Category Archives: UC Clermont Library News

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Pi Day at Clermont

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Have you ever pondered pi? Does 3.14 and beyond interest you? Whether you find this mathematical constant fascinating or not, you will want to be a part of our Pi Day celebration.

Beginning March 1, sign up to win a Pi t-shirt. The winner’s names will be drawn on March 14. Five shirts will be given away. Stop by the Clermont College Library and fill out an entry with your name, email, and preferred size.

On March 14, our math professors will be passing out pi(e) and coffee in the hallway, in front of the library. If you are up to a challenge, stop by Dr. Malla’s table and write out pi to as many digits as you can remember.

Penny McGinnis
Technical Services Manager

 

Data Day 2019: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Data

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You are cordially invited to the University of Cincinnati’s 4th Annual Data Day sponsored by The University of Cincinnati Libraries and IT@UC.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are topics gaining national attention.  Our 4th Annual University of Cincinnati Data Day will explore these topics in depth and highlight how researchers can expand their understanding by considering the impact of diversity, equity and inclusion on their own research.

 What: University of Cincinnati 4th Annual Data Day

 When: Monday, April 1, 2019 9am – 4:30pm

 Where: Tangeman University Center, Great Hall (located on the main campus of the University of Cincinnati)

The day will be comprised of panel discussions, an interactive session where participants will learn R programming skills, and keynote speakers to start and end the day.  The first keynote speaker, Amanda Wilson, will highlight the historic All of Us Research Program that is gathering data from one million individuals to assist in delivering precision medicine by taking into account individual differences in lifestyle, environment, and biology among participants. The second keynote speaker, Deborah Duran, will address how diversity and inclusion are necessary considerations as we consider our research and how doing so can have an impact on us all. Panelists will discuss health disparities and health equity research from local and statewide perspectives as well as how data is being used to empower social justice.

Don’t miss this exciting day!

For more information and registration visit: http://libapps.libraries.uc.edu/blogs/dataday/.

Book Review: How to be a Good Creature

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In How to be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals, Sy Montgomery shares her life of loving and studying animals. Sy is a National Book Award Finalist and naturalist. Each chapter focuses on a different creature who transformed her life. Throughout the essays, she reflects on the effects the animals had on her and how she practiced life a bit differently, thanks to their influence. One of the most amusing stories involved a pig named Christopher Hogwood, a beloved pet.

How to be a Good Creature is available as an e-book and a hardback.

Penny McGinnis
Technical Services Manager
Clermont College Library

Students-Only Library Survey: Enter To Win a $25 Gift Card

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Your opinions can build a better library — you just have to share them!

In order to serve you better, please fill out the brief library survey delivered to your UC student email this week. Depending on your answers and typing ability, the survey should take 5 minutes or less to complete.

As a gesture of our thanks, you may provide your contact info at the end of the survey to enter a drawing for one of two $25 gift cards. We’ll draw the winners on February 4.

Together we can make the Clermont College Library a better space for resources and research.

Pardon Our Dust… New Student Spaces, Coming Soon!

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If you’ve been on the library’s first floor lately, you may notice power tools and construction crews — that’s because student-centered improvements are in the works!

Based on feedback from prior spring student surveys we’re proud to add two premium group study spaces on the library’s first floor this semester. Set to debut in early March 2019, the rooms will feature glass dry erase surfaces, wall-mounted flat screens, and modern finishes galore. We’ll also be adding additional soft seating all over the library’s first floor for meeting with groups or relaxing between classes.

This exciting project, made possible by a generous donor, is yet another example of the power of our supportive community. Thanks to everyone who worked tirelessly in support of this project.

Katie Foran-Mulcahy
Library Director

Popular Reading Collection

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Looking for a good read? Check out our Popular Reading Collection at your Clermont College Library!

Brought to you by community partner Clermont County Public Library, the popular reading collection includes:

  • Mysteries
  • Paranormal Romance
  • Graphic Novels
  • Humor, Science Fiction, and much more!

New titles added each semester so check back often for great reads.

To recommend a title for this collection, please contact Natalie Winland, Public Services Manger.

Natalie Winland
Public Services Manager

Popular Reading and Movie Collection: Perfect for Winter Season Days

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Looking for a good book to read over the winter season days? How about a good movie to watch when it is cold outside? In addition to its many other collections, Clermont College Library is now an excellent source for popular materials, too.

The Popular Reading and Movie collection, on loan from the Clermont County Public Library, contains more than 500 items. They are changed out three times per year, so check back regularly for new titles. The items in the collection are available for UC students, faculty and staff using a valid UC I.D. upon checkout.

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Stop by the library’s info desk for help with requesting items.

Natalie Winland
Public Services Manager

Take a Break in the Clermont College Library

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Colorful puzzle pieces jumbled

 

Free time between classes? Need to relax for a bit? Stop by the Clermont College Library.

We’ve set up a puzzle table in the library. Don’t have time to do the whole thing? No problem! Come in and add a few pieces. We’ll all work together to finish. Once a puzzle is complete, we’ll switch it out for another.

Taking a short break to play a game or work on a puzzle helps decrease stress and can improve critical thinking. It might be just what you need before you dive back in to study for a final or finish that research project!

The Case for Exploring Open Textbooks

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Did you know that between 1998 and 2016, the cost of college textbooks increased 181%? That’s almost 4 times as much as all other consumer products during that same time period. The average Clermont College student should have budgeted $1500.00 for course materials in 2017-18. As a result, students may resort to delayed purchasing of a textbook, purchasing an older version, sharing a textbook, or never purchasing it at all.

So, what can we do to help with the burden of high textbook costs and ensure students have access to course information beginning the first day of a course?

Consider adopting an open textbook!

Open textbooks are free for students to use in electronic formats. Some are also available to order in print for a low cost. In addition, these textbooks can be adapted and repurposed by faculty to better align with specific course outcomes.

You might be asking yourself, how does a free textbook measure up to more expensive, traditional textbooks? It turns out, pretty well! A recent study showed that the use of open textbooks and open educational resources led to improved grades and decreased DFW rates for all students, with the most dramatic improvements occurring for at-risk populations.

Curious to learn more?

Check out the Open Educational Resources at Clermont library guide or consider speaking with a fellow faculty member. A number of Clermont College faculty have already adopted open textbooks. Dr. Noah MacKenzie, Associate Professor of Psychology, adopted an open textbook for the fall semester of 2018 and shared that, “student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.” Assistant Professor Educator Carolyn Goodman surveyed her students and the results were all positive. Students appreciated that the language in the book was appropriate for their level and that they didn’t have to purchase a book. The academic results are impressive as well with 88% of her students showing mastery in early October.

Ready to explore open textbooks in your area?

Your liaison librarian would be happy to help you identify or adapt a textbook that will work for your class. If you aren’t ready to adopt an open textbook, but are interested in exploring other open educational resources, we can help with that as well.

Any questions? Let us know how we can help!

Heather Mitchell-Botts
Instruction Librarian

photo from: https://opensource.com/education/13/2/boundless-free-alternative-textbooks