UC Libraries is excited to share that Alex Herbers has joined our staff as the Web & User Experience Specialist. This role will support and advance UCL’s mission by ensuring website and digital resources are discoverable, accessible and aligned with the needs of the UC community.
Alex is an experienced UX developer and designer. He joins us from Kent State University, where he also earned a BFA in Visual Communication Design. After working in private industry for several years, he joined Kent State in 2019. Most recently, he worked in University Communications & Marketing, serving as a lead UX Developer / Designer for the university’s digital presence. Welcome, Alex!
The University of Cincinnati Libraries transitioned to a new library services platform (LSP) beginning today, June 25. Included in the LSP upgrade is OneSearch, a new user discovery interface that students, faculty, researchers and other library patrons will use to find (and access) resources in the Libraries’ collections.
Note: OneSearch is under development. The preview shown here are subject to change.
This LSP upgrade is in collaboration with the OhioLINK statewide academic library consortium. This cloud-based, enterprise system software is the backbone of day-to-day library operations (acquisitions, cataloging, circulation/fulfillment, etc.). The new system will provide user benefits to help students, faculty and other library users find and access library resources. Its user-friendly interactions will be more user intuitive.
Although we are working to minimize any disruption to services, the cut over to the new system will impact links to library collections, acquisitions and summer borrowing of print materials among other OhioLINK institutions. If you have any questions, please contact a subject librarian.
The LSP upgrade was a library-wide effort led by a Migration Team. For more information, the Libraries has created a LSP FAQ, or contact a subject librarian.
Last November, the University of Cincinnati Libraries announced the award of an Archives Grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission to the Libraries’ Archives and Rare Books Library (ARB). This grant supports the archival processing of records related to the lawsuit Bronson v. Board of Education of the City School District of the City of Cincinnati maintained by the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and donated to the University of Cincinnati in the 1980s.
Archival records from organizations may contain an array of documents and an incredible amount of those documents, such as correspondence, meeting minutes and case files. When this occurs, archivists may arrange the material into series and subseries in order to assist researchers in accessing the collection. The NAACP Bronson v. Board records is an example of this practice. Due to the extensive material within the collection, it is vital to note the different types of documents and what they mean in the context of the case. This includes files created and kept by the school districts and documents that originated in the court. For both document types, ARB has consulted with the Office of General Counsel to determine if any records need to be restricted or redacted.
All University of Cincinnati Libraries will be closed on Thursday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. Regular library hours for all locations will resume Friday, June 20.
Since the Fall 2024 semester start, Marcotte Library has been making changes to its spaces based on student feedback. This year, the library has completed the following projects:
Installed new lighting on the 2nd floor
Added sound panels to soften sounds between study rooms on the 2nd floor
Replaced chairs in the study rooms on the 2nd floor to be more comfortable
Added videoconferencing options and room bookings for the 1st floor collaboration rooms
Relocated the Learning Commons from the 2nf floor Quiet Study to the 1st floor
Painted the stairwell door to the 2nd floor to help it stand out
Refreshed student artwork displays on the 1st floor
Added moveable laptop desks throughout the library
Upgraded a PC station on the 1st floor to support CAD software
There will be more exciting updates to come in the next year too! Be sure to stop in to enjoy these new features.
Summer is here and that means the Undergraduate Research Summer Learning Community (URSLC)has begun. The kick-off session, held June 4th on the 4th Floor of Langsam brought together students from 55 different research areas for networking and community. The students discussed their research interests and upcoming opportunities over wonderful food featuring egg bake, potatoes, and homemade pastries provided by local business and award winning Pierre Entities Catering.
After an overview of the program, Graduate Students and Presidential Fellows Adair McWilliams (Epidemiology), Damilola Odula (Philosophy), and Henry Levesque (Regional and Urban Planning) provided insight into their early days of research and how they thrive in the research environment. Research results in new knowledge, innovations and improved lives and requires a love of exploring the unknown, perseverance, passion, and embracing both failure and success. The graduate students encouraged the audience to dive into the passion, make time for processing information, and especially to make sure they also take care of themselves through the research experience.
The community meets Wednesdays in June and July from 9:30 to 11 am both in-person and via zoom. The upcoming sessions will cover mentorship, data management, ethics, ownership, presentations and research methods. If you are interested to participate, you can still register. More information can be found on the UC Libraries website.
The URSLC is sponsored by UC Libraries and in collaboration with the TRIO McNair Scholars, University Honors Discover program, NSF Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation, and CCPS Undergraduate Research Program. The program is free and open to any undergraduate interested in research.
The Library Services Platform (LSP) upgrade currently underway will include OneSearch, a new user discovery interface that students, faculty, researchers and other library patrons will use to find (and access) resources in the Libraries’ collections.
Note: OneSearch is under development. The previews shown here are subject to change.
The new user discovery interface will streamline search functions and access to local library resources and scholarly research. OneSearch will offer new and improved features and benefits including:
Faster searching – search electronic and print resources in one search,
Enhanced discovery – explore automatic recommendations, citation trails, availability in multiple formats and track requests, including finding resources across the OhioLINK network,
Personalized features – save preferences, searches, citations and export to citation management systems,
More intuitive user experience, and
Mobile friendly – a responsive user interface designed specifically for mobile devices.
OneSearch will debut June 25 with the LSP go live. For more information, the Libraries has created a LSP FAQ, or contact your subject librarian.
Important note on links:
Existing links to library resources in course syllabi, reading lists and Canvas pages will require updating to new links in the OneSearch discovery tool. The Libraries will develop materials to assist faculty teaching in the fall with any required adjustment to course links. Those teaching summer courses should note that any existing links may experience disruption. Contact your subject librarian with any questions or for assistance.
Last November, the University of Cincinnati Libraries announced the award of an Archives Grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission to the Libraries’ Archives and Rare Books Library (ARB). This grant supports the archival processing of records related to the lawsuit Bronson v. Board of Education of the City School District of the City of Cincinnati maintained by the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and donated to the University of Cincinnati in the 1980s.
Map of Hamilton County School Districts provided by Metropolitan Association Religious Coalition of Cincinnati, undated
All University of Cincinnati Libraries locations will be closed Sunday, May 25 and Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. Regular library hours for all locations will resume Tuesday, May 27.
We are delighted to announce that Patrick Bois joined the University of Cincinnati Libraries on May 12 in the role of Langsam Library evening and weekend supervisor. Patrick will be working Sundays – Thursdays, providing critical staff coverage for Langsam’s seven-day-a-week schedule during the academic year.
Patrick is a UC alumnus in history and is currently working on his MLIS at Kent State, with a concentration in archival studies. Before coming to UC, he worked in the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Libraries since 2021, and this experience will be a great asset in his new role. He is excited to work in an academic library that he experienced as a student.
