Instructional Media Services Provides Needed Technologies and Facilities
First Year Students Choose Their Quest in Information Literacy Pilot Program
by Judith Olsen
The first year class is on their Quest, traveling what could be a rugged path, as they seek experience in the world of scholarly research, as well as information retrieval in general. Through the Core Humanities Seminar program, all first year students will complete Quest, the online tutorial, which guides them along their journey, helping them to gather, use and evaluate the resources they discover along the way.
Depending upon their previous research experience, the students may proceed quickly and surely, or they may encounter unexpected roadblocks and detours. Students move through Quest at their own pace and at the end submit their answers electronically to one of the Falvey librarians, who then forwards the corrected responses to the students' Core Humanities professors.
The students' reaction to Quest has been generally positive, and many students have displayed insight and creativity in their answers. To begin they choose their topic from a list selected by the Core Humanities and Honors faculty reflecting themes presented in their classrooms. The freshmen then locate a subject encyclopedia article, a book, a journal article, and a web site
related to their topic.
Tim McGoldrick, a student in Dr. Ellen Bonds' class, referred to the Dictionary of the History of Ideas for information on "Existentialism," while Aaron Goldman discovered a substantial discussion of "Jazz" in the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.
Next, students are directed to VUCat, the online catalog, for books on their topic within Falvey's collection. David Quinn, a student of Dr. Regine Silver seeking information on "Women in Christianity," noted Mary Daly's book, Beyond God the Father: Toward a Philosophy of Women's Liberation.
Since journal literature represents an integral aspect of scholarly research, students are introduced to electronic indexes and guided to find an article on their topic. David was able to locate a current article in the journal History Today discussing women pilgrims in medieval times.
Many CHS faculty expressed concern about students' indiscriminate use of Internet sites, so Quest provides a series of academically oriented web sites matched to each topic, and then presents criteria for evaluating any site found on the Web. Carol Ann Washko, from Dr. Bonds' class who is researching "Mythology," chose the site from the classics department at the University of Saskatchewan. From this site, she describes learning about how the gods and goddesses were portrayed in ancient Greek theater.
Since Quest is available electronically through links on the Falvey Library and Core Humanities home pages, freshmen can complete Quest at a time and location convenient to them. James Mullins, director of Falvey Library, reports receiving several Quest responses that were sent at two o'clock in the morning. All Falvey librarians will help correct the Quest electronic submissions.
First year students receive academic credit for the completion of Quest, but the benefits are broader, since much of the information the students gather can be directly integrated into discussions and activities in their Core Humanities seminars.
Developed as a pilot program by the Information Literacy Committee, Quest, has required a substantial commitment from both faculty and librarians. The success of Quest, depends on the collaboration of both groups and on the first year students' sense of adventure.
Where are Blue Binders?
by Susan Markley
"Where are the blue binders?"
That has become an all too familiar query in the Periodical Department this past year. The distinctive and handy listing of Periodical titles in Falvey Library's collection is gone, along with the University's IBM main frame from which it came, and it is replaced by FLASH, the library's new online system. The Periodical Department has joined the modern world of technology, making the listing of all its journal titles available online. No more traipsing over to the Current Reading Room to get the latest holdings information of a title. Now, with a few clicks on the keyboard, anyone can see what journals the library owns, whether
in paper, micro, or electronic format.
During the past year, the staff in the Periodical Department has converted over 3000 journal title records to this new system. Beginning with January 1998, all currently received issues are checked in automatically, allowing patrons instant access to what the library has. Gone are those broad open-ended holdings statements which read Library has v.1 - 1970 - to date.
Now the new system allows VUCat, the online catalog, to display exactly what we have and where it is located -- in the Current Reading Room, at the bindery with due date shown, or in the Bound Periodical Stacks. The record will also state
if the title is available in micro or online too. The information displayed is easy to read and even easier to keep current.
Instead of running IBM updates of the Periodical holdings three times a year, the data can be updated immediately. No more torn binders gracing the library's tables. What has been lost in handy, easy-to-use paper printouts has been more than offset by the availability of accurate and current information on the library's new automated system. It is with this thought in mind that the staff of the Periodical Department looks forward to the day that no student or faculty member enters our department searching for that elusive "blue binder." Please contact the Periodical Department at 519-4277 if you have questions or comments.
Augustinian Historical Institute Catalog Goes Online
by Taras Ortynsky
Falvey Library has entered an agreement with the Augustinian Historical Institute to catalog and enter the Institute's records into a national database (OCLC) and into the Falvey Library database (FLASH). Falvey Library will provide access to the Augustinian materials, in order to make these collections known to the academic world, thereby enhancing Villanova University's identity as a center of Augustinian studies at the national and international levels.
The areas represented in the collection include the history of the Augustinian Order, works by Augustinian philosophers and theologians, devotional materials, sermons, registers of the priors general, biographies and collections of Augustinian journals. These materials are written in English, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, and French. The collection consists of 4700 books, 50 periodical subscriptions, and 160 microfilm titles. Items in the collection do not circulate but may be consulted in the Augustinian Historical Institute, Room 301, Old Falvey.
Falvey Library has made a commitment to accomplish this process within two years. Barbara Cullen of the Falvey Library staff will work on this project.
The collection was originally begun by the Rev. Francis Roth, O.S.A., of the Augustinian Canadian Province, and it was housed in Riverdale, New York. In the summer of 1972, the Augustinian Historical Institute was inaugurated at Villanova and the collection moved to the University. The Augustinian Historical Institute serves as a resource center for Augustinian history and sponsors publications relating to the history of the Order. Some works on St. Augustine have also appeared. The Patristic, Medieval and Renaissance Conference, now in its twenty-third year, is also conducted under the aegis of the institute.
More information on the Augustinian Historical Institute may be found by accessing the home page of the institute (access the home page of Falvey Library and then click on "Augustine.") Reverend Karl Gersbach, O.S.A., is the director of the institute.
Refurbishing the Library Entrance
by James Mullins
Over the summer changes took place at the entrance to Falvey Library -- a new security system and door check station and a "new book" kiosk. The impact is fairly dramatic.
The old security system included a combination of turnstiles and magnetic detection that did not comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Entrance to the building for those with a mobility disability was difficult. With support from facilities management and the design skills of Jeff Lenehan, University architect, a new entrance was created.
The door check station was moved to one side in order to allow for better review of those coming and going. The new 3M security system is passive, in that it does not require a physical barrier, thereby eliminating challenges for those in wheelchairs, on crutches or using canes. The remodeling has opened up the library entrance.
Orlando Cutuli, one of the morning door check staff members, pointed out, "Now I don't have to sit with my back to people entering the library. This arrangement is much better." Another observation has been that people are noticing the stained glass ceiling in the lobby for the first time.
The new book kiosk has been completed to display new books with their dust jackets. (If you visit any Border's or Barnes and Noble bookstores you will see where this idea germinated.) The kiosk highlights the role that books play in the services of the library, and directs the attention of students, faculty and staff to the new titles in our collection.
When one of these books is checked out, the borrower has the option of keeping the dust jacket. The books displayed on the kiosk are really only a portion of all new books added to the library each week. The majority of the new books are shelved in the wood bookcases located in the computer/research area on the first floor. All new books are available for immediate circulation.
Peng Gallery Exhibits Christina Cullen's Photographs
To commemorate October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Peng Gallery (35 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia) exhibited the works of photographer Christina Cullen who died from breast cancer on January 21, 1998 at the age of 28. The exhibit ran
from October 1 through October 8.
Christina Cullen, the daughter of Barbara Cullen, Falvey Library, graduated from the University of the Arts with a degree in photography in 1994. At the time of her death she was a freelance photographer and she documented her struggle with the disease.
Throughout her illness she continued to work on her photography, documenting the toll the illness took with an unflinching eye. During her hospital stays, Christina became aware of the large number of young women who are fighting breast cancer. She bonded with these women and in turn became more focused on her photographic journey of how physically and emotionally devastating the diagnosis of breast cancer is to a young woman.
This exhibit of photographs was a glimpse at Chris' world while she had cancer, and a look at her photographs before her illness. In both her recent and earlier work, Christina's photography exacts a response, on her terms, to her personal
experience.
Michael Hoffberg Receives New title: Assistant Director for Instructional Media
Michael C. Hoffberg's new title, Assistant Director for Instructional Media, Falvey Memorial Library, reflects the level of responsibility Mr. Hoffberg has in managing Instructional Media Services (IMS) and the important services the department delivers to the University. IMS is responsible for supporting all classroom media applications on campus. (If you use media in any format, please see the article, focusing on Instructional Media Services.)
Mr. Hoffberg joined Villanova in March 1995. He has worked in media production and as a manager and faculty member in instructional media for more than twenty-five years. Prior to coming to Villanova, he was affiliated with California State
University, Northridge, as manager of media production services and taught in the radio, television, and film department.
Originally from New York City, Mr. Hoffberg earned an M.A. in educational communications from New York University and a B.A. in English from City College of New York. The Hoffberg family, which also includes Susan, his wife, an actor and teacher, son Alex, two dogs, and two cats, finds this geographic area more seismically stable: they experienced firsthand the Northridge, California earthquake of 1994.
Mr. Hoffberg considers the Villanova University environment exceptional. He notes, "One thing that has continued to impress me about Villanova University is its unique sense of community and the very ethical nature of this community."
Instructional Media Services Provides Needed Technologies and Facilities
The Falvey Memorial Library Instructional Media Services (IMS) department provides a diversity of services and facilities to the University community to enhance and enrich the teaching and learning environment at Villanova through the use of media technologies, as well as provide a variety of services to accommodate administrative and staff media needs. The main IMS office is located in the lower level of Falvey Memorial Library, and the general information number is 519-4467.
Please contact the appropriate area listed below to discuss needs, project ideas, specific details on our capabilities, hours of operation, or to make an appointment. IMS can provide the following:
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Media Equipment for check-out and classroom presentations is available to faculty and staff. Items include camcorders, VCR's, monitors, audio cassette recorders, projectors (overhead, slide, film, filmstrip), as well as other equipment.
IMS has installed TV/VCR's and/or overhead projectors within many campus classrooms, as well as equipped several specialized media classrooms for specific course utilization. In addition, media equipment is available in some buildings on a reserved basis, for delivery and set-up. Non-Print Media Collections such as videotapes, laserdiscs, 16mm films, slides, audio tapes, CD-ROM's, music CD's, and records, can also be scheduled for classroom and other group presentations, as well as for individual use in the IMS learning carrels. Students will require advanced written or email authorization from faculty or staff to check equipment or non-print items out of the building. Please call 519-4467 for further details about these services, as well as for general information.
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Media Classrooms/Viewing Rooms, which include fully equipped media facilities for groups, as well as learning carrels for individualized use and independent study, are available for viewing videotapes, videodiscs, slides, etc., as well as listening to audio tapes, compact discs, etc. Multimedia presentation capabilities and video projection are also available on a limited basis. The viewing rooms generally need to be reserved well in advance. Please call 519-4467 for details.
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Non-Print Media Acquisitions. We currently have over 7,500 non-print holdings, such as videotapes, laserdiscs, 16mm films, slides, audio tapes, CD-ROM's, music CD's, and records. Faculty are encouraged to request purchases (or previews) of new titles to add to our non-print collection, for utilization within courses and/or for research. We also provide audio cassette duplication services for students and faculty in the Modern Languages Department. Please call 519-7166 for details.
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Graphics Arts and Photography services available to faculty and staff include the creation and production of original art work, brochure and booklet design, logo design, special displays, posters, slide and print production, location photography, as well as computer graphics, multimedia and web assistance. Please call 519-4275 for more information on these and other graphics services.
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Teleconferences via satellite down-links may be scheduled by faculty and staff for either live, interactive participation or videotaped for later group or individual viewing. For information regarding broadcast availability, licensing fees, etc., please call 519-6564.
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Video/Audio Production services are available on a limited basis to create educational, informational, and promotional materials. Activities include location and studio productions, editing, format and standards transfers, duplication, as well as other related services. In addition, TV production classes offered by the Communications Department are taught within the IMS/Communications television studio facilities. Please call 519-4289 for details.
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Engineering and Technical Assistance is available to departments for repair and maintenance of Villanova's media equipment, special classroom installations, new building and renovations design consultations, as well as provide information on data projection for computer presentations, recommendations for equipment purchases, vendor information, and related issues. Please call 519-6505 for details.
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Media Consultations are available to faculty and staff regarding the utilization of instructional technology, facility design, media production, and presentations. Special Services in various aspects of production, graphics and teleconferences are available for a fee on a limited basis to clients not directly affiliated with Villanova University. Please call 519-4264 for information in these areas.
