What's Happening in the Richland College Library

Sensible or censorship?

2011-09-19T10:00:00.005-05:00

Once in elementary school, I checked out a book of cartoons that was in the children's section of the public library. Turns out most of the cartoons had sexual content, and the book belonged in the adult section. My brother and I were thrilled to have such racy material in hand. My dad was livid. When he talked to the librarian, she moved the material to a different part of the library, which was absolutely a common-sense move. My brother and I were livid.

Later, I had a tee shirt that read, "Celebrate Banned Books." It listed books that had been outright banned or challenged, and some of my favorite books were listed. Fahrenheit 451 was among them, and I'm pretty certain that was what prompted me to make that purchase. I had also recently arrived in the big city of Denton, Texas, and I felt like a socially-conscious rebel every time I wore it.

Banned Books Week this year starts Saturday, Sept. 24. I know that not everyone agrees with ALA's stance on challenged books no matter the setting, so perhaps a change in thinking is in order.

I agree that lots of challenged books may not belong on the children's shelves and that challenged-book lists are rife with items that may be inappropriately shelved or just don't belong in a particular community. However, many challenges seem to have stemmed from people who act as thought police or political correctness enforcers, and those are the challenges that are most problematic here in the States.

Books including Huckleberry Finn and To Kill a Mockingbird are classics because they address the human condition, yet people continue to challenge them based on a historically-correct portrayal of people using racial slurs. Is it uncomfortable that there were slaves in the U.S.? Is it uncomfortable that people used and continue to use racial slurs in everyday conversation? Yes it is, but these books are a window into other times and places where both were common. The books are not gross in their portrayals and deal quite humanly with their characters. Would you have them taken out of libraries without some sort of sensible discussion?

Whether people believe the ALA’s Banned Book Week is propaganda or not, it certainly gets people talking. In the least, we can use this week to recognize that we are extremely lucky to live in a place where freedom of thought and the freedom to explore ideas is an underpinning of our national philosophy. Perhaps we don’t need to publicize every hamlet where a book challenge is taking place; perhaps we can use a little common sense when trying to determine what is too sexually explicit or violent for our children. But let’s continue to put forth the idea that a democratic nation requires free speech and a well-read citizenry.

Twenty years have passed since that tee shirt purchase, but I would still wear it.

Happy reading,
R.D.

Refuge from the heat

2011-08-04T18:26:00.007-05:00

This hot weather has me contemplating where I can find a piece of marble on which to cool my heels. The Dallas Museum of Art or the Kimbell come to mind, but it is too hot on the DART rail or in my car to want to go to either. However, thinking of marble puts me in mind of a trip a colleague and I made to Washington D.C. during which we visited our fair share of museums and attractions. I'm tempted to go again right now, since Weather.com reports 81-degree temperatures there.

The first place I would stop is actually two museums in one. The National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum share a stately Greek Revival building where Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural ball was held. They are both part of the Smithsonian and are housed in the same building, which I know would be a cool haven after this streak of 110-degree temps.

While in Washington, I visited the museums three times. Each visit was a true educational experience, and here are a few things that have stayed with me.

Most of us know Georgia O'Keeffe for her flora and skull paintings, but I tend to like her paintings of buildings better. Her museum is in Santa Fe; but her pastel-colored city scape Manhattan is on display in D.C. When I saw it, I had just been to Manhattan for the first time, and the seven-foot-tall painting reminded me of how the ornate buildings fill the sky.

George Catlin created American Indian portraits and landscapes while documenting some of the last great Native American warriors and leaders. The Smithsonian owns the majority of his vibrant work.

The Smithsonian also has James Hampton's Throne of the Third Heaven, largely composed of aluminum foil, displayed in the folk art collection. Hampton took some 14 years to build it, and one could sit for hours and contemplate the various materials he used. A Scottish couple and I - after some observation and discussion - decided that he incorporated light bulbs and empty toilet paper rolls (we were correct) into the shiny monument.

Now thinking of empty toilet paper rolls (or cylindrical cardboard rolls, as the Smithsonian calls them) puts me in mind of a big bag of recycling that I need to put outside. But just in case you haven't noticed, it is oppressively hot outside, and I can barely bring myself to walk to the curb. How in the world am I going to take a trip if I am reluctant to walk out of my door?

You, too, may feel the heat is too oppressive for traveling even if a cool slab of marble is at the end of the drive or plane flight. Instead, stay near your computer and check out the Smithsonian American Art Museum's blog. If you're on our campus, visit the Richland College Library's "N" shelves for information on art & architecture. We have a large selection of books that are lovely to behold and cool to the touch.

Happy heat wave,
R.D.

Question of the week: War by the numbers

2011-04-07T16:21:00.006-05:00

Often our students are looking for statistics on deaths, crimes, births, voting rates, marriages, or accidents.

This week, a Richland student needed to know the number of civilian deaths in Germany and Japan during World War II. She had searched the Internet but didn't find what she wanted, so she came to the library reference desk for an old-fashioned encyclopedia.

Moving over to the D* shelves, we pulled a couple of titles including The Oxford Companion to World War II.

It turned out that this 1301-page book was just what our student needed. Chock full of maps, lists, definitions, and photos, the alphabetical volume includes a short section called "demography of the war." This section lists war-related deaths and breaks them down into military and civilian losses.

Not near our desk or book shelves? Students across campus or off campus might want to try accessing an online reference for this type of question. The Encyclopædia Britannica Online is available to current DCCCD students, faculty, and staff.

Go to http://www.richlandcollege.edu/library. Click on the green "Databases" tab; at the next screen, click on "E"; and at the next screen, scroll down to the "Encyclopaedia Britannica" link. Click through, and log on with your school I.D.

If you search for "costs of the war," you should find an article on war-related losses.

Now back to the question: What were the costs of war?

Japan lost some 350,000 civilians during the war, and Germany lost 2,000,000; these numbers are considered unreliable, according the The Oxford Companion, so we may never know the answer.

Keep searching,
R.D.

Dear, Ian, and Michael Richard. The Oxford companion to World War II. New York: Oxford University Press, USA, 1995. Print.

*What are the D shelves? Great question! Richland Library uses the Library of Congress classification system to shelve books, and D is the section in which books about world history and the history of Europe are shelved.

Did You Know 4.0

2011-03-12T14:04:00.015-06:00

Our world is changing at a rapid pace. Are you ready?

Here is an official update to the original "Shift Happens" video. This version includes facts and statistics focusing on the changing media landscape, including convergence and technology, and was developed by with The Economist, Scott McLeod, Karl Fisch, Laura Bestler, and XPLANE.

For more information, or to join the conversation, please visit: http://mediaconvergence.economist.com/ and http://shifthappens.wikispaces.com./

Where did that word come from?

2011-01-06T13:40:00.004-06:00

Have you ever wondered not just the meaning of a word, but where it came from and how it has been used over its history?

The answer can be found in the Oxford English Dictionary. With each definition is a chronologically arranged set of quotations showing the usage of the word over time. Definitions and quotations are not the only thing you will find in the OED. You will also find the etymology and pronunciation including regional variances.
For source and further information

Sometimes words are dropped from the OED, but that does not mean they are lost for good! http://www.savethewords.org/ gives you a chance to see a list of the words that are going to be dropped from the OED. If one of your favorites is on the list, then use it!

You can access the Oxford English Dictionary in our catalog by following the following link: http://library.dcccd.edu/record=b1170714~S10

Truth Be Told

2010-11-15T21:09:00.003-06:00

Project Information Literacy studied more than 8,000 students from 25 colleges and universities. Students were asked how they evaluate information and use it once they have found it, and what difficulties they encounter with research. The findings are reported in Truth Be Told: How College Students Evaluate and Use Information in the Digital Age.

84% reported having trouble just getting started with research assignments,
66% had problems defining a topic,
Half of the students said they used the same research techniques whatever the topic,
Only 11% reported asking the librarian for guidance

Librarian Barbara Fister comments on the report in Library Journal: "We need to think hard about what role inquiry plays in the undergraduate curriculum and how the library supports meaningful undergraduate research. Will values embedded in the process of discovering meaning while doing assignments transfer to life after college?"

Here's the preview video.

Focus on you this Tuesday @ Richland Library

2010-10-22T13:17:00.000-05:00

Did you know that roughly 2,000 people come into the library doors on a typical Tuesday? That's a lot of folks to get to know!

We are constantly trying to find out more about our library users, whether they be students, faculty, or staff members, and this coming Tuesday we will be gathering information from you as part of the Texas Library Snapshot Day sponsored by the Texas Library Association.

We will be taking photographs in the library and asking students and other library visitors to fill out surveys about their library visits. This is a great opportunity for you to tell us about yourself and your study habits.
So drop by, tell us why you use the library, get your photo made, and help us find out more about you.

What: Texas Library Snapshot Day
Where: Your Richland College Library
When: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2010 (throughout the day)

Ways to participate:

Use your Richland Library as usual on Tuesday, Oct. 26.
Fill out a survey (ask at reference or circulation) on Tuesday.
Fill out a photo release form, so we may publish photos of our patrons. (We will be taking photos on Tuesday.)
Log onto www.flickr.com/richlandlibrary to see photos of the Richland Library.
If you are Flickr member, please become a member of the Richland Library photo pool and share your photos of the library with us.

Sponsored by www.richlandcollege.edu/library and www.texaslibrarysnapshotday.org.

History of crayons

2010-10-14T11:28:00.004-05:00

National Geographic has published a book we have in the library called An Uncommon History of Common Things. For more history of everyday items, stay tuned to this blog or come see this book and others like it in the library!

History of crayons

"The word 'crayon' is French for chalk or pencil, but when an American mentions 'crayons,' others know that she's referring to the colorful wax writing instruments perfected by entrepreneurs Edwin Binney and Harold Smith in the late 19th century. Binney & Smith first produced deep red pigments for barns and country buildings but soon began manufacturing slate pencils, and then dustless chalk for teachers. While traveling to schools for that product, the pair saw a need for reliable colored drawing implements, and their combo of paraffin wax and pigment went on the market for the first time in 1903 as Crayola, a name that signifies 'oily chalk.'"

Banned Books Week

2010-09-29T09:39:00.004-05:00

There are just a few days left in the American Library Association’s Banned Books Week. Banned Books Week, running the last week of September (9/25 to 10/02 this year), was created to highlight the importance of intellectual freedom, freedom of speech, and free access to information. For more information on Banned Books Week see: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm

You may be surprised at some of the books that have been challenged or banned. Here are just a few that we have at the Richland College Library:

The Great Gatsby / F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Catcher in the Rye / J.D. Salinger

The Grapes of Wrath / John Steinbeck

To Kill a Mockingbird / Harper Lee

The Color Purple / Alice Walker

Beloved / Toni Morrison

1984: A Novel / by George Orwell

The Call of the Wild / Jack London

Check out our display by the Circulation Desk to find these titles, as well as many more banned books!

Banned Books Week links:

ALA-Frequently Challenged Books

American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression- The Stories Behind Some Past Book Bans and Challenges

The Value of Academic Libraries

2010-09-29T00:18:00.007-05:00

"The ACRL publication Value of Academic Libraries: A Comprehensive Research Review and Report is a review of the quantitative and qualitative literature, methodologies and best practices currently in place for demonstrating the value of academic libraries, developed for ACRL by Megan Oakleaf of the iSchool at Syracuse University. The primary objective of this comprehensive review is to provide academic librarians with a clearer understanding of what research about the performance of academic libraries already exists, where gaps in this research occur, and to identify the most promising best practices and measures correlated to performance." The full report is available at http://www.acrl.ala.org/value/

Librarians Do Gaga!

2010-06-06T15:34:00.030-05:00

Do you think of librarians as grim, dour relics of a pre-Web era? Sarah Wachter, graduate student at the University of Washington Information School, set out to change that perception and promote the Big 6 method of teaching information literacy with her "Librarians Go Gaga" video which parodies Lady Gaga's "Pokerface."

Enjoy the video and remember, you can always "...use our catalog. Don't forget the databases" via the Richland College Library Web site or drop by the Reference Desk and visit with one of your energetic, highly skilled, search savvy information professionals. We'll "...blow your mind, show you how to find."

Learn more about Sarah Wachter and the video.

Photo by Courtesy Photo.
Performers sing in part of Lady Gaga library parody video

Interesting source for health information online

2010-05-20T14:35:00.010-05:00

Medstory calls itself the "Intelligent Search for Health & Medicine."
It is a search engine which provides precise, in-depth, quality results.  
Check it out if you are looking for information on any health-related
condition and see how Medstory breaks the results into categories like
drugs & substances, complementary medicine, related conditions, procedures,
clinical studies & trials, and more.

We're open late, so you'll do great!

2010-05-05T20:28:00.003-05:00

It has come fast upon us, the end of the semester. And soon will come summer.

That sounds like a romantic way to write our semester into the books, but we know our students are scrambling to get everything together before finals week. Not very romantic at all.

To combat those last-minute woes, we are having another Late Night @ the Library Friday, May 7. Spend some time with us, and get some of your last-minute assignments and studying done.

Here are the details:

Late Night @ the Library
5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, May 7, in the Richland College Library

All library services including reference librarians, computer and printer access, book check out, and quiet study areas will be available. Add a few tutors, a few snacks, and a few door prizes, and you've got a great way to spend your Friday night.

See you there!
Questions? Email richlandlibrary@dcccd.edu or call 972-238-6081 or 6082.

Wildflower time in Texas

2010-04-22T11:48:00.052-05:00

Forget your weekend chores - forget that long "To Do" list - it's time for a springtime Texas road trip. This won't be the same old interstate scenery. Get ready to get off the "beaten path" and try out the U.S. Highways, Texas state highways, Farm to Market Roads (FM), and even some Ranch Roads (RR).

If you have only an afternoon, just hop into the car and head south on I45 for some bluebonnet sightings in nearby Ennis. A couple of years ago, they were prolific and spectacular in the Ennis area and all around its small neighbor, Bristol. Never heard of Bristol? According to the Memorial and Biographical History of Ellis County, Bristol was almost our state capital. It missed being chosen as the capital by only one vote in the Texas Legislature. Find Bristol by heading east out of Ennis on Texas hwy 34, and turn north on FM 660. The fields of bluebonnets and wildflowers here can be amazing.
If you are prepared to spend a day or two, or even three or four days on the road, take out south on U.S. hwy 67 to Glenrose. From there, follow Texas hwy 220 to Hico (High- co with a long o) where you'll find the famous Koffee Kup cafe at the junction of U.S. 281 & Texas 6. You may see lots of Harleys and bikers there, but this is a good sign. If it's lunchtime, be sure to get your chicken fried steak fix, but leave room for a big slice of one of their outstanding pies - try the coconut cream with the sky-high meringue.

After taking this break, continue south on U.S. 281. At Evant, go west on U.S. 84 to Goldthwaithe, where you will be turning south on Texas hwy 16. Follow 16 through San Saba and down to Llano (Lan- o with another long o). On this drive you'll begin seeing larger and larger bluebonnets. For some of the most scenic routes, full of photo-ops, be sure to drive RR 152 and FM 2323 (the old Prairie Mt. School road) just outside the south side of Llano.

Back in Llano, you should not be expecting to find the Llano winery - it's way across the state out in far west texas - in Lubbock. But, you will find Cooper's Barbeque, and don't leave town without treating yourself to a taste of this Texas legend.

At this point, you can choose to stay in the area and spend one night and return to the Dallas area in the morning. If you aren't too picky about your accommodations, you can usually take pot luck on finding a hotel/motel room, and you'll probably come out just fine. Even if you have to drive to the next town to find one, it's not that far.

But....if you want to continue your adventure, go south out of Llano toward Frederisksburg on Texas hwy 16. You'll pass Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, where you may want to stop and climb and explore. However, just down the road a few more miles, you'll find the Willow City Loop, accessible on farm road #1323. Look carefully, or you may miss it. This loop makes a horseshoe loop back onto Texas hwy 16. There is no real town here, but you will see why this loop is renowned for its scenic rustic vistas and bountiful bluebonnets. It is a "must see" for all bluebonnet hunters. Be sure you have your camera!

Once you've seen the Willow City Loop, you must drive on into Fredericksburg (still going south on Texas 16) where most of the original architecture still remains in the central business district of this charming German community. If you love to shop and/or eat German food, you'll love it here.

Now that you are this far south, you can explore Kerrville (still south down Texas hwy 16). Just outside of Kerville, you'll want to take the drive following the Guadalupe River through Ingram and Hunt. Also, in this area, you can drive "The Three Twisted Sisters" - Ranch roads 335, 336, & 337 where you will have such magnificent "Hill Country" views that you won't be able to believe that you are still in Texas. These three curvy, winding, hilly roads are a favorite of sports car drivers and bikers!

Just down the road at Texas hwy 173 and RR 337 is Bandera, "The Cowboy Capital of the World." Here you'll find lots of dude ranches and the famous Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar Nightclub.

If you take this trip in the fall, you'll not want to miss Lost Maples State Natural Area. You can follow RR 337 (this is one of the "sisters") to Vanderpool and go north on FM 187 to find the park with its grove of red maple trees, which are not found elsewhere in Texas.

Hungry again? Grab a burger or a bite to eat at the quaint Lost Maples Cafe in Utopia, just a few miles south of the park on FM 187. You may see bikers, here, too. They know all the scenic routes and all the best cafes in the state.

Once you discover the Texas state highways, FM roads and ranch roads in Central Texas, you will want to return. So, get off the interstate and out of the major cities to discover the "real Texas."

Texas abounds with opportunities for interesting road trips. Find more Texas adventures at TexasOutside.com and in the Texas Highways monthly magazine, available on newsstands and at the Richland College Library.

Also, at the Richland Library, you'll find The Back Roads of Texas by Earl Thollander in the main collection at NC139.T47.A4 and the Handbook of Texas, 6 volumes, available online, or in print in the reference collection at F384.N48. It's always handy to have a copy of the Roads of Texas Atlas by Texas A&M Univireity and Cartographics (our Richland copy is missing).

For recent Texas wildflower sightings, check the web at Wildflowerhaven.co m. Become an expert on the wildflowers of Texas using Texas Wildflowers: a Fieldguide by Campbell and Lynn Loughmiller (reference QK188.L68). Find it and 10 other wildflower books in our library, including a Net Library book, available for reading on the web, titled A Field Guide to Southwestern a nd Texas Wildflowers by Theodore F Niehaus.

Happy trails to you!
Alice Fulbright

“Take 10” and Help Dallas County Get What it Needs for the Next 10 Years

2010-04-08T20:20:00.005-05:00

Have you completed and returned your Census form yet? If no, then why not?

The 2010 Census will document the changes in our nation since the last decennial census in 2000, and tell us how we’ve evolved as a country. Census data affects how more than $400 billion in federal funding is distributed to tribal, state and local governments. Don’t we need some of the the $400 billion right here in the DFW area?

The census will frame the future of our country and the DFW area for the next 10 years.

Here’s what you should know about the 2010 Census:

It’s easy. One of the shortest census forms in history, the 2010 Census form asks 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. The individual in whose name the housing unit is rented or owned should complete the form on behalf of every person living there, both relatives and nonrelatives.

It’s important. Census data is used to reapportion seats in Congress and ensure proper district representation in state and local governments. Information from the census helps determine locations for child-care and senior centers, new roads, hospitals, schools and community centers.

It’s safe. By law, the U.S. Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.

International and undocumented students count. The census counts every person living in the United States on April 1, 2010. Undocumented immigrants are safe. As mentioned above, federal law prohibits the U.S. Census Bureau sharing a respondents’ answers, including legal status, with anyone.

The most efficient way to respond to the 2010 Census is to complete the form as soon as it arrives and return it in the postage-paid return envelope. Census workers will visit households that do not return forms to take the count in person.

Learn more about DCCCD involvement with the 2010 Census at www.dcccd.edu/About+DCCCD/News+and+Events/News/Census2010-11-17-09.htm. For more information about the 2010 Census and the “Take 10” initiative, visit 2010census.gov.

Mind mapping for a better search.

2010-03-26T10:48:00.005-05:00

Having trouble narrowing your search? Try mind mapping. Mind maps can help you to brainstorm and narrow your topic. They help you to connect concepts and visualize relationships.

Mind maps can be very simple,

or they can also become very complex.

The University of Arizona library has developed a fantastic browser based mind mapping tool to help you focus your topic and create keywords for searching. It can be found at http://www.library.arizona.edu/help/tutorials/mindMap/index.php.

The next time you have trouble narrowing your topic and deciding on keywords try a mind map and see where it takes you.

What do you know about Texas?

2010-03-08T20:44:00.016-06:00

Quick! What is the Texas state insect? The official large mammal? What color is the Texas state tartan? What is the origin of the name of the Lavaca River?

The answers to these and many other questions regarding "all things Texan" can be found in the latest edition of the Texas Almanac. The Texas Almanac has a long and interesting history. Now in its 65th edition, the Almanac was first published in 1857 and has been regularly issued annually or biennially with few interruptions to the present day. This new edition of the Texas Almanac is the first one to be published by the Texas State Historical Association. Editor Elizabeth Cruce Alvarez states in the Dallas Morning News, "This edition of the Texas Almanac is the most comprehensive and colorful edition yet." Every library, home or office should have a copy.

Had I known about the pronunciation guide in the Texas Almanac when I first moved to San Antonio back in the early 1960's I wouldn't have been so confused about the name of the county in which I resided. I kept reading about Bexar County and never related it to the county name I was hearing on the news. Bexar, for the new-to-Texas reader, is pronounced BA ar, not BEX ar.

You can read more about the Texas Almanac on their Web site (http://www.texasalmanac.com/) or in the Dallas Morning News. Better yet, stop by the Richland College Library reference desk and have fun browsing the beautiful new edition.

Read freely : Online literature

2010-02-16T22:42:00.051-06:00

“The pages of a book shield us from the distractions that bombard us during most of our waking hours.”

This quote from author Nicholas Carr in The New York Times blog post “Do School Libraries Need Books?” eloquently pinpoints my feelings about reading from the page rather than the screen.

Carr (author of The Big Switch) and others thoughtfully discuss the print versus digital argument and how libraries should approach it. While we are seeing many articles, blog posts, and books declaring digitization is becoming the norm, not everyone is ready for this switch. I personally prefer a bound book for leisure, scholarly, or business reading. I simply find that sitting quietly with no distractions on the page - as opposed to a screen - helps me to focus and absorb the material.

However, I realize there are several instances when a digital book is needed. For example, a software support engineer needs a quick answer about solving a customer’s issue over the phone. Perhaps the engineer can turn to Safari Books Online. A second example is that of the student wanting to get ahead on literature homework when she doesn’t have a hard copy of the reading material. This student could turn to http://www.gutenberg.org/ for out-of-copyright fiction, non-fiction, and the classics.

Here in the Richland Library, we have several databases that offer full-text material ranging from historical documents to American and British literature. One of these databases is Literature Online from ProQuest databases.

Today, we had a student looking for a copy of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It was available in hard copy, but this may not always be the case; however, Literature Online offers more than one digitized version of the 14th- to 15th-century poem. Material from this database is available to DCCCD students, faculty, and staff with current I.D. numbers. Works, which also include critical essays and encyclopedia entries, may be printed or downloaded for personal use. Visit http://www.richlandcollege.edu/library, click on the “Databases” tab, click “L,” and scroll down for Literature Online. (Log onto library databases remotely with your name and I.D.)

Of course, you may always drop by the reference desk, submit a question online, or telephone (972.238.6082) if you have questions.

Now I'm off to immerse myself in a hard-copy book about the digitization of the world.

Happy reading,
R.D.

Photo from

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25559122@N06/ / CC BY 2.0

The New Internet Public Library

2010-02-09T16:08:00.002-06:00

Two of the most trusted sources for locating credible websites have merged. The Internet Public Library (IPL) and the Librarians’ Internet Index (LII) have joined together to form ipl2: information you can trust. Maintained by a consortium of colleges and universities, ipl2 only lists websites that meet very strict criteria.

Beware of the Horse Dog and other Urban Legends

2009-12-16T09:49:00.008-06:00

Is that a real dog? Was the popular Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas really a coded message? Will Microsoft actually pay me for forwarding an e-mail message to all my friends?

You’ve seen these e-mails and others like them. The subject usually begins with “Fwd:” or even worse, “Fwd: Fwd: FWD.” Some attempt to appeal to our emotions with heart-warming or infuriating stories. Others are pleas for help. Many claim you will receive a reward, like cash or luck, just for forwarding the message. What they do have in common, is most of them are untrue. The internet, as well as our in-boxes, overflows with urban legends, frauds, and scams. Fortunately, there are several sites that help you separate the fact from the fiction. Here are some of the librarians' favorites.

Snopes.com: http://snopes.co m/
Urban Legends and Folklore: http://urbanlegends.about.com/
ScamBusters.org: http://www.scambusters.org/
FactCheck.org: http://factcheck.org/
STATS: http://www.stats.org/

No, the horse dog isn’t real, but this cat is:

Images from www.snopes.com

Study late, so you'll do great!

2009-11-24T12:35:00.012-06:00

Late Night @ the Library

5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4
Richland College Library, Lavaca Hall

Come study late, and you'll do great on your finals or final assignments.
Quiet study areas, book check out, computer access, pay-for-print, and reference librarians will all be available.

Bonus: Door prizes and refreshments!
Bring your student I.D. in case you need to check out a book or need help with pay for print.

Wordle from http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/1376319/Homework

Art: Lost and found @ the library

2009-11-23T10:46:00.024-06:00

Last week, I was able to attend a Dallas Museum of Art lecture during which Dallasite Robert Edsel spoke about the Monuments Men, a group of men and women who helped recover artwork stolen by the Nazis during WWII. Edsel has lived in Europe and has devoted much of the past years to researching and writing about the Nazis' theft of millions upon millions of artworks, books, cultural artifacts, and architectural pieces prior to and during World War II. He is now promoting his latest title, The Monuments Men.

I knew that much had been stolen from the Jewish population and from French museums during that era, but I had no idea of the true scope of the thefts throughout Europe. Pilfered countries not only included France and Germany but Poland, Austria, and Italy. Works stolen (or sometimes purchased) included statues such as the Winged Victory; religious items such as Catholic regalia, Torah scrolls, church bells; and - of course - millions of paintings by any number of artists. These works were to comprise the planned Furor Museum, an art museum to rival all others. It never came to pass, and millions of items were left stashed away in places like salt mines or remote buildings. Other items had been destroyed, including "degenerate" art such as that of Picasso.

Toward the close of the war, the U.S. began assembling a small team of art experts to go into Europe and work to protect the great monuments of Europe during the final battles of WWII. These are the Monuments Men (and women) of whom Robert Edsel writes and speaks. The group grew to include British citizens and some women, most with military experience. Their mission took a turn from protecting just monuments, and they began to see to the rescue of stolen art and cultural objects. Numerous items remain missing, though, and like uncataloged books, there is no way of knowing what may or may not still exist.

Read about art theft through history by checking out a title from the Richland Library or any Dallas County Community District library. Any student, staff, or faculty in DCCCD may check out or request the books at the following pages.

The Monuments Men, by Robert Edsel.
The Rape of Europa, a documentary film on which Edsel collaborated. The original book is by Lynn H. Nicholas.
The Amber Room: The Fate of the World's Greatest Lost Treasure. What happened to the room created entirely from amber for Frederick William I of Prussia?
The Rescue Artist: A True Story of Art, Thieves, and The Hunt for a Missing Masterpiece. The true story of recovering Edvard Munch's The Scream.
Museum of the Missing: A History of Art Theft. Photos, true crime, and a broad look at art theft.

Title checked out or not at your DCCCD location? Use the "Request it" button to have it held at or delivered to your DCCCD library.

Not a member of the DCCCD community? Search www.worldcat.org to find titles at your nearest library.

Happy reading,
R.D.

Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/fmpgoh/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Information Literacy Classes Online

2009-11-10T08:34:00.002-06:00

As we continue to move through the semester the time for the in library Information Literacy Classes has come to a close. BUT DON’T WORRY, all three Information Literacy Classes are offered online! This means that you can find Research 1: Introduction and Orientation to the Richland Library, Research 2: Electronic Research – Sources and Strategies, and Research 3: How to Use MLA Format- Avoiding Plagiarism and Documenting Sources classes at http://libguides.richlandcollege.edu/libraryclasses. The online Information Literacy Classes can also be found under the link “Library Classes” on our homepage. The completion of these three classes will lead to the Information Literacy Certificate, equipping you with the tools to be an effective researcher.

One-stop research: The CQ Researcher

2009-10-29T20:58:00.008-05:00

One of the Richland Library's most useful resources is the CQ Researcher. These 12,000 word reports contain comprehensive reporting and analysis on issues shaping our world. CQ Researcher is useful to students who need to complete an assignment, prepare for a debate, or become a quick expert on a topic. Each report offers in-depth, unbiased coverage of an important political or social issue. Each CQ Researcher also contains a list of additional sources and links to resources for more information on your topic. You can browse the issues of the CQ Researcher in the Library or you can access it online from the Library's "Databases" tab on our Web site.

National Information Literacy Awareness Month

2009-10-05T18:59:00.010-05:00

On October 1, President Obama declared October as Information Literacy Awareness Month with these opening words:

"Every day, we are inundated with vast amounts of information. A 24-hour news cycle and thousands of global television and radio networks, coupled with an immense array of online resources, have challenged our long-held perceptions of information management. Rather than merely possessing data, we must also learn the skills necessary to acquire, collate, and evaluate information for any situation. This new type of literacy also requires competency with communication technologies, including computers and mobile devices that can help in our day-to-day decision making. National Information Literacy Awareness Month highlights the need for all Americans to be adept in the skills necessary to effectively navigate the Information Age."

The text of the entire proclamation can be found at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/2009literacy_prc_rel.pdf

Read more about information literacy
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/issues/infolit/overview/intro/index.cfm

View Project Information Literacy videos on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/ProjInfoLit

Hispanic Heritage Month

2009-09-09T11:02:00.016-05:00

Hispanic Heritage month begins on September 15th. This month would be a good time to explore The Latino American Experience.

Part of The American Mosaic: Exploring the Multiethnic Experience Online, this full-text database focuses on the history and culture of U.S. Latinos. Enjoy expanding your knowledge of Latino American culture with the thousands of images, biographies, articles, primary source documents, and recommended Web sites in this excellent Library resource.

Access is easy. Just click on the green "Databases" tab at the top of the green search box from the Richland Library home page . Then scroll down the "A" listing for American Mosaic. You can also use this direct link to American Mosaic. If you are outside the Library you'll be asked to log in with your name and student/employee number .

The United States Bureau of the Census "Facts for Features & Special Events" relates the history of Hispanic Heritage month and offers a wealth of statistics relating to Hispanics in the United States.

New Tool Provides Research Assistance

2009-09-04T11:31:00.006-05:00

Research just got easier thanks to a new tool at the Richland College Library. LibGuides is a collection of searchable research guides built by librarians. These guides will direct you to authoritative print and online resources selected by librarians. For example, this general Research Guide will help you get started with most research assignments. We also have guides for specific classes and assignments, such as these guides for Fine Arts Appreciation and an English assignment on The Rebel as Hero.

Librarians aren’t the only ones who get to have fun. You can also contribute these research guides. Most guides allow you leave comments. Some even allow you to suggest or rank resources. See the RCHS Capstone research guide for examples of user-rated resources.

Instructors, if you would like a research guide for one of your classes or assignments, contact your Library Liaison.

Academic Enrichment: Gary Duke

Engineering, Business, and Technology (all disciplines): Jeanetta Burnham

Ethnic Studies, Social Science and Physical Education (all disciplines): Alice Fulbright

Human and Academic Development (all disciplines): Sharlee Jeser-Skaggs

Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts
Religion: Lennijo Henderson
All Other Disciplines: Cynthia Clements
Mathematics, Science and Health Professions (all disciplines): Amy Ferguson

Teacher Preparation (all disciplines): Sharlee Jeser-Skaggs

World Languages, Culture and Communication

Foreign Languages: Lennijo Henderson
English: Gary Duke
English for Speakers of Other Languages
Reading: Sharlee Jeser-Skaggs
Writing: Alice Fulbright

The old library pathfinder has been reborn!

New Citation Manuals Make Citing Electronic Sources Easier

2009-08-24T10:39:00.014-05:00

The long-awaited seventh edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, the standard style and documentation guide for millions of college students, has arrived in the Richland Library! The new edition has made many changes to MLA documentation style and has simplified guidelines for citing information found on the Web, in digital files, and graphic narratives. "The new edition builds on input from scholars, librarians, and students to create the best tool ever for writing research papers," says MLA Executive Director Rosemary G. Feal.

The Online Writing Lab at Purdue offers students information on some of the changes in the new edition.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

Diana Hacker has posted information about some of the changes in the MLA Handbook on her Web site http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/home.html . NoodleTools has incorporated the new MLA guidelines. The Richland Librarians are updating all of our MLA handouts, our examples on our Web site, and our classes. We will begin teaching 7th edition of the MLA Handbook this semester.

Copies of the new MLA Handbook are available in the Richland College Library at the Reference Desk and in the Main Collection: LB 2369 .G53 2009.

The new 6th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (usually referred to as the APA Manual) is also available in the library: BF 76.7.P83 2010.

The Online Writing Lab at Purdue offers APA formatting guidance:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
NoodleTools will soon release updates to make their citations compatible with the 6th edition.

A new type of research engine: WolframAlpha

2009-07-22T17:32:00.004-05:00

In May 2009, the new computational search engine called WolframAlpha went live. This is not your average and typical search engine. It is called a computational search engine because of what it does best: computing from its own knowledge base. It aims to return an answer to your query rather than millions of web page results. Click on the examples page to see just some of what it can do related to science, math, geography, weather, and more.

What Students Think

2009-06-17T12:30:00.019-05:00

Much has been made of the "knowledge shortcomings" of the general population. One only needs to think about some of the shocking (and funny) interviews that Jay Leno does on the segment he calls Jaywalking.

E.D. Hirsch caused quite a storm when he proposed that people can't learn unless they have a certain minimum amount of factual knowledge, which he called cultural literacy.

Did you know that there is also something called information literacy? It too has been the subject of much discussion.

In August 2008, 225 Richland high school juniors took a needs assessment developed by the Network of Illinois Learning Resources in Community Colleges.

The assessment was an opportunity for librarians to take a look at the understandings and misunderstandings of our own student population.

The assessment showed that there is much that students do not understand.

This little slideshow -- What Students Think -- demonstrate some of those gaps in understanding.

These may not be quite as shocking as Jay Leno's discoveries, but they definitely play a role in keeping students from producing the quality work we know they are capable of.

New Edition of MLA Handbook Arrives

2009-05-22T13:56:00.005-05:00

The long-awaited seventh edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, the standard style and documentation guide for millions of college students, has arrived in the Richland Library! The new edition has made many changes to MLA documentation style and has simplified guidelines for citing information found on the Web, in digital files, and graphic narratives. "The new edition builds on input from scholars, librarians, and students to create the best tool ever for writing research papers," says MLA Executive Director Rosemary G. Feal.

The Online Writing Lab at Purdue offers a quick look at some of the changes in the new edition.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/15/

NoodleTools plans to incorporate the changes in their July update. The Richland Librarians are busy updating all of our MLA handouts, our examples on our Web site, and our classes. We will begin teaching 7th edition of the MLA Handbook in the fall.

Copies of the new MLA Handbook are available for purchase at the MLA Web site.
http://www.mla.org/store/CID24/PID363

2009-05-15T13:28:00.003-05:00

A hidden gem from our reference book collection: Business: The Ultimate Resource 2nd edition. This 2,000 page book contains just about everything you ever wanted to know about business and management and has been described by USA Today as “..the closest we have to a business bible.” It includes best practices relating to people and culture, marketing, systems, productivity, and others. Additionally there are numerous checklists and action lists one can refer to while on the job or while looking for a job. Profiles of business thinkers and management giants are also available. Find it in the reference collection at call# HD 38.15 .B878 2006.

Interesting Facts About the Richland College Library

2009-05-08T16:21:00.006-05:00

The Library has more than 90,000 books.
160 subscription databases are provided by the DCCCD, Richland, and TexShare.
Through TexShare we have access to

Average Number of Information Literacy Classes taught each year: 360.
Average Number of Students attending Information Literacy Classes each year: over 5,000.
Information Literacy Certificates awarded: 2,000 since program began in Spring 1998.
The Library has received three national Awards over the last 10 years

American Library Association/ACRL Excellence in Academic Libraries Award 2004
American Library Association Library of the Future Award 2001
EBSCO Achievement Award for Outstanding Program Development 1999

Read more facts about the library at www.richlandcollege.edu/library/about.php.

2009-04-29T18:14:00.017-05:00

One afternoon we decided to ask some of our students "What do you love about the Richland College Library?" Their answers provided a remarkably rich summary of what the library has to offer -- at least from a student's point of view.

We prepared the YouTube video as part of a tour and presentation we put together for the Richland College Academic Council.

Making the video turned out to be a lot of fun for both students and "film crew." Thanks to Alice Fulbright who served as "emcee" and Gary Duke (yours truly) who operated the camera and did the editing (with his trusty Mac, of course).

World Digital Library

2009-04-21T11:23:00.021-05:00

The World Digital Library (WDL) was launched on April 21, 2009 at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, France. The new website features a collection of primary materials from numerous libraries and archives around the world. The materials featured on the site include manuscripts, maps, rare books, films, sound recordings, prints and photographs. The site is free to the public and functions in seven languages.

Dr. James H. Billington, the Librarian of Congress, proposed the creation of the digital library to UNESCO in 2005. The stated objectives of the WDL are to promote international understanding, expand the volume and variety of cultural content on the Internet, provide resources for educators, scholars and general audiences, and narrow the digital divide within and between countries.

Examples of treasures featured include Arabic scientific manuscripts from the National Library and Archives of Egypt; early photographs of Latin America from the National Library of Brazil; the Hyakumanto darani, a publication from the year 764 from the National Diet Library of Japan; the famous 18th century "Devil's Bible" from the National library of Sweden; and works of Arabic, Persian, and Turkish calligraphy from the collection of the United States Library of Congress.

Travel the World in a Book

2009-04-15T21:28:00.005-05:00

Do you fantasize about scuba diving off the coast of Thailand? Have you always wanted to explore the Egyptian pyramids? Does shopping and dining in Paris sound like your ideal day? If you dream of traveling the world, but don't have the time or money, borrow a book about another country from the Richland College Library. Throughout the month of April, the Richland College Library is featuring a display of books on cultures of the world. You can explore the history and culture of another country from the comfort of your own home. So, go ahead and scale the Swiss Alps while you lounge in the sun or backpack across Europe without ever lifting finger. You can do them both in one day.

126 Students Earn Library's Information Literacy Certificate

2009-04-07T15:47:00.019-05:00

Librarians began teaching the Spring 2009 Library Information Literacy Classes on January 29. The formal series of three 80 minute face-to-face classes ended on April 4.

To date, 349 students have been participating in the classes and/or completing the online requirements. A total of 126 of those students have earned the Library's Information Literacy Certificate for attending all three library classes.

Even though the classes have ended, students may still earn credit for each of the library classes by completing a combination of online and printed exercises. These exercises are available on the web at http://www.rlc.dcccd.edu/library/infolit.php. Students should look in the "Online Learning" column on the right hand side of the page.

Research One - Introduction to the Richland Library includes a photo tour and an online quiz.

Research Two - Electronic Research Sources and Strategies requires students to complete a written exercise.

Research Three - MLA Format--Avoiding Plagiarism and Documenting Sources requires students to complete an online quiz and create a works cited list using NoodleTools.

Students who complete the program are better prepared to conduct library research needed for a speech, an essay, or a research paper.

Interesting reference questions

2009-04-03T09:31:00.006-05:00

Here are some of the more memorable reference questions we have received at the Richland Library reference desk. Enjoy!

How to write an essay on philosophy (topic: write from the viewpoint of a bat)
What was the name of the Richland lake before it was named "Thunderduck?"
What do you do if your vet removes the wrong organ?
I need personal narratives from people who committed crimes while they were on drugs.
Does html stand for Hotmail?
I need a list of myths that have been proven scientifically.
I added items to my cart in Amazon.com, so why is it empty?
How to I vote for President online?
Where can I find information about the benefits of drinking urine?
How to translate a document from English to Vietnamese online for free
What direction is North?
What is the largest named number?
Where and when can I look in the sky to view Skylab?
"I need a liberal view and a conservative view." On what topic, the librarian asked. "Oh, any topic will do."
Where is the Teaching, Learning, Community Building located?

Texas Library Association 2009 Annual Conference

2009-03-22T12:36:00.009-05:00

The Texas Library Association is holding its annual conference March 31-April 3 in Houston. The theme for this year’s conference is Libraries: Creating Communities of Ideals and Innovation. Libraries have long held a fundamental role in “supporting progress and leading the way toward innovation and learning.” http://www.txla.org/conference/conf.html

Keynote speakers at this year’s conference are Gloria Steinem and Paula Poundstone. Other featured speakers are technology experts, Jenny Levine, author of The Shifted Librarian, Michael Stephens, co-author of the Library Journal column, “The Transparent Library," Sarah Houghton-Jan, “The Librarian in Black,” and R. David Lanks, co-founder of AskERIC and founder of the Virtual Reference Desk Project.

Virtual Reference Shelf: Selected Web Resources Compiled by the Library of Congress

2009-03-11T17:50:00.005-05:00

The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world and serves as the research arm of Congress. The collection of more than 130 million items includes over 29 million cataloged books. The library also provides virtual programs and services to assist the general public. One such service is the Virtual Reference Shelf, a collection of selected websites compiled by reference specialists. The various resources are organized into about thirty categories.

The Virtual Reference Shelf contains the following reference tools:

Librarians Initiate Library Liaison Program

2009-03-06T14:26:00.014-06:00

In an effort to connect librarians and instructors, the librarians have began a Library Liaison Program. Librarians hope to "Put a FACE on the Library" for all of Richland's full-time and adjunct faculty members.

Our Purpose:
To encourage and facilitate personal connections between librarians and instructors
To create a principal point of contact between the program or discipline and the library

Our Strategy:
We will publish the framework for the Library Liaison Program on the web for all to see.
We will seek out problem areas and collaborate with instructors in finding solutions.
We will advertise new and little used library services in a personal way.

Our Promise:
Each FT instructor will be contacted by a librarian at some time during the academic year.
Each PT instructor currently teaching will receive an email from a librarian.

Please contact us using DCCCCD email or by calling the reference desk at 6082.

Our Resources Include:
•Serials Solutions –a tool to identify which journal titles we can access in either print or electronic format
•NoodleTools –a tool to help with MLA or APA citation and plagiarism avoidance
•ASAP –a tool to help students stay on track with a research project

Our Services Include:
•Helping you find the information you need
•Ordering books for the library in your discipline
•Locating articles for you on interlibrary loan
•Putting items on reserve for your classes
•Helping your students become information literate
•Assisting you with the design of research assignments

Build Your Own Search Engine

2009-02-21T15:07:00.006-06:00

Instructors, are you frustrated that your students aren’t using academic and authoritative web sites for their school work? We all know that the ability to critically evaluate information is a vital skill in the 21st century, yet students still struggle. The importance of this skill is recognized in the DCCCD’s Core Curriculum, Richland College’s proposed Institutional Learning Outcomes, and the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Information Literacy Competency Standards.
You can give you’re students a push in the right direction by building your own search engine. You’ll know your students are using credible websites because you've already evaluated and selected the sites they searched. It’s actually much easier than it sounds thanks to several free custom search engine providers. Visit the Search Engine Showdown for a list and comparison of the major search builders.
My favorite is Google Custom Search. Its based on Google’s popular search database, provides helpful documentation, and it allows collaboration. For example, the Undergraduate Research Engine is a Google Custom Search Engine that is being built by several librarians. You can even embed your Google Custom Search engine into your eCampus course.
If you’re interested in learning more about Google Custom Search, I’m teaching a workshop on Monday, March 30, 2009 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm in L126. Contact aferguson@dcccd.edu to register.

Encore: A Whole New Way to Look for Library Materials

2009-02-19T08:23:00.006-06:00

Now you can look for books, videos, ebooks, archival material like you never have before. It's the same material you would normally find with the LIBRARY CATALOG except it's so much easier. And things that were previously buried are right there in front of you. You'll be amazed at what you'll discover.

Encore elegantly presents all manner of discovery tools, such as faceted search results, tag cloud, Did You Mean...?, popular Choices and recently added suggestions, and RightResult™ relevance ranking.

Try it out today! We think you'll love it.

http://encore.library.dcccd.edu

Out of Print Books

2009-02-11T17:04:00.003-06:00

We have all had the situation arise when we are excited about acquiring a book title that we rush out to locate at a nearby library or purchase at a bookstore only to discover it is out of print.
Luckily there are several out of print book dealers that we can use to locate and purchase those hard to find titles. ACQWEB has a list of these companies and their web sites as a starting point in looking for rare or antiquarian books. Give it a try and bookmark the site for future use at http://www.acqweb.org/pubr/rare.html

Cynthia Clements

Reference Universe Instead of Wikipedia

2009-01-21T17:36:00.022-06:00

A recent study of research habits among college students resulted in both a research report and a YouTube video. Under the heading of "Everyday Research" the video has a slide entitled "Wikipedia as the First Step: The Power of an Un-Citable Source."

When used for the proper purposes, Wikipedia has undeniable value. The problem is that students working on research papers need sources that they CAN cite.

Let it be said though that in their rush to get the project "finished" those students often skip right past the real value of Wikipedia -- to immerse themselves in the subject and the issues enough to be able to fashion a well formed focus. In other words, to be well enough acquainted with their topic so they can research intelligently and write confidently.

So how can they get started with sources that are citable?

Any librarian worth his or her salt will usually direct those students to subject encyclopedias. And the best tool to identify which subject encyclopedias treat the desired subject is something entitled Reference Universe.

But there is one catch which is well captured in the byline of the Reference Universe publishers:

"Hint: The best article for your particular topic may be on your library shelves and not online."

So for now at least you'll have to get out of your chair and visit the library to lay hands on the research gold uncovered by Reference Universe.

PS. Electronic sources are being slowly added to Reference Universe but their expense prohibits the library from acquiring all but the most essential. Clicking on the button labeled E-Content will sometimes pay off.

New Book Shelf Now on LibraryThing

2008-12-11T09:42:00.021-06:00

Have you ever wanted to browse through the library's New Book Shelf without leaving the comfort of your home or office? Now you can.

The Richland College Library is a member of LibraryThing, a social networking site that celebrates books in a myriad of ways. To learn about the history of LibraryThing and what it can do, check this Wikipedia article. Or just jump right in and browse through our newest books.

When you look at our LibaryThing catalog, don't overlook all the things you can do with it. It's a treasure chest of information about the book and other readers who own the book. There are all kinds of cool things you can do with our new book collection on LibraryThing, so explore and enjoy. If you see something you want to read, be sure to check the Richland College Library Catalog to make sure it's in before you trot over to the bricks and mortar.

LIFE photo archive hosted by Google

2008-12-02T17:19:00.007-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, Google announced that they are now hosting millions of images from the LIFE photo archive. You can browse by decade or enter your own search term to locate photos. Also, the entire collection can be browsed by People, Places, Events, Sports, or Culture. Check out this shot from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in 1941.

Samie Sabet-Sarvestani Is Inducted into the Richland Student Wall of Honor

2008-11-20T14:29:00.007-06:00

Congratulations to Richland Library student assistant, Samie Sabet-Sarvestani, who was inducted into the Richland College Student Wall of Honor in a gala ceremony November 19th. Samie's accomplishments include membership in Phi Theta Kappa honor society, completion of Richland's Pharmacy Technician program, a 3.8 GPA, and an internship with CVS pharmacy. Samie always greets everyone with a warm, welcoming smile. He is the "go to" person for technical help with printing, computing, and formatting. We're so proud of you, Samie.

2008-11-19T16:49:00.002-06:00

Students Earn the Library Information Literacy Certificate

Richland Library has awarded Library Information Literacy Certificates to 138 students for the Fall 2008 semester. This number represents 30% of the 455 students who have been participating in the program and attending the library classes.

Face to Face Library Classes Completed for 2008

2008-11-17T14:33:00.002-06:00

Face to Face Classes for the Fall 2008 Semester are now completed. Students still needing credit can do independent activities Research One, Two, and Three. Schedules for the Spring 2009 classes will be available soon. Students completing all 3 classes/ independent activities will receive an Information Literacy Certificate.

What's Happening Revived!

2008-11-14T13:55:00.003-06:00

The library has a brand new web site. We thought it might be a good time to revive our old "What's Happening" page started by our illustrious former librarian, John Ferguson (now retired). Here's that blog just for fun (2002-2005)

Look here to find out new resources, new services -- anything that we think you might be interested in. There'll also be links in the sidebar to other new ideas we've got percolating. Watch for a Library Wiki...some RSS feeds and other cool additions to our site. Stay tuned. :)