The current system of scholarly publishing and the resultant inability of some researchers to legally and affordably access knowledge resources is resulting in the emergence of networks of piracy and other violations of copyright law. The Library does not support or condone such activities.
As a valid alternative to the current system of scholarly publishing, the Library strongly supports the Open Access movement and other New Publishing Models to drive legal transformations in scholarly publishing. The Library further advocates that the UConn community comply with copyright law, including appropriate use of Fair Use provisions.
The UConn community can avoid piracy and copyright violation by never sharing usernames and passwords, network logins, or barcodes. Avoid the use of pirate websites such as LibGen or Sci-Hub, which offer seemingly free access to the scholarly literature. These two websites in particular have been found to steal login credentials from unsuspecting users, which are then used to pirate vast quantities of scholarly articles. Use caution when posting scholarly articles, in particular the final published pdf file, on popular social media sites such as Academia.edu. These sites are routinely subjected to take-down notices for materials that publishers indicate are in violation of copyright.
The Library provides access to vast collections of knowledge resources for the UConn community. Materials that are not accessible through the Library’s collections can generally be obtained through Document Delivery & Interlibrary Loan.
The library’s new group study room reservation system, D!BS, has been in place for about a year and has been getting rave reviews from UConn students.
The online service allows students to log on and reserve one of 32 group study rooms at the library up to three days an advance, saving them the trouble of struggling to find a location for group work.
“It’s awesome because you know you’re guaranteed a quiet study place for a few hours,” said UConn junior Hayley Babineau. “I used it during finals which made things easier because the library would be really crowded and have no tables open so we would reserve rooms to make sure we had a place to study and wouldn’t have to waste time looking for a place to do work.”
“Being able to reserve rooms two days in advance is awesome. The days I know I have a lot of work to crank out I usually D!BS a room two days early and get a great spot for me and my friends,” said senior Teresa Forenza.
Carl Strum, a UConn senior in the business school, uses the service frequently and has found that other students are adapting well to the new system.
“It works, and if you have to ask someone to leave a room [because you have a reservation] 99% of the time they understand. If not, I just show them my confirmation from D!BS. If I overstay my reservation and someone else asks me to leave, I do it too,” he said.
To reserve a room for a group of two or more students, just log onto the D!BS site using your NetID and password. Select the number of people in your group, how many hours you want a room (1 to 3 hours) and when you want it (reservations taken up to 3 days in advance). Hit ‘Search’ and a list of available rooms will appear- just pick one, enter some information, and you’ve got D!BS!
Officer Eric Bard (left) and Sergeant Jason Hyland man the Babbidge Library Substation, which aims to improve communication between students and the police. (Photo by Sarah Levine)
Level B at the Homer Babbidge library is now home to the Babbidge Library Substation of the UConn Police Department, a new office to help connect students to their campus police officers.
“We wanted to give the community more access by being in a centrally located area with a high presence of students,” said Officer Eric Bard, who works with the Community Outreach Unit of the police department.
The substation is located on Level B of the library, next to the Laura & Walter Broughton Leisure Reading Room and has been open for about a month.
The goals of the new office are centered on one main theme: communication. The officers are hoping that the new library substation will encourage students to come in, whether it’s to ask them “what if?” questions, inquire about an issue they’re not sure about – basically any police-related issue.
Sometimes, students need to ask about a crime in a dorm or other area and have questions that can more easily be answered by the police than by someone like their hall director, said Sergeant Jason Hyland.
Beyond police-related matters, the officers really want the community to “sit down and get to know [them] as people,” said Hyland.
“If the door is open, come on in,” added Bard.
Both Bard and Hyland encouraged students to stop by and talk, even if it was just to say hello and have a simple conversation.
The officers are working to establish set office hours for student visits, but you can usually find them in the library from eight to noon or contact them to set up an appointment. Right now, they are trying to balance management of the new substation with their other Community Outreach efforts, which include conducting safety presentations for various student organizations and participating in campus activities such as the health and wellness fair Fresh Check Day (This year, they will be running a DUI simulator. Stop by Fairfield Way April 23 from 1-4 p.m. to check it out!).
The office is also home to many brochures and information- ranging from the latest bus schedules to resources for sexual assault victims. Students may enter and take any materials they need, no questions asked (although Bard and Hyland are happy to offer any help they can).
If your student organization is interested in a presentation by the UConn Police Community Outreach Unit, email pdstartteam@uconn.edu. They are also open to any new suggestions of interesting and unique ways for students and the police department to interact.
“These big corporations see us as numbers, not names. They’d just as soon write you off as look at you.”
“This was a booming area for manufacturing, now there’s nothing.”
“Winchester was an integrated part of the community, and the people who worked there were respected…”
These quotes are all part of a larger story currently being told in a new exhibit on Level B of Homer Babbidge Library.
“Our Community at Winchester: An Elm City Story” is the story of the Olin-Winchester Repeating Arms plant, one of New Haven’s most important employers of the 20th century.
The history of the plant and the stories of its workers are told in 35 display boards of oral histories, photographs and other documents such as newspaper clippings and company memos. They chronicle the company’s creation in the late 1800s up to the aftermath of its closure in 2006. Like many large corporations, it has had its fair share of triumphs, struggles and controversies.
The elements of the exhibit, compiled by Joan Cavanagh, archivist and director of the Greater New Haven Labor History Association, tell the story of labor struggles, union battles, racial tensions and impact on the community brought on by the manufacturing giant.
Especially compelling are the oral history accounts, which were collected by Dorothy Johnson and Lula White, two sisters whose father worked at Winchester. The accounts, both positive and negative, paint a picture of life for the various workers at the plant. Along with photos of the interviewees, quotes and background information give a vibrant overview of each of their individual experiences and often, struggles.
The exhibit will be on display until June 13, 2016. It’s definitely something to check out, whether you need a quick study break or just want to learn something new.
There will also be a reception and gallery talk April 18, 4:30-6:30 p.m. titled “Workers at Winchester: Community, Contradictions and Struggle” by Joan Cavanaugh, Archivist/Director of the Greater New Haven Labor History Association.
Once again, the library is bringing students the only positive aspect of finals week: dogs in the library!
Afternoons Monday through Friday, don’t be surprised if you hear the pitter patter of paws in Homer Babbidge, as humans will proudly accompany their dogs to the first floor to provide students some much needed stress release during finals week.
Therapy dog Andy plays with students at the library.
The program, aptly named “Paws to Relax,” originated in spring of 2010, when a library staff member suggested bringing in therapy dogs for students during finals week.
Jo Ann Reynolds, the library’s Reserve Services Coordinator and self-proclaimed “dog person,” made a few calls in the canine community to help get the ball rolling, or in this case, the tail wagging.
Soon enough, registered therapy dogs from multiple organizations including Cold Noses, Warm Hearts, Allen’s Angels, and Tails of Joy were headed to Homer to help students de-stress during their exams.
On the first day of the program, Reynolds and the Laurel Rabschutz, owner of the first therapy dog Dooley, a Newfoundland, were worried about how students would know about Paws to Relax and whether it would be popular.
They soon found out that they need not worry. According to Reynolds, within minutes at least 30 to 40 students were surrounding Dooley and texting their friends to alert them to the dog’s presence.
Therapy dog Luke getting tons of attention during finals week.
After the first semester of the program, UConn got a lot of publicity. Newspapers, radio and television stations were all stopping by to document the dogs. Reynolds even had to institute a lottery system because so many therapy dog owners wanted the chance to visit.
The library staff is happy to offer this beneficial service for students.
“The dogs help them relax. People tend to think of therapy dogs in nursing homes or other places, and don’t think of students as much. But they are also in an institutional situation away from their family and their pets,” said Reynolds.
Apparently, even science can back up how much we love dogs.
Reynolds continued, “Research has shown that petting an animal, even if it’s not your own, lowers blood pressure and heart rate and improves the general sense of well-being.”
Students have outwardly expressed their enjoyment of Paws to Relax. When staff put up a white board where students could write their opinions of the program, the responses were overwhelmingly positive.
“I just got out of a tough exam and seeing the dogs was the highlight of my day,” “Best idea ever!” and “I love coming here in between exams” were just a few of the many comments.
The staff also does their best to minimize the footprint of the dogs so that students who need to avoid dogs because of allergies or other issues can do so with ease.
If you want to take a study break with someone practically yelling “Pet me! Pet me!” check out this year’s schedule below.
The Spring 2016 Paws to Relax schedule is as follows:
Monday
1 p.m.: Cooper the German Shepherd and his human Nancy Benway
2 p.m.: Sophia the Goldendoodle and her human Layla Berger
3 p.m.: Iggy the Portuguese Water Dog and his human Laurel Rabschutz
3:30 p.m.: Dooley the New Foundland and his human Laurel Rabschutz
Tuesday
1 p.m.: Bella the Pug and her human Judith Pepin
2 p.m.: Tegan the Welsh Spring Spanish and human Claudia Eberly
3 p.m.: Dante or Virgil the Mini Australian Shepherds and human Linda Robinson
Wednesday
1 p.m.: Fenway the Labradoodle and human Jean Woods
2 p.m.: Suzie the German Shepherd and human Gery Bakaj
3 p.m.: Chase the Golden Retriver and his human Michelle Volz
Thursday
1 p.m.: Sebbi the American Cocker Spaniel and his human Karen Tuccitto
2 p.m.: Penn the Labradoodle and human Susan Stewart
3 p.m.: Mia the Shetland Sheepdog and her human Terrie Carpenter
Friday
1 p.m.: Meka the Keeshond and humans Diane & Ted Baricak
2 p.m.: Bo the Lab Mix and human Christine Anderson
3 p.m.: Spumoni the Great Dane and human Tracy Powell
Two UConn students are helping to make sure their peers’ voices are heard on a very important topic: the library.
Erika Elechicon, a political science and communication double major and the USG Vice President’s Chief of Staff, is the undergraduate student representative to the Vice Provost’s Library Advisory Committee. Michael Ambroselli represents the graduate student population.
The students serving on the Provost’s Library Advisory Committee are working to represent UConn students in important library issues.
In this role, Erika and Michael sit in on important meetings with the Library’s Vice Provost, Martha Bedard, and faculty representatives from various academic departments. The committee of approximately 15 faculty, students and administrators discusses issues regarding the library and how to handle them.
“It’s important to have a voice at a meeting attended by so many big decision makers,” said Elechicon. “These decisions affect all of us and we need to represent our views.”
Elechicon is doing just that. She contributes to major discussions on library issues, such as the effects of the state’s proposed budget cuts and the adoption of open source textbooks, things that could have major consequences for students in the future.
Michael Ambroselli, the graduate student representative to the committee, agreed with Elechicon.
“Decisions made with respect to the library directly affect all students and faculty, so it is important for us to be able to provide direct feedback and input in such matters,” he said. “Since the committee advises the Vice Provost for University Libraries, this committee is the most direct route to for us to learn about all matters concerning the library, and to provide feedback.”
Both Elechicon and Ambroselli chose to participate in this committee because they realize how important the library is for all students at UConn.
“The library represents the cornerstone for all scholarly and research activity at a research institution such as UConn,” said Ambroselli.
“The library isn’t just a place to sit and study, it’s a resource for students and faculty,” said Elechicon.
“Trade Offs: The Reality of Working Women” by Adrienne Gutierrez, Jacqueline Pagano, Heather Norris, Emily Powers, and Ami Vasquez.
“Art and Activism in the Humanities” is student work as part of our collaboration this semester with the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program series “Feminism/s and Future/s.” These works are from students in several classes in WGSS where they were asked to consider the meanings of feminism in the future and the kinds of future they envision. Using the lens of “Art and Activism in the Humanities” to identify, interrogate, and express their thoughts on everything from marginalized bodies and household economics to sexualization in the media and changing gender expectations around the world, these students produced a close examination of utopias, dystopias, US and global movements for social justice, and the many ways in which the personal is political.
#nofilter by Ryann Leonard, Deysha Smith-Jenkins, Sierra Cameron, Megan Reese, and Lydia Snapper (tip) and “Future Feminist Collective” by Nina Klein, Montana Fleming, Victor Vernon, Blazej Pulawski, and Chris LaTorra (bottom)
The exhibit is located on the Northwest side of Level 1 for the next few weeks. The public is invited to a reception on Monday night from 5-6:30 where you will have the opportunity to talk to the students as well as join in some gender-neutral swing dance lessons.
Faculty members play the key role in choosing, adapting, and developing new learning materials and methods which leads to student success. This symposium will be an opportunity to enter into conversations about the pedagogical possibilities that open/affordable learning resources offer and to become inspired to explore and integrate them into your own classrooms. These resources allow a freedom to develop, reuse, and remix materials of all types to create dynamic and engaging courses, all without increasing student debt or leaving behind students who are unable to afford expensive traditional materials.
We will be joined by experts on the national stage as well as those who have had success here at UConn to lead the conversation on the challenges and rewards to this style of teaching.
The symposium is being sponsored by the UConn Affordable Textbook Initiative (ATI) Task Force through a grant from the Davis Educational Foundation and the University Student Government. Established in 2015 by the Provost’s Office, ATI is looking into best practices for excellence in teaching and learning using new, open, and/or alternative materials and methods that are more affordable for our students.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016 Rome Commons Ballroom, UConn, Storrs
Registration is free and required. Lunch is included.
Symposium Schedule:
9:15am – Registration and Reception
9:45am – Welcome
10:00am – Keynote Presentation – David Wiley
Dr. Wiley is Chief Academic Officer of Lumen Learning, an organization dedicated to increasing student success, reinvigorating pedagogy, and improving the affordability of education through the adoption of open educational resources by schools, community and state colleges, and universities. He is also currently the Education Fellow at Creative Commons and adjunct faculty in Brigham Young University’s graduate program in Instructional Psychology and Technology, where he leads the Open Education Group (and was previously a tenured Associate Professor).
11:30am – Tim Dzurilla, PhD Candidate, Department of Political Science
12:00pm – Lunch & Table Top Discussions
1:00pm – Panel Discussion
Daniel Byrd, President Elect, UConn Undergraduate Student Government
Aynsley Diamond, Director of Faculty Development Programs, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
An exhibit of handcrafted books created by members of the world-renowned Ediciones Vigía, a fine press publishing house in Cuba, is on display in UConn’s Homer Babbidge Library through May 2.
Since its creation in 1985 in the city of Matanzas, Ediciones Vigía has been internationally recognized as a unique artist’s collaborative press, whose work is included in outstanding private and public collections, such as the British National Library, the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), the Library of Congress, and numerous universities throughout the world. Ediciones Vigía’s catalog combines limited editions by authors such as Baudelaire, Emily Dickinson, Pasternak, Tolstoy, Tagore, and Verlaine, Spanish-language authors such as Borges, Federico García Lorca, and Gabriela Mistral, and renowned Cuban writers such as José Martí, Lezama Lima, and Nancy Morejón.
Special thanks to the Libraries’ Michael Bennett for photographing the materials in this exhibition.
However, Ediciones Vigía’s work is especially notable because of their aesthetic value and original design, which use wood, paper and cloth scraps, and the most unimaginable objects and materials. This reflects both the artists’ creativity and the unfortunate economic crisis and resource shortages currently experienced by Cubans. Each handmade volume is a genuine piece of art, as well as a powerful testimony of struggle and artistic survival and sustainability.
“This exhibition takes place within an exceptional context,” says Professor Odette Casamayor-Cisneros, associate professor of UConn’s Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Literatures and Cultures department and co-curator of the exhibit. “Since December 2014, when U.S. and Cuban Presidents Barack Obama and Raúl Castro announced their mutual intentions of reactivating the relationship between the two nations, the general interest in Cuba has unexpectedly increased. One of the result of more than 50 years of political and economic disconnection is the tremendous lack of information about today’s reality in Cuba which must be addressed.”
This exhibition about one of Cuba’s most innovative fine art publishing houses sheds light on this often misunderstood country, Casamayor-Cisneros observes.
“While showcasing pieces of remarkable aesthetic value, the exhibition also exposes the visitors to a little known aspect of Cuba’s cultural production,” she notes.
The UConn Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections currently owns 42 of these beautiful handcrafted books and looks forward to adding more work from the collective in the future, says co-curator Marisol Ramos, Latin American & Caribbean Studies, Latino Studies, Spanish & Anthropology Librarian.
The exhibit is co-sponsored by the Department of Literatures, Cultures & Languages and the Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center (PRLACC).
Two public receptions will be held in connection with the exhibition on March 24, from 4-6 p.m. at the Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center and on April 18 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Homer Babbidge Library.
All organizing is science fiction. A world where everyone has a home, a great education, community based transformative justice, nourishing food to eat and clean water to drink, where we are in right relation to the planet, to each other, where are free to be and love ourselves as we are, to grow together? We have never seen it; its possibility remains speculative. Yet speculative fiction, perhaps particularly science fiction, offers a powerful opportunity to speculate-into-being.
Walidah Imarisha, co-editor of Octavia’s Brood: Science Fiction Stories from Social Justice Movements (AK Press 2015), will facilitate a salon focused on the history of science fiction and social change, considering ways to use science fiction as a practice ground for social justice strategizing and vision.
March 23, 12:30-2 p.m. in the Rowe Building, Room 122 (please note this is a room change.)
This is the second lecture in the Feminism/s and Future/s salons sponsored by the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program in partnership with: the UConn Libraries; the UConn Humanities Institute; the UConn Reads! Program; the Department of Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies; the Africana Studies Institute; the Women’s Center; and the English Department.
