Help us pick a new director!!!

This coming Monday, 5/1, there will be a candidate for director of the library. He'll be at an open meeting for students at 10am in the cafe, and doing an open presentation in the Kiefer Room ay 1:15. All are very much welcome!

Lots to do yet this semester?

If your "to do" list includes lots of studying, research etc., the library is open extensive hours right thru the end of finals week. You can see the library hours online. (And if you're taking summer classes, those hours will be posted soon!) Good luck!

Controversy anyone?

Researching a controversial topic, like "Port Security," "Future of Feminism," or "Rising Health Costs?" These are recent articles in CQ Researcher, a good source for objective, fact based information. The site has a new entry each week, on topics like the above and much more. You can easily print the articles out, and it's easy to search the site too. If you want opinon pieces, try Opposing Viewpoints, where you can find all sorts of pro and con opinon pieces on a wide range of topics.

Leaky roof

Some of you will have noticed on the top floor the water problem we have with our roof; the garbage cans and tarps to catch water, the books set out to dry... The problem is that the building is 30+ years old and badly needs a new roof. The physical plant staff here are doing everything they can to keep up with the leaks, but the age and type of roof we have make it quite difficult for them. There are plans in the works to get a new roof in the next year or so. Please, in the meantime, if you're up on the top floor and notice any water leaks, let us know right away! Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Audio-books

We've had a question or two lately about our audio book collection. To be honest, our audio book collection is pretty small, as that sort of thing isn't generally too primary in supporting student research, which is our main goal. We do have a few things, you can search for them in the catalog, or browse them; they're against that central staircase on the main floor of the library. The public libraries, including Brockport's own Seymour Library on the north end of the village, all have much bigger collections. You can search their holdings in the "Libra" catalog. (Students - if you live in Monroe County, either full time or as a student resident, you can get a Monroe County public library card to borrow books. If you currently live outside Monroe County, like you commute from Orleans County, you'd have to pay $30 for a Monroe County card - or you could use your own local public libraries!)

Inauguration today!

The inauguration for President Halstead is in just a little while, and is a good occasion to think about the college's history. And yes, this college does have a history! Rather a long and interesting one actually. We started as an "academy" in 1841 and, well, you might like to read about it for yourself, and enjoy the pictures too, at the college archives site. Be the first one in your dorm to know who wrote the college alma mater!

E-books

Interested in ebooks? Drake Library has a subscription to netLibrary, which includes about 1,400 recent titles, and links to many more older, no longer in copyright titles. IM (drakeref) or call (395-2760) the reference desk to learn more about netLibrary.

Other options for you: download Microsoft Reader or a similar software and there are many sites where you can download ebooks. For recent titles you'll have to pay of course, but many classics are easily available for free, in both PC & Palm or Pocket PC versions at sites like the University of Virginia Etext Center.