Anna Carlin
The FGCU Library is looking for students to help us improve the library website. Any current FGCU student, undergrad or graduate that is over 18 years of age is eligible to participate. If chosen to participate, you will meet online with a library researcher where you will be given tasks to complete on the library website. Participants that complete the study will get a $25 Starbucks gift card. Complete the pre-screening survey to volunteer for the study or email Anna Carlin with questions.
Join us on Wednesday, March 12, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. for our third Scholar Series: Student Edition.
Grace Gentle, a graduate student in history and Betul Guner, a graduate student in curriculum and instruction, will present their talk, “The Life and Legacy of Ellen Peterson: A Teacher's Journey to Establishing an Environmentally Conscious Community in Southwest Florida.”
Ellen Peterson (1923-2011) was a community leader and activist. She dedicated her life to environmental conservation in Southwest Florida. In 2006, Peterson created the non-profit organization, Happehatchee Center Inc., on her property. Still serving the community today, the center is dedicated to environmental education and spirituality. As a champion of social causes, Peterson left a lasting impact on Southwest Florida.
The talk will take place on the first floor of Library West, by the Data Visualization Wall area. Snacks will be provided. Registration is encouraged but not required. Click HERE to register.
Join us on Monday, March 10, from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a virtual workshop that will help you enhance your Google Scholar skills.
Google Scholar, a subset of Google Web Search, is a search engine that helps users find scholarly literature such as articles, books, and theses. Google Scholar gets its information from academic publishers, professional societies, online repositories, universities, and other websites. Many students and faculty use Google Scholar, but are you getting as much out of it as you can?
In this virtual workshop you will learn the following:
How to set up Google Scholar to connect to our FGCU Library holdings
How to use Advanced Search functionality
How to set up your Google Scholar profile
And more
Register on the library’s calendar page to get our link to this virtual workshop. CLICK HERE.
By Emily Murray, Archives Coordinator
Happy Presidents Day! To celebrate, the University Archives and Special Collections looks back at the visionary leaders who have shaped Florida Gulf Coast University. From its founding to today, FGCU’s presidents have guided the university’s growth, innovation, and commitment to excellence. Join us as we honor their contributions and the lasting impact they’ve made on our students, faculty, community, and future generations to come.
First President:
In April 1993, Dr. Roy E. McTarnaghan was appointed as the founding university president, and shortly thereafter, the Florida Legislature named the institution “Florida Gulf Coast University.” On November 28, 1995, more than 600 people gathered for the university’s groundbreaking ceremony. However, it wasn’t until August 1997 that FGCU welcomed students. Approximately 2,584 students started that semester. Dr. McTarnaghan served as president for six years, playing a pivotal role in planning, shaping, and launching Florida’s 10th public university before retiring in May 1999.
Second President:
William C. Merwin served as Florida Gulf Coast University’s second president from July 1999 until his resignation in January 2007. Under his leadership, FGCU saw significant growth, including the development of its athletics program, an increase in enrollment to over 8,300 students, the expansion of campus housing, and the successful raising of more than $175 million in private gifts and donations.
In August 2007, Scott Lutgert, chair of the FGCU Board of Trustees, announced that Dr. Wilson G. Bradshaw would be the University’s third president. During his tenure, enrollment increased by 60% to nearly 15,000 students, the number of degrees granted annually doubled, several new campus buildings were constructed and he helped launch FGCU’s first doctoral program. Dr. Bradshaw served as president until his retirement in 2017.
Fourth President:
Dr. Michael V. Martin served as the fourth President of Florida Gulf Coast University from 2017 to 2023. During his presidency, he secured over 23.7 million dollars in funding for FGCU, led the institution through a global pandemic, increased four-year graduation rates to 19%, increased six-year graduation rates by 4.6%, and officially launched the Water School in 2019.
Fifth President:
Find out more information about the past Florida Gulf Coast University Presidents in their collections:
Are you interested in learning about the ins and outs of copyright? Join Dr. Robert N. Diotalevi on Monday, February 10, from 11 a.m. to noon for a virtual session that will provide an overview of important laws involving copyright. This session will include a PowerPoint presentation, a Q&A period and a demonstration of the Library’s Reading List tool.
Our presenter, Dr. Robert N. Diotalevi, is an Associate Professor and Founding Program Coordinator of Legal Studies here at FGCU. He brings an array of experience to the table having been a lawyer for 39 years and a member of the Massachusetts and Florida bars. In addition to law, he possesses degrees in accounting, communication and taxation. Dr. Diotalevi’s work has also been published in several journals worldwide.
Register on the library’s calendar page to get our link to this virtual workshop (https://fgcu.libcal.com/event/13690337).
By Victoria Jones, University Archivist
It’s the beginning of a new year and a new semester! With the hope and excitement that brings, it also means new assignments. Discussion posts, research papers, posters, and presentations are just a few of the many assignments that Florida Gulf Coast University students will be working on this semester. Some students may find that archives research is required in or could help their coursework. Archival research can be daunting for beginners; so, University Archives and Special Collections is providing five tips for getting started with archival research to make the process a little easier.
Before we begin discussing tips for using archives, it is important to understand what archives are. One definition for archives is, “collections of records which have been selected for permanent preservation because of their historical value.” We use the word record as a catch-all term to describe all the different types of materials that archives may house like letters, books, cassette tapes, film, maps, film, etc.
Archival research can be a fun and rewarding process. Here are five tips for beginners just getting started:
The best place to begin your archives research journey is our website! Unlike libraries, materials in archives are not openly available in the stacks. Instead, they are held in secure locations and brought to researchers upon request. That means that visitors need to have an idea of what they would like to see before they visit. Researchers can use the archives’ website to access our digital primary sources, our collection guide, and our finding aids.
Food and drinks are not allowed to prevent spills.
Researchers use pencils instead of pens to protect materials from ink stains.
Go slow and use items one at a time in order to keep records in the correct order.
3. Take Good Notes
Since archives material cannot be checked out, taking good notes can make or break a visit to the archives. As you go through your material make sure to write down interesting quotes and questions that you have. Also, make sure that you take note of the citation information – the collection, box, and folder number – so you can remember where you got your information.
Never be afraid to ask questions! Archival collections can be difficult to fully understand, but archivists are accustomed to the organization of the materials. Researchers should feel comfortable using archives staff as a resource. Ask us questions about specific materials or collections. We are always happy to help! You can ask questions by calling us at 239-745-4476, emailing us at libarchives@fgcu.edu , or scheduling a research consultation.
Archives research gets easier and better with practice! One way to improve your primary source research skills is to attend Archives Workshop. We offer a session that focuses on a specific skill or tool related to archives each month. This semester, we will offer four workshops. This month’s workshop, Treasure Maps of the Archives: Learn to Navigate Finding Aids, will teach attendees how to navigate finding aids to locate primary sources. It will be held on Tuesday, January 21, at 3 p.m. in the University Archives and Special Collections on the third floor. Keep up to date with our monthly workshops on the Library Calendar.
Archives research shouldn’t be intimidating. It can be a fun and illuminating process, but the most important part is getting started. We hope to see you as you perfect your practice and work towards becoming an expert archives researcher!
Do you have an interest in researching public opinion data? Roper iPoll is a deeply informative and interactive opinion data research platform produced by the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research at Cornell University.
On Monday, January 13 from 1:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. and Thursday, January 16 from 11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., librarians Steve Rokusek and Hansen Zhang will host an Introduction to Roper iPoll workshop for students, faculty and staff.
Roper iPoll offers nearly a million survey and poll questions, response data, associated reporting, methodology and transparency documentation (such as survey organization and sponsor information, mode, field dates, etc.), full questionnaires, related survey ephemera and more. In the workshop, attendees will learn how to find and extract data, browse public opinion data of various topics and learn how to download a data set.
Register on the library’s calendar page to get our link to this virtual workshop.
Please select either:
On Monday, January 13 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Steve Rokusek (FGCU Social Sciences Librarian) and Dr. Robert N. Diotalevi (FGCU Associate Professor and Founding Program Coordinator of Legal Studies) will host a legal research workshop.
This workshop will delve into the basics of legal research including writing skills and techniques. Topics such as a survey of the American Legal System, case and statute citation, and the various types of authorities and how they apply in legal research will be covered. The library’s online legal resources will also be discussed. A question-and-answer period will follow the presentation.
Rokusek has been our Social Sciences Librarian for more than 10 years, serving as the liaison to multiple departments and programs including Legal Studies, Criminal Justice, Forensic Studies and Political Science. Dr. Robert Diotalevi has been a lawyer for 39 years as a member of Massachusetts and Florida bars. In addition to law, he possesses degrees in accounting, communication and taxation.
Students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend. Register on the library’s calendar page to get the link to this virtual workshop by clicking HERE.
By Emily Murray, Archives Coordinator
During the Fall semester, the University Archives and Special Collections hosted four incredible student interns - Isabella Elg, Presley Long, Sierra Smith, and Zephyr Wolfe. The internship program is designed to broadly introduce students to the fields of archives and librarianship as they pursue their academic and career interests. Students experience the day-to-day operations, including collection management, preservation, outreach, and reference work. As a final task, students must complete a cumulative project that showcases their work, in any format, throughout the semester.
Isabella Elg
As a freshman pursuing a double major in English and Communications with a concentration in Public Relations, Isabella contributed her skills to the America in the Depression Years Collection, President’s Collection, University Marketing and Communications, and the Kevin Erwin Environmental Collection.
For the final project, Isabella presented a poster at the Symposium of Undergraduate Research and Internships (SURI) that reflected her internship experience.
Presley Long
Presley, a sophomore studying English with a minor in Creative Writing, immersed herself in the Mainsail Video Productions Inc. Collection, President’s Collection, and the Floridiana Collection throughout the semester.
For the final project, Presley wrote a Case Study regarding the digitization, metadata, and the use of ArchivesSpace with the postcards from the Floridiana Collection.
Sierra Smith
As a senior majoring in Political Science with a minor in Gender Studies, Sierra furthered the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Collection and the Porecki Orchid Collection.
For the final project, Sierra created a digital humanities project that maps orchid stamps from around the globe from the Porecki Orchid Collection.
Zephyr Wolfe
Zephyr is a senior majoring in History and dedicated their time to the FGCU Athletics Collection, Oral History Collection, and the Sanibel Island Collection. For the final project, Zephyr designed a zine that reflected their internship experience.
As the semester comes to a close, the University Archives and Special Collections want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Isabella, Presley, Sierra, and Zephyr for their incredible contributions. Each student brought unique skills, perspectives, and dedication to their work, leaving a lasting impact on these collections.
We are so proud of all that you have accomplished and wish each of you all the best in your future endeavors—you will always have a place in the archives community! ❤️
For more information about University Archives and Special Collections internships, please contact Emily Murray (eamurray@fgcu.edu).
By Xena McKinley, Archives Assistant
I started working with the University Archives and Special Collections after participating in the internship program in the Summer 2024 semester. Throughout my internship, I had the opportunity to create a display with rare materials from the Koreshan Unity Collection and contribute to the Dean’s Council finding aid.
Since the Fall 2024 semester, I have been working to document the history and lived experience of World War II Navy veteran, Lawrence Quinn (1918-1999) who served on U.S. Navy destroyers, including the U.S.S. Borie (DD-215) before she was lost in battle in 1943. His photographs, letters, and reports were brought to us by his son, Jeffrey Quinn to preserve and digitize. My role is to make digital scans that are added to the Lawrence Quinn Collection on our digital repository, DigitalFGCU, and to create a digital humanities project that helps tell his father’s life story.
It is inspiring to read how Lieutenant Quinn was remembered by his shipmates; he was known as the one who would make them laugh despite their situations. Reading the handwritten letters that he would send home helps give such a unique perspective of the daily life of naval officers during the war. The letters he received from his fellow shipmates after the war, are heartwarming as they reminisce over the ways they passed the time on duty and found ways to have lighthearted moments during a tumultuous time.
It has been a genuine privilege to be able to help weave the threads of Lieutenant Quinn’s life and naval career together for his family and future generations to appreciate. The opportunity to work at the University Archives and Special Collections and this collection, has helped solidify the importance of this kind of work. I have gained valuable experience in the field and I now want to build my career in. Once I graduate this May, I plan to attain my graduate degree as soon as possible and continue to preserve as much history as I can as a reparative archivist.
Find out more about Lieutenant Quinn by visiting the Lawrence Quinn Collection on Digital FGCU and make sure to keep an eye out for the digital humanities project, coming soon! For more information about this project and University Archives and Special Collections internships, please contact the Archives Coordinator, Emily Murray (eamurray@fgcu.edu).