Pardon Our Progress: Reference Renovation

All throughout December, library staff have been moving and removing books in the Reference collection in anticipation of a major repurposing of the space in the spring semester (sorry for the extra dust, by the way). Students are invited to take our library use survey in order to help guide us in our updates.

Here's what we've done so far:

We removed all the books from the east set of shelves and moved those that are to remain in the reference area to the west set. This photo shows empty shelves on the east side.










This image was taken before we finished moving books, but the rows on the left were filled while those on the right were emptied.










Nearly 40% of the Reference collection will be removed or relocated, mostly to the upper floors. You will now be able to check these out like any other book. Until we get everything sorted, though, you may need librarian assistance to locate a former reference book.





The really noticeable changes start in January when big burly guys remove the empty shelving, freeing up space for .... well, you tell us. We certainly have some ideas of our own, and they have been developed from previous student surveys and focus groups, but we want to hear from you again before the major renovations begin.

See more of our Reference Renovation pictures on our Flickr page.

Check out Some Fiction Reads for Winter Break

Don’t forget to stock up on great books for your cozy fireside reading this winter break. We have a large selection of popular fiction, including the latest New York Times Bestsellers. You can check out the latest Patricia Cornwell, John Grisham, James Patterson, Stephen King, Stieg Larsson, Jodi Picoult, Nora Roberts, and many more. Need some ideas? We have put together some lists based on subject:
http://bit.ly/holidayfiction

http://bit.ly/detectivestories

http://bit.ly/fantasyfiction

http://bit.ly/suspensefiction

http://bit.ly/romancestories

http://bit.ly/westernstories

Still can’t find what you are looking for? You can do your own search with InfoSearch (or from your cell phone InfoSearch Mobile-http://m.library2.mtsu.edu/) for the subject, title or author that interests you.

Don’t forget you can always contact us for help or check out Fiction Connection for recommendations based on your interests.

Winter Break Hours

Exams are almost over, you may be walking in graduation on Saturday (congratulations!), and holiday planning has hit frenzy mode, but we're still here!Yes, you can get your library fix Monday-Friday from 8 a.m-4:30 p.m. on the following days:
Dec 17
Dec 20-23
Jan 3-7
Jan 10-12

Normal hours resume Jan 13, the first day of Spring semester.

Confused? Check the library hours page.

Nobel Prize 101

December 10, 1901, the first Nobel prizes were distributed. Ever wonder what the Nobel prize is all about? Have you seen the controversy surrounding the award to imprisoned Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo? Here is a primer on the Nobel Prize and the MTSU connection.

Alfred Nobel was a Swedish inventor and industrialist. On his death in 1895 he instructed that his fortune be set aside to fund five annual prizes (in 1969 a sixth award was added) “to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind.”

• The six prizes are Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and Peace. The newest prize is in Economics and was established by the Bank of Sweden.
• The first prizes were distributed 5 years after Nobel's death on December 10, 1901.
• The prize is a gold medal, a diploma and a sum of money (which changes based on the funds available in the Nobel Foundation).
• If no worthy candidate is found or if there is some reason that the foundation cannot complete the required research (as in the case of a World War) no prize will be awarded for that year. The Peace prize is the most common award to be withheld. Here is the selection process.
  
• Prizes are open to all regardless of nationality, race, creed or ideology.
• Governments can force individuals to decline the award. Individuals are still awarded the medal and certificate but not the money. They are labeled as a Nobel Laureates with the added remark, “declined the prize”. This will be the case with Chinese Peace prize winner Liu Xiaobo. He will make the fifth Laureate forced by authorities to decline the prize.
• There have been 840 Laureates, only 41 women
• The youngest Nobel Laureate thus far is Lawrence Bragg, who was 25 when he received the award for Physics in 1915.
• The oldest Nobel Laureate thus far is Leonid Hurwicz who was 90 when he received the 2007 Prize in Economic Sciences.
• The International Committee of the Red Cross has been honored three times.
• 2010 winners are listed here.
  

MTSU and Walker Library have their own Nobel connection. Dr. James M. Buchanan is an MTSU alumnus and 1986 winner of the Nobel Prize for Economics. Walker Library has the Buchanan Room, a study space endowed by the Buchanan family. On the Digital Initiatives page we also have a partly completed collection of documents and images following the James Buchanan family. MTSU honors college offers the Buchanan Fellowship, named in honor of Nobel Prize winner. The fellowship is the highest award given to freshman at MTSU.

For more information about the Nobel Prize you can check our library list of resources, http://bit.ly/nobelresources.

Additional Resources:
Encyclopedia Brittanica/Nobel
nobelprize.org

photo credit: Nobel Prize: chemistry, literature, physics, and physiology or medicine, obverse side. [Photograph]. Retrieved December 10, 2010, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online

Tired of trolling for computers just to print? Use the Express Print Station

Long lines at the computers got you down? Just want to print and move on?

Go to the Library's EXPRESS PRINT STATION. There you can print WORD, EXCEL, POWERPOINT and .PDF documents directly from your flash drive. Just insert your flash drive, select the document you want to print using the touch screen and then watch it print!

There is no internet connection on these machines. All prints are 2-sided. Don’t forget to remove your flash drive when finished!

The Express Print Station is located on the 1st floor next to the Circulation Desk.


Brought to you by The Student Government Association, The Provost’s Office, Academic Affairs, your Technology Access Fees, The Jones College of Business and Walker Library.

photo credit: flikr images, Need to print something really quick? No computer available?

Need a Silent Night? Quiet Study Spaces.

'Twas the week before finals, and all through the library,

Not a creature was stirring, not even a ....

What rhymes with library?

Never mind, because it's not true, anyway. It gets loud up in here this time of year. If you're looking for a space to get away from all the noise, check out our Quiet Zones on the 3rd and 4th floors past the elevators. If folks get rowdy in these areas, let us know.

Meanwhile, if you choose to study on the 1st and 2nd floors, expect a few more distractions. It is acceptable for groups to get together and work out in the open on these floors, but if the noise level becomes excessive, let us know at the Service Desk on the 1st floor or send a chat message to the librarian at the Reference Desk. With a little forethought and consideration, we can all have our ideal study spaces in the library.

...And may visions of A's dance in your heads.

image by PixCat on flickr

Extended Exam Hours

Starting this Sunday the Walker Library will be open extended hours during exams. We will be open til 1a.m. Sunday - Thursday.



For complete details about hours for the rest of December, see the library hours page for more info.



photo credit, flikr images, Alice Lucchin

Paper Pressure? Deadline Dilemmas? Text us.

Freaking out over all your final projects? Need some help finding reliable sources quickly? Just pick up your phone. You can text us your research question. Here's how:

1. Send a text to 265010
2. The message should start with our AIM buddy name (libmtsu) and a colon, followed by your question
3. Example - libmtsu: What is the call number for the book Blink?

You will receive replies as separate text messages. Standard charges apply, based on your cell phone plan.

If we don't answer right away, we may be assisting other users at the reference desk. The quickest way to
contact us in that case would be to call us at 615-898-2817.

All of our contact options, including chat and IM, are on our Need Help page.

Our job is to help you find the best resources for your project, paper or presentation. So ask us for help and reduce your stress levels.

picture credit: Zawezome/Creative Commons

Time to get ILL

The Walker Library has every book in the world. Well no, that isn't true, not even close. But with InterLibrary loan, it may seem like it.

How does it work? Magic and a complicated network of plastic tubing! Ok, no, that isn't true, either. The truth is that librarians play well together. If you find a book or article and we don't have it, we just ask another library to lend it to us. And they do, usually.

How do you request material? You stand in the atrium, twirl three times and say "I do believe in books!" No, no. That would be silly -- great fun for us to observe, but silly. You can request materials two ways. You can go to our website, select Library Services/ Interlibrary Loan and click on Place a Request. You will need the full item record (the description of the book or article), so you might want to print that page first. Alternatively, when you are searching a database and don't find the full text, you can click on to try to find it elsewhere. If it's not available, there is a link on the page to request the item through InterLibrary Loan. Click the link and request form will be automatically filled out.

How do you get the material? A stork delivers it to your doorstep! Um, you didn't even believe that a little, did you? Well, it is almost as easy as that. You'll get an email when your book has arrived and you can pick it up at the Circulation desk on the 1st floor of the library. If you have requested an article, it might be delivered right to your email.

How long does it take for books to arrive? 30 minutes or less? Nah, we aren’t a pizza joint, so it may take a bit longer. In reality it can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. It depends on whether it is sent electronically or mailed from Romania (seriously). Most requests are available in about a week.

Does it seem like magic, the idea that you can get materials the library doesn’t own in a timely fashion with a minimum of fuss? Well it isn’t magic, it is just another amazing service your Walker Library staff provides for you. As for the hidden slide and mysterious fifth floor, that’s another story…

For more information on InterLibrary Loan look here.

Around the World with the Country Studies Guide

Need to do a country profile?
Interested in foreign companies working in the United States?
Looking for statistics dealing with the international community?
Curious how foreign newspapers report international events?
Desperate to brush up on some cross-cultural customs?
When you make the V sign with your fingers in a particular country, are you promoting peace or starting a fight?

Look no further. We have collected the best websites, books, databases and encyclopedias in one location. From the library home page click on Select a Course Topic in the top left of the page. Scroll down to Country Studies. (Oh, what the heck, here's the link.) On this page you will find a collection of current, accurate and easy to use information on every country in existence. Even Montserrat. There are maps, statistics, country anthems, recipes and pictures available for you to use, worry free. Keep up with the world outside MTSU with the Walker Library.

New books on your computer

Ebrary is a database with the latest and greatest books from top academic publishers. You can find books on anthropology, business, religion, social science, medicine and more.

The amazing thing about Ebrary is that the collection is constantly updated so all the books are NEW.

The Ebrary reader is simple to use and allows you to do quick skimming, search for key words, jump chapters or flip pages. Here are some other nifty things you can do with Ebrary:

1. Highlight text and take notes – Create a bookshelf (if needed) to save and organize your research.
2. Use InfoTools – Link out to other online resources to expand your research.
3. Print pages, and copy and paste text – ebrary provides automatic citations with a URL hyperlink back to the source. (HOW COOL IS THIS??)
   
4. Manage, archive and share research – Organize your bookshelf and email folders to peers.

You can also use the optional ebrary's Plug-in or Unity Reader, which offers added functionality. You launch it by clicking on the ebrary Reader button.

Ebrary's collection is cutting edge and super current, you can read it on your computer and with nifty features (including automatic citation generation) you can really get into the text. To find this valuable resource click here, or from our library home page, click on databases a-z, Select E and then scroll to Ebrary.

Enter the Walker Library Amazing Race, win a Kindle!

Walker Library is hosting an Amazing Race, November 8-12.
This race will highlight new and existing library services. You start the race at the reference desk. Successful participants will be entered into a drawing for an Amazon Kindle to be given away Monday, November 15 at 9am on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to Facebook or Twitter for more information.

Facebook - James E. Walker library (MTSU)
Twitter- MTSU library

Teaching Students with Disabilities this Friday, LT&ITC

The LT&ITC, in collaboration with the Provost and Disabled Student Services offices, will present a program to help faculty increase their awareness of disability issues and provide practical tips on how to assist these students to have successful learning experiences.

Date: Friday, Nov 12, 8:00 to 11:30 the LT&ITC Showcase will offer

Topic: Teaching Students with Disabilities: Resources and Responsibilities

Presenters: Amy Burks, Maria Clayton, Jill Hague, Gail Fedak, Watson Harris, David Robertson, Barbara Draude, and Tom Brinthaupt

Location: LT&ITC, Walker Library room 348

Register with the LT&ITC at http://www.mtsu.edu/ltanditc/events.shtml

New! Computer Availability Maps!

Have you noticed a similarity between trying to find a parking space on campus and trying to find a computer in the library? You circle and circle and pray and swear until you finally find an opening, and when you do, you hope not to have a head on collision or get into an altercation with another seeker. We can't do anything about parking, unfortunately, but now you can determine where the open computers are before you start roaming.

Simply point your smartphone or other mobile device to http://libstats.mtsu.edu:8080/ to see a listing of the computer labs in the library and the available numbers of machines. You can also click on a map of the lab to see exactly where the open computers are.

If you don't have a mobile device, you can view the maps on the TV screen in the library atrium or stop by the Reference Desk on the 1st floor to get assistance.

Protect Your Stuff!

Caution! There has been an increase in thefts and other crime in the library. Never leave your backpack, books, or other personal belongings unattended in the library.

Some statistics will help illustrate the point.
In September and October we had 22 police reports for theft, vandalism and assault. Examples of stolen items include bicycles, calculators, book bags, wallets, laptops, books and credit cards. Report aggressive or offensive behavior from other patrons to the service desk, don't try to address the problem yourself. Be careful at night and don't walk alone on campus. If you can't go with a friend, use Raider Escort. There are bad people out there, so be smart!

Instead of reading the book, try watching the movie

We have thousands of books and articles to help you with your history research, but the best way to connect with history is to watch how it happened. Find American History in Video on the History Information Sources page or in Databases A-Z list. This collection consists of 2,000 hours and more than 5,000 titles all streamed to your desktop. The collection includes awesome documentaries from the Discovery Channel, History Channel, and A&E, as well as old newsreel and government films. You can literally see history in the making. Imagine the perspective you will gain when you see actual footage of emigrants arriving in America or listen to Martin Luther King speak. Transcripts of documentaries are available to print, and the database is easily searched by era, topic, place or person. If you need more assistance or have questions contact the reference desk.

ShareFair - Wednesday, October 27

ShareFair, an annual showcase of innovative instructional approaches sponsored by the Information Technology Division and the Learning, Teaching & Innovative Technologies Center (LT&ITC), will be held this Wednesday, October 27, in the LT&ITC, room 348 of the Walker Library.

ShareFair showcases a multidisciplinary array of instructional technologies effectively used by teachers at MTSU. Participants from the various campus faculty learning communities will be represented and instructional technology specialists will be available to demonstrate new learning/teaching tools. ShareFair will also include the announcement of the winner of the 2011 Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning & Technology.

Sessions are from 10:00 am to noon and 1:00 to 3:00 pm. No need to register--just stop in! Visit the LT&ITC calendar of events for a complete schedule of the day.

On display in the Echo Dome...

Plug-in Hybrid Retrofit Kit

On display in the Walker Library through the end of October is an invention by Dr. Charles Perry, electrical engineer, Professor and holder of the Russell Chair of Manufacturing Excellence at Middle Tennessee State University. He is now working with Paul Martin III, automotive engineering expert, to patent this invention.




















This invention will allow practically any car to be converted to a plug in hybrid for $5,000 or less. The device is an electronic motor that fits inside the wheel hub of the front wheel hubs of your average car. The retrofit kit is intended for around town driving and could double drivers’ gas mileage.

Dr. Perry and Mr. Martin are currently working on producing a working prototype in conjunction with Tennessee Tech University.

Homecoming 2010

Homecoming 2010 is a time for current students and faculty to join with alumni and the community in celebrating the past, present, and future of MTSU.
Activities this week:
October 20-22 Swap Day
KUC Lobby, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Thurs. October 21 Horseshoe Competition
Rec Center, 5:00 p.m.

Fri. October 22 Chili Cook-off / Corn Hole Competition
Murphy Center Forest, 5:00 p.m.

Fri. October 22 NPHC Step Show
Murphy Center, 7:00 p.m.

Sat. October 23
Homecoming Parade, Middle Tennessee Boulevard, 11am
The parade begins on Maney Avenue, following Main Street and Middle Tennessee Boulevard past the Alumni House to Greenland Drive.

Raider Walk, Walnut Grove, 1:15 pm
Join the Band of Blue, MTSU cheerleaders and Lightning to rally for your Blue Raider football team as it prepares to bring home a homecoming victory.

MTSU vs. LA Monroe, Floyd Stadium, 3:30 pm
Students get in FREE with I.D.

For a look at homecomings past, check out the newly digitized Midlander Yearbooks.

Library Author Lecture Series - LOST

What Was Lost?

Where Television’s Most Extraordinary Series Came From and Where It Took Us

David Lavery, Professor of English at MTSU will be discussing one of the most captivating television series of all time, LOST. Come get an inside look at this fascinating drama.

Thursday, October 28

State Farm Room, BAS rm. 102

7 p.m.

Free and open to the public

Professor Lavery is the author/co-author/editor/co-editor of over twenty books about television (two on Lost), he has lectured on TV in Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, the UK, Ireland, Portugal, and Germany. In 2006, he received the MTSU Distinguished Research Award.

For more on the subject, check out these books in InfoSearch!

Google Your Way to Scholarly Articles

If you've attended one of the library's instruction sessions -- say, through your English 1020 or U1010 class -- you've probably heard us tout the articles in the library databases as superior to what you can find in a web search. And while that's mostly true -- after all, anyone can post anything on the web -- you can use a specialized Google search, Google Scholar, to tap into the many of the library's scholarly subscriptions through an easy search engine.

To use Google Scholar on campus, you simply go to http://scholar.google.com/ and start searching. Your search results will include articles that you, as an MTSU affiliate, can access for free, as well as materials to which we are not subscribed. To check for access, look for a link to Full Text at MTSU to the side of the citation.



Or you may see Check MTSU Library below the citation. This will allow to look for other means of access, including print access in the library.

If you are searching off-campus, you will need to set your Scholar Preferences from the top right corner of the screen.

Search for Middle Tennessee State University and check all of the resulting boxes. This will allow you to log in to access the articles that require an MTSU affiliation.

So there you have it! You can get (much of) the good stuff while feeling like you're bucking the system. And the next time your librarian tells you that you can't Google your way to quality sources, you can smile knowingly at the truth.

New printers in the EIC

Christmas came early in the Walker Library. We have three new printers in the EIC (computer lab on the first floor).
They even have that new printer smell. Come and have a smell, they won't be new for long.

Learn about Library of Congress Primary Sources

The Learning, Teaching, and Innovative Technologies Center is hosting a workshop for faculty by Dr. Stacey Graham on Teaching with Primary Sources.
The workshop will help faculty use the Library of Congress website to find primary sources to use as educational tools.
Register today and learn how to enhance your curriculum with primary source material.

October 7th National Day of Action to Save Public Education

Thursday, October 7th, MTSU students will participate in a nationwide effort to defend public education from budget cuts.

The event will take place at the KUC knoll from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Learn more about MTSU involvement at
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=117407174984341 as well as the efforts of students, faculty and campus workers across the country at http://www.defendeducation.org/.

Blackout Game

Blue Raiders vs. Trojans

Tuesday, October 5

7:00 pm

Floyd Stadium

Students get in FREE with their ID.

The highly-anticipated Blackout game for the MTSU football team. The Blue Raiders will be taking on the University of Troy Trojans. This game is Blackout Night, so everyone wear your blackout t-shirts! Kickoff is set for 7 PM on Tuesday and the game will be shown nationally on ESPN2.

On Display in the Library

The Center for Popular Music is celebrating its 25th birthday this month. Come see a few items from the collection on display in the Walker Library atrium.

In the display is the history of everyone’s favorite song, “Happy Birthday,” along with other highlights from the center’s collections. A 25th-anniversary celebration, complete with cake and all the trimmings, is planned on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. during Homecoming Weekend.

The Center for Popular Music was created in July 1985 to serve and preserve the study of American popular music. It is one of 16 Centers of Excellence across the Tennessee Board of Regents system.

The main collection, located in the Bragg Mass Communication Building, includes sheet music and broadsides, rare music books, sound recordings, music trade catalogs, periodicals, performance documents, manuscripts and photographs ranging as far back as the early 1700s. The center specializes in rock and roll and its roots, the various forms of vernacular religious music and the music of Tennessee and the Southeast.

Southern Festival of Books

Location: War Memorial Plaza (Downtown Nashville)

Date: Friday, Oct 8 - Sunday, Oct 10, 2010

Time: Friday, noon - 6 pm
Saturday, 9 am - 6 pm
Sunday, noon - 5 pm

Price: Free

Now in its 22nd year, the Southern Festival of Books is a free, three-day celebration of the written word that provides book-loving guests the opportunity to get up close and personal with their favorite authors.

Plus, food, a children’s stage, live music, a café stage, Chapter 16 Stage, author readings, book signings and much more!

Full schedule of authors and activities.

The Festival takes place on War Memorial Plaza in downtown Nashville between Charlotte and Union and 6th and 7th Avenues. Author sessions are held in the Legislative Plaza hearing rooms underneath the Plaza and in the Senate and House Chambers of the State Capitol.

How To Master Course Material

Academic Success Series – Workshop #3

This session will cover tips on note taking, how to effectively study your notes as well as tips for navigating different types of tests.

Tuesday, September 28th - 4:30pm
&
Wednesday, September 29th - 2:00pm

All workshops are held in Corlew Residence Hall Classroom

Questions? Contact the University College Advising Center at 898-2339

Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read

Celebrate YOUR freedom to read during Banned Books Week, September 25−October 2, 2010

You can check out books from our cart of banned and challenged books in the atrium.


Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.

The American Library Association has compiled information about some of the most challenged books from last year. For more information on BBW, visit http://www.ala.org/bbooks/

Creative Writing Group

The Margaret H. Ordoubadian University Writing Center is hosting a Creative Writing Group starting this Tuesday! It is open to any current MTSU student. They will be meeting:

Tuesdays
4:30p-5:30p
Walker Library, rm. 362

btw, The UWC moved into the Library over the summer. They offer a relaxed, yet professional atmosphere where writers from any major can get help on any project or paper at any stage in the process and become more comfortable with writing.

Stop by and see them on the 3rd floor of the Library or better yet, make an appointment at 904.8237.

New Group Study Rooms

Studying in a group? We have 5 new group studies open just outside the elevators on each floor, bringing the building total to over 40. If you want to be assured of a group study room, you can reserve any of the 4th floor study rooms at the Service Desk on the 1st floor. Get the lowdown and a printable reservation form here: http://library.mtsu.edu/services/reservations.php

NPR Reporter on campus today

Nina Totenberg, a reporter for National Public Radio, will be on campus Wednesday as part of MTSU's Constitution Week to speak about how justice has evolved in the U.S. Supreme Court throughout her more than 30 years of journalism experience covering the Judicial Branch.

Totenberg's lecture titled "Establishing Justice: The New Supreme Court" is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m. in the Tucker Theatre, and the event is free and open to the public. See full article in Sidelines.

Library opening late on Sunday

The Library will open at 3:00 p.m. instead of 1:00 on Sunday, September 19.

On Sunday, September 19 from 9:00a.m. - 2:00p.m., the University will be testing its back up generators. During this time there will be intermittent power outages throughout the campus. We are sorry for the inconvenience this may cause. If you have any questions, please call Construction Administration at 898-2967.

Complete library hours are at http://library.mtsu.edu/information/hours

On Display in the Walker Library

The University is celebrating Constitution Day on Friday, September 17, 2010. A number of activities are planned all week sponsored by the MTSU American Democracy Project.

The Walker Library has on display some posters that highlight four freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from fear, and freedom from want. Some of the posters reinterpret Norman Rockwell's original paintings which responded to President Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech in 1941. This project came out of the donation of Rockwell's original works to The Wolfsonian Museum at Florida International University.

The Walker Library is also participating in the celebration by having students print the 14th amendment on the Library's replica 18th century printing press.

Hot off the Press...

Thursday, September 16

Library front porch

10am - 2pm

Students will be able to print their own copies of the 14th amendment to the United States Constitution right outside of the Library in celebration of Constitution Day.


The James E. Walker Library will transport their handcrafted replica of the 18th century printing press from its home on the fourth floor down to the library portico. Passersby may manipulate the device themselves or allow library personnel to help them. Constitution Day 2010 (really on Friday, September 17th) will mark the 223rd anniversary of the signing of the nation’s founding document.

MTSU is celebrating Constitution Week, September 13 - 17, 2010 with many activities sponsored by the MTSU American Democracy Project.

Help getting started at MTSU

Academic Success Series - Presented by the University College Advising Center

How To Get Started at MTSU

Tuesday, September 14th at 4:30pm & Wednesday, September 15th at 2:00pm

Corlew Residence Hall Classroom

This session will cover topics including how to navigate RaiderNet & D2L, understanding the Lottery Scholarship, and helpful tips about GPA and academic standing.

These one hour workshops are designed for any student who needs help or wants to learn more about the topic area. We hope these “How To” sessions will help you be a successful student!!

Questions? Contact the University College Advising Center at (615) 898-2339

Does the Library Have My Textbook?

This is one of the top questions we get during the first week of classes, and we understand why: Textbooks are ridiculously expensive. Why wouldn't you check them out for free if you have the option?

So here is the answer: Maybe. Here is what you can do to find out.

1. Search the library catalog by the book title or the author. We do not make a habit of ordering textbooks for our main collection, so it is unlikely that you will find one that you can check out for four weeks. Textbooks are updated too often and we prefer ordering books that will stand the test of time and support the ongoing research and study needs of the university. Occasionally, however, a textbook makes it into our collection, so you should search the library catalog. Make sure you take note of the current call number and location. If we don't have the current edition of your textbook, we might have an earlier edition that would suffice. Some books used for classes are temporarily placed in the Reserves collection, which is option #2.

2. Search the course reserve system by instructor or course. A professor may have placed a personal copy on Reserve (ask for the item at the first floor Circulation desk). Items on Reserve may be used for a limited period of time -- usually only a few hours and usually only in the library -- to allow you to read a chapter, take notes, or make a few copies. Items on reserve can also be found in the library catalog by title or author, but if you don't know this information, the course reserves system is useful.

3. While we often don't have textbooks in our collection, we do have many of your supplemental readings, such as novels, plays, and non-fiction books. Check the catalog and take note of location information. Some of these materials are also placed temporarily in the Reserves Collection (ask for these materials at the first floor Circulation Desk).

Note: Although we're telling you how to find out for yourself, feel free to ask for help at the 1st Floor Reference Desk or through our IM, email, or phone service.

Labor Day Library Hours

MTSU Walker Library
Labor Day Hours

Sat, Sept 4 8am - 5pm
Sun, Sept 5 closed
Mon, Sept 6 closed

Enjoy your Labor Day!


-------------------
image: Library of Congress, WPA Poster Collection,
LC-USZC2-837 DLC
Artist: Vera Block

1st football game Thursday night!

Thursday, September 2

6:30 pm

Blue Raiders vs. Minnesota Gophers

Students get in FREE with their id.

The highly-anticipated 2010 home opener for the MTSU football team. The Blue Raiders will be taking on the University of Minnesota Gophers. This is the True Blue game so everyone wear your BLUE!

University Writing Center Open House

University Writing Center Open House

Wednesday, September 1

2 - 5 p.m.

Walker Library, 362


The Margaret Ordoubadian University Writing Center has moved into the Library!!! They are glad to assist writers from any subject! The University Writing Center provides a relaxed, yet professional atmosphere in which writers from across the curriculum can become more comfortable with processes of writing. Stop by the UWC (Walker Library, Room 362) to check out all of their resources or look at some of their helpful handouts.

Make an appointment to work with one the UWC tutors today!!! To schedule an appointment stop by in person or call 615.904.8237.

MTSU Welcome Week

Welcome back MTSU students and faculty!

There are a number of events held on campus during the first week back. Following is a listing of events that will take place during Week of Welcome. All students and faculty are invited to attend, $$FREE$$ of charge.

Friday, August 27
We-Haul (all-day)
Dinner and Music at the KUC Courtyard, 6:30 pm
Outdoor Movie: The Blind Side, 8pm, KUC Courtyard

Saturday, August 28
We-Haul (all day)
Information Booths, 10am-4pm
Dinner and Courtyard Carnival, 6pm, KUC Courtyard

Sunday, August 29
University Convocation: Guest Speaker Warren St. John, 2pm, Murphy Center
President’s Picnic following Convocation, Walnut Grove

Monday, August 30
Classes begin

Tuesday, August 31
Meet Murfreesboro, 10am-2pm, KUC Courtyard

Wednesday, September 1
Meet Murfreesboro, 10am-2pm, KUC Courtyard
Comedian Josh Blue, 8pm, Murphy Center

Thursday, September 2
MTSU Department Fair, 11am-1pm, KUC Courtyard
Free cookies and lemonade, 12noon, KUC Courtyard
MTSU Home Football Game vs Minnesota, 6:30pm

Monday, September 6
Labor Day Holiday

Tuesday, September 7
Volunteer Fair, 10am-2pm, KUC Courtyard

Wednesday, September 8
Student Organization Fair, 10am-2pm, KUC Courtyard

What we did on our summer vacation

It might not have been as exciting as summer camp or the family vacation to the Poconos but Walker library staff worked hard all summer to bring a lot of new services and a few changes to the library. Here is our report.

1. The Digital Media Studio is open On the second floor the Micro text area has been transformed into a multi-media studio complete with Mac's, color printing and instruction on a variety of rich media software applications.

2. InfoSearch is our new, simple searching tool to help you find resources in the library. Use tags, rate the resource and use a Google like search to find materials easily.

3. Laptops are now checked out at the Computer Support Desk, beyond the elevators on the first floor where periodical support used to be. Bonus! Laptops can now be taken out of the library, the checkout time is still 4 hours!

4. Reserves are now checked out and turned in at the circulation desk.

5. We have new chairs, that you voted on, in the computer lab on the first floor.

6. We have two new tenants on the third floor
The University Writing Center & The Learning, Teaching and Instructional Technology Center

7. We have a real Starbucks!


Don't forget about our reference assistance, research coach , interlibrary loan and express printing!


Hopefully with all these new tools and services you won't be too distraught that we didn't make you a potholder or lanyard.

How do I print in the library?

Students, faculty and staff may print in the library by logging on to a computer with their Pipeline username and password.

When you print from a computer in the library, you must release it from the print system before you can retrieve it.

1. Select print on your computer.

2. Look at the name taped to the computer monitor and proceed to the closest print station.

3. Find your computer name on the screen at the print station and lightly tap it. If your computer name is toward the end of the alphabet (e.g., Twain or Wilde) you may need to select the Next button at the bottom of the screen to find it.

4. Tap the print jobs that you wish to print. A check mark should appear next to them.

5. Press Print at the bottom right side of the screen. Press Confirm Printing at the bottom right side of the screen.

Please note that the printers automatically delete jobs of 50 pages or more. If you must print a document this large, you will need to break it up into two or more jobs of 49 pages or less.

At this time, printing is "free" in the library. Free printing is supported primarily by the Technology Access Fees students pay.

Please print wisely.

For more on this story, please read the post Is printing really FREE?

If you just need to quickly print something, you can use our express printing station.
It is on the right as you enter the library and requires a USB drive.

InfoSearch Faculty Preview Day

Faculty Preview

Monday, August 23

10 a.m.

Library 264A

You've heard the Walker Library converted to a new Integrated Library System and catalog. This system replaced Voyager. What does this mean for you? Bottom line, it makes it easier to find books, articles and other resources. Come see it in action. This look at the Library’s new catalog will be fun and informative.

This new system has many benefits such as:

• A Google like search feature


• Spell check and “Did you mean” help


• RSS feeds on searches of interest


• Simple advanced search options

We are encouraging faculty to take advantage of demos, Q & A sessions and training. It is more important than ever to sign up for Library instruction classes for your students.

August intersession hours

Library hours will be shortened during the August recess.

Hours for August 14-27

M-F: 8-4:30
Sat-Sun: closed

Regular hours resume Saturday, August 28.

For additional hours information, see http://library.mtsu.edu/information/hours.php.

Starbucks Preview!!!

The newly remodeled area right inside the Library's front doors is becoming a full service Starbucks!!! And it is gonna be soooo nice. I peeked in the door and took a couple of photos, it should be ready for the begining of the Fall semester.

OLD Cafe'

New FULL SERVICE STARBUCKS: It has black tile floor, glass tile on the backsplash, real COMFY seating and it has a full Starbucks menu!

What Time Is It?

If you're in the library and want to know the correct time, please don't rely on the wall clocks right now. Yes, it's official--the library is acknowledging it isn't an infallible institution!

The crazy clock times are a result of a power outage last week. However, we expect the super specialized clock technician will be here soon to fix the problem (the problem seems simple but apparently it's not).

In the meantime, our clocks could present a convenient explanation for being late to work, missing that family dinner, or whatever the situation may be.

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photo credit: Robbert van der Steeg on Flickr

Wireless Network Upgrades

Starting Monday, July 26, for a period of up to two weeks, the Information Technology Division will be replacing all components of the wireless network campuswide to increase the network's speed. The MTSU wireless network will be usable during the project, except when one of the system's approximately 400 transmitters is being replaced in a specific location. During replacement, wireless coverage will drop and may be unusable in that specific location. Ideally, the drop in coverage should be no more than 30 to 60 minutes per location. Once wireless coverage is detected again, users should reboot their computers to resume network access on campus.

Walker Library and the surrounding buildings (Mass Communication, Business & Aerospace, and the Learning Resources Center) are scheduled first in the project.

Please call the ITD Help Desk at 615-898-5345 with any questions.

Coming Fall 2010 -- the Digital Media Studio!

The next time you come into the library you may notice the bold new graphic added to the 2nd floor window outside of the old microtext area, designating it as the Digital Media Studio. "What's up with that?," you might ask yourself.

That, my friends, is our newest innovation, our newest way for you to get it all done right here. We're happy to announce that beginning in the Fall 2010 semester, you can work on your multimedia projects right here in the library. The Digital Media Studio will feature 8 high-end PCs and 12 iMac bursting with the latest multimedia software. You can also check out pen tablets, use a number of new scanners, and much more. See our Studio website (still in development) for details.

In addition to proprietary software, we will offer a number of open source options, and we want to know what you would like to see on our new machines. Please send suggestions to mtsudms@gmail.com.

Library Power Outage, July 20

Due to construction issues, there will be a scheduled power outage at the Walker Library from 6:00a.m. - 8:00a.m. on Tuesday, July 20th. While we hope it won't last long, some services may be briefly interrupted during this time. We will open at the regular time, 7:30 a.m., so come on in and try to find a book in the dark!

Reserves are on the Move

In an effort to better serve our students and other users, the library made a few changes today to the reserves collection check-out process.

• Library laptops are now checked out from the 1st floor periodicals desk (walk through the elevator lobby; desk is on your left).
• All other reserve items (books, course packets, etc.) are checked out (and returned!) at the circulation desk to the left inside the library entrance.
• Headphones for student use are also available at the periodicals desk (instead of at the service desk by the library entrance).

Two more things to note:

• Current reserves policies, including loan periods and fees, remain the same.
• Print newspapers, magazines, and journals are still located in the periodicals room. If you're having trouble, the librarians at the reference desk are happy to help you locate articles that meet your need.

TN 6th Congressional District Candidate Forum

The public is invited to attend the Tennessee 6th Congressional District Candidate Forum from 6-8 p.m., July 13, in the Tennessee Livestock Center on the MTSU campus.

Participating candidates are Jim Tracy, Lou Ann Zelenik, Ben Lemming, Dave Evans, George Erdel, Gary Mann, Diane Black, Kerry Roberts, Brett Carter and Stephen Sprague. One of these candidates will be replacing retiring Congressman Bart Gordon. Starting at 6 p.m., each of the candidates "will be talking about themselves and where they stand on the issues," says Marvin Whitworth, president of the Rutherford County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. From 7-8 p.m., the candidates will field audience questions and questions prepared in advance.

The MTSU School of Agribusiness and Agriscience and the Rutherford County Farm Bureau are co-sponsoring the event.

Early voting will be July 16-31 for Rutherford County citizens. The primary will be held Thursday, Aug. 5. The general election is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 2.

For info about registering to vote click here.

The Center for Popular Music turns 25!

Happy Birthday to the Center for Popular Music!



Stop by today and have some cake, and check out their amazing resources. The CPM is located on the 1st floor of the Mass Comm building.

Placing a Hold or Renewing Books online

Fr the next few days, if you want to access your library account online to rate a book, renew materials or place a hold, you need to log in using your name and your barcode (it is the b field on the back of your ID), not your pipeline ID and password. Let us know if you have questions and we can walk you through it! Call 898-2817 (option #3) or chat with us.

InfoSearch is here! Feel free to bust a move.

Watch a video introduction

At the Walker Library today we are partying like it is our birthday. You might even see a few of us doing the electric slide, the lawnmower or raising the roof in the atrium. We are that excited. What could make librarians bust a move in the middle of the day? InfoSearch is live!

The Walker Library has converted to a new integrated library system and catalog. This new system replaces Voyager. InfoSearch offers MTSU faculty and students a quick and intuitive search interface to the combined catalogs of Walker Library, the Center for Popular Music, the Instructional Media Resource Center and the Howard Music Library.

What does this mean for you? Bottom line, it makes it easier to find books and articles and other resources. InfoSearch has:

• A Google-like search
  
  
• Spell check
  
  
• “Did you mean” help
  
  
• Ability to search by tag
  
  
• Advanced search options
  
  
• Users can rate resources
  
  
• Recently added materials suggestions
  
  
• Book cover art
  
  
• Table of contents
  
  
• Content summary

Want to see what its all about? Try InfoSearch now and you may find yourself striking up a conga line with the strangers at the table next to you.

Watch a video introduction

The LT&ITC is here

To better serve the faculty, the Learning, Teaching and Innovative Technologies Center at MTSU has moved into the James E. Walker Library this summer. The LT&ITC connects professors with the latest instructional methods, including technologies that can make the classroom experience more enlightening, as well as the expertise to use that technology most effectively. The newly relocated center provides plenty of room for the center’s many resources, including workshops, learning sessions and other professional development activities designed to improve the quality of instruction. In addition to its convenient access to the other learning centers in the library, the center lends itself to both small and large groups and offers a lounge area for informal discussions. The LT&ITC is located in Room 348 of the library. Its hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

WALKER LIBRARY TO DIGITIZE THE PAST IN EAGLEVILLE

The MTSU Walker Library and Digital Initiatives Group will present Community Scanning Day

Saturday, June 12 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Eagleville Bicentennial Library
317 Highway 99, in Eagleville

The purpose of the event is to preserve Eagleville’s history in education. Organizers invite the public to bring the following materials for scanning:

• Items related to schools from 1970 and before
• School class photographs
• Photographs of school buildings
• Commencement announcements or programs
• School activities (including sports)
• School-related photos or memorabilia.

Bring your items to the library to scan. Must be 9" x 12" or smaller. Take your materials right back home for your safekeeping. Please bring your own flash drive if you have one.

For more information, contact Lynda Duke at 615-904-8525 or lnduke@mtsu.edu.

Web access interupted Saturday

Uh Oh!!!!! An emergency power outage June 5th from 7a - 2p is going to affect most computer-related operations all over campus, including the library. Access to the internet, email, and Pipeline will be interrupted. Access to the library's web pages will also be down while this emergency repair is being done.

• Our circulation system will still work so you can continue to check books out!!! Yay! You can get to our book catalog on-campus and off by going to http://161.45.205.123/. What's this book thing we speak of? Stop by the Reference desk and we'll give you a free tour of this quaint but reliable device.


• Off-campus access to library resources will be unavailable during this time, including our databases.


• Still need to print something or type up a paper? Go to the computer lab on the 1st floor and ask Justin at the desk by the printers and he will log you into a computer. The computers on the upper floors will be off limits until the repairs are finished Saturday afternoon.


• You should be able to access D2L courses off-campus by logging in at http://elearn.mtsu.edu/.


• Student email is accessible off-campus by logging in at http://www.outlook.com/.

If you need help or just need to vent (no profanity or violence, please :), stop by the Reference desk on the 1st floor. We're very sorry for the inconvience; this is an emergency repair. Hopefully it won't take too long to fix!

New Chairs are here

The computer lab in the library is sporting natty new chairs! The chairs that you voted for during the chair fair have arrived and they look awesome. Even more importantly, they are comfortable, clean and in working order. Isn't it great when a plan comes together?

Before: Yuck!

After: Yippee!