Three new publications join Libraries' publishing program!

The University of Alberta Libraries is pleased to welcome three new Open Access publications to our journal publishing program:

International Kimberlite Conference Extended Abstracts

Keep that New Year's resolution with Fitness on the Go!

Is one of your goals for the New Year to be more active? It's a valiant resolution, but it can be difficult to find the time, gym space (the gym is packed post-holidays!) and motivation. Your friendly university library has the solution.

University of Alberta Libraries lends out physical activity kits, containing a jump rope, resistance band, a pedometer, sliders and info cards with some sample exercises you can try. To encourage more people to try the physical activity kits, we are partnering with Campus Recreation and the Healthy Campus unit to offer Fitness on the Go: free one-hour sessions, where Campus Rec instructors will show you how to use the equipment included in the kit to get an amazing workout. It's a great opportunity to jump start a year of better health.

Movies, music and more! - Streaming resources

As we prepare for some well needed vacation time and a break from a hectic session, it might be a good time to have a look at our online resources for music, movies, documentaries and much much more! We have a plethora of options for all genres and in many different languages.

Light Therapy at the Library!

Light therapy at the library

Did you know you can borrow a light therapy lamp at the library?  University of Alberta Libraries is proud to have portable lamps available for students, faculty and staff. The loan period is for one hour, but you only need 20 minutes to feel the benefits!  

Light therapy is an effective way to combat S.A.D. or Seasonal Affective Disorder, helping you get through the dark winter months. Even if you are lucky enough not to suffer from S.A.D., using a  light therapy lamp can boost your mood and help you sleep better. Unlike tanning beds, whose ultraviolet rays have cancer-causing agents, therapy lamps are a safe technology with minimal risks. To reap the greatest benefits, it is recommended to use these lamps in the morning.

Where can you borrow one?  Rutherford, Cameron, Coutts, Winspear and Weir Libraries all have lamps, as do Bibliothèque Saint-Jean and Augustana Library.  All you need to do is go to the service desk, ask to borrow a light therapy lamp, and check it out with your OneCard! Then, plug it in.  That's it!

Come and sign out one today.  The more often you use it, the more it can help relieve stress and up your happiness quotient.  Who wouldn’t enjoy that?!

Light Therapy Lamps on Campus

Mayo Clinic. (2018, December 3). Light Therapy. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/light-therapy/about/pac-20384604

Stuff a stocking for YESS

It’s the giving season, and University of Alberta Libraries is encouraging everyone to support young people in need. Between December 3 and 18, you have the opportunity to fill the socks adorning the holiday trees at the H.T. Coutts Library and Bibliothèque Saint-Jean with items for Youth Empowerment & Support Services (YESS).

What can you trim the trees with? Here is a list of some of the most sought after items:

• New wool socks 
• New underwear, men’s &; women’s, all sizes 
• Winter jackets 
• Waterproof, quality winter gloves/mitts 
• Toques 
• Hand/foot warmers 
• Winter boots and warm shoes, all sizes (but especially larger sizes, women’s 7-10, men’s 9-12) 
• Belts 
• Men’s & women’s deodorant 
• Shampoo and conditioner for black youth (Cantu or Revlon recommended) 
• Hand/body lotion 

Visit YESS’ website for a complete list of items in need and for more information on how you can support them this holiday season.

Art Installations at Coutts Library

We are pleased to present an art installation prepared by the secondary education art students (EDSE 312/313) under the guidance of their instructor: Ron Wigglesworth. The students' ingenuity and creativity were challenged in these projects and the mixed media results are thought provoking.

Sleep aid tools - Now available at the Scott Library

A good night’s sleep is an important contributor to academic success, as well as our overall well-being. Yet, we’re often the architects of our own destruction: staying up an extra hour or four to get work done, texting or using other devices before bed or not maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. Breaking those habits is easier said than done, but thanks to a generous donation from the folks behind the Dream Big, Sleep Tight initiative, the John W. Scott Health Sciences Library has some new equipment available to help you get a good night’s sleep and give yourself a boost during energy lulls.

The Scott Library is lending out Blue Light Blocking Glasses and BLU Light Energy Lamps. Blue light, which is emitted by the sun and our digital devices, suppresses the sleep-promoting neurons in the brain and the body’s production of melatonin, the hormone that initiates drowsiness. When we use our digital devices within a couple hours of going to bed, these physiological processes are hindered and it becomes more difficult to fall asleep. By wearing blue light blocking glasses, you can use your devices within two to three hours of bed without sabotaging your sleep.

The energy lights work the opposite way. If you have difficulty staying conscious in the morning or get groggy at midday, just 20-30 minutes with one of these lamps can help shake off the cobwebs and put you in an alert mindset. These lamps can also be used as a quick pick-me up if you’re feeling some of the effects of seasonal affective disorder (if this aspect appeals to you, we also lend out Light Therapy Lamps from a number of our campus libraries).

Visit the service desk at the John W. Scott Health Sciences Library to borrow one of these phenomenal sleep tools. Both the lights and glasses can be borrowed for up-to three weeks at a time.

Learning from First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples

As Canadians work towards Truth and Reconciliation, it is important that we listen to the voices of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. University of Alberta Libraries provides useful tools to foster understanding and build knowledge about Indigenous life with learning resources like the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Playlist.

Videos in the playlist focus on the history and effects of colonization of Canada by the Europeans, including how land treaties impacted the relationships between Indigenous peoples and settlers, the legacy of the residential schools established by settlers to educate Indigenous children, and violence against women leading to many missing and murdered Indigenous women.

New additions to the playlist include the eight part Canadian docu-drama series 1491: The Untold Story of the Americas Before Columbus, based on Charles C. Mann's best-selling book.

Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover Returns!

UAlberta Libraries' 3rd Annual Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover starts October 29! 

Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover is an annual event that aims to shed light on underrepresented groups. As a twist on regular book displays, books are wrapped in brown paper and teaser keywords are written on the front. This wrapping both symbolizes the marginalization of the featured group and adds a mystery element when selecting a book to read. 

You may remember last winter's event celebrating LGBTQ2S+. This year we have chosen Indigenous Authors as our theme and we will be featuring 400 books on display at 8 libraries!


Stop in at one of our participating libraries: Rutherford, Coutts, Winspear, Cameron, Scott, Weir, Bibliothèque Saint-Jean and Augustana; October 29 - November 9 and pick up something new to read.


We value your feedback! Fill in our Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover survey and be entered to win 1 of 3 books featured in this year’s displays. Official rules below.



_________________________________________________________________________


PRIVACY: The personal information requested pursuant to these Official Rules is collected, used and disclosed under the authority of the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“FOIPP”) and will be protected in accordance with Part 2 of that Act. It will be collected, used and disclosed for the purpose of administration of the Contest.   All personal information collected for the purposes of administration of the Contest will be retained for two (2) years from the closing of the Contest.  Direct any questions about this collection, use or disclosure to: Amy Southgate at southgat@ualberta.ca

Wellness Initiatives at the U of A Libraries

LEAB Award for Tinctor's Foul Treatise Online Exhibit

University of Alberta’s Bruce Peel Special Collections Library has won a LEAB award from the American Library Association for “Tinctor’s Foul Treatise,” an online exhibition curated by Andrew Colin Gow, professor of history and director of religious studies; Robert B. Desjardins, independent scholar and graduate writing advisor; and François V. Pageau, doctoral candidate in medieval history, at the University of Alberta.

The web developer for the project was Natasha Nunn and project manager was librarian, Linda Quirk.

Are You Stressed about Writing Research Papers?

The University of Alberta Libraries has resources to support your writing. A few examples are:

Open Access Week 2018

Every year, universities, colleges, research institutes, and libraries around the world host events celebrating Open Access Week, an opportunity to explore and promote open access in its many different forms. This year's Open Access Week runs from October 23 - 29. The theme, "Designing Equitable Foundations for Open Knowledge" is an opportunity to learn about the potential benefits of open access.



Here are a few local events you can attend! Find many more on the global 2018 OA Week Calendar, or follow #openaccessweek2018 on Twitter.

Spotlight on Open Educational Resources

Spotlight on Open Educational Resources 

SIHA Standing Desk Launch

To sit, or to stand… now you have the choice at all university libraries. Thanks to a partnership between  SIHA (Students Invested in Health Association) and University of Alberta Libraries (UAL), each library is now home to a height-adjustable desk enabling students of all sizes and abilities to work in comfort.

SIHA and University of Alberta Libraries is celebrating the launch of this exciting initiative with a party at the John W. Scott Health Sciences Library at noon on Wednesday, September 26. We invite one and all to come out to see the desks, enjoy some light refreshments and learn more about some of the other exciting initiatives SIHA is working on.

 OR 

Locations of SIHA Standing Desks

Research Computing Bootcamp - Sept 24-28

Join in Research Computing Fall Bootcamp events beginning September 24!



Patrick Mann, Director of Operations at WestGrid, kicks off a week full of research computing activities with valuable tips for writing a research allocation proposal. Mann’s areas of focus include cloud computing, virtualization, networking, systems architecture, system administration, and collaboration.

Additional events will run through September 28 and include a marketplace, one-on-one consultations, workshops on Shell, Regex, OpenRefine, and more!

Sign-up for Fall Bootcamp events running September 24 - 28 here: https://ist.ualberta.ca/blog/events/get-ready-research-computing-fall-bootcamp

Fall Bootcamp provides the opportunity to connect with colleagues and research computing experts to share knowledge and best practices. Research Computing Fall Bootcamp is held in collaboration with University of Alberta Libraries and Information Services & Technology (IST).

Coutts Library Welcome Back Draw

1. PRIZE DRAWS: The Welcome to H.T. Coutts Library Contest (the “Draw”) is conducted by The Governors of the University ofAlberta (the “University”) and is sponsored and administered on behalf of the University by the H.T. Coutts Library (the “H.T.Coutts”). The Draw is open to current University Faculty of Education students in accordance with the eligibility criteria as set out in these Official Rules.

2. ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for the Draw (an “Eligible Entrant”) you must be:
a. Eighteen (18) years of age or older;
b. A current University Faculty of Education student. A current University Faculty of Education student must be in good standing with the University. A “student in good standing” at the University is as set out in the University calendar to mean a student who has first class standing, satisfactory standing or marginal standing, provided if a student has marginal standing such student cannot be on probation or the subject of an academic warning. You are not eligible for the Draw if you are a resident of Quebec. Also, you are not eligible if you are an employee of the University, including a member of the immediate family (defined as mother, father, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters and husband or wife, regardless of where they reside) or household of any of the above persons, their respective affiliates, agents, licensors, associates or representatives. All decisions regarding eligibility to enter this Draw and the Entry Ballots will be determined by the University in its sole discretion and H.T. Coutts reserves the right to consider all Entry Submissions. This Draw is void where
prohibited by law.

3. NUMBER, APPROXIMATE VALUE OF PRIZES AND CHANCES OF WINNING: There are five (5) prizes (“Prize";collectively “the Prizes”) available to be won in the Draw. The Prizes are described in paragraph 9 below. The chances of winning a Prize will depend on the number of Eligible Entrants received in accordance with these Official Rules by the Draw Closing Time as provided for in paragraph 4 below.

4. DRAW SCHEDULE: The Draw commences on Monday, September 17, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. (Edmonton Time) and closes on Friday, September 28, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. (Edmonton Time) (the “Entry Period”). Entry Ballots must be received by the H.T. Coutts before the Draw Closing Time, which is Friday, September 28, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. (Edmonton Time) (the “Draw Closing Time”) to be eligible to win a Prize.

5. HOW TO ENTER: No purchase is necessary to enter the Draw. To enter, the following rules apply:
a. Eligible Entrants must complete an Entry Ballot provided at the H.T. Coutts Library Service Desk. To enter the Draw, all Eligible Entrants must fully and legibly complete an Entry Ballot providing their name and email address and submit it to the drop box located at the H.T. Coutts (the “Entry Ballot”) for receipt by the University before the Draw Closing Time. There is a limit of one Entry Ballot per person. Illegible, incomplete required information as set forth on the Entry Ballot, late or
garbled Entry Ballots will be disqualified.

6. DRAW DETAILS: The Draw will take place on Friday, September 28, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. (Edmonton Time) at the H.T. Coutts Library. The Eligible Entrants whose Entry Ballot is drawn at random (the “Selected Entrants”) and who has complied with these Official Rules will be the winners of the Prizes. If necessary, should a Prize be unclaimed, or should a Selected Entrant be unwilling, unable or ineligible to win a Prize as set out in these Official Rules, the Prize will be forfeited and the University shall have the right to draw, as replacement only, an additional Entry Ballot. All determinations of the Selected Entrants and the Winners by the University are final and binding. No communication with Eligible Entrants will be entered into except with the Selected Entrants. All matters related to the Draw and the verification of the eligibility of the Selected Entrants shall be conducted by the University, or by persons designated by the University in its sole and absolute discretion. All decisions made by the University in this regard are final and binding and cannot be challenged.

7. NOTIFICATION: The University will contact the Selected Entrants via email at the time of the Draw. Selected Entrants will be notified by 3:00 p.m. (Edmonton Time) on Friday, September 28, 2018, at which time they will be asked the skill testing question before they are declared a winner (a “Winner”). If the Selected Entrant does not respond or complete the skill testing question by
4:00 p.m. (Edmonton Time) on Friday, September 28, 2018, as provided for herein, the Prize will be forfeited and the University will draw, as a replacement only, an additional Entry Ballot.

8. DECLARATION OF WINNER: The Selected Entrants will not be declared the Winners unless and until:
a. The University has determined that such entrant is an Eligible Entrant pursuant to these Official Rules; and
b. The Selected Entrant correctly answers a time limited skill testing question as provided for in these Official Rules.

Once this verification takes place the Selected Entrants will be declared the Winners. The Prizes set forth in paragraph 9 are to be
picked up by the Winners at the H.T. Coutts.

9. PRIZES: There are five (5) Prizes in the Draw, consisting of: three (3) puppets, each valued at approximately $36.00 (CDN); and two (2) books, each valued at approximately $26.00 (CDN). The total value of all Prizes is approximately $110.00 (CDN). Prizes will be awarded randomly at the discretion of H.T. Coutts.

10. SKILL TESTING QUESTION: To win a Prize, the Selected Entrants must correctly answer unaided, the mathematical, time-limited, skill-testing question as follows: 60 multiplied by 4 divided by 6 minus 15 =_____ prior to being declared a Winner.

11. DRAW MODIFICATION OR CANCELLATION: The University reserves the right, without prior notice and at any time, to terminate a Draw, in whole or in part, or modify, suspend or extend the Draw in any way, if it determines, in its sole discretion, that a Draw is impaired or corrupted or that fraud or technical problems, failures or malfunctions (including without limitation,computer viruses, glitches or printing or production errors) have destroyed or severely undermined the proper conduct, integrity,and/or feasibility of a Draw. In the event the University is prevented from continuing with a Draw as contemplated herein by any event beyond its control, including but not limited to fire, flood, natural or man made epidemic or health or other means,earthquake, explosion, labour dispute or strike, act of God or public enemy, riot or civil disturbance, terrorist threat or activity,war or any federal, provincial or local government law, order, or regulation, public health crisis, the order of any court or jurisdiction, or by any other cause not reasonably within the University’s control (each a “Force Majeure” event), then subject to any governmental approval which may be required, the University shall have the right to modify, suspend, extend or terminate a Draw.

12. PARTICIPATION: Participation in this Draw constitutes an agreement by each participant to comply with these Official Rules.

13. DISQUALIFICATION: It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure that he/she has complied in full with all of the conditions and requirements contained in these Official Rules. If any potential winner is found to be ineligible, or if he or she has not complied with these Official Rules or declines a Prize, whatever the case may be, for any reason prior to award, such potential
winner will be disqualified and, in the University’s sole discretion, an alternate winner may be selected. No mechanically reproduced, illegible, incomplete, forged, software generated or other automated multiple entries will be accepted. The University reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who is found to be tampering or attempting to
tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Draw; or violating the terms of use and or general rules or guidelines of the University or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules; or to be acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with the intent to disrupt or undermine the legitimate operation of this Draw, or to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person. The University reserves the right to seek damages and other remedies from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law.

ATTENTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE OR TO UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE DRAW MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, THE UNIVERSITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK REMEDIES AND DAMAGES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

14. RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION: By entering the Draw, each participant: (a) releases and agrees to hold the University, its respective directors, officers, employees and agents harmless from and against any and all costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind, including, without limitation, bodily injury and property damage, or any other damage or loss, due in whole or in part,
directly or indirectly, to participation in this Draw, any Draw related activity, or from acceptance, possession, use or misuse of the Prize or participation in any Prize related activity; and (b) agrees to fully indemnify the University and its respective directors, officers, employees and agents from any and all claims on the part of any third party or parties related in any way and for any reason to the Draw or to the Prize, including, without limitation, death, and personal or property damage or injury.

15. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: The University assumes no responsibility or liability for incorrect, damaged, illegible, incomplete, mutilated, spoiled, destroyed, stolen, misplaced, lost, late, misdirected or incomplete Entry Ballots, which may be judged void, any notifications, responses, replies, or for any computer, telephone, hardware, software or technical malfunctions that may occur. The University assumes no responsibility for any theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, Entry Ballots. The University is not responsible for any injury or damage to participants in the Draw.

16. PUBLICITY RELEASE: By entering the Draw, each participant who submits an Entry Ballot, hereby agrees and grants to the University, without further compensation, the unrestricted rights, but not the obligation, to use the entirety of the Entry Ballot, as set out in these official rules and otherwise, and to use his/her name, picture, portrait, likeness, voice, along with his/her address
(City and Province) and any statements made by or attributed to such Eligible Entrants, or other individuals associated with an

Entry Ballot, in any and all media, now known or hereafter devised, without notice, review or approval, in perpetuity and throughout the universe, for educational, advertising and promotional purposes in connection with the Draw, and any other promotions and programs, without further notice or compensation and hereby releases the University from any liability with respect thereto.

17. OFFICIAL RULES AND LAWS: These are the Official Rules (the “Official Rules”). This Draw is governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Province of Alberta and federal laws of Canada applicable therein and the parties hereby attorn to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Alberta. These Official Rules are subject to change without notice
in order to comply with any applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws or the policy of any other entity having jurisdiction over University. These Official Rules, as amended from time to time, will be posted at the ballot boxes on the University campus.

18. CONSTRUCTION: The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, these Official Rules shall otherwise remain in effect and be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or
illegal provision were not contained in these Official Rules. Headings and captions are used in these Official Rules solely for ease of reference, and shall not be deemed to affect in any manner the meaning or intent of these Official Rules or any provision hereof. These Official Rules cannot be modified or amended in any way except in writing by a duly authorized representative of
the University. Employees of the University are not authorized to modify, amend or waive these Official Rules.

19. PRIVACY: The H.T Coutts, collects information on behalf of the University and its Faculty, under the authority of Section 33(c) of the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“FOIPP”), for the purposes of administering alumni relations and development programs for the University. Any information submitted by an individual to the H.T. Coutts pursuant to the Draw and otherwise, including through an associated website or via email, may be used to update that individual’s record. Information gathered for the above purposes will be protected and used in compliance with FOIPP. Individuals who submit information to the H.T. Coutts in participation in these Draw acknowledge the above collection of their personal information for these purposes. Direct any questions about this collection, use or disclosure to: Mireille Smith at 780-492-1401 ormireille.smith@ualberta.ca.