The Information Literacy Librarian, Kevin Adams, has created a series of Information Literacy modules to support student learning. These modules have been created for AU faculty to easily import into their Canvas courses. If you are interested in using any of these modules in a course, just email Kevin Adams at adamska@alfred.edu.
Each module has clearly stated learning outcomes. Topics currently include library concepts, finding sources, developing research questions, evaluating sources, and providing citations in MLA, Chicago, and APA. You can explore the modules here: Information Literacy Modules.
Sliding image compares two images: 1) Depicts a computer with a book on the screen and 2) depicts a tablet with a book on the screen.
Engineering and Scholarly Communication Librarian, Samantha Dannick authors jocose essay in a national library science publication.
“The Invertebrates Scale of Librarianship”, published in the January issue of College & Research Libraries News (C&RL News) , is a playful and “irreverent” guide to finding your niche in librarianship. C&RL News is the official newsmagazine of the Association of College & Research Libraries.
Nudibranch Berghia coerulescens. Photo credit: Parent Gery, Public Domain.
Dannick encourages library professionals to establish their own personal “policies” and “professional value system” by way of behavior analogies between librarians and jellyfish, nudibranch, and octopus. Dannick writes, “The Invertebrates Scale of Librarianship is intended to help librarians recognize and name their own professional tendencies… There will be times to be an Octopus, a Nudibranch, and a Jellyfish. Most of us will have a form that is more comfortable than the others. What’s appropriate is to recognize what that form is, how it helps and hinders, and whether a different form would be more suitable for a given situation.” What’s a nudibranch? Learn more here.
Scholes Library will be open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm. Herrick Library will be open by appointment only.
Library materials from both Herrick and Scholes are available for pick up via the item request system. Directions on how to use the item request system can be found here.
All requested library materials, including interlibrary loans, will be made available for pick up in Scholes Library.
Printers, scanners and computers are available to current AU students, staff, and faculty in Scholes Library. No appointment is needed.
Services such as Archives and research consultations will be available by appointment in Herrick and Scholes. Please contact directly, the staff or librarian you wish to meet with to make arrangements. Contact information can be found here: Herrick Library; Scholes Library.
The entrances will remain locked and instructions for entry upon arrival will be posted on the doors.
Both book drops will remain available for returns.
After 29 years at the Samuel R. Scholes Library of Ceramics and the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Mark Smith will be retiring at the end of this year, signaling the end of an era for the Alfred University Libraries.
For nearly three decades, Mark has been recognized, appreciated, and widely beloved across campus for his passionate advocacy for and devotion to the College of Ceramics, his boisterous laughter, and his dynamic and all-encompassing fervency in everything he does. After obtaining his Master of Library Science degree from the University at Buffalo, he has served the Alfred University Libraries, and Scholes Library in particular, in a variety of positions, including Reference Librarian, Information Systems Librarian & Head of Technical Services, Collection Management Librarian, and, most notably, Director of Scholes Library & Associate Dean of Libraries.
During his extensive career, he has shepherded Scholes Library with his characteristic nurturing style and roll-with-the-punches attitude, through all of the tremendous computing and technological shifts of the past few decades, including the implementation of numerous digital systems, tools, and resources. In addition, he led several strategic planning processes, directed multiple library space redesign initiatives, and helped to establish lasting cross-library partnerships while tirelessly championing the unique and specialized mission of Scholes Library. Mark served on myriad College and University committees including Middle States Steering Committees, Promotion and Tenure Committees, Search Committees, the College of Ceramics Faculty Council, Faculty Senate, and the Advisory Council on Technology.
Mark came to librarianship as a second career after a decade of teaching music and theater in Canisteo, NY. He has continued to share these gifts with the community though his leadership and involvement with The Orpheus Chorale, the Hornell Area Community Cantata Choir, the Hornell Community Theatre, and as a board member of the Arts Council of the Southern Finger Lakes, from which he received the Arts Partnership Award in 2013.
As a leader and mentor, Mark has consistently modeled how to lead with empathy, using the heart as well as the mind. Colleagues through the years could tell stories of times they brought Mark an idea and watched him immediately light up with excitement and enthusiastic support in direct proportion to their own excitement and enthusiasm. Mark has always been a master at nurturing the seed of an idea and ensuring it has ample opportunity to thrive. His approach to the cultivation of people has been similar, providing just the right mix of encouragement, direction, and space for each person to soar as their best self.
Throughout his career, Mark has drawn energy and inspiration from the relationships he created through his professional involvement in groups outside of Alfred. For instance, he has been the president and executive board member of the SUNY Librarians Association, the Chair of the SUNY Council of Library Directors, a member of the SUNY Provost’s Faculty Advisory Council on Teaching & Technology, a board member of the South Central Regional Library Council, and a contributor to the New Media Consortium’s highly influential Horizon Report. He received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship in 2004 and the Friend of SUNY Librarians Association Award in 2012.
Mark’s colleagues throughout the years are grateful that he answered the call to forge a new vocational path into the world of librarianship. His second act has inspired, uplifted, and left us smiling a little bit more than before we heard and joined in his song.
Thank you for all of the laughter, support, and creativity you have given us, Mark. We wish you all good things in the next act of your life’s adventure.
In order to support students in their preparations for final exams, Alfred University Libraries announce extended hours for Herrick Memorial Library and Samuel R. Scholes Library. For more information on AU Library Services during COVID-19 go to: https://libguides.alfred.edu/COVID
Alfred University Libraries is pleased to welcome the newest member of our team, Kevin Adams. As the Information Literacy Librarian, Kevin is here to help students navigate the deluge of content available to researchers in the information age. Whether you need help starting a paper or research project, evaluating the quality of your search results or creating citations for a bibliography Kevin is here to help.
Kevin will also be reinvigorating our Library Liaison program which connects our AU Librarians to each of the University’s majors and minors in order to provide content specific research support, instruction and library collection development. For more information about this program or to schedule an appointment with Kevin email: adamska@alfred.edu
Q&A with Kevin:
What was your background before Alfred University? Education: I studied History and Philosophy at Purdue University, then I got my MS in Library and Information Science and the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign. Work: I have mostly worked in restaurants and libraries. To name a few positions, I have worked as a delivery biker, delivery driver, server, kitchen prep, line cook, archivist, reference librarian, and a comic book cataloger. What interests you about your current position? I am excited to engage with the students and find creative ways to center them as we explore information literacy concepts! Favorite social media platform? Twitter! What are you reading or listening to? As I write this, I am listening to Charles Mingus. The book I most recently picked up is Black Skin, White Masks by Frantz Fanon. What do you like to do to for fun? I like to read, hike, fish (very amateurly), play video games, and cook. What is something would you like to learn? I would like to learn to play an instrument! What has gotten you through quarantine and pandemic times? Hunkering down with my fiancée Sara Kramer and my two cats and dog. Is there anything about you that others would be surprised to know? I love punk music. Before quarantine I would frequently go to basement shows and start the occasional mosh pit.
Alfred University Libraries stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and global movements responding to the systemic racism and anti-Black violence that recently claimed the lives of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and innumerable others. We recognize that this movement is intersectional and essential to dismantling oppression. We appreciate and endorse the statements of Alfred University and the American Library Association, which show support for all marginalized communities, especially the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community.
Affirming that Black Lives Matter engages with our Libraries’ value of supporting “intellectual and cultural diversity” and recommits us to the strategic goals of recruiting and retaining “a diverse and talented staff” and to developing “library programming that makes the libraries a center for intellectual discussion.” We recognize, however, that this is not enough.
The Libraries acknowledge that an ongoing history of oppression occurs not just in areas such as policing, housing, employment, and healthcare, but also in library services, where there are many examples of libraries being complacent or complicit in the oppression of BIPOC. Alfred University Libraries do not claim immunity from complicity in this history of systemic racism.
Current events show us that unvoiced support for marginalized communities is only slightly better than no support at all, so we are actively adding our voice. However, this is only the first step. We also commit to “walking the walk” in order to create a more equitable, inclusive, and empowering environment, and a more just society. As a start, we will take the following concrete steps: Creating a more inclusive environment:
Solicit feedback from students on “What would make you feel more welcome and/or comfortable in the Alfred University Libraries?” Partner with the Institute for Cultural Unity to ensure students from marginalized groups are aware that we are asking for their feedback.
Require all library personnel to participate in implicit bias and bystander intervention training (see Appendix).
Strongly encourage library personnel to participate in Psychological First-Aid (PFA) and Safe Zone training (see Appendix).
Evaluate the library search and hiring process to reduce bias and increase equity and to incorporate best-practices.
Integrate anti-racist and/or anti-oppression values and language into the AU Libraries Mission, Vision, and Values.
Creating more inclusive collections:
Actively add the work of BIPOC scholars to library collections.
Add resources to support anti-oppression research and work to library collections.
Solicit suggestions from students on collecting library materials by and/or about BIPOC.
Whenever possible, ensure that library displays include works by marginalized creators/authors.
Expand collaboration with student groups for library displays and events.
Educating ourselves:
Begin a discussion group for library personnel focusing on works from a list of anti-racist resources or a list of anti-oppression readings focused on libraries and librarianship (see Appendix).
Create a resource guide focused on anti-oppression (see Appendix).
We commit to regularly evaluating our progress and continuing to build on this statement and commitment. We welcome input from our patrons and our community on additional steps we can take as we work toward improving ourselves as professionals and as the Alfred University Libraries. Appendix: Example Trainings and Resources
To guide the implementation of the actionable steps in our commitment, Alfred University Libraries recommend these examples and resources to be used as appropriate.
Implicit bias training may include gender and sexuality issues but should also include racial issues such as micro and macroaggressions. One such example is UCLA’s “KNOW” Implicit Bias. This page provides a video series and modules as well as scholarship and additional videos.
Psychological First Aid (PFA) trainings equip trainees to respond to disasters and other traumatic events that affect a community by focusing on safety, stabilization, and connecting people to helpful resources. The American Psychological Association has compiled lists of resources and PFA providers.
Safe Zone trainings create the opportunity to learn about different identities, particularly LGBTQIA+ people and the prejudices that they face. One example of Safe Zone training is provided by the Safe Zone Project.
Lists of anti-racist resources take many meaningful forms. One example of a list that pertains directly to higher education was compiled by #ShutDownSTEM.
Alfred University Libraries will reopen to students, faculty and staff on Sunday, August 23rd, 2020
The best source of up-to-date information, including the complete reopening plan, is the AU Libraries Services for Fall 2020 Guide (https://libguides.alfred.edu/covid).
Both Herrick Library and Scholes Library will reopen on Sunday, August 23, at 2pm. Complete building hours for Fall 2020 are listed below.
At this time, due to the unique demands of this coming semester, our reduced building services will initially be directed toward the academic support of AU students, faculty and staff. Community members are valued library patrons and we look forward to welcoming the community for item pickup and appointments as early as Monday, September 7th, 2020. Watch for separate announcements regarding these services.
Here are a few highlights of what to expect this semester: What’s available?
Library books and media for pick up via an online request system (coming soon!)
Research assistance with Librarians by Zoom or email
PCs, printers and scanners, but with reduced seats and capacity to support distancing
Article databases, Kanopy (video streaming) and ebooks
Interlibrary Loan (Electronic requests available now, print material returning soon!)
Scanning pages from Library periodicals or books (amount may be limited due to copyright restrictions)
What’s not available?
Shelf browsing
Study rooms and conference rooms
The 24 hour study rooms
Reserve Books (email libraries@alfred.edu and we will assist you via scanning or locating electronic alternatives)
Shareable items like headphones, laptops, chargers, and markers
Programming and events
Please email us any questions you have at libraries@alfred.edu.
We look forward to seeing you soon. Let us know how we can help make this semester a success for you and your students!
Fiat Bibliotheca!
