Take our Survey!

Win a prize!  

Tarleton students, please complete the survey at the link below to be eligible to win a portable Bluetooth speaker with LED lights (valued at $90). The Dick Smith Library staff are seeking feedback from users of the Library Learning Commons. The survey will only take a few minutes.  Include your email address and all completed surveys will be eligible to win the speaker.

Your feedback is important and survey results help us improve the Library Learning Commons and its services. Thank you.

https://tarleton.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6AamwHB11omVy5L

Library Learning Commons Website

As most of you know, the Library Learning Commons (LLC) is now complete. You can enjoy a nice cup of coffee, get tech help, and even setup tutoring sessions, to name a few amenities. The new space is comfortable and inviting. If you haven't had the opportunity to check it out, you are missing out on some of the most state of the art technologies on campus. There are collaboration stations, KIC scanners, and charging stations. In the near future, you can expect to find a laptop vending machine. The easiest way to access any information about the LLC is to use our LLC website.

Need assistance? Call 254-968-9249 or email reference@tarleton.edu

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Need to Change your Password?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Service Desks in the Learning Commons

Those of you who are returning students, faculty, and staff know that the main floor of the library looks completely different!  Here is a (modified) color-coded map we prepared for Transition Week activities with the incoming freshman, with icons indicating the various services:

The Library Learning Commons has four main service desks. Here is some detail about the hours, services provided, and contact information for each:

Keep in mind:  the Reference desk can assist you with most services, especially when other service desks are closed.

Here are what some of the other icons on the map mean:

New Collaboration Tables!

The collaboration tables in the library have multiplied! We now have four collaboration table booths, and two collaboration table rooms in the new library learning commons, as well as our original collaboration table on the lower level. These tables and rooms are great for working on group papers or projects, researching together or group exam review. Everyone can share their own screens, and see the large screen monitor. No more huddling around a lab computer or someone's laptop!

All the collaboration tables are equipped with a large screen TV monitor, an on board computer, wireless keyboard and mouse and connectors for four other devices. Just push the button on the cord to display that device. Pro tip: If you are using the on board computer along with other connected devices, disconnect the other devices to return to viewing the on board computer. The connectors are all HDMI or VGA, but if you need a different kind of connector, ask at the circulation desk. We have connectors for iPads, tablets, and many other devices available for check out.

Environmentally Conscious in the Library Learning Commons

Throughout the new Library Learning Commons, you'll see numerous recycling stations...

photo by Tracy Holtman

...with slots for trash/garbage, recyclable bottles & cans, and recyclable paper:

photo by Tracy Holtman, modified by Amanda Pape

In the areas with printers, there are new cabinets with slots cut in the top for recycling paper:

photo by Amanda Pape

We also have new water fountains in the lobby area across from the restrooms:

photo by Tracy Holtman

One of the fountains has a place to refill your travel cups and water bottles, activated by a sensor.  It also measures the number of plastic bottles being saved from the landfill.  The new Library Learning Commons has only been open two weeks, and already the count is at 258!

photo by Tracy Holtman, modified by Amanda Pape

Campus Renovations

photo by Amanda Pape

We're super excited about the soon-to-be-opened Library Learning Commons, but the Dick Smith Library isn't the only building on campus undergoing renovations.

Check out Tarleton's renovations website for updates on other projects:  the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center, the One-Stop Shop at the Tarleton Center, new residence hall construction, Alumni Island, and the O. A. Grant Humanities Building.

The latter has a cool glass tower on the southwest corner of the building, facing the intersection of Washington and Lillian streets.  This tower is also adjacent to the visitor parking lot (P12) next to the library.  The photo at right was taken on Sunday night as I was leaving the library.  Check out the cool lighting on the tower!

A photo of the tower in daylight can be found on the university's Instagram account.

Learning Commons Renovation Timeline

Here's a timeline (created with TimelineJS) of the Learning Commons renovation project.  Check this post later for updates to the timeline!

Library changes

The main floor of the library is looking really bare.  We are clearing the area so that construction can start soon for the new Learning Commons!   The computers and tables will be moving next week.  If you would like to keep up with the status of the work, check the Library Learning Commons Renovation website. If you're a more visual person, the library also posts pictures of the status on their Flickr account.

Learning Commons

The library is hoping to start construction on a Learning Commons in August.  Preparations are already being made to move equipment, furniture, and staff to ensure library services remain available during the renovation.  We hope to have a web page out soon where you can see a rendering, floor plans, and featured photographs of the project.

You can view the progress of the project via pictures on Flickr. We will also be posting updates on our social media outlets, so be sure and follow us on Facebook and Twitter!