Kraemer Family Library has outreach projects in the works in collaboration with MOSAIC, as well new updates and resources for students.
The library’s annual storytelling contest is set to take place Friday, Nov. 19. In order to enter the contest, however, students must attend a workshop co-sponsored by MOSAIC, according to Carlos Duarte, outreach and intergeneration librarian and instructor.
Duarte explained that Larry Eames, instruction librarian and instructor, has a background in improv instruction coaching. “So, [Eames] will be there to help kind of punch people’s stories up and help them workshop them and pull them together,” he said.
Duarte said, “You don’t really need a whole lot of preparation to attend the workshop. So, if you have [any sort of] memoir, real life story, family story like that, that’s kind of enough.”
Students must attend the workshop on Thursday, Nov. 11 from 5-7 p.m. in order to participate in the storytelling contest.
The top three winners of the contest will receive cash prizes.
“First place receives $150, second place receives $100 and third place receives $50,” Duarte said.
The library will also partner with MOSAIC for their Native November events, including their evolving language series on Native American identity, according to Duarte.
Plans are evolving around finals week activities for students as well. Duarte said, “I think we want to make sure that we understand that students [all have been] reactivated and are getting back on campus. You’ve been working, some of you remotely, some of you online, and things have changed. So, we just want to be really aware of that and let you know that we understand.”
For next semester, Duarte explained the library’s goal to hold an event to show students what is new in the library. Similar events have been held in the past for incoming students, but Duarte wants the focus to be aimed toward all students.
He said, “I think because so many students had to spend a year online, we want to bring [this event] back in the spring so that we can promote that to returning students or students who may not be new to the university, but they may actually be new to campus, just to make sure that they can come into our spaces and take a tour and see what’s around.”
Duarte also wanted to convey to students that the library offers online consultations through their website. “You can still contact us for research help online through the library website, using either the chat function, or you can email us,” he said.
“We’re still staffing the reference desk, but we’ve also made sure one of the things that we learned over the course of the pandemic is that, you know, you’re using Zoom as much as we’re using Zoom or Teams. So, we can actually provide one-on-one student consultations to students,” Duarte said.
The library has also gotten rid of late fees on library items, according to Duarte.
Due dates for borrowed items can be checked through the My Library Account page by logging in. Other information regarding returning materials, lost or damaged items, and account information can be found here.
“In addition to the resources in the library, like the books, the databases, the articles, we have a full team of librarians who are there to help you with [your] scholastic endeavors. If you’re just thinking about, or if you’re just curious about anything, we’re there to help you,” he said.
