Library Online Lounge - Tarleton Libraries

Think Green

2012-02-01T00:00:00.001-06:00

Save our trees!

Check out the Think Green Printing page on the Library Home Page

It will teach you how to:

Print only what you need

Print selectively

Print on both sides

Print PowerPoint handouts

Use electronic handouts

Select font to save ink/toner

http://www.tarleton.edu/livegreen/documents/green_printing_students.pdf

Mobile Resources

2012-01-30T16:00:00.000-06:00

Mobile Library Website

Check out our new mobile-friendly webpage on your smartphone or tablet computer. You can save time by searching the library catalog or renewing books while you’re out and about -- no more detours to your dorm or the nearest computer lab. You can also find our top ten databases, ask a librarian for help, get our hours and contact information, or browse our services/resources.

Mobile-friendly Databases

Several of our database vendors now have mobile sites: American Chemical Society, JSTOR, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Explore, EBSCO (a source for a wide range of databases), and others. These mobile sites let you search for and read articles without having to scroll to different parts of the page.

Staff Changes

2012-01-27T05:41:00.057-06:00

There have been a few changes in the Tarleton Libraries staff since the last update over a year ago. As she mentioned in her post yesterday, Assistant Director for Monographs and Technical Services Glenda Stone is retiring today after 40+ years of service, and Assistant Director for Serials and Electronic Resources Janie Jones retired at the end of November 2011. Head of Automated Systems Tracy Holtman has been named interim for the latter. Administrative Services Coordinator Linda Land retired at the end of January 2011, and Administrative Assistant Tonya Dobson was promoted into her position. Leslie Newcomb was hired in September 2011 to fill Tonya's former position.

Christy Singleton was hired as the new Access Services Assistant in January 2011, and Danni King began as the new Graduate Assistant the following month. Reference Assistant Thomas Schilb left in September 2011 to go to library school in Great Britain, and was replaced by Crystal Money the next month. We also added staff in September: Lisa Blackwell was hired as our Off-Campus Librarian, based in the Hickman Building library and the Medical Laboratory Sciences library in Fort Worth.

A number of staff have also been promoted. Effective February 1, 2011, Jodee Tennyson was promoted to Librarian II, Rashelle Hansen to Library Specialist II, and Amanda Pape to Librarian III. Effective September 1, 2011, Melissa Cookson and Yvonne Mulhern were promoted to Librarian II.

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2012-01-26T17:20:00.003-06:00

40 Years & 2 Months!

Today marks the day of my last blog as a librarian at the Tarleton State University Dick Smith Library! I am retiring after 40 years and 2 months of working at the Tarleton library! I will miss the library but will continue to post the "Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?" every other week this semester!

Many changes have occurred on the Tarleton Campus in the 40 years I have worked here! Not to mention, the 3 1/2 years prior to 1970 that I was a Tarleton student, and the 4 years as a high school student coming to march in the Homecoming Parade and attending the Homecoming football games! The Tarleton Center was the student center (shown above); the Education Building was the Administration Building; the Dining Hall was in the "green space" beside the president's house; the Mens Gym was a large wooden structure in the Fine Arts parking lot; the Women's Gym was where IT help and Telecommunications is now, and it had a swimming pool (in the IT/Telecom parking lot); the Math building was the Science Building; you could actually "cruise the island".......AND we had a card catalog!

Wow! Wonder what the Tarleton campus will be like in another 40 years!

Library Services Designed with Online and Satellite Campuses in Mind: Check 'em Out

2012-01-25T23:00:00.032-06:00

Are you a student or faculty member attending or teaching courses that are all online or at a satellite campus? If so, we want you to know about all these library services and resources, which are tailored to meet your information needs:

Register with the library as a Distance Learner.
~ Depending on your location, you may be able to receive free courier delivery or home/office delivery of library materials.

Sign up for a TexShare Card
~ With this card, you can borrow materials from hundreds of Texas libraries.
~ Use your go.tarleton email so you can receive notifications from the library about the items you request.

Request library materials via your Interlibrary Loan(ILLiad) account
~ If you qualify for the library's off-campus services, remember this:
"If you can't click and get it, send an interlibrary loan request; we'll get it and send it your way."
~ Use your go.tarleton email so you'll receive updates about your interlibrary loan requests.

Access thousands of full text journal, magazine & newspaper articles, reference books, business & legal information, and much more from your library databases.
~ All you need is a current NTNET login: Claim or Reset your University NTNET account

Want more information
~ Download our Off-Campus Library Services Brochure
~ Call the Reference/Information Desk staff @ 254-968-9456
~ Call the Circulation Desk staff @ 254-968-9450
~ Email the Reference Staff: reference@tarleton.edu

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. We're here to help you!

Looking for a place to study?

2012-01-23T11:22:00.004-06:00

The library has a space to fit your needs. Try one of our first come, first serve study rooms.

For Groups up to 6: Rooms 226, 227, 229, 230, 231, 233, 237, 238, and 239

For Individuals: Rooms 243, 244, 245, and 246

Need to reserve a space?

Visit the circulation desk or call 254-968-1895 to find out how to reserve a room for your group.

Rodeo, the Library Way

2012-01-20T09:50:00.002-06:00

How much does rodeo have to do with the library? A lot, especially here at Tarleton and at othercolleges too. A walk through the library stacks to GV1834.5 .M35 2004 will put the book College Rodeo: from Show to Sport into your hands. Rodeo has been a long-standing tradition for Tarleton since 1947. Tarleton has won six national championships and 19 individual national championships.

Fort Worth also has a long-standing tradition of rodeo. This year’s Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo (FWSSR) opened in January for the 116th time. One January day about five years ago, I was driving through downtown Fort Worth when I came up behind two riders on horses merrily trotting along on Main Street. I was taken back to my childhood when my family attended the rodeo every year.

My most favorite memory was standing on the rail as the celebrity performer circled the stadium floor riding a horse shaking hands with all the kids. I remember that Ken Curtis who played “Festus” from the popular, long-running TV show, Gunsmoke shook my hand as I teetered on the rail.

In case you are too young to remember Gunsmoke you can discover more by checking out this book: Gunsmoke: a Complete History and Analysis of the Legendary Broadcast Series with a Comprehensive Episode-by-Episode Guide to Both the Radio and Television Programs by SuzAnne Barabas.

I loved the flare of the grand entrance at the beginning of the rodeo. Riders with brilliantly colored shirts and sparkling belt buckles paraded in serpentine fashion across the floor of Will Rogers Coliseum displaying flags to show our state and national pride. Hundreds of riders decked out in the fanciest clothes riding well-groomed, show horses paraded by.

The events of the rodeo: barrel races and bull-riding fascinated me. Cowgirls rode wildly fast around barrels with their horses throwing clods of dirt onto the audience. The crowds hollered loudly cheering them on. Enjoy discovering more about cowgirls by opening up Tarleton’s electronic book, Rodeo Queens: On the Circuit with America’s Cowgirls by Joan Burbick.

Bull-riding was saved as the final event. I watched through my fingers a rider climbed aboard an almost 3,000 pound bull who was knocking against the board of the pen ready to be released from the belt that was tightened around its middle. The rider stayed on for only seconds, but it seemed an eternity to me as I watch him hang on to the undulating mass of hide, horns, and fury. Watch for yourself by checking out the video, Awesome Bullrides available in the library.

The brave rodeo clown distracted the bull by putting himself in between the dismounting cowboy and the bull. I recall watching the bull lower his head to charge the clown who narrowly escaped those horns by running for the barrel and slipping inside milliseconds before the bull was there. Even now as I think of these events, my heart beats just a little faster, and I find myself feeling the fear that I had of the clown not making it into the barrel in time.

You can read your way through the history of rodeo clowns by checking out the library’s electronic copy of Fearless Funnymen: the History of the Rodeo Clown by Gail Woerner.

My childhood days of rodeo nights usually ended with my Dad carrying me out while I looked back over his shoulder into the stadium still filled with dust floating in the air and dirt divoted by hundreds of hooves traversing the surface throughout the evening. I’m looking forward to once again making more nostalgic memories as I visit the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo this season. Take your own walk down memory lane through checking out the library’s book, Stock Photographs: The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo by Garry Winogrand.

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2012-01-19T11:10:00.004-06:00

Spring Student Enrollment is at an all-time high!

Tarleton State University

Headcount for Spring 2011

Freshman 1276

Sophomore 1487

Junior 1925

Senior 2545

Post-Bacc 116

Masters 1347

Doctoral 68

TOTAL Headcount 8764

Did You Know?

Tarleton has reached its highest spring enrollment ever in its history with a 6.2% increase compared to last spring. If you look at the chart, this means there are a total of 8764 students on/off campus! If you would like to learn more information on Tarleton’s enrollment or other interesting facts, you can check out Texan Facts! Also, if you’re interested in learning more about Tarleton’s history, the Dick Smith Library offers a number of digital and print resources to meet your curiosity! Check out the JTAC database for copies of the JTAC that start from the first issue in 1919. Or check out historic images of Tarleton through the Cross Timbers Historic Images Project. The possibilities are endless!

The library--there's an app for that.

2012-01-19T07:50:00.001-06:00

There are many "apps" available through our various database vendors. Below are a few of them. You can get more information on our Mobile Apps and Resources page or by clicking on the icons below.

GENERAL RESEARCH

EBSCOHost (works on most smartphones)

LEARN A LANGUAGE

Mango (iOS)

LIBRARY-RELATED

BookMyne (iOS, Android)

**Note: iOS is the name of the operating system used on the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.
More information on smartphones and apps here.

2012-01-18T14:24:00.000-06:00

PLEASE DON'T CENSOR THE WEB!

Stop SOPA and PIPA

New Practice Presentation Room on Lower Level

2012-01-17T11:15:00.000-06:00

Welcome back for the spring semester! The Dick Smith Library is pleased to announce the availability of a new practice presentation room:
Located on the lower level of the library in a former audiovisual equipment room, this space is available for students who need to rehearse a presentation. It is equipped with a projector, computer on a podium, and Smartboard, as well as (currently) three tables and eight chairs. (The tables and chairs may be changed or reconfigured later as we see how you are using them.)

Using the room requires a reservation, which may be made at the Circulation Desk on the main floor, or by calling 254-968-1895, as the room will be locked when not in use. The room may be reserved for up to a four-hour period any time the library is open.

Please give your feedback and suggestions on this new space to Special Services Librarian Amanda Pape or any staff member.

Privacy: Opt In or Out - A Choice

2012-01-03T11:12:00.006-06:00

The Dec. 19, 2011 Slate article "Saving Face: How Google, Facebook, and other tech companies hide behind “opt-in” policies" by Evgeny Morozov raises some interesting points about social media and privacy. Reminded me that I need to check the settings on my accounts; how about you?

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-12-15T17:35:00.004-06:00

Our Library Christmas Tree!

Have you seen our Christmas tree in the library foyer? It is made completely of books!....GREEN books! The presents are even books from the same series! All those books are the Library of Congress National Union Catalog! Familarily known as the "NUC", the books are a massive set of photocopies of printed catalog cards!

YES......the same cards that were in the old card catalog! Do any of you remember the CARD CATALOG? Well the Library of Congress NUC is where we obtained our catalog cards!

The Library of Congress began the NUC project in 1901. Our first set contained pre-1956 imprints of every important book in the United States, with regular updates for many years! The NUC was extremely valuable to libraries before the advent of electronic catalogs!

Many libraries have begun to use the green NUC's as a unique Christmas tree! We enjoyed "building" it and have enjoyed hearing all the comments about it from our patrons! Hope you had a chance to see it!

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

See You Next Year!

Holiday Treats from the Library

2011-12-14T09:49:00.029-06:00

Once your holiday festivities are over, you may find yourself with time to spare and in need of some reading or listening material. In case that happens, check out these ideas from previous LOL posts:

Read the library's online books.

Try out some new recipes.

Expand your language skills with Mango.

Listen to selections from Contemporary World Music and Classical Music Library.

Enjoy Issue #1 of the Library Chronicles newsmagazine.

Read J-TAC articles 1919-2007.

Check out the library's mobile site.

Learn TSU history from Tarleton Thursdays LOL posts.

The library will close over the break (Dec. 23 - Jan. 2), but our online resources will be available when you want them. Happy Holidays!

New Year's Resolutions

2011-12-12T00:42:00.003-06:00

Do you regularly make (and break) New Year's Resolutions?

If not, take heart. You're not alone.

Here are some tips to make it more likely you'll follow through this year.

1. Visualize the end result.
What is the positive outcome of each resolution?Find a motivating image or quote to keep you going.

"Money" by 401K on flickr.com, under a Creative Commons license.

2. Be specific.

Urgent news by rambergmedia on flickr.com under Creative Commons license.

For example, instead of "Lose weight", try "Lose 20 pounds by June 14, 2012."

3. Break it down.

Calendar module and iCal data by m.gifford on flickr.com under a Creative Commons license.

To track your progress on smaller milestones, try a goal-oriented social network like "43 things" to keep yourself accountable and seek advice from others. Or, you might download a reminder app, use an Outlook calendar, or carry a notepad and paper.

4. Keep reminders nearby.

"Think about it Thursday" by Rhonda Gibson on flickr.com under Creative Commons license.

Post your list in an unavoidable place. Moving the list frequently will prevent it from becoming part of the scenery.

5. Enlist support.

"Team Spirit" by jheffie on flickr.com under Creative Commons license.

Find a group of like-minded people (online or off) who are trying to accomplish the same goal. For example, here is a list of
popular money management blogs.

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-12-08T08:24:00.001-06:00

A Winter Scene in Stephenville!

Check out the big display case in the foyer featuring a winter scene of Stephenville’s past and present! The miniature buildings were handmade by Tarleton alum J. Louis Evans, Class of 1941! We displayed the buildings several times a few years ago, and have once again been given the opportunity to display them by J’s daughter Emily! A side note……..J wrote the now famous “Spirit of Tarleton” speech for Emily’s graduation!

Some of you may recognize a few of the buildings. The Berry Cottage, the John Tarleton Ranch House, and the dogtrot cabin are all located on the Stephenville Museum grounds. Also still standing is the American Legion Hall, the former Dinner Bell restaurant building, St. Luke’ s Episcopal Church, the Trogdon House, the Hunewell Bandstand (although the current one is a replica and is not located where the original was), the courthouse and buildings around the square, as well as the modern Town and Country Bank building on Lingleville Highway!

No longer standing are the old 3 story Stephenville High School building which was located where Hook Elementary now stands, the Woodshed snack shop which was across the street from the old high school, the depot, and the petrified wood Wolfe Nursery building which was located where Jack in the Box now stands! Shown above is Wolfe Nursery around 1940. It is a great view of the entire area which is now Walmart, Jack in the Box, Chili's, Staples, etc! Wow!! What a change!!

Come by and take a look at the great little snapshot of our town!

Good Luck on your Finals!

Recipes in unexpected places

2011-12-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

Sometimes it's easy, even for me, to forget that our databases can be used for things other than classroom assignments and research papers. That's why I was so surprised when I stumbled across delicious-looking recipes while taking a closer look at some of our databases. I'm sure you're all gearing up for finals (try to get some sleep!), but you might want to take a look at these when you have a bit of time.

Alt HealthWatch - The best part about the recipes in this database is that you don't even have to know what you're looking for. Don't type anything at all in the search boxes. Instead, go to Document Type, located near the bottom right of the main search screen. Choose Recipe from the list. Then click the Search button. You'll see all the recipes available in Alt HealthWatch. I'd like to try making the Hearty Beef Stew ("Comfort Food Makeovers"), Velvet-Smooth Dark Chocolate Pudding ("Short-order Sweets"), Linguine Bolognese ("Perfectly Seasoned Suppers"), and Tortilla "Lasagna" ("'Make mine meatless!'").

Consumer Health Complete - If you're just interested in browsing, do a search for "recipes". I'd like to try making Pumpkin Soup ("Recipes: Soups and Starters"), Potato Pancakes ("Recipes: Snacks"), and Grandma's Tornado Cookies ("Follow the Footsteps").

Academic Search Complete - In one of the search boxes, type "recipes". Change the drop down menu next to the search box from "Select a Field (optional)" to "Subject Terms." There's overlap between what you'll find here and Alt HealthWatch and Consumer Health Complete, but I think there are also a few recipes I didn't spot in either of those databases.

It wouldn't surprise me if there are more recipes available in some of our databases that I don't even know about. So, have you used library databases for anything outside of coursework or research? Let us know!

Top 10 Test Taking Tips

2011-12-06T04:00:00.002-06:00

It's that time of year again -- FINALS! It doesn't have to be the beginning of the end of you. It could be the perfect ending to a great semester! Click on the link and follow these tips to be more successful on your tests.

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/study-skills/teaching-methods/6390.html

Good luck on your finals!

Meet Our Staff: Crystal Money

2011-12-05T00:01:00.002-06:00

Crystal Money
Reference Assistant
254-968-1896
money@tarleton.edu
Dick Smith Library – Main Floor – room 110

My career at the Dick Smith Library began October 24, 2011. I was excited to be hired as the Reference Assistant. At the moment I am working on reducing the reference collection, but I also file legal inserts and answer questions about the databases. I work at the main floor reference desk from the time the library opens until 9 AM Monday through Friday. You can also find me at the upper level reference desk during the long semesters.

I graduated from Tarleton in August 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. This fall, I began working on my Master of Arts in History. I have recently become interested in furthering my education and career goals to include a Master in Library Sciences. I have a great interest in archives.

As for now, my outside interests include READING!! I love books! I am also advising the lovely ladies of Kappa Delta Chi, of which I am an active alumna (hence all the penguins at my desk!).

[Editor’s note: Crystal jumped right in and got involved with Halloween at the library, distributing candy to little visitors the first morning of her second week – hence the photo!]

Extended Hours Start This Sunday!

2011-12-02T12:04:00.001-06:00

San Francisco twilight - © Amanda Pape - 2011

The library will offer extended hours to help you get ready for your finals! Sunday to Thursday, December 4 - 8, we will remain open until 2 AM each night. All night study hours begin Sunday, December 11, when the library opens at noon, and doesn't close again until 7 PM on Thursday, December 15. Limited services (laptop checkouts and use only of the upper level with ID required to sign in) will be available from midnight to 7 AM each of those days.

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-12-01T18:29:00.004-06:00

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Where do you suppose the Tarleton students shopped in the horse and buggy days? The above photo shows Higginbotham's, a long time business on the square in Stephenville! It was located where the courthouse annex is today!

The Higginbotham's back then was a lot different than the Higginbotham lumber yard that we have today! The early Higginbotham stores took care of their patrons from birth to the grave! They had clothing, hardware, lumber, furniture, and even a funeral parlor. In fact, our Higginbotham's on the square had a funeral home at the back, which was in use until the late 1960's when the Stephenville Funeral Home on the South Loop was built!

The December 1, 1936 JTAC contained a small Higginbotham's ad! It stated that "At Higginbothams you will find J.T.A.C. students welcome"!.....and that they were "featuring Reg Shoes"! Wonder what "reg shoes" were! The December 15, 1936 JTAC Higginbotham ad stated that they were having a "Christmas Sale" and that J.T.A.C. students should come to Higginbotham's to do their Christmas shopping!

Well, I think that the Stephenville Higginbotham's of today has lots of merchandise that would be on a man's wish list, and also some for a woman's wish list, but it doesn't have nearly the assortment of goods that the Stephenville Higginbotham's of 75 years ago did!

Happy shopping!

Social Media Conference

2011-11-30T09:17:00.005-06:00

Don't forget to stop by the Social Media Conference on December 2, 2011. This is the inaugural conference for the Texas Social Media Research Institute, which is affiliated with Tarleton's Communications Department.

Social media is defined by Merriam-Webster as " forms of electronic communication (as Web sites for social networking and micro-blogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (as videos)."

Social media affects many aspects of modern life, including politics, education, privacy, commerce and, of course, people's social lives...online and offline.

There is a terrific lineup of speakers, which you can view here: http://tinyurl.com/SMC2011Schedule .

Several sessions will be held at the library--two sessions will be led by one of our librarians, Amanda Pape. One is on LibraryThing, and the other is on using social media sites for genealogy.

Paid registrants will be entered into a drawing to win a free iPod Touch. You can still register here.

Find out more about the Texas Social Media Research Institute here: http://www.tarleton.edu/tsmri

And don't forget to check out the Dick Smith Library on your favorite social networking sites:

Facebook
Twitter
Flickr
Foursquare

We look forward to seeing you at the conference!

Top Ten Tuesday - 10 Most Popular Social Networking Sites

2011-11-29T08:00:00.002-06:00

With the Texas Social Media Research Institute (TSMRI) having their conference this Friday, I thought I would share this list of the most popular social networking sites. You can read the entire list of fifteen and how they are ranked on this webpage. The library is using some of these social media sites. Click on the links to follow us!

Facebook - over 700,000,000 unique monthly visitors!
Twitter
LinkedIn
MySpace
Ning
Google Plus+
Tagged
Orkut
hi5
myyearbook

Do you use any other social media sites? Post a comment and share!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T11:05:00.000-06:00

The library will close today, Wednesday, November 23, at 5 PM. We will reopen on Sunday, November 27, at noon. Don't forget that you can access our catalog and databases 24 hours a day!

Have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Top 10 Amazing Databases

2011-11-21T22:01:00.003-06:00

Popular Science recently produced a list of 10 amazing databases. Here is their list and a link to the article describing the databases. http://tinyurl.com/42dcp43

1. The Combined DNA Index System
2. The Encyclopedia of Life
3. The Food and Agriculture Organization Database
4. The Genographic Project
5. The International Panel on Climate Change's Data Distribution Centre
6. The MD:Pro
7. OK Cupid's OKTrends
8. Sloan Digital Sky Survey Database
9. The Wayback Machine
10. Worldcat

NaNoWriMo 2011

2011-11-18T14:13:00.000-06:00

If you don't know what National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is, check out this post Thomas wrote about it last year. With slightly under two weeks left, a lot of NaNoWriMo participants have probably fallen behind, but there's still hope left! If you need help figuring out what to do next with your characters and story, there are resources on fiction writing at the library that might help you out. If you need help finding those resources, here are a few tips and links:

Good subject searches to try (or click on my links): "Fiction Authorship," "Fiction Technique"
Writer's Digest publishes works on writing, so try a General Keyword search for 'Writer's digest'
The library subscribes to several magazines on writing: Writer's Digest and The Writer
Try a subject search for "writer's block" in the library's catalog. One book you'll find this way is Writer's Block Busters: 101 Exercises to Clear the Deadwood and Make Room for Flights of Fancy by Velina Hasu Houston

Keep in mind that no one is grading you on your NaNoWriMo writing. Just try to write as much as you can each day, and remember that you can revise your work, if you'd like, after NaNoWriMo is over.

Good luck!

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-11-17T18:46:00.009-06:00

Frank Blazek, Tarleton Student Fall 1956

This week is International Week at Tarleton! Back in 1956 Tarleton student Frank Blazek had an interesting story. I mentioned him in my September 22, 2011 blog post but only stated that he was from Czechoslovakia.

The November 20, 1956 JTAC ran the above photo and a story of how Frank had escaped from Communist Czechoslovakia! It stated that Frank was born near Prague. When he was 11 the Communists jailed his father, an anti-communist leader. His father escaped in about a month and fled with his wife to Germany. Frank remained with his grandparents for 2 years before escaping. It took him and his sister 2 days to escape. They took a train to a small town near the German border and then they, disguised as workers, got on a bus bound for a workers dance. They and 6 others escaped from the dance and began walking. They walked all night and most of the next day before crossing the border. Frank explained that if they had been caught they would have been shot!

Frank lived a short time in Germany, then French Morocco with his parents. There he took up tennis and eventually became the winner of the Carmen Coupe tennis tournament over 4000 other participants! Then he came to the United States, first living in New York, and then attending Thomas Jefferson High School in New Jersey to learn English! After finishing at Thomas Jefferson he came to Tarleton! After graduating Tarleton Frank went to Texas A & M!

What a story!

Come by the library and see the great International and Study Abroad display in the foyer!

Ten Facts About Sleep

2011-11-15T00:01:00.004-06:00

With the end of Daylight Savings Time about ten days ago, I've been trying to re-adjust my body's internal clock. It seems to take me at least a week to adapt my sleeping when I travel across time zones or endure the switch to or from Daylight Savings Time.

I recently read and reviewed a book about sleep, and it was full of interesting information about the science and culture of sleep. Here are ten facts, all from sleep research, in no particular order:

People can partially awaken from REM (rapid eye movement, the deep) sleep, but they cannot move. REM muscle paralysis is carried over into wakefulness. This sleep paralysis goes away by itself after a few minutes, but can be frightening (page 11).
A person’s core body temperature drops to facilitate the onset of sleep. Body temperature is lowered by increasing blood circulation in the surface of our bodies. Since hands and feet have a large surface area, warm hands and feet are an unmistakable sign that the body is getting ready for sleep (pages 13-14).
Melatonin, a hormone released by the pineal gland that promotes sleep, is secreted starting in the late afternoon and early evening and reaches its peak while we are asleep. If we open our eyes and receive strong light impulses through the optic nerve, the pineal gland immediately stops producing melatonin, which causes us to awaken (page 14).
"Nap shops," where exhausted workers can rent a short-term sleeping space, are very popular in Japan (page 49).
Are you an early bird or a night owl? The next time you have the next day off (ideally, during a vacation or a break from school), write down what time you go to bed and when you get up the next day. Then determine your sleep midpoint by dividing the length of time you sleep in half. Early birds have sleep midpoints before 3 AM; night owls have sleep midpoints after 4 AM (page 63).
Insomnia is more likely to affect women than men (page 82).
Snoring is more frequent in men (page 83).
The ideal room temperature for sleep is between 59 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit (page 92).
Women who smell peppermint before going to bed sleep longer, with more SMS (slow wave sleep) and less REM sleep. Men did not experience the same effects, but said they felt more awake and refreshed in the morning. However, if the scent of peppermint is present all night long, it tends to awaken people from light (stage N1 and N2) sleep, making it difficult to fall asleep quickly (page 113).
Lavender, jasmine, and vanilla are soothing scents that can help you fall asleep and stay asleep, but can have undesirable side effects in the morning, such as with tasks involving physical exercise. (pages 112-113).

More facts about sleep: 16 Things You Didn't Know About Sleep (infographic)
and 60 Eye-Opening Facts About Sleep.

Expand your language skills with Mango Languages

2011-11-14T10:03:00.012-06:00

Celebrate International Education Week by learning a new language with Mango Languages. Access to the Mango Languages learning system is available from the library database page.

Mango is free to all Tarleton students, faculty, and staff.

The system is completely web-based and remotely accessible, so you can learn anywhere you have an internet connection.

You can start learning TODAY... no more waiting lists.

As you listen to and repeat after native speakers, you'll learn more than just words and phrases. You’ll learn how those pieces can be rearranged and combined to make new thoughts, new conversations, and even more practical communication! In no time at all, you'll be able to navigate all sorts of everyday situations — get directions, order a meal, make new friends — the possibilities are endless!
Bonne Semaine de l'éducation internationale!

Veterans Records

2011-11-11T10:35:00.003-06:00

With today being Veterans Day I thought I would share how easy it is to obtain copies of veteran's records from the National Archives. If you are a veteran or next of kin of a deceased veteran you can request a copy of their records online. Just watch this short video to see how to request the records and to learn how many requests are received each day: http://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2012/nr12-20.html

And thank to all of the veterans for your service and sacrifice.

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-11-10T17:32:00.012-06:00

Library Time Capsule - 1956

"The heart of a college or university is its library" - words spoken by Edmon Low, librarian at Oklahoma A & M College at the dedication of Tarleton's new library on November 9, 1956! Tarleton President E.J. Howell added that the library had grown from 5,000 volumes in 1920 to 40,000 in 1956! The new building, which is incorporated in the current reference and computer area of the main floor, had a capacity for 80,000 volumes!

The November 1956 dedication ceremony was followed by the sealing of the time capsule shown above in the foyer. Student Body President Don Wilkinson and Cadet Colonel John Boyson are shown.

The time capsule above was recovered by a former Tarleton staff member and the construction crew during the 1984 renovation. Opened in 1984, the time capsule was added to and resealed in the new foyer of the library - the current foyer across from the circulation desk.

During the 2006 renovation, the 1956/1984 time capsule was opened. Rather than adding to it, a new time capsule was built to hold addition items. Both the old and the new time capsules were sealed in the library!

Do you know where the library time capsules are located and when they will be opened again?

The library at your fingertips!

2011-11-09T11:41:00.000-06:00

Mobile Website

Use your smartphone/tablet to access the library! The library has a mobile website designed to work better for small wireless devices. The URL is http://www.tarleton.edu/m/library The mobile site gives you information about our hours, the services we offer, links for searching our catalog, and it even lets you search our most popular databases!

Additional there is a library catalog app available for both iPhone and Android smartphones! The app lets you:

Catalog App

Search our catalog
Find materials and put needed items on hold if they are not available
Log into your library account and renew items
Check your account information

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

Top Ten (+) Online Photo Ideas

2011-11-08T16:47:00.015-06:00

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, it may be prime time to think about photos -- what to do with them and ways to share them.

If you have photos and are stuck for ideas, check out the iLibrarian blog post "Top 17+ Things to do with Online Photos" by Ellyssa Kroski to learn ways you can create

--- music videos,
--- blog and social networking slideshows,
--- business cards, stickers, and postcards,
--- trading cards, badges, and posters,
--- online scrapbooks and coffee table books,
--- newsletters and brochures,
--- photo collages,
--- online portfolios,
--- comic strips, and
--- photo widgets.

You'll also find links to tools that will help you
--- edit and caption photos,
--- turn photos into cartoons, and
--- frame photos.

Check it out!

17th Century Social Media

2011-11-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and smartphones are today's social media; but in the 17th and 18th Centuries the written word in the form of letters and short notes, were social media. In the 17th Century public postal systems had come of age. Now it was possible for the ordinary citizen to communicate with others just as heads of state had been doing for years. This rise of the postal systems caused an explosion of letter writing. Voltaire wrote as many as 10 to 15 letters a day and dramatist Jean Racine complained of not being able to keep of with all of the letters. The equivalent of a full inbox. What was the subject of all of these letters? Not much, invitations to dinner, and OMG, did you hear about the king? One woman over the course of 26 years sent her daughter over 1,000 letters on the coming and goings in Paris.

Another form of writing much like Twitter today was les billets, little bits of paper with inflammatory words about politics that were thrown about in public. These little slips of paper were a way to organize uprisings and bypass government censors.

To learn more about these writings and the Mapping the Republic of Letters project see:http://news.stanford.edu/news/2011/november/old-social-media-110211.html

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-11-03T10:11:00.003-05:00

Aerial View of Campus ca 1959-62

Still a familiar building on campus, Davis Hall is seen just behind the library in the upper right corner of the photo above! The former boy's dorm was named for Tarleton Dean (President) J. Thomas Davis.

The November 3, 1936 JTAC states that Davis Hall was named J. Thomas Davis Hall by T.O. Walton, the President of A & M College. It states that credit for growth of the college was given to Dean Davis. He was born in Heard County, Georgia, then moved to Sun Mountain, Alabama. At age 14 his family moved to Texas where he attended the rural schools in Denton County, then entered North Texas Normal in 1902.

When Dean Davis came to Tarleton in 1919 there were only 300 students, five buildings, and 11 regular teachers. Seventy five years ago, when Davis Hall was named for Dean Davis, there were about 1050 students, 20 buildings, and over 70 faculty members!

Gabe Lewis, John Tarleton Agricultural College registrar in 1936, stated that Dean Davis was a great man and one that deserved all the honors which had been bestowed upon him! Dean Davis was a member of many educational organizations, both state and national, as well as the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce and the West Texas Chamber of Commerce!

Just look at us now! Way to go Tarleton!

11022011 Happy Palindrome Day

2011-11-02T11:14:00.003-05:00

Today's date is a palindrome. A palindrome is a word, phrase, number, or other unit that can be read the same way in either direction. Today's date is special because it is a rare eight-digit palindrome, of which there are only twelve this century. It is also special because this is the last time 11022011 will occur in all four digit years.

For you math types out there; 11022011 equals 7 x 7 x 11 x 11 x 11 x 13 x 13, that is, the product of seven square, eleven cube, and thirteen square where numbers seven, eleven, and thirteen are three consecutive prime numbers. There are even more palindromes in all of this math, see http://www.upbeacon.net/opinion/views-from-the-bluff/nov-2-2011-is-a-one-of-a-kind-palindrome-1.2619349 For more information and less math see: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/11/happy-palindrome-day.html

Chills and thrills for your Halloween

2011-10-31T09:12:00.001-05:00

It's finally time for one of my favorite days of the year! The library has lots of things to help you get in the mood for Halloween - I've listed some suggestions below.

Books:

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith - For those of you who prefer your classics to be filled with blood and gore. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy make a great zombie-killing team.
The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror 2007 edited by Ellen Datlow, Kelly Link, and Gavin J. Grant - If you can't decide what you want to read, try an anthology.
Late Victorian Gothic Tales edited by Roger Luckhurst - Another anthology.
Three Vampire Tales edited by Anne Williams - Polidori's The Vampyre, Le Fanu's Carmilla, and Stoker's Dracula - lots of fun for those who prefer their vampires not to sparkle.
Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King - We have lots of other books by King, too.
The Sandman series by Neil Gaiman - An occasionally creepy and unsettling graphic novel series.

DVDs:

Poltergeist - Ghosts!
Perfect Blue - Not quite ready for checkout yet, but this one might be a good fit for those who find themselves missing Halloween after it's over. It's an animated psychological thriller about a Japanese pop star who's being terrorized by an overzealous fan.
Lost, The Complete First Season - Not horror, but this one might be a good choice for those who'd like a few strange and creepy moments without the risk of nightmares.

J-TAC Digitization Project

2011-10-28T10:40:00.007-05:00

Revisit Tarleton’s Past online through the J-TAC Newspaper Archive.

Begun in 2005 with the goal of creating online access to the J-TAC collection, the project’s first phase was completed in 2011 when the 1919-2007 issues were published on The Portal to Texas History.

A gift of $1,000 from The Friends of the Dick Smith Library helped the library raise the $25,000 required to complete this phase of the digitization project.

J-TAC issues for 2008-2011 will be added to the online collection in the near future.

To search the J-TAC Archive:
1. Go to the Dick Smith Library home page (http://www.tarleton.edu/library).
2. Click on the “Databases” link.
3. Click on the “J-TAC Newspaper Archive” link.
a. You can browse issues by year or
b. Use the “Advanced Search” feature to search for topics, by time period, etc.

You can view the slideshow presentation of 1919-2007 J-TAC articles in the Library Lobby or by following this link to the Prezi - http://prezi.com/dhqghfenxnjo/j-tac-digitization-project/

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-10-27T19:50:00.005-05:00

Spirits of Erath Cemetery Walk

Sunday October 30, 2011, 2 pm

West End Cemetery

The fourth annual Spirits of Erath Cemetery Walk, sponsored by the Friends of the Dick Smith Library and the Friends of the Stephenville Public Library, will be held across the street Sunday October 30, 2011, at 2 pm. Admission $5 per person.

Did you ever wonder what things were like in early Stephenville? A good way to find out some interesting tidbits about our area's past is to come to the cemetery walk! "Spirits" from Stephenville's past are portrayed by actors in period dress and provide guests with an entertaining afternoon!

The above photo shows the Higginbotham dealership.....quite a difference between the cars of the early 1900s and the cars of today! Willis Higginbotham owned the Stephenville dealership shown above! Our own Dr. Don Zelman, and Lori Larue will be portraying Mr. and Mrs. Higginbotham in the Spirits Walk Sunday afternoon, along with several other familiar faces you won't want to miss!

Come join us in bringing our local history to life!

Meet Our Staff: Danni King

2011-10-26T11:32:00.001-05:00

Danni King
Graduate Assistant
254-968-9249
danni.webb@go.tarleton.edu
Reference & Information Desk
Dick Smith Library – Main Floor

I began working at the Dick Smith Library as a student worker in August of 2006, also my freshman year here at Tarleton, in the Processing/Cataloging Department. I worked at the library until December 2009, and began my semester of student teaching in January 2010. I graduated from Tarleton with my Bachelor of Science in Education in May 2010. I began graduate school in January of 2011 and began working at the library in February, this time as the Reference Desk Graduate Assistant. I work at the Information desk on the main floor and do my best to answer the patron's questions. I'm also becoming a master at un-jamming the printers. I'm pursuing my MED (Masters of Education) degree in School Counseling with the LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) option. I hope to graduate in the spring of 2013.

I will have been married two years this December, and my husband not only graduated from Tarleton, but he works here as well in the HVAC department. We have five dachshunds, and we spend most of our time chasing after them. We enjoy going to the movies, traveling, and playing outside with our crazy dogs. I also enjoy cooking, baking, and photography. I love to read and couldn't possibly think of just one favorite book, there are just too many to name!

Top 10 Pumpkin Dessert Recipes

2011-10-25T15:59:00.003-05:00

As Halloween and other holidays approach, pumpkins are always a popular decoration and delicious treat. If you are looking for a new idea for dessert instead of serving the same old pumpkin pie, give these top 10 pumpkin recipes a try.

Top 10 Pumpkin Dessert Recipes Taste of Home Recipes

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-10-20T18:23:00.004-05:00

Charles & Garnett Froh

Did you know that Charles Froh, an accomplished musician, was the head of Fine Arts at Tarleton from 1910 to 1950! My blog post September 9, 2010 was about Charles Froh. Charles had, at the time he retired, the longest tenure of any Tarleton faculty member!

Charles Froh's younger brother Garnett was a also a professor of music at Tarleton but only taught 11 years. He died in 1932 at the young age of 39. Not only was Garnett Froh an accomplished musician, he was also an artist and completed over 500 paintings! One of his paintings, of Tarleton's first women's dorm, is hanging in the stairway of Hunewell dorm!

The Froh brothers were well known musical pairs in this area and often gave musical entertainments to the Tarleton faculty and students! The Froh brothers built a department of music that was recognized all over the state! Because of their contribution to Tarleton and the area, the 1933 Grassburr was dedicated to Charles & Garnett Froh.

Come to the Spirits of Erath Cemetery Walk across the street on Sunday afternoon October 30, 2011 at 2 pm and find out more about the Froh brothers and many other local "spirits"! Cost is $5 per person for an entertaining afternoon! You might recognize some of them!

Tarleton History: J-TAC & Grassburr yearbooks

2011-10-19T11:48:00.016-05:00

With homecoming just around the corner, it seems like a good time to re-post some information about ways to look up Tarleton State University history -- specifically how to locate J-TAC issues (online and print) and copies of the Grassburr yearbook:

J-TAC student newspaper (online) -- Created through a Dick Smith Library project and made available via UNT's Portal to Texas History.
-- You can use this direct link to the J-TAC (1919-2009) at the portal.
---- Browse issues by year.
---- Use the "Advanced Search" feature to search for topics, by time period, etc.

You can also go to the Portal of Texas History.
-- Enter JTAC in the search box & choose title from the drop-down menu.
-- Click "Submit."
-- Browse issues or finesse your search using the "Advanced Search" features.

J-TAC student newspaper (microfilm) -- Photo negatives of print issues are available in Dick Smith Library's in-house collections.
-- in Periodicals Collection (library's main level)
---- Use the library's new microform scanner to read, print, and save copies of articles/pages.

Grassburr yearbooks
-- Call number LD5271.T35G7
---- Limited Collection (lower level) houses the most complete set. In-house use only.
---- Curriculum Collection (lower level) yearbooks. Can be checked out.

Top Ten Halloween Movies for Younger Kids

2011-10-18T17:31:00.003-05:00

It's easy to find a list of horror movies to watch for Halloween, but hard to find something in proper Halloween spirit that doesn't cause so many nightmares. The top ten for younger folks are:
1. The Nightmare Before Christmas
2. Daffy Duck's Quackbusters
3. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
4. The Addams Family
5. Corpse Bride
6. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial
7. Cinderella
8. Beetlejuice
9. The Monster Squad
10. Ghostbusters

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/10/top-10-halloween-movies-for-younger-kids-geekdad-re-animator-2/

Al Capone Convicted Today in 1931

2011-10-17T13:40:00.003-05:00

Today in 1931 the notorious gangster Al Capone was finally convicted of a crime. For years law enforcement authorities had been trying to convict Capone for crimes he either committed or were committed in his name. He was believed to be the person who ordered the Valentines Day Massacre. In 1930 he was indited on income tax evasion charges. He is attributed with saying "The income tax law is a lot of bunk. The government can't collect legal taxes from illegal money." It took the jury 9 hours to convict Capone of three felonies and two misdemeanors. He was sentenced to serve 11 years in prison and pay $80,000 in fines and court costs. A small price to pay for someone who was Public Enemy Number One. Part of Capone's time would be served in the new Alcatraz prison. For more information see this link:http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/todays-doc/

Fun Halloween Facts

2011-10-14T13:54:00.004-05:00

Have you ever wondered why we celebrate Halloween? Where did the idea come from? Why do we carve pumpkins? Since Halloween is right around the corner, I thought a fun Friday post would be about the origins and facts surrounding our common day celebration of Halloween.

According to the website, holidayinsights.com, “Halloween's roots can be traced back to Celtic culture in Ireland. According to their "Druid" religion, November 1st was New Years' on their calendar. The celebration would begin on October 31st and last into the following day. The spirits of all who died in the prior year would rise up and roam the earth on this night…The Irish carved Turnips and put coals or small candles inside. They were placed outside their homes on All Hallow's Eve to ward off evil spirits. They were also known to use potatoes and Rutabagas. When Irish Immigrants came to America, they quickly discovered that Jack O'Lanterns were much easier to carve out and began using them. This truly neat tradition quickly spread to the general population in America and elsewhere”.

If you would like to learn more about Halloween and the traditions surrounding it, you can check out the following books that we have here at the Dick Smith Library:

Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night
GT4965.R634

A Little Book of Halloween
GT4965.S45

Death Makes a Holiday: A Cultural History of Halloween
GT4965.S58 2002

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-10-13T09:46:00.004-05:00

Spirits of Erath Cemetery Walk

Sunday October 30, 2011

2 PM

The Friends of the Tarleton Dick Smith Library and the Friends of the Stephenville Public Library are having their annual Spirits of Erath Cemetery Walk across the street at the West End Cemetery on Sunday afternoon October 30, 2011 at 2 PM. The cost is only $5. per person and is an entertaining afternoon!

People in Stephenville's history are portrayed by actors and actresses in period costumes giving short vignettes of the past! This year we have a doctor, a cotton ginner, businessmen and women, a lawyer, musicians, artists, and we will even have some "special" entertainment not listed on the flyer! For more information call Glenda Stone, here in the library, at 968-9871.

The Spirits Walk is a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Hope to see you there!

Bird calls

2011-10-12T05:24:00.000-05:00

Through Birds of North America Online, you can listen to a huge variety of bird calls. Here are a few strange, interesting, and/or eerie ones I've come across. Enjoy!

Meet Our Staff: Lisa Blackwell

2011-10-10T00:01:00.001-05:00

Lisa Blackwell
Off-Campus Librarian
817-732-7300 x7315
blackwell@tarleton.edu
Texan Hall Library, Room 445, Hickman Building, 4th floor, Fort Worth

I began working as the Off-Campus Librarian on September 1, 2011. I have been working in the Texan Hall Library and the Medical Laboratory Sciences library as a graduate student since February 2010. I provide reference and research services to students, faculty, and staff, as well as give presentations of library resources to classes. I work with librarians at the Dick Smith Library to market and promote library services to our off-campus students and faculty in the Southwest Metroplex. I love being a librarian, and one of my most favorite occasions is when a student has an “Ah-ha!” moment while doing research.

My library career started as a “Superseder” (a person who replaces the old material in legal materials with the new, updated materials) at the Duke Law School Library after my graduation from Baylor University. I loved being in the library and decided that my career path would be to become a librarian. I earned my Master in Library Science from North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas). I have worked mostly at university and law school libraries doing cataloging, acquisitions, and reference. I earned my most recent degree, Master of Education in Counseling, from Tarleton (all on the Southwest Metroplex campus) in August 2011. I will become a Licensed Professional Counselor and counsel adults in my time outside of the library.

I love being with my children whenever they are home, but my daughter and youngest son are at college back east; my oldest son has graduated from college and lives in San Antonio. I enjoy cooking, hiking, hunting with my significant other, and singing in my church choir. Whenever I get the chance to travel, I enjoy visiting friends in Durham, Chicago, and the tiny Appalachian coal mining town of Grundy, Virginia, all places that my family and I have lived.

Stephenville ISD banned books!

2011-10-07T17:35:00.000-05:00

Although Banned Books Week is over, I did a little research on banned and challenged books. I saw many that I had read. The Grapes of Wrath and Catch-22 are two of them. I feel like such a rebel! (I have been known to be a bit on the conservative side.)

I was quite astonished to find that here in our little town, there have been books banned! Not challenged... but BANNED! I had no idea! I should really keep up with the news more.

Check out the links to find out what books have been banned, and why. What do you think?

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/sep/28/aclu-accuses-stephenville-isd-banning-books/

http://aclutx.org/files/FREE%20PEOPLE%20READ%20FREELY%20-%20available%20to%20public%2009.26%20revised.pdf

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-10-06T09:06:00.010-05:00

John Tarleton College - October 1908

Over 100 years ago the 10th session of John Tarleton College, 1908-09, was the most prosperous in the school's history! Enrollment reached 287 - tuition had doubled - the $15,000 girls' dorm, Mary Corn Wilkerson, was built - and there were 16 graduates!

In 1908-09 the campus consisted of 8 acres with natural grass lawns and shade trees! There were 3 basketball courts and 2 tennis courts. The athletic field was equiped for high jumping, vaulting, hurdle racing, etc. The baseball and football field had a grandstand and was enclosed by a picket & board fence. There was also a bath house equipped with dressing room, showers, and lockers!

The Athletic Association was composed of John Tarleton College students and faculty and directed all athletic events. To participate in athletics, the player had to be a bonafide student in good standing. John Tarleton College was a charter member of the West Texas College League which controlled intercollegiate meets. The West Texas College League had rigid rules which required high morals and scholarship for all participants!

Shown above is a John Tarleton College track meet in October 1908! It shows the field, the grandstand, and the board fence!

We have come a long way in the last 100+ years!

Cross Timbers Historic Images Project, Dick Smith Library.

John Tarleton College Bulletin, 1908-09.

Your learning philosophy

2011-10-05T06:08:00.003-05:00

"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." -Alvin Toffler

I gave a library tour to a class recently. At the end of the tour, the instructor asked her students to write down information about several of the locations we had just visited. She also asked them to write down their philosophy of learning.

This really got my attention, and has been residing in the back of my mind ever since.

I'm a former public school teacher. As part of student-teaching (and, later, job-hunting) we all dutifully recorded our philosophy of teaching.

But no one had ever asked me about my philosophy of learning. What could be more important?

How do you learn best?

What are some of your positive and negative learning experiences?

What is YOUR philosophy of learning?

Stories and Tales of Halloween

2011-10-02T20:41:00.003-05:00

It's almost that time of year, to read tales and stories of Halloween, to name a few:

The Legend of Sleepy Hallow, by Washington Irving
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson
The Raven, by Edgar Allen Poe
Rip Van Winkle, by Washington Irving
Ulalume, by Edgar Allen Poe

http://www.halloween.com/halloween-stories.php

Banned Books Week

2011-09-30T16:53:00.000-05:00

The Dick Smith Library's 2011 "Banned Books Week" Display

This is "Banned Books Week" in the United States, September 24 through October 1. It really should be called "Challenged Books Week," because not that many books are actually banned. Many books are challenged in schools and libraries in the United States each year. A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, while a banning reflects the actual removal of those materials. The American Library Association (ALA) tracks challenges that occur, recording 348 challenges in 2010 (the fewest since 1990). However, the ALA estimates that this number reflects only 20-25% of actual challenges, as many are not reported.

You might want to check out this interesting infographic about the top ten challenged books of 2010, or join the Banned Books Week Virtual Read-Out on YouTube.

[photo above and the others at the link on the caption by Tracy Holtman; the display was put together by Rashelle Hansen and Sharon Alexander.]

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-09-29T19:08:00.008-05:00

Parent's Day at Tarleton!

This weekend is family weekend at Tarleton! Our campus will be filled with many of our students and their families! This is a long standing tradition at Tarleton. The 1926 Grassburr first mentions Parent's Day, which was held in conjunction with May Fete! This annual event went on well into the 1990's without too much change. The May Fete was discontinued and Parent's Day was moved from the spring to the fall, and became Parent's Weekend. Always a highlight of May Fete/Parent's Day/Parent's Weekend was the selection of a queen, as shown in the 1966 J-TAC above! Take a look at the old Grassburrs in the library to see how the "queen" fashions have changed over the last 75+ years!

The February 23, 1995 J-TAC reports that Rusty Jergins, Dean of Students, was working toward revamping Parent's Weekend to support a mix of gender and a balance of traditional and non-traditional age students. As a result, we have the Family Weekend as we know today. It is nice to know that Parent's/Family/Day/Weekend is such a long standing event at Tarleton!

We hope that you attend the Family Weekend activities this weekend......you might even see the library staff and our Friends of the library participating! Come out and let the library staff serve you some delicious lemonade............and while you're there purchase a Tarleton Traditions book for $5 and a Friends' book bag for $4!

See you Saturday!

October is American Archives Month

2011-09-28T13:43:00.004-05:00

Did you know that October is American Archives month? American Archives Month is a collaborative effort by professional organizations and repositories around the nation to highlight the importance of records of enduring value.

Whether or not you realize it, you probably have an archive in your home. This is your personal archives: a collection of material that records important events from your family’s history. This collection can include letters, photos, scrapbooks, important documents.

At Tarleton, the archives are located in the Dick Smith Library. Collections in the archive include the Charles W. Stenholm Congressional papers, C. Richard King papers, Richard Thompson papers, Randall Popken papers, and the state Senatorial papers of Mike Moncrief, to name a few. The University Archives are also housed in the Dick Smith Library. Collections in the University Archives include the papers of presidents and university committees, photographs, the J-Tac, Grassburrs, and the Cross Timbers Historic Images Project.

The W. K. Gordon Center for Industrial History of Texas, in Thurber also houses archival and manuscript collections. Collections at the Center the records of the Texas Pacific Coal and Oil Company, which includes reports on the mines and maps of the mines. Other collections at the Center relate to the town of Thurber and its citizens. These collections contain personal papers and photographs.

For more information about the archives contact the Collections Archivist, Gary Spurr at spurr@tarleton.edu of 254-968-1808.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Children's Books Writers

2011-09-27T10:41:00.005-05:00

As I was searching Top-ten-list.org, I found a list of the top ten children’s books writers. I noticed that several students have been checking out children’s literature for class projects so I thought this would be an interesting blog post to share. The library actually has items from all of the authors mentioned; just click on their name and the link will take you to their items in the library catalog!

According to the Top-ten-list.org website, the following authors are the top ten children’s books writers:

1. Kevin Henkes
2. Patricia Polacco
3. Eric Carle
4. Beatrix Potter
5. E.B. White
6. Margaret Wise Brown
7. Maurice Sendak
8. Shel Silverstein
9. Dr. Seuss
10. Chris Van Allsburg

Library Printing Tip: PowerPoint Slides with Dark Backgrounds

2011-09-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

It's easier to take notes and use highlighters on printed PowerPoint slides that use dark text on light backgrounds. What do you do, though, when you're at the library and the PowerPoint you need to print has light text on a dark background?

Go to File > Print. Before you hit the "Print" button, change the Settings from "Color" to "Grayscale." You should see the colors on the Print Preview on the right flip from the original light text on a dark background to dark text on a light background.

Not only will the printed slides now be easier to mark up, they'll also have used less printer toner. If you'd like to be even more economical (yay, go you!), change the "Full page slides" setting to "3 slides" or more.

Lowest percentage of young workers since WWII!

2011-09-23T06:00:00.003-05:00

I just read an article about how we have the lowest percentage of young Americans working since World War II. It was eye opening!

Young people have been conditioned that if you do well in school, go to college, and get a degree or certificate, you will be able to find a great job, make lots of money, and live the American dream. It is very disheartening to graduate and then find a job that pays minimum wage or just above minimum when you just worked your butt off for 4, 5, or 6 years.

Read the article to find out what they say about it. Many people are moving back in with their parents. There were some interesting comments below the article, take a moment and read them. Now is the time to plan for a job. Are they hiring in your field? What can you do with your degree? What are you going to do if you can't find a job?

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/battered-downturn-young-americans-put-off-adulthood-160406776.html

For further reading, see if you can find Adam Shepard's book, Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream. I'm sorry to say that the library does not own a copy of the book, but you can get it through interlibrary loan.

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-09-22T13:23:00.012-05:00

Tarleton Connections Abroad - 50+ years ago!

Do you suppose that Dick Smith knew and visited with 1956/57 Tarleton student Frank Blazek from Czechoslovakia! Frank is shown above with his hand on the world! You will recognize the library globe, a gift from the class of 1946-47, which is currently located in the Special Collections area on the lower level!

Dr. Dick Smith, our library namesake, spent three months in Europe during the summer of 1961, and part of the time in Czechoslovakia! It was his fourth trip to Europe! That summer, fifty years ago, Dr. Smith took a casual, off the beaten path, tour of Europe. He visited lesser traveled areas of Italy, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Germany, France, and England!

In Italy, Dr. Smith had an extraordinarily good time in Bologna visiting the ancient University of Bologna, a center of legal training in the Middle Ages. He saw rare illuminated manuscripts from the 9th century in their library!

From Trieate, Italy, Dr. Smith took a four day freighter trip down the Adriatic coast to Yugoslavia's medieval town Dubrovnik. He was a guest at an educational conference with professors and students from forty different countries.

In Budapest and Prague Dr. Smith visited historical sights and famous art museums. In Vienna, he accidently met Rev. Kenneth Pope who had visited the Tarleton campus during Religious Emphasis Week several years prior!

While in the Austrian Alps, Dr. Smith stayed in a resort hotel that had been a political prison during the 15th century! During his stay in Germany he was a guest of a baroness in her medieval mansion, and visited fine arts museums and attended the opera in Munich! On Dr. Dick Smith's return home he stopped over in Paris and London!

Wow, what a trip our namesake made 50 years ago!

J-TAC, September 19, 1961.

Meet Our Staff: Leslie Newcomb

2011-09-21T08:53:00.000-05:00

Leslie Newcomb
Administrative Assistant
254-968-9246
lnewcomb@tarleton.edu
Dick Smith Library – Upper Level – room 201

I began working at the Dick Smith Library on September 1, as the Administrative Assistant. In this position, I also serve as Student Worker Coordinator for the library. If you are a student and are interested in working for the library, come see me on the upper level administrative office, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, and fill out an application.

Two years ago I began working for Tarleton at the W.K. Gordon Center in Thurber. Some of my responsibilities there included welcoming guests, answering questions about area history, and providing museum information; and assisting with gift shop management.

I began officially volunteering at the Ranger City Library during 2009, after occasionally helping out since 2006 and working closely with the librarian on many other projects, both for the library and for outside interests.

When I have spare time I enjoy reading and watching movies. I have a future goal of learning how to and actually enjoying cooking.

One last thing...

2011-09-16T15:28:00.001-05:00

It’s funny how we as Americans often define ourselves by ourwork. Telling someone “I’m an accountant” or “I work with kids” will give acertain kind of message, and they will assume certain things about you.

On Monday, September 19, I’ll be leaving this country tostudy for my Master of Arts in Information Studies at the University ofBrighton. I’m doing this so I can continue to further my career in libraries.

Though I’ve only ever worked in one library, I can honestlysay that it’s the best place I’ve ever been employed so far. The reason forthis is simple: librarians (and other information professionals who work inlibraries) happen to be the friendliest, kindest, most generous people I haveyet to encounter.

I’m not sure where my future will take me, or where I’ll beworking in a year, five years, or thirty. I know one thing, however: if I’mworking with library professionals I’ll be associated with the best possiblecompany.

The staff of Dick Smith Library will each hold a piece of myheart. I love them all, and I’ll never forget how they’ve enriched my life forthe past five years.

Thank you!

Thomas Schilb

P.S. I’ve attached pictures from my last two displays.Enjoy!

Constitution Day

2011-09-16T11:57:00.002-05:00

Constitution Day - Find out more!

On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time to sign the document they had created. Since the anniversary is actually tomorrow, it is celebrated today September 16th. We encourage everyone to observe this important day in our nation's history by attending local events. There is a brown bag lunch today in library's multi-purpose room. Free Pizza!

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-09-15T17:56:00.006-05:00

20th Anniversary of the

Friends of the Dick Smith Library

We have reached a milestone! This month is the 20th anniversary of our Friends of the Dick Smith Library! The first membership meeting for our Friends group was held on Dick Smith's birthday, September 9, 1991 in the library multipurpose room! The group had humble beginnings - besides the organizing committee, only 4 people attended. Mrs. Ivy Lou Cleveland, shown on the left in the photo above, was one of the attendees. Mrs. Nedra Maddox, on the right above, was also an early member. The Friends had a bank balance of $290.64 the fall of 1991 from bake sales and the sell of aluminum cans!

The Friends group, even though small in number, started a number of events that still exist today! The first book sale was held in 1992, and the first Dinner in the Stacks was held October 1993 with Tarleton's Major William Brown speaking on the Civil War and 96 in attendance! In addition, the Friends of the Dick Smith Library co-sponsored with the Friends of the Stephenville Public Library a genealogy workshop with Salt Lake City's Ron Bremer in October 1993 with almost 100 in attendance, and co-sponsored with the Erath County Genealogical Society a program by Lady Jeanne Luckahoo on Pocahontas!

It was several years before the group officially elected officers. Dr. Ann Albrecht was elected president in October 1997. By that time the Friends had $4125. in their account! They continued to have book sales and dinners. Money was also obtained by memberships. Soon they had enough to create an endowment! In 2009 a business membership category was created.

The Friends have purchased popular titles, display cases, art, a map case, and furnishings for the Local History Room, replaced worn Stephenville Empire Tribune microfilm, and provided the seed money to digitize the JTAC! They are truly Friends of the Library!

This Saturday night we will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Friends of the Dick Smith Library with Dinner in the Stacks, featuring Sherri Knight and James Pylant and their new book "The Oldest Profession in Texas, a History of Waco's Legal Red Light District"! Information about the dinner can be found on the library website!

100 Years Ago in America

2011-09-13T15:50:00.002-05:00

Well, maybe it's not 100 years ago today, but still interesting. Lots of changes.

http://www.rense.com/general70/100yrs.htm

See The Supernova This Week

2011-09-12T09:15:00.002-05:00

This week features rare treat to see a supernova. No, we are not talking about a souped up Chevy, but a star that has burnt out. This supernova is only 21 million light years away. When compared to most supernovas that are 1 to 4 billion light years away, this one is really close in an astronomical sense.

The star is a Type 1a supernova used to calibrate distances in space is known as SN 2100fe is expected to peek in brightness the first part of this week. Because of its closeness to Earth and its brightness, it should be visible using a good pair of binoculars. To find the star look in the northern sky just after sunset. Find the Big Dipper, then look above the last 2 stars in the handle and it will be above it forming an equilateral triangle.

For a chart to assist you in fining the star go to :http://www.popastro.com/news/newsdetail.php?id_nw=67

For more information see this link: http://www.science.tamu.edu/articles/829

Remembering 9/11

2011-09-09T11:35:00.004-05:00

If you didn't realize, Sunday marks a decade since the tragic events of 9/11. In honor of this event, the library has a "Remembering 9/11" display in the foyer. The two sided exhibit features photos, books, and other information as well as original art from Tarleton staff member Alan Magnani. Come by the library to check it out or view pictures of the display on our Flickr page.

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-09-08T09:59:00.004-05:00

"Girls Happy in Classy New Dump Without Beds!"

Seventy five years ago, in September 1936, Tarleton girls were welcomed to the new school year by a new dorm - Lotta Moody! My blog post June 16, 2011 told about the new construction and additions to the women's dorm, and included a map of the area.

The September 19, 1936 J-TAC reported that the new girls' dormitory had been open since the beginning of school, but that most of the rooms only had two mattresses! Furniture was coming in a piece at a time every day or so! Even though the girls didn't have beds they were quite fond of their new living quarters!

The new dorm had hardwood floors, showers, tile floors in the baths, two closets to each room and built-in radiators, and staircase. The girls were very proud of their new home which had the appearance of a modern hotel!

Of course some of the girls were still in the old halls, but to compensate them for not being in the new dorm, their furniture, walls, and floors were refinished, giving the entire building a new and attractive appearance! All the girls were refraining from scratching or writing on the walls and furniture. They didn't even hang up pictures on the "new" walls. They, of course, were helped along with their good intentions by being subject to fines for defacement, but they were very proud of their new quarters and had a great attitude!

Have a great semester!

Timewasters

2011-09-07T05:30:00.000-05:00

I know everybody's busy right now, but sometimes a (short!) break is just the thing. If you're tired of Facebook games, add some variety with these:

Knoword - A game that tests your vocabulary and spelling abilities. The default seems to be Canadian/British spellings, so be sure to click on the dropdown menu on the top right of the screen and select "English (U.S.)" for your language, unless you'd like an extra level of difficulty.
Ancient Lives - The best thing about this one is that you'll actually be doing something useful. The Ancient Lives project allows people with no knowledge of Greek to help decipher Greek text on bits of papyrus. There are lots of similar projects, like Galaxy Zoo, Planet Hunters, Foldit, and EteRNA, but this is the only one I've tried very often. Ancient Lives doesn't require you to sign up for an account or install anything, but some of the others do.

Top 10 Skills You Need to Succeed at Anything?

2011-09-06T16:08:00.002-05:00

Our loyal followers know that today is 10 Top Tuesday! Yippee! Woohoo! Because of the Labor Day holiday though my brain skipped a beat and I thought it was Monday, so... I didn't have a Top 10 post ready, but now I do!

I found this list on lifehack.org and thought it warranted a second look. Ten skills to help you succeed at almost anything... this is going to be good!
Check it out!

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-skills-you-need-to-succeed-at-almost-anything.html

Today is.... "Read a book day!"

2011-09-06T09:03:00.006-05:00

I personally have never heard of this holiday, and there is not much information out there about it. But, what a great way to spend a day! Maybe it should be read "anything" today! Or, read "something" today?

Why not take some time out and read today? It's going to be a great day outside; take a book out and read on your break. Inhale that pre-fall air, get into the spirit of school and read something today.

Check out the following article about "Read a book day."

http://www.examiner.com/holidays-in-national/it-s-read-a-book-day-celebrate-with-a-good-read

Blogger is getting a makeover

2011-09-02T07:08:00.000-05:00

For those of you who blog, Google recently announced changes to Blogger's interface. You can gradually opt in to the new interface, rather than being confused by an unexpected change in Blogger's look and feel.

More information here:
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/bloggers-fresh-new-look.html

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-09-01T09:42:00.003-05:00

"It doesn't look like much now, but someday it will be the science auditorium!"

That's what the 1961 Grassburr stated about the new addition to the science building! So, fifty years ago the Tarleton students began the 1961/62 school year with a new science auditorium! The March 7, 1961 J-TAC reported that the new addition was almost complete. The seating had been installed and only adjustments to the heating and air conditioning system, which automatically provided even temperatures, needed to be made! The new addition could have been used a short time during the spring and summer of 1961, but welcomed in the 1961/62 school year.

The 2,617 square foot science auditorium was added to the existing science building in response to a shortage of classroom space. It was to be used not only for the sciences, but was also used by other departments as well for their large lecture classes. Classes were held in the auditorium from then until the 1990s.

Groundbreaking for our new state of the art science building was held in February 1999. After its completion the old science building was renovated and is now the math building. The old science auditorium area can still be seen but has taken on a more "modern" look!

We welcome you to the new school year and hope that you have a great college experience!

Sign Up TODAY for a TexShare Card

2011-08-31T13:21:00.007-05:00

The TexShare card program is a reciprocal borrowing program across the state of Texas. You can take your TexShare Card to any participating library and check out materials at no cost.

Current Tarleton students, faculty, and staff may request a free TexShare card at the circulation desk in Stephenville or by using the online request form.

With a TexShare Card, you can:

Expand your access to more resources
Excel in learning
Extend your borrowing privileges to hundreds of Texas libraries
Encourage more reciprocal borrowing agreements between institutions

Top Ten Tuesday: Donated Audiobooks

2011-08-30T00:01:00.019-05:00

Besides purchasing a few new audiobooks each year, the library also receives a number of donations from our various "road warriors" - faculty and staff that commute a good distance to work in Stephenville, or to teach classes there and in Weatherford, Fort Worth, and/or Waco as well! Here, in no particular order, are twelve (not just ten!) recently-donated audiobooks (click the titles to check availability):

Undone by Karin Slaughter
The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell
Black Hills by Nora Roberts
The Alexandria Link by Steve Berry
The 6th Target by James Patterson
7th Heaven by James Patterson
A Painted House by John Grisham
A Chance to Make History by Wendy Kopp
The Wave by Susan Casey
Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark
Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm (a 2011 Newbery Honor Book)
The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin (National Book Awards 2006 Young People's Literature Finalist)

Donations of gently-used audiobooks on CDs are gratefully accepted - all we need are the discs and the original box they came in! We'll take care of putting the audiobook in a sturdy plastic case, with protective sleeves for each disc.

Welcome Back!

2011-08-29T09:50:00.000-05:00

The Dick Smith Library staff is here to help you have a great semester! Library hours are:

Monday - Thursday 7:00 am - 12:00 am
Friday 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm - 12:00 am

We will be closed this coming weekend and next Monday, September 5, for Labor Day.

Top Ten Tuesday: New Audiobooks!

2011-08-23T13:11:00.001-05:00

The library recently acquired a number of new audiobooks, for you commuters out there! Here, in no particular order, are ten of them (click the titles to check availability):

1. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - RC265.6 .L24 S55 2010B - 2011 Audie Award winner for Nonfiction. This is the true story of a black woman whose cancer cells, taken from her in 1951 for research, are still alive today.

2. Half Broke Horses - PS3623 .A3644 H35 2009 - 2010 Audie Award nominee for Narration by the Author(s). Jeannette Walls writes about her rollicking grandmother in Texas and Arizona in the early 1900s. This is a prequel of sorts to Walls' memoir The Glass Castle.

3. Shanghai Girls - PS3569 .E3334 S53 2009 - Historical fiction set in Shanghai and California from 1937 to 1957, sisters Pearl and May escape China shortly after the Japanese invade, into arranged marriages with Chinese emigrants in Los Angeles. Lisa See's meticulous research paints a moving portrait of immigration and sisterhood.
4. A Confederacy of Dunces - PS3570 .O54 C66 1997 - Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1981, this hilarious tale of an overeducated and underemployed misfit in New Orleans is full of wacky characters and funny subplots.

5. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - PS3606 .O737 H68 2009B - Set in Seattle, in 1942 and 1986, Chinese-American Henry remembers in flashbacks his Japanese-American classmate Keiko, whose family was interred during World War II. The book was inspired by the finding of belongings of interees in the basement of Seattle's Panama Hotel.

6. The Falls - PS3565 .A8 F355 2004B - A multi-generational family saga set in Niagara Falls, beginning in the 1950s, continuing through the early 1960s and the mythical precursor to the real Love Canal case, then jumping ahead to the late 1970s.

7. Cutting for Stone - PS3622 .E744 C87 2009B - Orphaned by their mother, an Indian nun, and abandoned by their father, a British surgeon, twin brothers in Ethiopia grow up to be doctors and are later torn apart by their love for the same woman and one's flight to America. Author Abraham Verghese is an Ethiopian doctor now living and working in the United States.

8. Bellwether - PS3573 .I45652 B45 2009 - 2010 Audie Award for Science Fiction - Pop culture, chaos theory, and matters of the heart collide in this nominee for Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1997 by multiple Nebula and Hugo Award winner Connie Willis.

9. Darling Jim - PS3613 .O34 D37 2009B - 2010 Audie Award for Thriller/Suspense - In Dublin, a young postman named Niall finds a diary written by one of two sisters whose corpses, along with their aunt's, have recently been found. Entries in the diary concern a storyteller named Jim, Irish myth and magic, a tragic love story, and a murder mystery.

10. Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales - PZ8.1 .N28 2009 - This audiobook won two Audie Awards in 2010, Audiobook of the Year and Multi-Voiced Performance, and was a nominee for Distinguished Achievement in Production. The Distinguished Achievement in Production Award is presented to an audiobook that demonstrates excellence in all areas of production, while the Audiobook of the Year recognizes the audiobook that, through quality, innovation, marketing and sales, has had the most significant impact on the audio industry. Narrators for the folktales include Samuel L. Jackson, Hugh Jackman, Whoopi Goldberg, and Alan Rickman.

U.S. Government Mobile Apps

2011-08-18T14:47:00.000-05:00

Have a smart phone? Did you know that the U.S. Government has an app for that! Over 50 apps you can use with your phone. All of them are FREE!

Covered areas include:

Travel
Health
Law
Jobs
Museums and Libraries,
etc.!

Take a look! -- http://apps.usa.gov/

Top Ten Tuesday: My Top 10 from NPR's Top 100 Science-Fiction/Fantasy Books List

2011-08-16T05:29:00.003-05:00

NPR's list of the top 100 science-fiction and fantasy books is up, and here are my top 10 from that list. I've linked to the ones the library owns, so you can see if they're currently available for check out.

The Sandman series by Neil Gaiman
Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Going Postal by Terry Pratchett (we only have this as an audiobook, but at least Stephen Briggs is a fantastic reader)
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb (the only book in the Farseer Trilogy I've read)
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (available both in print and audio formats!)
Sunshine by Robin McKinley

There were quite a few books on the top 100 list I haven't read yet, although I have a feeling that, even if I had read them all, Gaiman still would have nabbed several spots on my top 10 list. He's one of my favorite authors.

So, which books would you have chosen?

Feedback: Quiet Study Area

2011-08-15T09:57:00.000-05:00

Every year the library conducts a survey to get input from the students, faculty, and staff about the library. We want to know how we are doing and find out if there is anything we could be doing better. (A big THANK YOU to those who take the time to respond!) It seems like every year we get requests for more group study areas and quiet study areas.

New signage in the library now makes it easier to locate the quiet study areas! Take a look at the walls near the study rooms and tables on the upper floor of the Dick Smith Library. You guys wanted more quiet areas...and we listened!

You don't have to wait until a survey is conducted! The library invites you to submit a comment on our "make a suggestion" page (http://www.tarleton.edu/library/suggestion.html), by calling the library (968-9249), or just by making a comment on our LOL blog or Facebook page! We are here to listen!

Yea! Time for Fun Books!

2011-08-12T12:43:00.009-05:00

Now that the summer sessions have rushed to an end, you may be wondering what to do with all your "extra" time -- other than working and finally having time to wash clothes, see family, sleep, etc.

If so, the library has lots to offer in recreational reading:
-- New York Times bestsellers,
-- Pulitzer Prize winners,
-- short story collections,
-- timely reads like the Harry Potter items now on display in the library's lobby,
-- science fiction, fantasy, realistic and historical fiction, documentaries, history & much more.

Also, we offer books in many formats: print, electronic, and audio. You can use the library's catalog to see what's available or ask us to help. We'd be happy to.

Look 'em up and check 'em out with your TSU ID. Happy reading!

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-08-11T10:02:00.004-05:00

Col. Willie Tate

75 years ago former John Tarleton Agricultural College student Willie Tate was a star athlete at Texas University (University of Texas). The May 16, 1936 JTAC states that Tate, John Tarleton Agricultural College Ex of '35 stars at State University! He played three years on the Tarleton basketeers to gain that finished trim and experience that made him one of those outstanding freshman basketball stars of the Southwestern cage game.

Willie Tate was on the Plowboy conference champions of '31-32 and the undefeated teams of '33-34 and '34-35, under coach W.J. Wisdom. His one-handed looping shots and teamwork were factors in the records he helped the Plowboys set! At the University of Texas Tate continued to excel and received high scoring honors against Rice and other teams making him an outstanding varsity basketeer for the Longhorns!

Col. Tate entered the military as a private with Texas' 36th division in 1940. He was one of the first selected to attend World War II officer candidate school and was Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He commanded a company and batallion in France, Holland, and Germany. He also served in Korea and Okinawa, and was on the Army General Staff in Washington D.C. four years. Col. Tate was twice awarded the Legion of Merit. He retired in 1970 after 30 years of active service. He then joined the faculty of Galveston Community College. After his second retirement in 1983, Col. Tate and his wife moved to Stephenville, where he was a member of the Tarleton Alumni Association for many years and served on the Board of Directors. He was inducted into the Tarleton Athletic Hall of Fame in 1982.

Col. Tate will soon be moving to Lubbock to be near his family. Today at 3:30 pm in the Wisdon Gym foyer a special reception is being held in honor of Col. Will Tate's lifelong contributions to Tarleton State University! A special program will begin at 4 pm. Col. Tate has been a great supporter of Tarleton and we wish him well! Hope everyone can attend the reception!

Grassburr, 1936.

JTAC, May 16, 1936, October 6, 1988.

eBooks and Print

2011-08-10T15:45:00.003-05:00

Disclaimer: These are the opinions of Thomas Schilb, not necessarily those of Dick Smith Library or Tarleton State University. If you disagree, please post a comment!

As a steady reader of The Guardian, I always find it interesting to see what the British have to say about libraries and books. Awhile back I came across this article that talks about how the most likely business model for publishing will be that print books aren't going anywhere, and that the new eBook format is also here to stay.

Here's my 2 pence: there's this enduring nonsense that the book is "an aesthetic" that shouldn't be messed with, and this attitude is WRONG.

Now before anyone gets their pages in a tizzy let me clarify my position. Technically the codex (sheets of paper bound together, what many of us think of when we say "book") is a very efficient and powerful medium which continues to present its message effectively. It's been around for centuries, and I fully understand the sympathy most of us have for the medium.

The problem here is that the book is simply impractical for some forms of information. For my masters program this fall I have one 168 page book that is going to cost OVER $150. It's over social media and Web 2.0, a subject that changes annually, sometimes MONTHLY. It doesn't seem worth it to me to go spend all the time and effort required to publish this material when, by the time it hits shelves, it will be out-of-date.

The digital version (eBook), which can be updated frequently and relatively hassle-free, seems to be a much more valid option. This can be applied to any science where new content is constantly being released.

Novels, though, and other materials whose content is unlikely to change significantly via revision or new data, are an ideal candidate for the codex medium. The nature of the style lends itself to a more relaxed pace, which means a longer time spent with that material. It's easier to let a friend borrow a codex than navigate the DRM mess that always crops up with eBooks. Truly, I don't see a downside to this medium so long as its advantages are realized and accounted for alongside its disadvantages.

Again, these are my thoughts on the subject. What are yours?

Portal to Texas History

2011-08-05T00:01:00.001-05:00

The Portal to Texas History is a great resource for Texas history and genealogy materials. Photographs, maps, newspapers, yearbooks, documents, and other materials from Texas libraries, museums, archives, historical and/or genealogical societies, and private family collections have been digitized and indexed in this free online database.

One of the collections is that of our very own J-Tacs from 1919 through 2007. You can search for a name and it will be highlighted on the pages of the issues in which it appears.

The Portal also has some great "Resources 4 Educators," including lesson plans and other learning materials for teachers and students.

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-08-04T15:28:00.002-05:00

Col. James D. Bender

Tarleton's Bender Hall, the men's dormitory built in 1953, is named for Col. James D. Bender. From 1936-1941, Major and then Lt. Col. Bender was professor of military science and tactics at John Tarleton Agricultural College. He left Tarleton and returned to active duty in May 1941. Dean Davis was so impressed with how Lt. Col. Bender ran the Tarleton ROTC program that he had asked Bender to stay another year after his four year term had expired.

Prior to coming to Tarleton, Col. Bender had won the Silver Star for gallantry in action with the 6th Division in France in World War I. Afterward he served in the Philippines, Hawaii, and the Panama Canal Zone and with the 2nd Division at Fort Sam Houston. He also served as regional commander of the CCC in Central West Texas. During his years at Tarleton Bender instructed some 1500 cadets who became commissioned officers in various branches of the armed forces.

The September 19, 1936 JTAC states... Major Bender trains polo ponies along with work - a first in ROTC! Whoever heard of a polo player at Tarleton! Tarleton has one now in the person of Major James D. Bender! In fact, polo was Bender's major hobby. He played many times during his service at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio before coming to Tarleton. He stated that training polo ponies was very easy....all you have to do is ride each one about thirty minutes a day, making it stop, start, and turn rapidly. If the horse doesn't stop quickly enough, one has to ride where there are a number of fences and let the horse run into the fence a few times! Another sport he enjoyed was sitting on the curb in front of the bank and listening to a recitation of all the horse trades that had been accomplished in the last ten years!

Bender left Tarleton to become an instructor in machine gun and automatic rifle at the Fort Benning Infantry School. In 1942 he transferred to Camp Swift where he activated the 387th Infantry for combat. He was promoted to full colonel during World War II. Col. Bender and his troops landed in Normandy on June 6, 1943. He was killed in France July 1944.

Cross Timbers Historic Images Project, photo and obituary.

Guthrie, Christopher E. , John Tarleton and his Legacy, p.84.

JTAC, September 19. 1936.

Friends of Dick Smith Library: Tarleton traditions book & book bag

2011-08-03T08:00:00.005-05:00

Want to learn more about Tarleton traditions and get a book bag for toting supplies? Then, the Friends of the Dick Smith Library have a deal for you.

They're selling The Birth of Tarleton's Spirit: The Heartbeat of Our Traditions 1899-1999 ($5) and a sturdy purple book bag ($4). Both are available at the Dick Smith Library's circulation desk.

The book was written and illustrated by Sharon Matherne, a descendant of Dr. W.W. McNeill, who was Stephenville's first medical doctor and one of its original founders. It offers a chronological account of Tarleton's history in verse, includes historical pictures, and features information gleaned from multiple sources: library archives, The J-TAC (1920-1982), Grassburr (1916-1986), Fort Worth Star Telegram (1939), 8th Annual Catalog of Tarleton College, Stephenville Empire-Tribune, and The Purple Book.

Stop by soon to see the book. You're sure to want one. While you're at the library, buy a book bag and fill it with checkouts from the library's collections. Learn more about the Friends of Dick Smith Library.

Top 10 Things You Should Know About the Dick Smith Library

2011-08-02T11:32:00.004-05:00

10.ID + NTNET Username & Password=Library Access
To check out library materials, you must have your Tarleton ID or another photo ID. In order to gain access on the computers, network, or databases, you must have your NTNET username and password.

9.Look for the ABC's and then the 123's
College libraries use an alphanumeric classification system. It's different from your high school or public library. Just remember, books on similar subjects are shelved together. So, when you find one really great book, browse for other gems!

8.The Library is here for you 24/7!
The building itself is open 101 hours a week, and our electronic resources never sleep. They're available anytime, but you'll need that username and password.

7.We have Books, Journals, Databases...
We have a variety of books, e-books, journals, databases, audiobooks, etc. on a vast amount of subjects.

6.If we don't have it, we'll get it!
Stop by the Circulation desk or visit Interlibrary Loan on the web.

5.Classroom Reserves are here!
Readings assigned for your classes are often on Electronic Reserve (E-Reserve) and Reserves at the Circulation desk.

4.It's your library - use it!
Use it to study, do research, catch-up with friends, work on group projects, or just sit back, relax, and have a cup of coffee and a snack from our Suavé Café.

3.Need help online?
Don’t hesitate to use the Ask a Librarian link to email a reference librarian.

2.Need in-person assistance?
No problem, call or come to the Reference Desk.

1.ASK! The best resource in the library is the LIBRARIAN!

Inside the FBI's Vault

2011-08-01T14:26:00.004-05:00

Ever wonder what the FBI has in all of its files or keeps in its vaults? Well, you can go inside the FBI's vaults online and view the actual case files. Going to http://vault.fbi.gov/ takes you to the vault. There you can search the vault, or browse one of the many categories. the categories include Gangster Era, Unexplained Phenomenon, Popular Culture, World War II, Political Figures, Civil Rights, and several others. Under popular culture are files relating to the FBI investigation as to what the lyrics to the song "Louie,Louie" were; John Denver, Rock Hudson the music group The Monkees, Jimi Hendrix, and Lucille Ball.

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-07-28T08:19:00.001-05:00

Former Tarleton President George J. Nunn

100 years ago the President of John Tarleton College was George J. Nunn. He assumed the duty at the beginning of the 1911-12 term. However his tenure at Tarleton was short lived. He resigned after one year to return to Amarillo to oversee his business interests there.

Mr. Nunn, a distinguished scholar and world traveler, obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees from Vanderbilt University and also studied in Leipzig, Germany. He had traveled extensively in Europe and the Holy Land, cruising with his wife from Montreal on June 1, 1910 and sailing back from London in October 1910. He had been in the administration of Alexander Institute in Jacksonville and Polytechnic Institue in Fort Worth prior to coming to Tarleton. His wife was Stephenville native Zula Orr, daughter of William Polk Orr, who with his family, settled in Stephenville in 1882. Mr. Orr, a hardware dealer specializing in harnesses and carriages, was a member of the first city council. Mrs. Orr was a member of the Twentieth Century Club, and had served as president.

Not much happened at John Tarleton College during his one year tenure but prior to his presidency the wealthy widow Mary Corn Wilkerson had donated 370 acres of land to Tarleton. It was sold and the profits were used to build the first women's dorm on campus. The Mary Corn Wilkerson dormitory was completed by the fall of 1908 and was located where the Hunewell annex is now facing McIlhaney.

One tidbit contained in the June 16, 1911 Stephenville Empire stated that "Dr. Nunn thinks a large picture of Mrs. Mary C. Wilkerson should by all means adorn the walls of the dormitory and one is being made for that purpose!"

Chamberlain, Frank. The Early Presidents of Tarleton, Dick Smith Library Cross Timbers Historic Images Project.

Guthrie, Christopher E., John Tarleton and His Legacy.

King, C. Richard, Golden Days of Purple & White.

Stephenville Empire, June 16, 1911.

Online Government Documents, in the library catalog

2011-07-27T05:07:00.002-05:00

There are tons of free online government documents available, but they can sometimes be tough to hunt down (or even remember that they exist). To try to make them easier to find and use, we've started adding them to the library's catalog - we now have 6,103!

Government documents cover an amazing range of topics - education, science, agriculture, you name it. I've included a list below of some of the interesting online government documents I've come across in our catalog:

The docs : a graphic novel - Did you know that the government has published graphic novels? Yes, this is a full-color graphic novel produced by the Naval Health Research Center. It depicts the story of four Naval Corpsmen deployed to Iraq.
Biosecurity : the key to keeping your horses healthy - A brochure with bulleted tips on how to keep your horses healthy when showing them, bringing in new horses, visiting auctions or other farms, and when having visitors over to your farm. It also includes a few disinfecting tips.
Dealing with debt : 1992-93 bachelor's degree recipients 10 years later - This report looks at the borrowing patterns of 1992-93 bachelor's degree recipients and provides details on how many of them had paid off their loans by 2003, and how many of them were still repaying their loans, plus how much they still had left to repay.
Job accommodations for people with food allergy - A quick overview of some of the job accommodations that might be useful for people with food allergies.
Door-to-door meat sales - Consumer advice detailing how to safely buy from door-to-door meat salespeople.
"Free trials" aren't always free - More consumer advice, this time telling you what to look for before you sign up for that exciting-looking free trial you just spotted online or elsewhere. It also tells you who to contact if you've been wrongly charged for a "free" trial.
Complete guide to home canning - Everything you ever wanted to know about home canning. This explains how to can fruits and fruit products, tomatoes and tomato products, vegetables and vegetable products, fermented foods and pickled vegetables, jams and jellies, and poultry, red meats, and seafoods.

If you'd like to try searching online government documents in the library's catalog, you can do that by doing an Advanced Search for Type: Government Document, Location: Online Access.

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Most used Library Databases

2011-07-26T08:39:00.001-05:00

Our Library has 204 databases that were searched more than 2 million times last year! Here is a list of the 10 most searched databases. Which one is your favorite? As budgets get tight, IF we were to think of dropping one of the less used resource list on our databases page, which one would YOU save?

Academic Search Complete
Business Source Complete
MasterFile Premier
PsychINFO
Psychology and Behavior Science Collection
Education Research Complete
PsychArticles
JSTOR
ERIC
CINAHL

Things That Happen on the Internet Every 60 Seconds

2011-07-25T11:19:00.003-05:00

Did you know that every 60 seconds on the internet...

More than 168 million emails are sent
695,000 updates & 510,040 comments are published on Facebook
Google serves more that 694,445 search queries
370,000+ minutes of voice calls done by Skype users
20,000 new posts are published on Tumblr
13,000+ hours of music streaming flows from Pandora
More than 13,000 iPhone apps are downloaded
6,600 images are published on Flickr
600 videos (about 25 hours of content) are uploaded to YouTube

Check out the infographic at http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/files/2011/06/internet-60-seconds-infographic.jpg

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-07-21T10:42:00.003-05:00

Where Did Tarleton Students Shop in 1911?

From the Stephenville Empire July 21, 1911:

"The New York Racket Store endeavors to keep a full stock, and a complete assortment of Good Goods on hand all the time. Our prices shall always be found the lowest, and our object and desire shall be to please. We are now offering exceptional values on our Bargain Counter and we earnestly solicit your patronage and will appreciate a call whether you buy or not. We want to get acquainted! We have added a Soda Fountain and will serve ice cold drinks such as are usually found at first class fountains and will appreciate your business in that line!"

The Stephenville Museum photo above shows the Racket Store on the west side of the square. Check out the streets and the dress in 1911! The Racket Store was in the building next to the historic bank building on the corner of Belknap and College. It has been several businesses over the years including Cox's Department Store, Perry's five and dime, and today it houses the law offices of Northcutt, Johnson, & Parker.

What a difference 100 years makes!

Hope you are having a great summer!

Top 10 Cover Letter Tips

2011-07-19T10:12:00.014-05:00

If you're out there looking for a job, chances are you are being asked to provide a resume and cover letter. Here are 10 tips to help you with your cover letter.

1. Check grammar/spelling errors - Speaking from personal experience, spelling errors are one of the first things that will get an applicant sent to the "no hire" pile.

2. To whom it may concern - Avoid this introduction in your cover letter. Take the time to address your cover letter to the hiring manager.

3. Mr. or Mrs. - Trying to guess if Ashley Smith is a Mr. or Mrs. may offend your potential employer, especially if you get it wrong. Just go with (First Name Last Name).

4. What you can do for me - Your resume should convey how your experience can benefit the employer. This is your first chance to prove how you can be a valuable asset to the organization.

5. Copy resume - Remember the cover letter is a compilment to your resume not a reproduction of it.

6. Ending - Keep the power in your hands, let the employer know in your cover letter that you will contact them.

7. Keep it to 1 page - Make your points and stay concise, bullets work nicely.

8. Referral - Give credit where credit is due.

9. Power Verbs - Use powerful words to highlight your skills and be specific to the position.

10. Always include a cover letter with your resume - Again, from personal experience... applicants that don't include a cover letter rarely make it to the interview stage.

Good Luck!

http://top-10-list.org/2011/07/07/top-10-cover-letter-tips/

Sometimes you can't get it online

2011-07-18T12:05:00.000-05:00

I'm an amateur genealogist, working on my family history. I've been trying to track down a couple of elusive relatives and determine if they are indeed mother and daughter. I've looked for a birth certificate or birth registry entry on free websites like FamilySearch.org and the Clerk of Cook County (Illinois; the daughter's birthplace) website, and on paid sites like Ancestry.com and Heritage Quest, but I haven't had any luck.

I have been able to narrow down the year in which the daughter was born, and I checked the catalog of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. What I'm looking for, the "Registers of births outside of the city [Chicago], 1878-1894," is only available on microfilm. Luckily, I can have that reel of microfilm sent to my local FamilySearch Center at a nominal cost, and I can look at it there.

So what is my point in telling you this story? Sometimes the information you need is not available online, and you have to e-mail, call, or go to the library to get it. Come see us or contact us at the Dick Smith Library - we're glad to help you!

Research on smartphones

2011-07-15T06:51:00.002-05:00

The Pew Internet and American Life Project has released a new report on smartphone usage in America.

According to Pew, "one third of American adults – 35% – own smartphones. The Project’s May survey found that 83% of US adults have a cell phone of some kind, and that 42% of them own a smartphone. That translates into 35% of all adults. "

The most popular smartphone platform? Android.

Privacy concerns over location tracking were not mentioned in the report.

More information: http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Smartphones.aspx

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

2011-07-14T10:38:00.002-05:00

Miss Margaret Bierschwale to Become Librarian

The May 2, 1931 JTAC's front page news announced that Miss Margaret Bierschwale was, as of June 1, to replace Mrs. Dorothy Lee Fagan as head librarian of the college. Miss Bierschwale had come to Tarleton in September 1920 as head of the Physical Training department. She had been the head of the English department in Navasota High School while Tarleton Dean J. Thomas Davis was the superintendent!

In January 1921 Miss Bierschwale was made head of the Tarleton English department and served in that capacity until June 1923. She then spent time pursuring a graduate degree and abroad traveling to England, Scotland, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and France! She received her B.A. degree from Randolph Macon Woman's College and her M.A. from Columbia University. She also served as an assistant in the New York Public Libraries. She returned to Tarleton in 1931 as the college librarian.

In 1935/36 Miss Bierschwale took leave from her position as Tarleton librarian to study graduate English at Columbia University in pursuit of her Ph.D. She studied Elizabethan drama with Professor F.S. Boas of London, a rare treat!

As librarian at Tarleton Miss Bierschwale enlarged and enriched the library's collection, especially in Texas history. She instilled a love of rare books and quality Texas history resources into one of her students, C. Richard King, who became a historian and collector of Texana. Dr. King donated his materials to our library!

Miss Bierschwale resigned in December 1943! "To her staff of library assitants she has been an inspiration; to the Library Committee she has proved a constant source of guidance and vision; to countless students she has endeared herself through her sympathy, understanding, and unselfish service!"

Grassburr, 1931, 1933.

JTAC, May 2, 1931, September 29, 1936, December 7, 1943.

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Great Texas Places to Get Away From it All

2011-07-12T09:26:00.003-05:00

With summer upon us many people think of just getting away to a cooler place. Others want to just get away from all of the connectivity that surrounds us. This is a list from Texas Highways of where in Texas you can go to get disconnected.
1. Padre Island National Seashore
2. Big Bend National Park
3. Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area
4. Hill Country State Natural Area Wilderness Primitive Camp
5. Palo Duro Canyon State Park
6. Lost Maples Natural Area
7. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
8. Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area
9. Matagorda Bay Nature Park
10. Devils River State Natural Area
http://www.texashighways.com/index.php/component/content/article/98-roadtrip-archive/3733-ten-great-places-to-%28really%29-get-away-from-it-all

11. My favorite place to get away: Mo Ranch

Thinking about Cancelling those Credit Cards?

2011-07-11T14:56:00.003-05:00

I do not know if anyone else has noticed, but the economy kind of stinks right now. Congress can't even decide the best way to deal with it. Debates go on every day over how to fix it. The President has said that he will meet with Congress every day until they come to a resolution. I am currently in a recession at my house, and I am always trying to find a way to get out of debt. What is your economy looking like today? Check out this article from Yahoo Finance; maybe you will get some good ideas on dealing with credit cards.

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/113093/reasons-cancel-credit-cards-smartmoney?mod=bb-budgeting

Science fiction at the library

2011-07-08T05:49:00.001-05:00

Since I enjoyed doing the post I did on DVDs at the library, I thought I'd do something similar for science fiction. Below are just a few of the science fiction books you can find at the library. If you've got a chance, you should also check out the science fiction display that Thomas put up on the main floor, near the new books area.

Bellwether by Connie Willis - The unabridged audiobook version of this will be on the library's shelves soon. The main character is part of a company that predicts and tries to create fads.
Crime Prevention in the 30th Century edited by Hans Stefan Santesson - Includes stories by Harry Harrison, Anne McCaffrey, and others.
The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester - A science fiction police procedural set in a future in which telepathy has made murder almost impossible.
Dr. Bloodmoney, or How We Got Along After the Bomb by Philip K. Dick - Set in a post-apocalyptic future.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card - Ender is sent to Battle School at the age of six, in order to train to fight the aliens coming to destroy humanity.
The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer - YA dystopian fiction about a young clone being raised by a drug lord as a future source of organs.
I, Robot by Isaac Asimov - A collection of short stories dealing with the interaction between robots and humans.
Neuromancer by William Gibson - If you've ever thought about trying cyberpunk, this is probably a good book to start with. If you like cyberpunk but somehow haven't read this yet, you really need to check this out.
Seven Science Fiction Novels of H.G. Wells - Includes The Time Machine, The Island of Doctor Moreau, The Invisible Man, The War of the Worlds, The First Men in the Moon, The Food of the Gods, and In the Days of the Comet.
A Treasury of Great Science Fiction edited by Anthony Boucher - If you can't settle on a single author, an anthology may be the way to go. This includes stories by Ray Bradbury, Robert A. Heinlein, Philip K. Dick, Poul Anderson, Arthur C. Clarke, Henry Kuttner, Alfred Bester, and more.
Uglies, Pretties, Specials, and Extras by Scott Westerfeld - Fast-paced YA dystopian fiction.

Library Online Lounge - Tarleton Libraries

Think Green

Mobile Resources

Staff Changes

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

Library Services Designed with Online and Satellite Campuses in Mind: Check 'em Out

Looking for a place to study?

Rodeo, the Library Way

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

The library--there's an app for that.

Stop SOPA and PIPA

New Practice Presentation Room on Lower Level

Privacy: Opt In or Out - A Choice

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

Holiday Treats from the Library

New Year's Resolutions

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

Recipes in unexpected places

Top 10 Test Taking Tips

Meet Our Staff: Crystal Money

Extended Hours Start This Sunday!

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

Social Media Conference

Top Ten Tuesday - 10 Most Popular Social Networking Sites

Happy Thanksgiving!

Top 10 Amazing Databases

NaNoWriMo 2011

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

Ten Facts About Sleep

Expand your language skills with Mango Languages

Veterans Records

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

The library at your fingertips!

Additional there is a library catalog app available for both iPhone and Android smartphones! The app lets you:

Search our catalog

Find materials and put needed items on hold if they are not available

Log into your library account and renew items

Check your account information

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

Top Ten (+) Online Photo Ideas

17th Century Social Media

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

11022011 Happy Palindrome Day

Chills and thrills for your Halloween

J-TAC Digitization Project

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

Meet Our Staff: Danni King

Top 10 Pumpkin Dessert Recipes

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

Tarleton History: J-TAC & Grassburr yearbooks

Top Ten Halloween Movies for Younger Kids

Al Capone Convicted Today in 1931

Fun Halloween Facts

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

Bird calls

Meet Our Staff: Lisa Blackwell

Stephenville ISD banned books!

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

Your learning philosophy

Stories and Tales of Halloween

Banned Books Week

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

October is American Archives Month

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Children's Books Writers

Library Printing Tip: PowerPoint Slides with Dark Backgrounds

Lowest percentage of young workers since WWII!

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

Meet Our Staff: Leslie Newcomb

One last thing...

Constitution Day

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

100 Years Ago in America

See The Supernova This Week

Remembering 9/11

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?

Timewasters

Top 10 Skills You Need to Succeed at Anything?

Today is.... "Read a book day!"

Blogger is getting a makeover

Tarleton Thursdays: Did You Know?