Author: Nandi Prince

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Chat with an Online Librarian 24/7!

The Ursula C. Schwerin Library offers a 24/7 live chat service for reference and research support, staffed by City Tech Librarians librarians during specific hours and by other academic librarians outside those hours. Chat with a Librarian 24/7 to help you get started with research, and answer questions about the library services and policy. Receive the help you need from your mobile device. You may ask an online librarian anything you would normally seek their help for at the library service desk. To initiate a chat and ask questions, follow these steps:

Picture of Ursula C. Schwerin Library, online chat reference service
Figure 1 Ursula C. Schwerin Library, online chat reference service
  1. You will automatically be connected to the Ask-A-Librarian page page with a short form for you to fill out your name and contact information
  2. After filling out the form, click “Start Chat” and you can provide any information about your assignment or research topic will be helpful.
  3. This  will connect you shortly with a live City Tech Librarian, or a librarian from another CUNY college or other academic institutions who participate in this cooperative reference service.

Librarians provide real-time assistance to help you with research assistance and the use of the collections. You can also use our form to: schedule a research appointment; search our FAQ’s to find the answers to frequently asked questions about the Ursula C. Schwerin Library, our services and resources, research help, and more; access the list of research guides with recommended resources for various subjects and topics; and register for a number of workshops offered during the spring and fall.

Current students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to use this service anytime!



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Spring Library Workshops: March – May Schedule Is Available!

The City Tech Library offers a variety of workshops throughout the semester. Some of the offerings are our regularly-occurring workshops on key electronic resources; while others feature critical research methods and skills; and some explore fun thematic topics. They are held at various times to accommodate the needs of all members of our City Tech community,with some taking place both online and in-person. If the listed workshops do not fit your schedule, you are welcome to request a session by emailing Prof. Nandi Prince, Nandi.Prince25@citytech.cuny.edu
Visit our workshop schedule today to register for one of the in-person or online events, which are conveniently scheduled for weekdays, weekends and evenings!
Spotlighting some of the offerings this spring –

Drop-In sessions – Help with Mid-Term Research Assignments (In-person, Tuesday, March 18 – March 20 )
This is a free drop-in workshop for students that takes place leading up to mid-terms. Get research help from a librarian. No need to register—just show up!

The Library’s Inclusive Student Hangout Workshop (In-person, Tuesday, March 25)
Join us to learn more about digital and virtual accessibility of library resources. The pace is set by you!
Facilitator: Prof. Nandi Prince, Nandi.Prince25@citytech.cuny.edu

Evaluating Sources (Online, Thursday, March 27)
If you use search engines like Google to locate information for your research papers, then this workshop is for you.
In this session, you will learn how to use the CRAP research method to find and evaluate the most credible and reliable sources.
Facilitator: Prof. Nandi Prince, Nandi.Prince25@citytech.cuny.edu

Power Searching: What you need to know workshop (Online, Monday, March 31)
Are you spending hours at your computer searching for sources? This workshop will provide tips to do advanced searching with ease and speed!
Facilitator: Prof. Nandi Prince, Nandi.Prince25@citytech.cuny.edu

Integrating Research Articles into Your Writing Successfully (Online, Wednesday, April 2)
Have you found a few research articles and now you need to know how to integrate the information into your writing project? Attend this workshop to learn how to skillfully weave the most relevant evidence to support your argument. We will cover:
· Annotating and outlining
· Paraphrasing, quoting and summarizing
Facilitator: Prof. Nandi Prince, Nandi.Prince25@citytech.cuny.edu

APA Citation Workshop (In-person, April 3rd)
Learn the fundamentals of using the APA style.
Facilitator: Prof. Nandi Prince, Nandi.Prince25@citytech.cuny.edu

Art-making Workshop – Amplifying Immigrant Voices (In-person, April 10th, 1:00 – 2:00pm)
Come by, and amplify the voices of immigrant communities and design a free tote to take with you and build awareness of their American contributions. Photographs will be taken of your creative totes and displayed later.
Facilitator: Prof. Nandi Prince

Poetry Rhyme and Hip-Hop (In-person, Thursday, April 24)
Paying homage to Kendrick Lamar’s Superbowl LIX performance, his body of work and other contemporary artists, we will examine the blurred lines between poetry, rap and storytelling.
Students will make comparisons between poetry and the narrower Hip-Hop genre of rap.
Discuss poetic terms, alliteration, rhyme, rhythm, etc.,
Content and form
Come enjoy a fun, lively, and vibrant 45-minutes of poetic lyrics.
Facilitator: Prof. Nandi Prince, Nandi.Prince25@citytech.cuny.edu

Resume Writing Workshop
Make an impression with a potential employer. Your resume is the place to begin. Join us to see how you can get the most from the work experience you already have and convey it. Highlight your talents and what you have accomplished already to create a strong resume.
Facilitators: Professors Keith Muchowski and Nandi Prince, Nandi.Prince25@citytech.cuny.edu

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Your library is here for you!

Columbus Park in the Spring, Brooklyn.
Nandi Prince, Columbus Park in the Spring, Brooklyn, 2024. Author source.

We know that the week of finals can be stressful. During Finals week the City Tech Library has lots to offer:
Calculators that can be checked out and taken to class.
Extended hours.
Ask – A – Librarian 24/7 reference help, no commuting, speak to a librarian from where you are.
Free scholarly articles to complete end-of-semester projects.
Free workshops each day of finals 5/16 -5/22. They all start at noon, no registration required, join now from where you are!
5/16, 5/20, 5/22 are Unstructured Workshop Days – the learning activity is built around the attendees’ reference and research needs!
Additional details regarding workshops at the library can be obtained by emailing Prof. Prince –Nandi.Prince25@citytech.cuny.edu

Free scholarly articles to complete end-of-semester projects
Free workshops each day of finals 5/16 -5/22. They all start at noon, no registration required, join now from where you are!

5/16 – Unstructured Workshop Day
The learning activity is built around the attendees’ reference and research needs!

GET 1-2-3 ARTICLES NOW LIBRARY WORKSHOP
Don’t let last minute projects stress you out, login to today’s library workshop and leave with 2 articles!
May 17 @ noon

Database Searching Made Easier than Google
Learn how to click around a database and leave with relevant articles for your writing project.
May 18 @ noon

Library and College Jargon
Heard these terms and unsure of what they mean: Abstract, Boolean, Catalog, DOI, Peer-Review, Primary Source, Scholarly Source, Work Cited, Journals. Sign on and leave sounding like an academic library glossary.
May 19 @ noon

5/20- Unstructured Workshop Day
The learning activity is built around the attendees’ reference and research needs!

All about Newspapers
How to find local,regional and international newspapers. Citing Newspapers. Primary & Secondary Sources.Reviews.
May 21 @ noon

5/22 – Unstructured Workshop Day
The learning activity is built around the attendees’ reference and research needs!

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Don’t Miss Out! Register now for Library Workshops

 

Last chance to register for the final workshop offerings for the Spring  Semester 2022. These workshops are the last in the series and they will help any student succeed with their research papers and projects. At the end of each workshop there will be an “Ask Me Anything” (AMA). Please feel free to submit your questions in advance, if you are not able to attend.

Additional questions? Reach out to Prof. Prince @ nprince@citytech.cuny.edu.

The entire workshop series are recommended, but they are designed to be stand-alone.

 

APA  & MLA Citation Workshop

This workshop teaches the importance of documenting sources when incorporating other’s research into your own. Learn the fundamentals of using the APA & MLA style.

When: Thursday, May 5, 2022, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Where: Zoom

Audience: students

Register now, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Conducted by:  Prof. Nandi Prince

 

Power Searching: What you need to know

Are you spending hours at your computer trying to find sources? Join us to maximize your searches! This workshop will provide tips to do advanced searching and do it efficiently. We will also cover how to organize your results.

When: Friday, May 6, 2022, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Where: Zoom

Audience: all

Register here, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Conducted by: Prof. Nandi Prince

 

Research Help for Your Paper: Drop-In sessions

Are you looking for research help with that final paper or assignment of the semester? If so, join us on these dates for our special drop-in sessions.

Thursday, May 12, 2022, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Friday, May 13, 2022, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Monday, May 16, 2022, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Where: A441 (4th floor in the library)

Audience: students

Conducted by:  Prof. Nandi Prince

 

Use Zotero to Create Your Reference List Quickly

Need a refresher on how to create a bibliography when you write? We can help. Learn how to export your completed bibliography to your paper. Zotero generates citations and builds a bibliography list in any of the popular styles, including APA and MLA instantly.

When: Monday, May 9, 2022, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Where: Zoom

Audience: students

Register here, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Conducted by:  Prof. Nandi Prince

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Fall Workshops – Getting the most out of your library!

Welcome back all! There are a variety of online workshops this fall for every audience that provide information and training to help you develop skills for success. If you do not see a workshop on your interested topic, contact us and we will do our best to accommodate you. For additional information, please forward your inquiries to Prof. Nandi Prince at nprince@citytech.cuny.edu. Explore the library virtual workshops and discover one meant for you. Reserve your seat today!

Use ZoteroBib to Create Your Reference List Quickly

Need a refresher on how to create a bibliography when you write? We can help. Learn how to export your completed bibliography to your paper. ZoteroBib generates citations and builds a bibliography list in any of the popular styles, including APA and MLA instantly.

When: Tuesday, October 26, 2021, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Where: Zoom

Audience: students

Register here, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Facilitator:  Prof. Nandi Prince

Power Searching: What you need to know

Are you spending hours at your computer trying to find sources? Join us to maximize your searches! This workshop will provide tips to do advance searching and do it efficiently. We will also cover how to organize your results.

When: Monday, November 1, 2021, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Where: Zoom

Audience: all

Register here, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Facilitator:  Prof. Nandi Prince 

Digital Privacy Workshop

Do you have concerns about corporate or government surveillance, the security of your financial data, or who can view your personal information online? Wondering why virtual advertisements follow you around? Worried about how to make secure passwords and not always forgetting them? Confused about social media privacy settings or what information the apps you use might be collecting about you?

Learn more about privacy and take control of your digital identity! In this hand-on workshop, City Tech faculty, students, and staff will learn how to protect themselves against surveillance and unwanted data collection. Specific topics covered will include: password security, social media privacy, browser settings, and alternative search engines

When: Tuesday, November 9, 2021, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Where: Zoom

Audience: faculty and students

Register here, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the workshop.

Facilitators:  Professors Junior Tidal and Nora Almeida 

Algorithmic Autobiographies and Fictions Library Workshop

Ever wonder what Google thinks of what kind of person you are based on the ads you see? Does Facebook accurately reflect your true self? This library workshop explores how social media platforms and search engines create identities of our digital selves. Participants will learn about search engine and social media algorithms, how to access their ad preferences for Google, Facebook, and Instagram, and will then create a short story, poem, drawing, or other creative product about their “algorithmic self.” The workshop will conclude on ways to keep your data private.  It is not necessary, but it is highly encouraged that workshop attendees have a Google, Facebook, or Instagram account. 

This workshop has been adapted from the work of Dr. Sophie Bishop (King’s College, London) and Dr. Tanya Kant (University of Sussex).

When: Tuesday, November 16, 2021, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Where: Zoom

Audience: For Everyone

Register here, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Facilitator:  Prof. Junior Tidal  

LinkedIn and Resume Writing Workshop

Make a lasting impression with a potential employer. Your resume and social media presence are the place to begin. Join us to see how you can get the most from the work experience you already have and convey it. Highlight your talents and what you have accomplished already to create a strong resume. Build the beginnings of a professional portfolio with LinkedIn.

When: Monday, November 29, 2021, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM

Where: Zoom

Audience: students

Register here, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the workshop.

Facilitators:  Professors Keith Muchowski and Nandi Prince 

Research Help for Your Paper: Drop-In sessions

Are you looking for research help with that final paper or assignment of the semester? If so, join us on these dates for our special drop-in sessions.

Register here for: Thursday, December 2, 2021, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Register here for:  Wednesday, December 8, 2021, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Where: Zoom

Audience: students

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 

 

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New Library Workshop – Evaluating Social Media

The Evaluating Social Media workshop will be held virtually on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 2:00PM.  Prof. Junior Tidal will help you evaluate the trustworthiness of the news from your favorite social media platforms. All are welcome to attend. Do not miss this opportunity! To register, contact Prof. Tidal at jtidal@citytech.cuny.edu for the Zoom link or check the information on the poster.  

Library Workshop, Evaluating Social Media. October 22, from 2 - 3 pm virtually Register with Prof. Junior Tidal, jtidal@citytech.cuny.edu
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Banned Books Week: Marginalized Authors and Censorship

“Banned Book Week 2014” by San Jose Public Library/ CC BY-SA 2.0

As a librarian, I find it a pity that we still need to celebrate Banned Books Week, which happens to be September 27th  – October 3rd this year. According to the American Library Association (ALA) Banned Books Week is a celebration of “current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools… The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted for removal or restriction in libraries and schools. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.”

Banned Books Week started in 1982 with a dramatic display to highlight the problem. The American Booksellers Association (ABA) exhibited a display of 500 books in a padlocked cage at a trade show in Anaheim, California. As a tribute to that event 38 years later, books that have been banned or challenged for various reasons continue to be celebrated. The terms banned and challenged books are sometimes used interchangeably but they are some differences. Banned books refer to the removal of items, challenged  books are oppositional attempts by groups or individuals to restrict access to materials used in curriculum and libraries.

They are many reasons for censoring materials but some of the common ones are political views; racial content; lifestyle choices that people find objectionable; sexually explicit situations, profanity and violence; witchcraft, religious and blasphemous dialog. As we celebrate another year of Banned Books Week, I urged you to also think about debates on censorship and public outcry for retailers to remove works of authors who write about the experiences of marginalized groups outside of their own. What is your opinion on an author telling others narrative? Does a a public outcry from the offending group constitute censorship? How comfortable are you with the authenticity of the experiences when a writer from outside their group tells your story?

They are many situations why books are challenged; readers get passionate when they are challenges to intellectual freedom. For a list of banned or challenged works, check out the listing of titles that ALA maintains. In honor of Banned Books Week, I urged you to get involved in advocacy. Visit the City Tech library online collection and immerse yourself in one of our many e-books that have been deemed banned or challenged at some point. Happy reading!

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Tick. Tock. Online-Classes Resumed, March 19!

Entrance to City Tech Library
Entrance to City Tech Library

Celebrate the first day of Spring! Suspended in-person classes resumed today, March 19 in an online format.

City Tech Library provides access to digital resources.

Are you working on a research project or have one upcoming?

Visit our website and click on the chat box to get started with your research.

I know that these distance techniques are a struggle to a new way of living for all of us; but they will keep you in touch with a librarian and online access to resources and services.

Welcome back! Librarians are online and are willing to help you.

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Need Help? Chat with a Librarian 24/7

Did you know that the city tech library offers help 24 hours, seven days a week? Our online chat service helps you get started with research, and answer questions about the library services and policy. Receive the help you need from your mobile device. You may ask a librarian, anything you would normally seek their help for at the library service desk. Feel free to initiate a chat and ask questions such as:

I need help getting scholarly articles for my class.

Do you have my textbook?

How do I site my sources?

How do I renew my book from at home?

Now is the time to try online! Connect to us, by visiting our chat service at – https://library.citytech.cuny.edu/help/ask/index.php.

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