Librarian Tracy Paradis accepted for "Immersion"

Milne Reference and Instruction Librarian Tracy Paradis has just received notification of her acceptance into the Association for College and Research Libraries' (ACRL) Teaching Track of the Institute for Information Literacy's Immersion Program. The 2007 program will be held at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, August 5-10, 2007.

Ms. Paradis is looking forward to the opportunity to work intensively with classroom techniques, learning theory, leadership, and assessment to further develop her skills as an instructor. This national program is competitive and participation is limited to 90 to ensure a learning community that fosters group interaction and active participation.

Ms. Paradis has also been awarded a $700 scholarship from the Institute for Information Literacy's Executive Committee in support of her attendance as a new librarian.

IT'S A GIRL!!!!

The good news keeps pouring in! As of 4:07 am on Tuesday, February 20, Tom and Hilary Ottaviano are the proud new parents of little Evelyn. She weighs 5 pounds 13 ounces and is 20 1/2 inches long. Pictures to be attached in the near future.

IT'S A BOY!!!!

After months of excitement and anticipation, Kate Pitcher gave birth to her new baby boy, Griffin, on Saturday, February 17. For all the wonderful details, see infantxpress.com. The time of delivery should state 10:34 pm.

Milne Library welcomes new Director of ESL/Dual Degree Programs

At the beginning of February 2007, SUNY Geneseo welcomed Jeannette Molina, new Director of ESL/Dual Degree Programs, and Milne Library opened its doors to our newest "roommate."

For many years now, the staff at Milne Library has enjoyed a close relationship with Irene Belyakov, Professor of English and ESL, and her students, who come from all over the country and the world. Professor Belyakov has had an office at Milne Library, has consistently taught her courses in one of the library's classrooms, has partnered with instruction librarians to teach her students about research methods and academic integrity, and has co-sponsored an annual pizza party for her students where they have the chance to informally meet the library staff.

With the arrival of Jeannette Molina, it seemed a natural fit to create an office space for her in the library, alongside Professor Belyakov.

Ms. Molina's responsibilities are currently evolving as the success of SUNY Geneseo's study abroad programs has recently matured into a series of international opportunities for students to acquire dual degrees in a specified discipline. Partners in the exchange programs include Universidad de las Americas in Mexico (International Relations), Hacettepe University in Turkey (Economics), and Moscow State University in Russia (Communication).

Room 121 of Milne Library is the new home for ESL and Dual Degrees (shared with the Library's Acquisitions Department) and Ms. Molina hopes the office will serve as a second home to the students the two programs serve. She envisions a new hub where communication between Geneseo and its international partners takes place and one main location where domestic and international ESL students and students in the Dual Degree Program can seek assistance.

Jeannette Molina encourages anyone interested in the new exchange programs, or in her new position on campus, to drop in. Otherwise, she can be reached at 245-5531 or at molina@geneseo.edu.

Learn the ABCs of Database Searching

Milne Library's Instructors have been involved in the GOLD (Geneseo Opportunities for Leadership Development) program for a few semesters now. Through the Ruby Certificate, we offer workshops in Information Literacy, which include topics such as database searching, locating subject-specific resources, evaluation of research materials, plagiarism, internet security, and new technologies.

The first workshop in a series of required classes for completion of the Ruby Certificate is The ABCs of Database Searching. In this introductory workshop, students will learn the basic mechanics of a database, which could include web engines like Google, the databases subscribed to by the Library, or a free database on the web. Students will discover helpful tips and strategies that are used in any kind of database to help improve their searches, find better resources, and save time.

The first of two ABCs workshops will be offered on Thursday, February 8, during the all-college hour (12:45-1:45 pm). Participants will meet in Room 104 of Milne Library.

For further information on the GOLD program and how to sign up for workshops, go to http://gold.geneseo.edu or contact Tom Matthews at matthews@geneseo.edu or 245-5857.

What's new at TERC

Barbara Clarke, the head of the Teacher Education Resource Center at Milne Library and I spoke recently about what’s new this semester. Here is a bit of our discussion:

J.P.: So, Barbara, what’s happening this semester in TERC?

B.C.: One big change is that we are in the process of merging the resources for teaching disabled children from a separate section of TERC into the general K-12 collection. The materials for disabled children will be distinguishable by color-coded labels, but will be integrated with other materials on that subject.

J.P.: What kind of classes are available for teachers at the library?

B.C.: I teach library instruction sessions for education classes each semester where the students learn about curriculum planning resources, manipulatives, videos, software, sound recordings, puppets and other resources they may borrow to plan lessons and use in practica.

I also teach classes about researching topics in education for papers and other
projects and team-teach workshops for student teachers with Dan Kelly (School of Education), Tracy Paradis (Reference and Instruction Librarian) and Steve Dresbach (Milne Library's Technology Instructor). These workshops prepare students for integrating technology into their lessons using laptop and projector kits, scanners,cameras and various software.

J.P.: Thanks, Barbara. It sounds like Education majors have a good deal of support at TERC.

New technology workshops offered as part of the G.O.L.D. Ruby certificate

Milne Technology Instructor Steve Dresbach is now offering technology workshops as part of the Geneseo Opportunities for Leadership Development (GOLD) Ruby Certificate.

The Ruby Certificate gives students the opportunity to learn better research skills, effectively evaluate internet resources and use information in a more proficient manner.

Mr. Dresbach will be teaching some new optional courses in the use of audio, video and templates in PowerPoint presentations, creating newsletters and advanced formatting in Word, and finding audio and video clips on the internet. Classes in Excel will be offered by Laura Cook, Manager, Instructional Technologies, from the Computing and Information Technology office.

Completion of eight workshops, four required and four elective courses, will earn students the Ruby Certificate. In addition to becoming better researchers, students will be able to demonstrate to future employers their skill at finding, evaluating and using reliable information.

Students can register online for GOLD workshops or contact Steve Dresbach at x5063 for more information on the new course offerings

Yucatec Maya Exhibit Opens

Two new exhibits about Maya life are open for viewing at Milne Library through March 7, 2007.

"Maya Portraits: Poverty and Community Transformation, Cobá, Quintana Roo, México" and "Yucatec Maya Huipiles | Vestidos de los Indígenas" seek to raise awareness of the lives, rural poverty and community transformation among Yucatec Maya women. Photographs, sculptural carvings, and other artifacts portray the activities in a small village in Quintana Roo, Mexico. This is based on Dr. Ellen Kintz’s fieldwork and development work in the village since 1982.

The displays are sponsored by the College’s Anthropology department and Milne Library. For more information, please contact kintz@geneseo.edu or paradis@geneseo.edu.