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.

Join the Library User Experience Test Group

Seeking feedback from our users and running user testing exercises are important elements of the Libraries' process when it comes to developing and refining our many services.

To help us with this work we are gathering a group of potential volunteers that we may call upon when we need feedback. We're looking for volunteers from across the entire University community.

Please fill in the form below and we'll be in touch with you when we have a project for which we need your feedback.

If we call on you for either feedback or user testing that requires any significant investment of your time we will compensate you for your time with a gift certificate.

Win Edmonton Expo Passes during SciLit Week

Enter to win a 2 guest pass to the Edmonton Expo

We are giving away a double guest, full weekend pass to the Edmonton Expo. All you have to do is come to the Cameron Library service desk and fill out a ballot.

You only have 3 days to enter!

Contest opens on Monday Sept. 17, 2018 at 9AM.

Springer Materials On Campus Training Sessions

Thursday, September 27, CAB 341
9:30 am to 10:30 am
12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Springer Materials is a new resource available from the University of Alberta Libraries providing curated data and advanced functionalities to support research in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, and other related fields. Features include:

• A comprehensive databbase covering multiple material classes, property types, and applications
• Enhanced data visualization features display interactive crystal structures, data tables, and phase diagrams with export options for further analysis
• Search functions optimized for materials science like elemental composition or chemical structure searching to quickly find material property data
• A trusted and curated resource with thousands of materials science experts ensuring high  data quality

Join the Student Library Advisory Committee

Make your voice heard in the Libraries and make a difference on campus! U of A Libraries is recruiting new members for this year's Student Library Advisory Committee (SLAC).

The committee meets once a month throughout the school year. All undergraduate, graduate, and international students at U of A are eligible to apply.

SLAC members work with librarians to find new ways to improve library services, and help get the word out about library initiatives. Along the way, they get a behind-the-scenes look at one of Canada's largest academic libraries and meet other students from across campus.

In the past few years, SLAC has helped the Libraries make key decisions relating to:

• the Course Textbook Initiative
• a technology lending program
• website usability
• furniture procurement
• communication plans

For more information and to submit an application, visit http://library.ualberta.ca/slac/

The deadline for applications is September 27th.

Questions? Contact one of the SLAC co-chairs:

Angie Mandeville (Public Services Manager, Cameron SciTech Library & Winspear Business Library) | afm1@ualberta.ca

John Huck (Metadata Librarian) | john.huck@ualberta.ca

Dogs in the Library is back in session!

It’s easy to let the stress of university life get you down. You’re exhausted from an all-night study binge... that big research paper is due next week... and you have to spend all weekend working on that group project… You know what might help? A canine pick-me-up.

University of Alberta Libraries will once again be offering dog therapy sessions with the feel good experts from CAAWLS (Chimo Animal Assisted Wellness and Learning Society) throughout the fall and winter terms. Pet therapy is a fun way to decrease feelings of loneliness and anxiety. The dogs of CAAWLS are wonderful listeners, love meeting new people and are happy to indulge in a cuddle.

Here’s when and where you can visit with the dogs this fall:

* September 20th: John W. Scott Library, 12:00pm
* September 27th: Herbert T. Coutts Library, 12:30pm
* October 10th: Cameron Library, 2pm
* October 16th: Herbert T. Coutts Library, 12:00pm
* October 16th: Rutherford Library, 2:00pm
* October 18th: John W. Scott Library, 12:00pm
* October 25th: Cameron Library, 2:00pm
* November 8th: Cameron Library, 2:00pm
* November 20th: John W. Scott Library, 12:00pm
* November 21st: Rutherford Library, 2:00pm
* November 29th: Cameron Library, 2:00pm
* December 6th: Rutherford Library, 2:00pm
* December 10th: J.A. Weir Library, 12:15pm
* December 13th: John W. Scott Library, 12:00pm
* December 17th: Rutherford Library, 2:00pm

Science Literacy Week 2018 - It’s gonna be a blast!

From September 17 - 21, the libraries are celebrating Science Literacy Week across the University of Alberta campus. The University of Alberta Libraries has partnered with Science Literacy Week, Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science and Technology (WISEST), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to bring a week full of science and space to the UAlberta community. 

eClass Library Resources Block - Your research “to go” window

The next time you log into one of your eClass courses, have a look in the top right hand corner. The UofA Libraries Resources Block is your research “to go” window in eClass.

Use the block to find resources for your assignment, log in to your account, book a group study room or to get help from library staff.

Check it out and feel free to give us your feedback!