Library News

New Reproductive Technology in the Library

Scanner in Snell Lobby My student assistant was wondering if that thing in the lobby of Snell Library was perhaps some kind of medical device? Well, close, but it does have to do with reproduction! It’s actually an overhead scanner called a Book2Net Kiosk which we are testing out this week, to see what we think about expanding scanning options in the library. If you haven’t noticed, our photocopiers are aging, and we’re wondering what to do about replacing them. Does everyone who uses them really need paper? Would a .pdf or .jpg file do as well? Are the Infocommons scanners adequate and convenient? For myself, I feel that sometimes you just need paper, and I’d like us to continue to offer at least one copier even if it means dropping a dime now and then. At the same time, the copiers have a lot of limitations. Unlike the copiers, this scanner offers color reproduction, the ability to copy large items like maps, and it won’t break the spines of our bound periodical volumes. I haven’t experimented with advanced features, but I believe this particular machine can zoom, pan, and rotate in the advanced mode. Try it next time you’re here. It’s very easy to use, just bring a flash drive to save your documents. And let us know what you think! Is it about time for new reproductive technology at Snell?

Teaching with Technology on April 14

This Wednesday, April 14, is Northeastern’s sixth annual Teaching with Technology mini-conference from 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. beginning in the Curry Center Ballroom. The keynote speaker will be Don Marinelli, Professor of Drama and Arts Management at Carnegie Mellon. Dr. Marinelli is Executive Producer of the Carnegie Mellon Entertainment Technology Center, a joint initiative between the College of Fine Arts (CFA) and the School of Computer Science. Teaching with Technology Day is sponsored by Northeastern’s EdTech Center, Center for Innovation and Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Information Services, and University Libraries. For questions, contact Alicia Russell at  617-373-3157, or by email at a.russell@neu.edu. For more details, visit the event website. Download the event flyer here.

Looking for tax forms?

It’s that time of year again, when we all hope that April showers will bring May tax refunds. If you’re looking for Massachusetts state tax forms, we have a supply of paper forms on a table next to the Hub on the first floor of Snell Library. For federal forms, connect to the IRS web site. If you need to file in another state, forms for all 50 states can be found at the web site of the Federation of Tax Administrators. Residents of eastern Massachusetts may be eligible to extend the deadline to file to May 11 . The extension is intended to ease the burden on those among us who are still coping with the effects of flooding. (Read more here.)

IRis Highlight: Sport in Society

In addition to its academic departments, Northeastern University hosts multiple interdisciplinary research centers and institutes. These centers are the source of a great deal of original research. Many of them have chosen to place their publications and presentations in IRis, the Libraries’ digital archive that collects, manages, preserves, and shares the intellectual output and historical record of Northeastern University. One such center is Sport in Society, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. This center conducts research and offers programming and outreach with a mission of using the power and appeal of sport to foster diversity, prevent violence, and improve the health of local and global communities. Sport in Society has submitted an extensive set of reports, presentations, and research articles to IRis. You can read about athletes with disabilities and their legal rights to participate in recreational and sporting opportunities, or about violence linked to teams or universities with Native American mascots, among many other topics. Browse in IRis and you can find out about the fascinating array of subjects being studied by Sport in Society and many of Northeastern’s other research centers.