Weeks of Welcome: Libraries Open House

As part of the University of Houston Weeks of Welcome/Campus Prowl – The Road to Success, the UH Libraries invites students to its Open House on Tuesday, September 2.

From 11:00am to 1:00pm, students are encouraged to visit the MD Anderson Library and learn how to use the Libraries’ programs and services for success in academics and research.

Librarians will be present to answer questions, and students can also play games for a chance to win Libraries give-aways and Jimmy John’s sub cards.

The Libraries Open House is hosted in conjunction with the Campus Prowl – The Road to Success event, featuring even more chances to win prizes like a GoPro Camera, $150 Barnes & Noble Gift Card, and a free Campus Prowl 2014 t-shirt.

Top 10 Things to Do at UH Libraries

The Fall 2014 semester is upon us, and the University of Houston Libraries has the resources, services and programs you need for success in academics and research. Our Top 10 Things to Do at UH Libraries is a quick guide to get you started on a great semester.

10. Get research help.
Stuck on a research project? Need writing or presentation advice? Contact your friendly and knowledgeable subject librarian for personalized research help. Subject librarians are the ultimate search engine!

BONUS: Research Guides are your online source for all things research-related. Each guide gives you subject-specific research tools and methods to help you ace your assignment.

9. Study and collaborate.
We have over 117,000 square feet of study space. You’ll find a variety of environments to suit your needs, from study hives to silent zones to tech-ready group work areas. Plus, our extended hours give you more freedom to pop in when you need to.

BONUS: Need to practice a presentation with your team? Reserve a group study room online, or request a key in person at the Service Desk.

8. Power up your productivity.
The MD Anderson Library is home to two large computing facilities located on the first floor, with Windows workstations for research and study needs, and specialized multimedia and data analysis resources on both PC and Mac. Print, copy and scan services are also available.

BONUS: Left your laptop at home? Check out a netbook from the Service Desk for in-library use.

7. Take a break.
In addition to workspace, the Libraries has areas for you to recharge between classes. Visit the Leisure Reading collection, located on the first floor of MD Anderson Library, and relax with a variety of newer titles in fiction and nonfiction. Browse the collection online.

6. Create a multimedia masterpiece.
The Hamill Foundation Multimedia Studio, located in the Learning Commons, features audio recording booths and professional-grade equipment to help you create high-quality productions.

BONUS: Check out HD video cameras and DSLRs from the Learning Commons.

DOUBLE BONUS: UH students may take photos or record video in the MD Anderson Library for course assignments (individuals cannot be photographed without their permission). Prior approval is required.

5. Learn a new language.
Access the online Mango Languages Learning System, available for free to all UH students, staff and faculty. Choose from over 60 languages, and learn at your own pace.

BONUS: Off-campus access to this and other electronic resources, including e-books, databases and audio files, is available with your CougarNet log-in.

4. Search and discover.
Looking for a journal, book, image, report or dissertation? Start with OneSearch, accessible from the Libraries’ home page, and find targeted results from a wide variety of sources.

BONUS: If we don’t have it, Interlibrary Loan lets you borrow materials from another library.

3. Branch out.
UH Libraries comprises not only the MD Anderson Library, but also three branch libraries: the Architecture and Art Library, the Music Library and the Optometry Library. You’ll find more subject experts and specialized collections at these locations.

2. Visit Special Collections.
Open to all, Special Collections organizes, preserves and promotes rare archival items, including books, manuscripts, photographs and other ephemera. Find unique materials in 11 collecting areas, including Performing Arts, Hispanic Collections, University Archives and more, made available for study in the Special Collections Reading Room.

BONUS: Special Collections hosts curated exhibits in the MD Anderson Library, featuring a variety of engaging and enriching subjects.

DOUBLE BONUS: Browse the UH Digital Library for access to rare historical items in digital format curated from Special Collections, the Architecture and Art Library and the Music Library.

1. Attend tech training.
We offer free technology training to all UH students, staff and faculty. Beginning, intermediate and advanced sessions in popular software, like Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, InDesign, iMovie and many more, are held morning, afternoon and evening to fit your busy schedule. Sessions are instructor-led, with practical, personalized lessons.

Social Science Data Librarian Provides Specialized GIS Support

University of Houston faculty and researchers have a new, central resource for data-related services.

Joshua Been joins the UH Libraries as the new social science data librarian in the department of Liaison Services, a position that was created to provide expert support for researchers working with geospatial, numeric and other data.

The University has a pressing need for centralized support in geographic information systems (GIS) data acquisition, analysis and visualization. UH Libraries is pleased to offer high-level research support and data-related services for faculty and students of all disciplines across campus.

Liaison Services is currently assessing the needs of social science departments that are using GIS and data visualization tools and methodologies, specifically, political science, economics and social work. Been will work to create new services and tools based on department feedback and course needs.

“Our data acquisition component puts the Libraries in a strategic position to assist faculty and students of all disciplines,” Been said. “We can help faculty and students get the data they need, clean the data, analyze it and visualize it.” The Libraries’ turnkey data support includes the provision of access to many subscription databases, including referenceUSA, Data-Planet and Social Explorer, to name a few.

Going further, data visualization tools give researchers new and innovative ways to tell stories and illustrations with graphics. Common tools for presenting data are the built-in graphic charts in Excel or SPSS, yet mapping and plotting data allows the researcher to spot trends or other surprising facets that a spreadsheet just can’t match.

“The graphing capabilities of Excel are quite powerful,” Been said. “However, there are so many new tools that are designed to increase our ability to create a visualization that matches our imagination. Some of these tools can create amazing visualizations within minutes of opening the application, while others may require some coding. Basically, it makes data fun.”

New services include open demos and hands-on workshops beginning in Fall 2014, conducted in the MD Anderson Library with customized exercises in GIS and data visualization for students. Additionally, users of the Libraries will have a new research guide detailing GIS and data visualization services, tools and methods. Dedicated office hours will be open for students to receive personalized assistance. 

UH Libraries Announces Microgrant Winners

The University of Houston Libraries is pleased to announce the winners of the 2014-2015 Microgrant Program.

The program, now in its 6^th year, was created to foster new and innovative ideas in support of the Libraries’ Strategic Directions and the University’s Tier One Initiatives. Librarians and library staff submitted fresh, experimental concepts for novel services and programs which would benefit teaching, learning and research objectives of the UH community.

The UH Libraries Microgrant Program winners for 2014-2015 are:

Project title: Houston Art Libraries Collaboration
Chelby King (project lead), Chris Conway, Catherine Essinger, Donovan Parker

In conjunction with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Hirsch Library and The Menil Collection Library, the Architecture and Art Library will host an open house at each location for School of Art faculty, graduate students, and museum researchers. Attendees will be introduced to services, collections and primary resources unique to that library. Each open house will include a tour of the host facility, a meet-and-greet reception, and a booklet with summary information about each library for students.

This event series builds upon a partnership agreement signed by MFAH and UH in 2012 to encourage collaboration between arts researchers at both institutions. It aims to support research needs of graduate students; provide opportunities for collaboration, networking, and the generation of ideas; and strengthen institutional partnerships.

Project title: Research in the Real World Lecture Series
Donovan Parker (project lead), Chris Conway, Catherine Essinger, Chelby King

A series of lectures created for UH students in the School of Art will be held each semester. Lectures will consist of panel discussions with art and design professionals. Topics will include research methodology specific to art and design careers, and the information resources of which students should be aware. This project supports student success and strengthens institutional partnerships.

Project title: African American Read-In
Rachel Vacek (project lead), Julie Grob, Andrea Malone, Jesse Sharpe

Since 1989, the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English has sponsored the National African American Read-In. UH Libraries will host a Read-In for which students, staff and faculty can sign up to read self-selected book passages, articles, poetry, speeches, and other works written by African Americans. The Libraries will identify unique materials from Special Collections and the stacks to inspire those in search of reading material. This project supports the Libraries’ goals of providing innovative programming and pursuing transformative partnerships.

Project title: Bundt Cake for Charity
Rachel Vacek (project lead), Kelsey Brett, Lee Hilyer, Alex Simons

November 15th is both National Bundt Cake Day and National Philanthropy Day. The Libraries will host a bundt cake sale with proceeds going to a philanthropic organization. With each cake/slice sold, Bundt Cake for Charity aims to bring awareness of the Libraries’ services and programs to a wider audience.