Archive for August 2007
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August 27, 2007
Culture Corner Features In the Wake of the Plague
The Life of the Mind reading selection In the Wake of the Plague: the Black Death and the World it Made is the center of the University Libraries fall 2007 Culture Corner exhibit
The University Libraries joins the university's celebration of the Medieval semester with the In the Wake of the Plague Culture Corner exhibit. The exhibit includes books available for check-out, databases and Web sites, documentaries, reference books and music. The Pendergrass Ag-VetMed Library created a list of books and selected articles about the subject, and the Medieval and Renaissance Studies subject guide is also available.
These resources provide further insight into the life and customs of Europe during the Middle Ages. Some materials also focus on the impact of widespread epidemics or pandemics, both historical and contemporary.
Posted by Laura Purcell at 02:44 PM in Exhibits
August 25, 2007
Writers in the Library: Barbara Bogue, September 24
Barbara Bogue presents Writers are Critics Too--James Lee Burke and the Soul of Dave Robicheaux
Poet, author, critic and community activist Barbara Zimmerman Bogue will present Writers are Critics Too: James Lee Burke and the Soul of Dave Robicheaux on Monday, September 24 at 7 pm in the Hodges Library Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
Everyone enjoys a good mystery. At this Writers in the Library event, Bogue will discuss James Lee Burke, one of the best Southern writers of police procedurals, and his brilliantly drawn character, New Iberia, Louisiana police detective, and bait shop proprietor, Dave Robicheaux.
At noon on September 24 Bogue will also present Writing Outside the Margins: Creative Writing and the Community in the University Center Crest Room. Bogue will discuss how she established a unique and lasting partnership between Ball State University and community organizations in Muncie, Indiana. The aim of the program is to encourage community interaction and the creation of dialogue between those who write and those who yearn to have their stories told and published.
Barbara Bogue teaches creative writing at Ball State University, where she founded and directs the annual Creative Writing and the Community Project. She also edits the annual Writing Out of the Margins collection, published by the Ball State University Community Collaborative. Bogue is the author of James Lee Burke and the Soul of Dave Robicheaux (McFarland, 2006). Her fiction, poetry and non-fiction have appeared in Rockhurst Review, New Millennium Writings, Pleiades Kaleidoscope, The Flying Island and Deadly Writer's Patrol, among other publications.
This event is co-sponsored by the Office of Academic Outreach of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Creative Writing Program of the English Department in association with the John C. Hodges Better English Fund, and the Writers in the Library program at the University Libraries.
Posted by Laura Purcell at 01:08 PM in Writers in the Library
August 22, 2007
Got Research? UT Libraries' Research Assist Provides Individualized Assistance
"Doing library research can be very challenging," Jeanine Williamson, a reference librarian who founded Research Assist, said. "With Research Assist, you can get one-on-one help finding, selecting and locating other sources that make a research project complete."
Students often rely too heavily on Internet resources that may not be reliable. Some universities, such as the history department at Middlebury College in Vermont, have limited students' use of sites like Wikipedia.
"Whereas Wikipedia is extraordinarily convenient and, for some general purposes, extremely useful, it nonetheless suffers inevitably from inaccuracies deriving in large measure from its unique manner of compilation," a statement from the Middlebury College department reads. "Students are responsible for the accuracy of information they provide, and they cannot point to Wikipedia or any similar source that may appear in the future to escape the consequences of errors."
Librarians at UT look forward to helping students identify appropriate scholarly sources for their research. "Internet sites like Wikipedia can be a great place to start, but it isn't the place to do real research," Rita Smith, head of reference services, said. "We look forward to helping students broaden their information-gathering skills, and to teaching them how to analyze the accuracy of the information they use. Information literacy is one of the best ways to get ready for the world," Smith said.
Students can make a Research Assist appointment by calling 974-4171 or emailing Jeanine Williamson at researchassist.jeanine@gmail.com. More information is available at www.lib.utk.edu/refs/researchassist/.
Posted by Laura Purcell at 11:26 AM in Press Releases
UT Libraries Moving Up in National Rankings
University of Tennessee Libraries are among the top 20 publicly supported university libraries in recent national rankings as updates in services continue to make the library a vital resource on campus.
The Association of Research Libraries ranked UT Libraries 16th out of 68 publicly supported university libraries in the expenditures-focused index, a big jump from 27th in rankings released last year.
ARL ranked UT 31st out of all 113 ARL libraries in the expenditures-focused index, up from 47th.
"The most recent ARL rankings demonstrate the superior quality and excellence of the UT Libraries' collections, innovative services and staff," said Barbara I. Dewey, dean of libraries. "Campus support has ensured strong growth in print and digital collections needed for student and faculty success in teaching, learning and research."
UT Libraries data reported to ARL were a combination of UT Knoxville, Law School, Preston Medical, UT Center for Health Sciences at Memphis and UTSI libraries.
The ARL rankings are for 2005-06 and were released to libraries in July. They will be published in the Chronicle of Higher Education this fall.
The expenditures-focused index is calculated based on total library expenditures, salaries and wages of professional staff, total library materials expenditures and the number of professional plus support staff.
For more information, visit http://www.lib.utk.edu.
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Contact:
Elizabeth Davis, UT Media Relations, (865) 974-5179, elizabeth.davis@tennessee.edu
Posted by Laura Purcell at 09:43 AM in Good News
August 17, 2007
Construction in The Commons: Where are the services I need?
Construction continues in The Commons, but all the services that students need are still available. Please pardon our dust as we work hard to bring you a brand-new Commons!
Where can I find ...
Password Resets and Wireless Assistance
The OIT HelpDesk and Computer Support will be in The Commons South, room 235, and the Practice Presentation Room starting Saturday, August 18.
Loaner Laptops and Computer Workstations
Loaner laptops and computers are available in the Media Center, which will be open 24-hours starting Wednesday, August 22. Computers are also available on the first floor of Hodges in the Reference and Periodicals, Documents and Microforms rooms, and in the Hodges ground floor computer lab.
General Information
The Information and Referral desk will be open outside The Commons beginning Monday, August 20.
Posted by Laura Purcell at 03:12 PM in Library Facility Updates
Library Resources on Hurricane Katrina and the New Orleans Flood
Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and the surrounding area on August 29, 2005. The storm surge broke the city's levees in many places, leaving 80 percent of the city under water. Much of the area was flooded again by Hurricane Rita, which struck three weeks later. The devastation to the Gulf Coast by these two hurricanes has been called the greatest natural disaster in our nation's history.
The University Libraries has compiled a list of resources regarding Hurricane Katrina and the New Orleans Flood, which include a selection of Must Reads, Web Resources, books, videos and articles. For more information, please contact Donna Braquet, Life Sciences Librarian.
Posted by Laura Purcell at 11:58 AM in Library Resources
August 16, 2007
First Aid for Graduate Students: August 24
Food, prizes, gifts and tours for graduate students at Hodges Library on Friday, August 24 from 2-4 p.m.
Graduate Students are invited to the University Libraries' First Aid for Graduate Students on August 24 from 2-4 p.m. at Hodges Library, on the second floor near the Melrose entrance.
Students will be able to reserve a study carrel, register for interlibrary loan and library express delivery service, meet subject librarians, and find out about other consultation services, teaching support and workshops. Students can also bring their laptops and register their wireless accounts with help from the Office of Information Technology.
All graduate students are invited to attend.
Posted by Laura Purcell at 02:35 PM in Events
August 13, 2007
Conversations about the Constitution, Monday September 17
The University Libraries will show two short films about the importance of the Constitution
1-4 pm
Room 129, Hodges Library
These films, hosted by Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O'Connor, Anthony Kennedy and Stephen Breyer, discuss why we need a written Constitution, separation of powers, federalism, individual rights and the role of judges who are sworn to uphold the laws of this nation and to protect the rights of all citizens.
The films include
A Conversation on the Constitution: Judicial Independence (32 minutes)
Judicial independence is a cornerstone of democracy, guaranteed by the Constitution and enshrined in our system of government.
Our Constitution: A Conversation (30 minutes)
In the summer of 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention gathered in Philadelphia to create a document that would establish the government of the United States. On September 17, that landmark document, our Constitution, was signed into law.
The films will be shown continuously throughout the afternoon. Please drop by!
Posted by Laura Purcell at 11:17 AM in Film Series
Sign Your Constitution Monday, September 17
11 am-4 pm Pedestrian Walkway, near Hodges Library
Celebrate the 220th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution by signing it yourself!
On September 17, 1787, members of the Constitutional Convention signed the final draft of the Constitution. Two days earlier, when a final vote was called, Edmund Randolph called for another convention to carefully review the Constitution as it stood. This motion, supported by George Mason and Elbridge Gerry, was voted down and the Constitution was adopted.
The product of four months of secret debate, the Constitution proposed an entirely new form of government. Take the opportunity today to sign the Constitution, and remember the foundations upon which our country was built.
Posted by Laura Purcell at 10:06 AM in Events
August 11, 2007
Religion's Role in Public Life: An Interactive Forum September 12, 4pm
Library Galleria (1 st Floor, next to the Reference section and the Culture Corner)
The Establishment Clause of the Constitution prohibits the government from establishing a national religion. However, it is undeniable that religion plays an important role in this country. We hope that student, faculty, staff, and community members come share their opinions in this open forum where you are the participant!
Posted by Laura Purcell at 04:04 PM in Events
Health Care and Other Unfunded Liabilities: A Videoconference September 12, noon
Commons Practice Presentation Room, Hodges Library 2nd Floor
This videoconference event with the Heritage Foundation and the Brookings Institute will feature two points of view from some of the most influential public policy research institutes in America. Health care in America has been hotly contested for the past several presidential cycles. Discover more about this pressing issue facing our country, with scholars Jason Furman from the Brookings Institute and Robert E. Moffit from the Heritage Foundation.
Visit bakercenter.utk.edu for more information!
Posted by Laura Purcell at 03:53 PM in Events
August 02, 2007
Sneak Peek at our Starbucks renovations
The Starbucks in Hodges Library is currently closed for renovations. Here is a preview of what the "new" Starbucks should look like (these photos are from a library in Florida).
Posted by Laura Purcell at 12:47 PM in Library Facility Updates
Film Movement films for August
See some very good films at Hodges Library for free
This summer, the UT Libraries is screening four of the best Film Movement films that have been shown in the last two years. Film Movement features award-winning independent and international films that are not often shown in regular movie theaters. The UT Libraries began showing Film Movement films in 2005. Each of the four films has a summer theme or setting. This gives you a good chance to catch up on the Film Movement series and see some very good films for free.
All films are shown in the Lindsay Young Auditorium of Hodges Library on the UT campus. Showings begin at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public.
Film Schedule
August 2: Wilby Wonderful (Canada) running time: 99 minutes
This bittersweet comedy is about the difference a day makes. Over the course of twenty-four hours, the residents of the tiny island town of Wilby try to maintain business as usual in the face of very unusual business. The film stars Sandra Oh, of Grey's Anatomy and Sideways.
August 9: Ginger and Cinnamon (Italy) running time: 82 minutes
While vacationing on the Greek "Isle of Love", a repressed 30 year old Stefania reluctantly plays chaperone to her precocious 14 year old niece, Meggy, who plans to lose her virginity before the summer is over.
The first Film Movement film of the fall semester will be September 25, Men at Work.
Posted by Laura Purcell at 12:40 PM in Film Series
Beat the Rush: Course Reserves Services for Faculty and Instructors
Digital Production Services at Hodges Library is currently accepting course reserve reading lists for the fall 2007 semester.
If you want your Hodges Library reserve collections (print or electronic) ready by the first day of classes, please submit your request by August 14, 2007.
If your material is not needed by the first day of class, please help us distribute the work flow more evenly by bringing those requests to us at a later time.
We process reserve requests on a first-come, first-serve basis, and fall semester brings our heaviest volume. Requests submitted after August 14 may fall into our backlog queue. When in backlog, requests may take at least 7 days to process and prepare for your class. The backlog period often lasts until the middle of September. Once the backlog passes, we are able to process most requests in 24 hours.
We have approximately the last three years of your reserve requests. This way, we can recycle your old reserve lists into new.
Please bring new requests to Room 170, Hodges Library or email the reserve services staff (hodgesreserve@utk.edu). MS Word or other attachments are welcomed. You can also email or drop off our interactive request form, available at http://www.lib.utk.edu/reserve/faculty/reqform.pdf.
For more information about Hodges Library Reserve services, like submissions, instructions, FAQs, etc, please refer to our Course Reserves Web site at http://www.lib.utk.edu/reserve. You can call Digital Production Services at 974-4121 Monday-Friday, 8 am-6 pm.
If Pendergrass Agriculture-Veterinary Medicine, DeVine Music, Map, or Social Work-Nashville branch libraries provide your primary reserve services, you may contact those libraries directly.
We look forward to working with you!
Posted by Laura Purcell at 12:20 PM in Announcements