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Libraries, News & Events

Library Hours restored for the Spring Semester

January is traditionally a quiet time on campus with most students away for J-Term.  While on some level we enjoy the slower pace, it can get a little too quiet around here.  That’s why we always look forward to the start of a new semester and the renewed energy of students returning to campus.

The O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library is open seven days a week, most nights until 12:00 am.  Check here for more details and sporadic schedule changes throughout the semester.  And note that OSF Library access will be available by St. Thomas ID card only after 8:00 pm. 

And if it’s a quiet place to study, or a lively environment to meet with a group, the OSF library has space to accommodate everyone; along with the re-opening of Stacks Cafe, our in-library coffee house that offers drinks and light snacks. 

As a reminder, librarians and library staff are here to help students at any point in their research process, either in the library or via online databases that they can access from remote locations 24/7.  We are all here to help students have a successful semester! 

News & Events, O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library, Special Collections and Archives

Folio Society Books on Exhibit

Step into the O’Shaughnessy Room, affectionately known as “The Leather Room,” on the main floor of the O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by a treasure trove of classic works of history and literature. These gems were generously donated to the library by the late John O’Shaughnessy (grandson of I. A. O’Shaughnessy and a former member of St. Thomas’s Board of Trustees).

This remarkable collection pays homage to the artistry of the book. A significant portion of this collection is the output of the Folio Society, a publisher renowned for producing exquisite, illustrated editions of the world’s greatest books and facsimiles of historically significant manuscripts.

Currently on display within the room’s exhibit cases are:

– a facsimile of “The Royal Choirbook”: a collection of vocal motets which were presented King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon in 1518.

–  a facsimile of the Hereford Mappa Mundi: the largest and most elaborate map of the fifteenth century, offering a captivating glimpse into the geographical and cultural perceptions of the era.

–  limited edition publications of Jonathan Swift’s Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World, Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories.

News & Events

Qualitative Data Analysis Software Options at the Library

Two cartoon researchers interact with graphs and charts that swirl around them

 

Nvivo Cancelation:  

After careful consideration, St. Thomas Libraries will cancel our on-campus physical subscription to Nvivo. This means that the Nvivo product will not be available on St. Thomas Library computers in Spring 2024.   

However, the St. Thomas Libraries will continue to offer resources, software training, and general support surrounding Nvivo and other Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) software products to help you plan a qualitative research project and collect, analyze, and share qualitative data. 

More information about Qualitative Data Analysis Software:  

Qualitative data is non-numeric data gathered from sources like interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, participant observation, open-ended surveys, and recordings. Generally, qualitative data is used to understand opinions and experiences. Manual analysis of qualitative data is often very time-consuming and challenging but QDA software makes the data easier to understand, interpret, and process.  

QDA software helps with:  

  • Data coding, categorization, and assisting researchers in recognizing themes and categories 
  • Text search and retrieval by finding specific information in large data sets  
  • Visualization including graphs and charts created in seconds   

Qualitative research support is open to all students, researchers, faculty, and staff interested in using qualitative software and in qualitative research in general. 

St. Thomas students can purchase Nvivo for their personal computers at a reduced student rate. A similar QDA product such as Taggette, Dedoose, ATLAS.ti, or MAXQDA may also be cheaper and more relevant to your needs.   

Questions? Reach out to Conrad M. Woxland, Academic Services Librarian. Learn more here 

News & Events

Extra library hours and events for students during finals week

While this is an exciting time of year, it can also be a stressful time for students with the end of the semester and upcoming finals. As the St. Thomas community prepares for finals, the library is here both physically and virtually to help students ace their finals.

Leading up to finals, the O’Shaughnessy-Frey library will remain open until 10 PM on Friday, December 15th and Saturday, December 16th with normal library hours for the rest of the week.

Along with some longer hours, the Libraries sponsor special events during those weeks to help students relax while they work.

One of our most popular events is when we invite trained therapy pets into the library for students to cuddle and play with. While the last therapy pet night is on December 14th, the library sponsors this event a few times throughout each semester, and always during finals week. Something students can look forward to in the spring.

Focus on Finals is an annual event where the library, along with the Center for Student Achievement, provides a cozy environment for students to study and enjoy seasonal treats. This year Focus on the Finals will be on Sunday, December 17th in the library from 7:00-9:00.

And as always, the librarians are on hand until the very end of the semester for any last-minute research needs 24/7 via Ask a Librarian Chat, and scheduled consultations in person, email, or Zoom.

The entire campus is closed from December 23, 2023 until January 2, 2024. The University Libraries re-open on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, with regular hours beginning at 7:30 AM. See you in 2024!

News & Events

Students can access daily national newspapers through the Libraries

It’s a well-known fact that students have access to online library resources which contain the full text of scholarly and popular resources, articles, books, and book chaptersWhat’s noteworthy is that the libraries have recently acquired subscriptions to the digital, web-based versions of The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. In the past, students could access these newspapers, but they were presented in a static format without images that did not allow students to browse headlines.

The new arrangement allows students to easily browse headlines and read complete articles on their phones or laptops. Furthermore, they can explore additional content from these newspapers’ websites, including videos, podcasts, puzzles, and games.

For those who seek more analysis of current news stories, the libraries now subscribe to the web version of The Atlantic Monthly, a highly respected journal with a rich history of covering politics, foreign affairs, the economy, culture, the arts, technology, and science. Additionally, for an international perspective on news, business, and politics, the libraries maintain a subscription to the web version of The Economist.

Accessing these news sources is free, but some may require you to create separate accounts, which are also free. You can find detailed instructions for setting up these accounts on our website. Additionally, our friendly librarians are here to help via Chat, Zoom, or in-person to answer any questions you may have.

We’re excited to provide students with access to these valuable resources and are eager to assist with all their research needs throughout the year.

News & Events

Sunsetting Leisure Reading Collection

cartoon images of books on a blue background

The St. Thomas Libraries regret to announce the Leisure Reading Collections at the St. Paul O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library and the downtown, Minneapolis Keffer Library are being retired. The Leisure Reading Collections started in 2008 and provided popular fiction and non-fiction titles to the St. Thomas community.  

The St. Thomas Libraries encourage patrons to visit and support local public libraries to find popular reading titles.  If patrons have a permanent address within the Twin Cities area, they may be eligible to sign up for a library card at the St. Paul Public Libraries, the Hennepin County Libraries, or the Ramsey Country Libraries. These library systems also offer ebooks and audiobooks on the popular Libby app, which can be accessed through an e-library card. Check out your local library’s webpage to learn more.  

Questions? Reach out to Meghan Manahan, the Associate Director for Collection Management & Services, at mkmanahan@stthomas.edu

by Deb Juarez Wohlert

Art, Database Highlights & Trials, New Materials, News & Events

JSTOR: It’s not just for articles anymore!

Two films strips appear horizontally with different images from the JSTOR collections inside the film strip. Images include drawings of plants, art, newspapers, and photos

When we hear the name JSTOR, scholarly journal articles often come to mind.  However, over the years, the platform has evolved into so much more than a database of academic journals.  

JSTOR is still expanding! It currently contains a vast array of resources, making it an indispensable tool for students and academics across 75 different disciplines. It also includes electronic books from over 300 academic publishers and, by August 2024, will fully integrate the ArtSTOR database into its platform. 

Recognizing the significance of primary sources in academic research and exploration, JSTOR has ventured into the realm of primary source collections. The Collections section offers a compilation of images and primary sources contributed by libraries, museums, and archives from around the world.  This inclusion broadens the scope of research possibilities and enhances the depth of insights. 

Beyond the expansion of its core content, JSTOR sponsors several unique collections that cater to specialized interests and research fields.  While you will need a St Thomas ID and password to explore, some noteworthy collections include: 

  • 19th Century British Pamphlets :  This collection houses over 26,000 important pamphlets held in research libraries in the United Kingdom.  It is a valuable resource for the study of sociopolitical and economic factors impacting 19th-century Britain. 
  • Struggles for Freedom : Southern Africa : Comprising of over 190,000 pages of documents and images, this collection documents the liberation of Southern Africa and the dismantling of the Apartheid regime in South Africa. 
  • World Heritage Sites : Africa  :  Linking visual, contextual, and spatial documentation of African heritage sites, this collection houses over 57,000 objects, ranging from photographs and 3D models, to historical maps, and research. 
  • Global Plants : With nearly 3 million objects, it is the largest community-contributed database in which herbaria share their plant-type specimens.  Experts determine and update the names of plants, making it an invaluable resource for botanists and researchers in the field. 

With these integrations, JSTOR is truly living up to its tagline “Explore the world’s knowledge, cultures, and ideas.”   

By: Ann Kenne, Head of Special Collections and University Archivist

Images in the above media are from JSTOR expanded collections

News & Events

Libraries inspire curiosity outside of the classroom


The O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library caters to a variety of needs and interests for students on campus. It provides traditional library spaces where students can find a quiet environment to read, relax, and explore the extensive book collection across four floors. These conventional library activities remain relevant even in today’s technology-driven era.
Additionally, the library offers spaces for social interaction. The first floor encourages conversation and group work, with multiple computers available, and there’s even a coffee shop serving a wide range of hot and cold gourmet coffee drinks and light treats. Moreover, students can utilize the podcast studio in the library that is equipped with necessary tools and software, allowing them to access multimedia resources for class-related projects or personal endeavors.
And when students do need to focus on writing papers or using library resources, the library staff will be readily available to assist them. More on that next month.
As an academic library, OSF aims to promote curiosity and motivate users to explore diverse subjects, expanding their knowledge beyond the classroom. By integrating both traditional and modern elements, the library creates an inclusive and dynamic environment, enhancing the overall learning experience for students.

Database Highlights & Trials, Media/Music Collections, Music, News & Events

CLASSICAL MUSIC OF INDIA

SERIES 1

Music is an inseparable part of Indian Culture which reflects how the nation is diversified for its cultures, language, food, and people. Indian music heritage is an ever-expanding treasure that is passed down from generation to generation. It dates to Vedic times over 6,000 years ago, where chants developed a system of musical notes and rhythmic cycles. There are many genres of Indian music like classical, regional folk, Sufi, Ghazals, Filmi and Indian pop music, and it is the uniqueness of Indian music which brings millions of fans together worldwide.

Indian Classical Music

Indian classical music is very closely connected to nature and takes inspiration from the seasons and times of the day. It has two fundamental elements or concepts named ‘Raag’ and ‘Taal’.

‘Raag’ is a melodic framework and forms the structural framework of the music. It consists of specific set of notes which construct the melody. ‘Tala’, on the other hand, is a rhythmic structure or beat that measures the musical time, and it works as a base on which Raga is created. It can induce specific emotional response ranging from ‘Happy’, ‘Sad’, ‘Calm and relaxed’, ‘tensed’ etc.

Genres of Indian Classical Music

Before 13th century, there was only one Indian classical music but after that the Indian Classical Music got divided into two sections and different styles. The North Indian Hindustani Classical Music which is practiced in North India and The South Indian Carnatic Classical Music which is practiced in South India
Similarities:

  • Although they have differences in styles, interpretations, and audience appeal, they both are Raga based and share similar origin and themes.
  • Both the musical styles use a Tanpura as a Drone instrument which support the melody of another instrument or singer and create the pitch and base for the performance.
  • Both the music developed through common ancestors, Sanskrit language, and Vedic traditions.

 Differences:

  • Both Raga and Tala being the central notion of both the music traditions, the sound and result is different and same raags and musical concepts have different names due to difference in the language.
  • The Carnatic music is free from external influences and is pure, while the north Indian music has Persian and Mughal influence.
  • The Carnatic music was originated in Bhakti Movement, while the Hindustani music was originated in Vedic period.

Namaste!!

Listen via our database about Indian Classical Music, concerts, and the finest musicians:
Rules of Raga (Video)
https://login.ezproxy.stthomas.edu/login?URL=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=99819&xtid=113462
Ravi Shankar Live in Concert: (Video)
https://login.ezproxy.stthomas.edu/login?url=https://video.alexanderstreet.com/p/mq784B4xn
Indian Classical Music: (Video)
https://login.ezproxy.stthomas.edu/login?URL=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=99819&xtid=5066
Ravi Shankar: The Man and His Music (Video)
https://login.ezproxy.stthomas.edu/login?URL=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=99819&xtid=4345
South Indian Classical Music House Concert (Video)
https://login.ezproxy.stthomas.edu/login?url=https://video.alexanderstreet.com/p/gp78oOP83

By Pragya Verma