Paper, Powerpoint... podcast?

It's not always easy to find a quiet space to work on the sound for multimodal assignments.  The library now has a sound dampened podcasting room that can be used for high quality recordings of podcasts, interviews, narration for video, and more.

Students can check out the room on a first come, first basis, or schedule it ahead of time.  For more information to share with your students, including the equipment offered, please check out the Podcasting Room guide.

Library instruction served 3 ways

1.  Most of the time, when the library faculty get invited to meet with a class, we spend a whole

period working with the students, focusing on an assignment, disciplinary research norms, or information literacy in general.

2.  But, sometimes a whole class period is not required.  Introducing students to the resources relevant to the course or assignment and introducing them to the services and resources of the library can often be done in briefer window(~15-20 minutes).

3. And consultations are another way to get students the library instruction they need.  In one scenario, a librarian will meet briefly with a whole class and then students will sign up for required group appointments to get more tailored instruction.  Of course you are always welcome to recommend that your students meet with us.  We just ask that you consult with us if you are going to make it a requirement in your class.  We can facilitate tracking attendance, as well.

Request a library session or contact your library liaison to discuss.

Teaching with video: survey results

Last fall we sent out a survey about the instructional use of streaming videos and DVDs at UW-Eau Claire.  We wanted to find out how people were accessing and sharing videos and what needs exist in that area in order to help guide our decisions in the future.

We had 146 responses from all four colleges and learned quite a bit about classroom video use:

• Of our respondents, 125 reported currently using video in their classes
• Videos are viewed in class or assigned as homework in roughly an even amount
• A substantial amount of video content shared with classes is free, provided by faculty themselves, or available on platforms without institutional subscriptions.

When we asked what topic areas the library should carry more of,  we got a wide range of

disciplinary areas, and even some specific suggestions.  Science, economics, social justice, healthcare, disability, social work, kinesiology, American Indian Studies, Latin American Studies, gender, education, and history were some of the more frequently mentioned subject areas.

One implication of having so many disparate needs is that we would be hard pressed to find a streaming service that meets even a third of these.  Our streaming service Films on Demand probably comes closest, with content in almost all of the subject areas mentioned. Kanopy is our second most used service, with an emphasis on providing contemporary documentaries.  

But the fact is that content needs tend to be more specific than subject areas or even topics.  And that is why we realize developing our collection at the individual title level, with input from you, will be an important prong in our efforts to support the curriculum.   Given the constraints on the library budget and the expense of streaming media, we want to make sure that what we do purchase gets used. We also are trying to anticipate the ways that the diversifying production of moving pictures will affect future requests.  We've already been challenged in trying to acquire films that are only available streaming from one source.

In the meantime, whenever you want to request videos, simply email your request to Carrie Butler-Becker or contact your library liaison.  DVDs/videos vary widely in pricing, licensing restrictions, and availability, but we will try to fill every request.

Surge in library appointments

Firework detail from Klebeband 10
/Fürstlich Waldecksche Hofbibliothek

We were excited to see our consultation appointments go up last semester. 

We credit two things: referrals from instructors and the ease of use of our new online appointment system.

Feel free to share the link to our appointment scheduler in your course emails, D2L, or assignments: https://tinyurl.com/blugoldRC.  It is also accessible from our homepage using the link "Meet with a librarian."

We work with individuals or groups and can spend anywhere from 15-60 minutes with students.  Students have the option of picking the length of time, the librarian, and the time slot.

We help with any stage in the research process and we are eager to work with your students.

Request Books and Media

Library materials can be requested a number of ways: with our electronic form, in print through campus mail, or by email.

E-form: http://lib01.uwec.edu/Request.aspx?Form=BookRecommendation

Direct requests can be made by email or campus mail to

Carrie Butler Becker, McIntyre Library (beckercb@uwec.edu).

Making in McIntyre

[Photo credit: www.nicolassolop.com]

McIntyre Library is embracing the maker movement, and we are interested in identifying faculty who are interested in or curious about this idea. 

A makerspace is a collection of equipment (anything from 3d printers and laser cutters to sewing machines and digital recording equipment), resources and services that give students hands-on opportunities to experiment, create and collaborate. In addition to creating a space in McIntyre Library available to all students, we plan to serve as a clearinghouse, providing students with information about other facilities available to them across campus. 

We want to hear your thoughts about what a library makerspace should offer and how it can be incorporated into the curriculum. If you are interested in joining the makerspace conversation, please register. A meeting will be scheduled during the semester. 

Library Director Search: stay tuned!

The library has received approval to conduct a search for a new Library Director. A committee consisting of library faculty and staff, as well an outside representative or representatives from the faculty or directors will be appointed.

New: Instantly book a library consultation

The Research and Instruction department has set up a scheduling service for consultations that allows students and faculty to select from a menu of librarians and times.  We hope this cuts down on the back and forth of emails and makes working with us more convenient.

The calendar will be accessible from the library homepage, where it says "Meet with a Librarian," but it can also be accessed through this URL: https://tinyurl.com/blugoldRC.   The link is also featured on the library's D2L widget.

Feel free to share this with any students needing research assistance.  

Extreme Makeover: Library Search Edition

McIntyre's Library Search got better over the summer: the functionality is the same, the content is the same, but the user-interface is clearer and frankly, much nicer to look at.

This version features more obvious and convenient prompts to sign-in if you wish to request items.  You can also see if your item is held in the UW system, and at which libraries.

The metaphor of the bookshelf for saving items of interest has given way to the pushpin, but it works the same way.

And finally, our favorite - rather than being hidden in sub-menu, the options to email, print, cite, and permalink are right out in the open on each entry:

Research and assignment consultations

"Summer of 1904 on the Wisconsin central railway." Library of Congress.

The McIntyre librarians will be here all summer.  We are happy to assist you with your own research or help you plan research assignments for the fall semester.

As course sizes have grown, we have been working with several faculty members to design research assignments that help students develop their skills and dispositions without also making grading unmanageable.

Contact us through our form or email one of us when you're ready to start.