Labor Day: What, Why & More

Have you ever wondered about Labor Day: what it is, why it was created, and how you could learn more about it? If so, the following resources may be just what you've been looking for.

Labor Day Background Info - U.S. Department of Labor

• "Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country." (U.S. Dept. of Labor)
• Learn more: founder, first observance, legislation, etc.
• News, photos, and other resources.

Labor Movement Info - Library Resources
Here's a few works about America's labor movement and information about how to locate them in the library's collections.

• Chapters in the History of Organized Labor in Texas
• Call Number HD6517.T4 A65 2006 ~ Special Collections (lower level)
• Covering for the Bosses: labor and the Southern Press
• Call Number PN4888.L27 A85 2008 ~ General Stacks (upper level)
• Historical Encyclopedia of American Labor
• Call Number HD8066.H57 2004 ~ online book (use NTNET login)
• Living the Revolution: Italian Women's Resistance and Radicalism in New York City, 1880-1945
• Call Number HQ1439.N6 G84 2010 ~ General Stacks (upper level)
• Reorganizing the Rust Belt: An Inside Study of the American Labor Movement
• Call Number HD6515.S45 L67 1004 ~ online book (use NTNET login)
• She Was One of Us: Eleanor Roosevelt and the American Worker
• Call Number E807.1.R48 O34 2010 ~ General Stacks (upper level)
• The Sex of Class: Women Transforming American Labor
• Call Number HD6079.2 U5 S49 2007 ~ General Stacks (upper level)
• Three Strikes: Miners, Musicians, Salesgirls, and the Fighting Spirit of Labor's Last Century
• Call Number HD5324.Z56 2002 ~ online book (use NTNET login)
• Use your NTNET login to open the book if you're off-campus.

Locate More Information and Get Assistance
You can locate many more works about America's workforce and various labor movements in the library's collections:

• Use the library catalog to locate them.
• Search terms = labor movement
• Choose the Subject field in the dropdown menu.
• Need assistance? 
• use our Ask a Librarian online service
• email reference@tarleton.edu
• call 254-968-9249

Have a safe Labor Day weekend and enjoy your holiday on Monday.

Library Poker = Success!



Winners Circle!

During Transitions week the Library conducted a few sessions of Library Poker. Students could learn about all of the resources that are available to them in the Library while playing a round of poker. The Library gave students "The Birth of Tarleton Spirit" books as prizes for those with winning hands. We also gave Library Poker Chips and Library Informational Cards to everyone.

Library Poker at its best!

There are still a few poker chips and info cards left, so swing by and grab some! You can also see the pictures from the exciting two day poker sessions and more on our flickr and Facebook!

For assistance or research help email reference@tarleton.edu or
call (254) 968-9249.

Charge Up While You Study

The Dick Smith Library now offers students a place to charge their electronic devices, such as phones and mp3 players. 

Students are free to use the charging station kiosk at their convenience. This charging station is located on the main floor of the library in the reference area, next to the new book display. There are several chairs and a bench placed next to the station for you to relax and keep an eye on your device while it charges.

Fugitives from Duck Camp?

Last week, Oscar P and his family were spotted on campus near the library:

Maybe these future freshmen were getting a tour?

Read more about Oscar P (on page 19) and other Tarleton traditions here:
http://www.tarleton.edu/studentactivities/documents/TarletonTraditions.pdf
[Photos by Tracy Holtman]

Twenty-Eight Candles

It's a POLAROID!!!

In 1984 many great things happened. Some of the most memorable movies of all time were made, like Sixteen Candles, The Terminator and Ghostbusters; Tarleton State University celebrated 85 years; and last but not least, I, Crystal Money, was brought into this wonderful world. The Terminator did manage to keep to his word and "came back" while Tarleton keeps thriving still today (as do I).

Tarleton celebrated its 85th Birthday in 1984! That year they experienced 682 preregistered freshmen, 40 of which were in the 100 member band. There were 1,183 students that lived in the residence halls, 723 males and 460 females. Even with a drop in graduate enrollment they still had over 4,600 students attending that Fall. The Texan Stars also had their first public debut at the September 8, 1984, football game. Today we have over 1,076 freshmen enrolled and have more than doubled the number of students attending Tarleton in the Fall since 1984. GO TEXANS!!

What was very fascinating for me to discover is that during the month of August 1984, the library began loaning out Polaroid Instant Cameras free of charge. The cameras came from the 600 series with built-in electronic flash, and one button operation. The cameras were part of the "Check This Out" Program. Some small stipulations for use were: you must be 18 years or older, 2 week borrowing, and you must supply your own film. Today, we loan Sony Bloggies for 7 days. No need to supply your own film for this one...it's digital.

You can find this information by using the Library's databases and searching the J-TAC Newspaper Archive.

I'll be celebrating 28 years in existence on the 23rd of August and I'm sure most of you are wondering how I'll be celebrating my birthday...with family, friends and good food! Presents welcomed, please no Polaroids!!

1940 US Census is Searchable Now!

Just four months after it was released to the public on April 2, the 1940 United States Census has been indexed and is searchable by name on a number of websites.  Ancestry.com, the subscription genealogy website, is providing free access to the 1940 Census for a year.  In addition, a number of other companies and organizations partnered with the National Archives to make the images available to the public.  FamilySearch.org, an always-free genealogy website, used volunteers (I was one of them!) to index the census.  The last few states indexed are being quality-checked and will be posted on their site (as well as on Archives.com and FindMyPast.com) soon.

If you are searching for your ancestors in the 1940 Census, I recommend you try both Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.  Why?  Indexers aren't perfect.  Sometimes it's tricky to read an enumerator's handwriting, and interpretations differ.  (Not to mention, enumerators often misheard and misspelled names).  If you can't find your relative on one site, try the other.  If you need help, see Amanda Pape, Special Services Librarian, on the lower level of the Dick Smith Library.

Transitions Week

Transition Week

New Tarleton Texans will be moving on campus to their dorms on August 19, 2012,one week before classes begin.

 They will experience a week full of activities and resources to get them comfortable with a college environment. They will be able to have fun and learn where important resources are available.

http://www.tarleton.edu/scripts/calendar/details.asp?E=10183&T=8192012

Moby Dick: Book Discussion & Library Display

• Want to share ideas about Herman Melville's Moby Dick?
• Curious to hear what others think about the novel?

You're in Luck!

Tarleton’s Bibliophiles Anonymous group is getting together to discuss Moby Dick and everyone's invited:

• Thurs., August 2
• 4-6 p.m.
• Nursing Building lobby

Consider joining the conversation.  It should be a treat.  Contact Hank Jones (wjones@tarleton.edu) or Marcus Parks (marcus.parks@go.tarleton.edu) if you'd like more information.

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• Want to to read other works by Melville or what others have said about them?

You're in Luck, Again!

When you're in the library, be sure to checkout what's on the display in the lobby.

Crystal Money, Library Reference Assistant, has created a display of Melville's works and books by others discussing his works.

If you see something that interests you, check it out! All you need is your Texan Card.

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• Want to read critical reviews of Moby Dick?
• Looking for published articles about Melville's works?

How Lucky Can You Get?

The library subscribes to several databases that offer critical essays, explanations, and discussions of Melville's works (i.e.Literature Criticism Online, Gale Literary Database,  JSTOR, Project Muse, etc.).  Plus, you can use the library's Discovery tool to simultaneously search most of the library's databases.

Just go to the library's database page, choose a database (use your NTNET login when off-campus), and search for Melville and/or his works.  You're sure to find plenty that interests you.

If all these opportunities aren't enough to satisfy your Moby Dick cravings, you can listen to the novel online with Librivox's streaming audiobook.

Enjoy!