Borealis Upgrade February 1st

January 24, 2023 dpryan Leave a Comment

Borealis, the Canadian Dataverse Repository, will be upgraded February 1. The platform, including Dalhousie Dataverse @ Borealis, will be unavailable from approximately 11 am – 5 pm Atlantic Time.

This upgrade should bring exciting new features, including:

New standardized Creative Commons licenses
Improved file upload handling and messaging
Accessibility improvements
Bug fixes
And more

To test these features, feel free to use their demo sandbox environment.

For more details reach out to the Borealis team with questions or feedback.

The Ghost of Copyright Past: Public Domain Changes in Canada

December 16, 2022 dpryan Leave a Comment

Public domain image: “Leo G. Carroll and Reginald Owen in the motion picture A Christmas Carol” from The New York Public Library

Jaclyn Chambers Page, Dalhousie University Copyright Librarian

When the calendar flips to December in Canada, you don’t have to look far to find an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic story, A Christmas Carol. From the Muppets to Bill Murray, there seems to be an endless collection of reimagined Scrooges. If you’re interested in reading the original, you can legally download it free of charge from several places online. What makes this proliferation of Christmas spirits possible? The work’s public domain status.

What is public domain?

Public domain refers to works not under copyright protection that can be used free of charge without further permissions or payment of royalties. Works can enter the public domain for several reasons, including expiration of copyright due to age.

What is changing?

Historically, most works entered the public domain in Canada 50 years after the death of the author/creator (see sections 6-12 of the Copyright Act for information on exceptions). Effective December 30, 2022, the terms of public domain in Canada will change to the life of the author plus 70 years. This change is necessary to meet the terms of the Canada-United States-Mexico (CUSMA) trade agreement. It is important to note that this change will not be retroactive; works already in the public domain in Canada will remain in the public domain.

What does this mean?

A copyrighted work enters the public domain on January 1st of the year following the expiration of its copyright term; this means the creator must have died in 1971 for the work to be in the public domain in Canada, as of December 30, 2022. No further works will enter the public domain in Canada due to the expiration of its copyright until January 1, 2043. This means if you would like to use works created by someone who died in 1972 or later, you must abide by the terms and exceptions outlined in the Copyright Act of Canada.

Let’s say you are interested in compiling a book that explores the works of Canadian politician Frank Underhill and former Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson. The change in Canada’s public domain term means that you will be able to reuse Underhill’s works without further permission since he died in 1971 (Stevenson, 2013). However, Pearson died the following year, on December 27, 1972 (Bothwell, 2021), so you would either have to seek permission from his estate or wait another 20 years to reuse his works in the book.

Who can help me with my questions?

Dalhousie’s Copyright Office is available to help you navigate your rights and responsibilities regarding copyright in educational and/or research contexts. Please note the Copyright Office does not provide legal advice, but general guidance for responsible practices at Dalhousie University. The copyright office can be reached at copyright.office@dal.ca.

An online information session on these changes will take place as part of the Copyright Office’s Copyright Quickchat series on Friday, February 17, 2023 from 12-12:30pm. Additionally, the Copyright Office will hold online open drop-in sessions every Wednesday from 10am-11am beginning January 11th, 2023 if you would like to chat in person.

Fortunately, the changes to Canada’s public domain do not affect the works of Charles Dickens since he died in 1870 (Collins, 2022), so you can still take a free journey with the Ghost of Copyright…er…Christmas Past.

Visit The Public Domain Review to find more works in the public domain.

References

Bothwell, R. (2021). Lester B. Pearson. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lester-bowles-pearson

Collins, P. (2022, December 4). Charles Dickens. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Dickens-British-novelist

Stevenson, G. (2013). Frank Hawkins Underhill. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/frank-hawkins-underhill

Extended Hours for Exams

November 21, 2022 Marlo MacKay Leave a Comment

Exams in most programs run from December 9–20, so we’re extending our hours in four of our locations to give you some extra study time.

Killam Library
Saturday, December 3 & Sunday, December 4: 10 a.m.–12 a.m.
Monday, December 5—Friday, December 9: 7:30 a.m.–12 a.m.
Saturday, December 10 & Sunday, December 11: 8 a.m.–12 a.m.
Monday, December 12–Friday, December 16: 7:30 a.m.–12 a.m.
Saturday, December 17 & Sunday, December 18: 8 a.m.–12 a.m.
Monday, December 19–Tuesday, December 20: 7:30 a.m.–12 a.m.

MacRae Library
Sunday, November 27: 12 p.m.–12 a.m.
Monday, November 28–Thursday, December 1: 8 a.m.–12 a.m.
Friday, December 2: 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
Saturday, December 3: 12–5 p.m. (regular hours)
Sunday, December 4: 12 p.m.–12 a.m.
Monday, December 5–Thursday, December 8: 8 a.m.–12 a.m.
Friday, December 9: 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
Saturday, December 10: 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
Sunday, December 11: 12 p.m.–12 a.m.
Monday, December 12–Thursday, December 15: 8 a.m.–12 a.m.
Friday, December 16: 8 a.m.–9 p.m.

Sir James Dunn Law Library
Friday, December 2: 8 a.m.–10 p.m.
Saturday, December 3: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Sunday, December 4: 12–8 p.m. (regular hours)
Monday, December 5–Friday, December 9: 8 a.m.–10 p.m. (regular hours M–Th)
Saturday, December 10: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Sunday, December 11: 12–8 p.m. (regular hours)
Monday, December 12–Friday, December 16: 8 a.m.–10 p.m. (regular hours M–Th)
Saturday, December 17: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.

Sexton Design & Technology Library
Friday, December 2: 8 a.m.–11 p.m.
Saturday, December 3: 10 a.m.–11 p.m.
Sunday, December 4: 10 a.m.–11 p.m. (regular hours)
Monday, December 5–Friday, December 9: 8 a.m.–11 p.m. (regular hours M–Th)
Saturday, December 10: 10 a.m.–11 p.m.
Sunday, December 11: 10 a.m.–11 p.m. (regular hours)
Monday, December 12–Friday, December 16: 8 a.m.–11 p.m. (regular hours M–Th)
Saturday, December 17: 10 a.m.–11 p.m.

No extended hours at the W.K. Kellogg Health Sciences Library, the Kellogg Library Learning Commons (CHEB), or the Wallace McCain Learning Commons.

Raddall Reading: Carol Bruneau in conversation with Michelle Butler Hallett

November 3, 2022 Marlo MacKay Leave a Comment

The Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS) and Dalhousie Libraries present an evening of conversation between Carol Bruneau and Michelle Butler Hallett, winner of the 2022 Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award for her novel Constant Nobody (Goose Lane Editions). All are welcome.

In his review in the Miramichi Reader, Ian Colford calls Constant Nobody “a complex, absorbing historical thriller. […] Constant Nobody is a difficult, sprawling, challenging novel, but its power is undeniable,” he concludes. “It represents a clear triumph of the imagination. The sheer artistry that has gone into shaping and writing this story is nothing short of spectacular.”

Self-described history nerd Michelle Butler Hallett writes fiction about violence, evil, love, and grace. Constant Nobody is her fifth novel. She lives in St. John’s, NL.

Carol Bruneau is the author of nine books: three short fiction collections and six novels, including Brighten the Corner Where You Are, inspired by the life of folk artist Maud Lewis. Bruneau was the 2001 Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award winner for Purple for Sky.

Goose Lane Editions has provided WFNS with copies of two of Butler Hallett’s books, This Marlowe and Constant Nobody, to give away as virtual door prizes. All registrants in attendance will have a chance at winning.

The free virtual event will take place on Zoom on Thursday, November 17, starting at 7 p.m. Please register to attend.

Poppy Pin Beading Workshop (in-person, two sessions)

September 27, 2022 Marlo MacKay Leave a Comment

A beaded poppy. Photo by Michelle McDonald.

Learn how to bead a poppy pin in time for Remembrance Day. This two-part workshop will be led by Michelle McDonald, a beader originally from Sipekne’katik who is an Instructional Support Technician with the Dalhousie Libraries.

What to know in advance:

All materials will be supplied. There is no cost to attend.
Only sign up if you can attend BOTH sessions of the workshop in person in the Ko’jua Okuom in the Killam Memorial Library (Oct. 6 AND 13 from 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.).
Beginners are welcome. It is helpful if you have sewing or embroidery experience, but it is not required.
Due to the small size of the beads, you may find it helpful to bring a pair of magnifying glasses, etc.

Dalhousie Libraries Welcomes New Dean of Libraries Michael Vandenburg

May 19, 2022 Marlo MacKay Leave a Comment

On August 15, Michael Vandenburg will begin his five-year appointment as Dean of Libraries at Dalhousie University. Current Dean of Libraries Donna Bourne-Tyson will be retiring after eleven years of extraordinary leadership.

Since May of 2021, Michael has been the Interim Executive Director of the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL). OCUL is the consortium of Ontario’s 21 university libraries, committed to maximizing collective expertise and resources through collaborative efforts. While at OCUL, Michael provided leadership for current initiatives and services, and actively engaged with member library directors to review the consortium’s governance and develop new strategic directions.

Before that, Michael spent twelve years at Queen’s University Library, most recently serving in Acting and Interim Vice-Provost & University Librarian (VPUL) roles. Michael provided leadership for the library and the university through a period of significant change, including navigating the countless operational shifts required due to the pandemic. He also led the allocation and management of library resources in support of university goals and played a key role in developing and supporting the library’s Information Resources Strategy, Digital Asset Management Strategy, and Action Plan to Support Anti-Racism, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigenous Cultures. Representing Queen’s, he worked with OCUL to implement a shared library services platform for 13 Ontario libraries, improving access to library resources for the Queen’s community.

Prior to arriving at Queen’s, Michael worked in public and government libraries in Nova Scotia, Pennsylvania, and Ontario in roles focusing on the digital transformation of library systems and services. As a proud Dal alum (BA’88, MLIS’94), Michael is thrilled to be returning to Nova Scotia and Dalhousie as the Dean of Libraries.

Welcome, Michael!

Love Data Week

February 9, 2022 Marlo MacKay Leave a Comment

by Gwen MacNairn, Erin MacPherson, Lachlan MacLeod, James Boxall, and Julie Marcoux

Do you love data? Or do you want to know more about data before going to the next step? Whether you have lots of experience with data or are just starting to dip your toes in to the data pool, then International Love Data Week is for you. As this year’s theme of International Love Data Week is “Data is for everyone”, the Dalhousie Libraries will be hosting a series of presentations on data that will introduce you to the many different aspects of data, whether you are new or experienced. Taking place from February 14–18, these 30-minute presentations will cover things like:

A hands-on introduction to the basics of data
Tips for managing your research data
GIS and geospatial data
Where to find data

To register for these sessions and other Dal Libraries sessions, check out the Libraries Events calendar: https://dal.libcal.com/calendar/events

Reduced Hours and Early Holiday Closures at the Dalhousie Libraries (UPDATED DEC 21)

December 16, 2021 Marlo MacKay Leave a Comment

Out of an abundance of caution in response to rising COVID cases in the province and on campuses, the Dalhousie Libraries are reducing our hours, and in some locations, closing earlier for the holidays. Here is the revised schedule:

MacRae Library
Friday, December 17: Closing at 4 p.m. Reopening January 4.

Wallace McCain Learning Commons
Sunday, December 19: Closing at 4 p.m. Reopening January 4.

W. K. Kellogg Health Sciences Library (Tupper)
Sunday, December 19: Closing at 4 p.m. Reopening January 4.

Sexton Design & Technology Library
Sunday, December 19: Closing at 11 p.m. Reopening January 4.

Killam Memorial Library
Monday, December 20–Thursday, December 23: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
—–>Friday, December 24: CLOSED. Reopening January 4<—– UPDATED DECEMBER 21

Kellogg Library Learning Commons (CHEB)
Monday, December 20 –Thursday, December 23: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
—–>Friday, December 24: CLOSED. Reopening January 4.<—– UPDATED DECEMBER 21

Sir James Dunn Law Library
Wednesday, December 22: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Reopening January 4.

Congratulations to the 2022 CAUL-CBUA Collaborative Research Grant Recipients

November 22, 2021 Marlo MacKay Leave a Comment

Nicole Carter

Lindsay McNiff

The Dal Libraries’ own Learning & Instruction Librarian Lindsay McNiff along with her colleague Nicole Carter, the Reference & Research Librarian at Saint Mary’s University, have been awarded $1,000 to help support their project, Investigating the experiences of academic librarians on temporary contracts in Canada before and during COVID-19. Congratulations!

From CAUL/CBUA:
In their proposal, Lindsay and Nicole propose to investigate the demographics of those academic librarians engaged in precarious work in Canada (including age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, years since graduation), in what postsecondary environments they have been employed precariously (college, university, size of institution), the nature of these contracts (reason, duration), and some key questions about their experience in these positions, including those raised in prior literature around training, socialization, and supervision. This is the first Canada-wide survey to investigate these questions with a focus on academic librarians with temporary contracts. The study will also zero in on how COVID-19 has affected the working life of librarians holding temporary contracts in academic libraries.

The CAUL-CBUA Collaborative Research Grant is intended to encourage collaborative research by librarians and staff working in academic libraries in the region through projects which involve structured, evidence-based research. We are pleased to continue offering support to researchers in the region and look forward to the results of Lindsay and Nicole’s study.

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