Library news

Tag: Library news

Summer Coffeehouses

We’re into summer now, so it’s time for the library’s coffeehouse series. If you’re unfamiliar with the coffeehouses, they provide an opportunity to come to the library, enjoy a snack, and learn about resources and services available to help you with work or leisure interests. Coffeehouses will be held on the first floor of the library in the reference area. We’ll start promptly at 10:00, finish at 10:45. All staff and faculty are welcome to attend.

Visit our coffeehouse webpage for these details and more!

July 11 –Kickin’ It Old School: Reading Books in the Library

What is summer in a library without reading? Come hear about the library staff’s favorite summer reads. And please share yours with us!

Screenshot of Lux the Lawrence University Institutional Repository

July 2 5—Kickin’ It New School: Lawrence’s Digital Repository

This summer witnesses the official launch of Lux, a digital repository of scholarly and creative work produced by Lawrence students, staff, and faculty. Join us as Antoinette Powell, Erin Dix, and Colette Lunday Brautigam tell us about this new tool for ensuring the long-term access and preservation of the work of our vibrant academic community.

August 8— Hey, You, Get Onto My Cloud!

So you’ve heard people use this nebulous phrase “cloud computing,” but what does it mean? How can these “cloud” products and services help me with collaborative projects, in my teaching, or in my work life in general? Julie Fricke will lead us as we explore some of the latest in cloud computing and applications.

Main Hall and surrounding community, circa 1860

August 22 – Lawrence University in the History of Appleton

Since the founding of Lawrence and the growth of the city of Appleton in the mid-1800s, LU and Appleton have shared much history. Erin Dix will help us explore the intertwining of Lawrence and Appleton history over time, highlighting sources from our University Archives.

Refreshments, as always, will be provided. So come to the library and get a jolt of information along with your java. Reminders will be sent closer to the dates of the coffeehouse sessions, but mark your calendars — we hope to see you there.

“Do you guys have a video camera I can check out?”

Media Center, located on the first floor of the library.

You may already know that the media center is the area of the first floor where we house our CD, DVD, and VHS collection, as well as several listening stations, viewing rooms, group study tables, and a scanner. Did you know that we also have a variety of equipment available for loan? In need of a video camera for a project? Check out one of our Flip cameras. Planning a group activity or residence life program? Check out our Nintendo Wii system and one of our fun games.  For a list of the items available for loan, as well as a link to the reservation form, take a look at our media services equipment page. Do you need help editing your audio/video project? We also offer media-related support.  Take a look at our media support page for details.

 

 

Time Again for Things Worth Knowing!

Audience members enjoying a Things Worth Knowing presentation and cookies.

The beginning of the school year marked the start of a new series of Things Worth Knowing presentations in the library.  For those of you who do not know what these events are, I will explain.  Each week, we draw on the expertise of a member of the library staff, the greater Lawrence community, or someone not otherwise affiliated with Lawrence.  Last school year, we hosted presentations on the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, Buffy the Vampire Slayer,  superstitions, and more.  So far this school year, special guests have presented on the Gutenberg Bible, fall hijinks of Lawrence past, and the history of Stonewall.  Take a look at our guide for a complete list of topics, along with additional information.  Feeling sad about having missed these awesome events?  Don’t fret- we have many more interesting topics and special guests lined up!  All Things Worth Knowing presentations take place on Friday afternoon and last from 4:30 pm to 5 pm.  Oh- and we always have cookies for our guests to enjoy while listening to the presentations.  The remainder of the fall term presentations are scheduled as follows:

October 14—Cooperating for Change: The Co-op Movement: With special guest Cathy Statz, LU 1996, Education Director for the Wisconsin Farmers Union

October 28—Public Art & the Statue of Liberty: With special guest Professor Rob Neilson

November 4—King Tut: In honor of the anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922

November 11—The Armistice: Recalling World War I and the 85th anniversary of Armistice Day/Veterans Day

Do you have a hidden (or not so hidden) area of expertise you would like to share at a Things Worth Knowing event? If so, contact Gretchen Revie by email or at 920-832-6730 to inquire about arranging a presentation.

Keep Up with the Latest Research with Search Alerts

Many of the Mudd Library’s databases include a feature called search alerts.  This feature allows a user to be notified when new records matching a specific search are added to the database.  With search alerts, you can choose to be notified through a RSS reader such as Google Reader, or via email.

Still not really sure what a search alert is?  Say you are searching in Academic Search Elite for interested film reviews for the movie The Battle of Algiers.   After you have submitted your search, select search history, then click on the orange RSS button.  A window will then pop up with a RSS link, as well as the option to have the notifications sent via email.

EBSCO's search alert setup

Our reference librarians are happy to answer your questions about search alerts, RSS feeds, or anything else.  Check out our Ask a Librarian page for a variety of ways to get in touch, or just visit the reference desk.  For more information about the EBSCO database search alerts, take a look at their, Using One-Step RSS Alerts page.  For Gale database search alert support, see their Search Alerts and RSS Feeds page.

IPA, With a Twist

musicYou say “IPA” to most people around here and they think “India Pale Ale.” Mmmmm. Beer. But singers are different. Their IPA is the International Phonetic Alphabet, that mysterious combination of other-worldly symbols that only singers can decipher. It’s their secret handshake. Now the Mudd has access to IPA Source, a database of phonetic translations of songs and arias. And with 24/7 access on and off campus, sopranos in their kerchiefs and tenors in their jammies can just settle down to O! ne finis jamais.