The next issue of our library newsletter “Check It Out @ Coutts” is available now.
Articles include:
And more! Did I mention puppets?
You can read it here: Check It Out Vol 1 Iss 3 (MAY2012)
The Coutts Library is currently set up through June 7, 2012, for a trial of the resource Discovery Education Canada. For more information about this database, please read the information pamphlet for Discovery Education Canada. We invite you all, students, staff, and faculty to try out the database and let us know how you might use this comphrehensive digital teaching content in your lessons.
Check our Coutts Library Facebook page, email educref@ualberta.ca, or phone us at 780-492-3770 to get the username and password for access.
The beautiful new display outside the H. T. Coutts Library features some of our most interesting items: pop-up books! While the delicate engineering involved in these creations can make them a hazard for very young children, these same tactile elements make them fascinating and interactive for both children and their parents!
Though our current display features only 10 books, the Coutts Library holds many pop-up books, all available to borrow for a regular 2-week loan. However, it can sometimes be difficult to locate pop-ups, without knowing how to search for them. The best way to find pop-up books is to search for “Toy and movable books;” remember to search by Subject! You can add other keywords or subject headings if you are looking for pop-up books about a certain topic. Remember to limit your search to the H. T. Coutts Education Library, if you would like to only see the books that are available here!
Or… click on the link, if you would like to see all the pop-up books available. Happy Reading!!
Ever find yourself confused about how to preserve your unfinished iMovie project when there’s no Save button? Look no further. The Coutts Library has developed a handy guide to taking these projects with you and transferring between computers, ensuring that your iMovie project goes wherever you go.
View the guide here: Coutts Guide to Transferring iMovie Projects
Happiness Creative Workshop, April 11 & 12
Indigenous Creative Art Gathering on April 11 & 12 in the Quad
Aaron Paquette is a First Nations artist with whom the Arts Aboriginal Student Council and the Faculty of Arts are inviting to debut for their upcoming event, the “Happiness Creative Workshop”, at Quad on April 11 & 12, from 10 am – 3 pm. Drop-ins are also welcome. Aaron will be speaking at approximately 10 am, noon, and 1 pm daily if you would like to come and hear him speak.
The “Happiness Creative Project” was inspired from the “Turtle Island” concept in Aboriginal culture. The public is invited to delve in and create their own island of happiness at Quad, in a tent (so we are close with nature) with Aaron. We will have earth-based materials and art supplies on-hand to work with. No experience is necessary. This workshop is explicitly about creating something in the present, and implicitly about learning about Aboriginal ways-of-being while working with art.
Food, beverages, and give-aways will be provided! Please see the youtube link.
Recently, you may have noticed a slight change in the Curriculum Guides section of the Coutts Library. QR codes have been popping up on the covers or spines of the majority of the Programs of Studies in our collection. These ubiquitous square bar codes, when scanned by a mobile device (such as an iPhone, Android, or BlackBerry) connect directly to a full, online version of the document at hand.
How can this help you in your research and coursework? We know that Curriculum Guides, Programs of Studies, and Guides to Implementation are foundational documents of any Education degree, and we want to make sure that as many people as possible can access these guides easily. Instead of lugging around cumbersome binders, you can find what you need at the Coutts Library, scan the QR code to get the document, and read it later on at your own convenience. If friends or classmates all want access to the same document, it’s no longer a problem when everyone can read it online simultaneously. And of course, it’s one less due date you have to worry about!
If you don’t already have a Q-R reader on your mobile device, you can download one for free. Examples of Q-R readers are i-nigma, KAYWA, Lynkee, and UpCode. Make sure to check before installing whether or not each app is compatible with your operating system. Once you have one of these readers installed, simply open up your Q-R reader app, scan the Q-R code, and you will be instantly redirected to the online curriculum guide of your choosing.
As always, please talk to us at the Coutts Service Desk if you have questions about the Q-R codes or any other aspect of the library!
The Institutefor Sexual Minori
ty Studies and Services (iSMSS) is pleased to introduce our new “fYrefly in Schools” peer-to-peer LGBTQ education program. Based on Camp fYrefly, our award-winning summer leadership retreat for sexual and gender minority youth and allies, “fYrefly in Schools” aims to increase awareness of the impact of homophobic/transphobic bullying and equip students with the tools they need to challenge prejudice and discrimination and to become effective allies for diversity, equity, and human rights within their schools and communities.
Former Edmonton Public school counsellor and teacher, Melinda McNie is the core teacher-facilitator for fYrefly in Schools. Melinda brings with her 30+ years of experience working with vulnerable youth. We are thrilled to have her working with us to create safe, caring, equitable, and inclusive schools for all students.
To learn more about, or to request this FREE program for your junior or senior high classroom, please contact Dr. Kristopher Wells (kris.wells@ualberta.ca).
After some intense rounds of deliberation, Andy Mikula was declared the winner of the Coutts Blog Name contest for his entry, “Between the Stacks.” Staff judges were drawn to its succinct rhythm and its evocation of the library world in a virtual space. Andy was awarded the grand prize, which included gift cards from iTunes and Starbucks, as well as some library swag.
However, although a winner was chosen, the number of fabulous entries we received made that choice a difficult one. In the end, we couldn’t help ourselves from awarding a second and third prize as well! Kirsten Isherwood was awarded second place for her delightfully alliterative entry, “The Herbert Howler,” and Kendall Cholak seized third for “Coutts Digital Eye.”
Thanks once again to all who entered! The blog has now been updated to reflect our brand new name!
