MIT Libraries
Academic Profiles for Researchers
| Jan/08 | Mon | 01:00PM–02:30PM |
As an academic researcher, whether you are a student, postdoc, researcher or faculty member, others will search your name on the internet to find out more about your work. What will they find? This workshop will discuss some places where your list of publications will show up, the pros and cons of various academic profile sites and website tools, and ways to make sure your profile in Google Scholar, ORCID, and elsewhere is accurate and up to date. We'll go over some ways to use research databases to potentially find future collaborators. And finally, we'll talk about a few tools you have as an MIT affiliate to make your publications and research output open access and available for greater visibility of your work.
This workshop will be in person in the library computer lab, 14N-132, and will include some time to work on your own academic profiles.
Audio Recording Workshop
| Jan/09 | Tue | 11:00AM–12:30PM |
| Jan/16 | Tue | 11:00AM–12:30PM |
| Jan/23 | Tue | 11:00AM–12:30PM |
Join us for a series of engaging sessions on audio recording, where we'll explore the intricacies of Lewis' cutting-edge audio lab. Delve into the art of selecting and using different microphones effectively, mastering the recording and editing process in a digital audio workstation. By the end of this program, you'll not only possess the skills to produce high-quality recordings but also walk away with a professional recording of a project of your choice, whether it's singing a song, recording an instrument, or creating a podcast. Get ready to embark on an exciting journey into the fascinating world of audio production with us!
Participants should attend all three workshop sessions for the time they registered for.
FYI: This workshop series will also be held in the afternoons. The series will cover the same material during both time periods; you do not have to attend both the morning and afternoon sessions.
Audio Recording Workshop
| Jan/09 | Tue | 02:00PM–03:30PM |
| Jan/16 | Tue | 02:00PM–03:30PM |
| Jan/23 | Tue | 02:00PM–03:30PM |
Join us for a series of engaging sessions on audio recording, where we'll explore the intricacies of Lewis' cutting-edge audio lab. Delve into the art of selecting and using different microphones effectively, mastering the recording and editing process in a digital audio workstation. By the end of this program, you'll not only possess the skills to produce high-quality recordings but also walk away with a professional recording of a project of your choice, whether it's singing a song, recording an instrument, or creating a podcast. Get ready to embark on an exciting journey into the fascinating world of audio production with us!
Participants should attend all three workshop sessions for the time they registered for.
FYI: This workshop series will also be held in the mornings. The series will cover the same material during both time periods; you do not have to attend both the morning and afternoon sessions.
Carpentries@MIT: Intro to UnixShell/Python/Git
| Jan/23 | Tue | 10:00AM–03:00PM |
| Jan/24 | Wed | 10:00AM–03:00PM |
| Jan/25 | Thu | 10:00AM–03:00PM |
| Jan/26 | Fri | 10:00AM–03:00PM |
Software Carpentry aims to help researchers get their work done in less time and with less pain by teaching them basic research computing skills. This hands-on introductory workshop will cover basic concepts and tools, including program design, version control, data management, and task automation. Participants will be encouraged to help one another and to apply what they have learned to their own research problems.
This event takes place in person over four days, from 10am to 3pm each day. You are expected to attend the workshop on all four days. Lunch will be provided. If you can no longer make it to all four days of the workshop, please be sure to cancel your registration since we may have a long waiting list. Thank you!
For workshop details: https://carpentries-mit.github.io/2024-01-23-mit/
Important: after registering please follow the setup instructions on this linked page to install needed software and packages before attending the workshop.
The Carpentries workshops have a code of conduct.
Registration is open to MIT affiliates starting December 10; non-MIT affiliates can register starting January 10.
This workshop is co-sponsored by MIT Libraries and MIT Schwarzman College of Computing.
Creating a Literature Review: 3 Session Workshop
| Jan/09 | Tue | 11:00AM–12:00PM |
| Jan/16 | Tue | 11:00AM–12:00PM |
| Jan/23 | Tue | 11:00AM–12:00PM |
Creating a Literature Review Workshop Series The MIT Writing and Communication Center (WCC) and the MIT Libraries are partnering to offer a three-part workshop series that will help you start, shape, and draft a literature review. During these workshops you'll learn the following skills and strategies:
- how the literature review genre works
- how to find an entry point into a research conversation
- how to choose keywords and conduct keyword searches in the library databases
- how to find, organize, and manage sources
- how to plan and organize a literature reviewhow to synthesis sources into fluid, engaging writing
All three sessions will take place via Zoom on the following dates:
- Session 1: Tues., Jan. 9th, 11 a.m-12 p.m -- Starting a Literature Review
- Session 2: Tues., Jan. 16th, 11 a.m-12 p.m -- Conducting a Literature Search
- Session 3: Tues., Jan. 23rd, 11 a.m-12 p.m -- Drafting a Literature Review
You may register for individual sessions or the entire series. Pre-registration is required to participate. An email confirming your registration will contain the Zoom link for all three sessions.
Data Bites: Backing up your stuff
| Jan/16 | Tue | 01:00PM–01:30PM |
Computers can get lost or stolen. Data can become corrupted. Hardware can fail. Setting up a solid backup system is key to avoiding data loss and restoring your data when catastrophe strikes. This session will cover what a good backup system looks like and what resources are available at MIT to help you confidently back up your stuff.
Data Bites workshop series
Join the MIT Libraries Data Management Services team on Zoom during IAP 2024 for bite-sized half-hour workshops on specific data management topics. Register for one or all!
- Tuesday, January 9, 1pm: Writing better READMEs
- Thursday, January 11, 1pm: Using the Dryad data repository
- Tuesday, January 16, 1pm: Backing up your stuff
- Thursday, January 18, 1pm: Making your code citable with GitHub and Zenodo
For more information or to learn more about data management topics, contact us at data-management@mit.edu or see https://libraries.mit.edu/data-management/
Data Bites: Making your code citable with GitHub and Zenodo
| Jan/18 | Thu | 01:00PM–01:30PM |
Sharing your code is an important part of making your work reproducible and is increasingly required by publishers and funders. In this workshop, we'll cover some tips for how to improve sharing your code publicly, including how to get a DOI for your code by using Zenodo to archive GitHub repositories. We'll also talk about other ways to make your code citable, ensuring that you get full credit for your work.
Data Bites workshop series
Join the MIT Libraries Data Management Services team on Zoom during IAP 2024 for bite-sized half-hour workshops on specific data management topics. Register for one or all!
- Tuesday, January 9, 1pm: Writing better READMEs
- Thursday, January 11, 1pm: Using the Dryad data repository
- Tuesday, January 16, 1pm: Backing up your stuff
- Thursday, January 18, 1pm: Making your code citable with GitHub and Zenodo
For more information or to learn more about data management topics, contact us at data-management@mit.edu or see https://libraries.mit.edu/data-management/
Data Bites: Using the Dryad data repository
| Jan/11 | Thu | 01:00PM–01:30PM |
As of June 2023, MIT is as an institutional member of the Dryad Data Platform (datadryad.org. Use the insitutional login option using your kerberos). Dryad meets some of the open repository/ open publication needs on campus including those brought to the fore by the 2023 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Data Management and Sharing Policy. Overall, Dryad 1) Offers integrations with manuscript submission systems for Science, Engineering and Social Science journals 2) Supports code publications associated with open data 3) Provides ease of open data publication and curatorial support.
This workshop will give an overview of open data publishing services provided by Dryad and what type of data publications it is best suited for. Please bring your computers, your data, and questions along! Feel free to check out https://datadryad.org/stash/requirements
Data Bites workshop series
Join the MIT Libraries Data Management Services team on Zoom during IAP 2024 for bite-sized half-hour workshops on specific data management topics. Register for one or all!
- Tuesday, January 9, 1pm: Writing better READMEs
- Thursday, January 11, 1pm: Using the Dryad data repository
- Tuesday, January 16, 1pm: Backing up your stuff
- Thursday, January 18, 1pm: Making your code citable with GitHub and Zenodo
For more information or to learn more about data management topics, contact us at data-management@mit.edu or see https://libraries.mit.edu/data-management/
Data Bites: Writing better READMEs
| Jan/09 | Tue | 01:00PM–01:30PM |
README files are standard for software, but they provide useful basic documentation for datasets as well. Get up to speed on efficiently writing useful README files for datasets and software in this short class. We’ll cover some common things you should include in these files, as well as how to provide a citation to ensure you get credit for your hard work, and we will share links to resources. Save yourself time and trouble – if you are sharing data or software, you need READMEs!
Data Bites workshop series
Join the MIT Libraries Data Management Services team on Zoom during IAP 2024 for bite-sized half-hour workshops on specific data management topics. Register for one or all!
- Tuesday, January 9, 1pm: Writing better READMEs
- Thursday, January 11, 1pm: Using the Dryad data repository
- Tuesday, January 16, 1pm: Backing up your stuff
- Thursday, January 18, 1pm: Making your code citable with GitHub and Zenodo
For more information or to learn more about data management topics, contact us at data-management@mit.edu or see https://libraries.mit.edu/data-management/
Data Management for Postdocs and Research Scientists
| Jan/17 | Wed | 02:00PM–03:30PM |
Are you creating or managing research data? This hands-on workshop will provide an overview of data management topics, including file organization and naming, data security and backups, tools for collaborating with others in the lab, and data publishing, storage and sharing. We'll also cover journal publisher requirements and writing the data management plans that are required by most funders, as well as data management issues related to closing out projects and moving between institutions. Geared towards those in postdoc or research scientist roles, but all are welcome.
Data Management: File Organization
| Jan/22 | Mon | 02:00PM–03:30PM |
Do you struggle with organizing your research data? Wonder if there’s a better way to arrange and name your data files to optimize your work? This virtual workshop will teach you practical techniques for organizing your data files. Topics will include: file and folder organizational structures and file naming. Will include hands-on exercises to apply the concepts to your particular data project.
Disability Visibility Inclusive Zine Making Workshop
| Jan/09 | Tue | 05:30PM–07:00PM |
Join us to learn about the history of zines and disability. Then make your own zine with inclusive materials!
This event is a partnership with Women and Gender Services (WXGS), Disabled@MIT, and MIT Libraries.
Image credit: Giulia Bertelli from Unsplash
Alt Text: Laying flat on a wood table lays a white zine that reads "coloring zine" surrounded by lavender flowers cloth and fabric.
GIS Level 1: Introduction to GIS & Mapping (In person)
| Jan/09 | Tue | 01:00PM–03:00PM |
Learn how to read and interpret maps and data and use basic cartography principles to create maps that can be used in reports and presentations. You will have the option of completing short exercises using QGIS or ArcGIS Pro as well as a longer exercise after the workshop for additional learning.
MIT touchstone authentication is required to register.
Prefer to attend online? See our GIS Level 1 workshop on 1/10.
GIS Level 1: Introduction to GIS & Mapping (Online)
| Jan/10 | Wed | 01:00PM–03:00PM |
Learn how to read and interpret maps and data and use basic cartography principles to create maps that can be used in reports and presentations. You will have the option of completing short exercises using QGIS or ArcGIS Pro as well as a longer exercise after the workshop for additional learning.
A few days before the workshop we will send information about installing the required software. MIT Touchstone authentication is required to register.
Prefer to attend in person? See our GIS Level 1 workshop on 1/19.
GIS Level 2: Introduction to Spatial Analysis
| Jan/11 | Thu | 10:00AM–12:00PM |
Expand your experience with desktop GIS software and learn how to use analysis tools to query data, conduct spatial statistics, and analyze vector and raster data using QGIS or ArcGIS Pro.
Previous GIS experience is required, such as taking the Intro to GIS workshop.
A few days before the workshop we will send information about installing the required software.
MIT Touchstone authentication is required to register.
GIS Topics: Introduction to Remote Sensing
| Jan/30 | Tue | 12:00PM–01:30PM |
Are you interested in learning how to utilize satellite imagery in your research?
In this introductory workshop, we'll discuss some fundamental basics of remote sensing, resources for finding satellite imagery, platforms for analyzing imagery, and ways to incorporate remote sensing into your GIS work. We will also complete a hands-on remote sensing exericse using ENVI software and open-source satellite images.
Previous experience with remote sensing is not required.
MIT Touchstone is required to register.
Getting More out of Zotero - Plugins and Integrations
| Jan/29 | Mon | 02:00PM–03:30PM |
Learn tips and tricks for organizing your research with Zotero plugins. Topics will include streamlining file management and attaching files, editing and organizing citations, and generating notes from reference sources. We will also discuss how to integrate Zotero with Overleaf in order to manage your references and citations in LaTeX documents.
Some previous experience using Zotero is recommended but not required.
A Zoom invitation will be emailed to registered participants.
NIH Data Management and Sharing Plans: What & How
| Jan/10 | Wed | 01:00PM–02:00PM |
So, you want to write an NIH grant and need to know more about their new policy on Data Management & Sharing Plans (NOT-OD-21-013, effective 25Jan2023)? This session will highlight the policy's key elements and help you lay out a path for successfully meeting its expectations at MIT.
This workshop will be over Zoom and the link will be emailed to participants.
Organize your research: Getting started with citation management tools
| Jan/11 | Thu | 01:00PM–02:00PM |
Using citation management software to create and maintain a collection of references or PDFs is common and important in today’s academic world. These tools will help you to save citations from your favorite databases and websites, store related PDFs or attachments, annotate PDFS, and quickly build a bibliography for your papers and publications. We’ll focus on how to use Zotero, but will also discuss other options, such as Mendeley.
Planet in Your GIS, Intro to Python and Planet Data API
| Jan/22 | Mon | 01:00PM–04:00PM |
With roughly 200 Dove satellites in orbit, PlanetScope Monitoring provides a high-resolution, continuous, and complete view of the world from above, every day. Planet Monitoring provides 3.7 meter resolution images of the entire Earth daily. Access to these ready-to-use images is made simple with Planet’s APIs, web application, and GIS integrations.
Join us for a 3-hour workshop centered around improving your skills using Planetscope Daily Imagery, with a focus on using Planet's APIs and image processing with Python. This event is designed for those keen on advancing their understanding of leveraging Planetscope Imagery, at scale, for research and teaching.
Prerequisites: While not required, having some light familiarity with Python and Jupyter Notebooks will help participants get the most out of the workshop.
If you don't already have a Planet account contact the MIT GIS team as soon as you register to request an account.
This workshop will be held via Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in your confirmation email.
Schedule (Eastern Time Zone):
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1pm - 1:10pm: Welcome and Introduction of Instructors & Facilitators. Instructions for starting a Planet Account.
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1:10pm - 1:50pm: Workshop 1: Introduction to Planet data, platforms, and integrations.
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1:50pm - 2pm: Break
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2pm - 2:50pm: Workshop 2: Introduction to the Planet Data and Orders API. Hands-on introduction to Planet’s APIs, used for searching and ordering images from the Planet imagery catalog with Python.
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2:50pm - 3pm: Break
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3pm - 3:50pm: Workshop 3: Introduction to Python for Data Processing. Explore basic image processing techniques using Rasterio and GeoPandas in Python with imagery ordered in Workshop 2.
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3:50: Closing Remarks
Related LibGuide: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) by Paxton LaJoie
Tools and tips for thesis authors
| Jan/11 | Thu | 01:00PM–02:30PM |
So it's time to write your thesis. What do you need to know about the process? What tools and experts are out there to help? This session will cover the required specifications for submitting your thesis, writing with the Overleaf LaTeX thesis template, ways to approach your literature review section, tools for organizing your literature, and options for managing and sharing related data and code. We'll review some common copyright questions related to theses, including whether you need permission to use certain figures in your thesis, and what is involved when you want to publish parts of your thesis before or after the thesis is submitted.
This session is appropriate for anyone who is currently or planning to write a thesis at MIT. Save yourself time and frustration!
Since many topics are MIT-specific, this workshop is limited to MIT community members. The workshop will be on Zoom, and the link will be sent to registrants. Instructors will be available at the end to answer specific questions.
UPDATED: Wikipedia edit-a-thon: Boston and beyond
| Jan/16 | Tue | 03:30PM–06:00PM |
UPDATE: Due to inclement weather, this event has been moved to zoom. Please email PSAYERS@MIT.EDU for registration link.
Have you always wanted to learn how to edit Wikipedia? Are you a current Wikipedia editor interested in meeting other community members? Join us during IAP for a Wikipedia edit-a-thon and celebration of Wikipedia's 23rd birthday (Wikipedia was founded January 15, 2001).
This year our theme will be documenting Greater Boston and MIT. Whether it's the Great Molasses Flood or the Big Dig, Project MAC or the Brass Rat, there are hundreds of Wikipedia articles related to our fair school and city. We'll show a collection of the funniest and quirkiest articles about our area, plus suggestions for things to work on, as well as give you the skills to make edits to these or any other articles. We'll also show a collection of historical images of greater Boston that are newly available on Commons for sorting and adding to articles. Editors of all skill levels are welcome, and you are free to work on any topic you like (not just Boston); if you have a project you are working on, bring it. Wikipedia is multilingual; working in any language you are comfortable reading and writing in is welcome.
Workshop is in person on MIT's campus in room 14N-132, just outside Lewis Music Library and Hayden Library.
Schedule
3:30-4:00p - set up and account creation for new users, snacks and get settled in
4:00-4:30p - Introduction to Wikipedia and editing tutorial
4:30-4:40p - Demonstration of historical images on Commons from the Boston Public Library
4:40-6:00p - time to work on articles and ask questions
Wunsch's Winter Wonderland: Open house/Open studio
| Jan/16 | Tue | 05:00PM–07:00PM |
This IAP event is set up as an open house and open studio. Discover the art of bookmaking, zine-making, origami, and letterlocking in the Wunsch Lab, a space dedicated to caring for the Libraries’ collections and teaching the history and technology of books, printing, and manuscripts. Join MIT Libraries’ and Museum staff for open house activities. See details below. At 6:30 pm our wonderland completes the day with a disco dance party!
Open house
The interactive open house includes whimsical and wondrous demonstrations: bookbinding, origami, leather tooling, zine-making, letterlocking (you can make one, too!).
- Zinemaking – Kai Smith, MIT Libraries’ Architecture and Planning Librarian will be present to talk about and help make zines.
- Paper and creased curve origami folding inspired by works in the MIT museum collection by David Huffman – Flori Pierri, Assistant Curator, Science & Technology, MIT Museum.
- Highlights from the Hart Nautical Collection – Libby Meier, Assistant Curator, MIT Museum.
Open studio
Come work independently on a project and explore the Wunsch Lab’s Teaching & Study Collections. Did you start making zines earlier in IAP with Kai, and need to finish them up? If yes, come on by!