Author Archives: Melissa Cox Norris

Classics Library: Student Assistant Positions Available — Apply Now!

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The John Miller Burnam Classics Library is looking to hire energetic, hard-working, and responsible student assistants.

The UC Classics Library is the premier classics library in the country thanks to its world-class collections and it is a destination library for national and international students and scholars.

We are seeking highly motivated student workers for fall semester openings. We offer employment of c. 10-15 hours a week. Unlike most jobs, we work around your class and exam schedules when planning the work schedule for each semester. Thanks to the variety of responsibilities and the excellence of the collections, working in the Classics Library can improve your research and library skills which are important for academic success as well as add to your CV and list of references.

In addition to being a valued member of an international and vibrant scholarly community and a distinguished library, you will be trained in varied and detail-oriented tasks ranging from staffing the circulation desk to shelving books, searching book lists against the library’s catalog, scanning documents, checking for broken web links, dusting shelves, and anything and everything a large and modern academic research library requires. We guarantee that you will not be bored, but because of our library’s important responsibilities and your limited work hours, you will be required to focus on the many tasks of the job rather than on personal social media or homework.

Because of the highly specialized nature of the Classics Library, we prioritize students with a background in Classical Studies and the Humanities in addition to students with western foreign language training, especially in German, French, Italian, Spanish, Greek in addition to in ancient Greek and Latin. Also, because of a limited budget, we prioritize students on a federal Work/Study grant although we do hire non-work/study students as well.

If this sounds like a good fit for you, please contact us to learn more and to set up an interview at your earliest convenience. Please submit your CV and application form (copy and paste the form into word) to:

Rebecka Lindau, head, rebecka.lindau@uc.edu

The library is located on the 1st floor of the Blegen Library building.

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Read Source, the online newsletter, to learn about the news, events, people and happenings in UC Libraries.

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source

Read Source, the online newsletter, to learn about the news, events, people and happenings in UC Libraries.

In this issue of Source, Liz Kiscaden, dean and university librarian, writes about Building our Foundation. A photo montage of highlights from 2023/2024 celebrates the past academic year. A booklet housed in the Archives and Rare Books Library recounts “details of scandalous Hix-Snook Murder Trial.” The intricate dynamics of data in today’s digital age, with a special focus on research data produced in the academy, were explored in a spring semester course taught by librarians Amy Koshoffer and Mark Chalmers. A collection from the Winkler Center about the 25th General Hospital is featured, along with a shout out to Health Sciences Library namesake, Donald C. Harrison, who made a recent visit to the library. A library spotlight informs readers on the Geology-Mathematics-Physics Library.

Read these articles, as well as past issues, on the website. To receive Source via e-mail, contact melissa.norris@uc.edu to be added to the mailing list

UC Libraries closed Wednesday, June 19th in observance of the Juneteenth holiday

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All University of Cincinnati Libraries locations will be closed Wednesday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Regular library hours for all locations will resume Thursday, June 20.

juneteenth

In observance of the holiday, learn about “Not Racist” vs. “Anti-Racist” Ideologies as part of week three of R.E.S.P.E.C.T.’s annual 21-Day Anti-Racism Challenge — a three-week long, self-guided learning exercise that focuses on different aspects of systemic racism, and how we can all fight against it. And join us Thursday, June 20th from 10:30AM-11:30PM for a Zoom discussion on the challenge, what was learned and how participants can take further action.  Join the meeting here, or through the link found on the LibGuide.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. (Racial Equity Support & Programming to Educate the Community Team) is a UC Libraries committee charged with developing external programming that explicitly addresses the negative role that systemic racism plays in our society. 

Check out two new exhibits on display in the DAAP Library

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On display in The Robert A. Deshon and Karl J. Schlachter Library for Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) are two exhibits showcasing different collections.

The Joy of Humanistic Design:
Drawings and Objects by Michael Graves
(circulation desk case)

This July, American architect Michael Graves would have turned 90 years old. He was an educator, a prominent figure who contributed to American postmodernist architecture, and an alumnus from the College of Applied Arts at the University of Cincinnati. To celebrate his legacy, DAAP Library is proud to showcase some of the items from its collection that are designed by Graves. With this exhibit, the DAAP library aims to show that good design is a necessary aspect of the user experience and makes the design process democratic in nature. Thinking about design through this lens led Graves to create thoughtful, appealing and affordable products for the masses. Read more about the exhibit on the DAAP Library web site.

A House for an Art Lover: Charles Mackintosh’s Vision of Scottish Vernacular with a Modern Spirit

This summer, DAAP Library is showcasing drawings by Scottish architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, which were part of a competition entry for a house for an artist. Produced within a deadline of only a few weeks, these drawings provide insight into the greatest contribution that Mackintosh made to the architecture discipline – the blending of structural and the ornamental elements of a building into a cohesive work of art. For more information, visit the DAAP Library web site.

UC Libraries Closed Memorial Day, May 27th

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All University of Cincinnati Libraries locations will be closed Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. Regular library hours for all locations will resume Tuesday, May 28. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

memorial day

Participate in RESPECT’s 21-Day Anti-Racism Challenge Against Systemic Racism beginning June 3rd

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U.C. Libraries announces R.E.S.P.E.C.T.’s annual 21-Day Anti-Racism Challenge — a three-week long, self-guided learning exercise that focuses on different aspects of systemic racism, and how we can all fight against it. All are welcome to join the challenge as they are able, as each week has multiple resources in various media formats.

This year’s challenge, which begins June 3rd, includes a focus on contemporary issues such as structural racism in health care, white privilege and “not-racist” vs. “anti-racist.” The 21-Day Anti-Racism Challenge includes a variety of resources to read, watch and listen to, along with suggested ways participants can take action in the hope to build a stronger, more diverse and inclusive University of Cincinnati community.

Overview

This year’s 21-Day Anti-Racism Challenge is available online via a LibGuide and is comprised of three weeks’ worth of learning resources, with a different topic assigned to each week.

  • Week 1 (June 3rd – June 7th): White Privilege as a Legacy of Racism
  • Week 2 (June 10 – June 14): Structural Racism in Physical and Mental Health Care
  • Week 3 (June 16 – 21): “Not Racist” vs. “Anti-Racist” Ideologies
Register to participate

Participants are encouraged to engage with each week’s learning resources as they are able. It is not required to read, watch or listen to all resources if time does not permit.

At the end of week three, Thursday, June 20 from 10:30a.m. – 11:30a.m., R.E.S.P.E.C.T. will host a Zoom meeting to discuss the challenge, what was learned and how participants can take further action.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. (Racial Equity Support & Programming to Educate the Community Team) is a UC Libraries committee charged with developing external programming that explicitly addresses the negative role that systemic racism plays in our society. 

The Archives and Rare Books Library welcomes two new librarians

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catherine cubera and jonathan kirkwood

The Archives and Rare Books (ARB) Library is happy to announce that Catherine Cubera began work at the University of Cincinnati Libraries on May 13, 2024, as beginning librarian and digital archivist. She is charged with developing and implementing digital workflows and policies, digitization of research materials within ARB and working with UC Libraries Content Services Department to support the discoverability and maintenance of digital collections and exhibitions.

Catherine holds a master’s degree in information science from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville (2023). She has worked as a library assistant at the University of North Georgia Library Technology Center, interned at The Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park in Buffalo, New York and was a Public Broadcasting Preservation Fellow at East Tennessee PBS, where she digitized and created metadata for audiovisual media.

Jonathan Kirkwood also joined UC Libraries on May 13, as associate librarian and records manager at the Archives and Rare Books Library. He is charged with managing the University’s records management program as well as appraising and processing collections and conducting reference services.

Jonathan holds a master’s degree in public history from Western Michigan University (2013) and another in library and information science from Wayne State University (2021). He has worked as an archivist, librarian and museum professional for 16 years. Lately, he comes from Sloan Museum of Discovery, in Flint, Michigan, where he served as archivist and curated the museum’s extensive automotive and local historical archival collections.

Welcome, Catherine and Jonathan!

Health Sciences Libraries exhibits celebrate the roles of physician assistants and neurology in health care.

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exhibit banner

On display on the main floor of the Donald C. Harrison Health Sciences Library (MSB G Level) is the traveling National Library of Medicine (NLM) exhibit “Physician Assistants: Collaboration and Care.” The exhibit describes how the profession developed as a solution to meet the social and health care needs of the mid-20th century and continues to evolve today.

According to the exhibit website: “Collaboration has been the foundation of the profession since the first three PAs graduated from Duke University in 1967. PAs practice medicine alongside doctors, nurses and other health care professionals, treating patients in diverse communities and addressing health care shortages.”

exhibit banner

In addition to the NLM banners, Lynn Warner, exhibit organizer and assistant librarian of research and health sciences, supplemented the exhibit with items loaned by the Henry R. Winkler Center for the History of the Health Professions board member Creighton Wright, MD, who studied under Eugene Stead, MD, the founder of the PA program. The other case highlights the profession’s roots in the military.

The exhibit will remain on display until June 15, 2024.

exhibit with military equipment

The UC Department of Neurology

On display in the Stanley J. Lucas, MD, Board Room in the Winkler Center, Looking Back at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Department of Neurology, showcases images and artifacts to highlight of some of the talented physicians and the work of UC’s Department of Neurology – both present and in the past.

charles aring
Charles Aring, MD, founder of UC’s Department of Neurology
robert lukin
Robert Lukin, MD, 1965 graduate of UC Medical School and leader in neuraradiology
fred samaha
Fred Samaha, MD, pediatric neurologist aaffiliated with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
john tew
John Tew, MD, leads UC Health Integrative Medicine and the UC Center for Integrative Health and Wellness
charles airing and john fulton
Charles Aring and John Fulton

The exhibit was produced in conjunction with the 2024 Cecil Striker Society Annual Lecture presented May 7th by Joseph Broderick, MD, professor and director of the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center, and Director of the National NIH StrokeNet. Dr. Broderick is a distinguished stroke expert and neurologist and a founding member of the UC Stroke team, as well as a full staff member at all UC Health hospitals. 

exhibit graphic

The exhibit was curated by Devhra BennettJones, archivist curator of the Winkler Center.

University of Cincinnati Libraries Seeks Two Associate Deans

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The University of Cincinnati Libraries is currently seeking two Associate Deans (AD) to join the senior leadership team and be a part of continuing the transformation of the research library at the university. As a member of the senior leadership team, the ADs work collaboratively to realize the UC Libraries vision and strategic directions.

Associate Dean for Collections

The Associate Dean for Collections champions the implementation of the UC Libraries strategic plan and takes responsibility for meeting goals pertaining to collection management, preservation and special collections. The AD has programmatic, strategic, budgetary, managerial and operational responsibilities for the following libraries and departments in the University of Cincinnati Libraries: Collections, Content Services, Preservation, the Archives & Rare Books Library, Classics Library and College-Conservatory of Music Library.

Essential Functions

  • Collaborates with the Dean and senior leaders to identify UC Libraries’ needs, establish priorities, and develop goals, objectives, actions and measures of success. 
  • Leads the overall strategy and direction for units associated with collections, including acquisitions, metadata, digital projects and digitization, e-resource management, physical collections management and preservation.  
  • Develops and implements policies, procedures and best practices surrounding collection development and content strategy, including acquisition, licensing, description, preservation and withdrawal. 
  • Promotes the accessibility and use of special collections and archives to provide distinctive materials for learning and research. 
  • Plans and administers UC Libraries’ collections budget; collaborates with the business office and Content Services on budget reporting, monitoring and forecasting, invoice payment and fiscal year open/close. 
  • Determines budget allocations for UCL selectors and offers direction on budgets, renewals and licensing, vendor relations and related topics. 
  • Serves as the primary contact for vendors around a wide range of collections and related items paid on collections funds. 
  • Collaborates with internal UC offices, such as the Office of General Counsel, on processing license agreements and contracts related to collections. 
  • Collaborates with the UC Controller’s Office and Enterprise Risk Management regarding library collections valuation and statistics for the purpose of capital asset calculation and property insurance determination.


Associate Dean for Operations and User Services

The Associate Dean for Operations and User Services has programmatic, strategic, budgetary, managerial and operational responsibilities for the following libraries and departments in the University of Cincinnati Libraries: circulation, reserves, interlibrary loan, facilities and user experience. 

Essential Functions

  • Collaborates with the Dean and senior leaders to identify needs, establish priorities, and develop goals, objectives, actions and measures of success. 
  • Leads the overall strategy and direction of UC Libraries operations and user services, including administering policies, procedures and best practices. 
  • Leads daily operations for service desks, stacks maintenance, reserves processing, resource sharing and physical spaces. 
  • Drives the continuous improvement of user experiences throughout UC Libraries spaces – both physical and virtual.
  • Develops and oversees UC Libraries data collection and analysis, including reporting to national and institutional surveys. 
  • Fosters a culture of evidence-based decision-making through ongoing assessment of library operations and user experience. 
  • Recruits, hires, evaluates, develops and retains multiple faculty and staff that meet or exceed user expectations. 
  • Achieves organizational effectiveness through the successful management of financial and personnel resources. 
  • Fosters a culture of excellence through creating a respectful workplace environment. 
  • Chairs and serves on committees related to areas of responsibility or assigned by the Dean. 
  • Represents UC Libraries at regional, national and global professional engagements with the expectation of raising UC Library’s visibility and reputation. 

More information on both AD positions, including qualifications and how to apply, are available on the UC Libraries web site.