MSL buzz: the Michael Schwartz Library blog

AI Tools for Academic Research
a free Zoom workshop
Thursday, April 10, 2025
11:30 am to 12:30 pm.

This live Zoom workshop, presented by Hanna Bernstein, will discuss a variety of AI-based tools to assist with academic research and reference management, as well as dive into ethics and citation guidelines relevant to academic research and publishing. Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with these tools and are encouraged to come with a research topic and/or scholarly articles they would like to explore.

Presented by the College of Graduate Studies and the Graduate & Professional Student Association, as part of their Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week celebration. GPSAW celebrates the accomplishments of our graduate & professional students and their contribution to the CSU community.
https://www.csuohio.edu/gsrc/graduate-student-appreciation-week

Hanna Bernstein is a student in the Masters of Library and Information Science Program at Kent State University, currently working with Diane Kolosionek, librarian at CSU’s Michael Schwartz Library. She is also a graduate of Cleveland State with a Bachelors in Spanish and Education and has a Masters in Hispanic Linguistics from University of Illinois at Chicago. Her research interests include Information Literacy, Critical Information Literacy, and the effects of Artificial Intelligence on Higher Education and Library Sciences.

Library Services Platform Migration
CSU faculty and staff will transition to state-of-the-art library software


We are excited to announce that as a member of the OhioLINK consortium, the Cleveland State University Libraries will be upgrading our library services platform to Ex Libris Alma/Primo in the summer of 2025. Alma/Primo is the most-used library system in U.S. academic libraries, and is used to manage day-to-day operations as well as to help faculty and students find and access the information they need for teaching, learning and research.

A Statewide Collaboration

CSU Library staff, along with colleagues at OhioLINK and 115 member libraries across the state, have been working tirelessly since June 2023 to bring this system migration to life. The project is right on track, and we can't wait to share the benefits with our community.

Enhancing User Experience

"We're looking forward to streamlining library resource management and providing new features that will better serve our faculty and students," notes Marsha Miles, Interim Director of the Michael Schwartz Library. Our campus can look forward to a more intuitive interface that makes finding print and electronic articles, books, and other library materials easier than ever.

What to Expect

As we approach the "go live" date, keep an eye out for more information about the new system and the changes it will bring. We'll be offering training sessions over the summer to ensure a smooth transition.

Questions?

If you're curious about the new system or have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. We're here to help!
 

This upgrade is not just about technology; it's about creating a more seamless and user-friendly experience for everyone on campus. Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to elevate library services and support the academic success of our community!

WHO ARE YOUR HEROES? NOMINATE THEM FOR A TEXTBOOK HERO AWARD!

Co-sponsored by the Michael Schwartz Library and the Student Government Association, the Textbook Hero Award is awarded annually to a faculty member who has put forth significant effort to replace a traditional textbook with a low-cost or open alternative, and whose efforts had a high impact on textbook costs, classroom engagement, and student achievement.

STUDENTS:  Do you have a professor who has chosen to use low cost or free course materials? Show them how much it means to you by nominating them for this year’s Textbook Hero Award!  Nominate your prof today - it only takes a few minutes - and help us encourage others to get on the bandwagon.  We've already saved CSU students over 2M in textbook costs!


FACULTY: If you are an affordability advocate, please encourage your students to nominate you for a Textbook Hero Award!  This teaching award, presented by the CSU Student Government Association, can be a valuable addition to your promotion and tenure portfolio.  Give your students a chance to formally say thank you! 
 

Textbook Hero Award Application, due April 8th, 2025:
 Nominate Your Hero Now!

Breaking News from Cleveland Memory:

The Cleveland Press Collection is digitized at last!

After years of anticipation and hard work, the 104-year run of the Cleveland Press has finally been digitized.  This monumental achievement marks a significant milestone in preserving Cleveland's rich history and making it accessible to the public.
 

Background

Several years ago, a surge in public and private interest sparked a detailed plan to digitize the Cleveland Press, the evening newspaper that played a pivotal role in Cleveland's journalism landscape from 1878 to 1982. The Cleveland Press Collection, now part of Cleveland State University's Special Collections, includes hundreds of thousands of photographs which the Michael Schwartz Library at Cleveland State University has shared for over 20 years through our Cleveland Memory web site.  But the bulk of the content – the stories, columns, and editorial commentary – have only been available to researchers on microfilm… until now.

The Digitization Process

Cleveland State University partnered with Newspapers.com to bring this extensive archive into the digital age, marking a crucial step in preserving this priceless historical resource. This timely collaboration has not only digitized the collection but also safeguarded it from the threat of vinegar syndrome, a chemical degradation process that affects cellulose acetate-based microfilms produced before the mid-1980s. 

While initial access to the digitized archive is limited, this preservation effort ensures the long-term viability of the collection and paves the way for wider availability in the future. The digitization process has effectively rescued decades of Cleveland's history from potential loss, allowing future generations to explore and study this rich journalistic legacy.

Access Details

• On-Campus Access: For now, free digital access is contractually limited to on-campus use by Cleveland State University students, faculty, staff and patrons for academic or research purposes. This access will expand after a three-year embargo period, potentially through platforms such as CSU's institutional repository, EngagedScholarship @ Clevelend State University.             
   
• Community Users and Independent Researchers: A dedicated workstation will be available in the library, allowing researchers to use the Newspapers.com interface. 
   
• Paid Subscriptions:  If you already have a paid subscription to Newspapers.com, or an all-access membership to Ancestry.com, you have access now! 
   

Visit the Cleveland Press Archive Online

Why This Matters

Preserving historical newspapers like the Cleveland Press is crucial for understanding the past and its relevance to the present, and allows future generations to grasp the complexities of history beyond the immediacy of social media.  As they say, history is written by the winners.  The editorial voice and viewpoint of the Press differed significantly from that of the Plain Dealer and other newspapers, and these insights and perspectives were in danger of being lost forever. 

“The staff here at CSU's Michael Schwartz Library has been eager to fully digitize the Cleveland Press for many years, and we're thrilled that digital access to the Press is finally a reality”, said Marsha Miles, Interim Director of the library. ”We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the "Friends of the Press," including former Press writers, editors, and photographers, whose unwavering advocacy has been instrumental in preserving this invaluable piece of Cleveland's history. Their insistence on bringing this project to fruition has ensured that this priceless archive is now available in perpetuity for research and exploration by the public."
 

About CSU's Cleveland Press Collection

Shortly after the Press ceased publication, a collection of over a million clippings and half a million photos from the Press's editorial library or “morgue” was donated to Cleveland State University's Michael Schwartz Library by the newspaper's owner, Joseph E. Cole, who was then a CSU Trustee.  

Since the inception of Cleveland Memory, we have dedicated ourselves to documenting and preserving the history of journalism in Cleveland, offering curated pathfinders celebrating and showcasing the photojournalists, journalists, columnists, editorial cartoonists, and independent, community and citizen journalists who have enriched Cleveland's vibrant tradition of news reporting.  Together with over 22,000 historical photographs, our Cleveland Press Collection site offers a rich selection of evocative and enlightening autobiographical accounts of Press workers, many of them to be found nowhere else.  

For over 20 years, the images from the Cleveland Press Collection have served as the foundation and heart of Cleveland Memory. It is fitting that these images are now complemented by the words and ideas they were originally intended to illustrate.
 

What's Next?

When the 3-year embargo period ends in 2028, we can expect broader access to this invaluable resource, enriching historical research and community engagement. The digitization of the Cleveland Press is a testament to the importance of preserving our collective memory and making it accessible for generations to come. 
 

Visit the Cleveland Press Archive Online today!

The Cleveland Memory Project, launched in 2002, is a freely searchable online collection of photographs, texts, oral histories, maps, drawings, postcards, videos and other local history resources, built by the Michael Schwartz Library at the Cleveland State University in collaboration with a host of community partners around Northeast Ohio.  

donate to Special Collections
(select “Library Special Collections” under Fund Designation)

https://www.clevelandmemory.org/
 

Call for Lightning Talk Proposals: OpenCon 2025
 

OpenCon Ohio 2025, a free, virtual conference about open education and textbook affordability, will be held online the week of May 19-22, 2025. During the week, asynchronous conversations will be held online in Discord to discuss prerecorded lightning talks. On Thursday, May 22, 2025 we will have virtual presentations, interactive conversations, and a keynote presentation delivered by Apurva Ashok, The Rebus Foundation’s Executive Director!

We are currently accepting proposals for 7-15 minute prerecorded lightning talks.

Submission form: https://forms.office.com/r/L7ehVEK7GC  

All proposal submissions are due on March 18th, 2025, and decisions about accepted submissions will be communicated by March 31, 2025, if not earlier. Proposals will be evaluated according to the proposal rubric.

Talks should preferably be related to the theme of Empowerment, Care, and Community in Open Education, though other topics are welcome. More information about the OpenCon Ohio 2025 event can be found at the conference website. 

Please feel free to direct any questions to OpenCon Ohio Planning Committee Co-Chairs, Mandi Goodsett at a.goodsett@csuohio.edu and/or Heather Caprette at h.caprette@csuohio.edu.

 

It's Open Education Week!
THURSDAY, MARCH 6th, 2025
 

Open Education week is an annual international celebration of the power of open education to improve student learning, faculty flexibility, and access to education.  We’re taking this opportunity to highlight some of our Affordability @ CSU initiatives. 

Affordability Syllabus Review Service

Are you a faculty member interested in using open education resources or other free course materials in your class but not sure where to start?

An affordability syllabus review offered by the Michael Schwartz Library is an opportunity for faculty to partner with their Personal Librarian to discover ways to integrate open educational resources into their course.

An affordability syllabus review ... 

• In no way obligates the faculty member to adopt any particular resource 
• May include a variety of options, including open educational resources, library-licensed content, and free materials online 
• Can be requested multiple times by a faculty member for different courses 
• May be returned to you up to 4 weeks after your request was submitted 
• Can be followed up with a conversation with the librarian for clarification or additional help

Get started now! Use the form below to submit your syllabus for review by one of our librarians:
Affordability Syllabus Review Submission Form

And don’t hesitate to reach out to your librarian with questions! 
 

It's Open Education Week!
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5th, 2025
 

Open Education week is an annual international celebration of the power of open education to improve student learning, faculty flexibility, and access to education.  We’re taking this opportunity to highlight some of our Affordability @ CSU initiatives. 

OhioLINK Spring 2025 OER Course Redesign Grant Program

Faculty are invited to apply for OhioLINK's OER Course Redesign Grant program. From May 19th, 2025 to June 13th, 2025, participants will engage in an asynchronous introduction to Open Educational Resources Course online. Participants will explore the basics of open education, review an open access or low-cost resource, learn how to align course content with learning outcomes, and reflect on advocating for affordable or open access course materials in the future. A small stipend is offered to participants.

The deadline to apply is April 18, 2025.

Details can be found on OhioLINK's Course Redesign Grant Page at https://www.ohiolink.edu/content/affordablelearning/course_redesign_grants

CSU faculty who participated in a previous OER Course Redesign Grant program include Michael Baumgartner, Professor, School of Music; Mike Okrent, Part-time Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Operations and Supply Chain Management; and Sathish Kumar, Associate Professor, Computer Science. There were 29 faculty from other institutions who also participated. 

Please reach out to Mandi Goodsett at a.goodsett@csuohio.edu with questions about this program! 

It's Open Education Week!
TUESDAY, MARCH 4th, 2025
 

Open Education week is an annual international celebration of the power of open education to improve student learning, faculty flexibility, and access to education.  We’re taking this opportunity to highlight some of our Affordability @ CSU initiatives. 

OpenCon Ohio 2025 – Submit a Proposal and Join Us!

OpenCon Ohio 2025, a free, virtual conference about open education and textbook affordability, will be held online the week of May 19-22, 2025. During the week, asynchronous conversations will be held online in Discord to discuss prerecorded lightning talks. On Thursday, May 22, 2025 we will have virtual presentations, interactive conversations, and a keynote presentation delivered by Apurva Ashok, The Rebus Foundation’s Executive Director!

We are currently accepting proposals for 7-15 minute prerecorded lightning talks.

Submission form: https://forms.office.com/r/L7ehVEK7GC  

All proposal submissions are due on March 18th, 2025, and decisions about accepted submissions will be communicated by March 31, 2025, if not earlier. Proposals will be evaluated according to the proposal rubric.

Talks should preferably be related to the theme of Empowerment, Care, and Community in Open Education, though other topics are welcome. More information about the OpenCon Ohio 2025 event can be found at the conference website. 

Please feel free to direct any questions to OpenCon Ohio Planning Committee Co-Chairs, Mandi Goodsett at a.goodsett@csuohio.edu and/or Heather Caprette at h.caprette@csuohio.edu.

 

Join us for a Friends Bus Excursion to the West Side Market

Wednesday, March 12, 2025
10:30 am through mid-afternoon
Tour, lunch, book discussion and more!
Register here to attend

On Wednesday, March 12th, 2025, the Friends of the Library will offer a guided tour of the West Side Market.  This historic Cleveland Market features over 70 vendors showcasing a diverse array of ethnic foods.  You’ll find premium meats, fresh seafood, vegetables,  baked goods, dairy products, cheeses, and even fresh flowers.

Rosemary Mudry, the Executive Director of the Cleveland Public Market Corporation, the new non-profit managing the West Side Market, will kick off the event with a sneak preview of the exciting renovation plans, including new spaces like a courtyard and a teaching kitchen.  Discover the vision for transforming the Arcades, Alleys, and Mezzanine, and look for the ceramic sculptures of food and animals adorning many of the columns in the stunning Market Hall.  

Afterwards, enjoy lunch at the West Side Market Cafe, and participate in an informal discussion of the book Food Inc 2:  Inside the Quest for a Better Future for Food (edited by Karl Weber).  Following lunch, treat yourself to a dessert at Mitchell’s Ice Cream, known for its handcrafted ice cream made from local dairy and fresh, local ingredients.

The Friends of the Library will cover the tour fee, but attendees are responsible for parking, lunch, and dessert costs.

Only a few seats remain, so Register here to attend!

Visit the West Side Market's website at WestSideMarket.org.

Above: Water Color Image of the West Side Market by Viktor Schreckengost 
Source:  Viktor Schreckengost Collection, Cleveland Memory Project