We’re Hiring: Public Services Coordinator

Scholes Library of Ceramics

The Alfred University Libraries seek a collaborative and forward-thinking Public Services Coordinator with an interest and passion for mentoring college students.

We are looking for someone with a strong focus on customer service and a commitment to incorporating diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility practices, particularly anti-racism and anti-oppression, into their work. This position works closely with our fantastic student employees and patrons.

See what we’re up to:

TikTok @aulibraries_

Instagram @au.libraries

Please go to https://www.alfred.edu/jobs-at-alfred/ for more details and to apply.

Application review begins March 18.

We’re Hiring: Digital Archivist

Alfred University Libraries seeks a collaborative, creative, and service-oriented Digital Archivist to develop and lead this newly created position to build a born-digital records program in support of the Archives’ wider collecting initiatives and to build upon the current digitization program. The role is a 10-month, tenure-track faculty position reporting to the Dean of Libraries, serving as the Team Co-Leader of the Alfred University Libraries Archives Team, along with the University Archivist.

For a detailed job description and how to apply go to: Digital Archivist – Alfred University

Change in Access to Herrick Library 24-Hour Lab

Keypad Removed, Card Swipe Installed

There has been a change in how to access the Herrick Library 24-hour lab. The keypad at the side entrance across from The Brick has been removed. Previously issued keycodes will no longer work to gain entry through this door.

Herrick facade in the springtime. Brick exterior with a gabled roof.

Starting this semester, Spring ’24, you will now need either a building fob for a residence hall, issued by Residential Communities, or one of the new multi-function AU Student or Employee IDs.

If you do not yet have one of these new IDs or a residence hall fob you will not be able to enter through this door and access the Herrick Library 24-hour lab after hours. However, you can still use the Scholes Library 24-hour lab. Show your AU ID at the Scholes service desk to obtain the keycode for this 24-hour computer lab.

Scholes Library will be transitioning to the new swipe card/fob access model in the near future. In the meantime, the previous keypad is still in place there. Watch for updates on access to this space.

The Herrick and Scholes Library 24-hour labs are equipped with PCs and black & white printers.

If you have lost your ID, contact AVI to obtain a replacment. The current replacment cost is $20.

ALfred University Libraries Logo (Bookish)
Libraries!

Finals Week Free Coffee/Tea & Cookies


Herrick and Scholes are offering free coffee/tea and cookies during finals week.

Students Enjoy Coffee in Scholes Library

Stop by the Herrick BookEnd Lounge or the Scholes Cafe for some study fuel!

Free coffee, tea and cookies are avilable all this week during the finals crunch time.

We have some gluten free and vegan options available.

Good luck on finals!
Take care of each other.

Painting Stacks: The Scholes Library Project

This Junior Painting exhibition features paintings of books that each student selected from the collection at Scholes Library as an influence on their studio practice.

The show includes work from the class, painting faculty, grad students, and librarians.

Reception: December 5, 4:30-6:30pm in the Scholes Library Project Room.


Using Google Scholar

Google Scholar is different from Google. Instead of searching public web content, it searches scholarly literature such as journal and conference papers, theses and dissertations, academic books, pre-prints, abstracts, and technical reports.

You can set up Google Scholar to link to full text from the Alfred University Libraries. Once it’s set up, you will be presented with links to full text or, if full text isn’t available, to interlibrary loan. Instruction are available here. If you have questions, please contact libraries@alfred.edu.

Google Scholar is especially useful for:

Quickly finding articles from a partial citation. Google Scholar can often find an article with just the title, and will provide the full citation and access to full text options once you have set up Google Scholar (see “How to set up Google Scholar to link to Alfred University full text”).
Finding resources on interdisciplinary topics and supplementing information found in discipline-specific databases.
Finding “gray literature” like conference proceedings.
Identifying highly cited works.
Taking advantage of Google Scholar tools such as the “Cited by” and “Related articles” links
Setting up alerts for topics of interest.

Google Scholar is less effective when it comes to:

Searching with the accuracy of library databases.
Searching literature in one discipline/field.
Searching with controlled vocabulary/subject terms.

Faculty: Add Information Literacy Moduals to Canvas Courses

Alfred University Information Literacy Librarian, Kevin Adams has created a series of canvas modules that can be imported into your Canvas courses.

Students working on a library orientation aaisgnment


The most popular modules include:
-building complex searches

-finding scholarly articles

-creating appropriate citations.

Other topics include Zotero (citation manager), using library resources, evaluating sources, and brainstorming research questions.

Email Kevin Adams to request a module: adamska@alfred.edu.

NOTE: If you have used an Information Literacy Module in the past, please reach out to Kevin for an updated version, instead of copying the old one. Most modules were updated last year.
Link: Information Literacy Canvas Modules

Information Literacy Instruction in Herrick Library

Colorblind? EnChroma Glasses Giveaway

Alfred University Libraries to host free drawings for four pairs of EnChroma glasses for color blindness

Alfred University News Release

Alfred University is hosting an event in observance of September as International Color Blindness Awareness Month, in which it will give away four pairs of EnChroma glasses designed to help people with color blindness. EnChroma, the Berkeley, CA, company co-founded by Alfred University alumnus Don McPherson ’84 M.S., ’88 PhD, donated the glasses to the University.


People can register for the free drawings—hosted by Alfred University Libraries—beginning the first week of October, including Family Weekend/Homecoming, scheduled for Friday-Sunday, Oct. 6-8.

There are several ways to enter to win a pair of the glasses.

photos showing comparison of color blind and normal vision
Comparison of colorblind and color

Free chances to win one of the pairs of glasses can be submitted at Herrick Memorial Library and Samuel R. Scholes Library—from Wednesday, Oct. 4 through Sunday, Oct. 8, during the hours of operation listed below—where interactive EnChroma displays will provide information on color blindness and how the glasses were developed. Anyone who visits the display—students and their families, staff, faculty, alumni, local community members—can enter to win. Entrants do not have to be present at the time of the drawing and winners will be notified by Monday, Oct. 9.  Out of town winners can receive their glasses by mail.

A second drawing will be held during the 2 p.m. home football game on Saturday, Oct. 7, at Yunevich Stadium. A table will be set up near Connors Family Pavilion and spectators can enter for the drawing beginning at 1 p.m. The drawing will be held at halftime to allow the winner to claim their prize during the game.

Two final two pairs of glasses will be given away based on the results of a judged essay contests. Entrants will be asked to submit a brief essay of 150 words or less describing how obtaining a pair of the glasses would change their lives. Those entries can be submitted via this Microsoft form today through Sunday, Oct. 8. The entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges and the winners announced on Monday, Oct. 16.

Student tries on EnChroma glasses in Scholes Library

Also during Family Weekend, during hours listed below, visitors can try on one of the pairs from the libraries’ circulating collection of EnChroma glasses. Herrick and Scholes libraries each have 10 pairs of the glasses, which can be checked out and borrowed for up to seven days.

Following are the hours of operation of Herrick and Scholes libraries during Homecoming/Family Weekend:

  • Friday, October 6: Herrick: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Scholes: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 7: Herrick: 2 p.m.-10 p.m.; Scholes: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

EnChroma was co-founded in 2010 by Don McPherson, a co-inventor of the EnChroma lens technology. McPherson, who earned master’s and doctoral degrees in glass science engineering from Alfred University, serves as EnChroma’s chief science officer.

EnChroma Colorblindness Test

Placing Materials on Course Reserves

Faculty are invited to place course materials on Reserve at Alfred University Libraries. 

What are Course Reserves? 

  • The Library’s Course Reserves Service allows instructors to set aside books, DVDs, or other materials related to a current course for in-library use.   
  • Reserve lists typically include required and recommended reading for a course but can include other items.
  • Items will remain on reserve for the semester while the course is running. 
Student checks out reserve items at Scholes Library

Why place items on Course Reserve in the Libraries? 

  • This service allows students to share materials and can improve access to items that may be expensive or hard to obtain.   
  • Students have expressed appreciation for having required reading on reserve as this can create substantial cost savings for them. 

What can be placed on Course Reserve in the Libraries? 

  • Library materials such as books, DVDs, or other media.
  • Instructor-owned materials. (Items are returned at the end of the semester/year) 
  • Non-traditional items like shared equipment or small supplies needed for a course and which are a good match for storing in a library. Previous examples have included plug-and-play keyboards, specialized calculators, and small tool kits for group projects.   

How do I 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 your own materials. 
  • Ask at the service desk for a Reserve Request form and complete the item and course information.
  • Plan to allow at least 3 business days for processing before the items will be available to students. 

Online 

  • For library-owned materials only. 
  • Email herricklibrary@alfred.edu or scholeslib@alfred.edu with reserve requests for the respective location where you would like the item(s) available.
  • Your email should include:
    • Name of the course
    • Course number and section number
    • Permalinks to the library items through our online catalog, Primo. Use the search box on our homepage to get started. https://libraries.alfred.edu/
  • A screenshot of where to find the permalink on an item record is below.
  • Plan to allow at least 3 business days for processing before the items will be available to students. 

Do you have 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 to: libraries@alfred.edu 

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

Summer Library Services

Herrick Memorial Library and Samuel R. Scholes Library are open throughout the summer and are ready to support your research needs as well as summer recreational reading.

Summer Hours:
Monday-Friday 8:00 am- 4:00 pm

Library Services continue during the summer! Examples include:

Spaces:
-Library spaces for studying, meetings, class visits or events. To make a reservation go to our homepage at: libraries.alfred and select “Reserve a Room” under “Quick Links.”

-24-hour study rooms for AU Students or employees in both Herrick and Scholes Libraries. Please show your AU ID at the front desk of Herrick or Scholes to receive an access code.

-One-on-one or group tours of library spaces and resources. Please email libraries@alfred.edu to schedule a tour or orientation.

Research and Instruction:
-Appointments with Librarians for research support via Zoom, chat, email, phone or in-person.

-Research in Archives and Special Collections, by appointment.

-Librarian classroom instruction during summer courses (Zoom or in-person).

Resources:
-Library materials and resources including online databases, print materials, DVDs, and streaming media via Kanopy and AVON. Email libraries@alfred.edu with questions.

-Interlibrary Loan

-Summer Reading titles for research or pleasure! The McNaughton Collection in Herrick features many popular new titles (fiction and non-fiction) on display in the Commons area on the main floor. Scholes regularly acquires and displays new titles in the foyer by the entrance. Stop by and a see what you can find!

-All AU Faculty, staff and students automatically have library accounts and do not need a separate library card.

-Community members are welcome to use Herrick and Scholes and can complete a short library card application.

Stop by this summer and say hello!