Fall 2023 LLAG Newsletter

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The Liaison Connection

Keep in the Know about University Libraries Collections, Services, and Research/Instruction

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University of Denver | University Libraries | Fall Quarter 2023 Issue 16 | Peggy Keeran, Editor

Research/Instruction

ChatGPT and Library Research

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are exciting resources that have the potential to streamline the research process. Like any new resource, there are strengths and weaknesses that should be weighed and new skills may need to be developed to use these resources effectively. Librarians at DU are in the initial stages of investigating how ChatGPT can best be used to support the research process, but some areas where we see promise are in ChatGPT’s ability to identify keywords for research topics and translate those keywords into Boolean searches.
A potential pitfall of using ChatGPT for research is AI “hallucinations”—content created by AI that is factually incorrect or incomplete. At the Libraries’ Research Center, we’ve run across an increasing number of hallucinated citations generated by AI. Our DU Librarians want to encourage students using tools like ChatGPT to vet and verify citations to make sure those items really exist. When using ChatGPT to generate bibliographies, there are strategies that can reduce the likelihood of hallucinations. For example, if a researcher is asking ChatGPT to share a list of citations for a topic, ask for “one or more” instead of requiring a certain number of citations. This reduces false information because ChatGPT is prone to create false citations if it is unable to find the number of citations you are requesting.

Want help introducing your students to library resources or tips for verifying citations?
Use this form to request a library workshop. You can also direct your students to contact the Libraries’ Research Center or schedule a research consultation with a librarian to get help tracking down citations.

Bridget Farrell
Interim Associate Dean for Student and Scholar Services
Bridget.Farrell@du.edu

Services

University Libraries’ Student Advisory Group

This year, we are starting a Library Student Advisory Board. The goal of the advisory board is to gather feedback and make changes based on the students’ perspectives, reach out to the student body and the University's departments, clubs, and organizations, hold regular meetings to build the team, and conduct projects that are important to the student advisors and their peers.
With the support of the Dean and Associate Deans, we will hold monthly meetings. Our student orientation was September 29, where we began to get to know the students and started building community.
Elia Trucks
User Experience and Student Outreach Librarian
elia.trucks@du.edu

Collections

Graphic Novels about Immigrant and Refugee Experiences

Interest in reading and teaching with graphic novels, comics, and zines continues to grow. With the recommendations of Graduate School of Social Work doctoral student, My Ngoc To, and Emergent Digital Practices faculty member Rafael Fajardo, the Libraries are expanding our existing collections of graphic novels about 20^th and 21^st century refugee and immigrant experiences.

Year of the Rabbit, by Tian Veasna
The Best We Could Do, by Thi Bui
Hakim's Odyssey, vols 1-3, by Fabien Toulme
Freedom Hospital: A Syrian Story, by Hamid Sulaiman
We Hereby Refuse: Japanese Resistance to Wartime Incarceration, by Frank Abe

This is a book cover for the book, "Year of the Rabbit." There is an illustrated picture of a boy and girl trying to push a stalled car and character on motorcycles in the background

Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American, by Laura Gao
Poppies of Iraq, by Brigitte Findakly
What is Home, Mum? by Sabba Khan
It Won't Always Be Like This, by Malka Gharib
Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration, by Bryan Caplan
Windows on the World, by Robert Mailer Anderson
Drawing on Anger: Portraits of US Hypocrisy, by Erica Garcia
United States of Banana, by Giannina Braschi

If you would like to suggest a new title for the collection, please contact Jenny Bowers, Social Sciences Librarian (Jennifer.Bowers@du.edu)

Jenny Bowers
Social Sciences Librarian
Jennifer.Bowers@du.edu

This is the book cover for the graphic novel, "Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American. There is a young person with a back ground of the Golden Gate bridge and the skyline of Wuhan, China

The Early Childhood Readers Collection

Did you know that between print and electronic collections there are over 20,000 titles in juvenile literature at the DU Libraries? Collaborations with the Graduate School of Professional Psychology’s (GSPP) Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialty, the Caring for You and Baby Clinic (CUB) and the University Libraries led to the creation of a very special subset of children’s literature available on AAC shelves: the Early Childhood Readers Collection (ECRC). Thanks to the generosity of Taylor Kirkpatrick (IMBA ‘04), we have launched this collection that centers stories across a spectrum of diversity including race, ethnicity, disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation for young readers.

While the ECRC supports teaching, learning, and research in early learning and literacy, our goal is to increase its visibility and reach beyond the University walls. As a start, we are showcasing the ECRC at FamFair on October 21, an immersive child development play and learning community event for expectant caregivers, children, and service providers.
Social and Emotional Learning through the ECRC: Children’s literature is used for a myriad of reasons in a variety of settings: enjoyment, literacy development, and conceptual learning; those of us (presumably adults) who love the genre can attest to its impact in cognitive, emotional, and artistic domains. Inspired by the origins of the ECRC- collaborations with GSPP to advance the mental health of underserved communities in Denver- we set out to create resources that promote children’s social and emotional learning (SEL) through the collection. The DU Libraries ECRC Social and Emotional Learning Kits were created with objectives for specific SEL skill development using evidence-based frameworks and include book titles from the ECRC, prompts and questions for discussion, and materials for extension and engagement activities.

You can learn more about the growing collection and associated social and emotional kits by visiting the ECRC Research Guide or by contacting Community Outreach & Reference Residency Librarian Natalia Umaña.

Natalia Umaña
Community Outreach & Reference Residency Librarian
Natalia.Umana@du.edu

Exhibits and Events

Exhibits on Display: 2023-2024 Academic Year

Our exhibits goals are to create inviting and thought-provoking spaces in the library, where members of the DU community and visitors can visually engage in conversations and critical thought. Here are exhibitions that are now on display or will be installed.

On Display Now

INTO LIGHT: Project Colorado Traveling Exhibit

DUMA - August 31 to September 22; AAC - October 2 to 20; Community Commons - October 30 to November 17.

This traveling exhibit features original graphite portraits and the stories of individuals connected to Colorado who have died from substance use disorders. The exhibition will be displayed in three different gallery spaces on DU's campus.

The Anonymous People documentary was screened on October 6 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Gregg Kvidstad Special Events Room, AAC 290, and the Dreamland book club will take place on October 19 from 12:00 P.M. – 1:30 pm in the Loft, AAC 340.

Selections from DU's Special Collections and Archives' Fine Press and Artists' Books Collection

September 11 to March 20, 2023
Upper Level, built-in cases near top of main stairwell

This exhibit showcases the University Libraries' remarkable artists' books collection, featuring books that highlight the varied range of themes represented in the collection

Jewish Denver's Theater Legacy

September 8 to December 14, 2023
Main Level, AAC 290, Helen Morris cases

This exhibit highlights and celebrates the contributions of Jewish Denverites to the world of theater arts.

Gail Watson Artist Book Retrospective

This is a picture of an art disply with scultpure and pen and ink drawings. art on dicplay. It say

August 21, 2023 to January 21, 2024
Lower Level, Special Collections built-in cases

This exhibit offers a retrospective of Gail Watson, a Colorado artist, life's work creating artists' books. Watson says, "Many of my books are personal explorations that help me understand and lay claim to my life, where I've been, and where I'm going."

There was an exhibition opening reception on September 21 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, with an artist talk and gallery tour at 6:30 pm.

Coming Soon

Art and Observations in Health Care

November 2023 – March 2024 Upper Level, The Loft Walls

This exhibit will highlight the creative works made by first-year students, reflecting their knowledge and critical understanding of human-centered health care.

CAPU Traveling Exhibit and Timeline

January to April 2024
Main Level, New Book Area, and Lower Level

This exhibit will feature traveling exhibit panels about the history of Chinese people living in Colorado curated by CAPU (Colorado Asian Pacific United). The traveling exhibit will be accompanied by a timeline created by DU’s Special Collections and Archives.

There will be an exhibit reception that will be open to the public. Be on the lookout for up-to-date times and dates!

Judy Anderson Artist Book Retrospective

April to June 2024
Dean’s Suite Area (upper level, NE corner)

The artist books created by Judy Anderson, a local Denver artist, directly respond to our time's pressing social, political, and cultural issues. Anderson interprets these complex matters through her work, offering unique insights deeply influenced by her background and experiences.

There will be an exhibit reception that is open to the public with a gallery tour given by the artist. Be on the lookout for up-to-date times and dates!

The 25th Anniversary Celebration of DU's Office of Teaching and Learning

April to June 2024
Dean's Suite Area (upper level, NE corner)

Discover how teaching and its tools have changed through the decades. This exhibit explores the past contributions of DU;s Office of Teaching and Learning as they pertain to faculty and students.

Stories from the Archives, 2024

June to October 2024
Deline Family Reading Room (upper level, NW corner)

This annual exhibit features the work of DU students. During the Spring Quarter, the students delve deeply into Special Collections and Archives to curate digital exhibits. They then submit one part of their exhibit to be included in a physical installation.

These are just some of the exhibits coming to the Anderson Academic Commons this year. Visit the Current and Upcoming Exhibits webpage for an up-to-date list of exhibitions and check out our digital exhibitions on the Online Exhibits webpage.

The exhibits at the University Libraries are coordinated by Madison Sussmann, Exhibits Librarian. For more information about current exhibits, events, or proposing a future exhibition, please contact Madison at Madison.Sussmann@du.edu.

Madison Sussmann
Exhibits Librarian
Madison.Sussmann@du.edu