Your Suggestions Matter!

Recently there were several suggestions placed in the box located near the reference desk. I review the suggestions and will be commenting on actions the library is taking or why we can't implement your suggestions at this time.

The first suggestion is to get a better food place--Java City is owned by ARAMARK, who provides food services across campus. This past year ARAMARK has been conducting studies of its food services and will be making some changes based on their findings.

Suggestion 2 is to enforce silence on the second floor--if you are studying on the second floor and it becomes too noisy, please let a member of the library staff know. We will remind others that the second floor is a quiet area. You may also try out one of the study rooms and the larger presentation rooms to study quietly. The library is very overcrowded and it's difficult to maintain areas of quiet, but if you let us know, the staff will do their best to address the situation.

Suggestion 3--to convert the roof to a glass-enclosed atrium/student lounge. Because of building codes and regulations, this is not possible, but when the learning commons is built, it will include areas that are designed with comfortable seating. One really nice area will be the second floor "bridge" between the new learning commons and the current building. This area will be glass-enclosed and have sofas and chairs.

Suggestion 4--to get Netbooks instead of laptops. Netbooks would be cheaper, $300 versus $1200. The ITS Department makes recommendations for computer purchases based on several factors, including price, dependability, stability of the company, battery life, etc. I know they did look at NetBooks last year and may re-visit this at some time in the future.

Suggestion 5--better lighting around the entry points of the library. Last year the university did install some additional lighting around the building. Since the library will be open 24 hours starting next fall, we'll look at this again to make sure that the entrance to the building is safe and well-lit.

Thanks to all for your suggestions and please keep them coming. Your comments help us to know what things the library can do to make this a better place.

Finals Week Library Hours

"Kimbel Library will be open 24 hours for students during exam week.

On Sunday May 3, the library will open at 1:00 pm and will remain open until Friday May 8 at 5:00 pm.

During the hours of 1:00 am – 7:00 am students will be required to present a valid CINO Card (student ID) for entrance into the library building. The CINO Card Office is open Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Please note that there will be limited services available between 2:00 am and 7:00 am. Computers and study areas will be available. However, there will not be access to laptops, printers, photocopiers, or circulation/reference assistance. JAVA City will be open."

Planning a Summer Road Trip? Find Free Audiobooks Online at LibriVox.org

If you like to listen to audiobooks in the car or at the beach, you might want to check out LibriVox.org. LibriVox is a volunteer-run project that makes MP3 audio recordings of public domain (think pre-1930s, generally from the Project Gutenberg database) books available for free online. You'll find lots of classic fiction, non-fiction, poetry, speeches, and other great stuff. You can even subscribe to their updates through iTunes. It could be an easy, fun, free way to get ahead on next semester's reading, or just a good way to make a long day of driving go by a little bit faster.

Happy Earth Day!

Wednesday April 22 is Earth Day. Kimbel Library would like to thank Coastal Carolina University's Ecoreps for the wonderful displays they've created about protecting the environment. You can find information resources, facts about bottled water usage, and recycling tips on these displays.


You can see these on the first and second floors of the library. We also are providing a cart of books that can be checked out if you would like to read more!

Congratulations, Ashley!

Congratulations to Ashley Broome, who won the Flip Video Camera for National Library Week! Ashley successfully completed the NLW Scavenger Hunt which entered her into the drawing on Friday for the camera!

FRIDAY - Question of the day

Win $15 Walmart gift card!

This is the final Question of the Day challenge for National Library Week!

2 Winners per day: First person to answer and 1 randomly drawn winner. You must show a valid student ID to claim your prize.

This is your chance to learn about the library! If you're not sure what to do, please ask for help!!

Today's challenge:

1. Find the database called Jstor. (Hint: Indexes and databases are found on the Library's web page under "Indexes and Online Resources")
2. Look for the keywords, international peace.
3. Give us the title of any of the journal article on the results list.

How to submit your answer:

1. Submit a comment in response to this blog post.
2. With your response, include your name, phone number and email address. (Don't worry, your response is private and will not appear on the blog!)
3. We will let you know the following day whether you were the first response winner or the randomly chosen winner!
   

GAMING returns to the library - THURSDAY night

It all begins at 6:00 pm. Visit the 1st floor instruction room (Room 110) any time from 6:00 until 2:00 am.

Video games - We are arranging for big screens, projectors, and speakers so that you can plug in your console and video games and have a great time with your friends. If you don't have your own consoles or games, please come along and join others.

Board games - We will provide some games from the library's collection as well as ones on loan from staff members. Feel free to bring in your own as well.

We hope to see you here tonight!

Click here for more info on Gaming Night at Kimbel Library!

THURSDAY - Question of the Day

Win $15 Walmart gift card!

2 Winners per day: First person to answer and 1 randomly drawn winner. You must show a valid student ID to claim your prize.

This is your chance to learn about the library! If you're not sure what to do, please ask for help!!

Today's challenge:

1. Find the database called LitFinder. (Hint: Indexes and databases are found on the Library's web page under "Indexes and Online Resources")
2. Look for the keywords, sign language.
3. In the search results, click on the “primary sources” tab.
4. Give us the title of any of the primary sources about sign language on the list. (Note: Many of these have the title "sign language", in that case, give the name of the book/journal that the information came from (or name an author if unsure)
   

How to submit your answer:

1. Submit a comment in response to this blog post.
2. With your response, include your name, phone number and email address. (Don't worry, your response is private and will not appear on the blog!)
3. We will let you know the following day whether you were the first response winner or the randomly chosen winner!
4. Keep watching the blog throughout the week for more research questions. There will be a new one on Friday by 9:00 am!
   

Celebrate with us with Cake & Refreshments!

Today (Wednesday), as part of our National Library Week celebration, we will be providing cake, punch and coffee.

If you're already here, help yourselves! If not, please stop by and say hello!

We plan to begin serving at 2:00 pm, and will continue until 6:00 pm (or as long as everything lasts!)

Don't forget the contests and workshops! TEAL is offering some great software introductions today with the workshops. We already have winners of free Javalanche coupons (just come to the library and stay alert for your chance to win!) We also have 4 winners of the Question of the Day for Monday and Tuesday. They have all won $15 Walmart gift cards! Finally, there is the Scavenger Hunt. This is a quick scavenger hunt that puts you in the runnig for a flip video camera or a Chants t-shirt. Give it a try!

Click here for more info on NLW!

WEDNESDAY - Question of the Day

Win $15 Walmart gift card!

2 Winners per day: First person to answer and 1 randomly drawn winner

This is your chance to learn about the library! If you're not sure what to do, please ask for help!!

Today's challenge:

1. Find the database called New York Times, Historical. (Hint: Indexes and databases are found on the Library's web page under "Indexes and Online Resources")
2. Look for an article in the April 15, 1865 issue about Lincoln.
3. Give us a major headline involving President Lincoln that day.
   

How to submit your answer:

1. Submit a comment in response to this blog post.
2. With your response, include your name, phone number and email address. (Don't worry, your response is private and will not appear on the blog!)
3. We will let you know the following day whether you were the first response winner or the randomly chosen winner!
4. Keep watching the blog throughout the week for more research questions. There will be new ones Thursday and Friday by 9:00 am!

TUESDAY Question of the day

TUESDAY WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY EMAIL!

Keep trying! There will be a question each day through Friday!

Win $15 Walmart gift card!

2 Winners per day: First person to answer and 1 randomly drawn winner.

This is your chance to learn about the library! If you're not sure what to do, please ask for help!!

Today's challenge:

1. Find the database called Birds of North America. (Hint: Indexes and databases are found on the Library's web page under "Indexes and Online Resources")
2. Find a species of quail.
3. Tell us the name of that quail and a distinguishing characteristic.

How to submit your answer:

1. Submit a comment in response to this blog post.
2. With your response, include your name, phone number and email address. (Don't worry, your response is private and will not appear on the blog!)
3. We will let you know the following day whether you were the first response winner or the randomly chosen winner!

Keep watching the blog throughout the week for more research questions. There will be a new one Wednesday through Friday by 9:00 am!

Research Question of the Day - MONDAY

WE HAVE MONDAY WINNERS!

Both of our winners (first entry and randomly drawn entry) have been notified by email that they have won Monday's contest. If you didn't win this time, keep trying! Tuesday's question has just been posted!

Win $15 Walmart gift card!

2 Winners per day: First person to answer and 1 randomly drawn winner

This is your chance to learn about the library! If you're not sure what to do, please ask for help!!

Today's challenge:

1. Find the database called ARTstor. (Hint: Indexes and databases are found on the Library's web page under "Indexes and Online Resources")
2. Find a painting by Edgar Degas.
3. Tell us the title of the painting that you have found.

How to submit your answer:

1. Submit a comment in response to this blog post.
2. With your response, include your name, phone number and email address. (Don't worry, your response is private and will not appear on the blog!)
3. We will let you know the following day whether you were the first response winner or the randomly chosen winner!

Keep watching the bl0g througout the week for more research questions. There will be a new one Tuesday through Friday by 9:00 am!

It's here! National Library Week!

National Library Week has finally arrived! We hope that you will come and join us in our celebration!

If you already know us well, this is a great time to stop by for some fun and games and to take advantage of the activities we're offering. If you’d like to know us better, you can learn about the library's resources by participating in the contests, or just asking questions about our services!

Definitely take a look at our fun photo display of library services. It can be found as soon as you enter the library!

We're offering:

• Workshops – help with research, technology and many more topics!
• Prizes – Win a FlipCam Video Camera, $15 gift cards, t-shirts, and javalanches. (Play the scavenger hunt, question of the day, or just visit the library and keep your eyes open for an opportunity!)
• Gaming night – Thursday night 6 pm – 2 am!
• Cake & refreshments – Wednesday afternoon, beginning at 2:00 pm
  
  Please visit the our National Library Week page for details!

What would you like to suggest?

Kimbel Library has a suggestion box, and we would love to hear what you have to say!

Let us know how your ideas for improvements to our services and our collection. Do you have suggestions for the library itself? How can we make your stay more pleasant and productive?

Write it down!

The suggestion box is located on the column across from the information desk!

April is National Poetry Month!

Did you know that April is National Poetry Month? Visit the American Academy of Poets' Website for more information. On the website, you can read a poem a day, listen to recordings of poets reading their poems, join in the "poem in your pocket" project, find biographical information on famous poets, and other cool stuff.

Gaming returns to the library!

Did you know that National Library Week will include a GAMING NIGHT?

On Thursday, April 16, from 6 pm until 2 am (closing time), we will host gaming in the first floor
classroom.

Board games will be provided. Bring your friends, bring your own board games, pull up a chair and have fun!

For video gamers, we are providing projectors and screens. Bring along your own game consoles and games to enjoy your games on the larger screens!


Win a chance on a Flip Video camera by participating in the Scavenger Hunt during NLW.
Win chances on a $15 Wal-mart gift card by answering the daily (Monday through Friday) research challenge. (First person to answer each day automatically wins!)

Keep an eye on the Blog as well as the NLW Web page for more info!

National Library Week - just around the corner!

In just another week it will be National Library Week (April 12-18, 2009). Come join us for fun contests, a variety of workshops and presentations (there's something for everyone!), and refreshments.

Details can be found at the National Library Week page! Keep monitoring this blog and the web page for details.

Check out the list of workshops that will appeal to students, faculty, and staff alike. Register quickly to ensure a spot!

Science Direct - Down-time Saturday Evening (April 4)

Science Direct will be down for scheduled maintenance on Saturday, April 4, beginning at 6:00 pm.