What're QR codes?

Chances are, if you've been around Wallace Hall lately, you've seen the flyers I've posted about my Fall 2011 HNFE Librarian Office Hours:

I do this every semester.  However, this semester, you may notice a new image on that flyer--a QR (Quick Response) code.  You've probably noticed these little codes popping up in magazines, and all over the place.  Basically, they're used as a quick link from the physical world to the digital world.  You would use your mobile device (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, etc.) to scan the QR code, which would then act like a link to a webpage.  If you scanned the QR code on the flyer, it would take you directly to this blog!  

Basically, it's pretty easy to both generate and scan QR codes.  One of the better-known QR code generators is called Kaywa:  http://qrcode.kaywa.com/.  You can simply pop in a URL, and generate a code right there. 

Devices usually need a code reader in order to read these codes; some mobile devices come with QR code reader.  Others will require you to download one.  For my iPad2, for example, I needed to visit the app store and select a free QR code reader app.  You can find many lists (like this one) that will detail the pros and cons of various QR code readers.

If you'd really like to play around with QR codes, visit Newman Library to take our self-guided QR code tour!  Don't have a mobile device?  Check out an iPad2 from the circulation desk in order to take the tour!  Just let me know if you have any questions about that.

Librarian Office Hours Start Today!

If you've been in one of my classes recently, then you know:  the HNFE librarian office hours start today!

As in previous semesters, I will be hanging out in Wallace Atrium this semester from 2-3:30 p.m. every Tuesday, and from 9:00-10:30 a.m. every Wednesday.  Look for the sign with my logo:

 
I hope to see lots of you there!  I'll usually have my iPad or laptop with me, so be ready to research.

Greetings! (To those I haven't yet greeted)

Every semester, I try to make it to as many HNFE classes and meetings as I can, just to say hi and introduce myself.  This year, I decided to try something new:  since I simply can't get to every class or meeting that I'd like to, I've created a short (< 2 minutes) video.  Take a look, pass it along, and come and see me soon!

Culinary History Highlight: Tailgating in 1899 Fashion

With the advent of the first game of the season (Go Hokies!), thoughts of football inevitably lead to thoughts of tailgating!  Finger foods, barbecue, beverages, and cornhole...is everyone ready?

If not, you may want to check out today's Culinary History Highlight, a manual for preparing what would sure have been consumed during an 1899 tailgate--Sandwiches, Salads, and Chafing-dish Dainties.  Written by Ms. Janet McKenzie Hill during the late nineteenth century, this book contains recipes and ideas for various vegetable salads, savory and sweet sandwiches, cheese confections, and even "dishes for the vegetarian."  

As usual, my favorite part of this book lies in the preface, where Ms. Hill writes that:

...since many women have become anxious to compete with men in any and every walk of life, they, too, are desirous of becoming adepts in tossing up an appetizing salad or in stirring a creamy rarebit...Care has been exercised to meet the actual needs of those who wish to cultivate a taste for light, wholesome dishes, or cater to the vagaries of the most capricious appetites.  

I thought that was a pretty apt description of preparing tailgating fare!  View the Addison record for more information, or go directly to the digitized version of this book.  

And good luck tomorrow in preparing your tailgating feast in order to "cater to the vagaries of the most capricious appetites!"

Undergrads: Interested in Research?

In case you didn't see it in today's Virginia Tech News:  

The Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) Undergraduate Scholars Program (http://usp.vbi.vt.edu/ ) will provide Virginia Tech undergraduate students the opportunity to gain valuable research experience and/or course credit working with VBI research groups under the direction of experienced transdisciplinary scientists. The program will equip students with the kind of research and/or laboratory skills that cannot be gained merely in a classroom setting, while immersing students in cutting edge science and technology environments. Students interested in pursuing graduate degrees will find this type of research experience invaluable in the process of further refining and developing their career interests.

Interested Virginia Tech undergraduate students should visit the program website at http://usp.vbi.vt.edu for application information, FAQs and faculty research information.

For more information, contact Kristy Collins at 540-231-1389.

Read the original item

University Libraries: Facts & Figures

It's already the third day of classes here at VT, and I'm gearing up for teaching my first library class this afternoon (hello VT dietetic interns) and teaching the 7 classes I have scheduled for next week!  The months of September and October are always packed for instruction librarians, and I'm busy brainstorming new ways to talk about library research and resources.

When I start planning classes each semester, I always check University Libraries' "facts and numbers" page to make sure that I'm giving students and faculty the most updated information about library resources.  I always have trouble finding this on our website, since it's not linked onto the main page, so I thought I'd share it (and the updated stats) here, just so everyone's in the loop.

You can find the full facts and figures about University Libraries here:  http://www.lib.vt.edu/about/facts.html.

What always seems to shock students, though, is the sheer size of our collection!  According to the 2009-2010 Association of Research Libraries statistical report, we have:

• 2.6 million volumes
• 13,000 audio recordings
• 42,000 current journal subscriptions
• 18,000 films/videos
• 400,000 government documents
• 140,000 maps
• 6.3 million microforms

Annually, we spend:

• $2.2 million on books
• $5.25 million on current serials
• $8.4 million on total library materials

Also annually, librarians and library staff give around 900 presents to groups on and around campus.  If you are part of one of these groups that will be coming to see us this semester, then welcome!  We look forward to working with you, and to showing you around our large collections and collaborative spaces.

Library Research: A Follow Up for Faculty

Yesterday, I wrote about an article that inspired me to think a little bit differently about how I will work with students during the new school year.  In that post, I noted that the original article included quite a few bits of information and I didn't get a chance to touch in my review.  However, after thinking about it a little bit more, there is one other issue discussed in the article that I think is really important.  And faculty, it deals with you!

The article points out that "teaching and library faculty are likely to have been...skilled researchers as undergraduates...[and] might have a hard time putting themselves in the shoes of a student who walks into the library knowing practically nothing."  Now, while I confessed yesterday that my undergraduate research skills were probably lacking, I know that we often see a disconnect between assignments and students' capabilities, here at the library.  When we work on the reference desk, we hear the questions and confusions that students have over assignments that have to do with scholarly resources and other library-related topics.  And for every question that we hear, we can probably safely assume that there are 10 other people with that question who aren't brave enough to approach the reference desk and ask it.

Because this is something that we librarians have been thinking about for quite awhile, we've come up with some good suggestions for helping you (faculty) build effective assignments that address library research and help develop critical thinking and inquiry skills.  Our webmaster posted a brief piece entitled "Designing library research assignments" last week during our Faculty Week series of posts and suggestions.  I definitely, definitely recommend that you peruse the whole piece; however, I can also briefly highlight the most important ideas communicated here.  When designing a research/library assignment:

• Communicate and collaborate with your College Librarian (me, in your case!)
• Consult the subject guides we've created for you and your students
• Set up a library tour with your College Librarian, or refer students to our regularly scheduled library tours
• Point students to our research portal and have them use our Research Paper Scheduler

As always, I'm happy to provide any support that you may need!  Simply contact me, and we can work together to design and execute efficient, successful research assignments!