Monthly Archives: January 2019

Introducing our Newest Librarian, Rachel Baum

Outdoor photo of Rachel.The Claire T. Carney Library has a new(ish) librarian! Read the interview below to get to know our new Social Sciences & Data Services Librarian, Rachel Baum. 

So you’re the Social Sciences & Data Services Librarian? What does that even mean?

The “Social Sciences” portion means that I am the library representative (or “liaison”) to the Social Sciences department. I work with faculty to buy books, teach library instruction sessions to their classes, and advocate for them in library meetings. The “Data Services” part has to do with helping researchers on campus, whether students or faculty, develop and adhere to data management plans throughout their research process, then ensuring that the data they gather remains accessible and discoverable to other researchers.

Where are you from?

Originally, I am from Long Island, New York. Fun fact, New Yorkers hardly ever say “I’m from New York” without being more specific because otherwise, the follow-up question is “New York City?” and disappointing people with a “no” reply is a bummer.

Where did you go to school and what did you major in?

I did my undergraduate work at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. I majored in English Literature, focusing on Shakespeare, and minored in European History. I have both U.S. and Canadian citizenship, so getting to live in Montreal, where my dad grew up, was a wonderful experience. My master’s degree in Library and Information Science is from Simmons University, where I focused on academic librarianship, especially reference and instruction.

Do you have any hobbies that aren’t librarianish?

I’m not sure where this falls on the librarianish spectrum, but my favorite thing to do in my spare time is go out birdwatching. I know plenty of non-librarians who love it, but it also involves identifying and categorizing things, so it may count! I also love to cook and am trying to teach myself how to bake bread.

What are you looking forward to this spring semester?

I will be working with 10 different English 102 classes, and I’m excited to meet so many new students and help to start developing their academic research skills. Since I’m still relatively new, we’ll be doing a lot of learning together, which is my favorite kind of learning.

If you had to give one piece of advice to students, what would it be?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help! My job is to help you do your best work and feel comfortable researching, and I love it.

How can someone contact you if they need help with research?

You can email, call, or even stop by my office. You can see all of my contact information online.

SciFi Book Club to discuss Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

The Science Fiction Book Club is looking to alternative histories in Spring 2019! The first book of the semester will be Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld. This story takes place in an alternative version of World War I where the Austro-Hungarians and Germans are known as “Clankers” (due to their use of steam-powered machines) and the British are “Darwinists” (they have genetically modified animals for ships and weapons). The story centers on the meeting of two unlikely friends from opposite sides and what they encounter on the great ship Leviathan as they both try to conceal their own secrets.

No matter what way you choose to read the book, we really think you’re in for a treat. Those that read it in print or digital will be able to enjoy fantastic illustrations by Keith Thompson. The audiobook is also highly recommended, as it’s read by actor Alan Cumming. Leviathan was included on the Young Adult Library Services Association “Best Books for Young Adults” list in 2010. If you love it, be prepared to devour the sequels: Behemoth and Goliath. You can find Leviathan at your local public library or through interlibrary loan.

We look forward to chatting with you about Leviathan on Wednesday, February 20th at 1pm in Library 314.

Welcome back from the Library!

Welcome back for the spring semester! And, if you are new to the UMassD community this semester, welcome!  We hope you enjoyed the break and are excited to be back on campus.

So, now that you’re here we thought we’d take a moment to send a few library reminders: 

The library is back to regular hours.  We are open from 7:30 am to 1 am Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am to 9 pm on Fridays, 9 am to 9 pm on Saturdays, and noon to 1 am on Sundays. You can find holiday hours and other exceptions on our online calendar. Remember to bring your UMass Pass when visiting the library after 10 pm as you must tap your card to enter the building.

We are here to support your learning and research. If you have research questions, we have subject librarians who are happy to talk with you and provide help! You can email, chat, text, call, or stop by in-person to connect with one of our librarians. Reference librarians staff one of the computers at the 1st floor Learning Commons Desk. They are here to help you, so please feel free to come talk to them! Our Learning Commons student assistants also provide basic technical support with things like COIN and printing at the same desk. Think of the Learning Commons Desk as a one-stop shop for both your technical and research questions.

There are many kinds of study spaces throughout the library for individual and group study. Do you do a lot of group work? If so, you can go online and reserve a group study room! You will also see “table tents” on the 3rd and 5th floors to help you share the group study tables and help us all make the best use of the library’s study spaces.  If you would like to notify a friend about where you’re going to be studying in the library, send them a link with a pointer on a library floor map of where you’ll be studying using the Find Me Here tool. And, near the Learning Commons Desk on the first floor, the South Reading Room provides a space for quiet study.

Do you need a laptop for your work in the library? Borrow one for the day at the first floor Circulation Desk.

If you’re back and already thinking about your senior project, your master’s thesis or the big paper you’ll have to write this semester, you might want to look up one of our expert subject librarians to help you with your research.

You may already know about the library’s collection of online journal databases and books, however, we just updated the Primo user interface for library collection searches, so please contact a librarian with any questions.

If you need an item that the library does not have in our collections (excluding textbooks), you can request it free of charge by using our interlibrary loan service.

As the semester progresses, watch for library programming and events, such as the Game Night we sponsor every Thursday night from 7-10PM in the Library Living Room, with a variety of board games on hand. The library also co-sponsors Stressless Days once a month in the Library Living Room that feature games, therapy dogs, and chair massage, as well as arts and crafts. Looking for a good book to read for fun? We have a Science Fiction Book Club that meets once a month, a collection of “Read and Return” books in the Library Living Room, and plenty of genre fiction or light non-fiction in the library stacks.

Other questions?  Ask us, we are here to help!