RAMble, the University Libraries' blog - LibGuides at West Chester University of PA

It’s that time of the semester! Don’t forget to return any books you requested through Interlibrary loan before you sign off for summer! Books can be dropped off at the Library in person, in the bookdrop right outside our building or even mailed to us. If you need a pre-paid UPS label to return any books, just let us know! Email us at: illoan@wcupa.edu.

Recent Posts

Empowering Learning Through Innovation: 3D Printing for Accessibility

The Innovation Media Center (IMC) recently had a pretty remarkable 3D print request submitted by a student, and it turned into an inspiring story we just had to share. Meet Nolan Rosenberg, a Special Education K–12 major who believes deeply in equitable access to education for all students. During his field experiences, Nolan observed how students with more severe and complex needs often struggle with everyday classroom tasks—from mixing ingredients to writing. Rather than accepting these challenges as barriers, Nolan began looking for solutions. After a visit to Temple University’s Assistive Technology Hub, he had a lightbulb moment: what if he could use 3D printing to design custom assistive tools for his students? Combining his passion for teaching with his background in OnShape, an online CAD software, Nolan set out to make it happen. His first design was a meaningful one—a tactile nameplate created for a student with a significant visual impairment. The nameplate features raised letters and textured bumps to help the student begin recognizing the distinct characteristics of each letter. While the student is not currently being taught braille, this personalized tool gives a new way to engage with literacy and begin developing tactile learning skills. We love seeing how creative minds like Nolan’s are using the library’s 3D printing services to make a difference. His project is a powerful example of how technology, compassion, and education can come together to create inclusive learning experiences. Interested in what you could make with 3D printing? Read about 3D printing options and cost in the IMC here. Make an appointment or visit the IMC Help Desk during available hours. Who knows, your next idea might just change someone’s world. ...

Staff Updates: New Beginnings and Exciting Transitions

We’re thrilled to share some exciting employee updates in University Libraries! In this feature, we are highlighting several staff members who are either joining us for the first time or stepping into new roles. Each member brings fresh energy, valuable experience, and a shared commitment to serving our campus community. Read on to learn more about these talented individuals and help us celebrate their new beginnings and continued growth at West Chester University Libraries! Rebecca Condliffe Library Assistant 1, Special Collections What interested you in your new role and what are you most looking forward to? I've just started my new role is the LA1 in Special Collections. My fascination with historical documents and objects makes this feel like a natural fit. Whenever I travel, I try to seek out the "treasure" room of the local library - whether at the New York Public Library or the British Library. I feel like these items give a unique insight into the mindset of people who lived through world events. So, I'm very excited to be working in the heart of WCU's own "treasures"! Learning how to curate and preserve unique objects is one of the things I'm looking forward to in my new role. I want to discover voices and stories from the past which can illuminate our present-day circumstances. I'm also hoping to uncover some gaps in our collections which might point to groups that have been silenced or overlooked, to grant them their rightful space. And I'm eager to work with Ron, Taylor and the talented student workers, of course! What's something about University Libraries that kept you here? It's a cliché but I honestly feel that the best thing about UL is the people - the students are so upbeat and unfailingly friendly. A highlight for me over the last few years has been when I meet a student who is new to the library, and I can be the first to show them everything that we have to offer! Is there something about your summer you'd like to share? In January we took a "trip of a lifetime" to Singapore, Australia and New Zealand - so my summer plans were understandably more low key! Charlotte, my eldest daughter (and a recent WCU grad!) was busy working at the GSK labs while finishing her MS degree in Bioinformatics, while my younger daughter, Abigail, started at her new job in NYC at Bloomingdale's corporate offices. To fill the void in the house Simon and I foolishly adopted a pair of 8-week-old kittens! They are named Roger and Rafa (we're big tennis fans) and I can attest that they need constant monitoring! John Davis Library Assistant 1, Public Services Where are you joining us from? I’m situated in West Philly, though I spent much of my life in South Central PA. What are your areas of academic and/or library interest or expertise? I’ve gained experience in both academic and public library settings. A few library interests I’ve picked up include special collections, archives, and community engagement. I studied international relations in college, and some of my academic interests include political science, history, anthropology, and geology. What’s a fun fact or hobby you enjoy outside of work? Last summer I took a cross-country road trip from Pennsylvania to California, stopping to check out national parks like New River Gorge, Mammoth Caves, Arches, and Zion. If you ever need camping recommendations around Moab, Utah, let me know! Leigh Dawson (she/her) Student Employment Program Library Technician, Public Services Adjunct Research Librarian What interested you in your new role, and what are you most looking forward to? Before beginning my journey in the library world, I spent 20 years as an educator and student teaching supervisor. My passion lies in helping learners build strong foundations while fostering resilience and personal growth. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on preparing students for success beyond graduation. In my new role, I’m excited to blend my teaching experience with my growing library expertise to continue supporting student development. One of my key goals is to expand and enrich our student employment program. I look forward to collaborating with stakeholders across the Libraries and our partner agencies to enhance the student employee experience. What’s something about the University Libraries that kept you here? The people! I have the pleasure of working with some of the most dedicated and thoughtful people. Over the last 3 years, I have found a kind of home here in the Libraries. And you all are amazing! I look forward to spending more time with you, volunteering, working on committees, reading books, solving problems, and spreading joy. Is there something about your summer you’d like to share? This summer flew by! Our youngest turned 13, so we have 4 teenagers for the next 9 months when our oldest turns 20. They kept busy with jobs, sports, and various activities, but we were fortunate to carve out time for family trips to Oregon and Wisconsin. Both trips provided much-needed time to reconnect, visit with extended family, and relax. Julia Doelling, MSIS (she/her) Digital Initiatives Librarian, Assistant Professor Where are you joining us from? I'm coming from Austin, Texas where I was previously working at The University of Texas libraries. What are your areas of academic and/or library interest or expertise? Broadly, I'm interested in digital collections and digital humanities! More specifically, I'm interested in ways that online collections can be made more usable, particularly through browsability, and interactivity. I'm also interested in making digital scholarship (anything from working with digital collections to tools to digital literacy) seem more approachable to audiences who may find the topic intimidating through workshops, instruction, or just easier to navigate collections. What’s a fun fact or hobby you enjoy outside of work? Outside of work I've recently picked up crochet again and am currently working on a blanket! I also enjoy cooking, reading, and pottery. Evan Gerstenkorn Library Assistant 1, Public Services Where are you joining us from? I am a recent WCU graduate (Spring 2025) living in West Chester, PA. I also work part-time as a Library Assistant at the West Chester Public Library. What are your areas of academic and/or library interest or expertise? Beyond starting my graduate degree program at Rutgers University this fall for Library & Information Science, I am currently interested in queer studies, Native American studies/literature, science fiction, artificial intelligence, and intellectual freedom. What’s a fun fact or hobby you enjoy outside of work? I am a huge Star Wars fan - movies, tv shows, books, comics - I enjoy it all! Hunter King (he/him) Library Technician | Interlibrary Loan What interested you in your new role, and what are you most looking forward to? What interested me the most was the opportunity to learn something new and to serve the WCU community in way that I hoped would allow me to make a more immediate impact on supporting research and student success campus wide. I’ve been a huge fan of the ILL service, often borrowing multiple books at a time on any number of subjects that may interest me. Although I will miss working at the Presser Music Library, I’m excited for the opportunity to be a part of another great team in the Interlibrary Loan department. What’s something about the University Libraries that kept you here? I love the culture and the people! Not only at in the University Libraries, but all over campus. I feel like the work that we do here is important, and that we are making a difference in young people’s lives. I Love working at WCU and I can’t wait to see my daughter’s enrolled here eventually. Is there something about your summer you’d like to share? It went SO fast! It’s been great working with Annette, Callie, and Mina here in the ILL office. They’ve been so welcoming and helpful to me as I transition into this new role. Thank you all so much! I really appreciate it! Taylor Schuler (she/they) Special Collections Technician Where are you joining us from? I live in West Philly now after having just moved from Houston, Texas this summer where I lived for the last four years. I've also lived in Florida and New York, though I'm excited to make PA my new home. What are your areas of academic and/or library interest or expertise? I hold a BFA in Theatre Arts: Acting from Adelphi University and will complete my MLS with an Archives and Records Management concentration from North Carolina Central University this fall. I've worked in libraries and archives since 2016, with experience in public libraries, university archives, and museums. Most recently, I was the Library and Archival Manager at a county historical museum in Angleton, Texas. What’s a fun fact or hobby you enjoy outside of work? In my personal life, I enjoy spending time at home watching reality TV with my husband, Isaiah, and my "zoo" of two tuxedo cats, a miniature lop rabbit, a Kenyan sand boa, a White's tree frog, and a betta fish." Jennifer Slagus, PhD, MLIS (they/them) Social Sciences Librarian, Assistant Professor Where are you joining us from? I’m joining from University of South Florida Libraries where I was a Visiting Assistant Librarian supporting the humanities and social sciences. What are your areas of academic and/or library interest or expertise? My research focuses on the social, cultural, and political contexts of neurodivergent representation in twenty-first century middle grade literature (for 8-12-year-old readers). I use critical neurodiversity studies frameworks to interrogate representation and the book publishing industry’s part in its creation. I’m also interested in archival research, using games-based pedagogy to teach information literacy, and understanding the intersection between autistic and academic librarian burnout. What’s a fun fact or hobby you enjoy outside of work? I’m multiply-neurodivergent (autistic with ADHD, sensory processing disorder, and spatial-sequence synesthesia) and most of my hobbies include watching or playing tabletop/video games. ...

Progress Through Partnership: Celebrating the Dr. Andrew Dinniman Papers

The Friends of the Libraries and University Libraries Special Collections invite you to join us for a special event celebrating the acquisition of the Dr. Andrew Dinniman Papers on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the Francis Harvey Green Library. Dr. Dinniman’s remarkable career as a West Chester University faculty member, Chester County Commissioner, and Pennsylvania State Senator is deeply rooted in building bridges between the university and the larger community. His archival collection preserves this legacy, highlighting decades of work on issues such as food insecurity, homelessness, and public engagement. Event Details 📅 Tuesday, October 7, 2025 🕒 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Panel Discussion 🍴 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Reception with light refreshments 📍 Francis Harvey Green Library, Room 613 25 West Rosedale Avenue, West Chester, PA 19383 🚗 Parking available in parking garages, on-street metered parking, and campus lots. 👉 Please RSVP by October 2: RSVP Form Panel Discussion: Progress Through Partnership The panel discussion will focus on how university–community partnerships can address urgent societal issues, a theme central to Dr. Dinniman’s life and work. Together, panelists will reflect on past hunger and homelessness initiatives while also looking ahead to current challenges and opportunities for collaboration. Moderator: Ron McColl, Special Collections Librarian Panelists: Dr. Andrew Dinniman, Former State Senator, Former County Commissioner, and WCU Professor Emeritus Nick Imbesi, Director of Community Relations, Chester County Food Bank Tori Nuccio, Deputy Director, Financial Aid, West Chester University Rita Patel Eng, Ed.D., Senior Director, Center for Community Engagement & Social Impact (CCESI), West Chester University Honoring a Legacy of Engagement Dr. Dinniman has long emphasized the responsibility of public universities to share their knowledge base with the community: “One of my greatest values to WCU was being a bridge to the community, and for the community to have a bridge to WCU. I did this through my research and teaching and bringing that knowledge to the larger community in terms of understanding public issues and their solutions.” His papers, now preserved in Special Collections, serve as a resource for fostering ongoing dialogue, ensuring that today’s challenges are informed by the lessons of the past. Reception and Acknowledgments Following the discussion, a reception will offer guests the chance to connect, share ideas, and explore opportunities for future partnerships. This event is made possible by a generous gift from the Hankin Group. Special thanks also go to our WCU student workers—Lilli Benson, Richie Bruce, and Alex Friedberg—for their contributions to the Dr. Andrew Dinniman Archive Collection. ...

Innovation Media Center: Hub For Creativity and Community

In 2022, the Innovation Media Center (IMC) team started planning for our next evolution focused on growth, collaboration, and hands-on learning. As part of that evolution, we crafted a new mission statement to guide our efforts: “The WCU Innovation Media Center seeks to create a learning environment that fosters exploration, innovation, and play. By encouraging self-directed learning, coordinating workshops, and facilitating collaborative projects, we support the WCU community in exploring new skills and developing critical thinking.” Now, in Fall 2025, we’re excited to share how that mission is coming to life through new programs, processes, and resources. Workshops & Events Based on feedback from an informal survey last semester, the IMC staff created new workshops and events for students this fall. The programs are meant to be accessible, fun, and educational—providing students with quick, hands-on opportunities to explore creativity and learn something new. Amanda Brooks, IMC Technician, shares: "I'm so excited to start doing regular workshops and craft events! We’ve done a lot of prep for this—interviews with other university makerspaces, field trips, and brainstorming sessions with the Student Library Ambassadors. I’m excited to see where the IMC goes from here." This semester’s workshops include: “Make-and-Take” craft series featuring projects like pressed flower bookmarks, paper & craft stick lanterns, and crepe paper wisteria. Introductory sessions on Canva, PowerPoint poster design, and how to use the Cricut for t-shirts and stickers. A collaborative community art project using coffee filters—perfect for welcoming new students and building connections. IMC Technician Shannon Santoso adds: "Based on student feedback from last semester, the majority expressed interest in a 'make-and-take' craft series and other topics that are now included in the workshops. Over the summer, we planned and reviewed different types of crafts that are quick to make, currently trending on social media, and visually appealing to students. We hope that this series will spark creativity while offering a brief get away from their studies." Click here to view the flyer and click here for more details including times. First event is Thursday, September 4. New Processes to Help You Work Smarter To improve efficiency and better serve our community, we’ve implemented the following updates: Comb-Binding Requests We’re now offering overnight turn-around for all comb-binding requests! Drop off your materials (up to 2” thick), and they’ll be ready for pick up the next business day. Cost is $1.00. New Cost-Center Form For any departmental requests covered by a cost center, please use our new form. It captures important details—like student rosters for class projects—to streamline the process. What’s New in the IMC? Board Games We’ve added several new board games to our collection—and launched a new webpage so you can browse the game collection. Whether you’re planning a chill weekend or a dorm game night, stop by and check one out! New Equipment: Yeti USB Microphone Ideal for podcasts, music recording, or voice-overs, our new Yeti Microphone is now available to borrow for up to 3 days. It's part of our growing collection of creative tools—just ask at the IMC desk to learn more. Browse all equipment the IMC offers for lending! Follow Along with #TuesdayTechTips We’ve launched a new Tuesday Tech Tips series on Instagram! Every week, we share helpful tech tips, tricks, and IMC updates. Follow us: @imc_ulib Visit Us in the IMC The Innovation Media Center is more than service desk — it's a community hub for creative exploration and lifelong learning. Whether you're attending a workshop, checking out gear, or just curious about what we offer, come by and say hello. We’d love to see what you create! ...

Remember to Return Your Interlibrary Loan Books

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