Fogler Library Faculty Newsletter 10-22-2019

Formatting a Manuscript with LaTeX, Citation Manager Workshops, Literature Review Workshop, Beyond “Fake News”

In this issue

  1. Formatting a Manuscript with LaTeX
  2. Citation Manager Workshops
  3. Making the Most of Your Literature Review
  4. Beyond “fake news”: Digging into media literacy and cognitive bias

Featured Resource: Maine Bicentennial Collection
The Maine Bicentennial collection on DigitalCommons@UMaine comprises documents from Raymond H. Fogler Library’s Special Collections that the library has selected as relevant to the 1820-2020 statehood celebration. The full-text documents and images provide a variety of perspectives on political, economic, social, business, and ethical issues that remain of contemporary interest in discussions on Maine today.


1. Formatting a Manuscript with LaTeX
Tuesday, October 22, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Fogler Library Classroom 1

This workshop will provide an introduction to LaTeX typesetting. Participants will learn the basics of formatting a manuscript using LaTeX, including basic layout, tables, mathematical formulas, graphics, tables of contents, references, indices, and bibliographies. Time permitting, we will also go over putting together presentations using LaTeX and/or using multiple fonts and languages.

We recommend bringing laptops with LaTeX already installed and a piece of writing that you would like to format. For Windows and Mac users, the free TeX Live 2019 distribution is recommended, but most other distributions will be fine too. If you are a Linux user, most Linux distributions include LaTeX in their standard install. LaTeX is also available online through a free account at Overleaf. Previous coding experience is not required. Laptops will be available for attendees who need to borrow one.

This introductory workshop is presented in collaboration with UMaine’s Advanced Computing Group. If you would prefer to attend online instead, please contact acg@maine.edu.

About the Presenter
Eisso Atzema is a Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics. He started using LaTeX on a Unix mainframe over 30 years ago (when processing a ten-page paper took at least 5 minutes). Nowadays, he uses LaTex for all his lecture notes, papers, posters, and presentations. Unlike some other LaTeX enthusiasts, he prefers to write exams and most shorter documents in LibreOffice.

2. Citation Manager Workshops
Large research projects, especially theses and dissertations, involve extensive use of a variety of publications. It’s difficult to locate and organize these materials and their citations, and to represent these references in the required format. Citation managers can be a big help on this side of the research process. This semester, Fogler Library will host both general citation management workshops and workshops focused on specific citation managers.

Fall 2019 Citation Manager Workshops:

  • Zotero: Getting Started, October 28, 4:00 – 6:00 pm. Attend via Zoom.
  • Mendeley: Getting Started, October 29, 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Attend via Zoom.
  • Zotero: Getting Started, November 13, 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Attend via Zoom.
  • Mendeley: Getting Started, November 14, 4:00 – 6:00 pm. Attend via Zoom.

3. Making the Most of Your Literature Review
Thursday, October 31, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Fogler Library Classroom 1

Join us for an interactive workshop that will address:

  • how to strategically search for literature in the library, in Google Scholar, and beyond
  • when to stop searching for literature and start writing
  • how to stay on top of literature in your field
  • how to organize your literature to save time

Not seeing what you hope to learn? Share any topics you’d like us to explore in the RSVP below.

This workshop is aimed at advanced level work. Space is limited: RSVP here. Remote users can join via Zoom.

4. Beyond “fake news”: Digging into media literacy and cognitive bias
Monday, November 4, 4:45 pm – 6:00 pm
Fogler Library Classroom 1

In recent years, claims of “fake news,” bias, and misinformation have become so common that many people have not only become tired of the news, but some avoid it altogether. However, staying well-informed is more important than ever. How do we move beyond charges of “fake news” to determine the reliability of news content? And, how do our personal preferences play a role in our news diet? Being a more informed 21st-century citizen requires a critical approach to the media. Join Judith Rosenbaum, Associate Professor in Communication and Journalism, Alan Berry, PhD student in Communication and Journalism, and Jen Bonnet, Social Sciences & Humanities Librarian, for an interactive workshop where we will critically evaluate news production and consumption.