Happy Holidays from the Parkland Library

Take a look at a little something the Parkland Library put together just for you...because we care. Happy Holidays!

Library Hours : Winter Break

Winter Break Hours

December 13-14, 2008
Saturday - Sunday
Closed

December 15-19, 2008
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

December 20, 2008 - January 4, 2009
Closed

January 5-9, 2009
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

January 10-11, 2009
Closed

Regular hours resume on Monday, January 12th.

Finals Week = Free Coffee & Tea!

Need a boost to get you through finals week? Come into the library for a FREE cup of coffee or tea!

Stop in between finals or as a study break.

Hurry...this offer won't last forever...only during Finals Week!

Good luck with your finals!

Thanksgiving Week Hours

The Parkland Library hours for the week of November 24-30:

Monday-Tuesday
7:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Wednesday
7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Thursday-Sunday
CLOSED

Have a Safe & Happy Thanksgiving!

Something to be Thankful for...

Bathrooms! This Vermont library has gone 85 years without one...read all about it here. Ahhh, modern conveniences...

Quiet Computer Room

The library classroom (R227) is now a QUIET space for students to use for computer-based work. Like the upper floor of the library, this means there are a few do's & don'ts to remember:

Do’s: headphones (only YOU should be able to hear the music) and turn cell phones on vibrate/silent.

Don’ts: cell phone rings or conversations (take the call out of the room or outside the library), talking, whispering, group work, and music anyone else can hear.

As always, this room is primarily used as a library classroom. Take a look at the calendar on the door before walking in to use a computer.

Enjoy the silence...

Database Trials - EBSCO Research Starters: Education & Business

Check out two database trials Parkland Library has to offer through June 30, 2009:

• Research Starters: Business

• Research Starters: Education

Each contain study and research guides designed specifically for advanced high school students, college students and selected graduate students. They consist of comprehensive, yet concise topic summary articles of about 3,000 words in length written by researchers, scholars and other subject matter experts.

Topics parallel course offerings at major colleges and universities in the subject areas covered. These articles are designed to be starting points for students, providing them with topic overviews, definitions of relevant terms and concepts, detailed bibliographies, and importantly, links to top articles from the relevant database(s). Research Starters supplements textbooks and other materials with current and focused topic overviews, assisting students in undertaking their assignments and research successfully.

Trash Talk with Elizabeth Royte

FAXing is now available

Due to popular demand, the Parkland College Library now offers a public fax machine!!

The details:

Cost --
Domestic faxes = $1.50/first page, $1 for each additional page
International faxes = $4.95/first page, $3.45 each additional page

Location --
By the copiers inside the library

Send Only --
The machine will not receive incoming faxes.

Payment --
The machine ONLY accepts credit cards/debit cards (Visa/Mastercard/Discover/AmericanExpress)

The machine is provided by an outside company. Parkland does not set the fees, and is not collecting the fees.

Directions --
Posted by the fax machine.

Still Have Questions? --
See a librarian @ the Information Desk!

Do You Read Banned Books?

We do! Here's a list of some of our favorites:

• Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
• The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
• Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie
• Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
• Forever by Judy Blume
• Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
• The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine
• The Color Purple by Alice Walker
• In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
• The Witches by Roald Dahl
• The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
• Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
• What's Happening to my Body? Book for Girls: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Daughters by Lynda Madaras
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Beloved by Toni Morrison
• The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
• The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
• Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
• Where's Waldo? by Martin Hanford

What is a banned book? Every year thousands of bookstores, libraries, and schools face challenges from people who want them to stop making certain books available. The most common reasons are objections to the religious viewpoint presented in the material (examples: Harry Potter, Satanic Verses), language (Catcher in the Rye, Native Son) and sexuality (The Color Purple, Lolita).

During Banned Books Week, September 27 - October 4, libraries celebrate the freedom of authors to write and readers to read what they choose, even if it's unorthodox, unpopular, or offensive to some.

Come into the library to see our Banned Books Week display!

Trouble with WiFi?

We've noticed that some people are having trouble with WiFi in the library because their laptop's browser won't accept the network's attempt to redirect it to the wireless login page. Vista users, especially, may be affected by this problem.

If your computer says it is connected to the wireless network "Parkland," but your browser isn't working, try manually directing your browser to the login page.

Type https://authgw1.parkland.edu into your browser's address bar.

If this works for you, bookmark it for next time!

WiFi Troubleshooting List:

• Network card turned on?
• Does your wireless manager software show a connection to Parkland? (This might be a native Windows application or third party software. Make sure you understand what software is managing your WiFi connection.)
• Is your browser open?
• Is your browser trying to access https://authgw1.parkland.edu?
  

Let's hear from the students...

As we start week five of classes, we'd like to get some feedback from the students. We recently learned that the reason a student hadn't used Parkland's library before was because it was "intimidating."

Have any of you felt the same way? Or is there another reason for not using the Parkland Library?

Please share your comments by clicking the Comment link below this post. (All comments are moderated, so it won't show up immediately.)

We hope to hear from you,

Frank Blair, Access Services

The author is coming! The author is coming!

Elizabeth Royte, the author of Garbage Land: On the Secret Trail of Trash, will be at Champaign Public Library on Wednesday, October 15 and Parkland College on Thursday, October 16. For more details, go to www.parklandreads.org.

If you haven’t already, it’s time to begin reading the book! There are copies available for checking out from the library - HD4484.N7 R68 2006, or you can buy the book from Parkland Bookstore, and get a 15% discount.

Holiday Hours - Labor Day

The library hours for the Labor Day holiday are as follows:

Saturday, Aug. 30 - Monday, Sept. 1: CLOSED

The library resumes regular hours on Tuesday, Sept. 2nd.

Special Education and the Law

The Library is pleased to announce the addition of several books and DVDs on Special Education and the Law. These materials were purchased through a grant awarded by CARLI, the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois, and are now available for check-out. Stop by the Library for a look at the display by the main entrance!

I-Share Just Got Sweeter

I-Share, the online catalog for a number of college and university libraries in Illinois, just increased in size. There are 5 more libraries added to the mix, which brings the grand total to 76 library collections available to Parkland faculty, staff, and students. Yay for more materials available to us!

Why is this a big deal? If Parkland doesn't have a book you want, you can request it through I-Share. The item is delivered to Parkland for you to pick up in our library. Need help? Contact us at the Information Desk.

15 years down...15 more to go! Congratulations Frank!

Congratulations to Frank Blair on his 15 years at Parkland College!

Frank began his employment at Parkland in 1993 as a custodian on the night shift, later working in the mail room (1999), and in 2003 he became an Access Services Assistant in our Library. Frank works the front desk assisting library patrons. He also maintains the Library’s book stacks and he is primarily responsible for managing the Library's system for billing and fines.

Stop in to congratulate Frank on this milestone!

Welcome Back Parkland Faculty!

Parkland Library wants to welcome the faculty back to campus! We've missed seeing you, so drop into the library to say hello...check out a book...schedule an instruction session...put something on reserve...or just take a stroll through the stacks.

Library Closed - Monday, August 11, 8:00-10:00AM

The library will be closed on Monday, August 11 from 8:00-10:00 a.m. for the All College Preparation/Development Week Meeting. The library will be open Monday from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Library Hours for Preparation / Development Week
August 12 - 15
8 AM - 5 PM Tuesday - Friday

Fall Semester Hours Resume on Monday, August 18th.

State Cancels Funding for Wilson Select Plus and Periodical Abstracts

Wilson Select Plus and Periodical Abstracts, two databases funded by the Illinois State Library, are no longer available due to State of Illinois budget cuts. This sad bit of news was announced yesterday by the director of the Illinois State Library, Anne Craig.

The good news is that Parkland Library has access to other full-text databases, such as Academic Search Premier and InfoTrac Expanded Academic ASAP. These two resources alone collect millions of magazine and journal articles at your fingertips.

Need help using one of the library's resources? Visit our Ask a Librarian page or come into the library to see a librarian in his or her natural habitat!

Summer Hours

New Summer Hours are HERE!

June 16 - August 7
7:30 AM - 8 PM Monday - Thursday

Recarpeting Project...is DONE!

The Library is delighted to announce that the upper floor is now open and available for silent study and browsing.

Along with the new carpet, you'll notice we've replaced the lounge furniture and had the desk chairs recovered. We'd love to know what you think of the makeover, so please post a comment to the blog or drop us a line when you've had a look.

On behalf of the Library staff, I'd like to acknowledge the members of the custodial crew who worked on the project. They did a phenomenal amount of work alongside the carpet installers and the library movers. Your work is very much appreciated, thank you.

Anna Maria and Library staff.

Update: Recarpeting Project

Today's update.

1. The last of the carpet is being installed. The anticipated finish date is the end of day on June 3.
2. Various lights need to be reinstalled. They were taken out to allow the stacks to be moved. We've been told that they should be installed tomorrow.
3. The furniture has to be put back in place and thoroughly cleaned.

Once these three things are completed, we can open up the floor to users. Until then, the library staff will retrieve books for patrons. We are aware that several classes need materials and that assignments have been delayed while the floor has been closed.

The project is a little behind schedule and we apologize for this inconvenience.

Hopefully we'll be back to our usual smooth operation by Wednesday, June 4.

Recarpeting Project Update

Update: The project is moving along at an amazing speed for such a large job. Hallett Movers have been moving the books stacks and many books have been temporarily stored in boxes. Carpet squares are being laid, dust is flying, and the entire floor is an active and hazardous work zone.

The G through Z call number range is inaccessible at this time. It is unsafe for anyone but the moving and carpet crews to be in the area. We can help locate other material through the I-Share online catalog or in area libraries.

Barring any unforeseen problems, the project will be completed by May 31.

Thank you for your patience. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may be causing.

Recarpeting Project Photos

The 3rd floor recarpeting project is still underway. See the hard workers move shelves full of books:

Recarpeting Project / 3rd floor Access

Please note that the re-carpeting project on the Library's third floor has begun.

Books on the upper floor will be inaccessible for the duration of the project. The project is expected to last two weeks. This means any books from the G thru Z call number range are not available.

You may still request items from other institutions through the online catalog for delivery to Parkland Library.

We appreciate your patience as we continue to improve the Library. Any further updates will be posted to the blog.

Summer Hours 2008

The Parkland Library summer hours are as follows:

Sat, May 17 CLOSED
Mon, May 26 CLOSED
Fri, July 4 CLOSED

EARLY SUMMER (May 19 - June 13)
8 AM - 5 PM Monday - Friday

MIDDLE SUMMER (June 16 - August 7)
7:30 AM - 8 PM Monday - Thursday

August 11 - 15
8 AM - 5 PM Monday - Friday

Finals Week = Free Coffee & Tea!

Need a boost to get you through finals week? Come into the library for a FREE cup of coffee or tea!

Stop in between finals or as a study break.

Hurry...this offer won't last forever...only during Finals Week!

Good luck with your finals!

Silent Zone : Study Day / Finals Week

Would you like to study without distraction? Head on up to the 3rd floor of the library on Study Day or for Finals Week. This is the Silent Zone, so there shouldn't be any talking, whispering, snoring, cell phones ringing...noise of any kind.

Good luck with your finals!

Danger Danger

Do you like your stuff? You know, that lovely laptop of yours or that crazy cool iPhone you just got? Or silly things like credit cards? We all like those things, so now is the time to be aware.

Watch your stuff because chances are someone else is watching it too.

So, don't run off to the bathroom or to the print station without keeping track of your stuff. Library staff cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items.

Theft happens all the time...especially at the end of a semester. Don't let it happen to you.

Holy cinematics, Batman! A free movie!

Take a break from your studies this Friday afternoon, April 25th, to contemplate the place of superheroes in our culture.

FIRST, at 1 pm, enjoy a talk by Parkland's own Rebecca Busker:
Batman Reveals! Our Myths, Our History

Explore how superheroes reflect the values of their times.

THEN, at 2 pm, take in a free showing of "Batman Begins" starring Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, and Katie Holmes.

BOTH EVENTS ARE FREE!

Join us in the friendly darkness of the Staerkel Planetarium.

See the poster here and around campus for more information.

Parkland READ Poster

The 4th Annual Parkland READ Poster features:

Yvonne Meyer
Police Sergeant
Parkland College Public Safety

Parkland Reads: One Book, One College 2008 Program Launch: Garbage Land

Parkland Reads: One Book, One College is pleased to launch the 2008 selection: Garbage Land: On the Secret Trail of Trash by Elizabeth Royte.

Come into the Parkland Library on April 17th, noon - 1:00 p.m. for the festivities...

Book Raffle/Giveaway
Refreshments
Lively librarians

4th Annual Parkland READ Poster Unveiling

As part of National Library Week, Parkland Library presents the 4th Annual Parkland READ poster unveiling. Who will it be?

Come find out who it is on April 17th, 12:00-1:00 p.m. in the Library Lounge.

Learn How to Use I-Share

Parkland librarians, Frances Drone-Silvers and Jane Smith, are leading a session on using I-Share to borrow books not owned by Parkland Library. The session is Friday, April 11th from noon-1:00 p.m. in the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, room D-116.

This session is for Parkland faculty and staff.

We hope to see you there!

Library Staff Get Remarkable Spring Makeovers!

Spring...time to turn over a new leaf, put your best foot forward. In the spirit of renewal, the library staff recently underwent a series of remarkable makeovers. Famed photographer Annie Leaveourwits documented the transformations for her forthcoming book "American Librarians." Check out our new looks here!

Library Hours - Spring Break

Spring Break Hours

March 15-16, 2008
Saturday & Sunday
Closed

March 17-20, 2008
Monday - Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

March 21-23, 2008
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Closed

Regular hours resume on Monday, March 24th.

Art Annex Exhibit: Student Art Show

Come in the Parkland Library to see the newest exhibit in the Art Annex. This student art show features work from ART 283: Portfolio Seminar. Read more about it here. The show is up now through March 23rd.

Severe Storms Preparedness Week (March 4-10)

In honor of Severe Storms Preparedness Week, we've created a list of resources available at the library and online.

Books

The Coming Storm: Extreme Weather and Our Terrifying Future by Bob Reiss / Call number: QC941 .R43 2001

Eye of the Storm: Inside the World’s Deadliest Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and Blizzards by Jeffrey Rosenfeld / Call number: QC944 .R68 1999

F5: Devastation, Survival, and the Most Violent Tornado Outbreak of the Twentieth Century by Mark Levine / Call number: QC955.5.U6 L483 2007

Meteorology Demystified by Stan Gibilisco / Call number: QC863.4 .G53 2006

Restless Skies: the Ultimate Weather Book by Paul Douglas / Call number: QC981 .D68 2005

Storm Warning: the Story of a Killer Tornado by Nancy Mathis / Call number: QC955.5.U6 M38 2007

Storm World: Hurricanes, Politics, and the Battle Over Global Warming by Chris Mooney / Call number: QC944 .M66 2007

Tornadoes by Michael Allaby / Call number: QC955 .A45 2004

Violent Weather: Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, and Hurricanes by Andrew Collins / Call number: QC968 .C65 2006

Web sites:

National Weather Service Severe Weather Awareness/Preparedness Guide

Illinois Emergency Management Agency Weather-related Preparedness Guides

University of Illinois Extension - Disaster Resources

Be safe...

Survey Results - Parkland Reads 2007

Check out the Parkland Reads 2007 survey results to see what the Parkland community thought about the program.

To see the results, click here. This is a pdf file. If you do not have Adobe Reader, go here to install it.

Library Closed on Thursday, February 28

The library will be closed on Thursday, February 28th. We will reopen at 7:30a.m. on Friday, February 29th.

Library Art Annex Exhibit - Fauna Memoria: Photographs by Jennifer Bonilla

Come see the newest Art Annex exhibit - Fauna Memoria: Photographs by Jennifer Bonilla - now through Friday, February 29, 2008. Read more about this student exhibit here.

Pardon our mess...

No, we're not in the middle of a furniture liquidation sale. Part of the library is being recarpeted, so there is furniture in unexpected places. This project should take a week or so. Thank you for your patience.

Library Hours...

The library will be closed on Saturday, January 19 and Monday, January 21st in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, January 22nd.

New at the Library

This just in...find books and films new to the Parkland Library using the catalog. Use these easy steps:

1. Go to the library catalog.
2. Click New in the Catalog button at the top of the catalog page.
3. Use the drop-down boxes to narrow your search (New since.../Sort by.../Title or Author (optional)...).
4. Click Search.
5. Find some fabulous new books and films.
6. Come into the library to check them out.
7. Thank your lucky stars that libraries exist. :)

Courtesy Notice Emails

Ever turn in a book or video late and get a late fee? Would you love it if someone gave you a tap on the shoulder to tell you when something is due? Well, it's your lucky day. The library is now sending Courtesy Notice emails to patrons two days before the due date. All you need to do...check your email and/or check the due date stamp in the book or video...and, of course, return the item on time.

Another way to check your due date: My Account. Type in your library borrower ID (on your Parkland ID card) and your last name. It shows everything you have checked out and when it's due. It's possible to renew items this way too. Check here to view our Renewal rules.

New Magazine Subscriptions

Check out our newest magazine subscriptions! We've started some new subscriptions for the new year.

Computer Arts
Dynamic Graphics
O, the Oprah Magazine
A Public Space
Vanidades (Spanish culture, fashion, celebrity news, recipes, etc.--in Spanish)

Textbooks

Looking for your textbook? While it's a great plan, chances are the Library won't have a copy of your text that you can check out for the semester. Our mission is to provide materials (books, databases, magazines, and films) that go beyond the text. (Besides, it wouldn't be fair if one person got a "free" textbook nobody else in the course did, right? Right?)

Sometimes instructors place a copy of the textbook on reserve -- for 2-hour, in Library use. Use the "Course Reserves" link on the Library web page, then search by your COURSE NUMBER.

New Resource: Credo Reference

Ever wonder what in the world a blog is? Click here to find out in Credo Reference.

Parkland College Library is pleased to announce an impressive online reference collection: Credo Reference. Get to the collection of over 240 reference books on the library website on the Articles and Databases page...Top Five General Reference Tools. This resource can be accessed on & off campus.

From the publisher:

Offering access to over 1.7 million individual entries, Credo Reference contains all the types of reference books that you'd want to see in any quality library: dictionaries, encyclopedias, thesauri, and books of quotations, not to mention a host of subject-specific titles covering everything from the arts to accountancy and law to literature. And because all our books are provided by the best reference publishers, you know you can believe what you read.