Learn about ChatGPT and generative AI with Quick Things for Digital Knowledge

Intrigued by the buzz about ChatGPT and DALL-E? Our Quick Thing for Digital Knowledge about generative AI (https://library.concordia.ca/apps/things/thing.html?thingID=22032) is a short explainer to help you learn more about emerging new tools, their promise, and their pitfalls.

The Library’s Quick Things for Digital Knowledge (https://library.concordia.ca/apps/things/) is a starting point for learning about emerging topics in our current data-rich and technology-driven world. This is not deep or difficult learning – it is broad, exploratory learning; trying something new in a simple way. Our topics so far include generative AI, Web 3.0 and the metaverse, data visualization, security & privacy, machine learning, and more.

You can spend as much time or as little as you’d like, but it will usually take 20–30 minutes to review the information and complete the activities for each Quick Thing. If you’re inspired to learn more, you can continue with the recommended resources for additional reading, videos, podcasts, or longer online courses.

If you’re an undergraduate student, you can complete a reflection form after reviewing the content and completing the activities for one of the Quick Things to have it count as one activity towards your Communication and Digital Capabilities certificate.

Technology Sandbox

Have you visited the Technology Sandbox yet? (https://library.concordia.ca/technology/sandbox/)

Opened in 2017 as part of the Webster Library Transformation, the Technology Sandbox is a community space where everyone can learn by doing, by making, by playing, and by sharing knowledge with each other – conveniently located on the second floor of the Webster Library building (LB 211) .

Some of the technologies in the space include 3d printers, sowing machines, virtual reality modules, Arduino computers and music synthesizers.

The Sandbox also offers a variety of technology workshops and provides audiovisual equipment that can be borrowed at the Loans & Returns Desk.

Different types of study spaces, and noise levels

Did you know that the Library offers a variety of study spaces to suit the needs of our users, with different acceptable noise levels? (https://library.concordia.ca/locations/study-spaces.php)

• Individual study – these are spaces geared towards silent study, where no talking or conversation is permitted. At the Webster Library, all readings rooms enclosed by glass are silent study spaces, while at the Vanier Library the silent study space is comprised of VL-1 and VL-2, and at the Grey Nuns it is the Reading Room that is silent.
  
• Social learning – these spaces are collaborative study areas where speaking softly is allowed. However, loud talking and long cell phone conversations are discouraged. At the Webster Library, the unenclosed areas fall in this category (i.e., spaces between Reading Rooms, tables along the side of the atrium, tables on LB-3 and LB-4 along MacKay St., group study rooms, and presentation practice rooms). At the Vanier Library, and Grey Nuns, the group study rooms fall in this category.
  
• Zero-noise – currently, the Friends of the Library room in the Webster Library (LB-361) has been set aside to provide a peaceful oasis for quiet reflection. Absolute silence is required in this room, and no keyboarding or talking is permitted.

Concordia library open for study

The Concordia library is open to users as of today. For more information, please see https://library.concordia.ca/covid19/index.php.

Don’t forget to wear your masks!

COVID-19

All the Library’s locations are temporarily closed until at least May 1. While our physical locations are closed, we are committed to supporting you throughout this period in completing your studies, teaching, and research.

We will continue to monitor the suggestions emails, so please keep writing!

For information on which Library services are available during this period, please visit https://library.concordia.ca/covid19/.

 

Concordia User Navigation Project

We are looking for participants for a User Navigation Project at Concordia University Library. We are asking for a commitment of 90 to 120 minutes. Participants will be compensated with a $40 gift card of their choice to either Amazon, Pharmaprix, Metro grocery store or Concordia Bookstore.

Participants will be given a task and asked to find their way around the library to accomplish that task. After completion, there will be an interview to discuss the participants’ navigation of the library. Due to the scope of the project, not all people who apply can be selected for participation.

For more information about the project see: https://library.concordia.ca/about/improvement/?guid=postcard

Questions about the project can be sent to: lib-suggestions@concordia.ca

Mask requirements in the library

Since the library opened its spaces in August, a few users have expressed concerns over other users not following the mask requirements adequately.

Concordia has taken extensive safety measures to ensure that public health guidelines are followed on campus spaces, in order to protect the health, safety, and physical well-being of the Concordia community, and to keep transmissions at a minimum during in-person activities.

It is of the utmost importance that students wear their procedural masks at all times when in the Library. To ensure that students comply with the mask directive, security has been stepped up at both libraries and there is a dedicated agent patrolling the library from 08:00 to 24:00, 7 days a week to ensure that public health measures are being respected.

Should you see a student violating the masking guidelines and feel unsafe, please notify staff at a service point or campus security, report the mask violation, and a security agent will arrive to ensure that health guidelines are followed. A quick and convenient way to do this is through Concordia’s new  Rave Guardian app – once you have downloaded the app on your phone, you can send a text to security to inform them of the incident. They will be able to access your location through your phone’s GPS and rectify the situation in a firm and timely manner.

Stay safe everyone!

Graduate study spaces

We’ve heard from users that non-graduate students sometimes use the graduate study space on the 5th floor in the Webster Library (LB-561, LB-562, LB-564 and LB-545). These rooms are reserved for and should only be used by graduate students.

Security agents will be checking for IDs in this area periodically, to ensure that it is used by the intended students.

Send us a postcard from your travels around the library!

We are interested in learning more about how users locate the library’s services and navigate the physical spaces.  Once we know this, we can come up with solutions regarding wayfinding in the newly renovated Webster Library and in the planning of any Vanier improvements.

Before we can start improving the wayfinding in the library, we first need to know, what are the problems? What resources or services do you find hard to find? What things frustrate you as you move about the library?

We have set up blue mailboxes around the library and are asking users to send us a postcard about things they find frustrating or hard to find as they travel around the library. The mailboxes stations will be in place for the month of October 2019.

Chair massages for Concordia students

Take a seat and relax! As of today and until Thursday of next week (April 9-11, 1-5 p.m.), free professional 10-minute chair massages are being provided for all Concordia students on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Webster and Vanier libraries. This calming service is made possible by the Library Services Fund.