Friday, September 26, 2014

This data is provided by the American Library Association, from Jan. 1, 2013 to Aug. 6, 2014.  It represents reported challenges, and does not for those that go unreported.

Found at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/22/banned-books-week-infographic_n_5852234.html?utm_hp_ref=books&ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000028

Thursday, September 25, 2014


This data is provided by the American Library Association, from Jan. 1, 2013 to Aug. 6, 2014.  It represents reported challenges, and does not for those that go unreported.
Found at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/22/banned-books-week-infographic_n_5852234.html?utm_hp_ref=books&ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000028

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

This data is provided by the American Library Association, from Jan. 1, 2013 to Aug. 6, 2014.  It represents reported challenges, and does not for those that go unreported.

Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/22/banned-books-week-infographic_n_5852234.html?utm_hp_ref=books&ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000028

2014 Banned Books Week: Most Challenged Books in Texas Schools

Since 2002, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas has posted an annual report, Free People Read Freely, during Banned Books Week that provides information about challenged books that have been removed, restricted, or retained in Texas public and charter school libraries and class reading lists during the previous school year. This information is obtained through an Open Records request by the ACLU under the Texas Public Information Act.

Here, in no particular order, are the eight children's books on the lower level of the Dick Smith Library that were challenged (elsewhere!) in 2013-2014.  Click on the titles to get the call numbers and more information about the books:

1. It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
Reason Cited: Inappropriate for grade level (a middle school)
Action Taken: Retained (no restrictions)

2. Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz
Reason Cited: Politically, socially, or racial offensive (parent felt book promoted illegal immigration and was not age appropriate)
Action Taken: Retained (no restrictions) - 5th/6th grade

3. Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Reason Cited: Sexual content
Action Taken: Retained (no restrictions) - intermediate school

4. Lovingly Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Reason Cited: Sexual content or nudity
Action Taken: Use restricted (book was moved from elementary to secondary campus)

A Bad Kitty Christmas by Nick Bruel
Reason Cited: Promotes homosexual/lesbian couples
Action Taken: Banned from a PreK-8 charter school

6. The Giver by Lois Lowry
Reason Cited: Offensive to religious sensitivities
Action Taken: Alternate book allowed (curriculum only)

7. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Reason Cited: Parent did not want the student reading about ghosts
Action Taken: Alternate assignment was provided for the student

8. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Reason Cited: Politically, racially, or socially offensive
Action Taken: Retained (no restrictions) in a high school

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Banned Books Week September 22-26

This week is Banned Books Week!  This year's theme is banned comic books.
Help us celebrate!




We have 3 "Caught Reading Banned Books" mug shot photo areas set up:
Main level by copy/print area,
Upper level by copy/print area, and
Lower level by Special Collections Suite.
Anyone can also sit at the bar when entering the library for the
Comic Book Cover photo op.
Don't forget to pick up a "Banned Books Week" button
available in various locations around the library.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

South Korea 2014: A Tarleton Adventure

Come join the fun as Dr. Marcy Tanter shares her experience with Tarleton's Study Abroad trip to Seoul, South Korea. 

Her Brown Bag presentation is from 12:10-12:50 p.m. in our Multi-Purpose Center (make a right after you enter the building). 

Find out more about the Study Abroad program and how you can participate.

Friday, September 19, 2014

Scottish Independence?- Library resources on Scottish nationalism and history

Last night, Scotland voted to remain a part of the United Kingdom, of which it has been a part for over 300 years. I've been following the lead up to the vote pretty closely for the last couple of weeks, and there are many great news articles out there that lay out the issues surrounding independence for Scotland at this particular juncture.

The recent developments have made me want to brush up on my Scottish history, though, and so I'm going to share a few of the books we have here in the library on Scottish independence, and Scottish history more generally, in case anyone else might be interested in doing the same. Trust me- there's more to Scotland and Scottish nationalism than Braveheart!

Bannockburns: Scottish Independence and Literary Imagination, 1314-2014, by Robert Crawford
Bannockburns explores the ways that Scottish authors have thought and written about the idea of Scottish independence since the 1300's.

Scottish history : the power of the past, eds. Edward J. Cowan and Richard J. Finlay.
Each chapter in Scottish History: the Power of the Past, is an essay written by a Scottish history scholar on a particular time period or issue. Topics include the early Pictish tribes, the Scottish Reformation, women in Scottish history and modern nationalism.

The British Isles : a history of four nations, by Hugh Kearney.
Finally, The British Isles: a history of four nations, gives some larger context to the debate. In this history of the UK as a whole, Kearney tackles both the disparate histories of the the four nations that make up the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), and their histories as one country.

Hopefully these will get you started on your quest to understand more about Scotland, its culture and its history. Don't forget, if you need help with your research, ask a librarian!

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Reasons you need your Librarians

I found this interesting infographic with some of the ways the library and our librarians are beneficial to you. Here are just a few of the many things they mentioned.   Click on the image to see all the reasons they listed!
  • Librarians help all students
  • Student collaborate @ the library.
  • Book recmmendations
  • Helps with databases and facts from sources that are credicible.
Remember, we're here to help you and glad to do so.  Just give a call (254-968-9249), send an email (reference@tarleton.edu), or stop by (hours).  You can also check in with the library through various social media venues.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

#ThrowbackThursday

In honor of #ThrowbackThursday, I thought I'd share a cute video from Sesame Street. Don't worry, if you want a cookie, we have those; they're at Study Grounds. :) We look forward to helping you find your books and so much more.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Busy with classes, work, study, friends....?

It's one of the most exciting times of the year! I love the energy of a new semester, new people, new organizations, new things to do! But at times I find myself drained. Everyone reaches a limit of when they can't go on anymore. They can't pick up their feet or roll out of bed -- but there are things you can do to help you when you hit that point. Read the following article on the "Top 10 Ways to Stay Energized" by Lifehacker.com.

Top Ten Ways to Stay Energized

Friday, September 5, 2014

Outreach and Distance Learners

Do you attend classes in Fort Worth, Weatherford, Midlothian, Waco, Online, or otherwise?  If so, the library has a page dedicated to you to help you find library services.

To find this page, go to the library's home page at www.tarleton.edu/ library.  Locate the "Services" box:

From this box, select "Online, Ft. Worth, Midlothian, Waco, Weatherford, etc. students".  This page is complete with information focused on helping Tarleton students who do not attend class in Stephenville.

Fill out and submit the Registration form at the bottom of the page so that the library knows that you are a  learner on a campus other than in Stephenville. Be sure to select your campus from the drop-down menu!


We are happy that our Tarleton family includes students in Stephenville and beyond!

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

BookTubers: The "Librarians" of YouTube


Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE YOUTUBE. I watch YouTube like it's T.V. and I am not picky about what I watch. YouTube is not only a great informational video based website, it is also a social media hub. YouTube caters to the many interests I have and connects me with other people who have the same. I am introduced to more new things on YouTube than any other website I visit. One topic I am always searching YouTube for is books. While there are many channels to choose from, here are just a few of my favorites. I have also linked an article talking about the Top 5 BookTubers.

 

BooksAndQuills -
 

                This is a girl from overseas who is a lover of all books. However I like her for her love of Young Adult. She is always introducing me to books I haven't heard of yet. She also keeps me in the loop about any books being made into movies.

 

VlogBrothers -

 


                I got into VlogBrothers when the hype for Fault in Our Stars started. I had seen them before on YouTube, but had never really watched many of their videos. When the movie was being filmed, I often visited their page to see behind the scenes of the movie and found that John Greene is hilarious and it's nice to see this personal side of an author I really like.
https://www.youtube.com/user/vlogbrothers
 

(These next two I have only watched a few videos, but I really liked what I saw and received this recommendation from BooksAndQuills)

 

TheReadables -
 


                She talks about lots of different genres, but she also talks about Manga. For anyone who is interested in Manga I would definitely check her out!
https://www.youtube.com/user/thereadables
 

Spiffinglycino -
 


                This cute British girl has such enthusiasm for books and I love it! She talks about books hauls but she always has something different to show her viewers.

Hope you go check out these channels and let me know if you come across other great BookTubers!

 


Pictures: www.Bing.com

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Need to Change your Password?

It's the beginning of the new semester, so it may also be time for you to change your NTNET password, which you use to access campus computers, MyGateway, Blackboard and more. Passwords expire every 120 days, which means that if you haven't changed it over the summer, it's probably time.

If you remember your password and it hasn't yet expired, you can change it yourself at  http://www.tarleton.edu/password. But what if you didn't get to it in time, or you get locked out of your account? We are here to help! There are 3 places in the library that can help you change your password.

First, the new Tech Spot in the Learning Commons: they can help you with many types of IT problems, including passwords. They can also help with e-mail passwords.

Second, the Library Systems Office, on the upper floor of the library: they can also help with NTNET and e-mail passwords.

Third, the Reference Desk, on the main floor. If you remember your old password and it has not yet expired, you can use the password reset station near the reference desk on the main floor of the library.

Also, remember, if you are off-campus and need assistance with Tarleton computing resources, call the ITS help desk at (254)968-9885.

Don't get locked out of campus computer resources! Make sure you check your go.tarleton e-mail for notification that your password is expiring and reset your password before it expires.