UMBC
Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery

Workshops

The AOK Library offers a variety of workshops for students, faculty, and staff at UMBC.

If you are interested in a topic but cannot attend our scheduled workshops, UMBC librarians will schedule and customize workshops to meet the needs of small groups. Request a Workshop here.



Workshops spotlights


Library Services for Graduate Student Success: Everything is AOK!

Presenter: Erin Durham

Explore resources and services the library has to offer for graduate students, including online databases, library study space reservations, Interlibrary loan, workshops, and research assistance. This is a workshop for UMBC grad students, based on recommendations from fellow grad students!

Series: Lights on Learning (LoL)
Recommended audience: graduate
Modality: Synchronous
Date: Monday, February 6, 2023
Time: 4:00p.m. - 4:45p.m.
Register

Link to join meeting

How to Write a STEM Literature Review (Introduction)

Presenter: Semhar Yohannes & Beck Hertl

Is writing the literature review a stumbling block? This workshop will help you to learn how to begin and advance your literature review, and how to connect your ideas to the literature in the field.

Series: Lights on Learning (LoL)
Recommended audience: graduate, transfer, undergraduate
Modality: Synchronous
Date: Wednesday, February 8th, 2023
Time: 12:00p.m. - 1:00p.m.
Register

Link to join meeting
Slides

Writing Wednesday Workshop: Research 101

Presenters: Jasmine Shumaker & Writing Tutor

Are you confused between Google Searching and database searching? This workshop is designed to give you an overview of how to begin the searching process, with an introduction to the AOK Library’s searching tools. Attendees will also learn about how the Writing Center can help in the writing process. Feel free to bring questions and an appetite to learn!

Series: Lights on Learning (LoL)
Recommended audience: Undergraduate, transfer students
Modality: Synchronous
Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Time: 4:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.
Register

Link to join meeting

How to write a Social Science/Humanities Literature Review

Presenter: Erin Durham

This workshop is recommended for graduate students. What are some of the best strategies and tips for writing a literature review? Whether you are just starting out with your research or have been involved in your project for a while, this workshop is for you. Note: This workshop is developed specifically for graduate students.

Series: Lights on Learning (LoL)
Modality: Synchronous
Date: Monday, February 13, 2023
Time: 5:00p.m. - 6:00p.m.
Register

Link to join meeting

How to Write a STEM Literature Review (Advanced)

Presenter: Semhar Yohannes & Beck Hertl

Is writing the literature review a stumbling block? This workshop will help you to learn how to begin and advance your literature review, and how to connect your ideas to the literature in the field.

Series: Lights on Learning (LoL)
Recommended audience: graduate, transfer
Modality: Synchronous
Date: Wednesday, February 15th, 2023
Time: 12:00p.m. - 1:00p.m.
Register

Link to join meeting
Slides

How to Use EndNote Online for Citation Management

Presenter: Katy Sullivan

Learn how to utilize the full range of features included in the web-accessible citation manager. This hands-on workshop will focus on setting up an account, importing and transferring references, sharing references, and accessing your references in Microsoft Word.

Series: Lights on Learning (LoL)
Recommended audience: graduate, staff/faculty
Modality: Synchronous
Date: Monday, Feb 20, 2023
Time: 4:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.
Register

Link to join meeting
Slides

How to use Zotero for citation management

Presenter: Erin Durham

Have you ever wondered if there is a better way to organize your citations? Have you used citation software in the past but have some lingering questions? This workshop provides an overview of setting up a free Zotero account, adding sources to your Zotero library, and generating a bibliography. This will be a practical, hands-on workshop. Note: This workshop is developed specifically for graduate students.

Series: Lights on Learning (LoL)
Modality: Synchronous
Date: Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023
Time: 4:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.
Register

Link to join meeting

Writing Wednesday Workshop: Stepping up your Research Game: Searching Strategically

Presenters: Beck Hertl & Writing Tutor TBD

Have you ever wondered how to maximize your research time? Have you wished that you could magically wake up to a perfect Works Cited page? This workshop is designed to save you research time and make it easier for you to find sources for your papers and projects. Feel free to bring in a research assignment that you are working on- this workshop features practical research strategies that you can use right away!

Series: Lights on Learning (LoL)
Modality: Synchronous
Date: March 1st, 2023
Time: 4:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.
Register

Link to join meeting

Creating an Academic Research Poster Using PowerPoint

Presenter: Semhar Yohannes & Jasmine Shumaker

An academic research poster is a visual communication tool that allows you to present your research in a clear, concise, graphic format. Learn how to create a poster that stands out. In this workshop, learn the design principles and guidelines that will help you create an effective and aesthetically pleasing poster using PowerPoint. We’ll discuss layout, fonts, colors, graphics and more.

Series: Lights on Learning (LoL) Modality: Synchronous
Date: Monday, April 3, 2023
Time: 12:00p.m. - 1:00p.m.
Register

Link to join meeting
Slides

Creating an Academic Research Poster Using Canva

Presenter: Semhar Yohannes & Jasmine Shumaker

An academic research poster is a visual communication tool that allows you to present your research in a clear, concise, graphic format using a free graphic-design tool to create an academic research poster. Learn how to create a poster that stands out. In this workshop, learn the design principles and guidelines that will help you create an effective and aesthetically pleasing poster using Canva. We’ll discuss layout, fonts, colors, graphics and more.

Series: Lights on Learning (LoL) Modality: Synchronous
Date: Monday, March 27, 2023
Time: 12:00p.m. - 1:00p.m.
Register

Link to join meeting

Creating an Academic Research Poster Using PowerPoint

Presenter: Semhar Yohannes & Jasmine Shumaker

An academic research poster is a visual communication tool that allows you to present your research in a clear, concise, graphic format. Learn how to create a poster that stands out. In this workshop, learn the design principles and guidelines that will help you create an effective and aesthetically pleasing poster using PowerPoint. We’ll discuss layout, fonts, colors, graphics and more.

Series: Lights on Learning (LoL) Modality: Synchronous
Date: Tuesday, April 3th, 2023
Time: 12:00p.m. - 1:00p.m.
Register

Link to join meeting
Slides

Writing Wednesday Workshop: How to Cite Sources for your Research & Writing

Presenters: Erin Durham & Writing Tutor

Do you have questions about how to cite and incorporate sources in your writing assignments? Avoid accidental plagiarism by learning how to properly cite your sources and show your skill as an academic writer & researcher.

Series: Lights on Learning (LoL)
Audience: first-year and transfer students
Modality: Synchronous
Date: Wednesday, April 5th, 2023
Time: 4:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.
Register

Link to join meeting

How to Conduct a Preliminary U.S. Patent Search

Presenter: Semhar Yohannes

Patent searching can be a daunting and overwhelming process. Come learn how to conduct preliminary patent searches of U.S. patents and published applications using the free online resource USPTO.

Series: Lights on Learning (LoL)
Recommended audience: graduate, undergraduate, faculty, transfer, STEM
Modality: Synchronous
Date: Monday, April 10, 2023
Time: 12:00p.m. - 1:00p.m.
Register

Link to join meeting
Slides

Writing Wednesday Workshop: Finding Your Flow: Navigating Final Papers

Presenters: Elaine MacDougall & Writing Tutor TBD

Ready to write your final paper but not sure where to start? Gather what you’ve got so far (even if it’s just the assignment description), and join us for this workshop where we will offer plenty of tips and tricks to get you motivated and excited to find your flow for your final paper!
Writing Wednesday Workshops are a collaboration between the Library and the Writing Center. All workshops are co-facilitated by a staff/faculty member and a Writing Center tutor.

Series: Lights on Learning (LoL)
Modality: Synchronous
Date: May 3, 2023
Time: 4:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.
Register

Understanding MATLAB

Presenter: Semhar Yohannes

MATLAB is a popular mathematical software package that combines efficient linear algebra operations and powerful graphics with an intuitive, interactive user interface. MATLAB can be useful for a wide range of applications from basic matrix and vector manipulations to full-color 2-D and 3-D visualization. The Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Consulting (CIRC) has created the following videos to get you familiar with MATLAB. Click the link below for demo videos and associated files.

Series: Lights on Learning (LoL)
Modality: asynchronous
Date: asynchronous

Recording

Understanding R

Presenter: Semhar Yohannes

R is a powerful open source software system for statistical computing. It has become immensely popular due to its intuitive programming language, built-in support for statistical procedures, and ability to produce beautiful graphics. R is extensible through a package system, and numerous contributions from its user community are freely available. R is available on Windows, Macintosh, and Linux platforms. The Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Consulting (CIRC) has created the following videos to get you familiar with R. Click the link below for demo videos and associated files.

Series: Lights on Learning (LoL)
Modality: asynchronous
Date: asynchronous

Recording

Some older workshops can be viewed on our archive page.


The Librarian Who Spent Years Behind Bars

Presenter: Glennor Shirley, Retired Prison Librarian

In this presentation, we will discuss the alarmingly high rate of incarceration in the United States and in Maryland, as well as racial discrimination resulting in incarceration. Next, we’ll dive into how prison librarians encourage inmates to use their libraries in preparation for successful re-entry.

Bio:Born in Jamaica and immigrating to the United States in 1984, Glennor Shirley’s love of libraries knows no borders. After earning her MLIS from the University of Maryland, College Park, Glennor started working in public libraries. She took an evening job working with those who were arrested and housed before being transferred to prison, based on the degree of crime committed. Her works in prisons includes being the Coordinator of Correctional Education Libraries via the Maryland State Department of Education, where she was responsible for governance of all aspects of library services for 19 Maryland State prisons.

Series: Spotlight (S)
Modality: Virtual
Date: Wednesday, 3/1/2023
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Webex

Living Lawless: No Respect For Authority

Presenter: Shawana Lachir, PhD Public Policy candidate

Description: An introduction to the concept of legal cynicism that provides context of the factors that drive legal cynicism. There is a key focus on the impact of school resource officers and discussion of the consequences.

Bio: Shawana is a first generation American. She earned my bachelor’s degree at Hood College where she studied Sociology and Law, and Criminal Justice. She later earned her master’s degree in Public Policy at University of Maryland Baltimore County, where she is currently in the Public Policy PHD program. Shawana has a strong passion for racial justice, criminal justice, and equitable policies. She spends a good proportion of her time working on projects that focus on policing, racial equity,social movements, and racial equity in courts. Currently, her research focuses on how the Black Lives Matter movement impacts policy change and policing procedures with Dr. Fernando Tormos-Aponte. In addition, her works aims to analyze legal cynicism in adolescents as well as the impact of School Resource Officers for her dissertation. Legal cynicism is prevalent in disadvantaged neighborhoods and among racial minorities. Police brutality and legal cynicism are two key concepts that are the driving factors of my research. These are critical issues that plague African-American neighborhoods and affect their social climate, political climate, economic climate, and their life opportunities. Recently, Nancy Miller and Shawana published a report for the Maryland Department of Health on Assisted Living Facilities in Maryland and their Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Apart from academia, she love to travel, eat food, workout, take pictures, and do anything adventurous. Her favorite place to travel to is Ghana.

Series: Spotlight (S)
Modality: Virtual
Date: Monday, 3/6/2023
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Webex

Gender Structured Representations of the Migrant Venezuelan Women in Colombian and Venezuelan Newspapers During 2015-2020

Presenter: Laura Torres Vargas, graduate student GES

Bio: Laura Torres-Vargas is a Geography and Environmental Systems PhD candidate from Bogotá, Colombia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Science from La Gran Colombia and a Masters in Politics, Education and Culture from the National University of Colombia. She also has a Masters in GES from UMBC. She volunteers in organizations against sex trafficking, such as Araminta Freedom Initiative, and others.
Her research focuses are migration, violence, gender studies, and Latin American studies. In her Master's thesis at UMBC, she examined the gender representations of migrant Venezuelan women in Colombian and Venezuelan newspapers during 2015 to 2020. She used Discourse Analysis as her primary methodology due to the impact of Covid. Currently she is studying migrant Venezuelan women movements from Venezuela to Colombia and then to the USA, focusing on different gender structured violence, political violence, migratory movements, and community building.

Series: Spotlight (S)
Modality: Virtual
Date: Friday, April 14, 2023
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Webex

View the Previous Spotlight! Symposiums archive here.