Author: Tate Penner

Did you know that the University Libraries can help you publish Open Access (OA) without paying a fee?

In 2024, University Libraries began participating in Read & Publish consortium subscription deals. These agreements include traditional journal access and cover OA publishing fees for affiliated authors. That means if you’re the corresponding author and affiliated with Wichita State, your OA publishing fees are already paid through the library’s subscription at no extra cost to you.

Join University Libraries for the Library Research Awards ceremony and reception from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 7 in the Ablah Library Digital Scholars Commons. The library will honor the winners of the Library Research Award: Jay Russell and Elizabeth Madden.

Help celebrate these students for their outstanding use of library resources, technology, staff and spaces to support their research efforts.

For the nights of Sunday May 11 through Tuesday, May 13, Ablah Library will stay open around the clock to give you flexible study time during finals week. All you need is your Shocker ID.

As you gear up for finals, take a break with some friendly therapy dogs from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, May 7 on the first floor of the Ablah Library.

Stop by to reset and recharge before diving back into your end-of-semester prep. The event is hosted by Student Success and University Libraries.

Stop by Ablah Library for PAWS & Relax, an event hosted by Student Success and University Libraries, from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, May 7 on the first floor of Ablah Library. Therapy dogs will be on-site to offer a calm and friendly break as the campus prepares for the end of the semester.

Take a moment to visit — or encourage your students to stop by for a quick break during this busy time of year.

Dr. Brent Mai, dean of University Libraries, will be holding a town hall style event at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24 in the Digital Scholars Commons of Ablah Library and virtually via Microsoft Teams to chat about “What’s Going On in the Library.”

Topics include the impact of the libraries’ March 16 flood, the potential impact of the pause in federal funding through the IMLS, membership in the MOBIUS Consortium, relocation of the Holmes Anthropology Museum and ongoing management of the libraries’ collections. What we in the libraries call a “LibGuide” is also available with information about these topics.

Join University Libraries May 5 at the Ablah Library Collaboration Hub to explore student research on the connections between the Bible and archaeology. Posters will be on display all day, and students will be available to discuss their work from 2 to 3:15 p.m.

For questions, reach out to Rannfrid Thelle at Rannfrid.Thelle@wichita.edu.

Join the First-Year Research Experience (FYRE) from 3 to 5 p.m. May 12 at Ablah Library’s Collaboration Hub for a captivating showcase of research projects. Explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics projects from first-year Shockers already putting their research skills to work.

This event is open to everyone, and food will be provided, so mark your calendars and don’t miss out. Learn more at wichita.edu/fyre.

Join the University Libraries as it wishes Muhammad Usmani all the best as he begins new adventures in retirement. A come and go retirement reception will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 22 in 261 Rhatigan Student Center, Olive Room.

Muhammad, a 1992 graduate of the WSU computer science program, has served in a variety of IT roles since he joined the WSU family in 1997 – most of them related to the University Libraries in some way. From introducing the first local area network (LAN) in the libraries to implementing virtual reality platforms, Usmani has lead the adoption of new technologies in the libraries. During his tenure with WSU Libraries, he was instrumental in the creation of the C-Space and Digital Scholars Commons.

Throughout the years, he has had several titles that reflected his growing responsibilities. Most recently, he has served as the director of library technologies. He has served on numerous university committees including the IT Advisory Committee, the WIN Portal Committee, the LUMINUS content management team and the President’s Diversity Council.

In all of his roles, he has remained consistently student-focused, nurturing, encouraging and inspiring students to be the very best at all that they do. Muhammad has also mentored countless students in recent years in his role as advisor to both the Pakistani Student Association and the Muslim Student Association.

In 2022, Usmani’s service was recognized by his induction into the Order of Bender of Twigs.

Encourage your students to attend the University Libraries workshop from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 15 at Ablah Library (in-person and online). And with the new attendance tracking system, offering extra credit for student participation is now simpler than ever.

This session will Introduce your students to the free public version of Tableau. They’ll learn how to transform data into compelling visual stories, enhancing their presentations and making complex data easier to understand.