Welcome to our Winter 2021 University Libraries eNewsletter!
It is hard to believe that it is March already and, while we are still enjoying winter weather, we can see spring around the corner – on the calendar at least. I certainly had a bracing introduction to Michigan winters last month! I discovered that my wardrobe is sufficient for the frigid Michigan temperatures and I am really glad that I have an all-wheel drive car, but I need to invest in proper snow boots.
In the University Libraries we are maintaining our COVID-19 precautions, and focusing on online support for teaching, learning, and research while the university continues to offer classes using a hybrid model of online and in-person classes. With less traffic in the OU Libraries, this is a good time for us to revision our space, and we are completing projects to reorganize our collections and create more workspace for students.
In the last newsletter, I mentioned the four goals the OU Libraries are focusing on in the next year or two:
- Enrich the student experience through University Libraries engagement with teaching, learning, and research across campus
- Build and sustain quality University Libraries collections
- Enhance access to University Libraries services and collections
- Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the operations, collections, services, and initiatives of the University Libraries
In this issue of our newsletter, you will see examples of the work we are doing to achieve these goals through initiatives and events focused on affordable education and on inclusion, diversity and equity.
This year we welcome a new Associate Dean, Professor Beth Wallis, who you will meet in this newsletter. As we welcome Beth, I want to thank Professor Mariela Hristova for her outstanding work as Associate Dean over the past several years, and as Interim Dean before my hire. Her guidance and support have been invaluable for my education and orientation as the new Dean of University Libraries and her exceptional leadership as Interim Dean positioned the OU Libraries for continued success in these challenging times.
Happy spring!
Polly D. Boruff-Jones
Polly D. Boruff-Jones
Professor and Dean of University Libraries
Oakland University
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Affordable Course Materials Initiative
On March 3rd from 12-1, OU Libraries is hosting a live virtual event showcasing three of the Affordable Course Materials Initiative (ACMI) stipend recipients who will discuss transitioning their course(s) to free and affordable course materials. This event takes place during Open Education Week, an annual global celebration that seeks to highlight open education efforts worldwide. Affordable access to course materials is both a student success and equity issue and colleges and universities are implementing programs to increase the use of open textbooks and OER. Open educational resources (OERs) are digital materials that are freely available and openly licensed, allowing instructors and students to adapt, reuse and share them including entire textbooks, assessments, lesson plans, videos, and images. Having the ability to edit, change and update the content ensures it more closely matches course learning objectives, current student needs and reflects the diverse perspectives, cultures and communities of the students.
Last fall, OU Libraries piloted a mini-grant program for faculty as part of the ACMI’s campus-wide effort to reduce the cost of course materials for students. Five faculty received stipends to convert their courses which resulted in $13,000-$38,000 savings for students in just one semester.
Register to join us for the live event.
For more information contact Associate Professor, Julia Rodriguez ~ juliar@oakland.edu.
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"The film was nothing like the book!"
Much of today's cinema is inspired by classic, modern and contemporary literature, but how often do filmmakers stay faithful to the book that's the inspiration for their film?
Join the Oakland University Alumni Association and the Kresge Library for a stimulating and unique approach to the classic book club, as the Lit to Film Book Club explores the transition and interpretation of literature on the silver screen. Members read the monthly book and watch the movie prior to the virtual meeting. At the meeting, there will be lively discussion on plot details, themes, and the movie's fidelity to the book.
When: first Tuesday of the month at 6pm (usually ending at 7pm)
Upcoming features:
March 2 - Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman
April 6 - The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman
May 4 - Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
June 1 - The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by Martin Sixsmith (Film: Philomena)
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Black Lives Matter Panel Discussion
OU Libraries in collaboration with Center for Multicultural Initiatives presented a Black Lives Matter Panel Discussion on Thursday, February 4, 2021.
The event was moderated by Prof. Shea Howell, community activist, OU Communication Dept.
Panelists included:
Teferi Brent, who serves as Chair of the Community Safety Committee on Governor Whitmer’s Black Leadership Advisory Council, Victoria Burton-Harris who serves as the Chief Assistant Prosecutor for Washtenaw County, Jai Carrero who is an OU Senior and the Black Lives Matter OU President, Christopher A. Hunter who is a coordinator for the CORE Program through the Center for Multicultural Initiatives at Oakland University, Dorian Minley who is a Queer / Trans activist as well as being an advocate for the disabled, Lamont Satchel, Jr. who is a Student Ambassador at Cass Tech High School, Negus Vu who is the co-founder and president of The People’s Action Committee, and Sarah Williams who is a freelance journalist based in metro Detroit.
Panelists discussed the power in community, the importance of Black leadership, and police violence.
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| | Spotlight on the New Associate Dean
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Beth Wallis, Professor, Associate Dean
What is your background at Oakland University?
I am celebrating my twentieth year at Oakland University, in fact! As a library faculty member I served as the Coordinator of Library Instruction for thirteen years, and am excited for this new opportunity as Associate Dean of University Libraries.
Over the course of my scholarly career I have published articles and made numerous presentations both individually and with co-authors on library instruction methodology and assessment, connections between information literacy and critical reading, cross-campus and interdepartmental partnerships with libraries, and early-career librarian mentoring and development.
What is your vision as the new Associate Dean of Libraries at Oakland University?
The initiative that I am most excited about is the Libraries’ new Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Task Force. Our group is identifying and exploring ways in which our library services, resources, collections, and events can become more open and inclusive. I am really enjoying working with the team, and I look forward to learning and growing with my colleagues throughout the libraries.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself outside of work?
My husband and I like to visit the Metroparks and see the water and wildlife, regardless of the season; you might even find us bundled up in hearty cold-weather gear walking on a frozen Lake St. Clair. I have twins who are finishing up their last year in high school (they will both be Golden Grizzlies this fall!), and the three of us enjoy bingeing Netflix series and horror movies. And if you see me in an online meeting these days, you’ll almost certainly spot me scooting one of our four cats off my keyboard!
What are you reading these days?
I usually have one or two books stacked on my nightstand, several queued on my Kindle, and an audiobook downloaded on my phone. I started reading The Women of Copper Country by Mary Doria Russell but interrupted myself with The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (which I absolutely inhaled--so, so good!). Next in my fiction stack is The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. My preferred audiobook platform is Libby (where users can borrow books directly from their public libraries), and I’m currently listening to The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
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| | Giving to Oakland University Libraries
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Support the Affordable Course Materials Initiative
On February 2nd, Oakland University celebrated the first ever Day of Giving. The OU Credit Union sponsored the promotion with generous matching funds and in one day, the OU Libraries was able to raise more than $6,200 to expand the use of free and more affordable textbooks and other learning resources!
Donations support textbooks on reserve, education, training, and mini grants to expand open texts at OU and directly benefit students.
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"Allowing students access to affordable course materials is critical to their education, and can make all the difference in a time when financial hardships are unprecedented.”
Annabella Jankowski, OU Student Body Vice President.
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| Thank you for your support!
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