Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Top Ten Tuesday: Stay Informed

The following list, in no particular order, offers links to Tarleton resources that will help you stay in the know.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Club Stroz



Check out this student tribute to the Strozier Library at Florida State University (also known as "Club Stroz").

If you get the urge to memorialize the library (or anything else), there are two Flip cameras available for checkout at the circulation desk on the main level.

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Top Ten Tuesday - Thankfulness

As we approach the Thanksgiving Holidays many of us are already thinking about our Thanksgiving dinner. Just before we eat some of us tell what we are thankful for and express those thanks. I would like to do that here. So here are my Top Ten "Thankfuls."

1. Family - having a wonderful family who supports me, loves me unconditionally and lets me love them back.

2. America - being able to live in a country that we can express our thoughts, issues, beliefs, and yes, have a say in our government.

3. Friends - having friends who are like family.

4. My job - having a job - one that has let me grow and expand my knowledge and experience. Having a work environment that is wonderful and supportive.

5. My health - as I grow older, I can still boast that I am in good health.

I have named five and can go on and on, but I would like to challenge you to add your comments and let us know what your Top Five or Top Ten are.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?





















Snuff for Glover!

"Recently one of Miss Glover's English classes presented her with a box of Garrett's snuff as a joke! Most teachers would have been shocked beyond response that her students thought as little of her as to give her such a present! But not Miss Glover! Just what I need to poison the insects on my flowers when they become especially troublesome, she joyously remarked, explaining that she had been wanting some snuff to use as insect poison for a long time, but was afraid to buy any for fear of what her students and friends might think if she did! By this time the class, thoroughly disgusted and thwarted, solemnly agreed that it was nigh on to impossible to get the best of Miss Glover, no matter how hard they tried!" This story was in the November 13, 1951 J-TAC.

Miss Dollie Glover, professor emeritus, was born in Brownwood on February 22, 1895, and graduated as valedictorian of both Brownwood High School and Howard Payne University. She received her M.A. from the University of Texas in 1925. After teaching high school in Taylor, Big Spring, and Santa Anna, she was head of the English Department at Kidd-Key College in Sherman. Glover came to Tarleton as an Assistant Professor of English in 1926/27, and retired in 1960. The Grassburr photos above show Miss Glover in 1929 and 1960.

The 1935 Grassburr was dedicated to her, and she was honored as a distinguished faculty member in 1970. She was the author of A Daily Guide to Correct English published in 1965. Miss Glover was very active in the community and was a charter member of Stephenville's branch of the American Association of University Women. She was a member of the Erath County Retired Teachers Association, was a member of the Erath County American Cancer Society, served on the board of the Senior Citizens Center, and was a member of the American Heart Association and the Tarleton State College Ex-Students Association. She also was a member of the Chamber of Commerce education committee.

In the world of academia, Miss Glover was a charter member of the Joint English Committee for Schools and Colleges, the South-Central Modern Language Association, Conference of College Teachers of English, the American Association of University Professors, and was listed in the Directory of American Scholars and Who's Who in Texas Today.

A member of the Stephenville First United Methodist Church and a charter member of the Wesleyan Service Guild, Miss Glover also wrote a history of the church. She died in Stephenville on January 16, 1984, and was buried in Greenleaf Cemetery in Brownwood.

Not only was Miss Dollie Glover an excellent English teacher and devout supporter of education, she must have also had quite a sense of humor! Wonder if the snuff worked on her flowers...and how many of her former students remember the antic?


Stephenville Empire Tribune, January 17, 1984.
Grassburr, 1929.
Grassburr, 1960.
J-TAC, November 13, 1951.
J-TAC, January 26, 1984.


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

If you're like me, and you love the Harry Potter movies and re-reading the books, then odds are, you've already done this. However, if you still haven't read the 7th Harry Potter book or would like a refresher course before the movie comes out this Friday, then the library is here for you. We have 3 copies of the book and 1 copy of the audiobook. We also have copies of the other 6 books as well if you're interested in starting from scratch. In cases where you just don't have time to sit down and read a book, I suggest checking out an audiobook. You can listen to them while you work, and they make tedious work go by much faster. Jim Dale is the narrator to the Harry Potter series and does an amazing job making each and every voice unique to their characters. You may remember him as the narrator of Pushing Daisies as well. So, if you'd like to just kick back and relax a little, come by the Dick Smith Library and check out one of your favorite Harry Potter books and enjoy!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

100 Incredibly Useful YouTube Channels for Teachers

Don't let the name of this website fool you: It is useful for you and you and you (and me)! 100 Incredibly Useful YouTube Channels for Teachers is a site that collects all those great resources, such as TED, UCBerkeley (Who needs primetime TV with access to THIS channel???), Wired, National Audubon Society, CitizenTube, ItGetsBetter, American Film Institute, Library of Congress, Gizmodo....oh, just go read the list! You will find something valuable here--and now you do not have to remember any of these sites, because you can find it at LOL, your Library Online Lounge!

Monday, November 15, 2010

International Week Activities in the Library

Tuesday, November 16, 3 - 4:30 PM
Library Multipurpose Room
Study Abroad Panel Discussion led by Dr. Janis Petronis, Chair, International Education Advisory Council.

Wednesday, November 17, 12:10 - 12:50 PM
Library Multipurpose Room
Quito, Ecuador and Galapagos Islands, presented by Dr. Cara Pollard. She spent time on the equator and felt as well as saw the effects of being directly in the middle of the world. In the Galapagos, she swam with penguins, sharks, and huge sea turtles.  Refreshments and attendance slips will be provided.

Thursday, November 18, 3 - 4:30 PM
Library Multipurpose Room
International Faculty Panel Discussion led by Dr. Aldolfo Benavides, Dean, College of Business.  Followed by a reception honoring Tarleton’s international faculty at which Shuyun Meng’s famous homemade dumplings will be served.

See the online calendar for all events on campus.

iPhone App!

Dick Smith Library is now available on your iPhone!   Download the BookMyne from the Apple Store today so you can:

  • Search our catalog

  • Find available materials and put them needed items on hold

  • Log into your account and renew items you have checked out

  • Check your account information

     

    If you have any questions or concerns, please visit us at the Library Systems Department Office (Room 250) or contact us via phone (254) 968-9466 or email libsystems@tarleton.edu.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

What Happened in the Fall of 1899?

Well, of course, we all know that John Tarleton College officially began! But what do you suppose was going on at the time in Stephenville and Erath County? One very memorable and unique event occurred, one that all of the first Tarleton students I'm sure remembered for life! On November 10, 1899 the first legal hanging in Erath County history took place!

Tom Wright, from Dublin, had been into scrapes with the law on several occasions. Having served 2 1/2 years of a 5 year sentence beginning in 1891 for arson, and having been in trouble numerous times for petty crimes mostly relating to bootlegging, he had a reputation as a local law breaker. In late 1893 Erath County Precinct #2, which included most of Dublin, voted for prohibition, which shut down all the saloons. Bitterness between the citizens for and against prohibition resulted.

After Precinct #2 voted "dry" Dublin Constable John Adams was urged to be vigilant in his duties to thwart the illegal sale of alcohol and did so with a heavy handed approach. He had little use for Wright and his brethren. In December 1897 rumors circulated that Tom Wright had approached another in Dublin about killing Adams to get him out of the way. Instead of letting the law look into the matter, infuriated Constable Adams decided to confront Wright himself, which led to Wright killing Adams.

Tom Wright's trial was set for April 1898. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. After several attempts to thwart the hanging, Tom had run out of options. On November 10, 1899, after having been in the Stephenville jail since December 1897, Tom Wright was hung. A large crowd, as seen in the photo above, attended the hanging.

Sheriff R.T. (Tut) Hume carried out the hanging. He allowed Tom to visit with his wife and daughter that morning. Tom gave his wife the Bible that he had kept with him the long months in jail, proclaimed his innocence, and stated "I am not guilty of this for which I am about to die." His final words warned the audience against alcohol. To the young boys he stated "promise me you will let liquor alone."

Wow, what a memory for the very first Tarleton students!

Dick Smith Library. Cross Timbers Historic Images Project.
Knight, Sherri, Vigilantes to Verdicts, Jacobus Books, 2009.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

"Library Girl" by Reina del Cid

Interesting things happen in libraries sometimes...like music videos. No, this was not filmed at the Dick Smith Library, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it anyway.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Library Resources (and Veteran's Day)

Thursday is Veteran's Day, so I was doing research on it and found that one of our new databases has lots of good resources for and about Veterans.   History Reference Online Complete from ABC-Clio has several titles about veterans and the issues they have faced.  In fact the library has over 175 databases to help with research (whatever your topic might be!). Also, don't forget about the Subject Research Guides and Selected Internet Links! Both will help you find information when you need it. 

The best resource the library has to offer is HELP!  Librarians are here to assist you in person, by phone (254-968-9249), or by email.  You can even find us on Facebook

Whenever you need information I hope the resources mentioned will help you.  Oh, and don't forget to thank our Veterans on Thursday!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Need a News Video for a Presentation?

Dick Smith Library can help!

  1. Choose Newsbank from the library's database page.
    • If you're off-campus, log in with your NTNET username and password.
  2. Click "Access World News."
  3. Click the "Source Types" tab.
  4. Mark the checkbox for video (uncheck other types if desired).
  5. Enter your search terms and choose search fields (headline, caption, etc.).
  6. Click "Search."
  7. Choose video links that interest you.
    • A free Flash plug-in is required to play these videos.
    • Try a different browser if the video doesn't appear.
    • Be patient during the short ads before the news videos.

Questions? Comments? Contact the Dick Smith Library staff: 254-968-9249 or Ask a Librarian.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?
















Frey Fries!
Fire Razes Frey Hall, Airmen Made Homeless!

On Tuesday morning, November 6, 1951, Tarleton's Frey Hall burned. The dormitory housed approximately 125 USAF cadets of the 3470th School Squadron in 31 rooms. The students were attending the Clerk-Typist School at Tarleton. All their personal belongings were lost.

The fire, of unknown origin, broke out about 8 a.m. while all students were in class. No one was injured as a result of the blaze. Firemen from Stephenville and Dublin were called in to fight the blaze. Because of the asbestos shingles, they were able to contain the fire and keep it from spreading to the adjoining Yearwood Hall. Loss was estimated at $100,000.

The wooden barracks was moved here in 1947 from Eagle Mountain Lake where it had been the bachelor officers' quarters. It was named for Lt. Henry B. Frey, a Tarleton alum, who lost his life in World War II.

The photos above show namesake Henry Frey, Frey & Yearwood Halls, the fire, and where Frey Hall had been. Can you tell where Frey & Yearwood Halls were located?

Dick Smith Library, Cross Timbers Historic Images Project.
Grassburr, 1952.
J-TAC, November 13, 1951.
Stephenville Empire-Tribune, November 9, 1951.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

What do you consider a necessity?

When I was a child I remember not owning a television set for a brief span of years. I do not own a smart phone; I make do with a cheap prepaid phone that is about 3 years old. It works, and when the battery is fully charged it will last 2 weeks without need for a recharge.

What is considered a necessity now that was not a necessity in 1970? Check out the blog Stephen's Lighthouse and see the differences between now and then. What is something that you cannot live without? Post a comment and let me know what you cannot live without.

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/11/03/what-is-a-necessity/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-is-a-necessity

Monday, November 1, 2010

Go Vote!

Don't forget to Vote on Tuesday! Lots of good information about the election online!