Software Carpentry

Have you ever wanted to get hands-on experience with programming languages and practices? Have you tried to start learning a programming language and eventually gave up because you didn’t have anyone to help you? The OSU Library hosts Software Carpentry classes each semester to help undergraduates, graduate students and researchers. These classes introduce participants to basic programming practices and techniques.

The first thing many people may think is “I can’t take this class because I have no previous experience with programming.” This is the perfect situation to be in for these classes. They are designed for people with little to no experience with the tools that are being used. Participants who do not have laptops can use the laptops provided in the workshop room. These Software Carpentry classes are an easy way to learn baseline knowledge of computer programming.

Software Carpentry classes are taught by multiple organizations around the world in many different languages. The topics and resources covered in these classes are all provided by a single foundation for volunteers to teach. This ensures that all of the classes have regulated and helpful content. The OSU Library routinely offers these workshops, which are conducted by Library personnel.

After attending these workshops, you will have the knowledge essential to move forward educating yourself or making use of the knowledge you gained in the class for your research or projects.

These workshops are aimed at a more general audience than the intense programming crowd. With that being said, it can still be beneficial to experienced programmers. As a senior in computer science, I attended a workshop and was received valuable information. I can call this valuable information because it gives me more knowledge in my field of study, but what about individuals who have no aspirations of developing applications, software or anything for their career? Despite what most people would probably believe, these people have the most to gain from this type of workshop.

The topics addressed in these carpentries are aimed to help people solve common problems and inconveniences for researchers or students. For example, a part of the workshop I attended covered convenient ways to organize data using Python. We learned how to graph large amounts of data, reorganize it and explore it efficiently.

The participants are also learning basic programming skills during the class. Currently, the two languages covered are R and Python. These skills are the basic building blocks that allow you to continue to gain knowledge in programming if you decide to learn more about it.

In addition to pure programming instruction, the workshop also introduces participants to topics like version control and Unix Shell. Version control using Git helps to keep everybody in a project on the same page by allowing them to update a repository from anywhere. The Unix Shell is a powerful command-line tool that allows users to automate their tasks and reduce repetitive actions.

The topics covered in these carpentries are constantly being updated and improved to keep up with changes in technology. As the world continues to become more invested in mobile applications and software, the need to understand basic programming principles will continue to increase.

How would you use basic programming skills in your field of study or workplace?

Posted by Jacob Hinchey, Emerging Technology Intern

Library Spaces

As we all know, the library is no longer just books. University libraries have become an invaluable resource for students. They provide technology, databases and so much more. One of the most useful resources that often goes unappreciated are the study spaces.

Every day, thousands of students walk into the Library to use its resources. Many of them are coming just to study or do homework and make use of the numerous study spaces available in Edmon Low Library to accommodate any student. Different floors have assigned zones for silent, whisper or “group” noise levels. All of these areas also have different types of desks and seating for students that allow them to work alone or in large groups.

Other places in the Library give students the tools they need to get their work done. The Library has computers, laptops, chargers, smartboards and so many other things to help provide students with everything they need to succeed.

All of these study spaces allow students to maximize their productivity while they’re working at the Library and make it the ideal place to go for students to study or work on their projects. These study spaces have also changed the way libraries look at universities.

The most blatant difference you would notice between a modern university library and one 20 years ago is how they use their space. Books used to be the major way we used space in the past, but today the books, while still having their place, are rarely what a student comes to the library to find. The books a library owns do not simply disappear, and libraries continue to accumulate books over time. However, finding a way to balance workspaces for students with easy access to books is a common issue.

The most common way university libraries make space is by moving their books to a different location. The Fine Arts Library at The University of Texas faced a dilemma recently when they planned to relocate many of their books in 2018. After announcing the relocation of over 75,000 books from the library, many students began to protest the idea. These books were going to be relocated to create a maker space for design and art students. After deliberating, the university decided to follow through with the relocation of the books to create extra space.

This is a dilemma that nearly every university library is experiencing. As area for study become more essential for students, libraries have to rethink space use.

The OSU Library addresses this issue by relocating certain books to the Library Annex and Library Auxiliary Building. Books that are sent to this facility are rarely or never checked out, fragile, duplicated, or older. While the Annex and Library Auxiliary Building are not open to the public, these resources remain easy to access. Students can request these items and pick them up from Edmon Low Library within 24 hours on weekdays.

This relocation of the books has helped the Library create a number of new study rooms and spaces for students that are frequently used. Undoubtedly, the OSU Library will continue to relocate and condense books as more study spaces are needed. How would you like the see the library use this reclaimed space? What types of resources would you like to see in them?

Posted by Jacob Hinchey, Emerging Technology Intern