What's New is the Library's newsletter.
Fall 2023
Welcome, Dean Alamillo!
In June 2023, Dean Karen Schneider transitioned from the University Library to serve as Executive Director of the School of Extended and International Education. We thank Dean Karen Schneider for shepherding the library through tumultuous times and wish her the best. While the library and university prepare to execute a search for the next Dean of the library, we are glad to welcome Dean Laura Alamillo. Dean Alamillo was appointed Dean of the School of Education at Sonoma State University in 2020 and will continue to serve as Dean of the School of Education while supporting the library in a part-time capacity.
Who Do I Contact?
Do you have questions about library services? Want to schedule a library workshop for your students? Have a suggestion for something we should add to the collection? Want some advice on publishing open access or finding the right journal for your article? Reach out to your subject librarian.
- Arts and Humanities: Laura Krier, Collection Development Librarian (who can also help with any questions related to the library’s collections, course materials, or putting things on reserve)
- Business and Economics: Kaitlin Springmier, Instruction and Learning Assessment Librarian (who can also help with any questions related to incorporating information literacy into your course and building assessment plans)
- Education: Kaitlin Springmier
- Science and Technology: Rita Premo, Scholarly Communications Librarian (who can also help with questions about copyright and Fair Use, publishing and sharing your research, and incorporating the SSU Makerspace into your curriculum)
- Social Sciences: Hilary Smith, Special Collections Librarian (who can also help with questions about incorporating primary source research into your class or using the library’s unique special and regional collections and university archives)
California Newspapers Online
You now have access to current issues of many California newspapers, including the Press Democrat, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Sacramento Bee, and the San Jose Mercury News. Many titles include access to image editions that let you see the newspaper as it was published in print. Just look for the links that say “image edition” in OneSearch. Visit America's News to see the full list of titles available. And don’t forget, you and your students also have FREE access to the New York Times! Create your account at accessnyt.com.
North Bay History in JSTOR
Sonoma State’s special collections are now more easily discoverable via JSTOR! The library’s Special Collections and Archives has partnered with JSTOR Open Community Collections to increase access to primary source content in three distinct collections: Earthquake of 1906, North Bay Historic Preservation Collection, and the Roy Maxwell Talbot Digital Collection. We’ll be adding more of our digital collections soon! Search these collections on JSTOR.
Gallery Exhibit: Scenes from Mrs. Vera’s Daybook
The Sonoma State University Library is showing Scenes from Mrs. Vera’s Daybook from August 21 to December 22, 2023. Featuring the work of photographer Michael Johnstone and costumer David Faulk, this exhibit examines everyday life, alienation, magic, and survival by following colorful and evocative drag queen Mrs. Vera around the world. Please join us in celebrating this remarkable exhibit at the gallery reception on Thursday, August 31, 2023, from 4:00 - 6:00 PM.
Workshops, Receptions, and Makerspace Fun
The SSU Library is planning a variety of events for the Fall semester, including a reception for the exhibition Scenes from Mrs. Vera’s Daybook, workshops on citation management, class presentations, teaching research in the age of artificial intelligence, and a monthly seasonally specific Makerspace program. To keep up to date and share with your students, check the library website for more details.
Library Media Creation Studios
The library is preparing to re-purpose the former Stevenson Surge space, and is planning to create new study rooms, student meeting rooms, and book-able media creation studios that students can use to record, edit, and mix their digital media projects and assignments. We would love to hear from you about what kinds of projects you might assign and what kinds of tools you think students could use.