Category: Uncategorized

Gömböc Unveiling

Do you know what a gömböc is? Do you want to see one in person?

The gömböc is an object that always comes to rest in the same position, having only one stable point of equilibrium. Its existence was theorized in 1995 by Russian mathematician Vladimir Arnold. The most well-known solution was proven in 2006 by Hungarian scientists Gábor Domokos and Péter Várkonyi.

In November 2019, Dr. Domokos approached the University of Regina Library about donating a gömböc with a unique serial number to the University of Regina. Since 2007, uniquely-numbered gömböc models have been gifted to esteemed individuals and institutions around the world. In receiving the gömböc numbered 1911, the University of Regina will become the second institution in Canada to house a unique gömböc (joining the University of Toronto)!

The gömböc is a tangible proof of mathematical theory, made material through the ingenuity of modern science. The gömböc has attracted attention in the fields of engineering, geology, biology, and even in the fine arts.

Join us to see this object in person during Pi Day celebrations on Friday, March 13, 2020 at 1:00 in the RIC Atrium. Refreshments provided!

Don’t forget to stay after the unveiling of the gömböc to witness the pie-eating contest, and enjoy some free pie courtesy of the Mathematics, Actuarial Science, and Statistics Student Society (MASS).

*Facts about gömböc taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6mb%C3%B6c

Feature Collection: Music for March

This month the Archer Library hallway display case is featuring Music for March, highlighting one of our many wonderful library collections!

Did you know you can borrow music (recordings, scores, sheet music,
song books, etc.) from the library? 

Check out the M Section on the third floor of Archer for books, or come chat with us at the Help Desk for more information!

Just for fun: Does the line of music at the top of the display ring any bells?

Behind the Scenes: Micromaterials

Way up on the 6th floor of the Archer Library, overlooking splendid views of Wascana Park, is our micromaterials collection.

Photo by Jennifer Hall

Hidden within the reels of microfilm and drawers of microfiche cards are the archives of major newspapers, government documents, historical documents, and publications from a wide variety of disciplines.

Photo by Jennifer Hall

All of our micromaterials are searchable in the library’s search engine, Quick Find. If you find any micromaterial sources in our catalogue that you want to access, please visit staff at the Help Desk for assistance.

Upcoming Workshop–Using Open Textbooks

Panel Discussion: “Using Open Textbooks – Instructor and Student Experiences”

The University of Regina’s Open Textbook Publishing Program in collaboration with Archer Library is pleased to announce the second of three workshops on open educational resources. A panel of instructors and students will provide their personal perspectives on using open textbooks as teachers and as learners, and will share their thoughts on the future of open educational resources.

When: Wednesday 26 February from 10:30 – 11:45am

Where: LY 107.33 (Archer Library)

A panel of instructors and students who are using open textbooks in their courses will provide their personal perspectives on their experiences. Participants will learn about the benefits and realities of using open textbooks, as well as the challenges and potential areas for improvement. Panelists will also share their thoughts on the future of open educational resources. This panel discussion will be moderated by Cara Bradley, Research& Scholarship Librarian, University of Regina.

For more information on this workshop, please contact open.textbooks@uregina.ca.

Behind the Scenes: The Basement

There are hidden worlds within libraries that the public usually never gets to see. One of the Archer Library’s secret spots is the basement storage, filled with rows upon rows of archival treasures, carefully curated in boxes.

Although it’s a large space, it can give one the feeling of claustrophobia as you walk through the densely packed shelves. The dim lighting and grey concrete walls give it a thrillingly eerie quality. There’s always the temptation to frequently look behind you, just in case…

Regina author Gail Bowen was obviously inspired by this creepy setting and used it as the scene of a murder in Burying Ariel, one of the books in the Joanne Kilbourn series. You can find Burying Ariel – and other works by Bowen – in the Archer Library. Don’t worry – you won’t have to go into the basement to find them!

Archer Library, 4th floor, call number PS 8553 O8995 B87 2000

We’re open until 2 a.m. during final exams!

Need more study time?

To serve our students, Archer Library will remain open until 2 a.m. from Sunday, December 8 to Friday, December 20, 2019.

Access from 11 p.m. – 2 a.m. will be to the main floor only, with 400 seats available. Services will be limited. Community Assistants will be monitoring the front door, refilling paper trays and performing seat counts.

Students are allowed to park in any M and Z lots after 5 pm (other than spots for persons with disabilities). It is recommended that students park in Lots 14 and 15 after 10 pm as access will remain open to the AdHum and Language Institute buildings after 11 p.m. for students utilizing nearby parking or returning to residences.  Students will also be able to move from the Archer Library through the Classroom and Lab hallways up to the Campus Security office in order to access parking on that side of campus.

University Food Services has committed to keeping the Lab Café Tim’s open until 10 p.m. during final exams from Monday to Friday. Don’t want to leave the Library? Visit the Lavazza Coffee machine located on the Library main floor in the Archer Alcove for coffee, specialty coffees and hot chocolate.

Want to eliminate the commute to campus during finals to save time – study more? Storm stayed on-campus this winter? Overnight accommodations are available at the University of Regina through Hospitality Services. Stay in a private dorm style room that includes a twin bed with bedding and a private washroom with towels and basic toiletries. All guests also have access to the community kitchen and lounge spaces with TV’s. Rate: $42/night. To book your stay please call us at 306-585-5450 or email your inquiry to Hospitality.Services@uregina.ca (indicate that you are a UofR student to receive the special rate).

Food for Fines

Once again the Dr. John Archer Library and the libraries of the federated colleges will be forgiving fines in exchange for food donations. For every food item you bring in, we will forgive $2 in fines, up to a maximum of $30. Donations made to Archer, Luther, and Campion will go to the URSU Cares Pantry; donations made to First Nations University will go to their own in-house student pantry.

There are a few important things to note before donating:

– Donated items must be non-perishable.

– Fine forgiveness applies only to overdue fines, not fines for lost or damaged items.

– Donations must be taken to the library that the fine is attached to.

Even if you don’t have fines, we will happily accept your donations!

The program runs from now until December 16th.

Treasuring Robinson Crusoe

The Treasuring Robinson Crusoe – 300 Years of Adventure Symposium is ongoing today! Details about the event are on the poster below. If you don’t have a chance to hear the panelists, check out the Robinson Crusoe display at Archer Library. Featured items include rare books from the William S. Lloyd Collection of Robinson Crusoe.