Welcome to our 2024 Dalhousie Libraries interns!
Meet Shannon, Kate, Jenna, Kima, Rebecca, and Kelti.
They told us a little bit about themselves, what brought them to Dal, and what they’ve been working on.
Read all about our 2024 interns.
June is National Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day.
It is an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions, and experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. It is a time to honour the stories, achievements, and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to impact an evolving Canada.
Discover stories, traditions, and cultures
The best way to gain a deeper understanding of First Nations, Inuit and Métis experiences is through their own voices. Enjoy Indigenous storytelling by picking up a book, attending a show, watching a movie, or listening to music from Indigenous artists.
Over June, we will be sharing learning resources and links related to the weekly themes of National Indigenous History Month on social media:
Killam Retrofit Update: Fifth Floor Closure
Please note, the GIS Centre and the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room will be closed for renovations from June 10 to September 2024.
GIS Centre – Book an appointment online or visit www.dal.ca/gis and click Book an Appointment.
In-person help can be arranged by email (with advanced notice)– jennifer.strang@dal.ca or james.boxall@dal.ca.
Archives and Special Collections Reading Room
A temporary reading room will be available on the 3rd floor of the Killam Memorial Library. Access to the collections will be by appointment only. Requests must be made 24 hours in advance.
To make an appointment to view archival material, please contact us at archives@dal.ca.
Contact spcoll@dal.ca to make an appointment to view special collections material.
GIS Centre How-To Videos
The GIS Centre has created how-to videos for accessing sentinel data using ArcGIS Pro and showing realistic trees using ArcGIS Pro.
Accessing Sentinel Data Using ArcGIS Pro – Sentinel data is satellite data available through the European Space Agency. This video reviews the Sentinel satellite missions and how to bring Sentinel 2 data into ArcGIS Pro for visualization and analysis. The demo is using ArcGIS Pro version 3.2.2.
Showing Realistic Trees in ArcGIS Pro – This video walks through the process of bringing in publicly available data, preparing data for visualization, and using Rule Packages to create a Realistic 3D view of trees in ArcGIS Pro (Scene). The demo is done with ArcGIS Pro version 3.2.2 and utilizes the Spatial Analyst extension.
Check out the videos below or on our Youtube channel.
Killam Closure June 1 & 2 for Water Shutdown
The Killam Library will be closed Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2 for a planned water shutdown.
Those seeking study space are encouraged to use the Wallace McCain Learning Commons.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Killam Library Front Entrance Closure May 6 & 7
The Killam atrium will be closed from May 6 – August 2 as part of the Killam Library Deep Energy Retrofit Project.
There will be no access to the atrium and food services in that area. Second Cup, Subway, and Bento Sushi are now closed and will remain closed until August.
The front entrance of the Killam Library will be closed on May 6 & 7 to construct a tunnel that will provide safe access to the library during the atrium renovation.
- The fire exit door in the Downie Wenjack Legacy Space will be open during these two days of tunnel construction.
- The back door facing Howe Hall will be used as an alternative accessible entrance for those two days.
The front doors will become accessible again from May 8 on, and the tunnel can be used to access the Student Accessibility Centre and Killam Library.
Thank you for your patience during this significant phase of the Killam Library retrofit.
New Resources! Comorbidities Manager for BMJ Best Practice & Neurosurgical Atlas
By: Francis Toole
We are happy to share two exciting new resources this week!
Neurosurgical Atlas
The Neurosurgical Atlas is a comprehensive educational tool for neurosurgical reference and education, including various interactive images, videos, and lectures. The Atlas includes information on neurosurgical procedures with a focus on safety and patient success. It is used by neurosurgeons, neuroscience researchers, radiologists, residents, medical students, nurses, and other health professionals.
This interactive resource includes 5000+ illustrations, 600+ surgical images, and 1000+ exclusive operative case videos. Even more content will be added this year, including instruction on pediatrics and spinal cord surgeries.
Access the Neurosurgical Atlas or search for it alphabetically in the A-Z Databases list.
Comorbidities Manager for BMJ Best Practice
We have added the Comorbidities Manager to our BMJ Best Practice subscription. BMJ Best Practice is an evidence-based point of care tool featuring up-to-date clinical information to help manage clinical decision-making and patient treatment plans.
The tool is available online through a browser and as a mobile app. The Comorbidities Manager can be accessed from the “Your Profile” tab on the main page top-level navigation menu. The Comorbidities Manager produces an initial management plan tailored to the patient’s unique needs and multiple conditions.
BMJ provides a helpful guide for getting started with the Comorbidities Manager which covers how to access the tool from the BMJ Best Practices homepage. Full access to the BMJ Comorbidities Manager is now available. For more information and access refer to the Health Science Resource Guide.
Reference Services
As always, you can contact the Kellogg reference service for assistance accessing these tools. Reference services can provide drop-in support either in person or online Monday-Friday, 9-5 (Summer & Between Semesters: 10 –4).
More information about reference services is available on the Kellogg Library website.
Students Shine at MacRae Library Research Poster Competition
By: Jaclyn Chambers Page, Copyright Librarian + Faculty of Agriculture Liaison Librarian
The research achievements of students from across Dalhousie’s Agricultural campus are on display after MacRae Library’s first research poster competition.
Held on March 27, the competition welcomed Dalhousie students, faculty, staff, and members of the surrounding community to engage with Agricultural campus student research, forge connections, and learn from each other.
Participants were invited to submit print or digital posters highlighting their research projects, which were then evaluated by the event audience. Poster presentations were followed by a poster fair where attendees could interact with researchers individually and provide feedback using a rubric.
The breadth of topics covered during the competition was impressive, ranging from the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on lactating dairy cows to toxic algal blooms. The diversity of topics underscored the impactful research happening on the Agricultural campus and demonstrated students’ commitment to fostering a healthy and sustainable future.
The organizers extend their gratitude to all participants for their dedication and courage in taking part in the event:
- Zohreh Fazelan, Exploring immune gene expression patterns in American lobster (Homarus americanus) during Aerococcus viridans var. homari infection
- Zahra Ghiasvand, From Ocean to Gene: Investigating the Lobster’s Immune Battle Against Profilicollis botulus
- Hamza Jawad, Utilizing omics approaches to enhance parasite resistance in sheep through molecular diagnostics and genomic selection
- Baillie Lynds, Effect of Enhanced Efficiency Nitrogen Fertilizers on Agronomic and Environmental Performance in Grain Corn
- Staci-ann Morgan, The physiological and Behavioural effects of COVID-19 restrictions on lactating dairy cows
- Olufemi Osonowo, Optimizing Feed Intake Test Period in Sheep Production
- Marianna Rampaul, Cracking the enigma: Exploring the potential of the egg development protein vitellogenin as a bioindicator of female American lobster (Homarus americanus) maturity
- Devleena Sahoo, Worldwide Toxic Algal Blooms and Human Health issues
Dalhousie librarians Erin MacPherson and Jaclyn Chambers Page hosted the event and presented prizes to the top three overall scoring posters in a very close competition:
- Marianna Rampaul
- Baillie Lynds
- Devleena Sahoo
All posters are available for viewing in the SLC (top floor) of the MacRae Library until April 5, 2024.
The organizers would also like to thank the students, faculty members, Acting Dean Dr. Wang-Pruski, Associate Deans, and community supporters who came out to encourage the participants and engage with the judging activity. Special thanks to Alison Brierley, Dalhousie Libraries Multidisciplinary Intern for helping with the event preparations, Michael Vandenburg, Dean of Libraries and Elaine MacInnis, Associate Dean Library Services and Head MacRae Library & Acting Head, Killam Library for their support of this project.
Register for Research Camp
Are you a graduate student, research assistant, or teaching assistant looking to develop your research skills? Research Camp is a comprehensive program that will take you through the research process from literature searching and writing all the way to publication.
The program is open to any student, faculty, or staff member at Dalhousie, but is specifically tailored to graduate students.
Research Camp will be offered as a series of online modules on Brightspace and live online sessions. Modules may include short video lectures and interactive exercises to help you brush up on your literature searching, writing, information management, and research skills.
By registering for this program, you will have access to all of the pre-recorded modules beginning on May 13, 2024. You also have the option to register for sessions in the program that will be delivered live (online) in May and June.
Students receive badges for completing modules in Research Camp and badges accumulated toward certificates. For a full list of available certificates, see the Certificate page on the Research Camp website.
Registration is open now, and access starts on May 13, 2024. To self-register for the program:
- Log into Brightspace
- In the Academic Support menu, select Self-registration
- From the list of courses, find and select Research Camp 2024-2025
To register for live sessions, visit the Dal Libraries events calendar.
Visit the program website for the schedule, module descriptions, and FAQs.
8th Annual Dalhousie Agricultural Campus Fine Arts & Craft Show
Dalhousie Agricultural Campus is currently hosting its 8th annual Fine Arts & Craft Show, showcasing an array of talent from both the campus community and beyond. Despite gaps due to COVID-related interruptions and space constraints due to the Cox fire, the event has returned again this year, building on its inaugural exhibition in 2013.
Founded by alumna Crystal Fullerton, who submitted her own entry this year all the way from Alberta, the show has continued to evolve under the stewardship of Stephanie Peach, another dedicated alumna who took over as Curator in 2019. Stephanie loves bringing the art community together. “Giving the Agricultural Campus community a venue to display and appreciate the work of others brings me so much joy. It is something I look forward to each year. I love to meet the artists and guests and adore getting to arrange these amazing pieces of work in a way that flows.”
This year’s exhibition features 27 artists displaying 79 pieces, encompassing a wide variety of mediums. Visitors can admire fiber art, photography, wood turnings, oils and acrylics, wool felting, watercolors, handcrafted glass beads, innovative mixed media pieces, quilting, polymer clay sculptures, rug hooking, beach glass art, and even taxidermy.
The diversity of art on display reflects the unique perspective of the Agricultural Campus community, with contributions from current and retired faculty and staff, as well as students and alumni. Some pieces are available for purchase, with contact information provided for interested buyers.
The exhibit, which highlights the connection between art and nature, will conclude on Friday, March 29th (Good Friday), with the Library open from 12:00 to 5:00 on that day. Visitors are encouraged to explore the captivating creations on display and leave their thoughts in the guestbook.
