Digital Commons Network^™

Lessons From Tiktok: Using Popular Social Media Platforms To Engage Gen Z, Debra Bernstein

Urban Library Journal

This study looks at how academic libraries in the New York City metropolitan area are using TikTok to engage with their communities, particularly students. It analyzes the most popular videos from five active library accounts, categorizing content types and measuring engagement through TikTok’s built-in metrics. Results indicate that humorous and lighthearted content consistently receives the highest engagement, while instructional or “how-to” videos tend to underperform. These findings suggest that while TikTok may not be the most effective platform for instructional outreach, it holds potential as a tool for visibility, community engagement, and humanizing the library’s presence. As students increasingly turn …

Local And Community History – Ten Blocks, Johnathan Thayer

Open Educational Resources

Description

Walk or otherwise move through physical space ten blocks (or its equivalent) in any direction from wherever you call home. Take note of the component parts that make up your locality, including the weekly topics on our syllabus (nature, parks, cemeteries, burial grounds, buildings, restaurants, bars, theaters, temples, schools, and governance). Make a list of the histories of these components that you know, and a list of the histories that you wish you knew more about.

Where I plan to use this resource

In my LBSCI class Local and Community History Methods. This will be the first assignment of …

Partnering For International Student Success: Opportunities For Academic Librarians And Esl Faculty To Support Research And Information Literacy Skills, Rachel E. Trnka

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Presentation at the Graduate Student Forum of the TESOL Virtual Conference

With the growing number of international students attending American universities in recent years, academic librarians recognize the importance of serving the needs of that population. However, many librarians acknowledge that they feel unprepared to support international students, due to a lack of training or experience working with multilingual or second-language learners. This presentation offers a review of the literature exploring collaborations between librarians and instructors to better support ELLs in a college and university setting and presents recommendations for both librarians and faculty. While this session focuses on academic …

Getting Started In Graduate School: An Online Tutorial For New Graduate Students, Jill Mcmillan, Elana Geller, Angie Gerrard, Nazreen Beaulieu

Journal of Graduate Librarianship

In August 2024, our library launched an asynchronous online tutorial, Getting Started in Graduate School. The purpose of the tutorial was fourfold: to complement existing student orientation programming at the library and the university; to situate the library as a valuable resource for graduate student academic success; to align with a similar library-designed online tutorial for new undergraduate students; and to provide practical information about graduate school expectations, framed through existing library resources and programming. The tutorial was created using the Springshare LibGuide and LibWizard platform and features a mix of static and interactive elements, which were developed and …

Perspectives On Teaching Academic Publishing Skills: Helping Graduate Students Navigate The Hidden Curriculum, Martha Stuit, Christie Hurrell, Jill Cirasella, Christy Caldwell

Journal of Graduate Librarianship

Many graduate students feel pressure to publish but need guidance on navigating the scholarly publishing process, which often is not covered in their graduate curricula but rather learned in conversation with faculty mentors. In other words, publishing is often a hidden curriculum—not explicitly taught but a learn-as-you-go venture. In this article, we describe our individual approaches to teaching publishing literacy to graduate students, highlighting how our efforts are both responsive to the specifics of our campuses and informed by our own and others’ research. We also discuss how we spread the word about our services and how we advance equity …

Fy26 Dcag Committee 11.18.2025, Julia Lovett

HELIN Board of Directors reports

Minutes from the DCAG Affinity Group 11.18.2025

Collaborative Opportunities Between Academic Librarians And Esl Faculty To Support International Students, Rachel E. Trnka

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Session for the Sunshine TESOL Conference

This session will explore ways academic librarians and ESL faculty can collaborate to support not only the research skills of international students but also out of classroom learning opportunities for students. As an academic librarian working on a TEFL certificate, I hope to highlight the value of librarians learning about teaching and outreach techniques targeted to English language learners and faculty learning about unique challenges international students face using American academic libraries and conducting research.

Southeastern Librarian 73(3) Fall 2025 (Full Issue), John H. Barnett

The Southeastern Librarian

Complete issue of The Southeastern Librarian Volume 73 Number 3

Black Hibiscus: African Americans And The Florida Imaginary, Austina Jordan

The Southeastern Librarian

John Wharton Lowe, Ed.

Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2024

ISBN: 9781496848604

314 pp. $30.00 (Pbk)

Accuracy Matters: Evaluating The Value Of Ai Tools For Summaries In Metadata, Emily Baldoni, Angela Yon

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

Since the introduction of ChatGPT in 2022, the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence on library workflows has been a topic of immense interest—and sometimes anxiety—in the library profession. In the area of cataloging and metadata, one frequently cited potential use for AI (particularly Large Language Models (LLMs)) is constructing summaries and abstracts of information resources. However, very little systematic assessment has been done of the characteristics, quality, and utility of AI-generated abstracts for library materials, leaving information professionals with little evidence on which to make data-driven decisions as to how, if at all, to implement AI-assisted workflows for this aspect …

2025 Unm Library Scholarship Day Collcted Abstracts, Unm Health Sciences Library & Informatics Center, Unm Law Library, Unm University Libraries

Scholarship Day 2025

This booklet compiles citations and summaries of recent scholarly works (and works in progress) authored by librarians from all three campus libraries. UNM authors’ names are bolded. It offers readers a snapshot of the ideas, innovations, and collaborations shaping the information science discipline today. Consider it an invitation to connect with colleagues whose work reflects the intellectual vibrancy of UNM’s libraries.

Transforming Public Services For Stem Students And Faculty, Tessa Withorn, Robert Detmering

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Despite institutional priorities to expand STEM education and research activity, some academic libraries struggle to engage faculty and students in these disciplines with library resources and services. This column shares and reflects on how strategic liaison librarianship can address the needs of STEM programs at a large, public university. Implementing new services around research impact and data management and building fruitful connections with STEM researchers has reinvigorated and increased engagement with the library. In the future, a team-based liaison model shows promise for sustaining relationships and forging new paths that communicate the value and impact of the library.

The Long And Winding Road: Planning A Successful Library Orientation For Graduate Students, Kristen Adams, Roger Justus

Journal of Graduate Librarianship

All new university students would benefit from an orientation focusing on library resources, which should look different for undergraduate and graduate students. But finding a place for incoming graduate student library orientations within the larger campus landscape can be challenging for librarians. Contributing to this struggle is that there is frequently an overemphasis on undergraduate orientations, with the misconception that graduate students have less need for orientations. This article will review how other institutions approach their graduate student orientations and share how ours have developed over five years and will continue to do so as the needs of the library …

Lanthorn, Vol. 60, No. 07, November 10, 2025, Grand Valley State University

Volume 60, August 4, 2025 – April 20, 2026

Lanthorn is Grand Valley State's student newspaper, published from 1968 to the present.

Practical Subject-Based Library Budget Allocation In A Bilingual International University, Marion O. Finnegan

Presentations

Formula-based library budget allocation is a topic of much current interest, but most research to date has focused on the factors which affect or should affect budget allocation, rather than the functional units to which the budget is allocated. Typically, it is assumed that budget will be allocated amongst academic departments or programs, with factors such as use, demand, and program characteristics determining the proportion of budget that each department receives.

In this presentation, we propose and demonstrate a more granular, subject-focused model, where the monograph budget is allocated not amongst departments but amongst academic subjects as represented by course …

Engaging With Ai In A Technical Writing Course: A Collaboration Between A Writing Instructor And A Librarian, Isabel Baca, Joy Urbina

HIIT 2025

After describing our collaboration (a Technical Writing Instructor and a Librarian) on teaching students how to use artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen their writing, we will engage attendees by having them reflect and practice with AI. For our workshop presentation, attendees will:

• Learn how a librarian and a writing instructor collaborated to teach students to use AI effectively and ethically in their writing.
• Reflect on how they can incorporate AI in their classroom or workplace.
• Learn how a librarian can help them incorporate AI into their courses.
• Practice using AI and developing their prompt engineering skills.

Our workshop presentation will …

Investigating The Relationship Between Noun Classes And Plant Folk Taxonomy In Chasu Language Of Kilimanjaro Region In Tanzania, Peter Rabson Mziray

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The current study investigates the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu (G 22). The study focuses on two objectives: the first objective is to describe the plant folk taxonomy in Chasu and the second objective is to determine the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu. Data were collected from rural villages in Same and Mwanga districts by using free listing, field interviews (jungle-walk-and-identify), and written texts containing Chasu plant names. The findings reveal that Chasu folk taxonomy reflects different ethnobotanical categories; including a unique beginner which is mmea/mimea ‘plant(s)’, and three life …

From Curiosity To Research: Exploring The Papers Of The University Librarian At Uva, Veronica Fu

Journal of East Asian Libraries

This article traces an exploratory journey into the Papers of the University Librarian at the University of Virginia (UVA), shedding light on lesser-known aspects of Harry Clemons’ contributions beyond his tenure at UVA. A chance conversation led to a deeper investigation, which eventually developed into a research project. This article provides an overview of that research as well as reflections on the intellectual and emotional rewards of the exploration. It also touches on challenges in archival access and the importance of enhancing discoverability for future researchers.

Understanding Ai Literacy: Implications For Practice​, Devon Olson, Janet Anderson, Sara Westall

Librarian Publications

Presentation from the 2025 Mountain Plains Library Association Tri-Conference, held in Grand Forks, ND. This presentation provides an overview of basic AI concepts and frameworks for AI literacy, discussing the impact of different patron and learner demographics on learner needs, competencies, and instructional strategies.

November 2025 Library & Learning Newsletter, Minnesota State University, Mankato. Library & Learning Dean’S Office Communications Team

Library & Learning Newsletters

PDF version of the November 2025 (Volume 4, Issue 4) Library & Learning Newsletter.

Fall 2025, Georgia Library Quarterly

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.

My Own Private Library, Harikleia Georgiou Sirmans

Georgia Library Quarterly

My personal library reflects my Greek heritage and creativity. My books fuel my passion for textile arts, Greek literature and language, English literature and language, and the writing craft. The figurines and souvenirs that fill empty spaces reveal my emotional connection with my homeland and creative interests.

2025 Georgia Library Association Library Staff Division Grant Recipients, Rhonda Boozer

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.

From Information To Impact: The Strategic Role Of Libraries In University Ranking, Tatiana Usova, Fiona Glasgow, Lisa Chisholm

Proceedings of the IATUL Conferences

Academic libraries are increasingly positioning themselves as strategic partners within their institutions, moving beyond traditional support roles to actively advancing institutional priorities, particularly in global university rankings like QS and Times Higher Education (THE). These rankings significantly influence how universities are perceived and funded, and they rely heavily on the use of bibliometric data, research outputs, and institutional reputation.

This paper, presented by SIGMaRI, examines the evolving role of libraries in the rankings landscape. We will highlight impactful library-led initiatives and partnerships with other strategic university departments that advance the university's reputation and shape institutional research strategies. While libraries share …

Bridging Cultures, Building Communities: The Role Of Academic Libraries In Fostering Multicultural Engagement And Digital Inclusion, Emily Chan, Catarina Lei

Proceedings of the IATUL Conferences

This paper explores the evolving role of academic libraries in small, multicultural settings. Using the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) in Macao as a case study, we examine how the library acts as a catalyst for interdisciplinary collaboration. By bridging the gap between diverse faculty departments—such as History, Sound Engineering, and Design—the library facilitates innovative projects that preserve local heritage and promote Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This document outlines two specific case studies: the "First Global Typhoon Macau 1874" exhibition and the "OttoSonic" sound installation.

Sparking Collaborative Connections Through Immersive Technologies, Jacky Wong

Proceedings of the IATUL Conferences

NIE Library created an innovative space called LIBytes to connect people and ideas through immersive technologies— Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality(MR), and AI robots—and to widen equitable access to digital experiences. LIBytes is both a space and a service: we co-design with departments to integrate immersive learning into teaching, research, and outreach.

For instance, we partner across NIE to build shared experiences:

• English Department – Digital Literature: VR for immersive narrative exploration and perspective-taking, with multimodal discussion.
• Asian Languages & Cultures Department – Digital Storytelling: co-creating VR stories that surface linguistic and cultural perspectives and support authentic …

Pioneering Education In Holland, Michigan: The History Of Hope’S Preparatory School; Rare Books As Art And Artifacts, Rhian Machiela, Charlotte Ulloa

Archives and Special Collections Quarterly

Pioneering Education in Holland, Michigan: The History of Hope’s Preparatory School

Column: From the Director of Archives and Special Collections

Rare Books as Art and Artifacts

Smu To Build Open Legal Database With Support From Ministry Of Law, Singapore Management University

SMU Press Releases and News

The Singapore Management University (SMU) will be developing Singapore’s first open empirical legal database with support from the Ministry of Law (MinLaw). Housed at SMU’s Centre for Digital Law, the three-year project will compile and release machine-readable datasets containing key statistical information about Singapore court decisions, statutes, legal scholarship and court structures. Named Singapore Open Legal Informatics Database (SOLID), the database will be freely accessible to researchers worldwide through a public website and Application Programming Interface (API), positioning Singapore alongside leading jurisdictions around the world that have invested in building up their legal data infrastructure.

More Alike Than Not: The Open Access Preferences Of Humanities Scholars, Rachel E. Scott, Ana Dubnjakovic

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

Several studies have noted that humanists have not been as quick or enthusiastic in their adoption of Open Access (OA) as their colleagues in other disciplines. This article leverages the Ithaka S+R US 2021 Faculty Survey to provide contextualized analysis of the OA and Open Education Resources (OER) preferences of humanities scholars, as well as some practices related to OA and OER, relative to their colleagues in other disciplines. Findings suggest that although humanists do stand apart in many OA preferences, the small effect sizes render these differences less important than previously suspected. The implications of these findings are considered …

Pemanfaatan Perpustakaan Institut Francais Indonesie (Mediatek Ifi) Jakarta Sebagai Media Diplomasi Budaya, Laura Ismi, Indira Irawati

Jurnal Ilmu Informasi, Perpustakaan, dan Kearsipan

Mediatek IFI Jakarta, as part of the Institut Français Indonésie (IFI), plays a vital role in supporting France’s cultural diplomacy in Indonesia. The library functions not only as a center for information access but also as a cultural space that facilitates language learning, exchange of ideas, and appreciation of French culture. This study aims to identify how Mediatek IFI Jakarta is utilized to strengthen France’s cultural diplomacy and foster intercultural understanding between France and Indonesia. A descriptive qualitative was employed in this research. Data were collected through interviews with two librarians and a pedagogical cooperation coordinator at IFI Jakarta. The …