The Challenges of Working from Home

Many people find working from home a challenge, and this is magnified by the stresses associated with COVID-19. If you are not accustomed to working at home, you may be coping with some of the following difficulties:

• Time management
• Digital miscommunication
• Loneliness and isolation
• Burnout
• Technological problems
• Distractions
• Lack of structure
• Work-life imbalance
• Fear and uncertainty
• Disruption of plans and goals

A Timely Guide for RRC Faculty and Staff

Photo by bongkarn thanyakij from Pexels

In response to the stress placed upon RRC faculty and staff at this time, the Library has developed a Working from Home Guide. This compilation features refreshing ideas, tips, resources, supports, services and links to help ease the stress of working from home. We also hope to save you time and energy by providing information you urgently need right now.

Online Service Desk Hours

While the Library’s physical doors are closed, the online service desk is still running and ready to serve you. Staff are online during the following hours:

Monday – Thursday  7:30am – 8:00pm
Friday  7:30am – 4:30pm
Saturday  8:30am – 4:00pm

During this time, a staff member is available to chat or answer your email. Simply visit library.rrc.ca and click on the Ask Us button or send an email to library@rrc.ca.

Related links >>

• Faculty Supports Guides
• Library Services online options
• COVID-19 – RRC Library FAQ

In these uncertain times when many of us are unexpectedly isolated in work and study, RRC Library wants you to know that we care and are still here to assist you.

Photo by Markus Spiske from Pexels

Information is everywhere, but is it reliable?

COVID-19 information is everywhere you look lately: TV, radio, newspapers, government briefings, social media, friends, etc.  If you are looking for in-depth, scholarly information, the Library can help point you in the right direction.  Use these resources to find current reliable information.

UpToDate

UpToDate is a clinical support database for medical and health professionals.  It offers recommendations based on current medical information, which are evidence-based and authored by physicians.  View these peer-reviewed search results for COVID-19 (log in to your Red River student or staff account to access any of the links below).

• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Society guideline links: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Coronaviruses

CINAHL – Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature

CINAHL gives you access to over 750 nursing and allied health journals including full-text, peer-reviewed articles.  You will also find lessons and evidence-based care sheets.  The following link takes you to the latest full-text, peer-reviewed articles on COVID-19: COVID-19 or “novel coronavirus”  Need help searching?  Email or Chat with Library staff.

Cochrane Library 

Cochrane Library includes systematic reviews, clinical trial reports and evidence to inform and support decision-making for health care professionals.  Cochrane has a special collection on Coronavirus (COVID-19): evidence relevant to critical care.  There is also a special collection for Coronavirus (COVID-19): infection control and prevention measures. Keep tuned to Cochrane as they have the following special collections in development:

• Effective options for quitting smoking during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Working from home
• Remote consultation and telemedicine
• Mental health implications linked to the pandemic
• Mental health for the workforce
• Mental health with relation to post traumatic stress disorder for those in recovery or post-ICU
• Home care for at risk populations

Medline

Medline is a database created by the U.S. National Library of Medicine which contains authoritative information on medicine, nursing and more.  The following search contains current, full-text, peer-reviewed articles on covid-19 or coronavirus or 2019-ncov.

Have questions? Contact Us!

The Library can assist you with finding the latest, authoritative information on COVID-19 or any other topic you are researching.  To contact us, email the Library at library@rrc.ca or visit library.rrc.ca and click on the Ask Us button. In addition, the Library’s broad selection of online books, videos, and journals may be accessed 24/7 through OneSearch​ (RRC log in may be required).

Written by Lynn Gibson, Library Services

Lean on us during this Time of Stress

Photo by Kat Jayne from Pexels

Library staff understand that we are in an extraordinary situation with the COVID-19 outbreak which is affecting everyone in the College community.  We are working remotely during our closure, to help students find and use online resources, and assisting instructional staff with resources and other Library supports.  Staff are available through Chat and Email during the following hours:

Mon-Thu 7:30am – 9:00pm
Fri 7:30am – 4:30pm
Sat 8:30am – 4:00pm

You may access our online books, videos, and journals 24/7 through OneSearch (RRC log in required).

For information about online services provided by Academic Success Centre, please visit ASC’s Online Academic Supports website. General news and updates about Library Services will be posted at library.rrc.ca.

College Supports to Ease Anxiety

We are all experiencing increased levels of stress, including learning how to work and learn remotely, care for children and elderly relatives, study in Canada while being far from home and family, and of course being concerned about our own health and welfare.

There are ways to help reduce stress and combat isolation which you may find valuable, such as mindfulness and meditation strategies, fitness apps and virtual social gathering.  RRC’s Healthy Minds, Healthy College initiative provides some resources for maintaining physical and mental fitness during this time of social distancing.  

The College’s Counselling Services will have staff available through phone, email and WebEx to address your concerns.  Visit their page for more information at rrc.ca/counselling/.

Answers to many of your questions can be found on the College’s Coronavirus information page which is being updated continuously.

Reduce stress by Knowing the Facts and Keeping Informed 

Knowing the facts about COVID-19 helps reduce stress from rumors and false information.  Health Canada has up to date information to keep you informed.  Additionally, the World Health Organization has extensive information on the virus. Locally, check Manitoba Health for updates.

Looking for up to the minute information?  Reuters.com, Reuters Canada and the Associated Press are reliable news sources.

Managing Stress

The World Health Organization’s Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak provides strategies for maintaining mental and psychological well-being.

Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides tips to Manage Stress & Anxiety during this uncertain time.  

Lastly, the Canadian Mental Health Association is a reliable source of stress reduction information.  Check out their publication Coping with Stress which is free online and the Stress Index quiz.  The Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba offers Self Care strategies also.

Posted by Lynn Gibson, Library Services

Everyone who has written an academic paper knows that citing research is easier said than done. It’s a complicated process of not only finding all the required information but formatting it correctly.

Books, print periodicals, articles from databases, web resources, videos, photographs, you name it. All have their own citation requirements, and all are formatted slightly differently from one another. Thus, making citations all the harder to do. 

So, I get it; it’s complicated, not intuitive, and seems to change every year-to-year; what if I could tell you that there’s an easier way? 

Let me introduce you to RefWorks.

RefWorks is online software that simplifies the process of research, collaboration, data organization, and writing by providing an
easy-to-use tool for citations, bibliographies, and overall reference management.

Luckily for us, RefWorks is provided to students through the Red River College Library.

If you’re interested, the Red River College Library has created a RefWorks Guide that provides a step-by-step tutorial on how to set-up and use RefWorks. If at any point you have a question not answered on the guide, there are library staff ready to help either in person or online.

I, for one, am taking this opportunity to jump on this fantastic tool. If you’re one of the many who also find themselves struggling with citations, I hope you will as well!

By a fellow student,
Matthew

Students like most Canadians interact with copyright on a daily basis. From using multimedia in projects, such as sound and video, when excerpts of information are taken from books and articles for research and to complete essays, and when viewing content on overhead projectors in class, students are often interacting with and using copyright materials. Uses like these are made possible in large part by the Fair Dealing provision of the Copyright Act of Canada. Fair dealing acts like a copyright “safety valve” allowing for certain socially beneficially uses of copyright material that you might otherwise get in trouble for. Can you think of ways that you use copyright material that you might need a “safety valve” for?

If you need some ideas on why Fair Dealing matters, and how we all use copyright materials as students and educators, check out this helpful video by our friends at the University of Winnipeg on Fair Dealing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nise_fxavCU

What is Fair Dealing?

Fair Dealing is a provision in the Copyright Act that permits use of a copyright-protected work without permission from the copyright owner or the payment of copyright royalties in limited circumstances. Fair dealing has been a part of Canada’s Copyright Act since 1921. To use copyright content under fair dealing the “dealing” must be for a purpose stated in the Copyright Act: research, private study, criticism, review, news reporting, education, satire or parody, and the dealing must be fair. “Fairness” is determined by weighing certain considerations in regard to a proposed Use of a Copyright-protected material. Fair dealing exists as a user right within the Copyright Act for the public good to foster education, creativity, and innovation.

Confused about how to use copyright materials under Fair Dealing? Did you know Red River College has a copyright policy for staff, students and faculty that provides guidelines on how to use materials under Fair Dealing? Find it here: https://www.rrc.ca/legal/policies/fair-dealing-copyright/

Many people think Copyright Law exists to protect content creators like authors and musicians, however the Supreme Court of Canada has made it clear that users’ and creators’ rights are equally important components of copyright. The copyright act exists to balance the rights of creators and users of content. Fair Dealing is a component of the Copyright act that helps create this balance between users and creators, but many misunderstandings of the Fair Dealing exist. One myth is that Fair Dealing allows educators the right to freely copy any amount of a work, but educational uses are still subject to a fair dealing analysis, of which the amount copied is just one of the factors to be considered. Often educational use is outlined in policies that instruct both students and educators on guidelines for use of copyright material such as the policy and guidelines we have here at Red River College. If you want more information on some common Fair Dealing myths you can find a helpful info graphic here which will provide you with the facts to counter the myths: http://www.carl-abrc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/CARL_FD_myths_facts_EN.pdf

Fair Dealing Week

Fair Use/Fair Dealing Week 2020 takes place from Monday, February 24, through Friday, February 28. It celebrates the important doctrines of fair use in the United States and fair dealing in Canada and other jurisdictions.

Fair Dealing Week is a time to highlight and promote the opportunities presented by Fair Dealing, celebrate successful stories, and explain this provision of the Copyright Act (https://www.fairuseweek.org/)

Want to see some of the buzz going on during Fair Dealing week? Check the hashtags #fairdealingweek and #fairdealingmatters on social media for conversation and events. Still have questions about copyright or Fair Dealing? Get in touch with the Red River College Copyright Officer for assistance and discussion.

Red River College Copyright Officer

Ebony Novakowski
Red River College Copyright Officer
Notre Dame Campus CM43 (Library)
204-632-2913
enovakowski@rrc.ca

Have you ever thought that your favourite book could be banned due to racism, sexism, or any other offense that you might not even be aware of? Take part in Freedom to Read week, taking place from February 23rd to 29th, 2020. Freedom to Read week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm what they are reading to intellectual freedom. The Freedom of Expression Committee of the Book and Periodical Council organizes it.

Why is it Banned?

You may be wondering, what is it that determines if a book should be banned or not? Here are a few things to look out for:

• Racism
• Sexism
• Offensive language
• Violence
• Being anti-family
• Promoting a certain religious viewpoint
• Promoting the occult or Satanism
• Nudity
• Sexual education
• Being unsuited for a certain age group

Children’s Books That Have Been Banned

Here is a list of some childhood books that you may love and cherish that you probably do not even know have been banned:

• The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
• If I Ran The Zoo by Dr. Seuss
• And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson
• The Bridge To Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Learn more >>

If you would like to learn more about Freedom to Read week, visit www.freedomtoread.ca.

Window display at NDC Library

Banned books, discussions of banned books, human rights and more. Check out the window display at NDC Library and borrow a book to read freely.

Freedom to Read Week Window Display at NDC Library

Questions or Comments?

Please feel free to drop by one of our service desks or contact us.

RefWorks Could Be Your New Best Friend

We all know that writing a paper has its headaches, especially the task of tracking and citing sources. RefWorks, now offered by RRC Library, is a reference management service that streamlines the research and citation process for you. It will store your sources and generate authoritative citations and bibliographies in whatever format you need so you can focus writing your paper. RefWorks also coordinates with Word and Google Docs, allowing you to quickly insert and edit citations and add them to your bibliography as you go.

If you are in the process of conducting research, compiling sources and creating citations, RefWorks will be a lifesaver.

LEARN MORE…

• Visit the RefWorks guide for more information.
• Attend the RefWorks Lunch and Learn session at NDC Library on Thursday, February 27, 12:15-12:45.
• Contact us or visit one of our service desks for one-on-one assistance.

Online Guide: Writing College Papers

Assignments can be demanding, especially ones that involve writing. It takes time to settle on a topic, and then hunt for suitable sources. A few hours in and you’ve only just begun. You still need to decide on your main points, develop an essay structure, format your text and citations, and make sure everything is grammatically correct. Your Library staff and tutors know how tough this can be, and they are here to support you!

If you are working on a written assignment, Writing College Papers is for you! No matter what stage you are at, there is something in this guide to help you get your feet off the ground and finish that paper.

In Person: One-on-One Supports for Students

Academic Success Centre offers a Communications Skills Help Desk at NDC and EDC. They offer drop-in assistance with oral and written assignments.

RRC Library offers one-on-one guidance in locating suitable sources. Whether you are new or experienced with research and writing, there are likely great sources you have overlooked. Library staff are experienced at finding information, and want to support your coursework. To take advantage of research help, stop by in person, call, email, or go to library.rrc.ca and use our chat service.

Related Guides

• Study for Academic Success
• Evaluate Websites and Online Resources
• APA 7th ed. Highlights

Thursday, February 6, 2020
3pm – 8pm
Notre Dame Campus Library
FREE!

Come to the NDC Library to work on that big paper, study for your test, get help with your math challenges, or learn strategies to balance College and personal life.

Library staff and tutors will be available to support your research and coursework.

Food, self-care activities, and much more!

Schedule

3pm-8pm
Library Research Help Desk

3pm-8pm
IT Help Desk

3pm-8pm
Art Therapy

3pm-7pm
Writing Skills/Communication Help Desk

3pm-7pm
Math Help Desk

3pm-6pm
Biological Science Help Desk

4pm-6pm
Job Search Help Desk
Student Employment Services staff will help with resume and cover letter writing, job search and application strategies, preparing for interviews and other questions you may have related to employment.

4pm-7pm
Trades Math and Science Desk

3:30pm-4pm
Coaching Corner – Verbal Communication Skills

4:00pm
Coaching Corner – Managing your Time

5pm-5:30pm
Coaching Corner – Writing an Academic Paper

6:00pm
Coaching Corner – Active Learning Strategies

Register

Please pre-register at www.rrc.ca/LNAP

Contact the Library for more information.

From information security to building websites to running network cable – the Guides have you covered. The systems we use to stay interconnected are constantly evolving – stay connected with Library resources to get the most out of your time with RRC.

Find the COMPUTER & INFORMATION SYSTEMS guides here:

RRCLibrary.libguides.com/COMPUTER

or

1. Go to library.rrc.ca
2. Click on “Your GUIDE is ready“
3. Select the subject box – COMPUTER & INFORMATION SYSTEMS – to see all the guides on this subject
4. Click the desired guide and you have a great starting point.

Guides in this collection include:

• Application Development (https://library.rrc.ca/appdevelopment)
• Information Security(https://library.rrc.ca/infosecurity)
• Networking(https://library.rrc.ca/networking)
• Web Site Development(https://library.rrc.ca/websitedevelopment)

What is a Guide?

Guides are curated web pages created by our library staff. Many people who are starting to explore a topic aren’t sure where to start – there are so many options and it can be overwhelming.

Guides are a starting spot for students looking for more information on a particular topic in the collection. A guide will typically include featured books and journals (both print and electronic), databases, Videos (DVDs and streaming) and websites. They may also include specialized information specific to the topic (i.e. WHIMIS or resources specific to an assignment).

Do not hesitate to contact guide owners (information is on the guide) if you have any suggestions to improve this guide (content or special interest areas) or stop by the library – we would love to hear from you. If you would like to see a specific guide for a particular topic please let us know.

We encourage you to share this resource with your students, include it on your Learn site and help us promote this Library tool.