ScHARR Library YouTube Channel hits 100k views

Andy Tattersall

According to the stats our own mini TV channel, ScHARRVids has gone beyond 100,000 views. First of all I have to say that I am who is usually wary of stats, especially those relating to web analytics, but 100,000 views, or something akin to that figure is still a good reflection on the response to the content we create to support our department and institution.

I started the YouTube channel in 2009, two years after this blog which celebrates its tenth birthday later this year. The channel has become a hub for many of my own outputs but also contributions from the rest of Information Resources. The channel has various collections that are there to help academics and students learn how to search, manage references, use apps, communicate their research and make better use of technology. We have some of ScHARR's high profile public lectures and some recordings from our Bite Size talks around the use of technology within teaching and research.

Our latest stats

The channel has 302 subscribers and over 300 videos that you can explore with the latest one uploaded today that captures me demoing Adobe Spark.



We have our collection set out in various playlists which you can subscribe to and share, or just subscribe to the whole channel. Below is the playlist for the Research Hacks animation series I created.

Small library? You need to think big: 10 top tips on how to use open days to promote your small but perfectly formed library service!

As a small, specialist library, we have to work hard to make sure our users (and potential users) know about the constantly changing range of services and collections we offer. Over the years we've run an occasional series of one-off  'open-day' events, including one just a few weeks ago (read all about it here)! If you work in a small (or even not-so-small) library, here are the 10 top tips, based on the lessons we have learned over the years, about how to host a successful library open day!

1. Plan, plan, plan. Organise a few meetings if you have a small team, and think first about what you want to achieve from the day- more users? better use of the collection? awareness of a new/underused service or resource? Make sure the day has a theme or focus of some kind.

2. Set a budget and find funding. Our open days have always been run on a shoestring, but it is worth thinking about whether there is any source of funding to support costs for food, drink, decorations, promotional materials or new things for the library. If there is no money to be found, at least planning in advance gives you time to beg, borrow and steal what you need!

Yes, we lure people to our library with cake. 

There, I said it.

Photo © Claire Beecroft

3. Allocate roles. We all have our particular strengths, so let the library team, however small, play to their's. Some might want to run the infoskills sessions (see tip 4), some might be great at decorating and giving the library a little makeover for the day.

4. Offer helpful, short infoskills sessions throughout the day. These were a huge success at our most recent away day. The trick is to keep them short, specify a time for each one, describe the topic of each one in a single sentence, and then promote them well in advance to ensure people can put them in their diary.

5. Bake. There is nothing, nothing on earth, like the lure of cake to get people through the door. Our whole team contribute by baking or buying- mostly by baking. Its worth planning this aspect too- we usually have a Google doc where people can list what they are baking, and this means we can make sure we have a nice variety and can cover all the bases- gluten free, dairy free, etc.

6. Call it what you want, but call it an 'Open Day'. It might sound strange, as the library is always open, right? But still, there is something about the phrase 'Open Day' that seems to work. It conveys the idea that all our welcome, even those who might not usually use the library, or who might not think that the library is really for them.

7. Tidy up the library and bring out the bunting if possible! Its really worthwhile putting up some decorations. Bunting is easy, as are ballons, banners etc. We have been known to make our own decorations, and lots have been brought in by the team or sourced cheaply from poundshops or eBay.

8. Showcase what's new. If you have some mobile shelving, trolley or stands, make sure the latest stock is on display prominently. If you have new electronic resources or websites that you want to draw attention too, fire up the PC/s and have these loaded and ready for people to try out.

9. Promote the heck out of it. Don't be afraid to use every possible channel to let people know what you are planning and that they are MOST WELCOME. Twitter, VLEs, Facebook, the library web page, flyers, etc are all good, and remember to promote the event well in advance AND on the day.

10. Put on your happy face and keep it on all day! This isn't usually hard for the IR gang at ScHARR- we LOVE a good open day, but just remember to keep smiling and send out good vibes from the library.

Posted by Claire

ScHARR Library Open Day

The ScHARR Library welcomed all staff and students to its annual open day on Thursday 20th October 2016 . The Open Day proved to be very popular, and the library was busy throughout the day with students and staff. Our  Information Specialists provided a number of well attended drop-in sessions. There was also an exciting competition and if that wasn’t enough, there was a bake sale raising money for Amnesty International, in memory of our colleague Tony Mead.

Drop-in Sessions
Our Information Specialists shared their expertise:

• Helen Buckley Woods presented an overview of IRIS - Information Resources Information Study Skills. This is an online course for ScHARR Students which assists with student Information literacy understanding and competency.

• Magda Bell our resident expert on Inter-Library Loans and Copyright talked about the service offered in ScHARR and dealt with any copyright queries from staff and students

• Anthea Sutton presented an overview  of the Systematic Review Toolkit, demonstrating how this tool can be used for searching, study selection, quality assessment and more.

• 

  Information Specialists deliver a session

  Angie Rees talked about how to use and get the best out of Google Scholar. What it’s good for and what it’s not so good for.
• Claire Beecroft  provided guidance on how to quickly and easily improve your searching to ensure nothing is missed by using citation searching and reference lists. Essential for all types of reviews.

Competition Time!

ScHARR Library Open Day Competition

Sonia Rizzo organised a tough but fun competition ‘Guess the 1st tune’ with lots of great prizes courtesy of Dialectable.  Liz Kitchen and Jean Hamilton came joint first in the competition and collected lots of lovely goodies!

Bake Sale - Raised £150 for Amnesty International!

Finally, there were lots of delicious home baked cakes made by the Information Resources team. These went down well with students and staff! An amazing £150 was raised  for Amnesty International,  in memory of our colleague Tony Mead. Tony worked in the ScHARR Library for nearly a decade and Amnesty International  was Tony’s favourite charity.

A big thank you to everyone who came to the Open day,  and a big thank you to everyone who helped out, we couldn’t have done it without you!

Write Club - The first rule of Write Club is that you do not talk at Write Club

One of the biggest issues my colleagues in ScHARR and Information Resources face these days is that of trying to put concentrated time into writing. For anyone working in a shared office or providing a service, as we do in Information Resources will know, is that all too often interruptions can impact on your flow of work. There are various articles and books published on the issue of modern technology affecting our attention spans. Some argue that it can take about 15 minutes to refocus the brain to one task properly once you switch to another, such as going from writing to reading emails. For the modern student it must be worse with Snap Chats, Facebook updates and text messages all vying for attention when you are trying to complete an important essay. At ScHARR we have tried to address the issue of researchers trying and often failing to finish various writing projects, usually those kind of projects that do not have a strict deadline.

I attended a University of Sheffield hosted writing retreat which opened my eyes to the idea of silent, writing focused events. An event where staff and students are not allowed to access any form of communication, email, Social Media or their phones. Everyone begins by discussing in small groups what they hope to get out of the retreat and sets out a few clear objectives. We then wrote for a solid hour followed by a short break to hunt down coffee, tea and sweets. Another one hour session followed and we finished by discussing what we think we'd achieved and how well we had done. My group, all from ScHARR agreed that it had been a really worthwhile exercise, the silence had given it a feeling of sitting an undergraduate exam. It took me back to the late1990s and sitting in a wood-clad Firth Hall, head down writing an essay about the role of jazz in modern music, fearful of sneezing or needing the loo (OK, not that bad). The subtle peer pressure of writing and not peeking a look at your email was effective enough to make this a worthwhile event. 

In the end I managed to write two thousand words in two hours which just goes to show the kind of output you can have if you have got a topic or objective to write about and the right environment to facilitate that. The format is so simple and effective and has brilliant results. Obviously it is not for everyone, there are those lucky individuals who can stay incredibly focused these days, or do not have the distractions others have. As a result we are running a pilot over our writing week in January by hunkering down in the Library at ScHARR for six, two hour sessions where academics can work with colleagues in total silence and hopefully make some progress on their writing.
I've aptly called it Write Club - based on the cult film, Fight Club. This does not mean academics will strip off and fight in pairs in the underground car park, although this may already happen. Instead they will work on the simple rules of Write Club - that being.
The first rule of Write Club is that you do not talk at Write Club
The second rule of Write Club is that you do not talk at Write Club

Dates for the first Write Clubs have been distributed to ScHARR staff

We're Hiring!

Do you fancy working in the above building at one of the UK's leading health research centres as part of an established team of information professionals? We are looking for a skilled information professional to cover a 12 month contract, details are below.

Information Specialist
University of Sheffield - School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR)

Location:	Sheffield
Salary:	£24,775 to £36,661 Please see advert
Hours:	Full Time
Contract Type:	Contract / Temporary

 

Placed on:	8th December 2014
Closes:	5th January 2015
Job Ref:	UOS009835

Contract Type: Fixed-term for 12 months

Faculty: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health

Salary: 

Grade 6

£24,775-£28,695 per annum

Grade 7

£28,972 - £36,661 per annum.

Within the School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) Information Resources Group (IRG), you will participate in the provision of a specialist health research information service to ScHARR staff and students and to NHS staff undertaking research. You will undertake literature searches to support ScHARR research and consultancy projects, and contribute to the IRG’s information skills teaching and training activities. You will take a proactive role in identifying and responding to the information needs of ScHARR Information Service users.

To apply go here:

http://bit.ly/1wvXseg

Information Resources videos now on iTunesU

On Monday (9th December) the University of Sheffield launched their own iTunesU platform with over 100 podcasts and videos from across the University. Amongst the many brilliant videos focusing on mathematics, history and dentistry we have two collections of our own. Firstly the series of screencasts Andy Tattersall created for staff and students to teach themselves the benefits of Mendeley. Secondly some of the more recent ScHARR Bite Size series - where academics and students get to learn about something new in 20 minutes (or so) on the topics of research skills, technologies and teaching.

A third collection will appear very soon which will cover information and research skills. To access the University's collections search for 'University of Sheffield' on iTunesU or discover the ScHARR ones via the links below.

Enjoy

Minute Mendeley

ScHARR Bite Size

ScHARR Library Charity Picnic - 16th July - 11-1pm in aid of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Kidney Association

As with previous years we are proud to announce this year's ScHARR Library Charity Picnic on 16th July 11am - 1pm in the library in Regent Court.

We are pleased to announce that this year's chosen charity is the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Kidney Association http://www.dabka.org.uk

We will have our usual selection of lovely cakes and bakes, alongside free teas and coffees. It would be great to see new and old faces in our library which contains a whole wealth of expertise that goes much further than physical books. So if you have any questions on everything from searching databases to critical appraisal, from Web technologies to aid research and teaching to infographics, from Creative Commons to Inter-library Loans, from MOOCs to how to bake that perfect lemon cake - come and see us and help us raise some funds for this great cause.

ScHARR Library notice boards

Have you seen the ScHARR Library notice boards?

There are two notice boards for ScHARR Library - on the 1st and 2nd floors. They have recently been updated and 'revamped' to include new features such as 'Tweet of the Week' and Blog Post of the Week'. These sit alongside older features such as a list of recently published articles by ScHARR staff.

The notice boards also contain information on what services are available via the ScHARR library, and how you can get in touch with our team of Information Specialists.

What would you like to see?

What types of information would you like to see posted to the notice boards? Do you find them useful? Please send your ideas to Kath Williams (k.c.williams@sheffield.ac.uk). And don't forget to tick if you have recently looked at something on the notice boards! Paper and pencils have been provided!!

ScHARR Bite Size for Teaching #28 Animation Tools - 21 November 2012 - 2.30pm Eric Wilkes Room

Why do old books smell?

 Photo by whereisyourmind

Posted by Anthea

Ever wondered why old books smell so fusty? Well, wonder no more, here's the science bit: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/grrlscientist/2012/may/01/1

ScHARR Bite Size for Research #24 - What ScHARR Library can do for You! - Helen Buckley Woods & Sonia Rizzo - Wednesday 2nd May 2.30pm

Posted by Andy

Come and find out what your lovely ScHARR Library can do to help you, you'll be suprised by what we have to offer!

Happy Easter!

Photo by WillowGardeners

Post by Anthea

ScHARR IR wish you all a good Easter break and we will be back with our literature searching, reference managment, web 2.0, information skills, and all things library related and beyond on Tuesday 10th April. See you then!

ScHARR Bite Size - What is it all About?

ScHARR Bite Size by Andy

ScHARR Bite Size are lively, informal 20 minute taster sessions held at Regent Court with a dual focus on research and teaching. Co-run by Andy Tattersall and Jenny Freeman, Bite Size has been running since 2010 and has run nearly 30 sessions on everything from social networks to how (not) to display data. The sessions all begin at 2.30pm on various days of the week and are open to any members of staff from the Medical Faculty and beyond. Bite Size cakes are provided and there's always time for a quick ten minute discussion and Q&A afterwards. Staff can add the Bite Size calendar to their own calendar by typing: scharrbitesize@gmail.com into their list of additional calendars.

ScHARR Bite Size for Research - Data, Copyright and the Cloud - Tuesday 20th September - 2.30pm - Lecture Room 2

 posted by Andy

 

The cloud is an ever-popular term that hear mentioned on BT adverts, associated with Apple and Microsoft products, dropped in amongst various tech programs on the tv and in the press. What is the cloud, should we take notice of it? The simple answer is yes, like fashion we're tied to wearing only the clothes that are available in the shops driven by the designers (unless you can stitch together your own clothes). The technology designers drive how we work and they want us up the cloud as quick as possible (unless you can stitch together your own programs).

Cloud computing is the process of using software and accessing data without the need of knowing where the phsyical location and configeration of the system that runs the services is. It allows the use of data and tools from any location via an Internet connection. Whilst the data you employ with these services has become open for scrutinty, whether it be personal or private content. It has also highlighted the short-comings in copyright legislation as the law stays one or two steps behind the technology. 

How we teach is a particular area of concern, as after 20 years of using PowerPoint aided with 'stolen' images and content from the Web - we are now hosting this content on the Web and the Cloud - this bad practice (that most of us have been guilty of some time or another). Whether this is the Internet or Intranet is irrelevant. To go in the direction we are going without taking heed of copyright leaves us open for scrutiny and attention that we would not wish to entertain.

This session run by myself gives a brief overview into where we are going, the problems we face and how we could do a few simple things to avoid any serious pitfalls.

As always, bite size cakes will be available, please bring a long a hot drink.  

Future Bite Size sessions coming this September!

As always - they'll be cake....mmmmmm....cake

Posted by Andy

Tea-time at the library!

                                                         Picture by Andy

Posted by Claire

The ScHARR Library continued its tradition of cake-fests today with a 2 hour cake-a-thon in aid of the Blue Cross. A ScHARR-wide selection of cake enthusiasts swarmed like locusts through the extensive array of offerings, from Anthea's controversial 'cheese and marmite scones', to Angie's pretentious 'earl grey chocolate fudge cake', via Claire's challengingly dense 'Guinness cake', Andy's toothsome 'chocolatey muesli cookies', Sonia's deceptive 'cheese muffins', Helen's full-on 'blueberry muffins', Pippa's eye-opening 'mocha slice', Anna's mouth-watering 'lemon syrup cake' and Ruth's high-end 'lemon and white chocolate mini-muffins'.

More pictures from the tea party here

Over £140 was raised and the winner of the match-the-pet-to-the-owner competition is (da, da-da-da, da, da, da, daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah) Liz Kitchin! Hard-core ScHARR tea-party enthusiasts may remember Liz's victory in the 'guess-the-name-of-the-skeleton' competition  a year or two back. Clearly she has the knack with these things!

See Things Differently

Posted by Andy

If you're like me, you like to see more visual content on the Web, and that the thought of reading a wall of text or scrolling down a page as long as the Great Wall of China puts you off finding what your looking for. Well, you can now view the ScHARR Library Blog in more than one way - you can see the posts as a list, as a photo collage or have it implanted in your brain using the latest technology - OK I made that last bit up. So, if you want to see the Blog a different way - try some of the links below, we think you'll like what you see.

Flipcard: available at http://scharrlibrary.blogspot.com/view/flipcard

Mosaic: available at http://scharrlibrary.blogspot.com/view/mosaic

Sidebar: available at http://scharrlibrary.blogspot.com/view/sidebar

Snapshot: available at http://scharrlibrary.blogspot.com/view/snapshot

Timeslide: available at http://scharrlibrary.blogspot.com/view/timeslide

Blue Cross Tea Party - Friday 8th April 1pm - 3pm - ScHARR Library

Image © Blue Cross

Posted by Andy

Words by Sonia

You are cordially invited to join Information Resources staff on Friday 8th

April between 1pm and 3pm as they host their Blue Cross Tea Party in ScHARR

library in Regent Court.

We're hoping to raise some money for a charity whose aim is to save the lives

of unwanted and vulnerable animals.

http://www.bluecross.org.uk/

There'll be cake.  Lots of cake.  Lemon cake, cheese scones, Guinness cupcakes,

mocha slices, blueberry muffins, cookies, cheese muffins all home made by

library staff.    Tempted yet?  Oh, and seeing as it's a tea party there will

also be gallons of tea (along with coffee and soft drinks).  Last but not

least, we're running a competition which you can enter for £1.  All you have to

do is match the owner to the pet!  The prize is a £10 Amazon voucher!

And of course, whilst you're visiting the library there are books, journals,

internet resources aplenty as well as a whole gaggle of Information Specialists

on hand in the same room to chat to about any work/course-related queries you

might have.  The PCs will still be available to use and there'll be a

designated member of library staff on the enquiry desk.

What's not to like?

Please come and support a great charity and your local library!

Thank you.

ScHARR Bite Size - Spring/Summer programme - Learn Something New in 20 Minutes

 

Image used under Creative Commons Licence - By Attribution - © Leo Reynolds

Posted by Andy

We have programmed a wide variety of 20 minute Bite Size sessions at ScHARR to encourage innovative teaching, research and collaboration.  So if you've ever wanted to work and collaborate flexibly on-line, record your presentations, find funding or make your teaching interactive - read on.

Already the Autumn/Winter programme is being populated, but if you have any suggestions of sessions you'd like to see at ScHARR please feel free to contact either myself or Jenny Freeman j.v.freeman@shef.ac.uk

All start at 2.30pm and bite size cakes are available, just bring a hot drink :-)

15/02/2011    Revamped Senate Awards scheme    Nadine Wills    Eric Wilkes       
01/03/2011    Visual Social Bookmarks    Andy Tattersall    Eric Wilkes   
10/03/2011    Echo360    Graham McElearney    Eric Wilkes           
24/03/2011    Wikis    Anthea Sutton    Pemberton
29/03/2011    Electronic voting system    Graham McElearney    Eric Wilkes               
19/04/2011    Use the Social Web to promote your work    Andy Tattersall    Pemberton   
27/04/2011    Sympodium       Chris Clow    Pemberton       
11/05/2011   Screencasting - powerpoint recording    Claire Beecroft    Eric Wilkes
17/05/2011    Dissertation supervision    Alan O'Rourke    Eric Wilkes       
31/05/2011    Research Professional    Anna Cantrell    Pemberton   
08/06/2011   Assessment methods Luke Desforges  Pemberton   
22/06/2011    uSpace    Andy Tattersall    Pemberton   
28/06/2011    How (not) to display data Jenny Freeman Pemberton

 

 

 

 

ScHARR Library Bite Size #5 Professional Social Networks

Posted by Andy

The next Bite Size session for Research and Collaboration takes place on Wednesday 9th February in the Eric Wilkes Room.

This time we'll take a whistle stop tour of professional social networks. Find out about the connections you can make, groups you can form and research you can follow, whilst enhancing your own profile.