas of our work. Brian is also always willing to listen when we want to talk through ideas for research and scholarship or discuss obstacles and challenges that we encounter.”

As Dean of Libraries, Sullivan is responsible for the management, operations and supervision of Alfred University’s Herrick and Scholes Libraries. Sullivan graduated from the State University of New York at Fredonia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He followed his undergraduate work with graduate studies in Theology at the Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan College, and Library Science at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he received his Master’s degree in Library Science in 2003.

Reposted from original Alfred University News release:

https://www.alfred.edu/about/news/pressreleases/2024/07/dean-of-libraries-brian-sullivan-receives-2024-mentor-award-from-sunyla.cfm

Scholes Library will be open for extended evening hours in conjunction with Alfred University on-campus summer events and programs.

Extended Summer Hours will run from Monday, June 24th through Thursday, August 1st

Scholes Library Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 8am-9pm
Friday: 8am-4pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Herrick Library Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8am-4pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

For questions regarding summer library hours or services email: libraries@alfred.edu

Please note: Herrick and Scholes Libraries will be closed July 4th & 5th