Sociology

New Library Instruction Page

We've updated our website to help KPU Instructors find the information they need! Did you know that:

• You can have a KPU Librarian visit your class and teach your students how to find research resources?
• You can bring your class to the library for a tour and orientation?
• You can ask a librarian for tailored, subject specific content to address a specific student research need?
• KPU Librarians also offer open educational resources, video tutorials, and other online content you can incorporate into your teaching?

Our new Library Instruction page makes it easy for you to see what is available to you to support your teaching method and content.

Don't know where to start? Just contact the librarian in your area of study and we can go through your options and find a way to help that best suits your needs.  

New guide to creating a Territorial Acknowledgement

Our Indigenous Studies LibGuide has a new page on Territorial Acknowledgements. The resources in this guide are provided to help you craft your own acknowledgement, as well as to present the differing viewpoints on its use.  Check it out here. 

Help your students learn how to research with out Library Research Tutorial

KPU Library has launched its KPU Library Research Tutorial.  This tutorial is derived from Celia Brinkerhoff’s Doing Research pressbook.  The KPU Library Research Tutorial is designed to explore and cover essential library research strategies and tips including developing and searching for research questions, searching in Summon and in databases, and evaluating and understanding different types of sources.

The research tutorial is a self-enrolled badged Moodle that consists of five core modules that take between 15-30 minutes each to complete. Instructors can assign the tutorial as a badged option (have the students self-enroll), or embed individual modules into their courses.  This option allows instructors to edit interactive materials.  Each individual module contains an optional activities workshop, a summative H5P quiz, and a vocabulary definitions page.  Learners will need to go through all the pages in the Moodle course will need to successfully complete each auto-graded quiz at the end of each module.  Learners have unlimited tries on the quizzes.  At the end of completing all modules and scoring 100% on each quiz, students should receive a badge, which will then be linked to their Moodle account.

KPU Librarians offer one-on-one appointments, chat assistance

Get help from librarians when you need it! Students have multiple service options when it comes to help with research and using the library. Students can:

• Book research consultations with their Liaison Librarian 
• Chat with a librarian through AskAway
• Email, call or or text us!

Visit the Library's Ask Us  page for all contact options.

Or you can embed our AskAway chat widget right into your Moodle site.

Borrow equipment from the Library

We have everything from audio equipment, teaching equipment, presentation aids, and more!

For more information and a detailed list of what is available, click here. See below for some equipment highlights:

Voice Amplifier Use this to amplify your voice when giving a presentation or tour.
Wireless lavalier (clip-on lapel microphone) Use this to capture audio to a smartphone, tablet, DSLR camera, Camcorder or PC. Comes with shock mount with cold shoe adapter to attach to a variety of devices.
Portable Projection Screen Use this to display projected images. Variety of sizes and models available.

Want to borrow equipment from the library? Visit any campus library and ask at the Service Desk. You can also request equipment here.

Course Reserves vs. Link.Scan.Open: two options for course material 

Designating library material as a Course Reserve means that we limit the loan period of an item in our collection so it is available to a greater amount of students during the semester. This is often done for items that are part of your course readings or needed for class assignments or for reference.  However, Link.Scan.Open provides digital files or links to you so all your students can access them at the same time, rather than limiting access to one copy of a book. Your students will thank you!

Visit Course Reserves for Faculty to request to place an item on course reserve.

Visit Link.Scan.Open to request a link, PDF (within Fair Dealing), or open resource for class readings. 

Be Open to the Possibilities

OPUS can help with your online teaching and your scholarly publishing

The Library's Open Publishing Suite of services can help you:

• Create and adapt accessible open textbooks
• Create an eJournal where students can submit papers/assignments while participating in the Peer Review process online
• Search & discover the best OER for your teaching needs

Learn more at Library Support for Open Education.

Do you send students to the library for a laptop? Our Laptop loan system has changed, read this.

KPU Library has a limited amount of laptops for students, so there may not be one available if you send them to the library for one!

Our laptops for students are loaned on a short term, first-come, first-served basis. We no longer offer loans on a semester basis. Please note that you cannot download additional software onto KPU Library laptops.

For full information on how we lend laptops to students, visit Student Laptop Loans. 

New VR Headset class kits available

You can now borrow Virtual Reality Headsets for your class. The set includes 30 VR headsets. The kit can be booked ahead of time using the Equipment Request form. Please note that no individual borrowing is allowed, the VR kit must be taken as a set. 

Equity & Inclusive Communities collection highlights

Led by our Indigenous, EDIA (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility) and Anthropology Liaison Librarian, Rachel Chong, and with funding from the Office of Research, KPU Library has been building its collection around topics such as anti-racism, accessibility and neurodiversity, gender, and sexual equity.  

Our Equity & Inclusive Communities Libguide is a place for KPU instructors as a starting point to explore resources in this area of study. Whether you're seeking material for self education, to incorporate it in your teaching, advocacy, or other needs, we encourage you to take a look! Here are some new titles we've just received:

All-night study sessions during exams

Surrey Campus Library will once again remain open 24 hours during exams. From December 4 to December 12, our doors will remain open to KPU students who wish to do some late night studying.

Students must have their KPU Card for entry after 11pm and library services will be unavailable after 11pm.

Stay tuned for more details closer to December at kpu.ca/library.

Check out our events Calendar!

We often hold events and workshops throughout the semester. To learn about what is happening, view our events calendar! Stay tuned to see what's happening!