Welcome Students – Lichtenberger Engineering Library

May 27 2022

How do I…. find a book?

Posted on May 27, 2022May 26, 2022 by Amanda Bartel

Walking into the Engineering Library, you may not see what you’re expecting. In fact you may ask, where are all of the books? It may surprise you to learn that we have over 45,000 books in the library ready for you to check out. Here’s how you find them:

When you enter the library, you will see one bookshelf in the main area. This is where we keep our periodicals (think magazines, journals, etc). If you’re looking for an article that doesn’t have online access, check here – you might just find it.

Look to your left and you’ll see a set of stairs and an elevator. Take either to get to the basement.

The stairs and elevator take you to the same place – it’s all a matter of preference.

You’ve made it to the basement! Looks like there’s some good study space here, but that’s not what we’re looking for. Let’s take a look to the left.

I spy some books in the back. Let’s investigate some more.

Ah, here are some books! And some more study space. Let’s find the book we’re looking for. All of our books are shelved using the Library of Congress system. Here’s a quick video on how that works, but you can always ask any employee, we would be happy to help you find a book.

Now that you’ve found your book, head back upstairs and to the Service Desk (you walked right by it when you entered the library). To check out your book, all you need is your IowaOne card (student ID).

There you go – you have a book! Keep an eye out for some special cases, which include permanent and course reserves. A permanent reserve is a book that would be difficult for us to replace if it got lost, so we just keep an extra eye on it. A course reserve is a book that is being used as a text for a class. Course reserves have a two-hour checkout so that everyone in the class has access. If a book you’re looking for is marked as one of these, just ask at the service desk.

Permanent and course reserves are indicated in a book’s digital record. Boxed in red here.

Aug 17 2021

Welcome to the Fall 2021 Semester!

Posted on August 17, 2021August 23, 2021 by Amanda Bartel

Welcome to the Fall 2021 Semester

Whether this is your first year at UI, or you are a returning student, we are so glad you are here! Things have been out of the ordinary for a while now, but we are here to help you get back into the routine of school.

Meet our friendly and knowledgeable staff:

James Cox, Public Services & Emerging Technologies Librarian

Marina Zhang, Engineering & Informatics Librarian

Located right off the Student Commons, 2001SC, we are hard to miss. Come in and visit us Monday through Thursday 8:30 am – 10 pm and Friday 8:30 am – 6 pm. You can get in touch from anywhere through our online form, live chat, a phone call, or text. You can find all our contact methods here.

We would also love to have you stop in and explore the library and get to know our staff. Along with our four full-time professional staff, we have 10 student assistants. Come in to find a resource or study and you just might see a classmate at the front desk.

Make sure to explore our Tool Library where you can find the tools and technology you need. Forget to charge your phone or laptop? We have chargers for your phone, laptop, and graphing calculator that you can check out for 4 hours. We also have 3D scanners – including a Shining 3D EinScan 2XPro – a professional 3D digitizing solution for versatile applications. It offers an enhanced Handheld HD Scan Mode and enlarged scan range (312 x 204 mm) that you can use to capture 3D models of medium to large objects with high efficiency.

Need a camera? You can check out a standard DSLR, or try out a 360fly or a GoPro Hero 5 to capture the whole world around you. For your next virtual meeting you can try out the Owl – a video conference device combines a 360 degree lens and 8 omnidirectional microphones. If you want to record music or a podcast, check out the “Snowball” microphone to get professional studio-quality results.

We have hand tools – everything from hammers and heat guns to vice grips and wrench sets. You can also find circuits, specialty tools, and VR & AR in the Tool Library – check out the webpage and then stop in and check out the tape measure and hammer you need to fix that hand-me-down furniture from your older sibling!

Make sure to check out our library events. This semester we are offering workshops on how to solder, use a 3D printer, and more. Those looking to develop their research skills should make sure to make time for our online Research Scholars workshops, which focus on writing, research, and other scholarly skills. We also offer our Graduate Student Boot Camp twice a year. This 2-day event has workshops to help refine your thesis or dissertation, dedicated writing time, expert help, and food.

And yes, we do have books. You will find them on our lower level, along with our study carrels and 2 quiet spaces with comfy chairs, a “fireplace,” and an “aquarium.” On the main floor you will find have 2 study pods where you can work with a small group, 27 computer stations, two scanners, and two printers.

Visit our website to access online materials and databases. From the comfort of your own home you can access nearly 1,300 databases so you can get that one last citation for the paper you are writing last-minute.

Come in to see the Creative Space! The Lichtenberger Engineering Library in collaboration with the College of Engineering developed this space for students. There are 3D scanners, a VR station, computer collaboration tables, white boards and prototyping. It is a great space to gather with others on your design team to work on projects.

There are some events that are simply fun and let you know how much we appreciate you: Pi Day, Trivia, Sci-Fi Sundays, to name just a few. You won’t want to miss anything the Lichtenberger Engineering Library has to offer! Follow us @uienglib on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and check our home page regularly to find out the latest news and events

Aug 24 2020

Welcome to Fall 2020!

Posted on August 24, 2020 by Carol Johnk

Whether your classes will be held in-person, virtually, or a combination of both – WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!!

We have more online resources than you might realize – our website has tabs where you can access library guides, databases, information about patents & standards, and course reserves!

Our library guides have information about each area of study, plus information about patents, standards, and product liability! Want information about engineering ethics? We’ve got a complete guide which is complete with the code of ethics, case studies, information about copyright and plagiarism, and copyright basics. You can search for guides by subject or librarian, too!

Our lower level (book stacks) will be closed to the public, but never fear – all the books are still available! We have online access to more than 50% of our collection through HathiTrust Emergency Access Service (ETAS). For materials not available electronically, we will have library staff on-hand to retrieve your books for you. You have the option to request books in advance through Infohawk+. After requesting a book, you will then have the option of choosing from several ways to get the book. Faculty and staff can opt for delivery to campus offices. All borrowers can request delivery by mail to your preferred address. Our computers, scanners and printer station are still available.

Within the Library, Creative Space and the two group study rooms will be available by appointment only.

Masks will be required at all times in the library. If you do not have a mask we will have some available. Hand sanitizer will be available.

If you’d like to schedule a meeting with one of our librarians, they will be happy to set up a virtual appointment. Kari Kozak (kari-kozak@uiowa.edu) is the Head of the Lichtenberger Engineering Library and she loves to talk about standards and patents (among all things engineering!). Looking for help with informatics and data analysis? Qianjin (Marina) Zhang is the Engineering and Informatics Librarian. James Cox is the Public Services & Emerging Technologies Librarian, he loves to talk tools and tech! Email our departmental email address (lib-engineering@uiowa.edu) and we’ll be sure it gets to the right person to help you!

Beginning August 17^th, we are physically open from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. While the Library is open we will have our virtual reference service “Live Chat” available and starting August 24^th we will be expanding Live Chat Hours to include 6pm-9pm M-Th and Sunday 1pm-5pm. The library will be closed during these hours but staff are still available to help! It is easy to contact us! Go to our homepage and click on one of the links – live chat, or text (319-250-2176), and there is always email.

We will be having virtual Learn & Create workshops and are adding Advanced Library Learning workshops. Both series of workshops are open to everyone, with the Advanced Library Learning workshops aimed at grad students who are working on writing thesis and dissertations. Watch for future blogs, Twitter, and Facebook posts for more information.

We are planning on several fun events – watch for information on a virtual escape room, a movie series, and a scavenger hunt!

And did you know that you have access to hundreds of feature films and documentaries? So, when you need a break from studying – check out this resource! There are animated, adventure, comedies, crime, documentaries, fantasy, history, horror, science fiction, and westerns (along with many, many more!). It has current releases – Bohemian Rhapsody, The Greatest Showman, JoJo Rabbit, Ford v Ferrari (and again, SO many more) – and classics like An Affair to Remember, The Innocents (1962), Captain from Castile (with Tyrone Power), Little Miss Broadway (Shirley Temple), African Queen, (and yes, many, many more!)

This is going to be a year not quite like any other
but we are here, have what you need, and have you covered!!

Welcome to Fall 2020!! We are so glad you are here!

Kari Kozak, Head, Lichtenberger Engineering Library
kari-kozak@uiowa.edu
319.335.6046

Qianjin (Marina) Zhang
Engineering & Informatics Librarian
qianjin-zhang@uiowa.edu
319.335.5301

James M. Cox
Public Services & Emerging Technologies Librarian
james-m-cox@uiowa.edu
319.335.6047

Jan 21 2020

Welcome Back!!

Posted on January 21, 2020January 21, 2020 by Carol Johnk

Welcome back!
We hope you had a good winter break!

We’ve been busy while you were gone, and this semester is filled with activities!

We are very excited about Capture Your Research 2020! You are invited to come to a question-and-answer session about this brand new photo competition on January 30th at 5:00 p.m in Engineering Library Creative Space. This new event is sponsored by the College of Engineering, Hancher Auditorium, NEXUS, and the Lichtenberger Engineering Library. Full information and registration can be found here. The final Q&A will be held February 20th at 5:00 pm in the Engineering Library Creative Space. The entry deadline is February 28th.

Come to either of the Q&A sessions, and prepare your submission. We are looking forward to seeing what you are researching!

We also have a whole new set of Learn & Create workshops scheduled. And this time we have workshops we haven’t offered before. We will be having a two-part workshop in which you will learn to code and design a a small project and then the following week there will be a “field trip” to the Machine Shop, where you will learn to use the water jet cutter (The 1st workshop is required to enroll in the second). We also have a new workshop where you can learn about robotics – buy a kit and you can take your robot home with you! With these new workshops, along with our regular workshops about patents, standards, and learning to create pop-up Valentine’s cards, among others, I think we have something for almost everyone.

We also are going to be having a information to session about Scifinderⁿ. SciFinder has been changed and updated, so you will want to attend this session and learn about all the updates. That session will be held in early February. Stay tuned for more details.

Also in February we’re going to be having an Innovation day. This will be held on February 18th. Stay tuned for all the details!!

Besides all we have scheduled for February, we also will be having a water filtration challenge at the beginning of March, Pi day is going to be held on March 12th (before spring break), the Poster Session for the KickStart program will be on April 2nd, and the awards ceremony for Capture Your Research 2020! will also be on April 2nd at Hancher.

We have SO many things coming up – you’ll want to watch for our Monday Morning Fireside Chats – Kari will talk about all the events! They will be posted on both Facebook and Twitter and can also be found on our youtube channel – be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out!!

We have so many new and exciting things planned for this semester! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@UIEngLib), watch for our Monday morning fireside chats, check our webpage, our blogs (accessible from the home page) and you won’t miss any of our upcoming events!

Welcome back!

Aug 20 2018

Welcome Back!

Posted on August 20, 2018 by Carol Johnk

YOU ARE HERE!!

And we are glad you are!

We missed you while you were gone – but we kept busy, too!

Shhh! We are in the process of updating our quiet study space on our lower level! New comfy chairs are here and soon there will be new study carrels! But, never fear, we still have gamer chairs and beanbags! It is the best place to study when you don’t want to be disturbed and need to concentrate.

We have added new tools to our Tool Library! We have added laptops, projectors, thermal imagining cameras and more! Now we have everything from 3D scanners, 360 Degree Cameras, Go Pro, computer mice, creative boxes to help you with programming & circuits, hammers, screwdrivers, phone & computer chargers, and SO much more! And, we add more tools all the time! We have over 170 tools available to help you be successful in your college career! Click on the Tool Library link and see everything we’ve got!

And, our tools go perfectly with our Creative Space! We have a virtual reality station, collaboration tables, modeling stations and a prototyping station – the perfect place to collaborate with team members on class projects! It is also the perfect place to tinker and be creative! As Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” So, stop in, be creative – who knows what you’ll invent!

If you want to work together as a team, but need a space that is a bit quieter – we’ve got 2 study pods! Pod 1 has a white board and Media:Scape! Media:Scape is designed for easy collaboration – up to 6 electronic devices can be connected to the large screen monitor! Pod 2 is smaller but has a large white board. Markers are available to check out in the Tool Library! The pods may be reserved – go to the Group Study Rooms webpage for instructions! We also have 27 ITC computers, 2 scanners, and 2 printers!

Did you know we have a youtube channel? We do! Subscribe to us – UIEngLib! We are adding more and more videos all the time – an overview of the library, instructional videos on resources such as Endnote Basic – AND we’ve added a Detective Jones series! Watch the short video which will pose a question at the end, choose the answer you believe is the best and it will take you to the next video! Stay tuned – there will more cases for you and Detective Jones to solve!

This is just a smattering of all the resources we have available! Have questions? We have live chat and texting, too! The number to text is 319.250.2176. Stop in and see us, too – we’re happy to answer your questions!

Explore our homepage – with inks to new books, resources, our blog, and how to get help. Then come explore the library! We are at 2001 Seamans Center – just off the Student Commons. Our hours are listed on our homepage – so stop in!

Head Librarian, Kari Kozak and Informatics Librarian, Qianijn (Marina) Zhang, are available for research consultations and all our staff are available to help you find the resources you need! We post information about resources, fun facts, and information about special events on Facbook and our Twitter feed! “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay current with all we have going on here!

Come see all we have to offer – we look forward to seeing you soon!

Qianjin (Marina) Zhang, Engineering & Informatics Librarian

Kari Kozak, Head, Lichtenberger Engineering Library

Aug 16 2018

Feeling Overwhelmed By Your College Experience? Check Our New Exhibit for Help!

Posted on August 16, 2018 by Carol Johnk

You are here – at the University of Iowa! You may be a first year, sophomore, junior or senior – but no matter what year, the excitement is there. The anticipation of new experiences and the trepidation of new experiences!

Stop in and see our new exhibit and see some of the ways we can help you adjust to, and survive, college life and all that it entails!

Think grabbing some ramen noodles is the way to start your day? We’ve got Fitness for Geeks : Real Science, Great Nutrition, and Good Health that might change your mind. Or maybe you are going to the cafeteria for breakfast and are frustrated by always being in the slowest line – 100 Essential Things You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know : Math Explains Your World will help you figure it out! We also have information on how to build your own alarm clock! Wild and Wacky (But Useful) Contraptions so you don’t miss those morning classes!

Now that you are awake and have had a healthy breakfast, you are off to bicycle to class. Except the chain on your bike isn’t working! Never fear – The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance & Repair : for Road & Mountain Bikes is here!

Have a new roommate and your pizza keeps disappearing? Check out 101 Spay Gadgets for the Evil Genius and discover sneaky ways to catch the culprit in the act! Feel like a sissy wearing flip flops in the shower? Check out When Germs Travel : Six Major Epidemics That Have Invaded America and the Fears They Have Unleashed.

We have the resources to help you through your entire day – from morning to night! Afraid of the dark and don’t want your roommates to know? Aglow in the Dark: The Revolutionary Science of Bioflourescence explores the story of the discovery of green fluorescent protein and the human fascination with “living light.” Glow-in-the-dark fish could be the perfect nightlight!

These are just a few of the many ways we can help you make it through your college experience! What’s your concern? Check our resources – you’ll be surprised at all the information we have! (And, by the way, we have what you need to succeed in your classes, too!)

Stop in and see our exhibit (2001 Seamans Center), explore our space, and talk to one of our staff!

Welcome to the Fall 2018 semester! We look forward to working with you this year!

Resources:

Graham, Brad and Kathy McGowan. 2012. 101 spy gadgets for the evil genius. New York, NY : McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics. Engineering Library TK7882.E2 G685 2012

Markel, Howard. 2005. When germs travel : six major epidemics that have invaded America and the fears they have unleashed. New York : Vinatge Books. Engineering Library RC111 .M37 2005

Perry, Bruce W. 2012. Fitness for geeks : real science, great nutrition, and good health. Sebastopol, CA : O’Reilly Media. Engineering Library RA781 .P47 2012

Barrow, John D. 2015. 100 essential things you didn’t know you didn’t know : math explains your world. New York : W.W. Norton & Company. Engineering Library QA99 .B188 2009

Downs, Todd. 2010. The bicycling guide to complete bicycle maintenance & repair : for road & mountain bikes. Emmaus, PA : Rodale New York : Distributed to the trade by Macmillan. Engineering Library TL430 .D68 2010

Chaline, Eric Robert Brandt. 2008. Make 50 wild and wacky (but useful) contraptions. New York, NY : Collins. Engineering Library T339 . C45 2008

Pieribone, Vincent David; David F. Gruber. 2005. Aglow in the dark : the revolutionary science of biofluorescence. Cambridge, Mass. : Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. Engineering Library QH641 .P54 2005.

Aug 21 2017

Need Help Surviving College?

Posted on August 21, 2017August 17, 2017 by Carol Johnk

LET US HELP YOU SURVIVE COLLEGE!!

Aug 24 2016

Look at What is Happening in the Engineering Library!

Posted on August 24, 2016October 26, 2017 by Carol Johnk

Imagine! Tinker! Design! Create!

We’re Having an Open House!

The Oculus Rift and one of the two new 43” (4K) quad monitors!

We are having an Open House on September 8 from 2:30 to 4:30! Come celebrate and explore our new Creative Space! You’ll have a chance to enjoy a hands-on experience with some of the new equipment. We are excited to be collaborating with the Engineering Technological Centers to provide this exciting new Creative Space!

New equipment includes:

3D Scanners: Matter & Form; Sense 3D; Structor for iPad; Xbox Kinect
Virtual Reality Station: Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Headset; Leap Motion Controller
3D Cameras: 360fly 4K & RICOH Theta
2 Collaboration Tables: each with 43” (4K) quad monitor; stationary computer; laptop jacks
Modeling Station: 4 Computers; Leap Motion Controllers; Wacom Drawing Tablets; 3D Modeling Software
Tool Library: Canon PowerShot Camera; Tape Measure; Screwdrivers; Light Meters; Webcam; Creative Boxes; other Technology Tools; Hand Tools; Measuring Tools; and LabQuest Equipment.

Updated Study Spaces! We have updated our 43 individual study carrels – they are now equipped with electrical outlets, so you can be sure all your electronics stay powered up. There will also be individual lights installed on each carrel! And don’t forget we have 2 scanners, ITS computers, gamer chairs, bean bag chairs, and group study tables. We have 2 group study pods – Pod 1 is equipped with MediaScape. And the group study pods will now have electronic reservation systems! Our lower level is a dedicated quiet space – we have a space for all your study needs!

Tool Library Additions! We now have cables and chargers in our Tool Library along with the Creative Space specialty tools! We have 30 pin to VGA, 30 pin wall charger, lightning wall charger, micro USB wall charger and more!

Wondering how long you can check out any of our many resources – including the Tool Library – check our circulation policy webpage!

E-Books on the Bookshelves!

A pilot project is making our e-book resources accessible on our bookshelves!

Each e-book has a book-sized plastic case shelved by call number.
Each case has spine label, and both front and back covers
There is a QR code on the spine
NFC tag on the back cover
Inside the case are info sheets which may be taken by the user. The information includes title, call number, and web address.

New and Updated Resources!!

Jane’s Online

Over 100 years of history, IHS Jane’s is the most trusted & respected public source of defense and security information in the world. Jane’s is available only to On-Campus Users. Our subscription includes:

Jane’s Aero-Engines
Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft Development & Production
Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft in Service
Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft Unmanned
Jane’s Fighting Ships

Synthesis Series – Digital Library of Engineering & Computer Science.

We now have 800 synthesis lectures which are 50-100 page electronic books with in-depth analysis of a current topic in 22 different areas including:

Biomedical Engineering
Chemical & Biochemical Engineering
Civil & Environmental Engineering
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Computer Science

RSMeans

2016 Editions now available In our reference section (non-circulating)
Provides construction cost estimates, including: City Cost Indexes; Crew Composition; Labor; Profit Rates; Materials; Facilities Repair; Productivity Rates; and Green Building

Current Protocols

Protocols are presented in a “recipe” style providing step-by-step descriptions of procedures which you can take to the lab and immediately apply in your own research.

MIT Books

More than 650 ebooks from MIT Press dating back as far as 1943
approximately 65% of titles in computing-related fields, such as computer science, artificial intelligence, information theory, and computer programming

Springers Material

Providing access to numerical and graphical data on the properties of materials
Search by elements, structure, or corrosion

SAE Technical Papers (Society of Automotive Engineers)

Provides access to over 175,000 continuously updated technical reports. Subjects include aerospace, automotive, and commercial vehicles. The reports date bask as far as 1906.

Like us on Facebook (UI Lichtenberger Engineering Library), follow us on Twitter (@UIEngLib), Pinterest and follow the UI Libraries on Instagram!

And, as always, Kari Kozak, Head of the Lichtenberger Engineering Library and Qianjin (Marina) Zhang, Engineering & Informatics Librarian are here to answer your questions!

Want to see the number of how the Engineering Library did last year? Check out this infographic!

So many exciting things are happening here! And so many more exciting things to come!

Hours:

M-Th: 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday: 2:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Welcome back to campus – we look forward to seeing you!!

The University of Iowa Libraries

Lichtenberger Engineering Library

Category: Welcome Students

How do I…. find a book?