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

Searching for Answers: The Whats, Hows and Whys of Research

The word “research” is thrown around on college campuses like a Frisbee is thrown around Library Lawn on a sunny spring day. Students hear it in every class. It does not discriminate based on major or interests. But what exactly is research?

This is a question I have asked multiple times over the course of the last few weeks. With the Undergraduate Library Research Award applications open, I began wondering who can apply and what type of research qualifies for the award. Through a bit of investigation of my own, I’ve learned that research takes on a variety of forms and covers many topics.

Perhaps the most important discovery I made was how many things fall under the umbrella of research. Performing what one may consider more traditional research (visions of hypotheses and lots of tests fill my head) is not the only form or process for performing research. An artist searching for new techniques or methods may speak with other artists, visit museums or test out new materials. A dietician could study dietary patterns in a group of people or try out new recipes. A journalist may interview various sources or read dozens of news articles. Research does not fit inside a nice, neat box. It reaches beyond what we may expect.

I’ve also learned that research is a conversation. It is a dialogue between many sources, and we, as researchers, must determine which aspects of the conversation we should digest. How do these voices work together and help us understand the broader picture? Which voices should we listen to and which should we question? Not all information and sources are credible, and delving in further to determine the truth is sometimes necessary. These are all important elements of well-rounded research.

I never realized how much research I have actually done during my college career, and I now realize the important role research will play in my future. Professionals, regardless of industry, perform research nearly every day. But what good does this research do if it just sits on your computer?

This brings me back to the Undergraduate Library Research Award. The OSU Library encourages students to share their research work with the world through ULRA. Graphic designers, architects, entrepreneurs, engineers and really anyone with a thirst for knowledge and the drive to seek out information qualifies for this award. Students who wish to apply should submit a 750-1,000 word essay describing their research process and a finished or nearly complete version of the research project. Participants have the opportunity to win $1,500 for their work. Awards of $750 are also available for honorable mentions.

The OSU Library provides students with the opportunity to apply for ULRA in hopes of inspiring and supporting research across campus. It also provides students with dozens of resources to succeed in their research, such as research guides, databases, subject librarians and research data services. This also includes SHAREOK, the joint institutional repository that I discussed in my previous post.

All of this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many facets to research that would probably take more than a single blog post to truly explain. My hope is that you do some research of your own and learn more about the different types of research and why it is important. Of course, it helps us make discoveries we otherwise would not have made, but it does more than give us facts. It connects us to other people, other cultures and other ways of thinking. Research broadens our horizons beyond what can be found in the classroom. All it takes is a little motivation, commitment and curiosity.

Posted by Jenny Berry, electronic communications intern 

SHAREOK Gives Access to Scholarly Work

Access to scholarly work and research is an incredibly important aspect of any university curriculum. Luckily, the Oklahoma State University Libraries have made accessing scholarly work easier than ever with SHAREOK.

SHAREOK is a joint institutional repository for the Oklahoma State University Libraries, the University of Oklahoma Libraries and the University of Central Oklahoma Max Chambers Library.

Essentially, it is a place for students and faculty to deposit digital versions of their work. SHAREOK houses theses, dissertations, research reports and more from some incredibly talented and brilliant people across the state. Why is this so important? Well, the documents are all open access, meaning they can be read by anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Because the documents on SHAREOK are all open access, this provides students with a way to find scholarly work after they graduate. For a student like myself who will graduate in May, this is exciting news. I currently have access to a plethora of databases provided by the library, yet once May rolls around, that access will no longer be available. SHAREOK allows students like myself to transition into their postgraduate lives while preserving one of the educational assets they had at OSU.

Juliana Nykolaiszyn, a professor in the Digital Resources and Discovery Services department at the OSU library, is responsible for maintaining SHAREOK at OSU.

“The whole goal is to make everything open, accessible and free,” Juliana said. “Not only for students here at OSU, but throughout the state of Oklahoma and worldwide.”

Students are not the only ones who benefit from this platform. When faculty submit their work to SHAREOK, they gain another layer of visibility in the scholarly world. Rather than just allowing it to sit on their computers, unseen and unused, professors can submit their articles, presentations, posters or other work to SHAREOK where anyone in the world may now find it.

Clarke Iakovakis, an assistant professor in Research and Learning Services, works to increase the visibility of SHAREOK at OSU. He explained some of the benefits faculty gain by submitting their work to the repository.

“It’s this movement toward making what has been invisible more visible,” Clarke said. “There are people who are interested in really building their online scholarly profiles and sharing the work that they do. Downstream, other researchers can benefit from it, but it also can help build their profiles as researchers.”

While the benefits to students and faculty may be evident, the benefits of SHAREOK extend beyond what we see at OSU. Professionals in every industry have access to the material. The research conducted at OSU is often publically funded, so why shouldn’t the public be able to learn from the research, too? Furthermore, peer-reviewed research has traditionally been limited by subscription-only paywalls, the costs of which have risen dramatically in the last two decades. SHAREOK provides everyone with a way to continue learning and using the information on the platform without the financial burden of paying for a subscription service.

People around the globe can explore the information available on the platform. They may discover something that, had they been required to purchase access, they may never have learned. After all, knowledge is one of the greatest treasures. Why shouldn’t we share ours with the world?

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

Learning about Agriculture Data and Databases

In June, I attended a conference called Driving Innovation through Data in Agriculture. It was an enjoyable and interesting experience, combining researchers and librarians onsite at the National Agricultural Library (NAL). There were several things that I brought back with me for further discussion. One of them was that I learned quite a bit about the different agriculture specific databases that the USDA manages. They are all public and provide different specialty products and can be accessed through the National Agricultural Library website. The NAL is responsible for building an integrated portfolio of knowledge products that can be used by the general public, researchers and those working in agriculture.

The Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Data Overview (LTAR) database publishes the data and information generated through the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) Network, a partnership of 18 research sites across the United States. They focus on building knowledge that will make agriculture sustainable and examining the environmental impacts of farming practices. The data generated is “Common Observatory Data” or CORe observational data and research data from management studies with crops and livestock. It compares current practices to experimental practices to determine the effects of the changes. Available data types from LTAR include site photographs, weather and aerial images for the research stations as well as data sets and reports published by LTAR. It has an average of 50 years of historical data. LTAR maintains the data to be sure that it is FAIR: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable. It is hosted at the Ag Data Commons repository and the Geospatial Platform. The Ag Data Commons is the central registry for USDA data and provides links to any data that is housed outside of the repository, including data that is first uploaded to agency sites and provides citable DOI’s for each dataset. The Geospatial Platform provides curation for GIS data but is cross referenced and linked with both Ag Data Commons and Data.gov, the government’s one stop shop for all government sponsored data.

Some of the other specialized USDA data bases include the Life Cycle Assessment Commons, USDA Food Composition Database, the i5 Workspace@NAL, which is a community specializing in arthropod genomes and research and Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. Less specialized databases include the NAL catalog which covers the entire NAL collection, AGRICOLA, PubAg and NAL Digital Collections, which includes all the full text digitized materials of NAL.

I hope researchers, faculty and students will explore some of these. I would be interested to hear about any projects that utilize them. We here in the library are discussing the use of these specialized databases versus the more popular, general use ones. Feel free to post any examples and please, contact me or any of our friendly librarians if you need more information.

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.

5 Tips to Ditch Study Distractions

Prefinals and finals week are just around the corner, which means students will be putting in a lot of study hours to ace those exams. With rising temperatures and long summer days in view, many students have a hard time staying focused during study sessions. We've all been there--a quick "break" turns into three episodes of "Friends," a snack and 40 minutes of social media browsing.

So how do you combat the constant distractions? First things first, cut out technology. Yes, you heard me. According to Deloitte, 18-24 year olds check their phones an average of 74 times per day. With such a high statistic, there's no doubt that electronics are a significant distraction to students.

I understand that cutting out technology is easier said then done, so let's go through a few simple, non-committal efforts to try rather than going cold turkey.

#1: Turn On Airplane Mode

Putting your devices on airplane mode is a great way to unplug whenever you need to. I have an iPhone and the "Do Not Disturb" setting has never worked well for me, because I can still see all the texts and notifications on my home screen when I open my phone to check the time. Airplane mode is the happy medium that allows users to turn off the distractions when needed, knowing it will all still be there after you finish that lengthy study guide.

#2: Delete Apps

Deleting apps that distract you, such as Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat, is a great way to unplug. When I need a break from technology, this is the technique that works best for me. You aren't deleting your accounts or data, just the ability to access it at your fingertips whenever you want.

#3: Put 'Em On Mute

I promise, your friends will understand. Those huge group chats and GroupMe conversations can be a truly constant distraction with a notification buzzing every other second. Luckily, both GroupMe and group chats can be silenced while you study.

#4: Print Study Materials 

I'll admit that this strategy may not be the most efficient if you have to print out the slides for the entire semester (I've been there.) But, for those simple Word documents or study guides, I encourage you to print them and fill them out by hand. Not only is handwriting proven to increase memory retention, but printing worksheets rather than filling them out electronically eliminates the temptation to browse playlists or open a new browser to "take a quick break" to look at cat videos (again, been there.)

#5: Download Apps

I know that downloading apps to help you unplug may seam counterproductive, but not when it comes to apps like Forest, Flora and AppDetox. These are just a few of the "unplugging" apps on the market. Once you download them onto your phone, you can set certain restrictions on the apps you use most like Instagram and Snapchat. These apps can also log your usage and progress so that you can remain accountable. Utilizing productivity apps can help limit distractions at the source.

Given these tips, there is one final element to ensure an effective study session: the location. No matter how "unplugged" you are, you won't get anything done if you're at your house surrounded by roommates or, for some people, at a crowded coffee shop. For students seeking a spacious, relaxed environment equipped with coffee, computers, printing and much more, I recommend the Edmon Low Library. With study rooms, the Edmon Low Creative Studios, and designated silent, whisper and group study zones, you are sure to find your ideal study space to successfully unplug, focus and prepare.

How do you successfully study for your exams? Let us know your thoughts below!

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

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

Facilitating Finals

How does the OSU Library keep students engaged and in good spirits during finals week?

The answer is more elaborate than one might think. The OSU Library does many things to help and encourage its visiting students during the most stressful and busiest time of the semester. Here are a few of notable efforts by the library and its faculty.

1) 24-Hour Access

The first promotion the OSU Library used was 24-hour access from the Sunday of pre-finals week to the Friday of finals week. During the year, the building would close at 2 a.m. most nights, so 24/7 access during finals was readily welcomed by students. It meant they wouldn’t have to worry about finding a new spot for their all-night study sessions. Due to the overwhelmingly positive response to this promotion, the Library has since expanded its normal operating hours to 24 hours five days a week, but the tradition of 24/7 access during finals continues.

2) Pete’s Pet Posse

The OSU Library has several long-standing appointments with Pete’s Pets. Members of the Posse visit the library each week for designated pet therapy sessions. These times include Muttday Monday from 12-1 p.m., Yappy Hour on Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m. and Waggin’ Wednesday from 2-3 p.m.

Because finals week brings added tension, Pete’s Pet Posse adds one more visit to their usual lineup: Finals Fuzzies. This event occurs Monday through Thursday during the week of finals. The pups visit the OSU Library from 4-5 p.m. and help students briefly step away from their books and computer screens. Students can sit with the pups and chat with their handlers to destress and unwind from the stress of final exams and projects. Pet therapy is proven to help people with stress and anxiety, so this program especially benefits students in times like finals week.

3) Caffeine

One of the more regular promotions is the free coffee the OSU Library offers to its students each day of finals week. Tables with coffee dispensers, creams and sugars are placed in the open areas of the library and available to students who want or, more likely, need a caffeine kick to keep going. This helps students save time and money that would be spent getting coffee elsewhere so that they can dedicate more time to studying for exams and finishing projects without having to leave the building. In addition to the free coffee, Cafe Libro extends its hours of operation to facilitate the larger than average numbers of library visitors during this time. The Cafe provides other beverage options as well as snacks and light meals.  

4) Food, Food, Food

At various points throughout the week, the library provides free food for the students using the facilities. This can include pizza, tacos, hamburgers, donuts and more from local restaurants as well as pre-packaged items like cookies and crackers. This is a way for the library to show appreciation to the students who use the facility and to encourage them to persevere through their most trying moments of the year.

5) Relaxation Station

The Relaxation Station, one of the newer promotions, is a designated spot in the library where students can unwind their minds with fun activities such as coloring and solving puzzles. Coloring has been shown to help people deal with stressful situations by narrowing focus to a simple task and using parts of the brain otherwise turned off during cram study sessions. This gives students an outlet for creativity and leisure as an alternative to the tense period of finals week.

The OSU Library also continues its regular operations, such as study rooms, express printing and laptop checkout, to help students have everything they need in order to be successful at the conclusion of the semester.

As the central academic hub on the Oklahoma State University campus, the OSU Library acts as the steward between students and success. As such, the finals week promotions enacted by it are a programmed effort to benefit hard-working students and reward their pursuit of higher education.

Do you have a great idea for how the library can further help students during finals week? Comment your thoughts below.

Post by Jennifer Barnett, E-Communications intern for OSU Library Communications