Online Presence

Online presence has become a key focal point for nearly any organization that is trying to make an impact. This is no exception for the OSU Library. Using different methods, the OSU Library is able to give students, faculty, staff, alumni and any other parties connected to the Library the information they need to know to be successful at OSU and beyond.

The Library provides valuable information to its patrons across multiple channels: there may be an announcement on Twitter telling students about new technology that is available in the library, a preview of the week’s event calendar in an Instagram story, or a 360 tour of Library spaces on Facebook.

One of the most essential online resources the Library maintains is its website. This site hosts all of the Library’s online resources, information about its offerings and how to access them, and helpful tools such as maps, events, hours and so much more.

The Library site also helps students alleviate the need to make physical trips to the Edmon Low Library or one of the other branches. The site gives them access to databases as well as the ability to reserve a study room, talk to a librarian and renew material they have checked out. All of these make the Libraries’ resources more accessible while also saving them an unimaginable amount of time.

These are all valuable tools, but they are useless if nobody knows that they exist. That’s where the Library’s social media accounts help. The Library uses Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to provide students with information and news stories concerning the Library and resources on offer.

In addition to new features, the Library also highlights useful resources that not everyone knows about. Students who keep up with these accounts are able to make sure they are taking full advantage of all the Library has to offer. For example, there are so many items available to check out in the Edmon Low Creative Studios that a student may have missed it before or forgotten about it.

The Library doesn’t just tell students these items exist, it also shows them how to use them. Step-by-step tutorials on how to use certain software and tools can be found on the Library’s Instagram and YouTube. They also provide students with ideas on how to best use these resources if they are interested in them but don’t really know what to do with them.

The Library also uses its channels to direct students to events they may be interested in. The Library hosts dozens of events featuring a wide variety of topics every semester, allowing students with various interests to find what speaks to them. Just this semester, the Library has hosted an International Games Week, Orchestra Ensemble Concerts, Software Carpentries, Science Cafes and so much more.

The Library has constantly been pursuing ways to keep the students informed on everything they can gain by using the Library for their events and resources. What is the way you most commonly find Library news, and what ways would you like to see it promoted in the future?

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

Grab a Chair and Stay a While

Fun fact: there are 26 different types of chairs in the library.

Some of you may be asking “So what?”, “Why does this matter?” or, more likely, “How do you know this?” Pull up a chair, and I will answer all of your questions.

No, I did not go through every floor of the library tallying the different types of chairs. Rather I stumbled upon this bit of information during a conversation with one of my supervisors. At first, it just seemed like a random fact about the collection of furniture the library has accrued throughout its many years of operation, but the purpose of these chairs is far greater than just providing a place to sit.

The variety of chairs serve an important purpose: to accommodate the needs of the students at Oklahoma State University. The library has cushy chairs, rigid chairs, tall chairs and short chairs. Chairs with arms, chairs on wheels, chairs of wood and chairs of steel. Bean bag chairs! Chairs that look like stairs! (Yes, you can sit on those). I’m getting carried away.

If you plan on spending hours at the library, hunched over your notes, you want to be comfortable. Otherwise, that hours-long study session you had in mind might just be cut short. Take it from someone who has spent many a finals week on the fourth floor of the library, things sprawled across a study carrel. You need a comfortable chair to power through those grueling hours.

Of course, chairs are not the only factor in creating a comfortable study environment. Temperature, cleanliness and lighting all play a huge role in our mood and focus. John DeGeorge, the manager of project support services at the Edmon Low Library, understands this better than anyone.

“If there’s any way we can accommodate our students to make them a little more comfortable and fit their style of studying, it’s nice to be able to provide that for them,” John said. “Little things contribute to that, like temperature, electrical needs and safety. We want to make sure it’s a safe environment.”

Things like clean restrooms, dry entryways and plenty of free outlets are all small things that can make a big difference in how someone feels when they visit the library. A flickering light or a chair that’s too hard can become distractions and make studying even harder than it already is.

The OSU Library’s accommodation efforts go beyond simply fixing or maintaining the library facilities. The library recently added grommet outlets to the tables in the Anne Morris Greenwood Reading Room. This eliminates the need for students to trail their chargers across the floor or crawl under tables or behind chairs to find the sole outlet hiding on the wall.

Three new study rooms were also completed this year on the third floor of the library. John said that the study rooms are one of the more popular spaces in the library, and his team has tried to create spaces that are ideal for both larger groups and single students.

There is no plan to slow down anytime soon. New study bars are currently under construction on the fourth floor, and this summer, the entire third floor will get a facelift.

“We’ll re-carpet, paint the whole area and try to put in colors that are more conducive to studying,” John said. “It will be a change I think the students will appreciate when they get back in the fall.”

The library is for everyone, and the people at the Edmon Low Library strive to make it a comfortable environment that facilitates learning. There are a number of people who work behind the scenes to keep the library neat, clean and functioning properly so that students can study successfully. This includes making sure there are chairs that suit a range of preferences.

I feel that the careful consideration of little things, such as a broken window blind or even something as small as a chair, show just how much the OSU Library cares about its students. So whether you’re looking for something more structured, like a solid wooden chair, or something softer, like a cushioned armchair, the library has a place for you.

Posted by Jenny Berry, electronic communications intern

Available Online

With the craziness of school, work and daily life, finding time to get to the library can be tough.

Luckily, the OSU Library knows this and has created several ways for students to continue learning and using the library without walking through Edmon Low’s big brass doors.

The library provides an abundance of online services and resources to students at Oklahoma State. Anywhere Library Access allows students who are off campus to simply log on using their OSU email and password. They can then access thousands of databases, articles, books and journals that are online or can be requested and picked up at the library.

Teryn Moorman, the OSU Library event communications intern, said she is thankful for the library’s online access, especially during her busy pre-finals and finals weeks.

“I can complete assignments from the comfort of my own home,” Teryn said. “I can also keep learning over breaks!”

Document Delivery is another favorite among students. The library is home to millions of books, and I feel extremely fortunate to have this resource at the tips of my fingers. However, while books are a resource that we have tons of, time is not. Document Delivery makes the potentially time-intensive task of finding a book stress-free. Students can go to the library’s website and request the book they need. The book will be retrieved and placed at the Circulation Desk for students to grab on the way to the next activity in their hectic schedules.

Even with the plethora of books at the library, sometimes it just doesn’t have the book you’re looking for. Not to worry, the library planned for this too. Interlibrary Services allows students to go online and request books, articles, journals and more! If available, ILS simply borrows the requested material from another library or institution and, when it arrives, places it at the Circulation Desk to be picked up.

Alex Cooper, a graduate student at OSU, uses Document Delivery and ILS regularly.

“ILS and Doc Delivery are great, especially when I’m in a hurry,” Alex said. “I like being able to just go pick the book up. It saves me a lot of time.”

But it doesn’t stop there. Students can go online to book study rooms, browse the library’s digital collections and even renew books. Citation and research guides, digital maps, databases and more are also available online.

Personally, I use the study room reservation and book renewal services the most. I find the online study room reservation system particularly convenient because when it comes to group projects, finding somewhere on campus to get together is tough. Reserving a room online ensures that my group will have a quiet place to work, and it only takes about 30 seconds to make the reservation! It couldn’t be easier.

The services I’ve mentioned are just the tip of the iceberg. They are there to facilitate learning and make students’ lives just a bit simpler. I’m incredibly thankful to have these services available to me, and I know my experience at OSU would have been a lot different without the Edmon Low Library and its resources.

If you ever have questions about the online services and resources the library offers, you can always chat with someone at the library. Don’t worry, you can do that online too.

Posted by Jenny Berry, electronic communications intern

Information Overload: How Students Consume Media

Media, news, information, data, whatever you call it, we are surrounded by it every day. Yet with the changes in media culture we’ve experienced over the last several years, the ways we consume media has also changed. Especially for students.

Oklahoma State was one of 11 universities that participated in a study about students’ news consumption habits. The study was done through Project Information Literacy, a nonprofit research institute that, according to the group’s website, “conducts ongoing, national studies on what it is like being a student in the digital age.” The OSU Library had the unique opportunity to serve as the liaison between OSU and the authors of the study.

While many people, myself included, might assume that most college students obtain the news through social media, the study found that most students are “multi-modal.” This means they consume media through social media, online newspapers and discussions with peers and professors.

The report details five big takeaways from the research, including a summary of the various pathways millennials take to get the news, and how and why students share news on social media.

The findings are followed by recommendations and solutions made by journalists, librarians and educators. One of the most important and interesting solutions, in my opinion, is teaching students from an early age to read the news critically and ask questions in order to develop “mental and intellectual frameworks for credibility testing of information,” (Head, Wihbey, Metaxas, MacMillan, & Cohen, 2018).

Matt Upson, the director of undergraduate instruction and outreach services at the library, believes that teaching students to evaluate the news is crucial to their understanding of their world.

“Traditional media is often portrayed as 'fake news,' and the nature of social media often prevents us from figuring out exactly where our information is coming from,” Upson said. “It can be easy to confuse what’s misinformation and what’s true.”

He hopes that the librarians, faculty and staff at OSU can create a supportive environment where students can continue reading and digesting the news in an informed manner.

“Students are interested in news; they want to share it, to be participants, to make a difference,” he said. “How can we help them do that and be more effective and efficient users of media?”

Teaching students to critically read the news and ask questions provides them with a foundation to consume information analytically and think for themselves. It is our responsibility as consumers to engage with the news. We cannot turn a blind eye to the events around us, but we cannot blindly accept everything we read, either.

This study is incredibly important for students, journalists, educators and librarians. If you’re interested in reading more about this study, you can find the full report at www.projectinfolit.org.

Sources:
Head, A. J., Wihbey, J., Metaxas, P., MacMillan, M., & Cohen, D. (2018, October). How Students Engage with News: Five Takeaways for Educators, Journalists, and Librarians (Rep.). Retrieved http://www.projectinfolit.org/uploads/2/7/5/4/27541717/newsexecutivesummary.pdf

Posted by Jenny Berry, electronic communications intern

With a Little Help from Our Friends

Benefactors make the library a special place for everyone

In 1991, an event began that would soon become one of the most celebrated and most important nights of the year for the OSU Library.

The H. Louise and H.E. “Ed” Cobb Dinner Series is presented annually by the Friends of the OSU Library. The dinner, lecture and book signing is a fundraising event, and all proceeds benefit the OSU Library.

This year, Lee Child, the author of the Jack Reacher series, will be speaking at the event. Past speakers include James Patterson, Nicholas Sparks, Neil deGrasse Tyson and S.E. Hinton.

But the event isn’t just for donors or well-known authors. Students have the opportunity to attend, as well. Each year, generous donors purchase a number of tickets for students, who can then enter to win them and attend the event. Attendees will enjoy a wonderful dinner, attend the book signing reception and listen to a seasoned author, all while supporting a wonderful cause and making our library a better place. The funds raised at the dinner support the Friends’ goal of making the library a resource for all students.

The Friends have generously sponsored so many programs, events and more that help students at Oklahoma State achieve their academic goals and truly make the library a safe, helpful, fun and educational place. In the past, the Friends have funded the laptop checkout expansion, the finals week giveaways at Edmon Low and branch libraries and, when it first began, 24-hour access to the library during pre-finals and finals week. They also fund a number of special programs, like some of the outreach, research and cultural programs.

If it weren’t for the generous support of the Friends of the OSU Library, Edmon Low would not be the same. I know that personally, the library is my favorite place on campus. Whether I’m studying, researching or just taking a break between classes, the equipment and technology available at the library have helped me succeed in school and fostered my interest and love of learning.

So, whether you visit the library once during your college career or it is your second home, never forget this special group who has helped make it into the incredible place that it is.

Posted by Jenny Berry, electronic communications intern

What I've Learned While Working at the Library

This week on the blog, I'm discussing some of the things I've discovered since I began working in the library. I decided to use some of the equipment I've learned about and create my very first vlog! I hope that you can learn something, too.

If you’d like to learn more about the resources I discussed in my vlog, check them out here!
Creative Studios: bit.ly/2CeZENj
Tech Tuesday: bit.ly/2pp3lvN
Mango: bit.ly/2C04Fy6
Relax and Read: bit.ly/2w4JW7C

Posted by Jenny Berry, electronic communications intern

Unlocking Creativity

New opportunities to use innovative technologies

In a world full of rapidly-developing technology, it can be overwhelming trying to keep up. But the Edmon Low Creative Studios makes it easy for you to stay in the loop. In addition to utilizing and growing your creative abilities, you can gain hands-on experience with a variety of technologies that can benefit you in your respective career paths.

The Creative Studios hosts a plethora of innovative technology that you can access year-round: 3-D printers, virtual reality suites, the recording studio and more! And these resources are not only for academic use. You can use them for personal projects, too. Explore your creativity in a whole new way.

While I may not be the most tech-savvy person on campus, I have definitely learned a lot and ventured out of my comfort zone in the Creative Studios. By using equipment that I have checked out at the Tech to Go desk, I’ve been able to push myself creatively and gain skills I did not yet have.

More recently, I checked out a camera to work on a few personal projects. I am a novice photographer, but it is something I’ve always wanted to explore more. I took home the camera, snapped a few shots and uploaded them to my computer. I can assure you, they looked much better than my amateur cellphone photography.

And while I am continuing to dabble in the land of digital photography, I also hope to venture into videography. The Tech to Go desk has camcorders available that I plan to test out soon.

Another aspect of the Creative Studios that I love are the 3-D printers. Seven 3D printers are available to bring your designs to life. Whether you’re an aspiring architect, artist, interior designer or engineer, students in various fields may benefit from this technology. The possibilities to what you can create are limitless. Jewelry, furniture models, a miniature Edmon Low Library (this may or may not have been done already) and virtually anything you can dream can be printed.

For the more musically-inclined students, there is a small recording studio available. You can reserve the room and use the Yamaha CP40 Stage Piano, the Presonus Studiolive 16-channel Audio Mixer and the Audio Technica Direct-Drive Professional Turntable. Maybe you’ll create the next hit song of 2018.

If you’ve ever dreamed of starting your own podcast or TV show, reserve the Recording and Presentation Studio and get started. Or check out a microphone or a recorder and work from home.

High-powered Macs and PCs are available for use in the Creative Studios. Edit your photos, videos, podcasts or whatever masterpieces you’ve created.

If the thought of using any new technology sounds at all frightening, don’t worry. The employees in the Creative Studios are knowledgeable and friendly. They are always there to help you figure out any issues or answer questions. You can also find a few equipment and software guides on the Creative Studios website.

Whether your passions lie in music, designing, broadcasting, photography or more, when you visit the Edmon Low Creative Studios, you will walk away inspired. I know I did.

Posted by Jenny Berry, electronic communications intern

Introducing Kay Bjornen: The New Research Data Initiatives Librarian

A Library Future Series post from February 13, 2017, highlighted the work done to establish data management services on the Oklahoma State campus. The post explained the survey and data collection process that was used to identify needs and target services that were most needed by researchers here at OSU. Since then there have been several important developments.

One of them is that I was hired to serve as a full-time data services librarian. My name is Kay Bjornen, and I joined the library as a Research Data Initiatives Librarian in February. I bring a Ph.D. in chemistry and a long career in research and data management with me. Since research support and data management are my sole responsibilities (at least for now), I have had the opportunity to knock on doors and introduce myself to many of the departments on campus that carry on data intensive research. I want to make sure that faculty and students know I am here, and I am anxious to assist with any needs they may have. If I haven’t made it to your department yet, feel free to reach out. Or just hold tight, I plan to get there as soon as possible.

One of the questions I have been asked is "Why is the library doing this?" The answer is research is changing and so are libraries. Researchers have access to a wealth of information resources and need less assistance to conduct their literature searches, chase down interlibrary loan items and answer reference questions. Information is increasingly online and digital so librarians are comfortable with electronic information sources of all kinds. It is also true that in the era of "Big Data," there are more and more challenges in managing research outputs. These include describing, storing, securing, organizing and sharing data. The library is a natural partner in these things. That’s why we are working to get the word out about the services we offer.

I am excited to be here at OSU and anxious to contribute to the research community. Do you have any questions about how the library can help you with your research? Feel free to post them here or check out the research data services we offer on the library website. My contact information is there and so is a consultation form you can fill out with the information I need to help you with your research data dilemma.

Post by Kay Bjornen, Research Data Initiatives Librarian

Insert Tech Here

The tech-related resources available at the Edmon Low Library are seemingly endless. Everything from virtual reality studios to flight simulators to 3D printing is offered by the Edmon Low Creative Studios. All of these great technologies, as well as many others, were showcased at Insert Tech Here. Insert Tech Here was an open-house style library event where students, faculty and staff could learn more about all of the technological resources the Edmon Low Creative Studios has to offer.

As the Event Communications Intern, I had the opportunity to host the livestream portion of this event. I kept the livestream audience up-to-date on what was happening at the event and interviewed a handful of the event presenters to get more information about the studio where they were stationed. The presenters shared information on how students can obtain access to the various studios, what they can use them for and interesting projects they had seen completed using that specific technology.

Not having much livestream experience beforehand, I was incredibly nervous for this event. I spent the few weeks leading up to the event preparing by drafting a script and writing interview questions to ask the presenters. When the day of the event came, I was even more nervous, especially when the livestream began. The first step was to give the introduction. I welcomed the audience and gave a rundown of what all would happen during the event. After this, I felt a little more confident but was still anxious about how the rest of the event would go. The next step was the interviews. My first interview was with Shannon Garde, and we talked about the Tech To Go resource offered by the Edmon Low Creative Studios. After this interview I felt even more confident. This pattern continued through the rest of the event, so by the end of it I was more comfortable and confident than I could have thought. After the event was over, I realized that I never had anything to worry about.

The event was livestreamed through the Edmon Low Library Facebook page. This allowed the online audience to interact with and learn more about the studios, even if they were not able to attend the event. Viewers were also encouraged to leave comments on the livestream to have their questions answered by tech experts at the event. Several door prizes were also given away to attendees throughout the event.

At the event, the winners of the Library Creativity Award were announced. The winners spoke about their creative process and how they came to create their final product. Most of the LCA winners had utilized resources in the Creative Studios to create their winning project. I thought this was interesting because each winner created something so different from the others, so it was neat to actually be able to see what is possible when utilizing the Edmon Low Creative Studios. As a student, I found this incredibly relevant because I am always looking for ways to make my projects stand out and be the best that they can be.

During the process of preparing for the event and hosting the livestream, I was able to take away a lot of valuable lessons. There were times when I was stressed and wasn’t sure if I would be able to do it or I doubted my ability to do well. I learned to be confident in myself and that stepping out of my comfort zone can be incredibly rewarding. Looking back now, the biggest lesson I learned was no matter how much you prepare for something, sometimes things happen that you can’t prepare for and you have to be OK with going with the flow. Going into the event we had planned to do two interviews, but as the event went on we had some extra space to fill, so by the end of it I interviewed six people. This wasn’t what we had initially planned, but we went with it, and it ended up turning out well and added a lot to the event.

The purpose of Insert Tech Here was to showcase all of the technology the Edmon Low Creative Studios has to offer. The Creative Studios is home to Tech To Go, a resource that allows students to check out the latest technology free of charge, but there is also so much more. The 3D Printing Creative Studio, the Jim & Liz Wise Virtual Reality Creative Studios, the Virtual Simulation Creative Studio (which holds the new flight simulator!), the McCasland Foundation Data Visualization Studio, the Windows and Adobe Studios (which hold the Jim & Liz Wise Digital Music Upgrade software) and the Recording and Presentation Studio are all part of the Edmon Low Creative Studios.

These rooms are all available to students, faculty and staff and can be reserved on the Edmon Low Creative Studios website. The Edmon Low Creative Studios are located on the east side of the first floor of the Edmon Low Library.

Be sure to utilize these resources to take your projects to the next level!

Post by Teryn Moorman, Event Communications Intern.

Library Employees Guide Students Toward Success

The Library is one of the largest student employers on campus. From internships to student assistants to the First-Generation Student Employment/Mentor Experience, the Library provides students with innumerable resources and opportunities to learn and grow in college.

In particular, the First-Generation Student Employment/Mentor Experience exemplifies the Library's commitment to helping its students. Designed for first-generation freshmen, this program offers eligible students the opportunity to gain valuable experience, earn a wage and receive guidance from a Library employee as they adjust to college life.

As a Library student employee, participants earn $8.75 an hour performing tasks such as, but not limited to, office work, sorting or shelving library materials, checking books in and out and assisting with patrons. Aside from these jobs, students are taught workplace professionalism, exceptional customer service and organizational loyalty.

Elaine Weese, a freshman from Omaha, Nebraska, majoring in Sports Management, is a participant in the First-Generation Student Employment/Mentor Experience. She works as the metadata assistant in Library Communication Services. Elaine views her mentor, Holly Luetkenhaus, as someone she can confide in.

"I like how I can sit down with Holly and just talk to her about college or my life in general," Elaine said. "She is someone who helped me transition to college."

Not only does the First-Generation Student Employment/Mentor Experience benefit the student, but the mentor also learns things along the way.

Throughout the past year, Holly, assistant professor in Undergraduate Services, has had an amazing experience coming to understand the needs of first-generation college students.

"It has helped me become more sensitive to the needs and questions of our students, especially those new to the university," Holly said.

As a mentor, Holly has seen Elaine grow as a determined, optimistic and persistent young woman.

"Over the course of the last year, those attributes that she brought in with her have only strengthened," Holly said. "She has set goals for herself and mapped out her path to achieving them. It has been a joy to watch her settle into her classes, sorority, work and friendships with such grace and strength."

The transition to college can be daunting for any student. It is important that incoming freshmen have someone to look to for guidance during this period of change. For first-generation college students, the Library mentor program is a premier opportunity to embrace change and seize every opportunity available. Between the paying job, applicable professional experience and mentor relationship, this program can help skyrocket students' college careers to success.

"It helps build stronger ties to the students, the Library and OSU. The First-Generation Student Employment/Mentor Experience helps contribute to that 'family' feeling that everyone hopes to find while in college," Holly said.  

Who was someone that helped you adjust to college life? Comment below!

Posted by Tatum Wallace, Electronic Communications Intern for OSU Library Communications

Library Internships Spotlight

The Library's primary goal is to act as a resource to expand the learning potential of students at Oklahoma State University. This mission is apparent in all aspects of the Library and the resources it offers students, including internships. The multitude of Library internships provide opportunities for students to expand their resume and gain real-world experience in their field of choice.With many internship positions opening up at the end of this semester, it is time to shed a bit more light on the variety of paid internship opportunities at the Library.

The graphic design intern works with Library Communication Services to design collateral for various Library events and projects. Students majoring in graphic design, strategic communications and marketing are considered for this position. The graphic design intern is responsible for various designs including promotional event pieces, fundraiser materials, and print and web advertisements. All of the projects completed during the internship can be added to the student's portfolio.

The event communications intern promotes Library events. This intern supports each and every event by leading social media efforts, maintaining multiple event calendars and organizing venue details. The events communication intern also writes press releases and other Library website copy. Strategic communications, agricultural communications, marketing and HRAD are all majors that may be particularly interested in this position.

The emerging technologies intern collaborates with various Library departments to stay up to date on the latest technology. In doing so, this intern serves as a brand ambassador for the various technology available at the Library. The student promotes Library tech in many ways, including roving guidance, pop-up demonstrations and participating in events such as Tech Tuesday @ 2. Many different majors are considered for this position, including marketing, engineering and education technology.

The podcasting intern works with the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program to brainstorm, draft and execute engaging podcasts related to OOHRP content. As the podcasting intern, the student has the opportunity to research Oklahoma state history and gain experience with recording technology required to produce a podcast. Students with experience using SoundCloud and other social media platforms are encouraged to apply for this exciting and creative position.

The 3D printing intern helps develop the Edmon Low Creative Studios and its resources. In this position, the student maintains the 3D printers, assists fellow students with creative projects and manages tech equipment. Working with 3D printing and related technology allows the student to gain applicable skills and understand how advanced technology can be utilized in an educational environment. Any student that has experience with creative technology, particularly 3D printers, are welcomed to apply.

The archives social media intern is responsible for promoting the Oklahoma State University Archives through its social media accounts. Compiling press kits, producing feature videos and leading Facebook Live videos are just a few things that the archives social media intern handles from start to finish. Students in the School of Media & Strategic Communications are encouraged for this position, as it requires proficient AP style writing and social media management skills. Agricultural communications, marketing, history and MLIS majors are also encouraged to apply. This position is a way for students to practice handling legitimate business social media accounts in full.

The botanical illustration intern is an example of the Library creating a student opportunity from a special project. This intern's primary job was to identify and organize botanical drawings in the Bellamy Parks Jansen Collection. Students majoring in Botany and Horticulture were considered for this position. The project has been completed and the internship is no longer available, but be sure to look out for more Library internships as new projects always arise.

From social media to history to engineering, students of all majors can find professional opportunities at the Library. Each internship is dedicated to furthering the education of the student in innovative and creative ways. In addition, all Library internships are paid and may be considered for needed class credit. If you are looking for a job with flexible scheduling and viable work experience, be sure to apply today!

Which internship were you most surprised the Library offered? Comment below!

Posted by Tatum Wallace, Electronic Communications Intern for OSU Library Communications

OSU Libraries spread holiday cheer!

The Library is, as we all know, the heart of OSU's campus. It represents the knowledge, innovation and spirit of this university. The holidays are no exception. During a time in the school semester when students are often stressed, the Library helps ease the worry of upcoming exams and spread holiday cheer throughout campus. With the chaos of finals, I think students often forget that this time represents so much more than wrapping up another semester. It's the holiday season!

Fanfare of Lights

The Fanfare of Lights is an annual community event that takes place in front of Edmon Low. At this event, OSU choirs and instrumental groups gather to entertain attendees with classic holiday songs. Burns and Ann Hargis recruit Santa and Mrs. Clause to help lead the crowd in a countdown to turn on the campus lights. When they reach zero, the switch is flipped and all of OSU's Christmas lights turn on, illuminating the campus with a festive orange glow. After the lights are turned on, people head to the Student Union for hot chocolate and pictures with Santa or walk around campus to snap a picture with the orange lights.

As a cosponsor for the Fanfare of Lights, OSU Libraries helps get both OSU and the city of Stillwater in the Christmas spirit.

Campus Holiday Lights and Decorations

As a student, I look forward to the campus holiday decorations every year. From the garland on Edmon Low to the Christmas trees in the gardens that light up in synchronization with classic holiday songs, it's as if the holiday spirit is tangible on campus. The decorations definitely help make the walk to class, the Library or a review session much more enjoyable for students during pre-finals and finals week.

Holiday Bell Songs 

Picture this: an over-caffeinated, exhausted student walking on campus to their next final. What do they hear during their trek? A comforting Christmas carol thanks to the library tower's bells. This is a common reality on the OSU Stillwater campus during the holidays. Whether it's on Twitter, over text or even out loud, Oklahoma State students sing praises for the festive twist on the traditional bell tower tunes.

Do you have a favorite holiday memory on campus? Be sure to comment below!

Posted by Tatum Wallace, Electronic Communications Intern for OSU Library Communications

OkState Yearbook Collection

The OSU Libraries aims to make learning and research information readily available for students, faculty and citizens alike. The Oklahoma State University Yearbook Collection is one of the countless ways that OSU Libraries achieves this goal. With over 80 editions, the collection is a thorough resource about the university and it's history.

From 1910 to 1991, Oklahoma State published an annual yearbook that detailed activities, clubs and current events that happened on campus that year. Each edition varies based on the time period and what was going on in the world at that moment. It's fascinating to see how changing eras are reflected in the design, writing and pictures of each yearbook.

In 1944, during World War II, the yearbook was printed with a silver metallic Statue of Liberty on the cover. In 1974, the yearbook cover was a light blue denim material with bubbly lettering. My personal favorite is the 1988 edition, when the cover was printed with hundreds of people's faces in black and white.

The tangible publications are located in the Peggy V. Helmrich Browsing Room on the second floor of Edmon Low. Toward the back wall, they are on the right shelving unit and are available for anyone to look at throughout the day while in the Browsing Room. In addition, the yearbooks are on display in the foyer of Edmon Low every year during the week of homecoming. This is an ideal activity to engage OSU alumni as they return to celebrate the homecoming season.

All yearbooks are also digitized online, so that anyone may access the yearbook collection from any computer. The books can be viewed through the OSU Library website, where a specific edition can be selected and "flipped through" electronically.

During homecoming week this past October, I realized the yearbook collection is much more than a group of old books. Even as I was setting up and taking down the display, people would approach the table and ask about certain editions. Students, faculty and staff alike could be seen perusing the collection, looking for relatives or friends from the past.

It's important to be aware of the history in order to understand the present and prepare for the future. The Yearbooks are an intriguing window into the history of Oklahoma State University that will continue to unify the Cowboy family for years to come.

Posted by Tatum Wallace, Electronic Communications Intern for OSU Library Communications

The Archives: A Summary

October is American Archives Month, a time dedicated to showcasing archived collections of valuable historical documents around the country. While researching for American Archives Month, I quickly realized how unaware I was of the usefulness and thoroughness of OSU's archives. That being said, I figured I was not the only person on campus who could benefit from a quick review of the archival units at Oklahoma State.

Government Documents:

This department is, you guessed it, a depository of government documents! Various materials including agricultural statistics and presidential economic reports can be found in Government Documents. The department also contains state, national and international government publications.

Government Documents is a useful resource for any Oklahoma State student or faculty member looking to delve deeper into the history of the world's governments. In addition to documenting the past, the Government Documents department sheds light on current government events on the Gov Docs blog. As a student, I enjoy the department's blogposts because they simplify current government activities and relate them back to past archived material. The blog is a great way to engage readers. In fact, I registered to vote shortly after reading the National Voter Registration Day post this past September!

Maps & Spatial Data:

With over 150,000 sheet maps, 80,000 aerial photographs and hundred of atlases, Maps & Spatial Data is a vast resource for all things maps. The majority of the collected maps focus on Oklahoma, but there are also maps of neighboring states, the nation and the world as a whole.

Maps & Spatial Data also offers workshops that teach people how to make, manipulate and understand maps. The department not only houses thousands of tangible maps, but is also currently digitizing many documents in order to make them more accessible through online research. Head to the basement of Edmon Low to visit the department and expand your knowledge of maps.

Oklahoma Oral History Research Program:

Otherwise known as OOHRP, the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program documents history through oral interviews. By interviewing people who were a part of past historical events, OOHRP is able to fill the gaps of history that are often forgotten in written testimonies.

The program was founded in 2007 and since then has made history accessible to students and faculty of Oklahoma State through interviews. OOHRP is an innovative tool that teaches people about the value of interview-based research, something that can be easier to absorb compared to written materials. OOHRP also has a twitter account and podcast that makes the oral research as readily available as possible.

The Archives:

The Archives is a vast collection of historical documents that detail the history of the university, the state and the nation. The Archives contains rare manuscripts, photographs and more that are excellent research materials for Oklahoma State students and faculty.

The Archives aims to make history both accessible and user-friendly for all members of the OSU family. Any historical document related to the management, operations and mission of OSU can be found in The Archives. You can access archived documents in The Archives office on the second floor of Edmon Low, as well as on the departmental page of the Library website.

If you're anything like me, you've probably realized that the archived material at OSU is larger you initially thought. It blew me way to discover the various archive departments and the resources that each branch offers. From historical maps to interviews with past Pistol Petes, Oklahoma State University Libraries provides the Cowboy community with a look into the past.


Posted by Tatum Wallace, Electronic Communications Intern for OSU Library Communications

Rooms of Purpose: MLSC

The Library is home to countless resources designed to help students achieve their full learning potential. Located inside Edmon Low, the Mathematics Learning Success Center in no exception. The MLSC supports the Library's mission to be a hub for learning and innovation. Our educational reach spans far beyond checking out books. The Library is a one stop shop for all types of scholastic resources, from 3D printing to mathematics tutoring. There are hardly any limitations to what a student can achieve inside the Edmon Low Library.

Established in 1985, the math facility fosters a learning environment for students looking to complete class assignments and advance their mathematics skills. The MLSC was built as part of the Success in Undergraduate Mathematics initiative, an OSU program dedicated to the enhancement of student learning and success in undergraduate mathematics. All undergraduate students looking to complete a degree are required to earn a math credit, meaning that student success in mathematics is not only encouraged but also necessary at OSU. The need for mathematics spans far beyond majors pertaining to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Other majors, including strategic communications and graphic design, require mathematics as part of the degree plan.

The MLSC has been housed in the Library since the center's relocation in 2013. The MLSC's new home is an 8,000 square-foot area on the fifth floor of Edmon Low. The center is composed of small study rooms, one large study room and a massive computer room that is stocked with 126 laptops. The MLSC has 15 laptops separate from the lab that students may check out to use in other areas of the facility as well. Lastly, the MLSC has calculators and mathematics textbooks for students to borrow while they work.

Prior to the move, the MLSC was located in Classroom Building. The small area where the center was housed was no match for the demand from students needing mathematics tutoring. There was often a 45 minutes wait just for students to enter the MLSC. Luckily, the insufficient resources and lack of space were both addressed when the tutoring center moved to a spacious portion of the Library's fifth floor.

The Library was eager to open its doors to the MLSC, knowing that the center would motivate students to enter Edmon Low and travel through the building. Many freshman take classes that require tutoring hours at the MLSC, which means that new OSU students must enter into the Library in order to complete their course assignments. The MLSC's location inside Edmon Low is mutually beneficial for both the mathematics department and the Library. The MLSC prompts students to enter the Library and witness all that the building has to offer while the Library provides the MLSC with enough space to handle the large influx of students who need mathematics tutoring.

The MLSC has a diverse tutoring system for a wide range of class levels. Services are offered for classes such as College Algebra, Calculus III and Differential Equations. There is also a designated schedule when instructors will come tutor at the MLSC in specific courses. The instructor tutoring schedule is on the MLSC website so students can look up their desired course, find the specific professor and attend the tutoring session at the designated date and time. MLSC tutoring is a way for students to get help in a personalized and focused setting.

Public review sessions are also held on a weekly basis at the MLSC. There are about 10 to 15 sessions available each week, with more sessions during test weeks. Exam reviews are livestreamed to the MLSC Youtube channel for students unable to attend the sessions in person.

From the laptops and calculators to the extensive tutoring and review schedule, the MLSC equips students with the resources to succeed. The influence of the MLSC spans farther than meets the eye, past the initial success of completing a challenging homework assignment or acing an intimidating exam. It's a way for students to interact with their peers and fellow classmates, as well as with professors and faculty.

There are also over 30 student employee opportunities at the MLSC, including desk jobs and tutoring positions. On-campus jobs are an excellent way for students to learn how to balance multiple responsibilities, function in a professional environment and sharpen communication skills. The partnership with the MLSC is a testament to the Library's dedication to student success and academic excellence, both in the classroom and in the workplace.

Posted by Tatum Wallace, Electronic Communications Intern for OSU Library Communications

Solar Eclipse Unifies OkState Campus

The first day of school. It's a day that is usually pretty hectic as students, faculty and staff adjust to their new schedules. OSU resembles a beehive on this day, as all the busy students buzz around campus buying books, socializing with friends and figuring out what building their next class is in. It's a day of excitement and adventure, two things most students embrace fully as the typically uneventful summer months come to a close.

August 21, 2017, proved to be even more exciting than any other first day of school, well, ever. For the first time in over 20 years, a solar eclipse was set to take place that afternoon. 

The frenzy surrounding the eclipse was astounding. All over the country, people were eager to view this fascinating astronomical event. However, there were many experts who expressed that looking directly at the eclipse, similar to looking directly at the sun, would cause eye damage. NASA warned that the eclipse should only be viewed through solar filters or hand-held eclipse viewers.

Students were eager to view the eclipse but had concerns about where to watch it and how to view it correctly. Luckily the OSU Library offered three safe ways of witnessing the eclipse. A viewing party took place that Monday afternoon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Beverly Clerico Plaza, where students could view the eclipse through filtered glasses or with a larger projection. And for people who may have had class during that time, the event was livestreamed on OState.TV as well as the OSU Facebook page.

The Library passed out the 200 pairs of eclipse glasses at 11:30 a.m. However, students began lining up outside hours before the event was set to start, eager to get one of the 200 pairs of glasses. Quickly it became apparent that 200 pairs of glasses would not be a sufficient amount, as the expected 400 people tripled to well over 1,200 attendees. The growing crowd was no problem for the OSU Cowboys, as many people began showcasing the friendly Cowboy spirit by sharing glasses with those around them. The 360 view of the Beverly Clerico Plaza during the eclipse provides a firsthand look at the amount of people out and about that afternoon.

In addition to eclipse glasses, OSU Library used one of its telescopes during the viewing party. The telescope was a great way to look at the eclipse in a public way, as opposed to personal glasses. Students surrounded the telescope to get an enlarged view of the eclipse as it was projected on to a shaded flat surface.

There are four types of telescopes offered at the library's Creative Studios, as well as astronomical binoculars. Students are welcome to check any of the telescopes out for up to three days at a time. Telescopes are one of many categories of tech gear available at the Edmon Low Creative Studios. 

The solar eclipse was also livestreamed on OState.TV and the OSU Facebook page for those unable to see it in person. Within 24 hours, the Facebook livestream reached nearly 70,000 people around the world. Viewers from Australia, Ecuador, Spain and Botswana tuned in to watch the event in realtime. OState.TV uploaded the rebroadcast of the solar eclipse to their website. 

The eclipse peaked at 1:06 p.m. in Stillwater. On any ordinary day, campus is usually quiet around that time. People are either briskly walking to class or hiding indoors to escape the summer heat. However, a rare solar eclipse was more than enough reason for people to migrate outside. Students and faculty members could be seen sharing viewing glasses and discussing the eclipse with one another, bonding over shared interest and curiosity.

With every new year comes new supplies, a new workload and a new routine. It's not every day that a first day of school includes a rare solar eclipse, though. On this day, the hustle and bustle of the first day seemed to come to a halt as members of the OSU family found common ground through knowledge and innovation.

What did you think of the event? Comment below to share your solar eclipse experience.

Posted by Tatum Wallace, Electronic Communications Intern for OSU Library Communications

Amplified Oklahoma

This year, we have delved into technologies that can produce new learning and research experiences for the future-focused library, but we haven’t yet included the integration of history in this innovation dialogue.

A prime example of how the OSU Library is taking on the task of combining past and future is the "Amplified Oklahoma" podcast.

"Amplified Oklahoma", which was launched in May 2016, is an academic podcast produced by students and faculty members in the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program. It tells stories of Oklahoma people, places and cultures. The production of interviews and videos over these topics is an innovative way of spreading information about Oklahoma history using modern methods of distribution.

"Amplified Oklahoma" is largely student-involved in its operations. The library interns develop content for the podcasts based on what the OOHRP collections have to offer on the designated topic. Once a topic has been selected, they audit related interviews, write the script and edit the audio selections to make the final podcast.

Themes for the podcast generally follow topics that are prominent at the time they are published. For instance, a podcast about tornadoes and their effect on Oklahoma was sent out in May, the month when the state’s most notable storms have taken place. This method allows the library to participate in pertinent dialogue and present interesting, relevant material that will pull the audience back to the OSU Library collections.

By making material interactive and digestible, the OSU Library aspires to increase student engagement in the OOHRP department. They have found the most successful way to connect students with historic information is to place it in front of them and make it easily accessible through digital collections.

It is important for libraries of the future to have a program like the "Amplified Oklahoma" podcast because historians have the difficult task of keeping historical topics relevant in the fast-paced, futuristic conversations of the 21st century. It is uncommon for today’s students to actively search for history, so "Amplified Oklahoma" makes learning easier by allowing effortless listening of podcasts on interesting topics.

"Amplified Oklahoma" podcasts can currently be found on SoundCloud, Itunes and Stitcher.