Pay your library fines/fees online

Hey, got some old library fines sitting around? Yeah, it's ok. It happens. Now you can pay your fines without having to face the cardigan-wearing stern librarian peering over her cat eye glasses, wondering why you needed to keep The Idiot's Guide to Blindfolded Beekeeping for so long. (That's not really who we are, but that's how it can feel, right?)

So, starting February 5, we will no longer take payments at the Circulation Desk. Instead, you can do it all online. You will need to know your fine total before using the online fee system, so take note of it when you log in to your Library Account. Using the online fee payment system is pretty simple. (No Idiot's guide needed for this one.)



1. Log in to your My Library Account (linked on the library homepage) with your Pipeline information
2. Locate the exact amount you owe and then click on Library Fines and Fees
3. On the next page, click again on the link that says Library Fines and Fees
4. Enter the amount of your payment and Add to Cart (again, you'll need to know this ahead of time. This information is in your Library Account)
5. On the next page, enter your name and either your M number or library barcode (the one on the back of your MTSU ID starting with 23082) and then Checkout
6. Enter your email and either register an account or Continue Unregistered
7. Then pay with your debit or credit card

And, presto! Your record is clean. Well, technically it takes one business day to clear any holds, but your conscience will be clean. Let us know if you have any questions about this process.

Book Drive Collection Box

MTSU's Margaret H. Ordoubadian University Writing Center is holding a book drive for Murfreesboro City Schools that will run now through February 28, 2011. With the current economic situation, funding for materials like books is often the first thing cut, and we are hoping to contribute to this area of need with your help.

We are looking for new or gently used children's books for ages Pre-K through middle school. Donations can be dropped off in the Writing Center in the James E. Walker Library (room 362) or in our book drive collection box in the lobby of the Library. For questions or suggestions, please contact Jenny Rowan, Assistant Coordinator of the University Writing Center at 494.8932 or jrowan@mtsu.edu.

Black History Month Display

“Free at Last! Emancipation and Reconstruction in Tennessee,” a 2-panel traveling exhibit that emphasizes the significance of emancipation as a result of the Civil War, will be on view in the lobby of the James E. Walker Library at MTSU for the month of February 2011.

The exhibit provides an introduction to the joys and challenges shared by African Americans in Tennessee during the aftermath of slavery. The Reconstruction years were crucial to the development of African American communities throughout the state, and "Free at Last" highlights some of these communities.

In addition, books featuring African American authors will be on display and available for checkout.

The exhibit is sponsored by the Walker Library at MTSU and the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area.

Need Tax Forms?

The Walker Library does not have printed copies of the 1040 booklet or other tax forms, but never fear: you can get everything you need from the IRS website and print it off in the library computer labs. Links to the most commonly needed forms are on the left of the screen, or you can search for other forms from the search box at the top of the page. Not sure if you need to file a tax return? See this page.

Don't forget: Your tax return must be e-filed or postmarked by April 18 (the traditional tax return filing deadline is April 15 of each year, but the IRS has approved April 18, 2011, as the tax filing deadline for 2010 Tax Returns in observance of Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia).

'Tis the season for love! Do you love your planner?

The Academic Success series continues with a valentine to the college student's sanity saver: the planner! Workshops are held in Walker Library 264A at 4:30 p.m.

February 1st - Love Your Planner

Presenter: Becca Seul, Advisor, University College Advising Center

• Time management is something students struggle with each semester. This session will cover one of the first steps to success- techniques to help you manage your time wisely.
  

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And don't forget to put the rest of the series in your handy dandy calendar.

February 8th - Study Skills & Test Taking

Presenter: Gia Jones, Advisor, University College Advising Center

• Fall is gone…time to Spring along! What an easy journey you can make if you apply simple study skills for test taking. Don’t know where to start? Join me and I will guide you from beginning to end.

February 15th - Library BINGO

Presenter: Kristen West, Instruction Librarian, Walker Library

• Spend a fun hour playing BINGO and learning what successful MTSU students know about the library. This session will cover information on timesaving online research sites and citation tools, getting the most out of Google Scholar, 10 foods to sneak bring into the library to improve your productivity, tips for finding an open computer in the library, and how to save money on textbooks.

February 22nd - Academic Integrity & YOU: The Role All Students Play in Upholding MTSU's Values

Presenter: Amanda Newman Samsel, Coordinator, Judicial Affairs & Mediation Services

• Doing what's right, even when no one is watching is often much harder for students than they realize. This presentation covers the four different parts of MTSU's Academic Misconduct policy. Each rule will be highlighted and ways to avoid committing plagiarism will be discussed. The session also focuses on WHY Academic Integrity is so important and the ways all students contribute to MTSU's reputation, knowingly or not.
  

March 15th - Captivate and Educate: Essential Presentation Skills

Presenter: Brian Walsh, Admissions Counselor, Undergraduate Admissions

• From book reports in first grade to the executive retreat at work, we will never outgrow presentations. Regardless of the setting or audience, following a few guidelines can guarantee an effective session. If you truly want to “Spring Into Academic Success”, start by learning these essential presentation skills.

March 22nd - Advising showers bring Registration flowers!

Presenter: Travis Tipton, College Advisor, College of Basic and Applied Sciences

• Academic advising is a very important part of each and every student’s experience at MTSU. This workshop will discuss advisor and student responsibilities and the nature of the student-advisor relationship as well as discussing key resources available to students via their academic advisors. Registration goes beyond adding and dropping courses. This session will highlight important dates and how student can be proactive in regards to Priority Registration.
  

March 29th - Spring Break Career Party
Presenters: Bill Fletcher, Director, Career Development CenterKaty Francisco Riddle, Publicity & Outreach Coordinator, Career Development Center

• Does combining career information and a Spring Break party sound too good to be true? Discover how your personality relates to majors and possible career fields during this fun and interactive party that will help lead the way to choosing your career path.
  

April 19th & April 26th - Put a Spring in Your Final Exam Preparation
Presenter: Laura Clippard, Academic Advisor, University Honors College

• This session will provide a helpful guide to students who are not sure how to study for final exams. A brief review of test taking tips will also be included.
  

Academic Success Series: Spring Cleaning, Jan. 25

The Academic Success Series, a program of the University College Advising Center, will be held this semester in the library. All sessions are held in Walker Library Room 264A at 4:30pm. The events are as follow:

January 25th - Spring Cleaning

Presenter: Heather Spell Arrington, Advisor, University College Advising Center

• It’s time to clean out the struggle from last semester and focus on the future. In this session we will discuss ways to spring into a successful semester. We will also talk about probation status, what it means and how to get off of probation. If you are looking to make a clean start, this session is for YOU!

February 1st - Love Your Planner

Presenter: Becca Seul, Advisor, University College Advising Center

• Time management is something students struggle with each semester. This session will cover one of the first steps to success- techniques to help you manage your time wisely.
  

February 8th - Study Skills & Test Taking

Presenter: Gia Jones, Advisor, University College Advising Center

• Fall is gone…time to Spring along! What an easy journey you can make if you apply simple study skills for test taking. Don’t know where to start? Join me and I will guide you from beginning to end.

February 15th - Library BINGO

Presenter: Kristen West, Instruction Librarian, Walker Library

• Spend a fun hour playing BINGO and learning what successful MTSU students know about the library. This session will cover information on timesaving online research sites and citation tools, getting the most out of Google Scholar, 10 foods to sneak bring into the library to improve your productivity, tips for finding an open computer in the library, and how to save money on textbooks.

February 22nd - Academic Integrity & YOU: The Role All Students Play in Upholding MTSU's Values

Presenter: Amanda Newman Samsel, Coordinator, Judicial Affairs & Mediation Services

• Doing what's right, even when no one is watching is often much harder for students than they realize. This presentation covers the four different parts of MTSU's Academic Misconduct policy. Each rule will be highlighted and ways to avoid committing plagiarism will be discussed. The session also focuses on WHY Academic Integrity is so important and the ways all students contribute to MTSU's reputation, knowingly or not.
  

March 15th - Captivate and Educate: Essential Presentation Skills

Presenter: Brian Walsh, Admissions Counselor, Undergraduate Admissions

• From book reports in first grade to the executive retreat at work, we will never outgrow presentations. Regardless of the setting or audience, following a few guidelines can guarantee an effective session. If you truly want to “Spring Into Academic Success”, start by learning these essential presentation skills.

March 22nd - Advising showers bring Registration flowers!

Presenter: Travis Tipton, College Advisor, College of Basic and Applied Sciences

• Academic advising is a very important part of each and every student’s experience at MTSU. This workshop will discuss advisor and student responsibilities and the nature of the student-advisor relationship as well as discussing key resources available to students via their academic advisors. Registration goes beyond adding and dropping courses. This session will highlight important dates and how student can be proactive in regards to Priority Registration.
  

March 29th - Spring Break Career Party
Presenters: Bill Fletcher, Director, Career Development CenterKaty Francisco Riddle, Publicity & Outreach Coordinator, Career Development Center

• Does combining career information and a Spring Break party sound too good to be true? Discover how your personality relates to majors and possible career fields during this fun and interactive party that will help lead the way to choosing your career path.
  

April 19th & April 26th - Put a Spring in Your Final Exam Preparation
Presenter: Laura Clippard, Academic Advisor, University Honors College

• This session will provide a helpful guide to students who are not sure how to study for final exams. A brief review of test taking tips will also be included.
  

MLK holiday hours

Saturday, January 15: open 8 am-5 pm
Sunday, January 16: closed
Monday, January 17: closed

Regular hours resume on Tuesday.

image: Portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Betsy G. Reyneau; Donated Collections; Record Group 200; National Archives and Records Administration

Who stole Reference?!

As you start your spring semester, you may notice a change in the Reference area of the library: more than half of the book shelves are gone! (Where did the books go?) While the new open space would make a great bowling alley or dance hall, we have loftier goals in mind.

The area behind the Reference desk and between the computers and periodicals shelves will soon house additional computer work stations and collaborative study spaces and is part of a larger mission to enhance library services. Please take our Library Use Survey and let us know what you need from the library.

If you are unable to locate something that used to be in the Reference area, waltz, cha cha, or pirouette over to the Reference desk and let us help you.

Interlibrary Loan Alert

ILLiad, the online system used to request and process interlibrary loan transactions, is currently unavailable. If you are able to log in, you won't see pending requests, historical items, etc.

We realize the great inconvenience this is for some people, and will have ILLiad repaired as soon as possible.

In the meantime, we ask that you hold any requests until ILLiad is online again.