Friends of Kelley

Hi, Everyone!

One of the projects I'm most excited about this semester is starting a Student Advisory Group for University Library.  I'd like to invite Kelley undergraduate and graduate students to join.  It's not much of a time commitment -- 3 meetings this year -- and would really help out the library while enhancing your resume.

Our first meeting is Friday, November 6, from 3:00-4:00 in UL 2115J (2nd floor, go into the Philanthropic Studies Library and take a left).  We'll be generating ideas for better promoting the library's extended hours during finals week,& passing around a couple of iTouches to take a look at/get feedback about the University Library's mobile website.

I hope you'll join me!  Please let me know if you have any questions or need more information!

Jessica

Greetings from the library!  I hope everyone had a wonderful summer and that the semester is off to a good start!  My summer was busy and short, it seems... I got to spend some quality time with family, and as much time as possible hanging out outdoors.

There are a couple new things here at the library to tell you about this year.  The first is our International Newsroom, which is now open in the Reference Area of the library (2nd floor, turn left once you're in the reference room).  The newsroom features access to live newsfeeds from international networks such as Al Jazeera, TV9 Telegu, CCTV3 China, WOW-TV Korea, EuroNews and CNN ESPAÑOL on flat-screen monitors.  Come check it out!

Also new this year is our Text A Librarian service.  Hopefully you're all familiar with our chat service... now there's a way to get library help from your cellphone.  Here's how it works.

As the title of this blog indicates, I also want to let you know/remind you of the great group study areas available in the library.  We have over 30 individual and group study rooms available on the 3rd and 4th floors, and several of the 4th floor rooms can be reserved in advance.  We also have rooms designed for practicing presentations (Group Presentation Rehearsal Rooms) and Video Production Multimedia Rooms.  Follow this link for more information on all of our group study room options.

As always, let me know if you need library help!

Jessica (jtrinosk@iupui.edu)

At the end of February, I attended a program here at University Library called "Beyond Stereotypes:  Changing Perceptions through Conversation."  The program consisted of a room full of small groups, each engaging in conversations about stereotypes and perceptions.  The group that I was with shared stories and opinions on topics ranging from the perception of opera singers to the experience of moving from military to civilian life.  We also touched on issues of race, religion, and sexuality.  It was great to see people open up about their own experiences and perceptions in a comfortable environment. 

The "Beyond Stereotypes" program was planned and hosted by two undergraduate students, the 2008-2009 IUPUI University Library Diversity Fellows.  The Diversity Fellowship exists to increase diversity and promote multicultural awareness, which our current fellows, Alise and Sindu, have done through activities such as the above program and a series of displays.  You can read more about Alise and Sindu's fellowship work and experiences here.

And now for the opportunity mentioned in the title of this blog entry:  We're looking for Diversity Fellows for the 2009-2010 school year.  Even if you don't envision your future career in a library, this is a great opportunity to learn and practice skills, such as research, marketing, and communication, that will strengthen your education and resume.  It's also an opportunity to demonstrate to future employers that you value diversity.  Plus, it's a paid position and I can personally recommend University Library as a great place to work.  Applications are due April 10, 2009, by 5:00PM, and are available here.

Jessica

I hope that you all had a wonderful fall semester, and that you've have had some time to recover from finals.  (And welcome to students who are just getting started!)  

I'll be working on some new projects this spring.  One of my first projects is rewriting the business research guides (http://www.ulib.iupui.edu/subjectareas/business), to make them easier to navigate and geared more toward students who may be using the library off-campus.  So keep an eye out for a new look over the coming months!  

As always, please let me know if you have any questions about using the library, whether you're having trouble finding a piece of information, you need help using a database, or you're just not sure where to start on your research project.  I enjoy meeting business students and I'll be happy to work with you!

Finding reliable information can be tricky, and the saying "don't believe everything you read" is truer now than ever.  As a librarian, I teach the importance of using reliable sources, verifying information, and reading with a critical eye.

Check out the November 13th New York Times article "A Senior Fellow at the Institute of Nonexistence" by Richard Perez-Pena (accessible at www.nytimes.com or through LexisNexis Academic).  To summarize:  a made-up character, as part of a hoax website and a fake think tank, took credit for a statement leaked to the media.  The hoax character was then cited by several media outlets, who apparently were so eager for news that they didn't verify their source (or, apparently, listen to their librarian!).

Anyone can be misled, but a mistake like the one above can cost an organization, whether a media outlet or another business, the trust of the public.  So keep thinking while you read, and take advantage of the reliable information sources that the library places at your fingertips!