A Word from the Dean
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Diane Dates Casey
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What's New at the University Library?
The University Library warmly welcomes students and faculty to avail themselves to the wide range of services ready for their use in course assignments and research pursuits.
Librarians are available to help in focusing on research questions and identifying appropriate information resources. Also, tutors from the Writing Center can answer questions about writing and citation styles.
Public workstations offer a full suite of productivity software, including Microsoft Office 2007. For those with their own laptops, wireless access to the Internet is available throughout the public areas of the library.
Library Mission
As part of the University Library’s strategic planning process, the library leadership developed a revised mission statement, a new vision statement, and a series of core values. Please take a few moments to review these statements on the library website.
Docline
Thanks to the hard work of Paul Blobaum and Terry Rickhoff, the University Library is poised to become a full member of the GMR (Greater Midwest Region) National Network, National Library of Medicine. Not only will this membership expedite the library staff’s ability to retrieve materials in the health sciences for GSU students and faculty, but the library will be eligible for GMR grants and awards.
Library Staff Members
Employee of the Month
Congratulations to Carol Machura, the library’s office manager, who was selected as GSU's January 2009 employee of the month!
The University Library welcomes two new employees.
Ed Fudacz is a Library Specialist in the Circulation Department. Not only does Ed work with students and faculty at the Circulation Desk, but he also handles billing for the library. Ed is a GSU graduate with a master in English.
Greg Johnson is an assistant professor and serves as distance learning and reference librarian who works specifically with students taking courses off-campus or online. Additionally, he is the library liaison to students and faculty in Criminal Justice, Political and Justice Studies, Social Sciences, and Public Administration. Greg also serves community groups, such as The Adult Learning Exchange (TALE). Greg holds master degrees from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (MLS, Information and Library Sciences) and Purdue University (MA, Modern History). Please stop by and greet our new library employees!
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GSU Library’s Web 2.0 Tools Course Update
Diane Nadler and Sarah Wegley
Participants from last summer’s Web 2.0 online course offered by the library, reported that they have implemented the following web 2.0 tools at the Oak Lawn Public Library:
- Oak Lawn Memories Blog
- Oak Lawn Public Library Teen Blog
- Facebook—a social networking site
- Flickr—a photo sharing site
- Delicious—a social bookmarking site—to share resources among the Reference Department staff
During the Winter 2009 trimester, staff from GSU Library, Homewood Public Library, New Lenox Public Library, and Oak Lawn Public Library participated. This was the third time the course was offered.
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GSUvault for College of Education
Michel Nguessan
The University Library has been working with the COE to develop the College side of GSUvault, our institutional repository. Michel Nguessan (Library) works on this project with Jean Johnson and Nick Battaglia. So far, this team has designed, agreed on, and approved the information architecture in GSUvault for their college based on the information that they have.
The team has also developed an interim GSUvault policy for the College of Education. This month, they will conduct information sessions for the COE. The first session will be presented to the Division of Psychology & Counseling on March 11. They are also ready to train content submitters from the College. Michel has prepared training materials and will deliver this training. The COE will be able to start loading their information after this training.
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Life in Libraryland
Library Rules
Lynn DiMaggio
"There are some good rules, and there are some lousy rules." -- Harold Pinter, English dramatist.
Here at the GSU Library, some rules may seem lousy, but are actually good (when you think about it). This may help you take a second look at things, or not, because…
You shouldn’t view "objectionable" materials on the computers. Now, we’re all educated people, we know what "objectionable" means. If you wouldn’t want your grandmother, religious leader, or child to see it, don’t look it up on the computers at the GSU library. Someone’s grandmother, religious leader, or child might be sitting next to you. And, speaking of children…
No unsupervised children under 16 years old are allowed in the library. Sometimes, as a parent, you have to bring your children to the library. You love your kids and won’t leave them home alone. The same holds true at the library. They may be the best-behaved children on the planet, but they still are kids and need your care and supervision.
GSU's connecting buildings are confusing for adults. If you leave your children at the library alone, they may wander out and have a really difficult time finding their way back through the maze of hallways. They may get lost and scared in the main stacks. Or, unlikely as it may seem, someone may bother or intimidate them. You wouldn’t leave your purse or wallet on the table at the library and hope it will be ok until you return. Your children are so much more precious.
And, they can’t even have a snack while here to keep them occupied because…
Food and drink are not allowed in the library. No, the library staff is not being mean. First, there’s the risk of damaging very expensive computer equipment and books (no one knows better than you how much books cost). Also, there’s the possible invasion of multi-legged and furry creatures attracted by crumbs. Now, here’s the real clincher: Do you really want to eat your sandwich while using a keyboard or book that dozens of others have touched, just that day? Think about it...or you can talk about it, but not on your cell phone because…
Cell phones are not permitted in the library. Would you want your professor to have a cell phone conversation about the movie he saw last night while you and your classmates are taking a very difficult comprehensive final exam? You really would rather walk uphill all the way home through four feet of snow than take this exam anyway, so it might disrupt your concentration a bit…ok, maybe more than a bit. You might find it annoying.
If you’re on the phone in the library, you’re disrupting the nearby person who is trying to study for a huge test or writing a research paper. Always put yourself in the other guy’s shoes (you know, the guy who’d rather be walking uphill…). So next time you need a break and want to talk on the phone to hear a nice, friendly voice, just step out into the lobby. There, you can enjoy unlimited conversation without disturbing your neighbor, whom you always should consider because…
Someday, you’re going to be the neighbor.
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Free Computer Workshops
Helen Benos
The GSU Library is offering free computer workshops to students, staff, faculty, and members of the community.
Among the topics covered in the one to two hour workshops are the following:
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- Scholarly Publishing Process
- Podcasting
- Microsoft Publisher
- PhotoShop Express
- Blogging, Genealogy
- APA Style Citations and Formatting Papers in APA Style
- Social Networking with Ning
The workshops are taught by the following library staff members:
- Helen Benos
- Paul Blobaum
- Lynn DiMaggio
- Linda Geller
- Judy Hanacek
- Diane Nadler
- Michel Nguessan
- Pam Taylor
- Sarah Wegley
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Inventory Project
Susan Bell
You should begin to notice that the shelves in the J-Z section of the Library are beginning to look neater and the labels are easier to read. The Library is in the midst of inventory in this section, clearing up bar code problems, damaged books, relabeling books, entering books not in the system and other problems that have not been apparent.
Since the middle of November, we have relabeled over 1900 books and bar coded over 2500. When the project is completed, all the books in this area will be bar coded, and any that were missing from the shelf will be marked as missing so that we can reorder new copies or withdraw the title if it is too old to replace.
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T.A.L.E.
Greg Johnson
The Spring 2009 session of T.A.L.E., The Adult Learning Exchange, begins on April 17. T.A.L.E, a program of the Anita M. Stone Jewish Community Center, collaborates with Governors State University and consists of a series of courses led by local professionals and university faculty and staff.
The programs offered through T.A.L.E. this term include courses devoted to film and music history, female poets, philosophy, the geography of religion, and the continuation of a series on The Atlantic Monthly.
So, if you have a passion for a certain subject, please enroll in the courses which meet on Fridays at Governors State or even help as a moderator or guest speaker. A complete list of courses, dates and fees for the Spring session can be found at the circulation and reference desks in the library, by contacting the Anita M. Stone Center at 708.799.7650, and soon on the library website.
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The Research Gallery Twelve
Jeff Stevenson
The Research Gallery Twelve is located in the Governors State University Library computer research area. This bustling area is a destination for students, faculty, and community members as they work on their academic projects and research. The artwork in this area will reflect this research theme and demonstrate series of artworks inquiring into wide ranging topics of interest.
Because of the configuration, primary use, and available wall space in the area, and to better support research style artwork such as sketches, drawings, collage, photographs, color studies, digital prints, and other exploratory work, The Research Gallery Twelve has its own frames for displaying artwork. All artwork must be 12" x 12" to fit the precut mats. There are twelve frames.
The Research Gallery Twelve strongly encourages individuals, groups, classes, and other two dimensional artists to apply. Twelve different artists, one artist with 12 related pieces, four artists with three pieces each – or any combination – you get the idea.
A show statement must accompany the twelve pieces explaining the research component and the inquiry. Artists can supply other support materials regarding their work, website, etc. that will be displayed with the exhibition.
A one-page show index, including title of artwork, medium, artist name, date, and price/NFS, must be included with work. Clear identification must be on the back of each piece. All artwork must be clean, fixed, non-smudging, easily handled, and flat enough to fit under glass.
The Research Gallery Twelve:
- Reserves the right to reject any work deemed inappropriate for framing or display.
- Will not pay for transport or shipping; artwork will be transported or shipped at the expense of the artists.
- Will not insure artwork. Artists participate and exhibit their work at their own risk; any insurance for artwork is up to the artist.
- Will not take a commission from sales. Artwork can be for sale with all proceeds of sales going to the artist.
- Will also host an online web gallery of all of its shows. Links to individual artists’ web sites can be included.
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Faculty Authors Reception
Helen Benos
The Faculty Authors Reception was held on Wednesday, March 11. This year’s reception featured the published works of 18 faculty members and three administrators.
Contributors included:
- E. Alozie
- A. Bourgeois
- R. O’Shea
- E. Cada
- X. Chen
- J. R. Coldren
- S. Dermer
- E. P. Maimon
- M. Marion
- C. Sexton
- L. A. Morrow Ruetten
- M. Nguessan,
- C. M. Petersen
- K. Peterson
- J. R. Hudak
- P. A. Robey
- C. F. Sori
- K. C. Wong
The contributors received a brass key chain and a wooden bookmark designed by Nicole Hernandez. President Maimon, who authored four books, was our guest speaker this year. Linda Geller, Lynn DiMaggio, Erin Engelbrecht, Judy Hanacek, and Nicole Hernandez assisted in making the event a success.
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Friends Corner
Friends of the GSU Library
The Friends of the Library wish to express their appreciation to the many donors, bakers, shoppers, and bidders who made their recent fundraiser a great success. More than $1000 raised through the sale of donated media materials and baked goods, as well as silent auction bidding on donated items, will be used to support the University Library. Be sure to check us out at Welcome Back Days, May 4 & 5 for Mother's Day plants and other nice items.
March Madness
Pam Taylor
Friends of the Library would like to thank everyone who donated books and media to the library during the March Madness book and media drive.
The Friends will always accept any book or media donation. Please feel free to drop off your donation at the circulation desk in the library or contact Pam Taylor at 708.235.7527. Thank you for your continuing support!
Fundraising Auction
Lydia Morrow Ruetten
The Friends want to thank everyone for their support of the fundraising auction held in October; this was the Friends’ largest fundraiser to date.
New York Times Bestsellers
Pam Taylor
 The GSU Library is proud to have a selection of the New York Times Bestsellers added to their book collection.
The Friends of the GSU Library have been providing funds to the library since the beginning of 2008 to purchase this collection. Each week a new list comes out with both the top selling fiction and non-fiction titles. Titles are selected for purchase and then added to the collection.
All of these books are available to students, staff, and faculty for a four week checkout period. Our community members, who have a valid public library card, are also invited to browse and check out these books.
Several of our newest additions to this collection include:
- The Limits of Power
- Hot, Flat, and Crowded
- The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
- The Host...
and, of course, Dewey.
So, come on over to GSU Library and check out one or two of these bestsellers!
Friends Quilt
Dianne Kronika
Work continues on the Friends of the GSU Library 34" x 64" bookshelf quilt, which will hang prominently in our library. Some books remain unclaimed. So, you still have time to remember a special occasion or honor someone by making a donation of $50 and having a book "placed" on the shelf. If you have a favorite piece of material to be used, we would be happy to use it (3" by 12" minimum please). Please note that if the fabric is "busy" it will be more difficult to read the title. If you would like more information, check out our website at: www.govst.edu/library/friends or contact Susan at 708.235.7500. Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Friends of Mysteries
Becky Nugent
On Wednesday June 10, at noon, in the Cafeteria, the Friends of Mysteries will select books for the fall term celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Governors State with mysteries from 1969-1970. Join us with your choices for hip, cool, and groovy readings for the Fall Friends of Mysteries.
GSU Writers Ink
Lydia Morrow Ruetten
Members of GSU Writers Ink have been busy the last few months, writing poetry, Haiku, and short stories.
Please feel free to join us on the first Thursday of each month in the Library Administrative Conference room.
Spring
Blue skies, green carpet
Flowers busting into light,
Spring, wonderful, spring
-A Haiku, by Colleen Rock
Inkjet Cartridge Recycling
Susan Bell
The library continues to collect inkjet cartridges for recycling. Cartridges can be dropped off in the container at the circulation desk.
Thank you to those that have contributed so far.
What the library means to me
Will Kelley
As libraries continue to change—with shelves of books giving way to banks of Internet work stations, racks of DVDs, and so forth—it is worth remembering that libraries provide something that is nearly unavailable elsewhere. And that is continuity.
The library was not my first encounter with the abundance you can find in the written word. That came from my grandmother, who read to me long before I could read for myself, but who whetted my interest in the possibilities of the text.
My interest in libraries emerged when the family started moving. About the time we moved from San Antonio, Texas to Wanaque, New Jersey, I had run through all the books that the family had available. At first, I made do with our set of the World Book Encyclopedia. I would sit on the rug and flip from article to article, reading one and then, when I came to the end, turn to another article connected to the one I had just finished. After a while, though, I had just about exhausted the supply of articles an eight year old boy would find interesting. And they weren't writing any more novels for the Rick Brandt Science Adventure Stories.
The first library I remember was the one in the elementary school in Wanaque. It was crowded and the books seemed old, but then this was a part of the country where houses advertised that George Washington Slept Here, so I guess 'old' wasn't a problem. There were Greek myths and historical tales and more popular science, and I quickly found these to be more absorbing than my classmates. After all, as far as they were concerned I talked funny and didn't even know not to wear blue jeans in the snow, so it didn't bother them if I spent most of my time, as my mother put it, "with your head in a book."
The miracle, though, came when we moved from New Jersey to Okinawa. The Department of Defense schools didn't have much in the way of libraries. Instead, I soon found that for real enjoyment I should find my way over to the libraries on the nearby Army and Air Force bases. And with that I discovered the miracle -- the books were the same. They had the same edition of A Wrinkle in Time, the same stories by A. Conan Doyle, and all the Isaac Asimov nonfiction I could handle. I knew my way about this place. It was great.
After this, there was something very comforting about walking into a library anywhere we might move. The staff was always helpful, and eager to direct me to the parts of the library with the books I sought. Of course, the books weren't all the same. In Okinawa there were books about Japan, and China, World War II, and the war in Vietnam. With that, a whole world of virtual travel became possible, as I read about tramp freighters with loads of copra plowing through the South Pacific -- not all that far away from where I sat.
Finally, about the time we were living in Thailand, the last piece fell into place. The library there was attached to the Embassy, not a military base, and they had records. My family had a lot of music, but it was all country and western, so they were a little disturbed when I started to bring home Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D as well as (still more) science fiction and odd little novels from the heyday of the British Empire. But they humored me. It was just about when I finished Richard Burton's translation of the Thousand Nights and a Night that it hit me: there was a reason I could find all these books and records at local libraries all over the world. There was a worldwide conversation going on.
When I could find 19th Century British novels in an American library, people of a certain place and time were seeking to have a discussion with me. After Burton translated the Arabian Nights, the medieval Abbasid Empire could whisper in my ear. It was possible to listen to the rhythmic pentatonic melodies of Thai classical music -- then turn to European Romanticism. These were people from different times, and different places, people so dead I could never find their graves, even if I looked; people so distant they could never be brought into the same room at the same time -- but they could still talk to me and, through me, to each other.
The realization that these words, and recordings, and images, are all part of a slow-motion, world-wide discussion, and that the conversation is still ongoing -- that was heady stuff. And the thought that I could find it all at the library -- astonishing.
It still is.
Yet it's all there, still, at the local library.
We’re starting a new series, "What the library means to me." We welcome your stories. Please forward them to Lydia Morrow Ruetten (l-morrow@govst.edu).
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