News – Library News

Feb 18 2021

UI Libraries launches a new podcast series

Posted on February 18, 2021February 18, 2021 by The University of Iowa Libraries

A library is a building, right? Or is it collection of books? What about all the other sources of information available in libraries? Loud in the Libraries takes you behind the scenes to help you make sense of the University of Iowa Libraries so you can make the best use of all the Libraries have to offer. Episodes feature librarians, staff, and student employees who are passionate about sharing the breadth and depth of the University of Iowa’s research libraries. Let them tell you how to save yourself time getting the information you need.

The podcast is available through multiple platforms, including Spotify and Google. You can also add it to your RSS feed.

Stay tuned for new episodes!

Jan 22 2021

Big Ten Academic Alliance Signs new PLOS Deal

Posted on January 22, 2021January 22, 2021 by Mahrya Burnett

If you’ve ever considered publishing Open Access (OA) in PLOS Biology or PLOS Medicine, it just got a lot more affordable. The Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA), of which University of Iowa is a member, just signed a three-year deal with the OA mega-journal publisher, PLOS, allowing corresponding authors at any Big 10 university to publish in these two journals without any cost to the author. This agreement is part of PLOS’ Community Action Publishing (CAP) program, which its website describes as, “a type of ‘collective action’ business model that can equitably distribute the cost of selective, Open Access publishing among institutions rather than charging high APCs to individual authors.” The program comes as part of an existing resource sharing consortium among the institutions of the Big 10 and is the first of its kind, both for PLOS and the BTAA.

While not all of PLOS’ journal titles are covered by this agreement—most notably the publisher’s flagship journal, PLOS One is not covered—PLOS Biology and PLOS Medicine are already major publication venues for authors at Big 10 universities, representing 5% of the total articles published in both journals from 2016 to 2019. This deal makes the highly selective titles even more attractive to BTAA authors.

Article Processing Charges (APCs) are a burden that OA authors have to bear themselves if they have no grant or department funding to cover them. These costs have risen precipitously in recent years and are a significant barrier to making research open and freely accessible. Without the CAP program, authors submitting to PLOS Biology or PLOS Medicine could expect to pay up to $3,000 to make a single article open. This agreement represents an alternative to both the traditional subscription model of academic publishing and the author-funded APC model. Under the CAP program, the BTAA pays for the publishing costs (+ 10% margin) and any revenues above the target are redistributed back to community members.

If you’re interested in taking advantage of no-cost OA publishing in PLOS Biology or PLOS Medicine, the process should be seamless. You just follow PLOS’ existing workflows and your institutional affiliation will trigger PLOS to publish the article without the APC. As UI Libraries move toward supporting more sustainable and equitable models of OA, we see this community-based agreement as a step in the right direction.

Dec 17 2020

2020 Fall Undergraduate Library Research Award Winners

Posted on December 17, 2020December 18, 2020 by Jenay Solomon

The University Libraries received several strong applications for the Fall 2020 Undergraduate Library Research Award (ULRA). Because of this, we were able to secure extra funding from the Academic Enrichment Fund thanks to the Friends of the UI Libraries. We were able to recognize three undergraduate students, who showed impressive research skills, innovative use of library resources, and initiative in seeking assistance from expert librarians.

Emily Bronswick, a senior History and Social Studies Education major, received an award of $500 for her project on Black Iowa Women’s Activism during the Civil Rights era. Emily met with Janalyn Moss, who helped her select books and articles to help with her research. Emily also accessed collections in the Iowa Women’s Archives that included the Edna Griffin Papers.

McKenna Kephart, a senior Nursing major with a certificate in Aging and Longevity studies, received an award of $100 for her work on developing a dining and Dementia-Friendly Communication Educational Program for Western Home Communities. McKenna met with Jen DeBerg, who helped her identify search terms and utilize subject-specific databases, such as AgeLine and PubMed.

Precious Maryah Pate, a freshman Neuroscience major received the Emerging Scholars award of $50 for research done for a Rhetoric assignment on the racial wealth gap and its effects on Black youth and Black mothers. Precious worked with Tim Arnold, who helped her identify resources in InfoHawk+ and other databases to address multiple perspectives in her research.

Join me in congratulating these students on their well-deserved accomplishments. To learn more about the award and to see past winners, visit the ULRA site.

Thanks to the review committee: Brett Cloyd, Elizabeth Riordan, and Riley Samuelson for their help selecting this semester’s award winners.

Dec 03 2020

Course reserves for spring 2021

Posted on December 3, 2020January 8, 2021 by The University of Iowa Libraries

UI Libraries are now accepting course reserve lists for the upcoming Spring semester at the Main Library, Hardin Library, and branch libraries. Please note the following changes. Not all libraries are offering to place print books on Course Reserve for spring 2021. Online access to books through HathiTrust’s Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS) ends December 28, 2020. If a title was used in the Fall semester, you will need to contact your library to verify access for the Spring semester.

Requesting Materials for Course Reserve

Physical access to books is projected to resume by January 25, 2021. Access to library collections for in-person check-outs will vary by library.
E-books. Library staff will search for a requested eBook title; if an eBook is unavailable the instructor will be notified.
ILL service. When no eBook is available, instructors may request chapters for posting on ICON from our ILL department. The amount of individual book chapters requested is determined through the Fair Use checklist.
Streaming video. Library staff will search for a streaming video option. If unavailable, then the instructor will be notified.
Journal articles. If you need a PDF of a journal article or book chapter, please submit a request through Interlibrary Loan. Instructions on how to upload a PDF to ICON are available here.
HATHI Trust (ETAS) will be discontinued December 28, 2020.

If you have questions, please contact your library before placing requests for reserve material. Useful links, online request forms, and contact information: http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/services/courseres/

Aug 05 2020

Changes in Libraries’ services and hours

Posted on August 5, 2020August 17, 2020 by The University of Iowa Libraries

When campus libraries reopen on Aug. 17, services will resume in phases. To begin the semester, the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, the Main Library, and the Sciences Library will allow building access only to University of Iowa members with a valid Iowa One Card or UI Health Care Badge. Also, all campus libraries will have shorter hours, closed book stacks, and some study areas will be unavailable.

These measures allow for appropriate quarantine of returned materials, reduce concerns about cleaning, and support social distancing due to COVID-19. Access will vary by location. For example, the Music Library and Art Library will limit occupancy by restricting access to service desks only. At the Main Library, access to the fourth and fifth floors will be limited to staff only, thus reducing impact on custodians.

“The Libraries staff understand users will be disappointed that they will be unable to browse the book stacks and fully utilize library study areas,” says John Culshaw, university librarian. “We hope conditions will shift soon, enabling us to restore access and hours. In the meantime, our plan reflects those at other libraries, including our Big Ten peers.”

In addition to limiting the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the facility, closed stacks keep the Libraries in compliance with copyright agreements with HathiTrust Emergency Access Service (ETAS), which supplies emergency online access to a large portion of our collection. The ETAS service gives the Libraries access to nearly 50% of its print volumes. Find step-by-step access instructions for HathiTrust here. The ETAS service can remain available only while our stacks are closed.

Users can still borrow books by requesting book retrieval from the stacks at any campus library. Users are encouraged to request books in advance through Infohawk+. After requesting a book, users can choose from several ways to get the book. Faculty and staff can opt for delivery to campus offices. All borrowers, including community members, can request delivery by mail. Books borrowed from the Main Library’s collections can be picked up through a contactless service at the south entrance of the Main Library. Procedures vary by location; please check with your campus library for instructions.

As the semester unfolds, the Libraries will continue to monitor the situation. When deemed safe, the Libraries will consider extending hours and opening stacks for browsing.

Thank you for your patience as we navigate changing circumstances. Please contact us at any of our campus locations with questions regarding book access. Visit our fall 2020 FAQ for complete information about changes in library services.

May 05 2020

How to return materials to the UI Libraries

Posted on May 5, 2020September 30, 2020 by The University of Iowa Libraries

Book return map — University of Iowa Libraries’ regional book return map. Find a location near you to return your UI Libraries books and DVDs. The UI Libraries plans to continue this service while it’s needed.

University of Iowa students can return items to the UI Libraries from afar by dropping off items at one of 47 participating libraries across the state and region. See a map of these locations or the list of locations at the end of this article.

The UI Libraries has spearheaded this special service to help students living far from campus due to the pandemic. With the aid of partnering public and academic libraries, the UI Libraries will continue to offer this service while it’s needed.

This network of libraries is participating in an unprecedented cooperative project to assist library users who are sheltering far from the library from which they borrowed items. Each library in this network will accept items from the other participating libraries and return those items at no cost to the borrower.

Students who have University of Iowa library books to return can check the UI Libraries’ book return map for drop-off locations in the state and region. Students without access to a drop-off library and those living further than 30 miles from Iowa City can request a UPS shipping label.

Students living near campus are encouraged to return books at the Main Library drop box (125 W. Washington Street, return slots available at both the south and north entrances) or the Hardin Library drop box (600 Newton Road, next to the entrance that faces University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics). Students with tools or electronic equipment should schedule a drop off to ensure the security and safety of the items.

- Art Library: Please use the library drop box.
- Business Library: Please use the drop box for books and DVDs. Please return non-book items to the service desk or schedule a time by emailing lib-bus@uiowa.edu
- Engineering Library: Please use the drop box for books and DVDs. Please return non-book items to the service desk.
- Hardin Library: Please use the drop box for books and DVDs. Please return non-book items to the service desk.
- Main Library: Please use the drop box for books and DVDs. Please return non-book items to the service desk.
- Music Library: Please use the hallway book drop on the first floor of the Voxman Music Building.
- Sciences Library: Please return items to the service desk.

Before returning library items, please observe the following safe-handling practices:

Do not clean, disinfect, or microwave library materials before returning them. For example, do not use water, Lysol, or any other cleaner on materials.
If you or your family members are sick or have been sick, seal materials in a zip-lock style bag if possible before returning.
Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before handling library materials for return and again after you have completed the return.

List of locations for materials return

Iowa State University Parks Library, 701 Morrill Road, Ames, IA
DMACC Ankeny campus Library Bldg 6, 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA
Scott Community College Library, 500 Belmont Rd, Bettendorf, IA
DMACC Boone campus Library, 1125 Hancock Drive, Boone, IA
Northeast Iowa Community College Library Student Center, 1625 Hwy 150 S., Calmar, IA
DMACC Carroll campus Library, 906 North Grant Rd., Carroll, IA
University of Northern Iowa Rod Library, 1227 W 27th Street, Cedar Falls, IA
Mount Mercy University Busse Library, 1330 Elmhurst Drive NE, Cedar Rapids, IA
Kirkwood Community College Library Benton Hall, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
Clinton Community College Library, 1000 Lincoln Blvd, Clinton, IA
Coralville Public Library, 1401 5th Street, Coralville, IA
Southwestern Community College Library, 1501 W. Townline Street, Creston, IA
Saint Ambrose University Library, 518 W. Locust Street, Davenport, IA
DMACC Urban/Des Moines campus Library Bldg 1, 1100 7th Street, Des Moines, IA
Drake University Cowles Library, 2725 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA
Grand View University Library, 1350 Morton Avenue, Des Moines, IA
Mercy College of Health Sciences Library Sullivan Center, 928 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA
Loras College Library, 1450 Alta Vista, Dubuque, IA
University of Dubuque Charles C. Myers Library, 2195 Grace Street, Dubuque, IA
Grinnell College Library, 1111 6th Ave, Grinnell, IA
Simpson College Dunn Library, 508 N C Street, Indianola, IA
Kirkwood Community College Library, 1816 Lower Muscatine Rd, Iowa City, IA
Iowa City Public Library, Iowa City, IA
University of Iowa Hardin Library, 600 Newtown Road, Iowa City, IA
University of Iowa Main Library, 125 W. Washington Street, Iowa City, IA
Southeastern Community College Fred Karre Memorial Library, 335 Messenger Rd, Keokuk, IA
Cornell College Cole Library, 320 3rd Street SW, Mount Vernon, IA
Muscatine Community College Library, 152 Colorado Street, Muscatine, IA
North Liberty Public Library, 520 W. Cherry Street, North Liberty, IA
Northwestern College DeWitt Library, 101 7th Street SW, Orange City, IA
William Penn University Wilcox Library, 201 Trueblood Avenue, Oskaloosa, IA
Indian Hills Community College Library, 525 Grandview Avenue, Ottumwa, IA
Northeast Iowa Community College Library, 8342 NICC Drive, Peosta, IA
Dordt University Hulst Library, 700 7th Street NE, Sioux Center, IA
Briar Cliff University Bishop Mueller Library, 3303 Rebecca Street, Sioux City, IA
Morningside College Library, 1501 Morningside Avenue, Sioux City, IA
Hawkeye Community College Library Main Campus, 1501 East Orange Road, Waterloo, IA
Wartburg College Vogel Library, 100 Wartburg Blvd, Waverly, IA
University of Illinois Main Library, 1408 W Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL
Indiana University Wells Library, 1320 E. Tenth Street, Bloomington, IN
Purdue University Library, West State Street, West Lafayette, IN
University of Michigan Hatcher Graduate Library, 913 S. University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan State University Main Library, 366 W. Circle Drive, East Lansing, MI
University of Minnesota Wilson Library, 309 19th Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN
University of Nebraska Love Library, 13th & R Street, Lincoln, NE
University of Wisconsin Memorial Library, 728 State Street, Madison, WI

Apr 03 2020

Emergency access to copyrighted books

Posted on April 3, 2020April 3, 2020 by The University of Iowa Libraries

Effective immediately and until normal access to physical collections resumes, students, faculty, and staff at the University of Iowa have online access to a large portion of the University Libraries’ print collection—volumes that would have been difficult to access from library facilities that are closed due to COVID-19.

Reading access to digitized copies of print volumes has been granted to the UI by HathiTrust, a not-for-profit, collaborative digital library that holds over 17 million volumes digitized from academic and research libraries. The UI Libraries, in collaboration with the Big Ten Academic Alliance, is a founding member of HathiTrust.

This means that any books available through HathiTrust that are also in the UI Libraries’ collections will be available online without the additional step of requesting a digital scan. HathiTrust’s online collection contains nearly half of the UI Libraries’ book collection for an additional 1.6 million volumes now available online for our campus community.

To take advantage of this resource:

Visit HathiTrust and click the yellow “LOG IN” button.
Select “University of Iowa” and log with your HawkID.
Use the site to locate the item you wish to view.
Click on the Temporary Access link at the bottom of the record to check out the item through the Emergency Temporary Access Service.
You will have 60 minutes of access to the book during any session. If you remain active in the book during any session, access time will be extended.
Please note that it is not possible to download books from HathiTrust. This is to protect authors’ rights.

HathiTrust has provided detailed instructions, including how to use the service on a phone or tablet.

For help with access to these and other digital resources at the UI Libraries, please contact us.

Mar 23 2020

Virtual Hours for UI Libraries

Posted on March 23, 2020March 31, 2020 by The University of Iowa Libraries

Click here to see our VIRTUAL HOURS during the time of COVID-19.

Dec 20 2019

Data Management Course for Researchers

Posted on December 20, 2019February 4, 2020 by Brian Westra

Got research data? Have you shared it?

Other researchers, funders, publishers, and the public want to know:

The public – A Pew research survey found that open access to data and independent review inspire more trust in research findings by the public.

Research participants – Many clinical trial participants understand and support data sharing (within confidentiality and privacy protections) in order to advance medical research and improve patient outcomes.

Funders – Research funders strongly encourage or require data sharing, and require that research proposals include data management plans describing data sharing.

Other researchers – Many research disciplines and related professional societies and associations require data to be shared in support of reproducibility, transparency, and accelerating research. For example: American Geophysical Union, earth and space sciences, social sciences, and American Psychological Association.

Journals/Publishers – Many journals also have requirements that data be shared and preserved via repositories. For example: International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, PLOS, Wiley, Nature, and Sage.

Preparing for data sharing

Good data management and curation practices will make it easier for you to preserve and share your data.

Graduate students are often responsible for many of the data management tasks associated with their research, and these practices may be new to them. These changing expectations and requirements may also be unfamiliar to faculty and staff. In order to assist with these tasks, the libraries provides instruction, consultations, and infrastructure to help researchers across the university with data management and curation.

In Spring 2020, we will be offering a 1-credit course on research data management.

This course is intended to build knowledge and expertise in essential best practices that students can immediately apply in their own research settings. We’ll focus on active-learning, with readings and discussion-based explorations of how to apply good data management to planning, active research, and preserving and sharing data.

The course is appropriate for any researcher who deals with quantitative data. We hope to see you there!

Course Title: Managing Data to Facilitate Your Research

Time and Location: 9:30 am – 10:20 am, Mondays, in 1100 UCC

Instructors: Brian Westra, Marina Zhang

More details: https://myui.uiowa.edu/my-ui/courses/details.page?id=924164&ci=172636

If you have any questions, please contact Brian Westra, brian-westra@uiowa.edu

Nov 26 2019

Mahanna wins Library Research Award

Posted on November 26, 2019December 13, 2019 by The University of Iowa Libraries

Allexis Mahanna, a UI senior majoring in global health studies, won the inaugural Undergraduate Library Research Award (ULRA) offered by the University of Iowa Libraries. Mahanna was selected from a competitive pool of undergraduate researchers who applied for the award and presented their work at the University of Iowa’s Fall Undergraduate Research Festival held November 13, 2019.

Mahanna’s research focuses on the differences in migration policies between the autonomous community of Catalonia and the local municipality of Barcelona, Spain. She evaluated the local migration policies of Barcelona through a case study framework analyzing country-wide policies and community perceptions of migrants.

Her research integrated library resources—including databases such as Web of Science, SAGE research methods, and services in SEAM—with specialized instruction on coding methods from SEAM Graduate Student Megan Dial-Lapcewich. Mahanna also met with librarians Brett Cloyd and Cathy Cranston and sought poster design assistance from Nikki White in the Libraries’ Digital Scholarship & Publishing Studio in preparation for presenting at the Fall Undergraduate Research Festival.

The Undergraduate Library Research Award was established this year by Jenay Solomon, librarian in the UI Libraries’ Undergraduate Engagement Department, who collaborated with Bob Kirby and Melinda Licht of the Iowa Center for Undergraduate Research (ICRU) to integrate the new award into the Fall Undergraduate Research Festival.

The award carries a $500 prize, which is funded by the Friends of the University of Iowa Libraries. The Libraries will offer the award again at the UI’s Spring Undergraduate Research Festival. The award is open to any undergraduate student in any year or discipline who demonstrates creative or innovative research skills in the selection, integration, and synthesis of resources, services, and materials from the UI Libraries.

Special thanks to UI librarians who served on the Fall 2019 ULRA review committee: Conrad Bendixen (from the Sciences Library and Main Library Liaison Services in Humanities and Social Sciences) and Kelly Hangauer (from Main Library Liaison Services in Humanities and Social Sciences), Heather Healy (from the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences), and Laurie Neuerburg (from the Sciences Library). Committee members helped create an assessment rubric for evaluating applicants and assisted in selecting this semester’s winner.