News & Events

On Friday, November 22, Special Collections Librarian Heather Perez delivered an engaging presentation titled Archives Aware: Demystifying Special Collections and Archives. This program, hosted by the Alliance Heritage Center with support from a Mellon Foundation grant, offered attendees a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the world of archiving and how special collections can enhance research.

Heather guided participants through the essentials of understanding archives, from navigating archival terminology to uncovering valuable resources for locating collections. She shared practical tips on making the most of time spent in the archives. The session also included an interactive component, inviting attendees to explore Stockton University's Special Collections. These featured an array of materials, including documents from local agricultural and historical collections. Participants had the opportunity to share their impressions and discuss their experiences with the collections in a collaborative setting.

Discover more about our Special Collections on our website, and be sure to contact Heather with any questions!

On Friday, November 15, our Metadata Librarian Stephanie Sussmeier presented a poster at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC) Fall 2024 Virtual Conference. Stephanie's poster "Successful Cataloging from a Distance" highlighted the new ways in which our cataloging department is working together and staying connected despite being physically apart during our relocation for renovation. Stephanie discussed not only the challenges encountered and changes implemented, but also the unexpected positives that emerged.

You can watch a video of Stephanie's virtual poster presentation at this link.

Another congratulations goes out to our Outreach Librarian, Joyce DeStasio on the publication of her book chapter "Common Reading Collaboration for First-Year Student Success" in The Small to Midsize Academic Library: Collaborations and Outreach. This is the first book in a new series, The Small to Midsize Academic Library, published by ACRL (Association of College & Research Libraries). Joyce's chapter details her approach to creating a library information literacy activity for our first-year seminar students. This interactive activity ties into the First-Year Seminar's common reading program and is one of the many ways Joyce and the other librarians work to support our First-Year Seminar students and faculty. 

If you are interested in learning more about our support for the First-Year Seminars or the common reading information literacy activity, please email Joyce for access to the book chapter or to ask any questions you may have. 

Congratulations to our User Experience Librarian Eric Jeitner and former Outreach Librarian Christy Goodnight on the publication of their article "Hearing Yourself Think: Ambient Sound in Library Study Spaces" in Weave: Journal of Library User Experience. In the article, they make an exploratory case that low-level, ambient sound is a crucial component of ideal study space for some students. The authors performed a thorough literature review and their own year-long study to present evidence that a sizable group of college students will seek out study spaces that contain “pink” ambient noise. Eric and Christy found that this demographic has been overlooked in the discussion surrounding how libraries negotiate sound within their walls and add important data to this conversation.

If you are interested in learning more, please email Eric for access to the article or to ask any questions you may have.

On Friday, October 18, our Assistant Director of Systems & Technical Services Natalie Wadley and Cataloger Nicole Barnabei presented at the ExLibris Users from the Northeast (ENUG) at Rutgers New Brunswick. Their presentation "Out with the Old, in with the New! Weeding for Renovation" detailed our library's deaccessioning and downsizing project. Natalie and Nicole were integral in preparing our library for renovation. Their presentation covered the technical and logistical aspects of the project, including the use of Alma, Analytics, Rialto, and Baker & Taylor's Sustainable Shelves program. They also discussed the tremendous staff and faculty involvement that allowed us to complete this project on time to move out of the library building by the end of Spring 2024.

If you have any questions about this project or the presentation, please feel free to contact Natalie or Nicole.

Congratulations to our Student Success Librarian, Cheyenne Riehl  on the publication of her article "Aren’t we All Student Success Librarians? Defining Your Public Services Role for Your Community (and Your Sanity)" in The International Information & Library Review's Perspectives on Public Services column. In the article, Cheyenne sets out to assist other academic Public Services Librarians in better defining and communicating their roles to their communities. She conducted an in-depth examination of best practices and drew upon established models that have proven successful in enhancing the visibility and impact of public services librarians. Cheyenne called upon her own experience in defining her title and role as a Student Success Librarian here at Stockton University's Bjork Library.

If you are interested in learning more, please email Cheyenne for access to the article or to ask any questions you may have.
 

Congratulations to Tiffiny Gipson on her well-deserved promotion to Assistant Supervisor of Access Services.

Tiffiny has been a dedicated member of the library team for seven years, during which time she has advanced through various roles at Bjork Library's Library Service Desk, also known as the Circulation Desk. In this role, she oversees the daily operations of the Access Services Department and manages the staff to ensure smooth, efficient service. You'll often find her at the Library Service Desk in C/D Atrium, where she is committed to providing high-quality service and helping patrons access library resources with ease.

Tiffiny can be contacted at Tiffiny.Gipson@stockton.edu.

Over the summer, we began preparing the E-wing library space for renovation. Bjork Library relocated to the C/D Atrium. We still offer all the same great library services, including book check-out and borrowing books from other libraries (Interlibrary Loan), 20+ computers, printing & scanning, charging Stations, staff available for support and reference questions, puzzles at the Relaxation Station, and spaces for studying, reading, working, and gathering. 

For more information about the renovation, please visit the renovation webpage. For more information about library services, see the menus on our homepage.
 

At the NJLA Conference on Friday, May 31, Outreach Librarian Joyce DeStasio participated in a panel of four librarians from across New Jersey as part of the Diversity & Outreach section of the NJLA-CUS/ACRL-NJ. The panelists each shared their library's approach to exploring DEI through the creation of resource guides on their respective library websites. They discussed their experiences in collection development, faculty collaboration, content research, and guide promotion. Joyce highlighted Bjork Library’s Outreach initiative, which aligns with the university's diversity and inclusion goals. This project includes curating resources, both physical and digital, that support this programming through book displays, links to national and local resources, and cultural celebrations, all promoted within the library, and on its website and social media.

To explore one of these guides, visit our subject guides page and click on monthly features.

At the NJLA Conference on Thursday, May 30, Student Success Librarian Cheyenne Riehl presented a poster she co-authored with student worker Luke O'Connor and Access & Engagement Coordinator Jessica Martorano. The poster titled From A to Z: A User's Guide to Understanding Library Spaces provided librarians with an applicable toolkit on how to define and communicate their own library spaces to their patrons. This presentation aimed to demystify the reading room-like imagery surrounding academic libraries, reframing them as dynamic, inclusive gathering spaces that extend beyond quiet study areas. Through this presentation, attendees gained a comprehensive understanding of the modern academic library, equipped with knowledge and strategies to reshape their students' perceptions about academic libraries and nurture future student success. Click here to read the poster.