Library News

Meet Snell’s Newest Staff Member

Snell Library is gaining a new librarian: Daniel Jergovic has been appointed as a new Metadata Librarian in the Metadata Management department. Jergovic started his new job with Northeastern University Libraries on January 9th. As a metadata librarian, Jergovic creates access to the library’s resources, especially those that are electronic and digital. Jergovic says he is interested in this area because he enjoys “the challenges of organizing information” and “helping people find and use library resources”. Jergovic brings plenty of experience to his new position: before working at Northeastern, he was a librarian for five years, working at the University of South Florida, University of Washington, and San Diego State University. At San Diego State, he managed metadata and cataloging activities for multiple print and digital projects. Jergovic holds an MSIS from the State University of New York at Albany. In addition to his various positions as a librarian, Jergovic is also an active contributor to library committees and professional development associations, including the ALA ALCTS CaMMS Recruitment and Mentoring Committee and the Leadership Development Committee, where he serves as a communications liaison. Jergovic has just moved to Boston and loves living in the city so far. Originally from Cleveland, Jergovic has lived in several cities, including Seattle, San Diego, Tampa, and London. Jergovic says Boston is among his “most favorite places to live”. Jergovic is also fluent in Croatian and Serbian and has been an instructor at Berlitz International. When he’s not at the library, Jergovic has numerous hobbies that he likes to partake in, including movies, music, traveling, exercising, eating out at restaurants, and cooking, although he admits the latter is not his strongest skill. So far, Jergovic likes working at Northeastern and says he is “really impressed by the university,” especially its “strong orientation towards looking toward the future.” We at the library welcome Daniel to Northeastern University and wish him luck in his new position!

Why is Wikipedia down today? (Jan. 18, 2012)

Major websites such as Wikipedia and the Internet Archive are holding blackouts today, January 18, 2012, in protest of two anti-piracy bills currently before Congress. Many believe that the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) go too far in their efforts to curb illegal downloading and streaming of movies and television shows. The stated intent of these acts is to protect the intellectual property rights of copyright holders (sometimes the authors or creators but more frequently the large media corporations who own the works). However, if passed into law, they may set a dangerous precedent for permitting private companies to block access to information. Wikipedia, among other sites, has chosen to do just that today – block access to the information that millions of us seek every day – in order to highlight what they feel could happen if SOPA and PIPA are passed. What do you think about this topic? Read more here: ⇒ Full text of SOPA and PIPA“A Political Coming of Age for the Tech Industry” (The New York Times) On a lighter note… ⇒ “Wikipedia Blackout: A Nation of Students Mourn” (The Guardian) (compilation of tweets, may contain foul language) Register your opinion on SOPA/PIPA with Congress: ⇒ PopVox: What’s Your Position on the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)?PopVox: What’s Your Position on the Protect IP Act (PIPA)?

Need that information TODAY? Visit our online collection of dictionaries and encyclopedias!

Spring 2012 Snell Library Co-ops

Snell proudly welcomes five new students to the Library staff this January. These hires include: Anthony Gentles, Colin Parmalee, Sophie Greenspan, Karly Domsky and Kyle Maguire.

Anthony Gentles, new DMDS co-op

Anthony Gentles can be found in the Digital Media Design Studio as the new DMDS co-op. Anthony is a middler majoring in Digital Arts. He is also on the NU track team and very interested in working with video.

Colin Parmalee, new Archives and Special Collections Co-op

Colin Parmalee is the new coop in the Archives and Special Collections Department. He is a junior currently dual-majoring in International Affairs and Political Science. Colin loves watching bad horror movies, reading, and pondering the mysteries of the universe.

Kyle Maguire, new LTS co-op

Kyle Maguire joins the Snell team as the Library Technology Services (LTS) co-op. Kyle is in his third year at Northeastern, majoring in Computer Science and Digital Art. Kyle will be focusing his attention and talent this semester on the emerging Digital Repository Service as well as developing other web applications at LTS. Kyle enjoys art as well as anything technical.

Sophie Greenspan, left, & Karly Domsky, right, new Advancement, Marketing and Events co-ops

Sophie Greenspan takes on the title of Graphic Design co-op in the Advancement, Marketing and Events office in 242 Snell. Sophie is a middler and Graphic Design major with a minor in Environmental Studies. Sophie loves art, museums, baking and can’t wait for Arrested Development to return to television. Karly Domsky joins Sophie in the Advancement office as the new Marketing and Events co-op. Karly is a middler majoring in Communications with a minor in Arts and Media. She enjoys reading, photography, skiing and travel. A warm welcome to all of the new team members here at the Library and good luck to all!

LibX upgrade, now compatible with Firefox 8

Firefox seems to be on an update tear these days. We’re glad to report that Northeastern’s browser plugin, LibX, which lets you drag and drop searches, right-click to log in to an e-journal, and find citations in our collections, is now compatible with Firefox version 8. If you’ve already upgraded, Firefox 8 probably warned you that it deleted LibX. Of course you want to get it back! So go to our LibX page to reinstall the latest edition. If you haven’t upgraded to Firefox 8, if you do so starting today, your upgrade should automatically include the new LibX edition for Northeastern. If you don’t know what Northeastern’s LibX browser plugin is, or what it can do, see our earlier post with information and examples.

Snell gets a permanent upgrade!

In addition to the already available group study rooms located throughout Snell, four new media:scape tables were recently installed on the first floor for all members of the University to use. These high-tech tables are an efficient, modern approach to increase effective group interaction by allowing all students to engage in the project and freely share their ideas. So how exactly do these media:scape tables work? Each station is equipped with one or two monitors which students can use to display their laptop screens by simply plugging it into a central outlet. With a stylish layout of tables and chairs, students can both relax and communicate with one another while their group work is projected on the large monitor. Through these new media:scape tables, information is now easier to convey and display to group mates all while students are sitting in one of the comfortable ergonomic seats. What is so unique about the new media:scape tables is that they are a direct result of what Northeastern students requested! Last fall, Snell sampled a table for about three months to observe how often students used it, if at all. The feedback that Snell Library received was overwhelmingly positive, confirming that the media:scape tables would definitely be a worthwhile investment. These new media:scape tables offer students an innovative, learning environment, which is what the Library aspires to create. Currently, the Library and University is eager to explore more ways to utilize its study space and equipment, but these permanent stations have definitely put us on the right path to do so. If you’ve used one of our tables, let us know about your experience by filling out our data collection survey! Click here to fill it out. For more information about the media:scape stations, please visit here!