Brent A. Mai
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Item A brief history of the Volga Germans(Genealogical Forum of Oregon, 2009-09) Mai, Brent Alan, 1964-This article provides an overview of the history of the Volga Germans. In the 18th century, under the reign of Catherine the Great, thousands of Germans were invited to settle along the Volga River in Russia to help develop the region. Promised religious freedom, exemption from military service, and land, they established thriving agricultural communities. However, their autonomy was gradually eroded over time, particularly during periods of political upheaval such as the Russian Revolution and Stalinist repression. Many Volga Germans faced discrimination, forced labor, and deportation to Siberia during World War II due to suspicions of disloyalty. The community experienced further hardship during the collapse of the Soviet Union, leading to a mass exodus to Germany and other countries. Despite these challenges, the Volga Germans have preserved their unique cultural identity through language, traditions, and strong community ties, contributing to the rich tapestry of both Russian and German history.Item Not all of our ancestors were saints: Origins of the Volga Germans(American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, 2003) Mai, Brent Alan, 1964-; Reeves-Marquardt, Dona B.Item It happened on the way to the Volga: Origins and destinations of the Volga Germans(American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, 2002) Mai, Brent Alan, 1964-Item Locating book reviews in agriculture and the life sciences(Taylor & Francis, 2000-3) Clark, Kathleen A.; Mai, Brent Alan, 1964-Book reviews can play an important role in the librarian's book selection process. An examination of the book review indices revealed that book reviews in the journals of agriculture and the life sciences are not consistently indexed anywhere and have become part of the field's gray literature. This study examined 1320 journal titles in the areas of agriculture and the life sciences to identify those that consistently include book reviews. Of these, 440 (33.3%) titles contain substantive and authoritative book reviews. These 440 titles have been listed in the following categories: agriculture, biology, agricultural economics, and general science. To further aid book selectors, the lists include the average number of book reviews that are published annually in each journal title and the currency of the reviews. Of those journals with book reviews that were examined in this study, 37.1% had reviews that were, on average, less than or equal to one year old.Item How do we cope with the paradigm shift: Blending traditional and non-traditional models of library instruction and student learning(EVITech Helsinki University of Technology, 1999-06-02) Macklin, Alexius E. Smith; Reynolds, Leslie J.; Mai, Brent Alan, 1964-; Curl, Sheila R.This paper explores the pivotal role of instruction librarians in guiding students through this digital landscape, leveraging virtual tools and tailored instructional strategies to bridge the gap between students' technological proficiency and their information retrieval needs. By acknowledging diverse learning styles and fostering critical thinking skills, librarians can design immersive learning experiences within networked learning environments, empowering students to thrive in the modern information-driven world. The paper highlights the importance of blending traditional and non-traditional teaching methods to accommodate diverse learner needs in this evolving digital landscape. While challenges may arise in integrating new pedagogical approaches, the benefits of breaking down barriers of time and space outweigh the obstacles, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of instructional programs in preparing students for success.