
January 2021
Virtual Tours: Canvas, UMN Libraries and more
Are you new to the University of Minnesota or just wanting to learn how to do this “online colleging” thing better? This session will give you an overview of Canvas courses, the library website (lib.umn.edu) and success.umn.edu (peer tutoring centers). Librarians will also share tips to increase your efficiency with searching the library and using Canvas. We will send a zoom link to those who register. Register
Find out more »Start strong: Early semester planning
Fall semester was tough -- learn about new strategies, tools and hacks that can help you for spring. We will talk about semester planning, Canvas course tips, and go on virtual visits to the UMN Libraries and Success.umn.edu (peer tutoring centers). Get ideas for keeping up the motivation and staying on track in your courses. Zoom link will be sent to those who register. Register
Find out more »Bullet Journaling for Motivation
Start the new year and new semester out right! Learn how to use a bullet journal to increase your motivation, stay organized, set daily goals, and reflect on challenges and accomplishments. Have a notebook/journal and some writing utensils ready, as we'll be starting our journals during the workshop! Register
Find out more »How to Manage Your New Online Classes
Studying at home is a HUGE change! Chat with UMN Librarians about strategies for creating your best possible study environment, and maximizing your time. We'll go over time management apps like Trello, and discuss ways to communicate your needs to family and roommates. Register
Find out more »Start strong: Early semester planning
Fall semester was tough -- learn about new strategies, tools and hacks that can help you for spring. We will talk about semester planning, Canvas course tips, and go on virtual visits to the UMN Libraries and Success.umn.edu (peer tutoring centers). Get ideas for keeping up the motivation and staying on track in your courses. Zoom link will be sent to those who register. Register
Find out more »Demystifying Communicating with Faculty
Talking to faculty doesn’t have to be scary or intimidating. Join us for a short session to learn tips on how to communicate with your instructors during office hours, e-mail, and phone conversations. Also, learn some tips for sending emails of interest for open positions and mentorships. Register
Find out more »Start strong: Early semester planning
Fall semester was tough -- learn about new strategies, tools and hacks that can help you for spring. We will talk about semester planning, Canvas course tips, and go on virtual visits to the UMN Libraries and Success.umn.edu (peer tutoring centers). Get ideas for keeping up the motivation and staying on track in your courses. Zoom link will be sent to those who register. Register
Find out more »Virtual Tours: Canvas, UMN Libraries and more
Are you new to the University of Minnesota or just wanting to learn how to do this “online colleging” thing better? This session will give you an overview of Canvas courses, the library website (lib.umn.edu) and success.umn.edu (peer tutoring centers). Librarians will also share tips to increase your efficiency with searching the library and using Canvas. We will send a zoom link to those who register. Register
Find out more »Bullet Journaling for Motivation
Start the new year and new semester out right! Learn how to use a bullet journal to increase your motivation, stay organized, set daily goals, and reflect on challenges and accomplishments. Have a notebook/journal and some writing utensils ready, as we'll be starting our journals during the workshop! Register
Find out more »Tips for Taking Notes (IRL and Zoom Lectures)
Watching and listening to lectures is an important part of college. Learn tips and tricks to get the most out of them whether they are IRL (in real life) or online. Become more efficient with your class time and learn how to organize materials to help prepare with quizzes and tests. We will send a zoom link to those who are registered. Register
Find out more »February 2021
Workshop: Introduction to Citation Tools (Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote)
Learn why you should use a citation tool to organize your PDFs. These tools create in-text citations and bibliographies while you write in a word processor. This workshop will talk about how to use these tools and the pros and cons of Mendeley, EndNote, and Zotero. We will send a Zoom link to students who are registered the week of the workshop. Register now
Find out more »Workshop: Introduction to Zotero
Learn how to use Zotero to create your own database of citations, PDFs, images, webpages, video and audio files and more. Zotero can then be used to create citations in a large number of citation styles which can be added to Google Docs, Microsoft Word and Libre Office. We will send a zoom link to students who are registered. Register now
Find out more »Increase your reading efficiency
Reading ramping up this semester? Having trouble staying focused? Let's talk about strategies to read more efficiently -- we'll cover reading strategies in the sciences and humanities. Register
Find out more »Workshop: Introduction to Mendeley
Learn how to use Mendeley to organize papers, read PDFs and add citations to documents in a variety of styles. Mendeley can automatically locate, rename, and organize your citations and PDFs then create in-text citations and the bibliography. A Zoom link will be sent to registered students. Begin registration
Find out more »Introduction to EndNote and EndNote Web
Learn to import citations, customize your account, and format your bibliographies and in-text citations. We'll also discuss using EndNote in conjunction with EndNoteWeb, a Web-based version of EndNote available for free to current University of Minnesota students, faculty, and staff. A Zoom link will be sent to registered students. Register now!
Find out more »First Fridays Online – February
Join us online for the 2020-2021 First Fridays season as we bring the archives directly into your homes. The February event features two archival presentations: “The Adventure of the Pandemic Posts,” presented by Tim Johnson, Curator of the Sherlock Holmes Collections and “Telling Trans Stories on the Radio: The Tretter Transgender Oral History Podcast Project,” presented by Tretter Collection staff. Make a reservation to receive instructions to connect via Zoom.
Find out more »Tips and Tools for spring semester planning
Now that spring is underway -- plan the rest of your semester and get organized. Fill out a semester calendar, learn about online peer tutoring, explore tools to be more productive and connect with other students (maybe even make a virtual study group). We will send a zoom link to those who register. Register
Find out more »Handmade Valentines
Hoping to send something special through snail mail this year? Want to gift a loving card to your significant other? Look no further! Supplies will be provided if needed via contactless pickup in the Toaster at Walter Library (register for an email with details!) Otherwise, gather your own paper and markers and get ready to create some valentines with peers! Register
Find out more »Virtual study time: Try the Pomodoro technique
Keep up the motivation and meet with fellow students in a Zoom and learn how to use the Pomodoro technique, a brain-based study strategy. Have some work ready (e.g. homework, problem sets, reading, research, writing, studying for finals, etc) and use focused time to get stuff done. Then take a group break and repeat. Zoom link will be sent to those registered. Register
Find out more »Creating Posters in PowerPoint
Getting ready to do a poster for your course or at an upcoming conference? Learn pointers about using PowerPoint to create the poster as one giant slide, and send it to a large-scale printer. Register now
Find out more »Workshop: Expanding your reach: How to give your best presentation
Do you want to improve your skills in giving presentations? In this workshop you will learn best practices for presenting, such as telling your story with the ABT template, how to use design elements, and image use. Register now
Find out more »Calligraphy and Creative Lettering
Learn how to make decorative calligraphy and hand lettering through this virtual workshop! Register now to reserve your spot and be on the email list to learn about supply pickup if you are in need of markers (coming January 2021). All skill levels are welcome. Have some writing utensils and paper and be ready to learn! Register
Find out more »Data visualizations: Design principles and targeted messaging workshop
This Zoom workshop will introduce universal design strategies such as color, font, proximity, and shape that can be applied to traditional research visualizations such as tables and charts. It will also teach you how to create targeted messages for specific audiences through telling the story of your data. These learning objectives are grounded in ethical and accessibility principles. This workshop is intended for beginners – please be prepared with paper & pens/markers for a small activity at home. You will…
Find out more »Book Speed Dating
Are you ready to make a love connection...with a good book? Join our very own book matchmakers as they lead you through fast paced book reviews on a variety of genres and subjects. They will even send you a checklist ahead of time so you can mark your favorites as they go through them. If you still haven’t found “the one,” the book matchmakers will save time for on demand recommendations based on your interests. Register in advance and you…
Find out more »Tips and Tools for spring semester planning
Now that spring is underway -- plan the rest of your semester and get organized. Fill out a semester calendar, learn about online peer tutoring, explore tools to be more productive and connect with other students (maybe even make a virtual study group). We will send a Zoom link to those who register. Register
Find out more »Increase your reading efficiency
Reading ramping up this semester? Having trouble staying focused? Let's talk about strategies to read more efficiently -- we'll cover reading strategies in the sciences and humanities. Register
Find out more »Starting your paper: Choosing a topic and starting your search (online workshop)
Do you need to find a topic for a research paper or project? Or do you have a topic but you need to start finding sources? Join us for a virtual topic brainstorming session and work time with a librarian. We promise you will leave with a topic and at least one source that will make your instructor leap with joy. A Zoom invite will be emailed to you prior to the event. Register
Find out more »Tools and tips to avoid plagiarism
Plagiarism and academic dishonesty can lead to severe consequences. This online workshop will help you understand what plagiarism in writing is and some of the most common mistakes that students make. Learn strategies and tools to cite sources, avoid plagiarism and about other resources to get additional support. We will send a zoom link to those who register. Register
Find out more »Starting your paper: Choosing a topic and starting your search (online workshop)
Do you need to find a topic for a research paper or project? Or do you have a topic but you need to start finding sources? Join us for a virtual topic brainstorming session and work time with a librarian. We promise you will leave with a topic and at least one source that will make your instructor leap with joy. A Zoom invite will be emailed to you prior to the event. Register
Find out more »Tools and tips to avoid plagiarism
Plagiarism and academic dishonesty can lead to severe consequences. This online workshop will help you understand what plagiarism in writing is and some of the most common mistakes that students make. Learn strategies and tools to cite sources, avoid plagiarism and about other resources to get additional support. We will send a zoom link to those who register. Register
Find out more »March 2021
Workshop: Introduction to Citation Tools (Zotero, Mendeley, and EndNote)
Learn why you should use a citation tool to organize your PDFs, and create in-text citations and bibliographies while you write. This workshop will talk about how to use these tools and the pros and cons of Mendeley, EndNote, and Zotero. We will send a Zoom link to students who are registered the week of the workshop. Register
Find out more »Pomodoro for Productivity
Keep up the motivation and meet with fellow students to learn how to use the Pomodoro technique, a brain-based study strategy. Have some work ready (e.g. homework, problem sets, reading, research, writing, studying for finals, etc.) and use focused time to get stuff done. Then take a group break and repeat. A Zoom link will be sent to those registered. Register
Find out more »Calligraphy and Creative Lettering
Learn how to make decorative calligraphy and hand lettering through this virtual workshop! Register now to reserve your spot and be on the email list to learn about supply pickup if you are in need of markers (coming February 2021). All skill levels are welcome. Have some writing utensils and paper and be ready to learn! Register
Find out more »The Ins and Outs of Annotated Bibliographies
Need to write an annotated bibliography but don’t know where to start? Come to this session in zoom where you’ll learn what an annotated bibliography is, where to find articles for one, and how to annotate it effectively. We’ll also discuss how an annotated bibliography can help you in the writing process! Register
Find out more »“A Campus Divided” exhibit Uncovered (Online Workshop)
Learn about the Libraries exhibit, "A Campus Divided: Progressives, Anticommuninists, Racists, and Antisemitism at the University of Minnesota 1930-1942," and how the exhibit led to a campus-wide conversation around changing the names of buildings on the University of Minnesota campus.
Find out more »Pomodoro for Productivity
Keep up the motivation and meet with fellow students in a Zoom and learn how to use the Pomodoro technique, a brain-based study strategy. Have some work ready (e.g. homework, problem sets, reading, research, writing, studying for finals, etc) and use focused time to get stuff done. Then take a group break and repeat. Zoom link will be sent to those registered. Register
Find out more »April 2021
Expanding your reach: How to give your best presentation
Do you want to improve your skills in giving presentations? In this workshop you will learn best practices for presenting, such as telling your story with the ABT template, how to use design elements, and image use. Register
Find out more »First Fridays Online – April
Join us online for the 2020-2021 First Fridays season as we bring the archives directly into your homes. The April event is ”Disrupting the Narrative: Documenting and Advancing Institutional Change Through the Archives,” presented by Linnea Anderson, Social Welfare History Archives, and Ryan Bean, YMCA Archives. Make a reservation to receive instructions to connect via Zoom.
Find out more »Creating Posters in PowerPoint
Getting ready to do a poster for your course or at an upcoming conference? Learn pointers about using PowerPoint to create the poster as one giant slide, and send it to a large-scale printer. Register
Find out more »Pomodoro for Productivity
Keep up the motivation and meet with fellow students in a Zoom and learn how to use the Pomodoro technique, a brain-based study strategy. Have some work ready (e.g. homework, problem sets, reading, research, writing, studying for finals, etc) and use focused time to get stuff done. Then take a group break and repeat. Zoom link will be sent to those registered. Register
Find out more »Bullet Journaling for Finals
Finish the semester out right! Learn how to use a bullet journal to increase your motivation, stay organized, set daily goals, and reflect on challenges and accomplishments. Have a notebook/journal and some writing utensils ready, as we'll be starting our journals during the workshop! Register
Find out more »Bullet Journaling for Finals
Finish the semester out right! Learn how to use a bullet journal to increase your motivation, stay organized, set daily goals, and reflect on challenges and accomplishments. Have a notebook/journal and some writing utensils ready, as we'll be starting our journals during the workshop! Register
Find out more »Bullet Journaling for Finals
Finish the semester out right! Learn how to use a bullet journal to increase your motivation, stay organized, set daily goals, and reflect on challenges and accomplishments. Have a notebook/journal and some writing utensils ready, as we'll be starting our journals during the workshop! Register
Find out more »May 2021
First Fridays Online – May
Join us online for the 2020-2021 First Fridays season as we bring the archives directly into your homes. The May event features two presentations: “The Flying Jewish Chaplain,” presented by Kate Dietrick, Upper Midwest Jewish Archives and “Curt Carlson: The Ultra Entrepreneur,” presented by Amanda Wick, Processing Archivist, Carlson Companies Corporate Records and Family papers. Make a reservation to receive instructions to connect via Zoom.
Find out more »