You may have heard the term “soft skills” tossed about when seeking a job or discussing careers, but what exactly does that mean? I was introduced to the concept when I was a college graduate applying for my first professional position. The job market was very competitive and it seemed to me a daunting task to stand out among a crowd of high achievers and polished resumes. In fact, my resume was just half a page, even padded with wide…
For the IDEA (Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Committee blog this month, I am going to talk about a new film that touches on several aspects of marginalized groups. I am a big fan of cinema. I am about 180 films into the Internet Movie Data Base’s Top 250 films as ranked by users. I can appreciate the highest of highbrow Oscar bait, and the most ridiculous spectacle you can imagine. I like stories, which is part of what compelled…
With the growth of online, hybrid, and web-enhanced courses showing no signs of slowing nationwide, the need for the accessibility of electronic and information resources (EIR) grows exponentially as well! EIR refers to the applications, hardware, and digital content such as documents and videos we use or access every day. By striving to create and/or provide accessible EIR we: Extend learning opportunities to our diverse community in a university environment.Expand participation in, or benefits from, programs and activities.Keep our university…
As exciting as a new school year can be, it can also be very daunting to some. I remember when my daughter would start a new year, as excited as she was, she would also get a little stressed when it came to managing her school/work/life schedule. So, as this fall semester starts, I wanted to share 3 tips on how to de-stress throughout the semester. Get Moving – There are many different ways to do this on campus. Walking/Running…
This month, we have a new employee to introduce to everyone. Julee Murphy has joined the User & Research Services team as Education Specialist, and we are so happy to have her on board! Julee came to us from the Early Childhood Development Center here on campus where she served as a librarian. Read on to learn a little more about Julee. Where are you from originally? I am a West Texan by birth but I have lived most of…
Today I’m writing to you to let everyone know about one of the newest editions to the Library’s collection of databases. We have just started a subscription to JoVE, The Journal of Visualized Experiments, which is a collection of research experiments that have videos showing each step in detail! This is the world’s first peer-reviewed scientific video journal. These videos are filmed at some of the top scientific institutions and help enable in-depth understanding of complex STEM subjects. We have…
It's hot outside right now. I mean people are literally moving away from Texas because it's so hot! Thankfully here in the library, we have A/C. I am an indoor person and while I like to go out and experience things, my perfect day out is one where it looks like it might rain. Regardless, stay safe out there - it’s going to be a long summer! Book Review I wanted to review this book because 1: I have never…
Something that may surprise you is that I, a librarian, love social media. As librarians, we often tell students to shy away from social media and find “credible” and “scholarly” sources. But that doesn’t mean I don’t love watching TikToks or creating content for my puppy’s Instagram account. Social media can be fun. It can create a sense of community and make us feel good about ourselves. We can also learn new things from our friends and the people we…
Trigger warning for suicide and mental health situations. When talking about diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, neurodivergency is a bit of an underdog. There are not always immediate visible indicators that a person is neurodivergent or autistic. Much as some chronic pain sufferers without visible handicaps are treated, being neurodivergent can trap a person in a world where everything feels wrong, but they are the only one who knows it. What is autism? It is not a disease; it is…
Learner engagement focuses heavily on the learner’s connection and sense of belonging at the university, which is typically fostered through relationships with other students, faculty, and staff. Engagement increases within learners when their encounters are respectful, trusting, supportive, and caring. Learners feel more confident and motivated when faculty and staff show support and care about their efforts. Conversely, when learners feel disconnected, they perceive those relationships with faculty, staff, and engaged learners as disrespectful, offering a sense of instability and…