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.

The faculty returned to campus on Thursday in preparation for the coming semester. Students arrive on Monday.

Did you know that SBCC students are in China/Vietnam right now as part of the Study Abroad Program?

The overnight train ride was about 10 hours. The sleeping arrangements were similar to what one might see on an aircraft carrier with three beds stacks on one side and then another three beds stacked on the other side [below]. The train ride offered limited space. I think we all got to know each other pretty well after that experience. Some of us didn’t get very much sleep, but we managed.

Read (and see pictures) on their blog.

As you are well aware, no doubt, the election season is upon us in the United States. In California, you have another week to get your voter registration turned in and the library has the forms available in the lobby. Watch this short video on Electing a US President in Plain English.

We've also put together a short guide on the presidential campaign for one of the English classes, but you may appreciate the links too. Though we have hundreds of books on the topic of voting, elections, campaigns, etc. - check out the short list on elections.

Tuesday November 11th is Veterans Day, and a part of Veterans Awareness and Appreciation Week. The library acknowledges this week with a display of books and other materials which share the histories, personal stories and achievements of veterans.

Another opportunity to expand your awareness about veteran issues will be on Wednesday, November 12th, during the second Diversity Dialogue of 2008-09 entitled "Honoring Military Communities in a Time of War." Deputy Secretary of Women and Minority Veterans Affairs, Barbara Ward,
will speak in A211 from 2:15 to 3:45, about the needs and challenges of returning Iraq war veterans to colleges.

SBCC's Office of Veterans Affairs provides information and support to vets and their dependents.

Welcome back to the spring semester at SBCC. The library is happy to be open and available for students. We have study space, open computer lab, color printer, copy machines, study rooms, textbooks, and a coffee shop.

If you have any questions, please stop by or call the main number at 805-730-4430. Other communication options include instant message, text message, and email.

Try out our new Feedback tool located on the right side of the screen; we'd love to hear from you.

The Garner Tullis Print Collection is comprised of thirty-three works on paper donated to Santa Barbara City College in 1990 by artist and printmaker Garner Tullis. He operated the Garner Tullis Workshop here in Santa Barbara that was internationally known for its preeminence in working with artists to make monotypes, a one of a kind print. These prints are typically found in the Luria Library and, from February 27– March 27, 2009, selected pieces will be part of Gifted at the Atkinson Gallery.

The SBCC Luria Library staff has just learned, and is proud to announce, that the Association of College and Research Libraries of the American Library Association has selected Kenley Neufeld, library director at Santa Barbara City College, as the 2009 winner of the Community and Junior College Libraries Section EBSCO Community College Learning Resources Leadership Award. The award honors significant achievement in advocacy of learning resources, as well as leadership in professional organizations that support the missions of community, junior and technical colleges.

Image by Today is a good day via Flickr

Happy summer to you. The library will continue to be open to students, faculty, and staff throughout the summer months but at a reduced schedule. The initial schedule is as follows:

May 26 - June 12
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Monday - Thursday

The main floor of the library is open for administrative tasks, studying, and computer access only.

The Summer Term hours will be posted in mid-June.

Welcome back to campus, students and faculty!

The library is open for summer session:

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am to 7:30 pm
and
Friday 8:00 am to 1:30 pm

The Buzz Shack inside the library will be open every morning.

Hope to see you soon.

In the last few weeks of the spring 2009 semester, the library hosted a charity opportunity as part of the Knit-A-Square program. This program was designed to encourage knitters and crocheters around the world to take a little extra time to make a 8 inch by 8 inch square and mail it to South Africa. The squares would be assembled there, by a local charity called the Soweto Comfort Club, to provide comfort and warmth to some of the many AIDS orphans. This charity has taken off in ways the planners hadn’t anticipated and has gained world wide attention. Their goal for 2009 is to create 10,000 blankets (40 squares make one blanket).
The library staff considered this an appealing, comforting community project, especially as spring semester finals drew near and budget concerns loomed, making folks anxious. After announcing the charity, we mounted a display wall so that we could show library visitors how the blanket was developing, as the squares came in, and this drew a lot of interest and conversation. What followed next went beyond our fondest expectations; in just a few weeks, staff, faculty and students brought to us one at a time, or a few at a time, or bags at a time, ultimately One Hundred and Twenty-Eight Squares. One staff member learned to knit, in order to contribute. Several staff member’s elderly parents contributed to the project. Students asked us to continue the project in the future.

Thanks to all who participated!
photo credit: Valerie Campos

Image by Amin Tabrizi via Flickr

This year we are happy to offer a new service in the Reserve collection. Most handouts and articles that are on reserve are now available electronically. Students may access the eReserve collection through the library web site from on- and off-campus. Just open the library catalog and search for professor's name. Try it out and let us know what you think.