For most of us, the library was a place to “get it done.” It created an environment for the sole purpose to improve studying and it had resources in one convenient place to do so. For me, these past few weeks transitioning to online learning have been difficult. So, I listed a few tips that have helped me adjust and may help you all as well. CLEAN YOUR ROOM I cannot stress this step enough. Studying at home means you’re…
Need an escape from the confines of your home without actually leaving? Why not try out an online Tabletop Role-Play Game (TTRPG)? While traditionally TTRPG's are played in person, there is a vast avenue of game systems to choose from online; you can be in a fantasy setting, Star Wars adventure, or even play as a Pokémon trainer hoping to catch all 890 of them. (Can you believe it, 890?) For the last eight years, I have been sucked into…
So here’s the thing my friends: a whole lot is happening right now and we’re all exhausted. I hate to throw one more thing at you, but here it is: regardless of how tired we are, we still have to do the work of critical thinkers. Information literacy isn’t just a bunch of concepts and skills we pull out of our back pockets every time we have a research assignment, it’s an absolutely essential component of who we are as…
Is life in quarantine getting you down? Do you find yourself aimlessly walking around your house or lying in bed wishing for something to do? Well wish no more! Your guide to eliminating boredom is here. Now, before you get too excited, be sure to practice safe social distancing at all times and consider your health and the health of others as a top priority. That brings us to point number one: Get Moving With all this extra time, opportunity for your…
Right about now cabin fever is starting to kick in. It’s extremely important that we stay indoors and avoid contact with people as much as possible. While I completely agree your physical health is top priority, your mental health is just as important. So here are a few indoor activities that could make quarantine feel just a little bit better. Hobbies are a great way to keep your mind distracted and active. I’m such a DIY freak, especially when it…
One of the reasons I love history is because I love a good story. History tells us the stories of individuals, families, groups, nations—stories that help us understand our own lives and our place in the world. Archives are often called “the raw stuff of history,” the voices out of which the historical narrative is woven. But some voices ring more loudly in the archives than others. The term archival silence describes a gap in the existing historical record. It is particularly…
On June 22, 2020, the Mary and Jeff Bell Library will be reopening to students, staff, and faculty with limited services. The I-Create Lab will also be open with some changes meant to keep everyone safe during these uncertain times. The I-Create Lab will be switching to a reservation-based system for the use of all equipment and study rooms to follow social distancing practices effectively. All reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance through our online reservation…
Hey everyone, I’m back with more to cook during quarantine! I hope everyone is doing well at home and staying safe. This week we’ll be attempting an easy dish of chicken wings and French fries. All you’ll need is one pound of chicken wings, a sack of potatoes, and a list of ingredients. You can bet that this recipe will taste similar to Wingstop and Buffalo Wild Wings. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! First, preheat…
Planning for the Fall semester is ramping up, and the Bell Library Instruction Program is getting into gear for a semester unlike any other. To keep our students, faculty, and librarians safe and healthy, our classes might look a little different in the coming year. Here are some ideas for how we plan to continue providing quality information literacy instruction while practicing social distancing: Labs Schlabs: Although we generally prefer to do most of our instruction inside the library’s two…
Within the last two months, a lot has changed around the university and the world. Despite the changes, the I-Create MakerSpace Supervisors and Library Staff are hard at work to make a difference for those in need during this Pandemic. Sylvia Sanchez, MakerSpace Coordinator, and David Jones, MakerSpace Technician, have been spending their time, along with volunteers and library staff, at the closed I-Create Lab to utilize one of the labs' favorite pieces of equipment, the laser cutter. The laser…