Book clubs have a long history of attracting people wanting to connect with others to discuss books and the ideas within their pages. While fiction dominates book club selections, more and more people are using book clubs as a way to explore issues such as systemic racism or Truth and Reconciliation. These clubs also seek to pick books written by writers whose identities intersect across cultures, sexual orientations, and genders. While not a substitution for allyship, book clubs, if done right, enables the difficult conversations about race and privilege as a catalyst to true inclusion within society. This leaves two questions:

1. Where to start?
2. What are some good recommendations?

Assembling the Book club

Looking to start a book club amongst your friends or colleagues? There are a number of places to learn how to assemble people for an Anti-Racism Book. Indigo has a section on how to start a book club with some simple tips and made for the video chatting in mind. Libraries have not only hosted book clubs but also provides details on matters like logistics and book choice. Edmonton Public Library has 8 things to think about when starting a book a club, while our own Winnipeg Public Library also has tips for starting and sustaining book clubs as well as book club kits for those wanting to stay with fiction and read more BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) authors.

Book Recommendations

The Diversity Training Team within Library and Academic Services has conducted its own Book Club with books either within Red River’s own collection or through Winnipeg Public Library. Below is a list of titles discussed for anyone looking for ideas:

• So You Want to Talk about Race – Ijeoma Oluo
• White Fragility – Robin DiAngelo
• Policing Black Lives – Robyn Maynard
• 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act – Bob Joseph
• In This Together: Fifteen Stories of Truth and Reconciliation – Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail (Editor)
• Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning – Cathy Park Hong

Even without a book group, each of the titles is worth reading on your own or if you want more on this topic, check out the Anti-Racism Learning Toolkit.

Written by Fatima DeMelo – Reference Technician, Information and Program Delivery

We respectfully acknowledge that Red River College campuses are located on the original Lands of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.

In June 2021 the Federal Government of Canada passed legislation to make September 30^th a federal statuary holiday as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day provides the opportunity to recognize the legacy of the Canadian Residential School Systems. Undoubtedly before this federal legislation, September 30^th has been recognized and observed as Orange Shirt Day or as Every Child Matters throughout Canada to recognize the victims of the Canadian Residential School System, and in support of Truth and Reconciliation. Library and Academic Services staff are honoured and eager to show our continued support for Truth and Reconciliation.

This past year has ignited national attention towards Truth and Reconciliation after the unmarked graves of 215 children were found near a former Residential School in Kamloops, BC. This number soon increased to over 1300 across Canada as more former Residential School sites across Canada were investigated. With these discoveries, it seemed Residential Schools and Truth and Reconciliation became pertinent conversations in our households and global environment. However, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRCC) was formed in June 2008, releasing its final reports and the 94 Calls to Action in 2015, and has been a pertinent conversation for a long time.

The unsettling news from Summer 2021 was a reminder that the past cannot be forgotten and that education about the truth is the way forward.

Library Resources: Helpful Starting Points to Build Your Understanding of Truth and Reconciliation

Our library contains many resources about Truth and Reconciliation, Residential Schools, and Indigenous Experiences throughout its’ collections. These resources are helpful starting points towards building understanding of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. We invite you to look at some of these resources to acquaint yourself with Truth and Reconciliation.

Guides

Guides like Residential Schools and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls highlight books, videos, articles, and websites that help build understanding and educate about these issues.

Books

Books that are available from the library include:  

• Final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Volume one: summary: honouring the truth, reconciling for the future
• Residential Schools: With the Words and Images of Survivors by Larry Loyie with Wayne K. Spear, Constance Brissenden
• The Sleeping Giant Awakens: Genocide, Indian Residential Schools, and the Challenge of Conciliation by David B. MacDonald
• A knock on the door: the essential history of residential schools from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
• Picking up the Pieces: Residential School Memories and the Making of the Witness Blanket by Carey Newman; Kristie Hudson
• 21 things you may not know about the Indian Act by Robert P. C. Joseph.
• Pathways of reconciliation: Indigenous and settler approaches to implementing the TRC’s calls to action

Videos

We also have streaming videos available through our collections. Video Databases like Curio have collections like Beyond 94: Truth and Reconciliation in Canada and Residential Schools: A Sad Chapter in Canadian History.

Videos you might consider to learn more about Canadian Truth and Reconciliation include:

• We Were Children available from the Nation Film Board of Canada
• Holy Angels available from the Nation Film Board of Canada
• A Residential Schools reckoning, again available from Curio
• The fallen feather Indian industrial residential schools Canadian Confederation available from the library collection.

Truth and Reconciliation at Red River College

Red River College is hosting its third annual Truth and Reconciliation Week virtually from September 27 to October 1, 2021. The week is dedicated to deepening our understanding of Canada’s history, Indigenous cultures, and sparking a conversation around Truth and Reconciliation.

We also encourage visiting Indigenous Education’s Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement to learn more about Indigenous Events and Initiatives at Red River College and its communities.

Written by Sarah Lee, Library Resource Management Technician

Last spring, if you were to look at our old Library website, you would be looking at a somewhat dated “Library-centric” web, with two Academic Support departments, and new features, i.e., LibAnswers and LibCal, tacked on. We knew our web site was due to be reorganized, and at the same time given a fresh look and feel. As with many changes, the summer period  gave us a window of opportunity when there was a break in classes. How could we take advantage of this opportunity and create a new-look website designed with our users in mind?

User-centric Design

We began by looking toward user-centric design principles that have been the cornerstone of effective web design for decades. Some web sites look great, but are completely ineffective to their users. We wanted to avoid this, and achieve a greater level of usability. So, we began by studying users.

On our Library web site, the greatest metric we had were analytics of what users did on our site. Where did they go? What did they click on? Generally, top traffic resources on our website were: OneSearch, A-Z List, Ask Us, the Academic Services landing page, Tutoring, Supports for Students, Library Subject Guides, Workshops, Self-Directed Learning Modules, Stem Centre, and College Readiness.

We took this information as a starting point, and began to develop two personas that represent Library web users: Average Student User and Average Instructor User.

Built with Library users in mind

PERSONA 1:
Average Student User wants to…

• Discover and borrow Library materials.
• Browse for Academic Supports.
• Access digital resources such as electronic articles and databases.
• Discover and attend Library and ASC workshops.
• Refer to a course-related subject guide.
• Access Tutoring services.
• Access a Library service.
• See when the Library is open.
• Find study space.
• Book AV equipment, laptops and chargers.
• Locate an instructor-recommended resource.
• Ask a question or get help.
• Learn how to cite.

PERSONA 2:
Average Instructor User wants to…

• Discover Library materials and resources for planning, research
  and teaching.
• Set up course reserves.
• Access a Library service such as ILL or Digitization.
• Refer their students to Library or ASC workshops.
• Refer their students to specific ASC resources.
• Request materials for their courses and students, i.e., Suggest a Purchase.
• Book AV equipment, laptops and chargers.
• Find copyright information and help.
• Get Academic Integrity advice and assistance.
• Ask a question or get help.

Redesign Process

With these two personas in mind, we began a three phase process.

Phase 1: Content reorganization. A cross section of library staff were brought together to make decisions about the web site organization and hierarchy. With our user personas in mind, staff individually performed card sorting exercises and compared results. This group also investigated other academic Library web sites. The final product was a new main menu structure, built with users in mind.

Phase 2: Home page re-design. With our users in mind, a second working group reviewed the information and features on the current Library home, and formulated a plan to build a more modern and concise home page. This group also took the time to review other academic websites, and recommended features which we could adopt for our new home page.

Phase 3: Overall web site re-skin. A smaller team of experts worked on a new header, footer and colours for the new site. The goal was to give the new Library web site a fresh look, new colours, and improvement in accessibility.

A cornerstone of this project was to involve many people from across Library and Academic Services. Each one of the above teams consisted of different people, thus enhancing our staff’s ability to influence decisions made in the new web site design. Their awesome contributions are reflected throughout the new web site.

Technical Details

The website is built on the LibGuides CMS platform by Springshare. Pages on this platform are responsive (mobile-friendly) through the Bootstrap framework. We have also taken advantage of other Springshare platforms such as LibAnswers, LibWizard and LibCal. We needed to add custom CSS and JavaScript for many of the features we built, however the Springshare platform allows for a sufficient level of customization.

The site is built with accessibility in mind, and accomplished through accessibility features built in to the LibGuides platform, and attention to detail in the added customizations. Our current home page tests as 100% accessible in the Google Lighthouse tool.

Looking Forward

We are planning focus groups this fall, where we hope to further determine how our patrons use our web site, and gauge the effectiveness of our new site design. In doing so, we expect slight revisions to the current web site, and an update of our personas.

Story by Mark Nelson ~ Library Systems Specialist

Whether this is your first year at RRC or you’ve been here before, you are probably looking forward to the promise of a new school year. I remember from my student days, the excitement of buying textbooks and school supplies, forming new schedules to get to class on time, and the curiosity of meeting new instructors and classmates. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic brings a new normal where things look a little different than they used to. Still, the opportunities to learn, grow and connect will still be found. Starting the school year off with the intention to succeed and recognizing that there will surely be challenges, is a great way to get mentally prepared for college.

What does academic integrity mean to me?

As you get settled into your program, I encourage you to ask yourself – “What does academic integrity mean to me?” People often reply that academic integrity means “don’t cheat,” and while that is partly true, there is so much more to consider. If integrity is about good character and decision making, then academic integrity is about the good character and decision making in school. We know that handing in assignments on time and being a good teammate in a group project are signs of good character and decision making, but what happens when things get tough? What happens when there is a deadline, and you haven’t started the assignment? What happens when you are writing a test remotely and you want to google the answers rather than think it through yourself? What happens when you are scared of failing your program and disappointing your family and friends?

Six fundamental values

These are the situations where academic integrity gets real. Without a guidebook that tells us exactly how to react in every situation, we need foundational principles to help us make decisions. Academic integrity encourages all members of the college community to be guided by these six fundamental values: honesty, trust, respect, responsibility, fairness, and courage. When challenges come our way, and they will come, we can look to these fundamental values to grow our success.

Use our self-directed tutorial

To help students think about academic integrity and how it is applied at Red River College, Library and Academic Services offers a self-directed tutorial that maps out strategies and resources for academic integrity, to build students’ reputation in the classroom and prepare them for their future careers. You can access the tutorial here: https://library.rrc.ca/self_directed_learning/academic_integrity

You can also visit the Academic Integrity webpage for students at: https://library.rrc.ca/ai_student

I wish you all the excitement and promise of a new school year. Talk to your instructors if you have questions about academic integrity in your course, or send me an email at lvogt@rrc.ca

Written by Lisa Vogt, Academic Integrity Specialist

Are the Library’s Lunchtime Mini-Lectures For You?

Do you ever get overwhelmed when looking for materials in the Library’s collection? Do you feel clumsy about research or wish it was easier? If you answered yes, then our lunchtime mini-lectures are for you! At Library Lunch and Learn, you’ll get an overview of our subject-specific databases and learn ways to improve your research and citing skills.

All sessions are half an hour long and free for RRC staff and students!

When is Library Lunch and Learn?

Tuesdays, 12:15-12:45 pm (CT) from Sep 21 – Nov 9, 2021

Where are the sessions? How do I access them?

Sessions are online. A WebEx link is emailed to individuals after they sign up for a session. Links to register are provided in the descriptions below.

How can I contact the Library?

Connect with us by clicking on the Ask Us button at library.rrc.ca. We’d love to hear from you!

Fall Schedule: Session Titles, Descriptions, and Registration Links

Sep 21 | Introduction to Nursing Databases

Click to Register

Presenter: Rosemary Woodby

Knowing which databases are right for your research is important. Get an overview of our most popular nursing and allied health databases in this Library Lunch & Learn. We will briefly look at:

• OneSearch
• CINAHL
• PubMed
• Nursing Reference Center
• UpToDate
• Ovid
• and more
  

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Sep 28 | Crediting Ideas: Resources to Avoid Plagiarism

Click to Register

Presenter: Fatima DeMelo

Feeling anxious about accidental plagiarism? Need citations tools? Join us for an overview of challenges to crediting ideas in a paper and the tools to help cite your sources during the writing process.

Oct 5 | Business Research Basics: An Introduction to Business Databases

Click to Register

Presenter: Lynn Gibson

Join us to learn about the many sources of Business Information the Library provides. Explore the Business Source Complete database which contains articles and detailed reports on industries, companies, current trends, news and more; learn to find Canadian Industry statistics and information in IBISWorld, and be introduced to MarketLine for industry and market statistics.

Oct 12 | RefWorks: Reference Management Software

Click to Register

Presenter: Rosemary Woodby

For any person who needs to write and cite!

RefWorks simplifies the process of research, collaboration, data organization, and writing by providing an easy-to-use tool for citation, bibliography, and reference management.

Learn the basics of using this web-based tool and make writing your papers that much easier.

Oct 19 | Introduction to Education Databases

Click to Register

Presenter: Fatima DeMelo

For individuals who want a more focused approach to education topics, this overview looks at the education databases offered by the library. This session will focus on LearnTechLib: The Learning and Technology Library, Teacher Reference Centre, and ERIC for ways to navigate search interfaces and results.

Oct 26 | UpToDate: Point-of-Care Clinical Database

Click to Register

Presenter: John Mark Allen

UpToDate is a point-of-care medical and drug database that contains clinical information intended to assist medical professionals in treating their patients.  It is available to students and staff at Red River College from the Library’s website and can be accessed via an app from anywhere and at any time on your own mobile device. The database is intended for use in clinical settings specifically to improve patient treatment by delivering current information at the point of need, supporting timely decision making, and ensuring consistent care. Learn more about what this database has to offer and how to access and use it.

Nov 3 | Knovel: Engineering Database

Click to Register

Presenter: Rosemary Woodby

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS!
Civil Engineering, Construction, Electrical & Power Engineering, Electronics & Semiconductors, Mechanics & Mechanical Engineering, Welding Engineering & Materials Joining

Knovel is more than a database of e-books covering a variety of engineering subject areas. This unique database also features interactive tools including Properties Materials Search; Interactive Equations, the browser-based calculation software – Equation Solver, detailed Unit Converter, Steam Calculators, Interactive Periodical Table, and the ability to create and share folders of your saved results and work.

Learn the basics of this powerful tool in a quick lunchtime lecture.

Nov 9 | How to Be Info-Savvy: Tips for Navigating Online Information

Click to Register

Presenter: Fatima DeMelo

Finding information online can seem overwhelming. Learn about the challenges to finding credible information on the web. This session also covers three frameworks to build a foundation for thoughtful searching online.

More Information

A calendar view of the Library Lunch and Learn schedule is available here >> Workshops/Events Calendar

Additional Library Lunch and Learn topics, accompanying materials, related guides, and recordings are available here >> Library Lunch and Learn page

All of the staff at Library and Academic Services are happy to extend a warm welcome to everyone returning to campus. We’re looking forward to providing a safe study space and continuing to offer supports to students and staff, both in-person and online.

In-person service now available

Beginning on August 30, the Library at the Notre Dame Campus is re-opening for in-person service (note that our EDC location will remain closed at this time). While we look forward to seeing you, we encourage you to continue to take advantage of our online service desk, which is available during regular Library hours by clicking the Ask Us button at library.rrc.ca.

Services and spaces within the Library

The following spaces and services are currently available at the NDC Library:

• Individual study spaces
• One printer/photocopier
• Three computer stations
• Limited physically-distanced group study space
• Borrowing of Library materials
• Reference services
• A welcoming and safe environment

What to expect when you arrive

Virtual services from Academic Success Centre

As we enter a new academic year, we wish the College community of students and staff an insightful year of learning and discovery.

Over the summer, ASC staff have been hard at work redeveloping and expanding the Academic Success Centre’s study skills workshops into our brand new suite of Academic Skills Workshops:

• Using Academic Supports
  In this workshop, students will learn how to recognize and anticipate when they need to seek learning support, they will become familiar with the available academic supports at the college and online self-directed resources, and hear about key strategies for student success.
• Applying Technology Literacy
  In this workshop, students will be introduced to College-approved programs and applications that will be part of their daily lives as Red River College students. We will review HUB, Office 365 including Outlook and Teams, Webex, and LEARN, along with tips for student success.
• Adapting to Online Learning
  In this workshop, students will learn helpful strategies for learning in an online environment. This includes adjusting study strategies, creating a dedicated home workspace, and connecting with their learning community.
• Managing Time
  Time management is important for attending class, completing assignments well and on time, and optimizing study sessions. When time management is lacking, students can get overwhelmed and frustrated and fall behind in their studies. In this workshop, students will learn about managing their time, making healthy choices, and prioritizing their tasks so they can succeed in their learning.
• Developing Study Skills
  As a student at Red River College it is important to develop successful online and home study skills. During this workshop students will learn how to make the most of their online classes, study successfully at home by using effective learning strategies, and manage their time by prioritizing their academic] tasks.
• Practicing Teamwork
  Team projects have dual goals: for students to complete a project that would not be achievable alone, in a set timeline and for students to learn and practice the skills required for working with others through a collaborative process. This workshop builds on the traits of effective teams as it offers advice on navigating common team conflict issues.
• Student Orientation (10 minutes)
  In this orientation, students will become familiar with the available academic supports at the college and online self-directed resources, and hear about key strategies for student success.

Each workshop will guide students through the active learning strategies needed for success at college. Our workshops are designed to be student-centered and interactive, and are best delivered when modified to suit the specific needs of RRC programs.

To book: Faculty may now start requesting Academic Skills Workshops for their classes by completing the Academic Skills Workshop Request Form. Faculty should book well in advance to ensure ASC staff have time to modify workshop plans to suit your program’s current needs.

Faculty Guide: For descriptions and learning outcomes for each workshop, please consult the Academic Success Workshops – Faculty Guide.

Thank you for the opportunity to work with you and your students. We trust this suite of workshops not only enhances student success skills, but aids in their course success through intentional learning, class engagement, and general desire to learn! If you have questions or would appreciate further details about any of the workshops, please email tutoring@rrc.ca.

At Red River College, we know that every student is different, with unique strengths and challenges. We are dedicated to providing supports that are diverse and inclusive to help students to succeed in their academic goals.

As we get closer to the beginning of the term, we are now planning the upcoming Red River Ready, a variety of orientation sessions to help students get ready for their time at the college, taking place August 23 – September 3.

During the Red River Ready orientation, students will have the chance to join sessions where they will learn about:

• Specialized support for different programs, including math and science tutoring and library research instruction
• Academic supports and accessibility services available to students with disabilities
• English as an Additional Language (EAL) and International Education supports
• Student supports including financial aid, scholarships and awards

What is great about Red River Ready is that it allows students to customize their orientation experience and attend sessions that are most valuable to them.

Also, the Getting Ready for College webpage is also a resource to help students prepare for their Red River College education.

For more information, feel free to connect with us!

Academic Success Centre Staff (Library and Academic Services)

Feeling connected to the College is key for student success, and during a time where course delivery is mostly online, having regular and accessible communication with other students, tutors, and academic coaches fosters a feeling of connectivity and softens the pandemic phrase “being alone together.”

As we get closer to the beginning of the term, we are now planning the upcoming Red River Ready, a variety of orientation sessions to help students get ready for their time at the college, taking place August 23 – September 3.

During the Red River Ready orientation, students will have the chance to join sessions where they will:

• Meet peer tutors and ask them about their student life experiences at College
• Find out about the supports and events from the Students’ Association and ways to participate in Students Clubs
• Hear about opportunities to engage with the Indigenous Cultural Centre, the Global Connections Centre, and The Spectrum Room
• Learn about how you can contribute to our diverse college community and how we can all work towards Truth and Reconciliation

What is great about Red River Ready is that it allows students to customize their orientation experience and attend sessions that are most valuable to them.

Also, the Getting Ready for College webpage is also a resource to help students prepare for their Red River College education.

For more information, feel free to connect with us!

Academic Success Centre Staff (Library and Academic Services)

We understand that new students may be feeling uncertain about the move to online learning for most of the classes, and wonder how they could be prepared and organized to make the most of their studies at the College during the pandemic.

As we get closer to the beginning of the term, we are now planning the upcoming Red River Ready, a variety of orientation sessions to help students get ready for their time at the college, taking place August 23 – September 3.

During the Red River Ready orientation, students will have the chance to join sessions where they will learn:

• Learning technologies that we use for learning at the College
• Strategies for adapting to online learning and how to get your study space ready for success
• Ideas for managing your time and planning your study schedule
• Study skills that will help you identify how you learn best

What is great about Red River Ready is that it allows students to customize their orientation experience and attend sessions that are most valuable to them.

Also, the Getting Ready for College webpage is also a resource to help students prepare for their Red River College education.

For more information, feel free to connect with us!

Academic Success Centre Staff (Library and Academic Services)