Author: Library

Library Lobby Survey results: “The office of your personal/subject librarian?”

The library can be a maze, and that includes the staff offices. This week, we wondered if the offices of personal and subject librarians are commonly known locations.

  • Total responses: 210
  • “I don’t know where their office is”: 88 responses
  • “I know where their office is”: 23 responses
  • “What’s a subject librarian?” 47 responses
  • “What’s a personal librarian?” 52 responses

What are personal and subject librarians? Each first year and transfer student is matched with a librarian who can help with any questions about the library, finding resources, or research. Find your personal librarian by dorm.

We also have librarians dedicated to each academic department who can help if you need subject-specific assistance, whether that’s for general questions, for one class, for your quals or thesis, or just to chat. Find your librarian by subject.

Think of your personal librarian and your subject librarian as your “go-to” people in the library.

Library Lobby Surveys happen (almost) every Tuesday. Stop by to cast your vote and get some candy! We love to hear feedback from you all.

Library Lobby Survey results: “I started using the library regularly…”

Welcome to the Spring semester! With a new year comes new LibLob surveys. The question on our mind this week was when you started using the library regularly. We’re excited to know that you all start right away! The majority of responses indicated that you became regular library users during your first year at Reed.

  • Total responses: 215
  • First year: 141 responses
  • Sophomore year: 42 responses
  • Junior year: 20 responses
  • Senior year: 8
  • I don’t use the library regularly Tell us why not: 4 responses

Library Lobby Surveys happen (almost) every Tuesday. Stop by to cast your vote and get some candy! We love to hear feedback from you all.

Save the date: Algorithms of Oppression

Join us for Black Celebration Month: Algorithms of Oppression

Thursday February 20, 2020 at 6:30pm Vollum Lecture Hall

Safiya Umoja Noble is an associate professor at the University of California, Los Angeles in the departments of information studies and African American studies. She is also co-director of the UCLA Center for Critical Internet Inquiry. Safiya is the author of a best-selling book on algorithmic discrimination by internet platforms, Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism. 

Dr. Safiya Umoja Noble

She is the recipient of a Hellman Fellowship and the UCLA Early Career Award. She is regularly quoted for her expertise about technology bias in society in news outlets including The Guardian, the BBC, CNN International, USA Today, Wired, Time, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, The New York Times, NPR’s Marketplace, CBS Radio, and is the co-editor of The Intersectional Internet: Race, Sex, Culture and Class Online and Emotions, Technology & Design. She holds a PhD and MS from the Information School at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a BA in sociology from California State University, Fresno.

Noble’s talk will be followed by a reception in the Library.

Co-sponsored by the library, the Office of Institutional Diversity, the Dean of the Faculty, the department of computer science, and the office of Computing and Information Services. Free and open to the public.

Hidden Histories of Race & Reed

New exhibit! “Hidden Histories of Race & Reed”, developed and curated by Ashley San Miguel and Maya Arigala, opened in the second floor Eliot Hall display cases Friday December 13th.

Flyer for exhibit. Black and white photograph of Reed students protesting outside of Eliot Hall with signs. Flyer text reads: "Exhibit unveiling: hidden histories of race & Reed. Join us at the second floor Eliot display cases! December 13th Drop in between 5pm-7pm. Reception in Eliot 216, food will be provided. Vegan & GF options. Sponsored by: social justice fund, library archives, office for institutional diversity. Email ashsanmic@reed.edu or arigalam@reed.edu with questions."

This exhibit uses items from the Reed College Archives to chart the 1968 Black Student Union (BSU) protests to install a Black Studies Center at Reed, and the subsequent rise and dissolution of the center just a few years later.

Black and white photograph of Reed students protesting outside of Eliot Hall with signs. The photograph is the same as used in the event flyer.
Black Studies Demonstration, Eliot Hall 1968. Photograph by Stephen S. Robinson, class of 1972.

Library Lobby Survey results: What software or technology do you wish the library had?

We had a write in question for this week’s library lobby survey: “What software or technology do you wish the library had?” You gave us 33 total responses:

  • A computer with the capability to download new fonts from the web
  • 3d printer
  • Igor Pro
  • Ableton
  • Dijon Mustard
  • Some kind of dedicated theater database
  • Electronic subscription to NYT, etc.
  • Zotero, Photoshop
  • Illustrator/Photoshop
  • More GIS
  • Adobe PDF Reader 🙂
  • Final Cut Pro
  • Microsoft Teams
  • -More hole punches spread around -easier to find sci journal access??
  • Wifi that works in the government archives
  • photocopier/scanner
  • Microsoft Visual Studio
  • Tablet drivers! We have photoshop but its a pain w/ out pressure sensitivity
  • Final Cut Pro or Photoshop
  • The Adobe Suite
  • Computers running Linux
  • Logic/video editing programs
  • Bloomberg Terminal
  • pro tools
  • in Design
  • smart boards
  • Dreamweaver
  • Photoshop
  • updated Adobe Indesign
  • VR headsets
  • VR headset
  • subscription to more science journals
  • really good scanner

Library Lobby Surveys happen (almost) every Tuesday. Stop by to cast your vote and get some candy! We love to hear feedback from you all.

Library Lobby Survey results: I want the library to provide more…

This week’s library lobby survey asked, “I want the library to provide more…” with options of “Cultural events or lectures”, “Workshops”, “Book Discussions”, and a write-in jar for “Suggestions”. Results are in!

  • Cultural events or lectures: 83 votes
  • Workshops: 41 votes
  • Book Discussions: 40 votes
  • Total: 164
  • Write in suggestions included earlier opening hours, author talks, fun books for reading, acoustically separated areas, to remove the empty metal under-desk computer holders in North Ref, and WARMTH.

Library Lobby Surveys happen (almost) every Tuesday. Stop by to cast your vote and get some candy! We love to hear feedback from you all.

Library Lobby Survey results: how do you want to ask questions?

Image of the library lobby survey, with signs "Got a question? Do you prefer asking..." Jars with "Chat", "Text", "Email", and "In Person" are available on a bookcart.
Library Lobby Survey, “Got a question? Do you prefer asking…”

In the library, our main job is to help you find and access resources, which often means answering a lot of questions! In this week’s Library Lobby Survey, we wanted to know how you’d prefer to ask questions.

Results are in: Of 159 responses, most prefer to ask questions in person.

  • In person: 88
  • Text: 42
  • Chat: 15
  • Email: 14

Library Lobby Surveys happen (almost) every Tuesday. Stop by to cast your vote and get some candy!

Call for participation! Library focus groups on thesis desks

The majority of existing library thesis desks are in parts of the library that will be inaccessible during the 2020-2021 library seismic renovation. Come help us determine how to handle this! The Library User Experience Group will hold focus groups to get your feedback on potential solutions. Students from all years are welcome! Food will be provided.

All focus groups will be held in Library room 17

Wednesday October 9th 5pm-6pm

Thursday October 10th 9am-10am

Friday October 11th 12pm-12:50pm

Drop-ins are welcome, but you’re encouraged to RSVP so we have enough food. Need accommodations? Please contact Robin Ford at fordr@reed.edu or 503-777-7272.