Library Hours: Winter Break

Winter Break Hours

December 17-18, 2011
Saturday - Sunday
CLOSED

December 19-22, 2011
Monday - Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

December 23, 2011 - January 2, 2012
CLOSED

January 3-6, 2012
Tuesday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

January 7-8, 2012
CLOSED

Regular hours resume on Monday, January 9th.

Finals Week = Free Coffee & Tea in the Library!

Finals week (December 12-16) means FREE tea and coffee in the Parkland Library. Come to the main floor of the library to grab your cup of joe.

Need a quiet spot to study? Head to the upper floor and/or the computer classroom for silent study zones.

Have a cup? Bring it! Be green.

Enjoy and good luck with finals!

Google Graphing Calculator

Google does it again. I've always been a fan of their Advanced Search feature (did you know you can search just .gov or .org?), but now Google offers a built-in graphing calculator.

CNET writes about this new feature here. And this is a link to Google's blog post about the new feature.

While this may help you when you don't have your handy TI-83 calculator, you may still need to have the actual calculator during exams.

Did you know that the Parkland Library has TI-83 calculators to check out? Save some big $$ by checking one out for free!

Special thanks go to our library student assistant, Justin, for suggesting this story for the blog!

World AIDS Day - December 1st

In recognition of World AIDS Day, we would like to offer a list of resources to help you stay informed.

What is World AIDS Day?

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988. (taken from this site.)

To find books and videos at Parkland College on HIV/AIDS, click this link.

Go here to find fast facts on HIV/AIDS.

Watch an exclusive World AIDS Day event: The Beginning of the End of AIDS, featuring President Barack Obama, President George W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, Bono, Alicia Keys and others. Join ONE and (RED)'s exclusive live broadcast from Washington, DC this Thursday, Dec. 1 at 10 am EST, 3pm GMT

Stay healthy. Stay Informed.

Thanksgiving 2011 Hours

During the week of Thanksgiving, we will be open Monday and Tuesday from 7:30 am to 10 pm. On Wednesday (November 23rd), we will close at 5 pm, and will not reopen until Monday November 28th at 7:30 am.

Online Course Guides @ the Parkland Library

Watch Tina Fey and Spock discuss Parkland Library's online course guides.

Want to see our course guides? Go here.

Libguides at Parkland College Library
by: scmiel2

Most popular magazines @ Parkland? The Top 10 List!

Remember the "please don't reshelve the magazines" signs in October? We've completed our use study and compiled the top most-used magazines. (Drum roll please...)

1. People

2. Sports Illustrated

3. MacWorld

4. Rolling Stone

5. Vogue

6. Glamour

7. Time

8. National Geographic

9. Vibe

10. Seventeen

Not surprisingly, popular magazines are the most "popular." We still need the more academic titles for research and professional reading. If you'd like us to add a title, please let us know.

Academic Use Only : 10am - 2pm, Monday-Friday

Yes, it's true. There are times when we have many more students wanting to use computers for class assignments than we have computers. Because this happens, we are starting "Academic Use Only" for all public computers Monday - Friday between 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

We really want everyone who needs a computer for online library resources and to work on a class assignment to be able to use one. So only homework/academic-related sites will be accessible during these "Academic Use Only" times. Please help your fellow students out by respecting these limits.

Happy Halloween from Shawshank Prison

The Parkland Library...I mean, Shawshank Prison is overrun with inmates this Halloween.



The warden caught an inmate trying to escape. Luckily he had a pair of cuffs at the ready.



Warden Watkin runs a tight ship.




Happy Halloween from Shawshank!

Parkland Reads presents: Trouble the Water

Save the date! Parkland Reads will host a showing of the film Trouble the Water. 93 minutes.

When: Tuesday, October 18 from 11:00a – 12:50p.
Where: L111

Nominated for an Academy Award for best documentary film in 2008, Trouble the Water delivers a unique perspective on Hurricane Katrina and how the storm affected the residents of New Orleans. For more information on the film, visit the official site.

Join us for the showing and a brief discussion afterward. Classes are welcome.

Co-sponsored by UIUC Women’s Resource Center.

Watch the trailer here:

Magazine Use Study

Magazine Use Study: please do not reshelve magazines in the Library this month!

The Library is doing a print periodicals (magazines & journals) use study this month, October 2011. The purpose of the study is to help library staff make decisions about print and online access to periodicals, and to ensure that we are providing the best materials in the most appropriate format for you.

Please continue to use any journals and magazines as you usually do, but please do not reshelve periodicals after use. Instead of reshelving, simply place materials on the carts located in the Current Periodicals area or leave near a photocopier if you are making copies. Library staff will record usage and then reshelve all periodicals.

Thanks in advance for helping to make the study a success!

Banned Books Week

According to the American Library Association:

"Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.

Intellectual freedom—the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular—provides the foundation for Banned Books Week. BBW stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints for all who wish to read and access them.

The books featured during Banned Books Week have been targets of attempted bannings. Fortunately, while some books were banned or restricted, in a majority of cases the books were not banned, all thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, booksellers, and members of the community to retain the books in the library collections. Imagine how many more books might be challenged—and possibly banned or restricted—if librarians, teachers, and booksellers across the country did not use Banned Books Week each year to teach the importance of our First Amendment rights and the power of literature, and to draw attention to the danger that exists when restraints are imposed on the availability of information in a free society."

Want to see the Library's selection of Banned Books? Check out our display near the main entrance. Some of the titles may surprise you!

New Furniture in the Silent Zone

Brand new furniture has been added to the Silent Zone on the upper floor of the Library. Whether you prefer to stretch out at a table, the intimacy of a carrel, or a big overstuffed chair for your silent studying, the Silent Zone now offers it all. Even better, many of the tables and carrels are now equipped with pop-up power modules to power your laptop and other electronic devices. No more crawling on the floor looking for an available power outlet!

Meet Jim Gallagher

Jim Gallagher, the author of the new graphic novel, The Adventures of Jason and the New Argonauts, will give a talk at Parkland on Wednesday, September 28 at noon in C118. Afterwards - about 1:00 - you can come to Parkland Library and buy his book ($12) and get it signed by the author. We have a display of his book in the library right now, so check it out. You can read more about the event here: http://gds.parkland.edu/pros/gallagher/index.html. And then read an interview with the author at: http://www.smilepolitely.com/arts/an_interview_with_jim_gallagher

Parkland College Library's Semi-Annual BOOK SALE

HUGE Book Sale in the College Center

Monday, September 19 - Wednesday, September 21
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

All books are 25¢ each!!

Over 4,000 books available. Topics include:

• History
• Politics
• Heathcare Professions
• Geography
• Construction
• Foreign Languages
• Fine Arts
• And much MUCH more!

How much for each book? 25¢!! Really? Don't lie. Nope, we're not lying. Each book is only 25¢!

Everyone is welcome. Come one, come all!

Please bring a bag.

Library Computers - sometimes academic use only

Yes, it's true. There are times when we have many more students wanting to use computers for class assignments than we have computers. When that happens, we put up a sign that says, "Academic Use Only" and we also make an announcement, so you'll know. We really want everyone who needs a computer for online library resources and to work on a class assignment to be able to use one. So no Facebook or other social networking sites during these "Academic Use Only" times. Please help your fellow students out by respecting these limits.

Parkland Library 101

Read on to get the 411 on what Parkland Library has to offer:

Kindles - grab a Kindle e-book reader to read for fun. get a book you want added to it. read more about it here.

Laptops! - checkout a laptop for in-library-use ONLY for up to 3 hours. read details here.

Wi-Fi - bring your laptop to access the free wi-fi throughout the library. log in with your student email info.

Printing - 10 cents per page (black & white) / 50 cents per page (color). can pay with cash OR add cash to your Parkland ID.

Copies - 10 cents per page (black & white) / 50 cents per page (color)

Scanning - FREE, but you must have a flash drive with you

Fax - only fax service on campus for students! read this for more info.

Headphones - buy a set for $1.50 OR check out some for free at the Service Desk

Library Hours: August 15-21st

The Parkland Library hours are as follows:

August 15 - 21

8 AM - 5 PM Monday - Friday

CLOSED Saturday & Sunday

Regular hours resume Monday, August 22.

The Library is Slashing Prices

The Library's on-going used book sale is overflowing with books, so we're slashing prices! Everything is a quarter!

Check back often. New titles are added on a regular basis.

Also be sure to check our huge book sale in the College Center September 19-21.

Jane Says: Stay Cool This Summer @ the Parkland Library

With the heat index in the 100s, we need ideas to keep our cool. Watch this You Tube video to see what "Jane Says" are great ways to beat the heat.

Summer Hours

The Library hours have changed to the following:

Monday - Thursday
7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

CLOSED
Friday, Saturday, Sunday

These hours are in effect until August 7th.

New to the Library: Playaways

Listen anywhere - with the Library's new Playaways. These pre-loaded digital audio books don't require a player. They are small enough to slip in a pocket and listen while you run, relax, workout, clean, shop. Titles range from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and White Oleander to Rapid Spanish and the Veganist.

Look at our full list of titles by clicking here.

Conveniently located near the DVDs in the Media Viewing Area, Playaways check out for 2 weeks. Listen while you...

Ebsco Databases & Firefox Update

Have you updated to the newest version of Mozilla Firefox only to find that links won't open in the Ebsco databases? You're not alone. There is a compatibility issue. Ebsco is working on an update, but it won't be available until July.

In the meantime, use Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Safari. All of these internet browsers are working with the Ebsco databases.

Have any questions? Feel free to contact us at the Information Desk by phone: 217.373.3839; via email: library@parkland.edu; or via chat: http://www2.parkland.edu/library/pro_chat.html

Check out a Kindle!

photo from Amazon.com

Start your summer off right, check out a Kindle from the Parkland College Library. Kindle check outs are now available for Parkland Students, Faculty, and Staff!

We have two sets with different book lists. The links below display a list of book titles available on the different sets.

Kindle Set One

Kindle Set Two

You can read the ebook reader policy for the Kindle here. Take note: the check out period is 2 weeks.

Happy Summer Reading!

Pardon Our Dust

Have you been to the library's third floor this week? Were you surprised to see all the furniture gone? Come back next week to see the new furniture going in. And, what's more? Outlets, that's what! No more hunting around to see where you can plug in. There will be outlets galore!

Summer Hours 2011

The Parkland Library summer hours are as follows:

Sat, May 14 CLOSED
Mon, May 30 CLOSED


May 14 - June 12
8 AM - 5 PM Monday - Friday
CLOSED Saturday & Sunday

Our Parkland Stories

The stories recorded during last month's Parkland Reads 'Day of Listening' are now LIVE! Listen to all stories at www.parklandreads.org Or click an individual link below to hear that one conversation.

Conversations that are mostly about life at Parkland:

President Ramage and Dale Ewen

Marietta Turner and a student, Paulette Johnson. (Do you think they will discuss civility?)

Phil and Rich Blazier

Jennifer Satterlee and Jan Thom

Eleni Kametas and a student, Annemarie Dell’aquila, discuss online and hybrid courses at Parkland.

Lex Tate and Board of Trustees member, Donna Giertz

Patti Arthur and Lori Sprague

Marva Nelson and Cynthia Biggers

Conversations between Parkland folks and their friends and/or family members:

Heather Snapp and Joe Omo-Osagie

Raeann Dossett and her brother, Scott Dossett

Pam Friese and her mother, Mary Lou Brown

Rose Keane and Chris Eanes

Kevin Schmidt and Jeff Goodpaster

FREE Coffee & Tea During Finals Week

Come into the Parkland Library during Finals Week (May 9 - 13) for a cup of FREE coffee or tea!

Need a quiet spot to study? Head to the upper floor and/or the computer classroom for silent study zones.

Have a cup? Bring it! Be green.

Good luck on your finals!

Parkland Library Green Roof Project

See photos of the green roof installation at our Facebook page by clicking here.

Attend the ribbon cutting on Monday, May 2nd at 11:00 a.m. in the Parkland College Library. Light refreshments will be served.

SALE!! Slashed Prices!! Book Sale

We're slashing prices at the Library's Book Sale!

1 book = 25 cents
10 books = $2.00!!!

That's right, TEN books for $2.00!

You'll have to call Public Safety, these prices are such a steal!

Hurry before they're all gone.

When? Friday (4/29) ONLY 9am - 4pm.

Where? Parkland College Center

It Ain't Easy Being Green

Join us on Monday, May 2nd at 11:00 a.m. in the Parkland College Library as we hold our Green Roof Project ribbon cutting ceremony. Light refreshments will be provided.

What does "green roof" mean? The Parkland Prospectus writes, "the new roof system will help absorb excess storm water runoff, moderate roof temperatures, and provide a pleasing habitat for wildlife." Read more of the Prospectus article on the project here.

We hope to see you!

Semi-Annual BOOK SALE

Book Sale Wednesday, April 27 - Friday, April 29 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

All books are 50¢ each!

We have over 1,500 books available. Book topics include:

History
Politics
Health care professions
Geography
Construction
Foreign Languages
And much much more!!

All books are 50¢ each. Sale will be in the College Center. Everyone is welcome.

Please bring a bag.

Need Supplies?

Introducing the Parkland Library office supplies pilot program. We have bags of office supplies for student use on the main library floor by the copiers. Need a ruler? We got it! How about some whiteout? Check! Highlighter? Uh huh. Get the picture? We have what you need.

The catch? Just bring it back when you're done. Bringing it back means it will be there the next time you need it.

Want video?

We've got it! Films on Demand offers over 500 educational videos that you can watch to enhance your learning and presentations/speeches. Topics range from science to Shakespeare to foreign language. You can watch clips or full length films. Get to this great resource by going to the Parkland Library home page, and then click the "Video Resources" link, and then "Films.com Collection." If you are off-campus, you will need to log in. Parkland students use your student email login; faculty/staff use your Novell login.

Enjoy!

New Environmental Videos on Display for Earth Day!

Check out the display in the Library near the main entrance that is full of new environmental videos. Want a list of some of the titles? Grab a bookmark as well.

Then participate in Ride Your Bike to Work (or school!) Day on May 3, and enjoy refreshments near the B wing outside!

National Library Week Recap

National Library Week was a great success at the Parkland College Library. Lots of events took place this week: the 2011-2012 Parkland Reads book was announced; we unveiled our newest READ poster; we had our 3rd Annual Cupcake-a-Book Contest; AND, newly added, we library people created our OWN books!

Our 3rd Annual Cupcake-a-Book Contest raised $112 for the Garden Hills Homework Club. The winner of the contest was Sarah Whittington, a Parkland Library employee. Her winning design was based on the book, Flowers for Algernon. Way to represent, Sarah!
Parkland Reads: One Book, One College chose their fifth book this year. The 2011-2012 selection is "Zeitoun." To read more about (and/or buy) the book, click here. Below is a picture of Sherry Cmiel, Parkland librarian and Parkland Reads coordinator, presenting the book.



AND, the newest READ poster was unveiled this week. This year's poster features Brian Nudelman, an Associate Professor in the Humanities Department. His featured book is "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut. Come into the library to see the READ poster.



But wait, there's MORE! Several library employees participated in a new venture this year: If My Life Were a Book, the Title Would Be... Come into the library to see what we came up with. A favorite is Raeann Dossett's "And the Dog Just Stared." The cover shot is below.


There are more photos of National Library Week events at our Flickr page.

We all thank you for the support you show the Parkland College Library year round!

Your Life Story in Six Words

Tell us your story in six words. The library is collecting six-word memoirs this week in celebration of National Library Week.

Come in & grab a sheet of paper and a marker, crayon, pen, or pencil at the library entrance. Tape up your six-word memoir with the others on display.

Need some inspiration? Check out the SMITH Magazine six-word memoir web site.

Parkland College Library: All That and a Bagga Chips

READ Poster & Parkland Reads Book Reveal

Our annual READ poster unveiling and Parkland Reads book reveal. Any ideas who could be on the poster this year? Are you wondering what the 2011-2012 book will be? On Thursday, April 14 at 10:00am in the Library's Reading Lounge all will be revealed! Enter your name to win a copy of the book(s). Refreshments will be served.

Tell Your Parkland Story

Prefer to listen to this post?

Parkland Reads and WPCD invite you to TELL YOUR PARKLAND STORY on our next Day of Listening on Wednesday, April 13. This semester we are aiming to create a permanent record of interviews from our Parkland community on topics, issues and experiences that matter to us. Interviews can involve our history or they can focus on now or on (put on your space suit) the future.

How does it work? It involves two people – one to ask questions and the other to tell the story. If you want to interview someone you know who has a good story (or an experience or perspective on a particular issue that you want to record), ask that person and then reserve a time for the two of you to have a recorded conversation on April 13. If YOU’RE the one who has a story to tell, invite someone you know to ask you questions, and sign up to record your conversation on April 13.

Conversations should be 10 – 20 minutes long. After they are recorded, they will be posted here for everyone to listen to. You can listen to the stories that have already been recorded by clicking on the “Our Conversations” tab above.

Ready to sign up for a time on April 13? E-mail: parklandreads@parkland.edu.

Conversations will be recorded at WPCD, Parkland’s radio station, in X137.

Third Annual Cupcake-a-Book Contest : April 11th

National Library Week is April 10-16, which means the Library's third annual Cupcake-A-Book Contest is just around the corner! On April 11 from 10am-2pm, the book-themed cupcakes will be on display in the College Center. This year's theme is your favorite book, and after the fabulous creations from last year, we predict quite the competition.

Please fill out your entry form (click here for form) and send it to Sarah Whittington, Library, R-231, or drop it off at the Service Desk. Then check out some of the previous entries. Proceeds will go to the Homework Club at Garden Hills Elementary School, and the winner will become the reigning champion of cupcakes!

Create Your Own Story @ Your Library : National Library Week

National Library Week is right around the corner! Parkland Library has activities planned to celebrate the week of April 11-15. This year's theme is: Create Your Own Story @ Your Library.

We invite you to join us in the following:

-- Our Third Annual Cupcake-A-Book contest taking place on Monday, April 11 from 10am-2pm in the College Center.

This year's theme is YOUR favorite book. Pick your favorite book and decorate a cupcake entry to fit with the story's theme, characters, plot, or title. Then come to the College Center and get people to vote with their cash for your entry. All money will go to the Garden Hills' Homework Club. The entry form must be submitted by April 8 @ 5:00pm.

-- Celebrate the National Day of Listening on Wednesday, April 13th - Tell Your Parkland Story. This semester Parkland Reads' aim is to create a permanent record of interviews from our Parkland community on topics, issues and experiences that matter to us. Interviews can involve our history or they can focus on now or on (put on your space suit) the future. Record a 10-20 minute conversation with another person about your Parkland story. Want to know more? Want to sign up? Click here.

-- End the week with our annual READ poster unveiling and Parkland Reads book reveal. Any ideas who could be on the poster this year? Are you wondering what the 2011-2012 book will be? On Thursday, April 14 at 10:00am in the Library's Reading Lounge all will be revealed! Enter your name to win a copy of the book(s). Refreshments will be served.

-- While you're in the Library, tell us your story with your six-word memoir! We'll be putting them on display all week long.

Faculty: students are particularly invited to take part in the activities.

Help us celebrate in the Parkland College Library!

Spring Break : Library Hours

Spring Break Hours

March 19-20, 2011
Saturday & Sunday
Closed

March 21-24, 2011
Monday - Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

March 25-27, 2011
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Closed

Regular hours resume on Monday, March 28th.

Pi Day in the Library

For most of the Library Staff, π (pi = 3.14) is a nearly forgotten remembrance of long-ago high school math. But it came back to haunt us on "Pi Day" (March 14 = 3.14) in a refreshingly pleasant way . . . . apple, strawberry, sweet potato, key lime, lemon meringue, banana cream, chocolate chip cookie, and even lentil-spinach quiche and pizza pies were studied in a test of gastronomic delight. We are happy to report that unlike our math grades, Pi Day scored an A+ from all the staff.

SPARK: Scholarship at Parkland

SPARK is Parkland College's open-access digital repository. It is the home of the rich body of scholarly and creative work of Parkland College students, faculty, administration, and staff. SPARK promotes and showcases these works, and facilitates their global discovery.

Everyone at Parkland College is encouraged to learn more about and contribute to SPARK.

Read a news article about SPARK here.

Girl Power

March is Women's History Month! Celebrate by reading a book or two (or three) about a famous woman in history or a woman making history today. Stop in the library to see our display of books available to check out. Ask a librarian at the information desk for other suggestions too.

In the meantime, head over to this Library of Congress site for more ideas on how to celebrate.

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Bestsellers in the Library

What do George W. Bush and Jay-Z have in common? Their new books can be checked out from the Parkland Library Bestseller section!

Here is a sample of the bestsellers Parkland has to offer:

• Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother - Amy Chua
• Decision Points - George W. Bush
• Decoded - Jay-Z
• Shooting Stars - LeBron James & Buzz Bissinger
  
• Three Seconds - Anders Roslund & Borge Hellstrom
• Tick Tock - James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge
• What the Night Knows - Dean Koontz
• Plus many many more!

The Bestsellers section is on the main floor of the library. Ask for directions at the Service or Information Desk.

Library Closed : Thursday, Feb. 24th

The library will be closed for Professional Development Day on Thursday, February 24th. We will reopen at 7:30a.m. on Friday, February 25th.

Our online database resources will still be available even though we are not open. Access these resources here off-campus using your Parkland student email login information.

What do Barack Obama, George Washington Carver, and Harriet Tubman all have in common?

They are all prominent black figures, celebrated in February for Black History Month! Read more about them and other significant black leaders by checking out a book from the Black History Month display, located near the Library's main entrance. Then ask a librarian for help finding books on specific topics throughout Black History.

And the Oscar Goes To...

Check out our great selection of Oscar-nominated films throughout the years! You can see some of your favorites and some that you have heard of but never seen. Students can check out up to 4 DVD's for a week with their student ID, all for free.

Earbuds for Sale!

In the season of germs and flu, you will be happy to know that you can buy a pair of earbuds at the Service Desk for only $1! Then keep them in your backpack to remain germ-free.

Who moved my magazines?

If your favorite magazine isn't where it used to be, look around. We've made room for new titles!

Look for: Cook's Illustrated, ESPN The Magazine, MacLeans, Seventeen, and Vibe.

Coming soon: Digital Photo, Today's Dietitian!

You'll no longer find U.S. News and World Report or Natural History because they are no longer published in print.

Come in, grab a magazine, and take a seat in one of our many comfortable chairs to relax with some good reading.

Library closed January 15-17th

The library will be closed on Saturday, January 15 through Monday, January 17st in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, January 18th.

the 411 on Parkland Library

Read on to get the 411 on what Parkland Library has to offer:

Laptops! - checkout a laptop for in-library-use ONLY for up to 3 hours. read details here.

Wi-Fi - bring your laptop to access the free wi-fi throughout the library. log in with your student email info.

Printing - 10 cents per page (black & white) / 50 cents per page (color). can pay with cash OR add cash to your Parkland ID.

Copies - 10 cents per page (black & white) / 50 cents per page (color)

Scanning - FREE, but you must have a flash drive with you

Fax - only fax service on campus for students! read this for more info.

Headphones - buy a set for $1.00 OR check out some for free at the Service Desk

Librarians - get all kinds of help from the info experts at the library information desk

Library Closed 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Friday, 1/7

The Library will be closed on Friday, January 7th from noon - 2:00 p.m. for professional development.