University Library News

Hi everyone! I'm Em Farmer and I'm the new research impact librarian for the FGCU library. I have an MLIS from Valdosta State University and my bachelor's in psychology from Oglethorpe University. 

Research impact refers to the effects that research has on society, the economy, and fields of study. It's a way of measuring how research influences practices and policies in real-world contexts. Assessing research impact involves looking at various indicators, such as citation counts, media coverage, and stakeholder feedback. It's a way to demonstrate the broader value and significance of research beyond just academic achievements.

Evaluating research impact is important for researchers for many reasons. On the large scale, it can help to justify investment to stakeholders, increase transparency in the research process, and promote accountability for researchers. On an individual level, it can be evidence for applying for grants, getting promoted, and earning awards. 

As stated in the strategic plan, FGCU prioritizes high impact practices. By emphasizing impact on an individual level, we get closer to achieving our university's vision. Having high levels of research impact can help the university's ranking, secure funding, and attract students and faculty. Focusing on issues and research on a larger scale like this also encourages interdisciplinary collaboration. 

I'm so excited to work here and help the university achieve its goals. Please reach out to me (emfarmer@fgcu.edu) if you are interested in maximizing your impact.

The University Library has just unveiled an exciting new feature: the One Button Studio. This innovative space is designed to make media creation simple and accessible, whether you’re a student, staff, or faculty member.

What Is the One Button Studio?

The One Button Studio is a user-friendly space equipped with a high-definition camera, professional lighting, and quality microphones. The magic happens with just a single button press that starts the recording process, taking care of all technical adjustments for you.

Why It Matters

• Enhances Learning: Perfect for recording lectures, class assignments, or working on multimedia projects, the studio supports various academic and creative needs.
• Accessible to All: It eliminates the technical barriers to high-quality media production, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to create professional content.
• Fosters Creativity: By simplifying the recording process, the studio encourages more innovative and engaging projects across the university.

Getting Started

1. Book Your Time: Reserve your slot via the library’s website or Main Circulation Desk.
2. Prepare Your Content: Plan what you want to record beforehand.
3. Record Easily: Follow the simple instructions, press the button, and let the studio handle the rest.
4. Edit and Review: Use the library’s resources or your own software to finalize your content.

The One Button Studio is a game-changer for anyone looking to produce high-quality media with ease. We’re excited to see the creative projects that will emerge from this new addition to our library.

If you have any questions, please email Matt Losey, mlosey@fgcu.edu, Creative Commons Lab Coordinator.

FGCU Library staff have been busy looking at the list of textbooks for next semester and have prepared over 1500 course materials lists that correspond with courses on offer during the fall semester. The library covers over half of the fall 2024 textbooks with library-owned materials either in print or electronic format!

If you are a student, check and see if there are reading lists for courses you are taking (or are interested in taking). Your course textbook could be available for you to borrow or to view online at no cost to you!

If you are an instructor, check and see if we have already made you a course reading list. If there is a reading list for your course with library-owned materials in it, be sure to share with your students by activating your lists in your Canvas courses. You can easily add more books, videos, articles, and websites to any pre-made reading lists to make them your own. If you don’t have a pre-made list, you can always create one!

Course Reading Lists are available for any FGCU faculty member to create or edit. These course readings lists can be fully integrated into Canvas, making it easy for students to connect with course readings and resources. Course Reading Lists can be used to create low-cost or zero-cost courses using library resources or Open Education Resources (OER). See our complete guide to Course Reading Lists to learn about the possibilities.

How to Read a Library Created Course Materials List

The library creates online "reading lists" for courses each semester. We start those reading lists with required textbook information we get from the bookstore. If the library owns a print or electronic copy of the textbook, there will be a link or location information linked to that citation. If we do not own the textbook, only the title and ISBN information will appear, along with an indication that the book is available from the bookstore.

FGCU's ScholarsCommons is a public portal that highlights the scholarship and expertise of FGCU's community of scholars. It provides access to their collective research activities and allows anyone to view works including articles, book chapters, creative works, theses and dissertations and more. Works can be browsed or searched by subject, author, college/unit, or research type.

To date there are over 8,000 total works in ScholarsCommons, 63,325 views, and over 6,000 downloads worldwide. 

Please contact Kaleena Rivera (krivera@fgcu.edu) for more information, or to help answer any questions.

The University Library presents Pressbooks, an open-source application that you can use to create engaging and interactive Open Educational Resources that are freely available to your students on the first day of class. Create or compile multimedia-rich content that engages students and enhances their learning experience.

Register for an account here. Please note, however, that due to limited capacity, accounts will be approved on a first-come, first-serve basis. Don't miss out! Contact Regina Beard (rmbeard@fgcu.edu) with questions.

Join the Pressbooks community today and transform your teaching materials into dynamic assets that inspire learning.

The FGCU Library is looking for student 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.

The University Library Makerspace has been a hub of innovative projects, and we're excited to showcase a selection of student creations!

Drone life jacket

This prototype was created to help prevent the loss of drones if accidents happened over bodies of water. The housing would contain a water sensor, a small inflatable, and an air canister. If the water sensor was triggered it would use the air canister to inflate the raft, hopefully causing the drone to float on top of the water, and not sink. These designs were able to be iterated multiple times, thanks to the quick capabilities of the 3D printers.

Writing bird and card holder

These projects were completed by two students in the Occupational Therapy Master’s program as projects for a class. The writing bird assists those with low hand and wrist mobility with writing and drawings. The form of the writing bird allows for ergonomic holding and the wheels on the bottom allow for fluid movement across the writing surface. The holder was designed to be used in a variety of card games by an individual who has low dexterity in their hands and finger.

 

Solar Car & Dragster

This project is part of a technology competition by some of FGCU’s Dual Enrollment students at Dunbar High School. Their project is to design two cars. One that will be solar powered and must complete a course, while carrying a ping pong ball in the back. The other one, a dragster, will use a CO2 canister to see how far their design will allow the car to go. These vehicles had to adhere to a specified weight and size to meet the requirements of the competition, showcasing the precision and accuracy of translating the 3D models to physical ones. We also 3D printed a variety of other parts such as gears for the motor and used the Glowforge to create some housings and buffers between the moving parts and the ping pong ball.

Fans

As part of an engineering course here at FGCU, the students used the 3D printers to create their fan designs. Through this they can see which fan blade shapes and configuration yielded the most effective airflow. This project provided valuable insights into aerodynamics and design principles, allowing the students hands on learning of concepts they discuss in class.

These projects exemplify the creativity and problem-solving skills of students within FGCU's community.

The Library Media Production Studios are two studio spaces dedicated to creating high quality audio and visual content, and are also where FGCU’s student media groups, Eagle Radio and Eagle News TV, make their studio recordings. 

The studios are open to FGCU students, staff. Users are required to complete an orientation before reserving the studio.  You can complete an orientation online or in-person.

The studios are located in Library East. Video Production Studio is located in 142 and the Audio Production Studio is in 144.