Mario Gonzalez, ALA Treasurer, for the Banned Books Virtual Read-Out!

Mario Gonzalez, Treasurer of the American Library Association, reads a passage from A CHILD CALLED IT, by Dave Pelzer, for the 2013 Banned Books Virtual Read-Out!

Writers and Censorship: Why Books are Banned

For more information about why books are banned and some examples of books commonly challenged, watch this video from our Films on Demand Collection:

Khaled Hosseini for the Banned Books Virtual Read-Out

Highly acclaimed banned/challenged author, Khaled Hosseini, reads a passage from his first novel, THE KITE RUNNER, for the Banned Books Virtual Read-Out!

BUTTONS! My buttons! Banned Books Week 2013

At Tarleton Libraries we have a tradition of buttons. That's right, BUTTONS! We like to hand them out during special events like Library Lovers Day and Banned Books Week. This year is no exception. Yesterday began Banned Books Week 2013. Tarleton Libraries' theme this year is "I'm with the BANNED". Take the time to look over our Banned Books Week table display in the lobby, grab a free button, and checkout a banned book. You may be surprised at some of the books that have been banned/challenged.

Not sure what Banned Books Week is? Check out the American Library Association Website for more details. Feel free to email reference@tarleton.edu or call (254)9689249 with questions.

Tweet us your favorite banned book

 @tarletonlib #BannedBooksWeek

Celebrate Banned Books Week

Starting today, Tarleton Libraries are celebrating Banned Books Week, 

September 22-28th. 

Wondering how you can celebrate your freedom to read this week? 

Check out a banned book and read to find out why it was banned. 

 Not sure which books are banned? 

Take a look at one of our newest social media accounts to find the answer:

We're on Pinterest; check us out this week! 

The library is on Pinterest, and we have a "Challenged Books" pin board. Our staff has been pinning examples of banned books so you can check them out. 

We also post other information, such as Tarleton History and Traditions, Library/Campus Events, Featured Resources, Art/Writing done by Tarleton Faculty, Staff, or Students, and much more. 

Follow Us!

If you have any questions concerning Banned Books Week or any other question, 

please feel free to contact us:

(254)968-9249 or reference@tarleton.edu 

Web Resources by Subject at your fingertips

The library homepage is the gateway to so many useful resources and information. Although we provide subject guides for several topics we also have pulled together a variety of web resources lists (also known as Selected Internet Resources) for several subjects as well. Each Web Resource page is tailored to that subject. For example, the Art internet resources contains several links to local and national museums. So take a look next time you're doing some web browsing and need help find some sources. As each page mentions, Tarleton has no control over and is not responsible for the content found on external sites. Please contact us if you have any questions!

Student jobs @ the library: Periodicals

Although we currently have no vacancies for student library workers [note: this applies only to our Stephenville campus], it never hurts to submit an application, in case a slot opens up.

You can get an application upstairs in our Administration Office. Fill it out completely, attach your schedule for the semester in which you'd like to work, and turn it in.

We have multiple areas where students can work. This blog post is about the student jobs in our Periodicals Department.

Department: Periodicals
Periodicals are magazines, newspapers, and journals, whether they are in print or online. 
Where is it? Back of the main floor.
Duties: According to Sandy Dennis, our Periodicals Specialist, these include "collect[ing] the daily mail and process[ing] it, maintain[ing] the Periodicals Service Desk and assist[ing] patrons with question and concerns, and retriev[ing] journals that may be requested from our Offsite* location."

Below is a tweet saluting two of our Periodicals workers. 

We have fantastic student workers! Thanks for all that you do. #library #Tarleton @tarletonstate pic.twitter.com/2YhlWFODo3
— Tarleton Libraries (@TarletonLib) September 3, 2013

*Offsite is where we keep older copies of periodicals.  We can get them for you, just ask!

Got Marathon?

Starting something new is always scary, hard, stressful, etc. Have you ever considered running a marathon? Me either, until someone told me I couldn't do it.

In school I was never the amazing athlete that other students were but I did have the drive and determination to prove others wrong. Whatever reasons you have to start training for a 5K, 10K, half-marathon or even a full marathon the library has so many resources to help you accomplish your goal.

Here are some helpful books available in the library:

Marathon Training by Joe Henderson
GV1065.17.T73 H45 2004

Marathon Training for Dummies
GV1065.17.T73 D74 2002

Running Well by Sam Murphy and Sarah Connors
GV1061 .M877 2009

Marathon: the Ultimate Training Guide by Hal Higdon
GV1065.17.T73 H55 2005

Do You Know Discovery?

We have a Discovery tool that will help with all your research needs. Rather than searching a single database like Academic Search Complete or JSTOR or Taylor & Francis individually, you can use our Discovery tool to search through all these databases and more at one time.

From the Dick Smith Library homepage, click on either the Discovery@Tarleton link just below the Library Catalog link or just use the quick and easy search box on the left hand side. Discovery makes it much easier to find what you need quickly.

"New" Printer!

If you hate waiting in line to print something, you're in luck! The library has brought back one of the printers that was going to be in storage during the renovation. You can find it on the upper floor, next to the elevator.

And remember, in addition to the printers on the upper level, there's also a printer on the lower level.

Do you have interests beside school? We have databases for you!

This semester we have several new databases for you to use! Most of them are academic databases that will be great for your school work, and you can check them all out on the Guide to Databases Page.  But, we know that you have interests outside of school as well, so today I’m highlighting three new databases that contain information on hobbies, home improvement and engine repair. Hopefully you will find something that will get your creative juices flowing, inspire you to try something new, or maybe even save some money!

Hobbies and Crafts Reference Center has how-to videos, instructions, and project ideas for many different hobbies and crafts, including knitting, outdoor activities, crafting, and scrapbooking. It also includes full-text from many different hobby magazines including American Craft, Scuba Diving, and Horse & Rider.

Home Improvement Reference Center includes information on a variety of home improvement tasks, including decorating, plumbing, electrical and woodworking. The Toolbox includes how-to videos, conversion charts, glossaries, and a guide to working with contractors. It also includes step-by-step maintenance guides for projects like maintaining a grill.

Small Engine Repair Reference Center gives detailed instructions on how to repair and maintain small engines, such as those in boats, lawnmowers, motorcycles and tractors. It includes engine diagrams and full service manuals.

Today in History...Magellan's Expedition Ends Its Journey

 

On September 6, 1522, the Vittoria, the sole surviving ship belonging to Magellan's expedition arrives back in Spain being the first to circumnavigate the world.  Sadly, the ship returned home without its leading explorer. 

The expedition began on September 20, 1519 with 5 ships and about 270 men.  They began their journey traveling to the west side of African then heading off for Brazil.  Following the coastline south they finally found what they were searching for, a straight to the ocean on the other side.  After passing through the straight, now known as the Straight of Magellan, they arrived at the Pacific Ocean.  Sailing the wide expanse of ocean for a little over 3 months they landed in Guam with no food left. 

Traveling though the islands in the Philippines they stopped on the island of Cebu and after staying several days Magellan persuaded the chief and his people to convert to Christianity.  The chief asked Magellan to help him defeat a rival, Chief Lapu-Lapu.  Magellan was killed during the fight. 

At this point two ships remained and they sailed for Moluccas to complete their trading.  One ship attempted to return home over the Pacific the way they had come but did not make it.  The other continued circling the globe heading east and finally, with only 18 survivors, arrived home in Spain 491 years ago today.

 

Want to know the full exciting details of the journey? 

Use our discovery tool to find tons of books and articles!

KIC Scanner, SAY WHAT?!

Have you noticed the scanners in the library have vanished? It's because we have a new KIC scanner. It is located near our Systems Office and the reference desk on the third floor.

It is fast, easy to use, and very convenient when you're on the go. It will save your scans in PDF or JPG format to a USB drive, or send to an email of your choosing. No mouse required here; it's TOUCHSCREEN!

The library is acquiring tons of new fun gadgets. We also have the new collaboration table located in the lower level. Please, take the time to check out our new "toys"!

If you have questions concerning the use of the KIC scanner, you may contact Margie Maxfield at (254) 968-1955 or Chris Grantham at (254) 968-9030.