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.

The Dalhousie Libraries Are Here for You! Top 5 Tips To Stay Connected

August 12, 2021 Marlo MacKay Leave a Comment

by Sarah Jane Dooley, Louise Gillis, & Melissa Helwig

Did you know many of our services are available online, like access to thousands of e-journals and e-books? Start your search here: https://libraries.dal.ca. There you will also find the most up-to-date information on our services and spaces.

To make this as easy as possible for you, we created a Top 5 Tips to stay connected with us whether you are working on campus or at home.

Tip #1: Ask a Librarian

Did you know you have a personal librarian? Each program and faculty at Dalhousie has a subject librarian. You are welcome to email them directly at any stage of your research process. Your librarian is ready to help you and is accessible by email or by research appointment.

Start with the Subject Guides to search for your librarian by name or by subject area.

Or go to Ask Us to contact your local library.

We also provide LiveHelp (a chat-based reference service ideal for quick questions; find the link at the bottom of the Libraries’ homepage) as well as Brightspace support for faculty (intech@dal.ca) and IT HelpDesk assistance (support@dal.ca).

Tip #2: Start with Our Subject Guides

Overwhelmed or unsure where to start with electronic resources? Try a Subject Guide. These curated collections of subject-specific resources are an excellent starting point for your research. They highlight relevant databases, useful journals, e-books and more. Still stuck? Your librarian’s contact details are listed too!

Tip #3: Register Your DalCard

Why should you register your DalCard with the library? It allows you to access Document Delivery (see below for more important details). It also allows you to look at your library account info online and check due dates. See the online registration form here: https://libraries.dal.ca/borrow/library-cards.html

Tip #4: Document Delivery

How do I access journal articles and books that Dal Libraries doesn’t have?

Document Delivery (aka Interlibrary Loan) is a free service that delivers books in print, as well as journal articles and book chapters electronically.

You can use the patron request (aka order form) from the Document Delivery page or check our YouTube tutorial on using Get it@Dal to access Document Delivery. To log in you need to have your DalCard registered at the library (see above). Your login is the barcode on your DalCard and your username is the last four digits of the phone number associated with your library account.

Tip #5: Study Space

Are you looking for the perfect place to study?

Computer workstations, group meeting rooms or that little nook at the end of an aisle: everyone can find a great space to work in our libraries. For details and to book, click here: https://libraries.dal.ca/services/book-a-study-room-or-computer–new–.html

A Convocation Message from the Dalhousie Libraries

May 20, 2020 Marlo MacKay Leave a Comment

On behalf of the Dalhousie Libraries, I’m offering heart-felt congratulations to you all. We know the hard work and sacrifice it took for you to get to this day and we are very proud of you!

This year ended on a particularly challenging note, but even through these unusual circumstances, it has been our honour and our pleasure to support your academic needs, most recently providing access to e-books, e-journals, LiveHelp reference support and assistance in Brightspace for students and professors, and before that with the full range of services in our beautiful library spaces.

Regardless of your faculty, we in the Dal Libraries consider all Dalhousie grads to be our graduates. We hope that as you become alumni, your relationship with the Dalhousie Libraries continues. We look forward to supporting your life-long learning journey and that you consider getting an alumni benefits card. I invite you to keep in touch and let us know how the Dal Libraries can support you.

Donna Bourne-Tyson
Dean of Libraries
donna.bourne-tyson@dal.ca

Category: Agriculture

Tip #1: Ask a Librarian

Tip #2: Start with Our Subject Guides

Tip #3: Register Your DalCard

Tip #4: Document Delivery

Tip #5: Study Space