Luria Library

It has been several years since the library has revised the web site and it certainly shows. With all the new web 2.0 technologies, we are far behind the curve. Over the past year we have tried to incorporate some new ideas, but it now time to make a radical change. We want to engage with you...those who use the library web site. We are using blog software for the new site so that you can interact with the library staff by leaving comments right here. Please leave a comment by using the link below. We will update the page frequently with new content and new ideas. Enjoy.

We all use the internet; some more frequently than others. Navigation on a web site is critical for the success of any web site and the library's is no different. The options to the right are designed to capture the basic elements of our services. If you see something missing or something is confusing, please let us know.

We welcome our new students arriving on campus this year, especially those coming right out of high school. Every year Beloit College puts together a list of items about their incoming freshman; this year it is those born in 1989. The list is called Mindset List for Class of 2011. It is a fun list for those of us who are a little older to get a glimpse of our students' experience and memory. Enjoy.

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The Luria Library, like most organizations, has developed a mission statement. “The Library seeks to facilitate and improve learning by providing collections and services to meet the educational, cultural and professional needs of students and faculty.” -- the mission statement of Luria Library. Also, like most organizations, we forget our mission statement because it is long. This summer I attended BBWorld, a users conference for Blackboard and WebCT users. The keynote speaker, Guy Kawasaki, encouraged organizations to develop a mantra – a word or short phrase – that conveys the meaning of the organization. Some examples he provided include:

Wendy’s “Healthy fast food”
Nike “Authentic athletic performance”
FedEx “Peace of Mind”
eBay “Democratize commerce”

There are many perspectives on how to recognize the sixth anniversary of the attacks on September 11th, 2001. This year on the 11th, prayer vigils, runs, film screening, marches, concerts, discussion groups will take place to give people a chance to stop and consider the impact of 9/11. Decide for yourself, with these resources:

Check out a book on the subject from the Luria Library:

The Library of Congress' September 11, 2001, Documentary Project "captures the heartfelt reactions, eyewitness accounts, and diverse opinions of Americans and others in the months that followed the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93. Patriotism and unity mixed with sadness, anger, and insecurity are common themes expressed in this online presentation of audio and video interviews, 45 graphic items, and 21 written narratives."

Peaceful Tomorrows was founded by family members of those killed on September 11 and it advocates non-violent options in regard to war and terrorism.

Candidates in the 2008 Presidential campaign refer to 9/11

Not surprisingly, the New York Times has continued its coverage of the 9/11 attacks and has kept an archive

A musical memorial is being built at the website Music from Ground Zero

Listen to stories told by friends and loved ones effected by September 11th by searching "September 11th"

CNN has archived their videos about 9/11

Here is a transcript of the video and a link to additional information from the end of the video.

What do you think? Do we need to change the way our library operates to meet the needs of you, the student?

OK, last week I gave you Professor Welsh's take on classrooms and students. Here is another video from his digital ethnography project at Kansas State University. Introducing Information R/evolution:

The Friends of Luria Library announce the Spring 2008 Book Scholarship Awards. All students are eligible for the $400 or $200 book scholarship award - several in each category will be awarded. The deadline to complete the application is November 30, 2007.

Complete the application online.

The Friends of the Luria Library is a supporting organization comprised of community members interested in supporting the SBCC Luria Library. Through membership in the Friends, private gifts help build endowment and provide for special and reference collections, periodicals, and other services to our community not funded in the state budget. Contributions from individuals provide an extra measure of qualitative excellence which can be seen in every area of Library operation. If you are interested in joining the Friends of Luria Library, please complete our contact form.

Are you interested in ways to stay connected with the Luria Library. Here are three methods:

• Become a "fan" on the Luria Library Facebook page.
• Add the Luria Library Toolbar to your web browser
• Add us to you RSS Feed

Of course, we welcome your comments and ideas here.

Most people may not know that our professional library association established a Library Bill of Rights in 1948. It has been updated four times since that date and it is one of the policies that the Luria Library adopted. It reads:

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

It seems the library is experiencing a major growth spurt. In the past two years, we have had an 88% increase in library traffic. Thank you. On a normal day two years ago, we may have had 1,500 patrons in a single day. During this week, we have surpassed 4,000 patrons on Tuesday and Wednesday and came pretty close on Monday. Again, thank you. I trust the library can continue to meet your needs and we welcome your suggestions. Use the comment link below and tell us why you use the library.

The Friends of the Luria Library proudly announce the recipients of the 2007-2008 Book Scholarship Award. This year we will distribute a total of $6,400 to the following seventeen students:

• Milochka Tshibingu
• Cyndi Burns
• Feleesha Chavez
• Suzie Sebastian
• Yolanda Vasquez
• Ryan Shapiro
• Daisy Sanchez
• John Swartwood
• Neal Erickson
• Jesse Moline
• Sebastien Delta
• Rush Mckenzie
• Benjamin Stevens
• Mayra A. Santana
• Ashlee Clark
• Araceli A. Reynoso
• Kaiya Batsel-Alfreso

The Friends of the Luria Library is a supporting organization comprised of community members interested in supporting the SBCC Luria Library. Through membership in the Friends, private gifts help build endowment and provide for special and reference collections, periodicals, and other services to our community not funded in the state budget.

We will be open for administrative tasks and computer access during the winter break. The book collection on the lower level will not be accessible. Beginning after today, our hours will be Monday through Thursday from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Closed December 21 - January 1 and January 21. Regular hours (and blogging) will resume on January 28, 2008. Enjoy the break!

A new semester has begun, the sun is shining and the campus is beautiful. The library staff welcome you back to campus and to the library. The cafe is open, so drop by and have a latte and a snack in the Buzz Shack. If you would like to keep up with our happenings this semester and you use a web feed (RSS), subscribe to the Luria Library feed. We also have a feed for our new books. You can also browse the new titles on the tables next to the Cyber Center and see our display of children's books and collectibles.

Today is Super Tuesday and it is your opportunity to vote. Here are some resources:

• CNN Election Center
  
• BBC News: America
  
• League of Women Voters
  
• Washington Post: Politics
  
• Project Vote Smart
  
• Find you polling location
  

We also have some books on the topic:

• Elections - United States
  
• Voting - United States
  

We're probably asking for it with this poll, but it should be fun anyway. Remember, this is unscientific.

According to the US Census, the number of U.S. resident who claim Irish ancestry is almost nine times the population of Ireland itself, and the nation's second most frequently reported ancestry. No surprise then that St. Patrick's Day, originally a religious holiday to celebrate the saint who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century, has evolved into a celebration for all things Irish.

Come check out the books on Irish history, politics, culture, art and literature on display now. Or peruse our catalog for a wealth of Irish fiction

No time to come to the library? "Check out" an electronic book on Ireland

SBCC will be making some history in Ireland this summer; the SBCC Concert Choir will make an 11-day performance tour in June, traveling to ... Read more about it at their blog.

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It has been a great pleasure to serve our community since the Fall of 2005. In that time, the library has experienced some dramatics shifts and I would like to honor those across campus - students, faculty, administrators, staff - who have supported us and have been an advocate for our services. In particular, the faculty who bring their classes to the library and/or send students our direction. It is an exciting time and it is my opinion that the current library staff is of the highest caliber and in the Fall we will welcome another new librarian.

So, a big THANK YOU goes out to all those supporters and advocates.

The library is happy to offer to additions for the next two weeks:

• Extended Library Hours - Open Saturday and Sunday
  
• Gaming in the Library - Wii Sports
  

Levine wrote, "If individuals age thirty-five and under are classified as "native gamers," then today's college students are situated in the middle of the proverbial bell curve.

The library will have limited hours and services for the next several weeks. The circulation areas will be closed, but the Cyber Center will be open. Beginning Tuesday, May 27 our hours of operation are:

• Monday - Thursday, 9:00am to 2:00pm
• Closed Friday through Sunday

We will reopen for summer session on June 16 at 8:00am. If you have any questions, please call us at 805-730-4430.

Summer can be a great time to take care of class that you struggle with or a class that you need to transfer in the Fall or a class just for fun. We begin the Summer Session today and the library welcomes you back to campus. I remember many a summer classes and the occasional struggle to attend due to the beautiful weather, so hang in there. The real sweet part of the summer session is it will be over very quickly, so don't allow yourself to get behind in the assignments. The library is here to help you be successful. We open at 8:00am every weekday and stay open late on Wednesdays until 7:30pm.