MSL buzz: the Michael Schwartz Library blog - Research Guides at Cleveland State University

Our 8th Annual OpenCon Ohio 2025 Conference
is slated for May 19-22, 2025

The theme of our event this year is Empowerment, Care, and Community.

During the week, asynchronous conversations will be held online in Discord to discuss prerecorded lightning talks. On Thursday, May 22, 2025 we will have virtual presentations, interactive conversations, and a keynote presentation delivered by Apurva Ashok, the Rebus Foundation’s Executive Director.

Joine us this week!

If you are interested in attending a well-established open education conference that:

Offers maximal flexibility for attendees to view content when it is convenient
Features an amazing keynote speaker
Prioritizes community building, both synchronous and asynchronous
Is completely free and online ...

... then we hope you will join us for OpenCon Ohio 2025!

>> VIEW THE DETAILS AND FULL SCHEDULE HERE <<

Register for OpenCon Ohio 2025
at https://forms.gle/s1vAkEdSbqccEPFM8 through May 15, 2025.

Keynote Speaker Thursday, May 22 via Zoom

Apurva Ashok, Executive Director, The Rebus Foundation

Apurva Ashok is the Executive Director for The Rebus Foundation, a global non-profit and Canadian-registered charity that envisions a liberatory future where lifelong learning is valued as a public good and communities leverage education as a catalyst for positive change.

Apurva has been working in the Open Education field for nearly 9 years and brings a determination for systemic change. She brings her wide-ranging experience across publishing, program development, community building, impact-driven strategic planning, and media to help educational institutions build more equitable and responsive teaching & learning spaces.

Apurva has created several professional development offerings for educators, published OER guides including the OER Starter Kit for Program Managers, and supported the creation and adaptation of over 80 OER. Apurva is the recipient of an Open Education Award for Excellence from Open Education Global in recognition of her contributions to the field. At the core, Apurva champions collaboration, human-centric approaches, and open practices in service of better futures for us all.

About OpenCon Ohio

OpenCon Ohio is an annual event that celebrates the benefits of open education to student learning. Faculty, students, librarians, instructional designers, administrators, and others are all welcome to attend our virtual conference. This event is FREE.

We're grateful to our generous sponsors, OhioLINK and Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC), for their financial support for this conference.

>> VIEW THE DETAILS AND FULL SCHEDULE HERE <<

Recent Posts

Congratulations, class of 2025!

From Marsha Miles, Interim Director, Michael Schwartz Library —Wow. You made it. On behalf of all of us at your Michael Schwartz Library, I want to celebrate your achievement as you reach this important milestone.Your journey has been remarkable. Over the past few years, you’ve navigated change and embraced new ways of learning, connecting, and collaborating-both online and in person. We’ve enjoyed supporting you through thousands of research consultations, helping you access materials from our extensive collections, and welcoming you back each semester as you filled our study spaces with energy and ideas.We’re proud that you found your Library to be a vital resource and point of connection for your studies. Many of you worked alongside us, providing essential library services as student assistants-your dedication made a real difference, and we couldn’t have done it without you.We know the perseverance and creativity you have employed during your years here will serve you well as you step into the next chapter of your journey.Congratulations! We can’t wait to see what you’ll do next.PS: Don't be a stranger! Please remember that even though you have graduated, some library services are still available to you. CSU alumni may check out books (including OhioLINK books) with a photo ID, and may use a public access workstation for up to 4 hours per day (subject to availability). Stop in and let us know what you're up to!...

OpenCon 2025: Empowerment, Care, and Community

Our 8th Annual OpenCon Ohio 2025 Conference is slated for May 19-22, 2025The theme of our event this year is Empowerment, Care, and Community. During the week, asynchronous conversations will be held online in Discord to discuss prerecorded lightning talks. On Thursday, May 22, 2025 we will have virtual presentations, interactive conversations, and a keynote presentation delivered by Apurva Ashok, the Rebus Foundation’s Executive Director. Joine us this week!If you are interested in attending a well-established open education conference that:Offers maximal flexibility for attendees to view content when it is convenientFeatures an amazing keynote speakerPrioritizes community building, both synchronous and asynchronousIs completely free and online ...... then we hope you will join us for OpenCon Ohio 2025!>> VIEW THE DETAILS AND FULL SCHEDULE HERE << Register for OpenCon Ohio 2025at https://forms.gle/s1vAkEdSbqccEPFM8 through May 15, 2025. Keynote Speaker Thursday, May 22 via ZoomApurva Ashok, Executive Director, The Rebus FoundationRebus Foundation Executive Director Apurva AshokApurva Ashok is the Executive Director for The Rebus Foundation, a global non-profit and Canadian-registered charity that envisions a liberatory future where lifelong learning is valued as a public good and communities leverage education as a catalyst for positive change. Apurva has been working in the Open Education field for nearly 9 years and brings a determination for systemic change. She brings her wide-ranging experience across publishing, program development, community building, impact-driven strategic planning, and media to help educational institutions build more equitable and responsive teaching & learning spaces. Apurva has created several professional development offerings for educators, published OER guides including the OER Starter Kit for Program Managers, and supported the creation and adaptation of over 80 OER. Apurva is the recipient of an Open Education Award for Excellence from Open Education Global in recognition of her contributions to the field. At the core, Apurva champions collaboration, human-centric approaches, and open practices in service of better futures for us all.About OpenCon OhioOpenCon Ohio is an annual event that celebrates the benefits of open education to student learning. Faculty, students, librarians, instructional designers, administrators, and others are all welcome to attend our virtual conference. This event is FREE.We're grateful to our generous sponsors, OhioLINK and Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC), for their financial support for this conference.>> VIEW THE DETAILS AND FULL SCHEDULE HERE << ...

Deadline extended for the 2025 Textbook Affordability Summer Symposium

CSU Faculty: Apply for the 2025 CSU Textbook Affordability Summer Symposium- deadline extended to May 9th! -Are you interested in exploring options for reducing the cost of textbooks in one of your courses? Are you looking to revitalize the materials in one of your upcoming courses? Do you want to increase the ease of access to your course materials, but you’re unsure where to start? Do you want to learn more about open education or open textbooks? Are you seeking structured support for integrating low- or no-cost materials into one of your upcoming courses? If you answered yes to any of these questions, CSU’s Textbook Affordability Summer Symposium might be just what you need! Textbook Affordability Summer Symposium What: An in-person learning community providing methods and materials to support faculty in reviewing openly-licensed or other affordable course content.When: Friday, May 16th, 2025 from 9:30-noonWhere: Berkman Hall 444Who: All full-time or part-time CSU faculty are welcome to apply.Teams of faculty, faculty teaching high enrollment or gateway courses, faculty who are proposing courses for the new Core and/or those planning to teach courses within any of the new Integrated Majors are especially encouraged to participate.Incentive: Participants will receive a $100 stipend.Why: Because low- or no-cost course materials support student learning and persistence. As part of the symposium, participants agree to:Attend the in-person symposium on May 16th from 9:30am to 12:00pmReview at least one openly-licensed, library-licensed, or low-cost resource in their discipline (options will be provided by a librarian)Use at least one openly-licensed, library-licensed, or low-cost resource (required or optional) in a course they are teaching in Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 OR create and use openly licensed ancillary materials for a course they are teaching in Spring 2026 or Fall 2026.Faculty who have already received a Textbook Affordability Grant or participated in a previous Textbook Affordability Summer Symposium will not be eligible to participate, but participants in the Summer Symposium are eligible and encouraged to apply for future Textbook Affordability grants. To apply:Fill out our application form by May 9th, 2025. Applications will be reviewed and acceptance communicated to participants by the end of the month. Questions? For more information, email Sara Froehlich at s.froehlich@csuohio.edu or Mandi Goodsett at a.goodsett@csuohio.edu We look forward to advocating for affordable learning with you! Apply Today!...

Stressing over Finals? Take a break with us!

Stressing over Finals? Take a break with us! We know that Finals Week can be stressful, so in addition to providing study space, research help, and computers, the Michael Schwartz Library also provides a Stress Busting Zone for you. Stop in on the 1st floor - just opposite the elevators - to take a quick break and relax. Play a game, work on a puzzle, color, or put your worries in our worry box...whatever it takes! We hope to see you here and good luck on your finals. ...And remember, we'll be here for you during finals weekwith extended study hours, too.Sunday, May 4th: noon-8pmMonday - Thursday, May 5th - 8th: 8am - 10pm...