The Van Pelt and Opie Library regularly hosts workshops intended to support the success of our campus community's research and learning activities. Please see below for this semester's schedule and registration links. Registration is not required, but strongly suggested as it helps us plan effective events! Some workshops will be presented both live and over Zoom - see individual descriptions for details. If you are unable to attend a workshop but would like more information on a topic, schedule a consultation with a librarian or check out our AskUs page for FAQs and contact information.
The Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being also offers regular workshops on mindfulness and other topics that can help you bring balance to your life.
See below for regularly offered topics. If you don't see a scheduled workshop on a particular topic but would be interested in attending one, please reach out to us at library@mtu.edu.
Get the materials you need for research, papers, and projects in less time by utilizing the databases, journals, and other materials we have to offer. Librarians are here to discuss the scope of your topic, resources that you can use, and advanced search strategies that will help you get the most out of the library and your research.
Use EndNote or Zotero software to manage your citations and save time! Both of these tools will let you:
- Save references to a library
- Import references from databases and PDFs
- Organize your citations
- Use tools that plug in to Microsoft Word & Google Docs to make citing sources while writing painless and automatic
Who owns the copyright to my dissertation? When using an image from another work, do I need copyright permission? If I do, how much does it cost? What are the benefits of making my thesis open access? What is the role of the Digital Commons @ Michigan Tech repository in this? Get the answers to these and other copyright questions.
Google is a powerful search engine, but finding the most relevant information can be a challenge. Explore more complex searching techniques and special features that will turn you into a Google power user.
Having trouble deciding when you need to cite a source? Not quite sure whether you should quote that paper you're reading or summarize it? Contact us for a discussion on avoiding plagiarism and how to cite your sources.
Want to impress a job recruiter with your knowledge of their company? How about finding the perfect information to use as questions for your interviewer? Librarians can work with you to find the best resources for company research and discuss how to turn info you find into interview questions that are sure to impress.
Many research proposals require a data management plan or DMP. Speak with a librarian about the basics of data management planning including agency requirements, the elements of a good data management plan, and best practices when creating a plan.
Need a picture for your paper or project? Discover resources you can use to find freely available images and other multimedia for your work. Please come ready with questions!
Are you interested in using Google Suite tools such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, or Google Slides but don’t know where to start? Need some tips and tricks on how best to utilize Gmail, Google Drive, or Google Calendar? Walk through the basics of using these Google Suite tools and discover best known tips and tricks for how to manage your email, use shared drives, and organize your calendar.
Would you like to learn more about how to use lean and continuous improvement within your work or classes? The library has several trained Lean Facilitators that can help answer questions, share ways we have used Lean practices and tools, and get you started on your own Lean journey.
Learn about patents as resources for researchers, innovators, and historians. Analyze the parts of a granted patent document, search for patents, and discover the resources available locally and nationwide for conducting in-depth patent research.
Making a research poster for a conference or other event? Check out our Poster Design guide or talk through basic tips and tricks for presenting your research and information in a visual format. We can also look at resources and tools available to help you design your poster.
Standards can be tricky to find. We are happy to talk through your needs and help you look for an appropriate standard in the library’s collection. We can also go over the basics of what a standard is, who publishes them, and where else to find them.
Learn about the basic functions of Excel and other Office tools such as Powerpoint or Access. Bring your questions and learn tricks for entering data, formatting cells, formulas and charts, and conditional formatting. We have a staff member that has taught academic courses on these topics and is excited to help!
Questions about 3D printing? Our Library Technology Specialist can talk about design, slicing, tools, printers, materials, and more with you. If you have ideas or questions please bring them. No prior 3D printing experience is required!