The Halifax Dalhousie Libraries spaces will have a delayed opening at 2 p.m. today due to the current weather conditions. The MacRae Library will open at 9 a.m. Stay safe and see you later!
UPDATE: 8:52 A.M., SEPT. 23
The Sir James Dunn Law Library is opening at 9 a.m.
Due to the current conditions, all Dal Libraries spaces will be closing at 6 pm tonight. Stay safe everyone!
The move to online teaching this fall presented a number of new challenges for everyone. One area where the Dal Libraries have seen exponential growth over the past few months is in the number of requests we’ve received for streaming videos.
Since classes have moved almost exclusively online, we have received over 280 requests for videos. Even if a film is already held as a physical copy in the Dal Libraries’ collection, we still must find a streaming source of the video for the online teaching environment.
To support online teaching and learning, the Dalhousie Libraries have recently added several streaming video collections: Audio Ciné, Criterion, Curio, Films-on-Demand, and Kanopy. (The content on Kanopy is limited to a selection of films purchased to support specific classes.) All of the videos found in these collections can be used in online teaching.
Despite the now thousands of films and documentaries that are available through the Dal Libraries in these new streaming video resources, faculty members often require videos that are not held in one of the streaming collections we subscribe to. When that happens, the Dal Libraries need to find the distributor of the video and acquire a licence for that video.
Tracking Down Videos
Films are a particular challenge to locate. Unlike books and journals, we don’t have access to a standardized and comprehensive list to locate a distributor. Sites like IMDB offer clues but the information is not always complete, up-to-date, or accurate. Once we do locate the distributor, we then explain that a professor at Dalhousie University wants to screen their film to a class online and ask if they have the option of providing us with an educational streaming licence.
Sometimes the distributor does not have a streaming service or digital files they can share with us, or we learn that the distributor we located no longer holds the rights and we have to conduct another search. Sometimes, the distributor can’t acquire Canadian streaming rights.
When we do find the correct distributor who has a version of the video available for educational purposes with Canadian streaming rights, our Copyright Office then reviews the licence. If all is well, we sign the licence. Staff on the Resources team then make the video accessible through the Novanet catalogue and we notify the faculty member that the video is ready.
Timelines and Costs
The process to acquire a single title can take a week to over a month and on average costs $200–$300 for a licence. A licence usually lasts for 6–12 months. Within these ranges, there is much variation. One distributor was charging as much as $4,000 US for a one-year licence. Some licences last for only two weeks.
What about Netflix and YouTube?
Services such as Netflix, HBO, and Crave only sell subscriptions to individuals for household use and do not offer educational licensing. If the video you are seeking is exclusively available through one of these commercial subscription services we are not legally able to provide access to the video.
Additionally, for students living and studying outside of Canada, content across these services will vary depending on where the user lives. For example, the content on Netflix in Canada is not the same as the content on Netflix in the US. YouTube raises similar problems — some countries have completely blocked access to their residents.
Start Early
We encourage faculty to start their search for streaming videos in our existing subscriptions before placing a request, but we recognize there will be times when a specific film or documentary is needed. As the timeline to locate the distributor and review and sign the licence can take up to a month for a single video, the earlier these requests can be submitted, the better. If it turns out the video is not available for streaming in Canada, the faculty member will be informed as soon as possible so they can adjust their syllabus accordingly.
Dalhousie faculty and staff can complete this form to request a specific streaming video to support 2020/21 online teaching. A Dalhousie login is required.
Streaming Video Subject Guide
The Dalhousie Libraries’ Streaming Video subject guide provides links to the streaming video services we subscribe to and copyright guidance as it relates to using video in online teaching.
These subscriptions provide access to thousands of feature films, documentaries, educational films, and video clips covering a wide range of subject matter and genres, available to Dalhousie and King’s faculty, students, and staff. The guide also includes listings for a number of sources that are freely available on the internet.
New Streaming Video Collections at the Dalhousie Libraries
Having a problem with an eResource? (films, journals, books, databases)
Please use this form. It collects the information we need to solve the problem.
The following spaces are open by appointment for limited and safe access to Dal Libraries spaces for current Dalhousie faculty, instructors, students, and staff.
Locations not listed (Sexton Library, Sir James Dunn Law Library) are not yet ready to be booked. Weekend hours will roll out in the coming weeks.
Please note: The spaces will be closed for cleaning from noon–1 p.m. and from 4–5 p.m.
After you log in to the booking system, choose the location you want (or express printing) from the drop-down menu to see which time slots are available. Depending on the space, a study table, study room, or a computer can be booked for three-hour time slots. Computers can also be booked for 30 minute express printing.
Bookings should be made a minimum of 24 hours in advance by completing this form.
Join us for a wonderful evening of Atlantic literature and stimulating conversation.
We’ll start with readings by the 2020 finalists of the Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award — Shandi Mitchell (The Waiting Hours), Jaime Burnet (Crocuses Hatch from Snow), and Michael Crummey (The Innocents).
Following the readings, there will be a conversation between St. John’s, Nfld. writers Michael Crummey and Sharon Bala.
Thursday, September 17/7 p.m.
Online via Zoom
Please register using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1R4tHrYTQPWFTLgb30yjEw
Starting September 8, the MacRae Library will be available for bookable appointments for current Dalhousie students, faculty, and staff.
You can book a:
For the week of September 8–11, the bookable time slots will be:
| Tuesday–Thursday (Sept 8–10) | Friday (Sept 11) |
| 9 a.m.–1 p.m. | 9 a.m.–12 p.m. |
| 2 p.m.–6 p.m. | 1–5 p.m. |
Bookings can be made via email: macrae.library@dal.ca or by calling the service desk at 1-902-893-6669.
The rest of our fall hours for the term will be rolled out in the coming weeks. Don’t forget to wear your mask and bring your DalCard!
A message from the Dean of Libraries, Donna Bourne-Tyson
We are really looking forward to welcoming you back to our on campus spaces, some of which have been closed since March due to COVID-19. Since March, we’ve been busy providing services online and now we’re excited to see you back on campus as well.
No matter where in the world you will be this fall, we’re here for you online, with all of the services and supports you’d expect from a research library system. On campus, while you’ll still get many of our regular services, there are a number of changes I’d like to tell you about.
The health and safety of all Dalhousie students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. We’ve worked closely with the University’s Return to Campus Committee to establish the process of opening our spaces safely.
By mid-September, most of our library spaces will be open on a new fall schedule, which will include evening hours but not late-night hours. Spaces will be accessible by booking a time slot with your Dal Card. Consult the hours table on libraries.dal.ca for specific reopening dates and hours by location.
Here’s what you can expect as each of our spaces open in the coming weeks:
Spaces
Services and Resources
And don’t forget to check out the library events calendar, found by clicking the “Events” link on our landing page, to find virtual library orientation sessions and other events. For more information and updates, visit the Dal Libraries’ COVID-19 page.
We’re counting on you to help us keep everyone using the Dal Libraries safe. We ask for your cooperation and thank you for your patience while we all work together to create safe and welcoming learning spaces.
I would like to thank all the staff of the Dalhousie Libraries who have worked so hard in getting us ready to open on campus, spending countless hours planning as well as doing hands-on tasks like moving furniture and setting up new booking systems. Everyone has worked incredibly hard to make the libraries as safe and as accessible as possible.
Things will definitely be different this term, but the Dalhousie Libraries are still here for you, both online, and on campus. Wishing you all my best for a successful and safe term.
Donna Bourne-Tyson
Dean of Libraries
As we approach the fall 2020 term, the Dal Libraries are working to provide alternative access to the print course reserves collection. Among the readings on course reserves, there are usually a number of course textbooks (e.g. items from the library’s collection, or books loaned to the library by an instructor).
With teaching and learning moving largely online for the fall term, instructors are asking that print textbooks on reserve be replaced by e-textbooks, to provide better access to students. However, there are numerous textbook publishers that do not permit libraries to purchase electronic textbooks. Many existing course textbooks are simply unavailable to libraries in any other format than print. Textbook publishers have built their profit models around selling textbooks directly to students.
Despite the library’s commitment to make copies of required readings available to students where possible, the following publishers are examples of those that will not allow us to purchase an e-textbook version of their publications:
This means that in courses that have adopted textbooks by these publishers, students who purchase the print or e-textbook will have access, but the textbook in its entirety will not be available via print or electronic course reserves.
The Dal Libraries encourage instructors to explore and identify viable alternatives to textbook readings, including:
The Dal Libraries will seek to secure online materials that are free from digital rights management restrictions (DRM) in order to ensure relative ease of student access and use. DRM includes limits on the number of users that can access a resource at any one time, as well as limits on copying, printing and downloading.
Instructors who are teaching Fall term courses are advised to submit course reading lists to the Dal Libraries’ Course eReserves submission form as soon as possible. If faculty wish to consult the library about specific resources, liaison librarians/subject selectors are available to provide support.
The above text was adapted with permission from a June 22, 2020 news post by the University of Guelph Library (https://www.lib.uoguelph.ca/news/commercial-textbooks-present-challenges-virtual-environment).
Released August 4, 2020
by: Deborah Hemming, Louise Gillis, & Melissa Helwig
As you prepare for fall courses, know there are many teaching and learning services and resources available through the Dal Libraries.
To make it as easy as possible for you to access our services while you work from home, we created some quick links and descriptions to our teaching and learning library services and tools. Stay home and stay safe!
Library Orientation & Research Skills Sessions
Do your students need to brush up on their research skills? Ask a librarian to provide a customized session for your online class. Whether live or prerecorded, librarians are available to teach your students about how to use the library, searching for books and articles, evaluating sources, citation styles, and more. Contact your liaison librarian to request a session for your fall courses.
As part of a library session, librarians can create complementary exercises or quizzes so students can put their new research skills into practice. If students have questions or run into issues after the session, encourage them to contact their liaison librarian for follow-up help and guidance.
The Dal Libraries website also has a collection of informative handouts to support students in accessing library materials and completing research. These cover everything from “Choosing a research topic” to “Identifying and reading scholarly works.” You can link to the Dal Libraries handouts on your course page and even pair them with assignments to provide direction for your students.
Course readings supports
Course reserves are not just for print materials. Dal Libraries Course Reserves services include providing faculty with Persistent URLs (PURLs) to our Dal Libraries’ online resources — no more broken links! Simply submit your reading lists to us and we will provide PURLs to electronic books and articles for as many readings as possible. Submit your reading lists early!
Beyond the traditional course reserves, you can chat with your liaison librarian about selecting and accessing alternatives such as Open Education Resources (OERs). OERs are teaching, learning, and research resources that are created with the intention of being freely available to users and can be in the form of textbooks, readings, and multimedia files. To learn more, check out our OER page or contact your liaison librarian.
Online Tutorials
Looking for instructional videos on topics such as accessing library resources, renewing books, using academic databases, and citing sources? The Dal Libraries has a collection of closed captioned video tutorials that address library basics and much more. Direct your students here, or link through Brightspace.
CLT, Education Literature, and ATS
Want to learn more about teaching online? Check out the Centre for Learning and Teaching‘s online panels, webinars and workshops. Material is offered by faculty with experience in online design, remote teaching and student engagement. Sign up and learn something new!
Interested in reading up on education theory and practice? Dal Libraries provides access to books, journals, and on topic databases. We have two LibGuides to help you get started: Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Resources Guide and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Resource Guide.
If you’re seeking technical assistance for Brightspace, instructional technologists with Academic Technology Services (ATS) of the Dalhousie Libraries provide live, one-on-one virtual support as well as regular training sessions on Brightspace and many of its tools.
Final tips…
Reach out to your liaison librarian and consider adding their contact info and links to subject specific LibGuides in your syllabi. Having a library contact and a tailored LibGuide can help your students get started on course assignments and research. To learn more about liaison librarians and services see our previous post, Top 5 Tips To Stay Connected from Home.
And don’t forget to think beyond the library: there are many academic supports for your students when it comes to learning.
by Sarah Jane Dooley, Louise Gillis, & Melissa Helwig
We miss you and we are here for you!
Despite our physical locations being closed 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.
For the most up-to-date information regarding our spaces, remote services and collections, please keep checking back here: https://libraries.dal.ca/covid-19-updates.html
To make this as easy as possible for you, we created a Top 5 Tips to stay connected with us while you work from home. Stay home and stay safe!
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 remote 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 are also still providing services such as LiveHelp (via chat) and Brightspace and IT HelpDesk assistance at support@dal.ca.
Tip #2: Subject Guides
Overwhelmed or unsure at 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 I register my 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. Currently due dates are being adjusted in alignment with potential opening dates/times. 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 book chapters that Dal Libraries doesn’t have or that I can’t currently access in print?
Document Delivery (aka Interlibrary Loan) is a free service that delivers journal articles and book chapters to you electronically. Even though some of our physical spaces are closed, this service allows you to order items we might only have in print or might not own at all.
You can use the patron request (aka order form) from the Document Delivery page or check our YouTube tutorial on using Getit@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. To learn more about Document Delivery services during COVID see our recent Dal News article.
Tip #5: Book Pick Up & Drop Off
Where do I pick up my books?
Curbside Pick Up is now available! Circulating materials from the Dalhousie Libraries are once again available to Dalhousie and King’s faculty, staff, and students. Fill out the form and choose to pick up your books at the Kellogg, Killam, MacRae, or Sexton Libraries. This service cannot provide access to materials from other Novanet institutions at this time.
Where do I return my books?
All due dates have been moved to September 30 and will be reassessed as needed. This applies to Dalhousie items, as well as material borrowed from universities and colleges throughout Nova Scotia and from Mount Allison.
If you would like to make a return, the Killam Library’s book return is open 24/7! Use it to return material from any of the Dal Libraries. Note: If you are self-isolating, please do not return items.