Research & Instruction: Science Journal

Posted on April 29, 2026April 29, 2026 by Charles Gallagher

Interested in science news beyond what is reported in the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal? Or maybe you are a science major looking for job openings and tips on your post college career? You might want to check out the Science journal webpage! The journal website consists of scientific news articles and research papers, often on topics not covered in depth by mainstream news sources. The website’s link can be found in the library database list. Science is a fantastic resource for scientists, students and anyone with a passing interest in scientific inquiry. This blog will cover significant aspects of the Science journal webpage such as News, First Release, and Science Careers.

Background

First published in 1880, Science and the other affiliated journals are published by the AAAS. AAAS’s stated mission is to disseminate scientific news for the betterment of the public and support the career development of current and future scientists (AAAS, 2026). The Science journal website supports this mission as a source of news effecting the scientific community. CUA community members can view the online Science journal webpage to keep up with the latest scientific discoveries and learn about events and government policy affecting research.

Searching

The landing page for Science journal webpage lists the most recently published news articles, research articles, and videos on a range of different scientific topics. If users have more specific topics in mind, the Science website provides a searching options to locate relevant resources. After adding keywords to the search bar, users can scroll through the results page to find relevant resources to read. They can also use the filters on the left-hand side to exclude items not relevant to their interests.

The Advanced Search option allows users to search specific fields such as title and author. Users can also search for specific journal titles and select specific article types. Citation Search allows users to search first release titles with citation information such as journal title and volume number. Search Tips on the right side of the Advanced Search screen provides tips on how users can improve their searching experience.

News

Users can toggle to the ‘News’ page for a comprehensive list of news stories. The news articles are listed according to publication date. Choosing ‘more news’ will bring users to the ‘All News’ page in which articles are organized based on publication date. Filtering options on the left-hand side allow users to locate articles based on publication date.

First Release

The First Release section is midway down the landing page. With the First Release page, users can find research articles that have been accepted for publication but yet to be published in the Science journals. Clicking on ‘More First Release Papers’ shows additional First Release journal articles. This feature is a good place to see which new journal articles are soon to be published. Users can use this section to identify the upcoming trends and topics in scientific research.

Science Careers

In addition to news and pre-published journal articles, the Science journal webpage has a science careers page. Prospective employees can use the search bar in the center to locate open job opportunities across the country and world. On the results page, users can use filters such as discipline, location, and job type to exclude openings not relevant to their search. Users can get new job openings emailed directly to their email by signing up for job alerts. Users can indicate the job title they are looking for, include any keywords related to their job search and the frequency of the alerts.

In addition to a job board, Science Career also has a page called Career Advice. Career Advice consists of articles written by professionals in scientific careers reflecting on their experiences in scientific research and teaching. Topics range from challenges in the current job market to reflections on early teaching experiences. Students who are still trying to figure out what career path they wish to take may find this section helpful.

Conclusion

As a database, students and faculty can use the Science journal webpage can be used to locate academic journal articles, keep abreast of the latest news and developments in the scientific fields, and find career advice. This is one of the libraries’ databases can serve as more than a repository for journal articles. Take a look at Science if you have time, you never know what article might spark your imagination!

Reference

American Association for the Advancement of Science. (2026). About Us. Science. Retrieved April 27, 2026, from https://www.science.org/content/page/aboutus

Charles Gallagher is a Research and Instruction Librarian at The Catholic University of America Libraries.

News & Events: CUA Libraries and University Research Day 2026

Posted on April 13, 2026April 10, 2026 by Charles Gallagher

University Research Day 2026 logo

One of the most exciting events of the year is almost here! The annual University Research Day will be held on April 15th 2026. Research Day provides members of the CUA community the opportunity to present their research outside of the classroom environment. Throughout the day, students and faculty will share their recent scholarship with the campus community. Research Day is a great event to learn about new topics and fields of study you may know little to nothing about.

The day begins with the keynote address delivered by Dr. Brandon Vaidyanathan from the sociology department. Following the keynote address, oral presentations delivered by undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty are scheduled to take place in auditoriums and classrooms all over campus. During the lunch break, stop by the Pryzbyla Center for an exhibition of musical and drama performances or swing by the Conway Auditorium for the yearly Film Festival! In the afternoon, check out the poster presentations held on the third floor of the Pryzbyla Center. Finish your Research Day experience by attending the award ceremony and the raffle drawing (yep that’s right, attendees who sign in at events are entered into a raffle to win fabulous prizes!).

For the full list of scheduled activities, see the CUA Research Day website for more details.

University Research Day Digital Collections

University Libraries Digital Collections

Cannot wait for this year’s University Research Day presentations? Or maybe you want to see what research students and faculty have presented in the past? Check out the CUA libraries’ University Research Day digital collection! Our Special Collections department has uploaded videos and images from past oral presentations and posters. The collection includes works from the University Research Day in 2019 to last year’s event. If you are interested in works produced by a particular department or advisor, you can use the Search Within Collection option to locate relevant results to your needs and interests. Maybe one of these past works will spark a future Research Day presentation!

While you are checking out the University Research Day collection, why not see what other great content is available in the Digital Collections? There are twenty-three other collections full of exciting digital files, images and research papers. Collection topics range from yearbooks from previous years to Semitics/ICOR Library collection.

The University Libraries at Research Day

The University Libraries are committed to helping our community with their research needs. From the physical books stored in the on-campus stacks, to nearly three hundred different databases available on the library website, the libraries are here to support the research needs of the university community every day! Want to learn more? Stop by the libraries’ information table in the Pryzbyla Center from 11:30 to 3:30. Our friendly library staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have!

Charles Gallagher is a Research and Instruction Librarian at The Catholic University of America Libraries.

Erin Go Bragh! Irish Films and Documentaries in Kanopy to Charm your St. Patrick’s Day Plans

Posted on March 16, 2026March 11, 2026 by Charles Gallagher

Happy St. Patrick's Day! — Happy St. Patrick’s Day! (Image courtesy of National Calendar Day)

March 17th marks St. Patrick’s Day, a religious holiday and a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history. While you are preparing a traditional dish or gearing up for your local St. Patrick’s Day parade, why not check out some Irish movies and documentaries in Kanopy? The library has some great Emerald Isle content to get you in a St. Patrick’s Day mood!

Background on St. Patrick’s Day

While today St. Patrick’s Day is synonymous with beer, folk music and the color green (see the Chicago River as an extreme example), St. Patrick’s Day originally began as a religious holiday. In 1631, the Catholic Church decreed March 17^th a holy day in honor of St. Patrick, a Roman missionary credited with helping to spread Christianity to Ireland. St. Patrick is also one of the patron saints of Ireland (Combs, 2019). Parades in honor of St. Patrick’s Day began in North America in the 18th century.

Chicago River dyed green (Image courtesy of KGW 8)

With the spread of Irish immigrants throughout the world, St. Patrick’s Day became a global celebration. On St. Patrick’s Day, participants might attend a parade, enjoy a traditional Irish American dish of corned beef and cabbage, and wear green (Combs, 2019). Before heading out to your local Irish pub to celebrate, check out some great Irish films and documentaries!

The Secret of Kells

Young Brendan lives in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids. But a new life of adventure beckons when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers.

To help complete the magical book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest that takes him into the enchanted forest where mythical creatures hide. It is here that he meets the fairy Aisling, a mysterious young wolf-girl, who helps him along the way. But with the barbarians closing in, will Brendan’s determination and artistic vision illuminate the darkness and show that enlightenment is the best fortification against evil? -Kanopy

This animated film is a delightful watch for the whole family! Check out this film for the unique animation style and elements of historical Irish culture.

The Wind That Shakes the Barley

In 1920s Ireland, young doctor Damien O’Donovan (Cillian Murphy) prepares to depart for a new job in a London hospital. As he says his goodbyes at a friend’s farm, British Black and Tans arrive, and a young man is killed. Damien joins his brother Teddy (Padraic Delaney) in the Irish Republican Army, but political events are soon set in motion that tear the brothers apart. -Kanopy

The Wind That Shakes the Barley is a historical fiction film that shows the difficulties the Irish faced during the Irish Civil War. Viewers interested in the Irish Civil War or seeing a young Cillian Murphy act long before Oppenheimer will find this film enjoyable.

Roots of Irish Identity: Celts to Monks

The Irish Renaissance in the early 20th century was a remarkable period for arts, literature, and culture—and it sprang out of the legendary history of the nation. To help us understand this pivotal period, Professor Conner traces the course of Irish history starting with the ancient Celts and running through the Middle Ages. -Kanopy

Part of the Great Courses series, Roots of Irish Identify covers the ancient and medieval period of Irish history. Patrons who want to learn a little more about Irish history will find this documentary illuminating.

The Irish Civil War

After the controversial free-state treaty at the end of 1921, the country split into civil war, with republicans viewing the treaty as selling out their ideals. Trace the events of the yearlong civil war, including the tragic death of Michael Collins, and see how it finally resolved. -Kanopy

Another Great Courses documentary, this video covers events in the Irish Civil War. This documentary will be interesting to anyone who would like to learn more about a complex period in Ireland’s history.

Ulysses: A Greek Epic in an Irish World

From 1914 to 1921, while Ireland faced revolution at home, James Joyce was abroad, slowly laboring on his great masterpiece, Ulysses. In this first of three lectures about this famous epic and its relation to Irish history, Professor Conner provides a lucid overview of the story, its characters, its style, and its structure. -Kanopy

This Great Courses documentary provides a synopsis of the famous Irish novel Ulysses. If you’re curious about this novel, this lecture may convince you to give the book a read!

How ever you choose to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, keep in mind that the university libraries are here to help. If you are interested in learning what other astonishing resources the library has to offer, make a reference appointment or reach out to your liaison librarian today!

Reference

Combs, S. (2019, February 1st). Who was Saint Patrick and why does he have a day? National Geographic. https://tinyurl.com/5bsehhjb

Charles Gallagher is a Research and Instruction Librarian at The Catholic University of America Libraries.

Digital Scholar Bytes: Public Domain Day 2026

Posted on January 16, 2026January 15, 2026 by Charles Gallagher

Public Domain Day 2026

While January 1st is celebrated the world over as New Year’s Day, the date is also known as Public Domain Day. Public Domain Day brings awareness to works and creations which lose their copyright protections and enter the public domain. Beginning on January 1st, 2026, works published or produced during the year 1930 enter the public domain. Sound recordings follow a different schedule; sound recordings produced during 1925 will enter the public domain while sound recordings from 1930 are still protected by copyright (Boyle and Jenkins, 2025). This year’s new additions include some early works of famous literature, movies and classic cartoon characters.

What is the Public Domain?

The public domain is a legal concept that describes works no longer protected by copyright law. Works in the public domain can be reused by others in new and unique ways. For instance, creators have used public domain material to create new works. Public domain designation also reduces barriers to preservation and dissemination. Some recent examples of works incorporating new additions to the public domain include a Steamboat Willie horror game and Nick, a novel about Nick Carraway, a character from The Great Gatsby. Archivists can take steps to convert at-risk material without having to worry about copyright protections (Boyle and Jenkins, 2025). Digitalized material in the public domain can be shared online through digital exhibits and digital repositories.

Dizzying Dishes (1930, Internet Archive) — Dizzying Dishes 1930 (Internet Archive)

Notable new entries to public domain

1930’s addition to the public domain includes some famous pieces of literature. Early versions of cartoon characters and novel characters of much more renowned later version are also part of works which have lost their copyright projection this year. The list of new additions includes:

As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
The first four Nancy Drew novels
A classic children’s book, The Little Engine that Could (1930 edition)
Soup and Nuts, a film featuring several future Three Stooges such as Moe Howard, Shemp Howard and Larry Fine).
The first cartoons featuring an early version of Betty Boop
Agatha Christie’s Murder at the Vicarage. This novel is the first one featuring Miss Marple
Murder! A film directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Georgia on my Mind lyrics by Gus Kahn
Artwork such as Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow

Secret of the Old Clock 1930 cover-Internet Archive — Secret of the Old Clock 1930 (cover)

(List from Jennifer Jenkins and James Boyle, Public Domain Day 2026)

Sound recordings from 1925 enter the public domain this year as well. Some of these works include classic Jazz and gospel songs including

Nobody Knows de Trouble I’ve Seen sung by Marian Anderson
Manhattan by The Knickerbockers
The Saint Louis Blues by Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong

(List from Jenkins and Boyle, 2025).

If you are interested in jazz or just music from a bygone era, these additions to the public domain are not to be missed!

Resources for public domain works

The above sampling is just a few of the hundreds of new additions to the public domain. If you are curious where new additions to the public domain can be found, the Internet Archive and HathiTrust are both good places to start. In fact, the Internet Archive is holding a film contest for Public Domain Day. Participants are encouraged to create their own movies using content from the public domain (Internet Archive, 2025). For eBook versions of novels and literature, Project Gutenberg is good resource to consult. Finally, The Center for the Study of the Public Domain, a division of the Duke Law School, has additional resources and links for works which have entered the public domain.

The Little Engine that Could-Internet Archive — The Little Engine that Could (Internet Archive)

People find all kinds of creative ways to use public domain material. Even within the first week of the new year, a new tabletop roleplaying game that uses plot points and characters from the first four Nancy Drew novels has premiered on Kickstarter. You never what kind of creative opportunities you might find!

Charles Gallagher is a Research and Instruction Librarian at the Catholic University of America Libraries.

References

Freeland, C. (2025, December 1st). 2026 Public Domain Film Remix Contest: The Internet Archive is Looking for Creative short Films Made By You! Internet Archive Blogs. Retrieved January 12, 2026, from https://blog.archive.org/2025/12/01/2026-public-domain-day-remix-contest/

Jenkins, J., & Boyle, J. (2025). Public Domain Day 2026. Center for the Study of the Public Domain. Retrieved 01/12/2026, from https://web.law.duke.edu/cspd/publicdomainday/2026/

Monsters and Horror: Spooky Films for your Streaming Pleasure!

Posted on October 29, 2025October 29, 2025 by Charles Gallagher

With the warm weather of summer behind us and daylight growing short, Halloween is here once again! If you don’t have the energy for another ghost walk around the block, a couple scary movies might get you in the Halloween spirit! Look no further than Kanopy, one of the Mullen Library’s digital resources! From classic films to documentaries on the horror genre, explore Kanopy’s Fright Fest (if you dare) to find plenty of spine tingling videos to keep you up at night. Below is a brief history on Halloween and some eerie examples for your viewing pleasure (or horror…..).

History of Halloween

Halloween’s origins can be traced to a pagan Celtic holiday known as Samhain. Practitioners would sacrifice offerings to to obtain their gods’ favor. In the Middle Ages, the holiday became All Hallow’s Eve or Halloween when it became associated with the Christian feast day All Saint’s Day or All Hallow’s Day. Despite widespread conversion to Christianity, residents of the British Isles would continue leave food and drinks and carve vegetables to ward off what they believed were evil spirits (Santino, 2011). Immigrants brought their traditions and practices to America. By the the mid-20th century, dressing in costumes and trick or treating became a regular practice within the United States (Jackson, 2025).

Kingdom of Shadows: The Birth of the Horror Cinema (1998)

Narrated by Rod Steiger, Kingdom of Shadows is a haunting, sometimes shocking documentary that explores the evolution of horror in world cinema — a danse macabre of religion, science, carnivals, nightmares, monstrosity and death. More than fifty thrillers (the best-known as well as the most obscure) are surveyed, including Nosferatu, The Golem, Haxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages, The Student of Prague, Electrocuting an Elephant, The Phantom of the Opera, Dante’s Inferno, The Bells, Waxworks, Warning Shadows, and Leaves from Satan’s Book. -Kanopy

A chilling documentary about the origins of the horror movie genre. Shocking clips of early horror films from the early 1900s onward make this documentary well worth the watch!

Scary Stories (2019)

Explore the history of one of the most controversial works of modern children’s literature: The best selling teen classic Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, which scared a generation of readers and became one of the most banned books of modern times. –Kanopy

A fascinating documentary on a children’s book that faced continuous library bans over the years. The series’ ban history is serious enough that The American Library Association (ALA) recently hosted a watch party for the documentary. If you are interested in a classic book from your childhood or banned books in general, look no further than Scary Stories!

In Search of Edgar Allen Poe (2019) — In Search of Edgar Allan Poe (2024)

In Search of Edgar Allan Poe (2024)

This definitive documentary tells the poignant story of the poet, short story writer, and critic Edgar Allan Poe. It recounts how he invented the detective story, pioneered science fiction, and shaped the horror tale, yet was beset by many personal demons. -Kanopy

This two part documentary covers the life of Edgar Allan Poe and his writings. If you are a fan of Edgar Allan Poe and his works, this documentary is a perfect watch! Living a tormented life and suffering from alcohol, lost loves, and a desire for self-destruction, the documentary discusses his mysterious death. The documentary ends with a list of Poe’s titles and the writers, scientists, and their masterworks. For example, Poe’s The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket influenced Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, H.P. Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness, and Jules Verne’s An Antarctic Mystery.

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

A disparate group of individuals takes refuge in an abandoned house when corpses begin to leave the graveyard in search of fresh human bodies to devour. The pragmatic Ben (Duane Jones) does his best to control the situation, but when the reanimated bodies surround the house, the other survivors begin to panic.

As any semblance of order within the group begins to dissipate, the zombies start to find ways inside — and one by one, the living humans become the prey of the deceased ones in horror legend George A. Romeros’ first film. Chosen for preservation by the National Film Preservation Board, USA. -Kanopy

A horrifying film about average people desperately trying to fend off hordes of the undead in 1960s America. Will they survive? Stream the film to find out!

Nosferatu (1922)

An unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, NOSFERATU is the quintessential silent vampire film, crafted by legendary German director F. W. Murnau. Rather than depicting Dracula as a shape-shifting monster or debonair gentleman, Murnau’s Graf Orlok (as portrayed by Max Schreck) is a nightmarish, spidery creature of bulbous head and taloned claws — perhaps the most genuinely disturbing incarnation of vampirism yet envisioned. -Kanopy

Though the film is over one hundred years old, Nosferatu is still a terrifying film about a blood sucking monster bent on finding tasty prey to feast upon. Definitely another morbid watch for Halloween night.

The Blob (1958)

A cult classic of gooey greatness, THE BLOB follows the havoc wreaked on a small town by an outer-space monster with neither soul nor vertebrae, with Steve McQueen playing the rebel teen who tries to warn the residents about the jellylike invader. Strong performances and ingenious special effects help THE BLOB transcend the schlock sci-fi and youth delinquency genres from which it originates.

Made outside of Hollywood by a maverick film distributor and a crew whose credits mostly comprised religious and educational shorts, THE BLOB helped launch the careers of McQueen and composer Burt Bacharach, whose bouncy title song is just one of this film’s many unexpected pleasures.-Kanopy

A classic horror film that evokes trepidation even with graphics that are a touch old. Another frightful movie to keep you up at night.

If these options interest you, check out our other spine tingling options in the Kanopy database. Be sure to check them out along with our other databases on the library website. Just be sure to leave the lights on or you may be in for a fright!

Charles Gallagher is a Research and Instruction Librarian at The Catholic University of America Libraries.

References

Jackson, L. (2025). WVU Experts Unmask Halloween’s Long, Haunted History. WVU Today. Retrieved October 28th, 2025, from https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/media-center-blog/2025/10/22/expert-pitch-wvu-experts-unmask-halloween-s-long-haunted-history

Santino, J. (2011). The Fantasy and Folklore of All Hallows Eve. Clarksville Online. Retrieved October 28th, 2025, from https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2011/10/23/the-fantasy-and-folklore-of-all-hallows-eve/

Research & Instruction: PsycINFO

Posted on October 21, 2025February 18, 2026 by Charles Gallagher

PsycINFO basic search — PsycINFO basic searc

Background and database coverage

Created and updated by the American Psychology Association, PsycINFO contains more than 1800 journals, books, reports, dissertations and theses. The database covers diverse psychology subjects such as applied psychology, physiological psychology and psychometrics and statistics among others. All together, PsycINFO’s cited references total more than 8 million (ProQuest, 2025).

Searching options

PsycINFO has searching options similar to other library databases. Users can search keyword terms in the search bar on the home page. Users can also use the advanced search page to search specific fields such as title, author and subject. PsycINFO also provides searching options relevant to psychology research. Users can activate unique filters include record type, methodology, and age group. In addition, users can conduct field searches relevant to psychology. These field searches include which country an article was published in and what testing & measurements the authors used in the study. If a researcher is searching for a study that uses a specific test, they could limit their search to studies which used the desired measurement. The users can also browse possible terms in a Look up window, accessible to the right of each search bar. These search options are available as filters on the left hand side of the results page.

Subject Terms

PsycINFO contains psychology subject terms in the database’s item records. Subject terms are keywords that are standardized across a given library catalog’s or database’s records. Subject terms can be found in a item records of library catalogs and databases. Incorporating a subject term into a search typically yields more relevant results. Users can look up subject terms in the Thesaurus feature, which is accessible from the Advanced Search page. Within the thesaurus feature, users can either search by keyword or browse for relevant terms.

Conclusion

As I hope you will see for yourself, PsycINFO is a fantastic tool for psychology students and faculty. PsycINFO is just one of the many databases the library provides. If you have further questions about library resources or would like to refine your search strategies, please reach out to one of our friendly librarians! Our staff is here to help with your research questions!

Charles Gallagher is a Research and Instruction Librarian at The Catholic University of America University Libraries.

Reference

American Psychological Association. (n.d.). About APA PsycInfo. American Psychological Association. https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/how-to-cite-chatgpt

Digital Scholar Bytes: AI in the Classroom

Posted on September 2, 2025September 4, 2025 by Charles Gallagher

Teaching and Learning with ChatGPT

Generative AI’s impact on academia has been mixed so far. Faculty concerns about students improperly using generative AI are valid; generative AI systems like ChatGPT are capable of producing complete essays from just a few prompt sentences. At the same time, faculty are finding ways to integrate generative AI into their own work. From brainstorming to reviewing materials and reflecting on pedagogy, ChatGPT is proving useful in making teaching and research efficient. This blog will:

Share how faculty at other institutions are using ChatGPT in class preparation as well as assignment creation.
Show what elements of information make up a good prompt.
Provide an example of how ChatGPT can be used to create a quiz.

ChatGPT and other generative AI systems are sophisticated tools that are not always straightforward to use. When applied thoughtfully, however, they can streamline many academic tasks. The key lies in developing the skills to use generative AI effectively and responsibly.

Faculty use of ChatGPT

Two case studies illustrate the opportunities that faculty may leverage in their teaching and research.

First, a survey of English language faculty at the University of Hong Kong gauged their reactions to ChatGPT. Many of the faculty interviewed had incorporated ChatGPT into their classroom instruction. One professor used ChatGPT to generate quizzes and assignments for their students on a regular basis. Another faculty member described ChatGPT almost as a teaching aid that can help with classroom planning (Kohnke, 2025).

Second, ChatGPT can also be used to help students practice standardized tests. In one study, nursing students worked with ChatGPT to prepare for the NCLEX exams. Using an established framework, the students used ChatGPT to practice immersive patient interactions. In addition to making practice questions, the students also used ChatGPT to deepen and develop clinical judgement scenarios, fleshing out the patients’ conditions and medical history (Simms, 2024). Traditionally, these details would have been developed by a professor and required significant time to evaluate and assess. Thoughtful use of ChatGPT can help faculty save both time and effort.

Generative AI Basics

If you want more examples of faculty adopting ChatGPT to their work flows, check out Teaching Effectively with ChatGPT by Dan Levy and Angela Albertos. The book explores ways faculty and students are using ChatGPT to improve their work and learning experiences. The book also covers basic principles and considerations to using ChatGPT. I will demonstrate how a short quiz can be created in ChatGPT but be aware the book contains more examples.

Using ChatGPT begins with effective prompting. Developing the best prompt possible is referred to as prompt engineering. One strategy is to ensure your prompts address three main aspects: task, instruction and context (Levy, 2024). Each aspect breaks down as follows:

Task: The overall goal that you want ChatGPT to accomplish or what you want ChatGPT to do.
Instructions: How the AI should carry out the task such as what the program is supposed to do.
Context: Details and background information which can influence the task (Levy, 2024).

Any instructor would need to know each of these aspects when developing a class plan or an assignment. Therefore ChatGPT must also have the same background knowledge in order to develop effective results. By ensuring these three elements are part of your prompt, you can leverage ChatGPT to the best possible result.

Creating short quizzes using ChatGPT

Let’s try making a short quiz with ChatGPT. Let’s assume I am teaching an introductory American history course for college first year students. In this hypothetical class, the students have been assigned to read chapter four (“Rule Britannia! The English Empire, 1660-1763”) of an OER (open educational resource) textbook titled U.S. History. The chapter covers a portion of American colonial history leading up to the French and Indian War/Seven Years War.

I asked ChatGPT to generate a 10 multiple choice question quiz based on chapter four. I specified that the class is an introductory college course on early American History and that answers to each question should be supplied separately.

Based on the information I provided, ChatGPT rapidly produced a 10 question multiple choice quiz.

At first glance the quiz seems to cover chapter four’s topic. However, I still need to proofread and edit the quiz. For instance I would need to determine if the questions and answers provided are accurate and acceptable for a classroom environment. Clarity should also be considered as well. I may adjust my initial prompt to develop a better response. I should also consider if the quiz supports the long term learning objectives of the class. Maybe a class goal is to study and discuss the economic development of early America. I might then revise my prompt to reflect an emphasis on economic factors discussed in chapter four. By making either direct edits to the quiz or changes to my prompt, I’ll have a version of the quiz ready for student use.

General Rules to Consider

First and foremost, any content created by ChatGPT should be considered a draft at best. As Konoke notes, ChatGPT can generate useful information but still produce inaccurate information (2024, 7). The user is responsible for ensuring their work is accurate and should double check anything AI creates. All work should be carefully reviewed, not just for grammatical concerns but also for factual accuracy. Second, do not become discouraged if the first prompt you submit does not immediately generate satisfactory results. As I like to tell students using the library catalog or one of our databases, you may need to tweak or replace your terms to generate improved results. Third, be mindful of the system and version you are using. I created this quiz using the free version of ChatGPT. Using a paid account however may generate more accurate results.

Alternatively, using an AI program with a focus on classroom design might produce a higher quality quiz than ChatGPT. Check out the Ithaka S+R Generative AI Product Tracker to see the variety of tools (see ‘Teaching & Learning Tools’). Finally, departmental and university rules and guidelines regarding AI should always be considered. CUA’s policy on AI in the classroom should be consulted before adopting AI tools for either lesson planning or assigning class activities.

Conclusion

ChatGPT has the potential to reduce busy work and enhance the learning experience. While abuse is always possible, faculty can find ways to cut down on their workload and find new ways to engage with students. AI might not replace our work loads but it can make work a little easier and let us focus on more complex tasks.

Charles Gallagher is a Research and Instruction Librarian at The Catholic University of America Libraries

Further Readings

Levy, D. M., & Pérez Albertos, Á. (2024). Teaching effectively with ChatGPT : a practical guide to creating better learning experiences for your students in less time. Dan Levy and Ángela Pérez Albertos.

Williams, R. (2024, December 4). Three AI software platforms for an inclusive classroom. UMD College of Education. https://education.umd.edu/news/12-03-24-three-ai-software-platforms-inclusive-classroom

Catholic University of America University Libraries’ Generative AI and Research Research Guide

References

Corbett, P. S. (2014). U.S. History. OpenStax.

Kohnke, L., & Zou, D. (2025). “The role of ChatGPT in enhancing English teaching: A paradigm shift in lesson planning and instructional practices.” Educational Technology & Society, 28(3), 4–20. https://10.30191/ETS.202507_28(3).SP02

Levy, D. M., & Pérez Albertos, Á. (2024). Teaching effectively with ChatGPT : a practical guide to creating better learning experiences for your students in less time. United Staes: Dan Levy and Ángela Pérez Albertos.

Simms, R. C. (2024). “Work With ChatGPT, Not Against: 3 Teaching Strategies That Harness the Power of Artificial Intelligence.” Nurse Educator, 49(3), 158–161. https://journals.lww.com/nurseeducatoronline/fulltext/2024/05000/work_with_chatgpt,_not_against__3_teaching.8.aspx.

Digital Scholar Bytes: Preservation Week 2025

Posted on April 28, 2025April 24, 2025 by Charles Gallagher

Courtesy of Preservation Week 2025

Get excited Cardinals, Preservation Week is April 27th to May 3rd this year! Preservation Week highlights preservation techniques and practices libraries and museums use for their respective collections. This year’s theme is Preserve the Past, Shape the Future: Inspiring the Next Generation. This celebration encourages the public to consider the importance of preservation and how they can preserve their own documents and family history. For those who have not considered preservation practices before, the American Library Association and other organizations are offering webinars on preservation practices and principles. Preservation Week is a great chance to learn something new!

What is Preservation Week?

Preservation Week, first held in 2010, was created by the American Library Association’s Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures. Core established Preservation Week to draw attention to the methods for preserving various types of media including books, photographs and digital material. According to ALA, libraries and museums hold approximately 630 million items in need of proper preservation techniques. However, many of these institutions lack the monetary support and staffing to support preservation projects (Core, 2025). By highlighting preservation practices, the ALA and their partner institutions hope to encourage libraries to adopt better standards and policies that balance financial and preservation concerns. Core is sponsoring free webinars on practical preservation policies. Institutions interested in participating are encouraged to host their own preservation workshops and activities (Core, 2025). Essentially, Preservation Week provides opportunities to learn more about how libraries and museums preserve material for future generations.

Preservation Practices

Preservation is not just for libraries. You can and should implement preservation practices with your personal documents. To get everyone in the preservation mood, here are some general guidelines from the American Institute for Conservation for persevering different types of media:

Books: Books should be stored upright on a shelf, supported by either a neighboring book or a bookend. They should be kept in a dry temperate room with low humidity. When handling, cradle the books with clean, dry hands. Never place a book open flat against a table or floor.
Photographs: Physical photographs should be kept in a low humidity environment with a consistent temperature around 68 degrees. Photos should be kept in either plastic or paper sleeves devoid of harmful chemicals and substances.
Videotapes: VCR and other tape formats can degrade over time if not handled properly. Video tapes should be kept in a cool location. Store video tapes vertically in a row rather than horizontally. Remember to rewinding videotapes after use and keep the tape rolled up and unexposed.

Two overall rules to follow regardless of the format you are working to preserve: 1) store the material in cool and dry conditions with low humidity and 2) arrange storage in a manner which doesn’t put pressure or wear and tear on the material. By addressing these issues with your own private material, you can help keep these works safe for further use or access.

Bookmarks from the Library of Congress — Courtesy of the Library of Congress

Disaster Preparedness

Preservation also encompasses emergency preparedness. Libraries, archives, and museums have to plan responses and recovery if and when an unexpected disaster occurs. Disasters such as fires and floods are devastating to physical and digital collections. While every library and institution has specific considerations regarding their collections, general guidelines can prompt better preparation. The following government agencies and non-profits provide guidelines and suggestions on how libraries can prepare for disasters:

Library of Congress’s Preservation on Emergency Management: https://www.loc.gov/preservation/emergprep/index.html
Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts: https://ccaha.org/resources
Syracuse University maintains a page on emergency preparedness: https://onlinegrad.syracuse.edu/blog/emergency-preparedness/

Emergency preparedness is not just for libraries! Individuals should plan for potential disasters too. One common disaster which can wreck a personal collection of print material is flooding. Whether from bad weather or from a leaky pipe, flooding can cause damage to print books and create the conditions for mold to grow. Some steps to consider when dealing with water damaged paper material as provided by the Library of Congress: What To Do When Collections Get Wet:

Remove the material still dry to a safer and drier location.
Keep the area cool and low on humidity with a dehumidifier.
To air dry books, place paper towels in between damp pages to let them air dry. Do not try to separate dripping wet pages until they have dried.
Keep an eye on the books to ensure there is no mold growth.

Learning how to respond when disaster strikes can help you preserve your collections and family treasurers for years to come.

Conclusion

Preservation Week is a great time to learn about how libraries and museums work to preserve books and historical artifacts. A few ideas for how you can participate:

Check out some of the free webinars available on the Preservation Week website.
Review your own emergency preparedness policies with loved ones to ensure you’re prepared to act in the event of an emergency.
Plan a Preservation Week even to spread awareness about preservation techniques and professions.

However you choose to celebrate, enjoy yourself and explore the suggested reading below for additional resources. Take the opportunity to discover something new this week!

Charles Gallagher is a Research and Instruction Librarian at The Catholic University of America University Libraries.

References

American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works. (a). Caring for books. Retrieved April 23 2025, from https://f9f7df2c79cc13143598-609f7062990e04dd7dd5b501c851683c.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/aichaw_5adbd22319fae7932d2563614b0f60ed.pdf

American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works. (b). Caring for home videotapes. American Institute for Conservation. Retrieved April 23 2025, from https://learning.culturalheritage.org/files/9cde3532-94b8-41fe-96e6-f41566f156e8?ref_id=2039

American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. Caring for photographs. American Institute for Conservation. Retrieved April 23 2025, from https://learning.culturalheritage.org/files/9cde3532-9b40-4c7e-b6ec-08dbce11a8e2?ref_id=2039

American Library Association. Preservation Week: Celebration. https://www.ala.org/events/preservation-week

Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures. Preservation Week 2025: Preserve the Past, Shape the Future: Inspiring the Next Generation. https://preservationweek.org/

Library of Congress. What To Do When Collections Get Wet. https://www.loc.gov/preservation/emergprep/dry.html

Syracuse University. 2025. How Libraries Can Prepare for Natural Disasters and Preserve Community History. https://onlinegrad.syracuse.edu/blog/emergency-preparedness/

Tu-Keefner, F., Hobbs, A., and Lyons, D. 2024. “Libraries on the Front Lines: The Imperative for Disaster-Ready Information Professionals.” Journal of Library Administration, 65 (1), 79. https://doi.org/10.1080/01930826.2024.2432230

Further Reading

Library of Congress. The Deterioration and Preservation of Paper: Some Essential Facts. https://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/deterioratebrochure.html

Syracuse University. How Libraries Can Prepare for Natural Disasters and Preserve Community History. https://onlinegrad.syracuse.edu/blog/emergency-preparedness/

Library of Congress. Preservation. Emergency Management. https://www.loc.gov/preservation/emergprep/#emergency

Catholic University Mullen Library. Digital Scholar Bytes: World Digital Preservation Day: Safeguarding Our Digital Heritage. https://www.lib.cua.edu/wordpress/newsevents/21879/

Catholic University Mullen Library. Digital Scholar Bytes: Preservation Week. https://lib.cua.edu/wordpress/newsevents/22551/

Digital Scholar Bytes: Disrupting and Reconceiving Collection Practices

Posted on April 10, 2025April 10, 2025 by Charles Gallagher

Every two years, the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) publishes in College & Research Libraries News an article on the top trends and issues affecting academic libraries and the change our institutions are experiencing. We are highlighting some of these trends through blog posts over this academic year, including: supporting student well-being post-pandemic; open access and equitable publishing; AI and AI literacy; open science and reproducibility; open pedagogy and instructional design; and disrupting and reconceiving collection practices.

Introduction

Reconceiving collection practices is one of the top ten trends emerging among academic libraries. Librarians have come to accept that their collections exclude scholarship written by women and persons of color (ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee, 234). To address the existing imbalance in their collections, libraries are working to include diverse viewpoints and authorships in their selections. Unfortunately, libraries’ intentions may be limited by challenges such as inadequate indexing, staffing, and funds that can hamper such efforts. In one case study, librarians at the Colorado State University Library are taking small steps to change their selection process and spotlight diverse parts of pre-existing collections.

Changes to Acquisition Policies: One Library’s Journey

To address inadequate collections, librarians are changing their acquisition methods to create more diverse collections. One library started with small changes to their acquisition criteria. Librarians at Colorado State University (CSU) recognized that traditional measurements of usage and circulation numbers inhibited selecting and maintaining diverse collections. They found works on diverse topics were at risk for being weeded due entirely to circulation numbers (Watson, 102). The librarians changed their acquisition practices to purchase diverse material and spotlight pre-existing works in their collections. They identified several book awards granted each year to works on diverse topics. They set up a policy with their book vendor to ensure that each year’s recipient of the various identified awards would be automatically purchased and added to the library collection (Watson, 105). While the total number of diverse texts added each year would only increase incrementally, this policy change was a good starting point.

The librarians realized purchasing a few more books a year would not be enough; they needed to advertise the new material as well. They promoted the new award winning titles through book displays and digital displays on their library website. They also created bookmarks with the new titles updated periodically (Watson, 105). By advertising their new additions, the librarians hoped to encourage usage and circulation of the diverse collections.

The librarians also solicited input from students on what additional diverse texts the library should purchase. They created surveys asking what books should be acquired by the library. The surveys were sent to students in an introductory college program. Feedback from the surveys factored into the librarians’ acquisition decisions (Watson, 106). These efforts, among others, enabled the librarians to begin building a more diverse and inclusive library book collection.

Challenges to Changing Acquisition Policies

Challenges to changing acquisition policies exist and persist. A few challenges to consider include cataloging and staffing limitations. Identifying diverse works for acquisition or even just works in a preexisting collection can be challenging. Limitations in cataloging systems help to explain the challenge librarians face. An aspect of this issue is the limitations of subject headings and metadata in cataloging material. Works which are part of a new field or new concept are often not adequately described in cataloging systems with pre-existing subject headings. The existing categories can at times prove inadequate or defective in describing diverse works. Famous works which later generations might hail as integral to a diverse topic are left in their original subject classification (Jahnke, 172) and this can hinder discovery. Furthermore, even librarians struggle with locating diverse materials. The CSU librarian committee tried to use their catalog’s search features to try and identify already purchased diverse texts. They struggled to find relevant materials in their own collection due to the subject terms used for material in their collection (Watson, 104). If trained librarians’ search for diverse material floundered, how can patrons less familiar with the catalog be able to locate diverse titles? Librarians should be mindful not only of the type of works they acquire but also how these works are integrated into their collections.

The challenge of acquiring diverse titles is further hampered by librarian’s lack of knowledge and time. When making acquisition decisions, librarians have to parse through a wide range of works. Having the skill set to identify works either by diverse authors and/or material on a diverse topic is crucial (Jahnke, 176). Librarians may also have to educate themselves on topics which they are not familiar with. The CSU library staff attended seminars on diversity to better understand the topics they would be engaging with. By doing so, they better understood the need to build a diverse collection (Watson, 103). While these initiatives can be beneficial, they do take time. That is time which some libraries and librarians simply do not have.

Conclusion

Despite cataloging and staffing challenges, libraries and librarians are continuing to build and promote diverse collections. By implementing these changes, librarians aim to provide their patrons with an increasingly diverse library collections and experience. Instead of trying to enact sweeping changes to their library collections, some librarians start with smaller goals (ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee, 234). With these small steps, librarians are embracing a more diverse scholarship field.

Charles Gallagher is a Research and Instruction Librarian at The Catholic University of America Libraries.

References

ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee. (2024). 2024 Top Trends in Academic Libraries: A Review of the Trends and Issues. College & Research Libraries News, 85(6). https://crln.acrl.org/index.php/crlnews/article/view/26379/34322.

Jahnke, L. M., K. Tanaka, and C.A. Palazzolo. (2022). Ideology, Policy, and Practice: Structural Barriers to Collections Diversity in Research and College Libraries. College & Research Libraries, 83(2), 166. https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.83.2.166.

Watson, R. J., Thomas, K., and Kristine Nowak. (2023). Adhocking It: Overcoming the Overwhelm to Start Creating Equitable and Inclusive Collections Now. In A. Brissett, and D. Moronta (Eds.), Practicing Social Justice in Libraries (pp. 100–116). Routledge.

Further Reading

Bernhardt, L. M., and B. Neel. (2022). When the Vendor Becomes the Library: Systems, Values, and the Commodification of Social Justice in Academic Collections. Journal of Information Ethics, 31(2), 26–37. https://doi.org/10.2307/JIE.31.2.26.

Bledsoe, Kara, Danielle Miriam Cooper, Roger C. Schonfeld, and Oya Y. Rieger, “Leading by Diversifying Collections: A Guide for Academic Library Leadership” (Ithaka S+R, November 9, 2022), https://doi.org/10.18665/sr.317833.

Bright, Matthew, Yoko Ferguson, David Heilbrun, and Jacqueline Saavedra. (2024). Reparative Cataloging at the Washington Research Library Consortium. In Billey, Amber, Elizabeth Nelson, and Rebecca Uhl, (Eds.) Inclusive Cataloging: Histories, Context, and Reparative Approaches. Chicago: ALA Editions, 2024. https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/downloads/nc580n484?disposition=inline&locale=en

Digital Scholarship Bytes: Public Domain Day 2025

Posted on January 16, 2025May 16, 2025 by Charles Gallagher

January 1st is celebrated as Public Domain Day. Each year, works that are no longer covered by copyright protection are added to the public domain. For 2025, books published in 1929 and sound recordings released in 1924 are now in the public domain and can be used to create new material without the author’s permission. These exciting new additions are now accessible to the general public.

What is Public Domain?

Public domain is a term for material which no longer has copyright protection. Artists who want to create works based on or inspired by works in the public domain no longer need the author’s (or copyright holder’s) permission. Copyright protection in the US depends on when the material was created. Works created before 1978 are under copyright protection for 95 years after publication. Works created after 1978 have protection for the creator’s life plus 70 years. Limiting copyright protection can promote creativity and encourage new works of art and writing. For instance, one of the most popular movies last year, Wicked, is based on The Wizard of Oz, a novel from the early 20^th century which is in the public domain. If the Wizard of Oz had not been in the public domain, the movie Wicked (as well as the musical and novel) may not have occurred. Examples of the kind of creative work which can enter the public domain is a comic strip starring Popeye the Sailor and the novel The Maltese Falcon.

Resources on Public Domain Day

There are plenty of places on the web you can learn about new additions to the public domain. A good starting point is Duke University’s School of Law about Public domain blog . The blog has a thorough definition and a description of public domain. The site also contains a list of the most famous recent additions to public domain. Jennifer Jenkins, the co-director of Duke University’s Center for the Study of Public Domain, was interviewed by NPR about Public Domain Day. Jenkins explained the concept of public domain and what works are currently available. Jenkins also discussed the role that copyright and public domain play in encouraging creators to develop new projects and ideas.

Check out the Copyright Lately website for a comprehensive discussion about the works entering the public domain this year. The blog’s author also covers the legal context of public domain and discusses the books and movies now included in public domain. For instance, 1929 was the year when movies with sound or talkies became popular. Readers can expect insightful context to the recent additions.

The Public Domain Review is another site worth learning about the new additions to the public domain. The Public Domain Review produces essays focused on the use of public domain material. The editors put together a blog post which provides a description and commentary on a few of the famous additions to public domain. Definitely a cool resource for not just the recent additions to the public domain but for a deeper understanding of how public domain material is being used and studied.

Finally, the Internet Archives is celebrating Public Domain Day on January 22nd and invites interested individuals to attend either in person or online. The Internet Archives is also holding a contest for interested creators to upload short videos using public domain inspired material. The blog piece also covers some of the interesting additions to the public domain this year. Many of the works listed are linked to the Internet Archive for interested users to access and use.

Five Notable Titles Now Available

While there are far more additions than be covered in this post, below are a list of five notables as put together by the Center for the Study of the Public Domain:

Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
The Cocoanuts: (First Marx Brothers film)
Blackmail (Alfred Hitchcock’s first film)
The Black Watch (John Ford’s first film)

Go ahead and check them out. You might find inspiration for your next project.

Charles Gallagher is a Research and Instruction Librarian at the Catholic University of America Libraries.

References

Inskeep, Steve. “With Every New Year Comes a Slew of Artistic Works Entering the Public Domain.” NPR, NPR, 1 Jan. 2025. https://www.npr.org/2025/01/01/nx-s1-5168417/with-every-new-year-comes-a-slew-of-artistic-works-entering-the-public-domain.

Jenkins, Jennifer, and James Boyle. “Public Domain Day 2025: Duke University School of Law.” Duke Law, https://web.law.duke.edu/cspd/publicdomainday/2025/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.

Krebeck, Aaron. “The Maltese Falcon: A Popeye Mystery : Aaron Krebeck: Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming.” Internet Archive, 3 Jan. 2025. https://archive.org/details/maltesefalcon-apopeyemystery/mode/2up.

Linden, Grace, et al. The Public Domain Review. https://publicdomainreview.org/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.

Moss, Aaron. “Public Domain Day 2025 Is Coming: Here’s What to Know.” Copyright Lately, 31 Dec. 2024. https://copyrightlately.com/public-domain-2025/.