UST Libraries News

Are you confused by all the conflicting information you are hearing about the health care proposal? Gain an understanding of the nation’s current health care debate, without the rhetorical excess. A panel of UST community members will provide perspectives in terms of faith and citizenship.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009
12 - 1 p.m., O’Shaughnessy Educational Center Auditorium

Panel members include:
•Sen. Dave Durenberger, Health Care MBA faculty,
Director of the National Institute for Health Policy
•Dr. Paul Wojda, Associate Professor of Theology,
Director of the Master of Arts in Catholic Studies
•Mr. Dan McLaughlin, Director of the UST Center for Health and
Medical Affairs

Why are we talking about health care in America? Is health care a social good, a right, or a commodity? And as a community of faith, what special perspective do we have on these questions? Join the conversation!

Sponsored by the Office for Mission

Posted by John Heintz at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Novelist Ron Hansen will read from his works on Thursday, October 22 at 7:30 pm in Room 126 (auditorium) at the John R. Roach Center for the Liberal Arts, as part of the UST Sacred Arts Festival.

Ron Hansen is the Gerard Manley Hopkins, S.J., Professor in the Arts and Humanities at Santa Clara University. His novels frequently pair history with morality tales as well as Catholic themes of unconditional love, redemption and resurrection.

His novels include The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (finalist for the National Book Award and PEN/Faulkner Award), Mariette in Ecstasy (adapted for film and stage), and Exiles. Hanson has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Guggenheim Foundation and the Lyndhurst Foundation as well as the Award in Literature from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.

In 2007 Hansen was ordained a permanent deacon of the Catholic Church, and in May he was inducted to the College of Fellows at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, Calif.

Posted by John Heintz at 09:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

We are happy to invite you to visit the Special Collections Department in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library on Friday, October 23, 2009 any time between 1:00pm and 5:00pm. You will see two special gifts given to the university libraries -- a volume of the Heritage edition of the St. John’s Bible and a facsimile of the Book of Kells -- on special display as a part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library. If you have any questions, please call Ann Kenne, Head of Special Collections and University Archivist at 651-962-5461.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 03:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The UST Community is invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center on Friday, October 23. We are honored to be joined by members of the O'Shaughnessy and Frey families, many benefactors and supporters of the UST Libraries as we listen to a welcome message from Fr. Dease and see a video presentation by Dan Gjelten. We invite you to join us for the festivities which will begin at 3:30 pm in the JRC auditorium, Room 126, and will then move over to the library at about 4:15 pm for reception in the Great Hall on second floor, music, exhibits and memorabilia in the O’Shaughnessy Room, tours, appetizers, and a chance to reminisce with friends, old and new. Call Julie Kimlinger at 962-5014 to rsvp or if you have any questions. We welcome your recollections, fond memories, etc of the library and you can submit them electronically at our 50th website. Look for the Share Your Memories button -- and we hope to see you on Friday, October 23. All are welcome!

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The 2009 Ig Nobel Prizes were awarded on Thursday night, October 1, at the 19th First Annual Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony, at Harvard's Sanders Theatre. These prizes are awarded "for achievements that first make people LAUGH then make them THINK." For example, the Medicine Prize was awarded to Donald L. Unger, of Thousand Oaks, California, USA, for investigating a possible cause of arthritis of the fingers, by diligently cracking the knuckles of his left hand - but never cracking the knuckles of his right hand - every day for more than sixty (60) years. You can read the entire list here.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 09:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dani Roach and Linda Hulbert were interviewed for a white paper by Serials Solutions, a vendor of e-resources management tools. The paper stems from a presentation Roach gave at the North American Serials Interest Group (NASIG) meeting in June. That presentation described the work of a National Information Standards Organization Committee, which is developing the standards for integrating financial information from multiple sources and usage data for electronic resources to determine costs per use, CORE - Cost of Resource Exchange. Please contact Dani or Linda at the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library if you would like to talk further on this subject.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 09:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The month of October is to some the most beautiful month of the year - and it is also Theological Libraries Month! Ireland Library has planned several activities to celebrate and you are invited to participate - for example, see an exhibit of historic holy cards; find new books and electronic resources; check out the display of materials on the theme of "Year for Priests" - and much more. Please read today's article in the Bulletin today for more information.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 08:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As you may or may not know, Art Index indexes major art journals. More than just articles though, it also indexes art reproductions. So, you can find which journal has a color reproduction of a work you’re looking for (type the name of a work or an artist into the search box, then scroll down to Document Type and select Art Reproduction, then search). In addition to indexing, Art Index includes the full-text to over 50 journals. And now it includes substantial biographies on people associated with the art world. Biographies are available for many artists, critics, etc.: in the citation of an article you find, look for Biography, and if listed, then click the person's name to see the text of the bio. Questions? Ask a Librarian...

Posted by John Heintz at 05:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mitchell Muncy from the Institute for American Values argues that Banned Book Week is an overblown event because books in this country are not banned by any government agency and are therefore almost always accessible. Also petitioners who initiate a challenge to a book title lose their case nearly six times out of seven according to the American Libraries Association.

Do you believe Banned Books Week and reactions to local challenges are overhyped when the reality is that access to books is almost universal via multiple library systems and online book sellers like Amazon?

Finding Censorship Where There Is None via the Wall Street Journal

Posted by Andrea Hudson at 07:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Over the summer several library databases that contain articles added audio download. So now you can listen to articles from magazines, journals and subject-specific encyclopedias on your iPod (and other mp3 players). Just look for the audio icon in the following resources.

Listen to articles from several dozen subject-specific encyclopedias and dictionaries in Gale Virtual Reference Library
Listen to arguments on both sides of the fence for major social issues in Opposing Viewpoints
Listen to author biographies, literary criticisms, and overviews of major works of literature in Literature Resource Center

Audio is also available in these Wilson databases:
Art Full-text
Applied Science Full-text
Education Full-text
General Science Full-text

and in several of the curriculum databases intended for the K-12 crowd.

Posted by John Heintz at 05:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The University of St. Thomas’ O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center soon will have its own “penny university” – a coffee shop.

Project planning is under way with Minneapolis architectural firm Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle and Opus Northwest contractors for the shop, which should open in February 2010. Look for construction to begin right after final exams in December 2009.

The coffee shop will be located right in the thick of things: at the south end of the library’s Reference Room, on the main floor adjacent to the old east entrance. The counter will be visible from the library’s main entrance and convenient to its beloved “leather room.”

Coffee Bené, owned and operated by the same people who own and operate Davanni’s Pizza and Hot Hoagies, will operate the shop, making coffee and hiring and supervising the staff.

St. Thomas and Coffee Bené both will benefit, according to Mark Vangsgard, vice president for business affairs and chief financial officer. “Our arrangement gives Coffee Bené a fair return, and we’ll be able to recover our construction costs in a reasonable period of time,” Vangsgard said. “It’s important to note, however, that we’re not creating a coffee shop to increase St. Thomas’ revenues, but to support students, faculty and staff in a cost-efficient way.”

Students, faculty and staff frequent Coffee Bené, located next door to Davanni’s flagship Cleveland Avenue restaurant, for meetings and relaxation. The St. Thomas shop will be Coffee Bené’s first “satellite” location.

According to Coffee Bené general manager Molly Krueger, UST students and faculty who like to study and work at the Cleveland Avenue location will find Wi-Fi and better seating in the library’s shop. Coffee Bené’s Cleveland shop also hopes to attract more neighborhood traffic, so a shop at St. Thomas makes sense, businesswise. “Any time a business gets an opportunity to try something new, that’s awesome,” Krueger said. “We’re really excited about this opportunity to work with St. Thomas.”

Look for brewed coffees, espressos, lattés, mochas and pastries at the new shop – but not smoothies. Making those is too noisy for a library.

Reading, writing, studying and conversation have a bond with coffee-houses that goes back to 18th century London, says library director Dan Gjelten. “I love the notion of the ‘third place’ – not the home and not the workplace, but a space where we go voluntarily to be with other people – an anchor of the neighborhood, the community square, the town square. … The ‘third place’ is important for a healthy community,” Gjelten said. “I think the library itself is a kind of ‘third place’ on campus – not the classroom or the dorm room or the faculty office, but a place where the community can gather and talk and share ideas.”

So, what’s this “penny university” thing?

London’s coffee shops came to be called “penny universities” in the 18th century. For that price, you could buy a cup of coffee and get an education. “Each coffeehouse specialized in a different type of clientele,” wrote Mark Pendergrast in Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How It Transformed Our World (Basic Books, 1999). “In one, physicians could be consulted. Others served Protestants, Puritans, Catholics, Jews, literati, merchants, traders, fops, Whigs, Tories, army officers, actors, lawyers, clergy, or wits. The coffeehouses provided England’s first egalitarian meeting place, where a man was expected to chat with his tablemates whether he knew them or not.”

That’s the kind of place Gjelten envisions. “Having coffee in [the library] just keeps the people longer,” Gjelten said. “It keeps them alert and serves as the stimulant for conversation and ideas and creativity.”

By: University of St. Thomas News Service

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The UST Libraries asks for your help in evaluating three research databases, described in today's Bulletin Today. These databases are available to you on a trial basis. The first of these trials is iPoll and it will expire soon on Wednesday, September 30. The other trials end on Friday, October 23rd and are 20th-Century American Poetry and Literature Online. You are invited to explore these databases and send your feedback. Please read more...

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

UST Libraries welcomes all students, faculty and staff to fall semester 2009 and we hope you will visit us in person and on-line often. We are here to help!

The libraries provide many services to the UST community, including:

* Computer workstations at all UST libraries – with printers, scanners and wireless Internet
* Books – including e-books, “New in the Library” and “Leisure Reading” collections
* Articles – online and print journals
* Research assistance – in person, or via phone, e-mail and instant messaging
* Research consultations with subject specialist reference librarians
* Media Resources Collection in Room 309, O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center – DVDs and videos
* Music Resource Center in Room 103, Brady Educational Center
* Course reserves
* Interlibrary loan
* Special Collections/University Archives
* Group study rooms
* Photocopiers
* Facebook – type “UST Libraries” in your Facebook search box
* "Just-in-Time” training

For details, locations, phone numbers, library hours, etc. please visit the UST Libraries webpage and check out the "About the Libraries" section.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 09:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

UST Libraries announces with excitement to our interlibrary loan system users that you may now use your UST username and password to log into your ILLiad account (to request materials from other libraries). You may have been anticipating this for a while, but after a lot of work and planning this project has now gone live.

This change was made to eliminate the frustration that many of you have felt in trying to keep track of your ILLiad password. Our users love ILLiad, and this change should make your interlibrary loan experience even better.

If you’ve used ILLiad before - login with your normal UST username and password, your borrowing history and all your preferences should be there. We have worked hard to merge everyone’s old accounts with their current UST account information.

If you’ve never used ILLiad - login with your normal UST username and password. You’ll then need to set a couple preferences (same options that were available before this switch).

Improved features:
* For our users this means one less username and password that they have to remember.

* For our staff this change will remove a lot of unnecessary account/password management tasks for our staff.
For example, when users are no longer affiliated with UST they will automatically not be able to use ILL services also, and conversely, as soon as they are affiliated with UST they have ILL access - with no intervention needed by our staff.

* All UST libraries - including the Law Library - now have one process for registering and using ILL.

This change should cause no problem in accessing your account, but if you do experience difficulty logging in, or if you cannot access your existing account and requests, please contact the Interlibrary Loan Department for assistance. ILLiad users at the Schoenecker Law Library should contact Stefanie Hollmichel, (651) 962-4900; everyone else should contact JoAnn Toussaint, (651) 962-5409, or Faith Bonitz, (651) 962-5405.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 12:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Read all about it" in Bulletin Today's article and be sure to consider participating next year!

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Interesting recent article from the Chronicle of Higher Education. What do you think of it? (Comment below)
"College leaders usually brag about their tech-filled "smart" classrooms, but a dean at Southern Methodist University is proudly removing computers from lecture halls. José A. Bowen, dean of the Meadows School of the Arts, has challenged his colleagues to "teach naked" — by which he means, sans machines."

Bowen argues in this article and accompanying video that too many courses are powerpoint lecture dependent, which frequently leads to a boring, unengaged classroom experience. He's not anti-technology, or even anti-lecture, he just wants to turn the existing model on its head: use technology for the lecture or uni-directional transmission of information by having students view slides, listen to podcasts, or view video online outside of class, while reserving classroom time for interactive discussions, group exercises, etc.

I like the concept, but think this notion of removing all computers from classroom settings is throwing the baby out with the bathwater--are there no circumstances where technology in the classroom could enhance discussion or interaction? Wouldn't a group viewing of a video snippet prior to an in-person discussion or exercise ensure that all had viewed the content freshly and improve the conversation? Wouldn't a professor's in-person narration or comments on art history slides, coupled with student discussion and interaction liven and provide sponteneity to a lecture in a way not possible when viewing or listening to a static video or podcast?

His points about poor uses of technology are well-taken, but in part sound like just another case of blaming the tool for its mis-use. Surely motivated faculty can find better ways to use the tools, so why disarm them by removing the technology from the classroom?

What do UST faculty and students think? Check out the article and video and use the comment feature on this blog post to discuss.

Posted by John Heintz at 02:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

By Jeffrey R. Young
"Once they were hosts to lively discussions about academic style and substance, but the time of scholarly e-mail lists has passed, meaningful posts slowing to a trickle as professors migrate to blogs, wikis, Twitter, and social networks like Facebook.

That's the argument made by T. Mills Kelly, an associate professor of history and associate director of the Center for History and New Media at George Mason University. Naturally, he first made the argument on his blog, and he has mentioned it on the technology podcast he hosts with two colleagues.

A close look at some of the largest academic e-mail lists, however, shows signs of enduring life and adaptation to the modern world." Read more at the Chronicle of Higher Education (6/29/2009)

Posted by John Heintz at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

IRT Client Services is now offering a walk-up service counter in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center for on-site computing support and assistance.

Tech Desktoo (TDtoo) is located in the lower-level cyber lounge of the library and offers an opportunity for face-to-face interaction with a knowledgeable IRT student employee. Like the “Scholars” counter on the Minneapolis campus, TDtoo is a walk-up help desk for the St. Paul campus.

In addition to a walk-up support presence, TDtoo features access to the UST wireless and wired networks, literature for assistance with topics ranging from general PC maintenance to phishing questions, and installing software available for checkout from the library.

All UST faculty, staff and students are welcome to take advantage of TDtoo for assistance with computing questions and configuration issues, even on personally owned laptops.

Students employees are available to assist with ensuring laptops have the latest virus protection and all operating system patches. They’ll even be able to suggest professional help, if specific problems cannot be resolved at the desk.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here is the new look of the CLICnet catalog. First you will see a simple search box for keyword searching, and then a variety of new options for refining results by subject, format, location, publication date, tag, etc.

The idea of this “discovery layer” on the existing catalog is to simplify searching while providing new functionality to explore the consortium’s resources. Since the updated CLICnet has a new URL, please remember to change any links you have in course pages before you teach your next class.

We’ll be incorporating the new catalog version in links from the Library Web site through the summer. Don’t worry, the “classic” catalog with its existing search options will still be available at http://clicnet.clic.edu.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You are invited to take a look at a new tutorial video prepared by Jan Malcheski, reference librarian at the Ireland Library, where you'll be introduced to the new look of the CLICnet catalog. Please give it a try and be sure to send your comments to Jan who is still fine-tuning this helpful tool. You'll find this video in Jan's recent blog entry on the Ireland Library page.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 05:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Q: Linda, please tell why you went so public with this matter.

A: "In a publishing world with many unfair practices to their customers, it shouldn’t be that unusual for a librarian to speak out publicly. Evidently it is. When Wiley stopped talking to us as we attempted to negotiate a fair license for their online content, I wrote them and I sent the letters to liblicense and Serialist email lists. I was worried about being able to provide well-used content online where we know our users prefer it.

"From there the letters were picked up by bloggers and other lists and most recently in Library Journal's Academic Newswire.

"The positive response for UST is great and will allow us to continue to provide online access to Wiley content."

Read the Library Journal article to learn more about this issue. Congratulations and thank you, Linda!

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The UST Libraries Summer Reading List is now available on the web site. Perhaps our biggest and best to date! Thanks to Reference Librarian Eric Kallas for compiling the list and student worker Rachael Main for constructing the web page.

Posted by John Heintz at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When you next visit the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library we invite you to go to the lower level and see a new piece of art that has been donated to the University of St. Thomas and has found a new home with us. This piece of sculpture by Loet Vanderveen is called Elephant Herd.

The description for this work reads: Loet Vanderveen grew up in Rotterdam, Holland where he visited the city zoo. He recalls the horrific day of May 14, 1940 when the Germans bombed Rotterdam and the zoo was structurally compromised. The Dutch army shot many of the animals to prevent them from roaming the city and harming residents. Vanderveen recalls a few animals survived and he describes the movement of one of the elephants this way: ". . . in the midst of it all, there was one elephant roaming. It was very, very poetic." In some of his sculptures Vanderveen explores this memory in the form of a single elephant. In the work he donated to the University of St. Thomas, Vanderveen expands on the subject and reveals the grace and beauty of an elephant herd moving together.

Take a peek at a similar work of art by this artist, and we're certain you'll want to see ours in person.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 05:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Take a few minutes to look at the new look of the CLICnet catalog. First you will see a simple search box for keyword searching, and then a variety of new options for refining results by subject, format, location, publication date, tag, etc. The idea of this “discovery layer” on the existing catalog is to simplify searching for users while giving them some new functionality to explore the consortium’s resources. Since the new CLICnet has a new URL, faculty should please remember to change any links you have in course pages before you teach your next class. We’ll be incorporating the new catalog version in links from the Library website through the summer. Don’t worry, the “classic” catalog with its existing advanced search options will still be available from the Libraries "Other Catalogs" page and via a link from CLICnet itself. More info

Posted by John Heintz at 12:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library has two new group-study rooms on Level 1 in Rooms 109 and 110, bringing the number of group-study rooms in this library to 10. All UST libraries have meeting rooms or group-study spaces available to users. Some spaces can be reserved in advance.

Here are some guidelines and details about the study rooms in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library.

Computers are available for your use in study rooms LL20, LL21 and 312B. These computers have the same Microsoft software as the computers in the InfoCommons and other computing labs (Word, Excel, etc.); however, you are not able to print from them.

These rooms are intended to be used by groups of three or more people.

Groups can sign up to use a room for a maximum of two hours. Any group-study room can be reserved in advance by signing up on the reserve sheets posted on the doors.

Unscheduled groups using the space need to vacate the room when a scheduled group arrives. Groups lose their right to the room if they do not claim it within 10 minutes of their scheduled time.

Although individuals do not sign up to reserve these rooms, a person studying alone is welcome to use a group-study room if open, but will need to vacate it if the room is needed by a group.

The group study rooms are not to be used for regularly scheduled meetings.

LL21 is a "quiet computer study room." There are several computers in this room available for computer work in a quiet environment.

We wish you well and good luck in your studies as you come close to completing your year. Good luck on your finals.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

UST Libraries now has access to a database of online videos called Films on Demand. An initial group of 20 films are available via an on-demand video stream from the Media Resources Collection's Web site, the CLICnet library catalog, the Libraries' Databases and Indexes page, or directly.

Videos from this pilot project are available for classroom or individual viewing via a Web browser and are accessible from on or off campus (off-campus users will need to log in with UST username and password) using broadband high speed (i.e., cable modem or DSL) Internet connections.

This pilot project will test whether streaming videos can better meet curricular needs of faculty wishing to assign in-class or asynchronous viewing and determine whether this mode of video delivery is feasible without excessive consumption of computer network bandwidth resources.

See the Web site for usage tips, including minimum computer, browser and media-player software requirements. If you have questions on how to access the videos or comments, how well this streaming video content meets your needs, and whether you think this effort should expand beyond a pilot project, contact Cindy Badilla-Melendez, UST media resources librarian, (651) 962-5464.

Posted by John Heintz at 02:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hello Students - Do you have a deadline approaching for a project or paper? Don’t know where to start your research? Stop by the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center reference desk anytime between noon to 1 p.m. any Tuesday or Thursday for "just-in-time" training. Librarians will provide informal five-minute sessions on how to find books, e-books, articles, DVDs and more. Make your research life easier!

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 03:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Susan Price, UST reference librarian and author, and Steve Trost, UST Biology Department and master gardener, will talk about gardening tips and answer your gardening questions at noon Wednesday, May 13, in the O'Shaughnessy Room, Room 108, O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center. Bring your lunch if you wish, beverages and light dessert will be provided. If you have any questions please call Julie at 651-962-5014.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you missed this year's Poetry on the Patio you can watch it here whenever you wish!

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 05:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You are all cordially invited to attend the publication reading celebrating the 2009 issue of Summit Avenue Review this Friday, May 1, at 4pm in the O'Shaughnessy Room of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center. This event is held each year and showcases the student-edited literary and visual arts magazine of the University of St. Thomas. Refreshments will be available. If you have any questions, please contact Earl Belisle, 651-962-5004.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 09:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

All are invited to spend a lunch hour enjoying the 11th annual Poetry on the Patio on Tuesday, April 28. Come to the O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library, bring your lunch and a sweater, and meet us out on the patio. We’ll hear favorite poems read by members of the UST community, including a very special reader who is no longer on our staff at the O’Shaughnessy-Frey but familiar to many in CLIC, Kirsten Dierking. Other readers this year include Brenda Tiefenbruck, Bill Kirchgessner, John Bannigan, Cara Anthony, Heather Bouwman, Dave Nimmer, Ryan Carter, Julie Anne Larkin and our “everlasting emcee” and reader, Dan Gjelten. Come if you can – beverages and snacks will be provided - call if questions – Julie 651-962-5014

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thank you for helping make this year's Library Week events in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library fun and successful. We have some winners to congratulate and prizes are making their way to them right now! The Seek and Find puzzle created by Linda Hulbert was fun to play and the winner drawn from all those who entered completed forms is JoAnn Statsman. Matthew Eldred was the winner drawn from names of those who completed the Crossword Puzzle, created by Lisa Dochniak and Karen Batdorf.

If you took a guess at how many golf pencils were packed into the jar, the correct answer was 604 and the winning guess came from M. B. Murphy, who guessed 600. Guesses ranged from low 100's to millions - so it was obvious that we don't all see things the same way!

The Mini Golf game was a new and well-received event this year - thank you to all who gave it a try. The winner of the golf game drawing is Tom Tousignant.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On Friday, April 17, be sure to come to the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library for the 3-Buck-a-Bag sale at the library week book sale! Everything you can fit into a bag will be $3.00 -- the sale goes from Noon to 6pm - whatever remains from the sale will be free all weekend long. Don't miss this chance to bring home some great selections!

Mini-Golf in the Library! We're joining the Keffer Library who has sponsored a mini-golf game during Library Week for the past several years. Come to the O'Shaughnessy-Frey anytime between 11am and 3pm on Friday and have some fun - 8 of the holes are in the Reference Room on first floor- the 9th hole is a very special hole in Room 102 - with some technology added -- wii hope you'll like it!

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here is a list of events planned for the week of April 14-17 to celebrate National Library Week. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week brings to light the contributions that all types of libraries – school, public, academic and special – make in individuals' lives.

Daily online Trivia Contest – In keeping with the yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center, reference librarian Eric Kallas has come up with four questions having to do with libraries and the year 1959 – one for each day of the week. One winner will be chosen from those who send in correct answers by the daily deadline. Check the Libraries Web page for the Trivia Contest rules and questions.

What's happening at the Charles J. Keffer Library in Minneapolis?

Come to the annual Library Week Book Sale during regular library hours each day this week at the Charles J. Keffer Library. If you are tired of staring at clean, empty bookshelves after rigorous spring cleaning, stop by the sale to restock your home or office library.

Everyone is invited to Noon Conversation with Donna Nix at noon Wednesday, April 15, in the Charles J. Keffer Library, Room 111 of Opus Hall. Along with being a reference librarian, Dix also manages the UST Children's literature collection. She will make recommendations for great choices of children's books for all ages, answer questions, and introduce the 2009 award-winning children's and young adult books. This event is free and light dessert and beverages will be provided.

Library staff from the Keffer Library will host the fourth annual Bookend Classic miniature golf tournament Thursday, April 16, on the Minneapolis campus. This is no longer the only downtown skyway golf tournament, but it is the original one. This year, the hours of the tournament have been extended to better accommodate schedules, so please drop in anytime from noon to 4 p.m. at the Keffer Library to pick up your putter and get in practice for the start of golf season. A "valuable" prize will be awarded for the lowest individual score – or consider this a chance to work on "team building" and play with a group. Questions? Call Andrea Koeppe, (651) 962-4647.

Archbishop Ireland Memorial Library – St. Paul

Browse and shop the Archbishop Ireland Memorial Library Book Sale anytime during library hours, except today, Tuesday, April 14, when members of the UST community can enjoy an earlier opening at 7:45 a.m. to accommodate those with early classes. The book sale is open to the public and booksellers beginning Wednesday, April 15. There will be a great selection of used theology books and the chance to make bids on the items in the silent auction. The auction includes theological and reference books, and this year there also will be card catalog cabinets, both antique wooden ones and some of the durable plastic modern design. The auction ends at noon Friday, April 17. If you have any questions about the Ireland Library, call Betsy Polakowski, (651) 962-5452.

O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center

Here are the events this week:

Library Week at the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center will open with Dominoes Demo! With this being Library Week, when we say "dominoes," we really mean used books – they stack and fall just the same. Come to the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center at 11:50 a.m. today, Tuesday, April 14, and kick-off this year's Library Week. Watch for the dramatic "bump" to the dominoes carefully placed at the entrance and leading to the book sale.

Crossword and seek-and-find puzzles – Take a break and have some fun while learning a little about the O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library with these homegrown word games. Thanks to creative library staff, there are two levels of difficulty from which to choose – try them both! Stop by the Library Week table on the first floor of the library and pick up an entry. Drop off your completed word puzzles. Everyone who completes them correctly will be entered into a drawing that will take place at 3 p.m. Friday. (Hint: find background for the words in the seek-and-find puzzle in the library's 50th Anniversary Timeline.) The winner need not be present to win.

The O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Week book sale from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center is open today, Tuesday, April 14, exclusively for members of the St. Thomas community, then open to the public at noon Wednesday through the end of the week. Come find great bargains and little treasures just outside the O'Shaughnessy Room, Room 108. This year, there is a large selection of books withdrawn from the literature section of the Archbishop Ireland Memorial Library and some nice surprises that are specially priced. If you have any questions about the book sale, call Julie Kimlinger, (651) 962-5014.

Last January, O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library staff members held a well-attended Open House for UST Staff members where they could ask any questions about library resources and services. The library is holding another open house for all UST community members, especially members of Dining Services and Physical Plant, to find out what the library can offer. This event will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, April 14, in the New Book area located at the south end of the Reference Room near the book sale. If you have a question about this event or have a question and cannot attend, contact Shiromi Beach, (651) 962-5407.

Students, don't be stressed about assignments. Get help from the "roving librarian who carries a laptop" and get answers to your questions and great tips on how to find the answers yourself. Find a roving librarian during the noon hour today, Wednesday and Thursday of Library Week in the Commuter Lounge, Murray-Herrick Campus Center. Bring your research dilemmas and find out how to take advantage of the library's resources, even when you're not in the library. You can do so much if you just know the tricks. Call Eric Kallas, (651) 962-5013, with any questions.

Food for Fines Program – During Library Week, St. Thomas library patrons will have the opportunity to donate canned food in exchange for the waiving of library fines at the O'Shaughnessy-Frey and Ireland libraries. This program will help patrons relieve their debt to the library and provide needed assistance to the Franciscan Brothers of Peace, a local food bank. One can equals $2 in fines and there is a limit of $50. Food will be accepted for overdue fines only, not for lost or damaged items and library staff members have the right to decline food donations, including damaged packaging or dented cans. Questions? Call Nathan Wunrow, (651) 962-5498, or Judith Michalski, (651) 962-5456, for more details.

Are you good at looking for stuff and enjoy the thrill of the hunt? Want to win a prize? Then take a quick break from studying and take part in a Scavenger Hunt Wednesday, April 15, in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center. There will be three scavenger hunts. Pick up a clue sheet at the circulation desk during one of these three hunts: 10-10:50 a.m., 11-11:50 a.m., and 1:10-2 p.m. To win a prize: Follow the clues for locations throughout the library, pick up a sticker or get stamped at each location, and be the first person or group to complete the hunt. Questions? Call Earl Belisle, (651) 962-5004, or Shiromi Beach, (651) 962-5407, for more details.

Music in the Library – The O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center is thrilled to invite the campus community to this noon event Wednesday during Library Week. Hear Larry McDonough, adjunct professor at the St. Thomas School of Law and accomplished jazz pianist (visit his Web site). Be there at noon and bring a lunch if you wish – beverages and a light dessert will be provided. Call Kimlinger for more information at (651) 962-5014.

Everyone is invited to the UST Authors Open House and Reception at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 16, in the O'Shaughnessy Room, Room 108. This year's event will feature more than 100 members of the UST community who will showcase their publications from the past year. Stop by and congratulate faculty and staff colleagues on their work and browse the display prepared by O'Shaughnessy-Frey librarian Susan Price. Bibliographies will be available and refreshments will be provided. Questions? Call Price at (651) 962-5011 for details.

Take part in history by participating in the first annual O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center Mini Golf Tournament from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 17. Preregistration for a tee time is not necessary, simply show up to pick up a putter and start swinging. The course will run through the reference collection and there will be a fun surprise on the last hole. (Hint: you can bring your avatar.) A "valuable" prize will be awarded for the lowest individual and group score. Questions? Call Diane Knights, (651) 962-5026.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 08:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You are all cordially invited to meet and hear jazz pianist Larry McDonough over the noon hour this Wednesday, April 15, in the O'Shaughnessy Room of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library.

Continue reading "Jazz Pianist Larry McDonough Noon Wednesday, April 15 in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library" »

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Be sure to shop the Library Week book sale in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center beginning on Tuesday, April 14 at Noon until 6pm for members of the UST community. We're open to the public the rest of the week so come back again on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday of Library Week, Noon to 6pml. You'll find great bargains and have lots of fun as you make your selections. See you at the book sale! Questions? Call Julie at 651-962-5014.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Please check the schedule below before visiting any of the UST Libraries during the Easter break so you won't be disappointed. Our regular hours will be modified between Thursday, April 9 and Monday, April 13.

O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center

Thursday, April 9: 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Friday, April 10: Closed
Saturday, April 11: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, April 12: Closed
Monday, April 13: Closed

Charles J. Keffer Library

Thursday, April 9: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday, April 10: Closed
Saturday, April 11: Closed
Sunday, April 12: Closed
Monday, April 13: Closed

Archbishop Ireland Memorial Library

Thursday, April 9: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday, April 10: Closed
Saturday, April 11: Closed
Sunday, April 12: Closed
Monday, April 13: Closed

Media Resources Collection

Thursday, April 9: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday, April 10: Closed
Saturday, April 11: Closed
Sunday, April 12: Closed
Monday, April 13: Closed

Music Resource Center

Thursday, April 9: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, April 10: Closed
Saturday, April 11: Closed
Sunday, April 12: Closed
Monday, April 13: Closed

Special Collections and Archives

Thursday, April 9: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday, April 10: Closed
Saturday, April 11: Closed
Sunday, April 12: Closed
Monday, April 13: Closed

Schoenecker Law Library

Thursday, April 9: 7:45 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday, April 10: Closed
Saturday, April 11: Closed
Sunday, April 12: Closed
Monday, April 13: Closed

Regular hours resume for all UST Libraries on Tuesday, April 14, the first day of Library Week.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Students, if you have research requirements coming up and want some quick and easy instruction on how to find books and articles, be sure to stop by the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center reference desk at the times listed below. These 15-minute informal sessions are designed to provide basic skills for finding scholarly material on topics of your choice.

Noon Tuesday, April 7, "How to Find Books in UST Libraries Using CLICnet"
Noon Thursday, April 9, "How to Find Articles Using UST Research Databases"

Any questions? Call the reference desk at 962-5001.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 04:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Let's celebrate the 50th anniversary of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library -- with a talk about books.

You are all invited to a Noon Conversation with Donna Nix on Tuesday, March 31 in Room 102 of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library. Donna is currently a reference and curriculum librarian who manages the Children's Literature and Curriculum collections at the Keffer Library. She has experience as a classroom teacher, school librarian, consultant for school libraries, and has been a "reader of kids books for a very l-o-n-g time."

In a modified and condensed version of her program at the 2009 Hubbs Children's Literature Conference this past February, Ms. Nix will introduce us to the award-winning children's and young adult books for 2009 and answer your questions about books you might want to give to your children, your grandchildren, your little brothers and sisters.

Bring your lunch if you wish -- we'll provide the beverages and light dessert Call Julie at 962-5014 for more information.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 01:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Visit our online exhibit of these cards: Holy Cards as Objets Trouves.

When discovered wedged into returned library books, most "found" holy cards, if harmless (bookmarks, scraps of paper, postcards, letters, receipts, etc.) are simply tossed into a box to be eventually disposed of, sometimes decades later. For long years library staff here at Ireland Library have set aside hundreds of holy cards (in a box of course).

Some are beautiful (handmade paper lace cards, art nouveau, art deco, Italian and German chromolithographs), some have local associations (ordinations, funerals, anniversaries), some are rather odd, many are touching. All have a wonderful immediacy and embody popular piety in the very best sense of the word.

Continue reading "Ireland Library invites you to enjoy a selection of holy cards left in Ireland Library books!" »

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rafael Tarrago, librarian for Iberian and Ibero-American Studies at the University of Minnesota, will lecture today on the origins, development and contemporary implications of indigenous Andean religious art in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The presentation will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, in Room 108, the O'Shaughnessy Room, of O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center. A short reception will follow the lecture.

European artistic media and styles were introduced to the Andean region of South America during the 16th century. By the end of that century, the cities of Potosi and Cuzco had produced
accomplished artists in all the fine arts.

Like their European counterparts, Andean painters in the 17th century began incorporating regional landscapes and fauna in their depictions of traditional religious subjects (Jesus Christ, Mary and the saints), though some unique forms of representing the Virgin were beginning to appear in Potosi and Cuzco.

In the 18th century, Cuzco painters divorced themselves entirely from European models by accentuating symbolic design over naturalistic image. In religious paintings this development resulted in depictions of Jesus Christ, Mary and the saints that resemble paintings of sculptures rather than pictorial representations of reality. Tarrago will describe the origin, nature and contemporary implications of these developments with ample numbers of reproductions used as illustrations.

This event is co-sponsored by the Center for Catholic Studies and the Art History Department.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

By Dan Gjelten, Director of UST Libraries
Bulletin Today, March 10, 2009

In the fall of 2008, as we began the yearlong celebration of 50 years of service to the UST community at this location, the UST Libraries contracted with the Association of Research Libraries to conduct the LibQual survey among our users. This highly regarded survey has been completed more than 1,000 times at 500 college and university libraries around the world.

The goals of the survey as stated by LibQual:

Foster a culture of excellence in providing library service
Help libraries better understand user perceptions of library service quality
Collect and interpret library user feedback systematically over time
Provide libraries with comparable assessment information from peer institutions
Identify best practices in library service
Enhance library staff members' analytical skills for interpreting and acting on data
The UST Libraries were interested in finding new ways of measuring the quality of our services in the three main areas covered by the questions in the survey:

The quality and affect of services provided by staff
The quality and scope of the libraries’ content collections (print and electronic)
The quality of the library’s physical spaces
We conducted the online survey for two weeks in October and had a total response rate of more than 22 percent. The survey was sent to students (undergraduate and graduate), faculty and staff. Of all respondents, 25 percent described their academic areas as business, 17 percent as humanities, 13 percent as social sciences, 12 percent as education and 8 percent as science and math, and the rest were distributed among other disciplines. Fifty-nine percent of our respondents were over the age of 30, and 21 percent were between 18 and 22.

(In addition to the questions, respondents were given the chance to comment. A few of the more than 200 comments we received are included in the column to the right.)

The answers to the 27 questions in the survey (22 standard and five "local") had three dimensions each:

What is the minimum acceptable level of service?
What is the desired level of service?
What is the perceived level of service?
Asking the questions in this way allows the library to measure the degree to which we are meeting our user’s expectations. We interpret "desired" to be an indication of the importance that our users place on each of these aspects of library service – giving us a good idea of what our users really want us to be doing. The gap between the perceived level of quality and the desired level of quality, then, is a measure of the opportunity to improve library services. In a few cases, we learned that we were actually exceeding user expectations – with "perceived" levels of quality that were higher than "desired"– and for one population, on one question, we fell below minimum expectations.

Our preliminary findings

As we began to look at the preliminary results, it became clear that the user groups had differing expectations of the libraries at UST. Faculty are most concerned about having resources that support their work (understanding that "work" can mean teaching, research or consulting.) Faculty are happy with our interlibrary loan services and feel that the libraries are doing well at providing community and learning spaces for students, but felt we need more extensive collections. We are more aware now that there is room for improvement in communicating and describing the full extent of our collections to the faculty – many are unaware of the resources that the libraries’ already own.

Graduate students, on the other hand, care most for the ability to use our resources remotely – with a Web site that makes our electronic services and resources as easy to use as possible. When they come to the library in person, they want a building that is easy to navigate and with working and accessible technology – they don’t want to waste their time.

Our undergraduate populations clearly care about the library as place – with plentiful and well-functioning equipment, places for group study as well as places to "get away." Interacting with library staff isn’t necessarily a priority for the undergraduate population, which would like to do their work on their own and be able to navigate and search without help. Undergraduates also place a high value on a clear and easy to navigate Web site. Our UST staff colleagues appreciate library staff who are courteous and willing to help – they, among all of our user groups, seem to value a personal connection to the library staff.

For each of our constituent groups, we see opportunities for improved library services that more closely address the identified desires and needs of our users. We will be increasingly focused on designing and developing a Web site that is clear and easy to navigate, and which makes available a wide and deep collection of information resources. We also will work to communicate more effectively so that all of our users know what the libraries own. Creating physical and virtual library spaces that are sophisticated, information-rich and “easy to use” is a challenge, and one that the libraries take seriously.

More data and analysis will be forthcoming from the LibQual survey and the libraries intend to continue the conversation within the UST community with the goal of continuous improvement in library collections and services.

We have posted the full text of the survey along with our preliminary analysis on our LibQual Web site, and further additions will be added to this page and announced on our UST Library blog.

Some Survey Comments:

"I have been very pleased with how the library supports teaching and research and how it provides book-oriented events and displays (April poetry reading, banned book week, etc.)"

"I think the Library staff is first rate and the service provided – reference, interlibrary loan, multimedia, etc. – is very strong. I could not do the work I do both in the classroom and in my research without the UST Library."

"The staff has always been courteous and extremely helpful in answering questions and helping me get desired materials. The one thing I would really like to see is for the library to become a more central gathering place for the campus community."

"I am a very very frequent user of interlibrary loan. It is my doorway to research."

"I use the library electronically constantly through the day every day. I am able to find the research materials I need. With five books in little more than five years, I believe the library is very much part of my personal success … ."

"I think our expectations for online access to materials have just zoomed, so it is understandable that the library can't possibly keep up. I have to admit that I share the same frustration as students when something I'd like to see is not available online … ."

"I'd like to see more electronic journal collections or other research resources accessible from the Web."

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 03:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The University of St. Thomas' O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center and Center for Irish Studies will co-host their annual St. Patrick's Day Open House from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, in the library's Special Collections Reading Room (Room LL09).

A brief program begins at 12:15 p.m., and the public is invited.

The event features readings and the display of new and rare Irish books from the university’s Celtic Collection. St. Thomas' 9,200-volume Celtic Collection, the largest of the university's special collections and one of the 10 largest collections of Celtic materials in North America, includes works on Irish history and politics, church history and religion, and folklore, art and music of the Celtic nations.

The collection was begun in 1917, when the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Minnesota gave to the library 500 titles on then-contemporary Irish politics and 19th-century Irish history, evidently to commemorate the 1916 Easter Uprising in Ireland.

Donations and acquisitions since have bolstered the collection. About 85 percent of the collection focuses on Ireland; 10 percent on Scotland; and 5 percent on the other Celtic nations ( Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany). Nearly 30 percent of the Celtic Collection consists of titles written in Celtic languages, most often Irish.

The St. Thomas Center for Irish Studies was established in 1996 to advance teaching and scholarship in Irish studies for students, faculty and friends of the university through publications, instruction and public programs. Among other activities, the center publishes New Hibernia Review, a quarterly journal of Irish Studies.

For further information about the open house, call Special Collections, (651) 962-5467, or the Center for Irish Studies, (651) 962-5662.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 09:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Founded in 1959, Motown is not just the name of an iconic record label, but it is also a linguistic term the same as ‘infotainment’, ‘blog’ and ‘fanzine’. What is the name of this splendacular linguistic term first coined by Lewis Carroll?

If you know the answer please let me know.

Speaking of icons there is one historic politician who looms largely not only in this world but in the world of 'The Watchmen'. It seems like those who knew that I was looking for Richard Nixon came to that conclusion based on what he did in this world in 1959 – namely debating with Nikita Khrushchev the pros and cons of capitalism vs. communism in front of a model kitchen at an exhibition in Moscow.

Those who were in the know are

Mike Hudson
Ryan Carter
Michael Blissenbach

Thanks to all who played!

Posted by Andrea Hudson at 08:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dr. Michael Bellamy, professor emeritus of English, will present "Civil Religion in America: Virtue, Vice or Necessary Stage?" – the fourth lecture in the 2008-09 English Department Colloquium Series.

This event, open to all UST students, faculty and staff, will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Friday, March 13, in the O'Shaughnessy Room, Room 108, in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library. Light refreshments will be served.

Bellamy will explore the idea of patriotism as religion, beginning with a close reading of the original and current versions of "The Pledge of Allegiance." What is the genre of this famous pledge that begins school for elementary students and sessions of Congress for senators and representatives?

Questions about the colloquium series can be directed to the English Department, (651) 962-5600.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 04:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You are all invited! There are some very nice student posters in the O’Shaughnessy Frey Library from Ann Klejment’s class, African American Liberation, History 116, African American History in Global Perspective.

This set of four posters highlights music written and performed by African American musicians. We have set up a laptop with samples of their music playing nearby. Stop by and listen for a while – Duke Ellington, Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong are playing right now. Bessie Smith will be added to the sample as well.

These posters will be on exhibit on the first floor of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library through next week, March 9-13.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe's birth, the English Department and the English honor society, Sigma Tau Delta/Literary Club, are hosting a Poe celebration. Professional character actor Jake Esau will dramatically recite several classic Poe stories and poems and will present biographical information on the writer. Featured Poe tale and poems include, "The Cask of Amontillado," "The Masque of the Red Death," "The Raven," and "Annabel Lee."

Jake Esau has been a professional character actor/adapter-writer for 37 years, and has developed and performed more than 30 one-person shows and programs - mostly on literacy and historical themes. Portraying Poe's friend and employer, N.P. Willis, Esau has performed "A Tribute to Edgar Allan Poe" since 1979 and is considered a Poe scholar. A native of St. Paul, MN he has also lived and performed in Southern California, Arizona, and Washington state.

The celebration will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, March 6, in Room 108, the O'Shaughnessy Room, in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center.

Everyone is invited and audience questions about Poe's life and writing are encouraged.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The UST Libraries request your feedback on the following research database trials:

C19: The 19th Century – Trial ends March 14

The Nineteenth Century Index, a finding tool for 19th-century materials in multiple formats, enables faster, more comprehensive research of one of the most studied centuries. Discover 19th-century books, periodicals, official documents, newspapers and archives.

The C19 Index draws on the strength of established indexes such as the 19th Century Short Title Catalogue, The Wellesley Index, Poole's Index and Periodicals Index Online to create integrated bibliographic coverage of more than 1.5 million books and official publications, 71,000 archival collections and 18.9 million articles published in more than 2,500 journals, magazines and newspapers.

The C19 Index now provides integrated access to 12 bibliographic indexes, including almost a million records from the ongoing digitization of British Periodicals Collections I and II, plus the new Dictionary of 19th-Century Journalism.

Call the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center reference desk, (651) 962-5001, for the password. Send comments to Talia Nadir. (trnadir@stthomas.edu)

Global Issues in Context – Trial ends March 19.

Global Issues in Context provides a portal-like link to country information. Information can be gathered several ways: searching – small search box; clicking on the boxes that give entry to health, business and economics, conflict and diplomacy, science and technology, the environment, society, government and politics, and women and children information.

Send comments to Linda Hulbert (lahulbert@stthomas.edu)

Global Market Briefings – Trial ends March 18.

GMB Research provides country-level data on business conditions in different countries, including cultural, legal and regulatory information.

Send comments to Marianne Hageman (mdhageman@stthomas.edu)

* * *

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 12:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A nonprofit community organization(Conceive Believe Achieve) and the Office of Institutional Diversity presents The African American History photo table top display as part of a Black History Month exhibit. We invite you to visit this exhibit in the O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library through March 6. The Black History exhibit allows the UST community to experience important African American historical sites around the country. The photographs and display were created by Dennis Behling and Nathan Thomas. The goal of this exhibit is to provide teachers and organizations with the tools for teaching and embracing diversity through history.

Please stop by and see the posters. They are in the reference room on the main floor. And there are a LOT of posters so you might wish to stop by over several breaks, or a lunch time or two, to see them all. There is a guide book at the reference desk if you would like more information about some of the posters.

There is also a questionnaire available if you would like to test your reading skills or historical knowledge. Copies of the questions will be near the posters and at the reference desk.
View additional image 1 | View additional image 2 | View additional image 3

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 02:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

We invite you to visit the main floor of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center during February and spend some time with the research posters prepared by students in History 116: African American History in Global Perspective. Posters will change throughout Black History Month to highlight these themes: civil rights, music, and athletics.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 05:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We are happy to tell you that Dr. John Buri and Dr. Carol Bruess will team up at Noon in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library and speak about "You and Your Soul Mate: Made in Heaven? Or Made on Earth? Join us to hear about the nature of soul mate ideology - its origin, its romantic appeal, and some of its negative consequences. How does one "make" a soul mate? How can we act love and not just feel love in order to create a soul mate? We'll look for you at Noon on Tuesday, February 17 in the O'Shaughnessy Room. All are welcome - bring your soul mate! You'll have a chance to purchase books by Dr. Buri and Dr. Bruess following the talk. Any questions? Please call Julie at 651-962-5014.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 04:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On Tuesday January 20th, we'll show live coverage of the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. Live streaming video from the web of the various inauguration ceremonies and parade will be running all day in rooms 102 and 208 of the Library.
Stop by any time during the day to watch the coverage.

Event Schedule from the Presidential Inauguration Committee:

Tuesday, January 20th - Inauguration Day
The President-elect and Vice President-elect and their families will participate in the traditional inaugural ceremonies and events. For the first time ever, the length of the National Mall will be open to those wishing to attend the swearing-in ceremony. Festivities will commence at 10 a.m. (9 AM Central time) on the west front of the U.S. Capitol and will include:

• Musical Selections: The United States Marine Band, followed by The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus
• Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks: Senator Dianne Feinstein
• Invocation: Dr. Rick Warren
• Musical Selection: Aretha Franklin
• Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will be sworn into office by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the Honorable John Paul Stevens
• Musical Selection: John Williams, composer/arranger with Itzhak Perlman, (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Gabriela Montero (piano) and Anthony McGill (clarinet)
• President-elect Barack H. Obama will take the Oath of Office, using President Lincoln’s Inaugural Bible, administered by the Chief Justice of the United States, the Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.
• Inaugural Address
• Poem: Elizabeth Alexander
• Benediction: The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
• The National Anthem: The United States Navy Band “Sea Chanters”

After President Obama gives his Inaugural Address, he will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall. The 56th Inaugural Parade will then make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House with groups traveling from all over the country to participate.

Later that day, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will host ten official Inaugural Balls.

Posted by John Heintz at 05:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The UST Libraries invite all UST staff members to Open Houses on both the St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses. We would like to share the wealth of resources and services that are available to you! Learn about accessing online journals and e-books, requesting interlibrary loans, visiting special collections, media library materials, and discover our new leisure reading collection. If you have any kind of question about library services please drop in for as long or short of a time as you would like! And remember, you can make an appointment for a future one-on-one session with a librarian at any time during the year.

The Open Houses will be on Thursday, January 29th from 11:30 until 1:00 -- in Room 102 in the O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library AND on the first floor of the Keffer Library in Minneapolis. Treats and beverages will be provided.

For more information please contact Jo Ann Toussaint, O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library, at 962-5409 or Andrea Koeppe in the Keffer Library. at 962-4647.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 04:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We are celebrating the 50th Birthday of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library in 2009 and we begin the year-long festivities by inviting you to a free screening of "Party Girl" in the O'Shaughnessy Room on Thursday, January 22.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 02:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On your next visit to the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library be sure to notice the new carpeting installed over the Christmas and New Years Holidays. Second floor, 1st floor, and Lower Level all are being treated to new carpeting in key areas. Some movement of computers and furnishings is going on to help this all happen, but it seems to be going very well. The photos below show some of the temporary arrangements we are working around. Come see us soon - we hope you like the new look!

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 05:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Student performances will fill your noon hour with beautiful music, both piano and guitar, from Noon to 1pm today, Thursday, December 11, in the O'Shaughnessy Room of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library. Bring your lunch if you wish - light refreshments will be provided.

Music in the Library provides opportunities for musicians in the UST community to perform in an informal and friendly atmosphere. Any student, faculty or staff member interested in participating in future musical offerings is invited to contact Conie Borchardt at 651-962-6874.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Media Resources Collection is hosting a trial for streaming educational videos. The trial consists of 10 online videos, selected randomly and provided by the distributor, Films for the Humanities and Sciences. This distributor offers hundreds of university-level videos in all subject areas.

If there is enough positive feedback, UST Libraries could offer online videos on a variety of subject areas in a pilot project beginning in February, 2009.

To find the online video trial, go to the UST Libraries web page and look for Films for the Humanities and Sciences database trial in the right hand column. This trial ends Friday, January 30.

Send your comments or questions to media resources librarian, Cindy Badilla-Melendez, cbadillame@stthomas.edu or call her at 962-5464.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Get in the holiday spirit with carols and cookies at the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library on Tuesday, December 9 from Noon until 1:00 pm. You'll find the Women's Chorus, directed by Dr. Angie Broeker, on the main floor of the library. Sing along with familiar and favorite carols and enjoy works performed by the chorus. Refreshments available too! Hope you will be able to stop by.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 03:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Leisure Reading Collection is available for your enjoyment. This new collection includes popular fiction and materials generally not considered scholarly or appropriate for an academic library's permanent collection. We have 50 books now, will be getting 150 more very soon, and then monthly we will be adding 10 to 12 books. One fourth of this collection will be available at the Keffer Library.

The loan period is three weeks, and the collection will be available for check out only to students, staff, faculty, and Friends of the UST Libraries. The books are searchable in the library's CLICnet online catalog.

You'll find these books on the first floor of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library in the middle of the reference collection surrounded by some comfy and inviting chairs. For a complete list of titles visit the Leisure Reading Collection page.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Two interesting articles concerning the effect of technology on reading and learning from the Chronicle of Higher Education might be of interest to many of you. The author cites many books and articles which suggest that it is precisely the point-and-click culture of the Internet that is damaging our intelligence and our civic culture. Part 1 and Part 2.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 12:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You are invited to Music in the Library to enjoy a free, eclectic concert of classical, jazz and modern music. Featured will be the UST Guitar Ensemble, under the direction of Joan Griffith, from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, November 13, in the O'Shaughnessy Room of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center. Works by Bach, Shostakovich, Danny Elfman, Brazilian music, Gypsy jazz and Michael Jackson will be performed.

Bring your lunch if you wish; light refreshments will be provided.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Brian Hill from IRT Client Services reminds everyone that there are several easy ways to reduce the amount of printing when using computer workstations in UST Libraries. These steps can save you money and help the environment.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 09:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In August of 2006, Lisa Burke and Dan Gjelten were involved in a serious automobile accident in Portland, Oregon a few days before they were supposed to run the Hood to Coast relay race with a team of faculty, staff and alumni runners from the University of St. Thomas.

At the time, as they began a long period of active recovery from injuries, they received a generous monetary gift collected by their colleagues in IRT. Since the accident expenses were largely covered by insurance, they decided to donate that gift to the UST Libraries in honor of their colleagues and acquired a collection of books on health and healing, which are now in the O’Shaughnessy Frey Library. Each book in the collection includes a bookplate reading:

“The heart of St. Thomas is never more evident than in a crisis. This book is a gift from Lisa Burke and Dan Gjelten, with gratitude to our colleagues in the university’s Information Resources and Technologies Division.”

The books focus on all aspects of healing, from the medical to the spiritual, and many of these titles were helpful to Dan and Lisa as they struggled with broken bones and the loss of their normal level of activity, and perhaps most importantly, the emotional aspects of their experience. The collection is intended to provide similar support to all who must work through the normal and abnormal challenges of life with its inevitable pain and loss and towards health, wholeness and hope.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 04:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Wellness Center, in partnership with the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library, has placed a light box (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) lamp) in the library as a resource for students, staff, and faculty.

The lamp is located in the northwest corner of the reference room on the first floor of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library. Students and staff are welcome to use the lamp on a walk-in basis. Before using the SAD lamp, you are asked to read the information on the Mayo Clinic Web site regarding use of this therapy.

SAD is often called the "winter blues." During the low-light months of winter, many individuals experience decreased energy. The combination of decreased sunlight and spending significant time in dimly lit offices or classrooms can have a negative impact on one's mood and sense of well-being. The light-therapy box may assist some individuals in achieving a happier mood and increased energy.

It is recommended that you use the lamp for a period of 20 to 30 minutes each day, preferably first thing in the morning. You should be seated at a distance of 13 inches from the lamp, and it should be placed directly in front of you. You do not need to look directly at the light, although it is not harmful to glance up at it periodically.

Please note that some medications, such a lithium, melatonin, tetracycline, St. John's Wort, phenothiazines, hematoporphyrins, acme creams, creams with retinoic acid and chloroquine, can make you very sensitive to light.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 04:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Beginning in spring, 2009, UST Libraries is planning to implement a recall option for library materials. What this means is that when you have checked out a book and have had it out for at least two weeks, if it is needed by another patron, you will receive a notice from the library asking that you return the book within 7 days.

Recalls will be available to current St. Thomas students, faculty and staff to more efficiently share library resources and to ensure fair use of library materials among all patrons. This does not mean that the library will never purchase a second copy of a book or use interlibrary loan, but the recall option is intended to get UST-owned items to more patrons as quickly as possible. Many college and university libraries currently offer a recall option to allow better access to library materials. It is not anticipated that this will happen very often, but it may be very helpful to those who do need this option.

UST library patrons will be assured of at least two weeks' time before a recall would require them to return an item. Patrons receiving a recall notice will be allowed one week from the time of the notice to return recalled items to the library. You also will be able to place a hold on the item and be the next in line to recall it.

Only current St. Thomas faculty, staff and students will be allowed to place recalls on UST library materials. Patrons from other CLIC schools, alumni and friends of the library will not have the recall option for UST materials.

Watch for more informational articles (here and in Bulletin Today) about the recall option before it becomes effective next spring.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 03:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The French section invites the UST community to join it tonight for the fifth and final film of the tournees Festival, "Le Voyage du ballon rouge" (Flight of the red balloon.) The film will be shown at 7pm Monday, Nov 3, in the O'Shaughnessy Educational Center auditorium on the university's St. Paul campus. The film, subtitled in English, is free and open to the public. A reception will follow the showing. More details are found in today's Bulletin Today article.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 03:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The fourth film of the Tournees Festival, an event that presents French films weekly through November 3 on campus, will be Persepolis. This animated film that begins during the Islamic Revolution, tells the poignant coming-of-age story of a precocious and outspoken young Iranian girl. Clever and fearless, Marjane outsmarts local "social guardians." The film will be shown at 7pm in the O'Shaughnessy Educational Center auditorium on the university's St. Paul campus. A panel discussion will follow the film.
Read more about this film and also the final film of the series, "Le Voyage du ballon rouge" (Flight of the red balloon), in the October 28 issue of Bulletin Today.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 05:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You are invited to a party! Join us in kicking off a year of celebration as we approach the 50th anniversary of the O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library next October 29, 2009. Our first event will be an open house on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm (brief program begins at 3:15pm). Meet us in the O’Shaughnessy Room, first floor of the O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center, St. Paul campus. Join us for tours of the library, historic exhibits and refreshments as you share your memories about the library with old and new friends.
Visit the library’s 50th anniversary website for more information throughout the year and to share your memories. Please e-mail Julie Kimlinger or call 651-962-5014 if you have any questions.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 02:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dan Gjelten, director of UST Libraries, recommends reading this paper: Library as Sacred Place: Applying the Psychology of Religion to the Academic Library as Sanctified Space and Implications for Measurement and Evaluation, written by Trudi Bellardo Hahn and Heather Lea Jackson; College of Information Studies, University of Maryland, USA. Your comments are welcome.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A third entry in the 2008 Tournées Film Festival will be shown on Tuesday evening, October 21, at 7:00 pm in the O'Shaughnessy Educational Center. L'Origine de la tendresse et autres contes is a series of short films including: My Mother, Story of an immigration: The story of the director's mother who left Algeria in 1956 to reunite with her husband in Paris; L'origine de la tendresse : Elise is a quiet, solitary woman who works as a museum attendant. Nothing really happens in her life. And in a life in which nothing happens, no moment is devoid of meaning. The other shorts include: Pen-pusher, One Voice, One Vote, The Last Day, and Kitchen.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Student Sustainability Committee (SSC) has provided a second printer in the first floor computer area of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library. The printer is labeled "Student Sustainability Committee's 'Already-Used Paper' Printer."

This printer will allow students to print on already-used paper and to give back already printed-on paper for other students to use. Recycling will still be available in the library for printed sheets with confidential information.

Used paper is ideal for printing anything that does not need to be formal or turned in for a class.

When printing from one of the computers in the area, select the printer titled "LIB 101-Already Used" on your print screen before clicking print. If you have printed something in error or you do not mind giving the paper back to be used by another student, you can help sustainability efforts by placing used paper in the "Instant Recycling Paper" box near by the printer.

Another box is located near the printer and paper collection box for comments about the printer, recycling or other issues of sustainability at St. Thomas. These comments will be collected by the SSC for consideration.

This trial run will continue for the remainder of the semester and, if successful, will be considered for continuation.

The SSC thanks Lori Christianson and Deanna Kuhns for their help in getting this project started.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This year, as the we continue to plan for the future, we will focus on assessment. Our major effort in this area will be to conduct the LibQual survey of library service quality. We are asking a random sample of the UST community to provide feedback about our services. This highly regarded survey has been completed over 1,000 times at 500 college and university libraries and our data will be compared to this group of libraries as a benchmark of our quality.

On Monday, October 20, approximately 2,000 students, faculty and staff will be sent the link to the survey. Those who respond will be eligible for a drawing for a $50 UST Bookstore gift certificate.

If you receive the e-mail link to the survey, we ask that you please take the time (15 to 20 minutes) to let us know about your experiences with the UST Libraries. Your responses will influence the direction of the libraries in the near future. Visit the LibQual web site if you wish more information about the survey.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You are all invited to attend the second French film in a series of five. This Tuesday, October 14, you'll see Le Scaphandre et le papillon (The diving Bell and the butterfly). The story: Elle France editor Jean-Dominique Bauby suffered a stroke at the age of 43 that paralyzed his entire body, except his left eye. Using that eye to blink out his memoir, Bauby eloquently describes the aspects of his interior world, from the psychological torment of being trapped inside his body to his imagined stories from lands he only visits in his mind.

This film, subtitled in English, will be shown at 7:00 pm in the O'Shaughnessy Educational Center auditorium. For more information on the 2008 Tournées Film Festival you may wish to visit FACE (French American Cultural Exchange).

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Are you interested in learning about environmental scanning? You will find a helpful overview of social, economic, technological, educational and content trends currently affecting information organizations in this report from nelinet.net. Dan Gjelten, director of libraries, welcomes your questions and comments.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

More than 5,000 movies on DVD and video are available for personal viewing from the UST Libraries Media Resources collection in Room 309, O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center.

Visit the Media Resources webpage to search the entire collection or just the newest titles. You'll also find schedules for film festivals on campus during fall semester. The "French Film Festival @ UST" is running October through November, and the "Sacred Arts Film Festival @ UST" takes place in November.

Students, faculty and staff can watch movies in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center or check them out for home viewing.

Roll 'em!

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 04:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The University of St. Thomas (with support from the Tournées Festival program, UST Libraries' Media Resources Collection and the Department of Modern and Classical Languages) invites you to attend the screening of French films on each Tuesday evening this October, beginning on October 7 and ending on Monday, November 3rd. All the films will be subtitled in English and will be shown at 7:00 pm in the O'Shaughnessy Educational Center (OEC) Auditorium on the St. Paul campus. A reception will follow the October 7th and November 3rd screenings.

Tuesday, October 7th Ne le dis à personne (Tell no one.)
Alex, a pediatrician, has been devastated since his wife Margot was savagely murdered eight years ago. One day he receives an anonymous email. When he clicks on the inserted link, he sees a woman’s face standing in a crowd, being filmed live. Alex is in shock; it is his wife’s face. Alex’s unrelenting questioning unravels a sordid story that will incriminate unscrupulous family members and ultimately reunite him with his wife. (some violent content)

The films are free and open to the public. For driving and parking information please visit this Public Safety website.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 02:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

All in the UST community are invited to join the UST Libraries and booksellers and libraries across the country as we take note of Banned Books Week, September 27 - October 4. First observed by the American Library Association in 1982, Banned Books Week draws attention to books and the access to them that are challenged in schools and public libraries across the country. The ALA states that "while not every book is intended for every reader, each of us has the right to decide for ourselves what to read, listen to or view."

Throughout this week the UST Libraries invite you to visit its display in the Charles J. Keffer Library on the Mpls campus. Free bookmarks are available - and a daily online banned books trivia contest will be held. Check out the library's webpage and choose the Banned Books link. Each day a lucky winner will be selected randomly from the correct answers and will receive a $10 gift certificate to the UST Bookstore.

On Friday, October 3, Steve Marquardt, the Minnesota Legislative Coordinator for Amnesty International, will host a conversation about censorship on an international level. His presentation is "Banned Books, Burned Books: a Global Human Rights Perspective." Marquardt will speak about Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which declares the right of everyone to the freedom of opinion and expression. He will tie that into current situations across the globe and what that means for publishers, authors and bloggers.

This free event will take place at Noon in the O'Shaughnessy Room of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library, Room 108. Bring a bag lunch if you wish -- beverages and treats will be provided.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 09:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Starting today, Friday, Sept. 26, the Physical Plant will be working with sub-contractors to reroof O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center.

In order to complete this work, the driveway running from Cleveland Avenue to between the library and John R. Roach Center for the Liberal Arts will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Those who normally park in the handicap spaces adjacent to the library will need to find alternate parking. Additional, temporary handicap parking will be set up in Lot G, just north of O'Shaughnessy Educational Center.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 09:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Music in the Library opens its ninth season with a free concert featuring the Show’d Up Band on Thursday, September 25, 2008, 12 noon - 1 pm, in the O'Shaughnessy Room of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library. Bring your lunch; light refreshments will be provided.

After almost a decade of playing together, the Show’d-Up Band has compiled an eclectic collection of Irish, American, and French-Canadian tunes and put them onto their first CD, Thursday Noon. The Show’d-Up Band is also an eclectic collection. All University of St. Thomas employees, this group has gathered on campus almost every Thursday noon—since the autumn of 1999—to play, sing, and learn songs together. The unique name of the band refers to its welcoming culture, where, on any given Thursday, the band consists of whoever shows up. For this concert, the seven members represented on the CD will entertain: Bob Douglas (mandolin), Dan Gjelten (guitar), Lief Johnson (mandolin and vocals), Joe Kreitzer (hammered dulcimer and banjo), Mark Neuzil (mountain dulcimer), Paul Strickland (guitar and vocals), and Tom Hodgson (12-string guitar and bass).

This CD documents the band’s place in the St. Thomas community, but it’s also great listening (and only $15, available at the concert or from any band member). So, keep your spirits high and your expectations low. Join the fun as the Show’d-Ups launch the next addition to your music library.

Music in the Library provides opportunities for musicians in the UST community to perform in an informal, friendly atmosphere. Any student, faculty, or staff who is interested in participating in future musical offerings should contact Cathy Lutz (x2-5459 ; crlutz) or Conie Borchardt (x2-6874 ; clborchardt).

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 02:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

UST students, staff and faculty are invited to first lecture in the the 2008-2009 English Department Colloquium Series. Leslie Adrienne Miller will present "Science Into Art: A Poetry Reading and Talk." Dr. Miller's presentation will be held from 3:30 - 5:00 pm Friday, September 19, in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library's O'Shaughnessy Room, Rm 108. Light refreshments will be served.

"The business of trafficking in corpses, the "resurrection trade," is an old trade, one that makes possible the art of anatomy and, as Dr. Miller discovers, the art of her own book. She delves into the mysteries of early anatomical studies and medical illustrations and finds there stories of women's lives - sometimes tragic, sometimes comic - as exposed as the drawings themselves."

Read more in the September 18, 2008 Today's Bulletin article . . .

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 04:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Susan Price, O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center, is the author of Northern Treasure: The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and Horticultural Research Center, her third book, published by the Afton Historical Society Press. The book is a lavishly illustrated centennial tribute to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and represents three years of research and writing. This new work, along with Susan's first two books, Minnesota Gardens: An Illustrated History and Growing Home, Stories of Ethnic Gardening, are in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center collection. Northern Treasure also is available at local bookstores.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 09:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Do you have a question about your laptop? Need help with your UST password? IRT tech help is available in person at service desks in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library, St. Paul campus (level one and lower level) ; and at Scholars on the skyway level near the Charles J. Keffer Library, Mpls campus.

Students, faculty and staff can use computer workstations with related technologies at all UST libraries. Research assistance is available in person and on-line.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 04:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The process of selecting information resources (electronic resources, books and journal subscriptions) for the scholarly needs of the UST community is based on collaboration between library staff, faculty and university administration. A number of factors are considered as we make decisions on purchases: available budget, costs of resources, economic trends in the publishing industry, the balance between print and electronic resources, use of materials and the allocation of resources to specific academic areas. Read more in the September 11 Bulletin Today.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 03:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The staff of the UST Libraries welcomes you to fall semester and invites you to discover all that we can offer you - as well as the variety of study and meeting spaces available in our libraries: O'Shaughnessy-Frey (north campus), Ireland Library (south campus), Keffer Library (Mpls campus). Find out how we can help improve your research methods! Read more.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 12:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Help us kick off a year of events in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the O'Shaughnessy Library building, which was dedicated on October 29, 1959. The first event will be held on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library from 3:00 - 5:00 pm. Help us reminisce and say thank you to our early benefactors and so many others who helped build this wonderful community space.

If you have memories about studying, working and socializing in the St. Thomas library -- from "way back when" to the present -- we'd love to hear them. Please contact Julie Kimlinger, jakimlinger@stthomas.edu or call 651-962-5014.

Check our anniversary website often as it will grow during the coming year!

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 01:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just happened to be reading the Oxford Companion of Military History online this morning and was saddened to see that this week marks the anniversary of the death of an infamous emperor. But then I was cheered to remember that a very famous but very unlikely star of a movie adaptation of this conqueror's life won a Golden Turkey award for his portrayal of said emperor in what is said to be one of the worst movies of the 1950’s.

Can you name the ancient emperor and his bizarre Hollywood counterpart? If you can please let me know.

At the risk of sounding too morbid last week I wanted to know the names of two famous men who both died in auto accidents on August 11th in different years. The one who made a splash is ‘Jack the Dripper’ or as he was more often referred to - Jackson Pollack. The other famous person was none other than St. Paul native and coach of the triumphant Olympic gold medal winning 1980 ice hockey team - Herb Brooks.

Those on campus who knew at least one half of the answer are –

Jan Pinkerton
Peter Erickson
Matt Altman
Ann Kenne

Thanks to all who played!

Posted by Andrea Hudson at 03:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You are invited to stop by and browse our collection of New Books next time you are in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library. Come to the southeast corner of the Reference Room on the main floor and you'll find the space has been freshened with colorful paint, comfortable easy chairs, carpets and coffee tables. New books that have been recently added to our collection are on the nearby shelves and can be perused and sampled with ease.
To skim new titles before coming to the library, visit the library web page and click on New Titles in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library.
Hope to see you soon! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call the Reference Desk at 651-962-5001.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 02:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Have you assigned on-line materials in your classes? Have you accessed on-line materials placed on reserve to do your classwork for your instructors? What is fair use? Have you been in violation of copyright laws? Catch a glimpse of this complicated issue and read about a recent lawsuit described in the June 27 on-line Chronicle of Higher Education.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

O'Shaughnessy-Frey reference librarian Marianne Hageman invites us to read about portable and collaborative uses of space developed by the Illinois Institute of Technology's Institute of Design. She points out that in two recent posts from The Shifted Librarian weblog, Jenny Levine writes:

"The point is to bring spaces into libraries that let people collaborate around the content that already exists in our buildings, add new content to the mix, mash it all up to create something new, and share it with the community. Rinse. Repeat. It's a way to connect people with the physical world and help them make sense of it by interacting with and changing it. It's another instance where the library adds value to the equation (the same way it does with books and now games), offering an experience you can't replicate at home, borne of the community. TJ, the programming wizard behind the curtain, called it a "human interface environment," rather than a "human computer interaction." It takes the focus off technolgoy and puts it back onto the people."

If you wish to read more, please see Thinkering Spaces in Libraries, part one and part two.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 05:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On June 24th 1997 the United States Air Force released a report on the 1947 Roswell Incident stating that the alleged UFO was in fact a military balloon and the alien bodies were life sized dummies. We may never know for sure what really happened on that day in 1947 but what we can be sure is that the incident still resonates through pop culture to this day.

While the term 'flying saucer' came into common parlance after that event there was another term for UFO's that allied pilots coined during World War II that did not quite capture the collective imagination in the same way. Can you give me the two word phrase for a mysterious airborne phenomenon that I am looking for?

If you can let me know and the 'prize' for a correct answer is me not reporting your name to the government.

Last week I wanted to know the momentous event in Berlin on June 12th 1987 that Ronald Reagan made even more momentous with his challenge to Mikhail Gorbachev to 'tear down this wall.' The 'official' answer is Ronald Reagan was commemorating the 750th anniversary of Berlin. I thought I was being very clever to trick people into thinking that it was the anniversary of John Kennedy's momentous 'ich bin ein berliner' speech, but the joke was on me. It turns out that Kennedy did make that speech on June 12th because he too was speaking on the anniversary date of Berlin. The campus historians who knew at least one of the correct answers last week were

Jan Pinkerton
Peter Erickson
Matthew Koenen

Long story short I need to take a little bit more of my own advice about conducting better research that I dish out to you all.

Thanks as always for playing!

Posted by Andrea Hudson at 03:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

All are invited to the rotunda area of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library main floor to see the posters created by students in the Health and Human Performance Department. These posters were made by senior Health Promotion--Science and Health Promotion Majors as part of their PHED 449 Seminar course requirements. The posters showcase the research the students conducted over the semester and were included in the Bush Foundation supported Inquiry at the UST poster session this spring. Come and enjoy - the posters will be here until early June.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 03:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You may wish to print off a complete listing of library hours so you will not miss opportunities to do that last minute studying for your finals.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As part of their celebration of the state's sesquicentennial, the librarians at the Minnesota Historical Society are blogging about their selection of the greatest 150 Minnesota books. "All works chosen as the 150 Best Minnesota Books will have been published in some recognizable form, and will either be about some aspect of the state or will have been written by a Minnesota author. We define Minnesota authors the same way we do for inclusion into the MHS library collections: the author will either have been born in Minnesota or will have spent enough time here to have been influenced by the culture or to have influenced the culture."

Check it out and applaud or argue with their selections!

Posted by John Heintz at 06:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This week in 1950 a very (and I mean very) controversial self help book was first published which to this day sparks heated discussions all over the world. Please give me the author and the name of his book. And if you choose to do it anonymously I completely understand.

If you want to experience this book first hand then try finding it on the stacks of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library. I do not want to give away the title but the call number is RZ415 .H82 1950. If you need assistance finding this book or any other book at the UST libraries please contact your favorite librarian.

Last week I wondered which famous landmark to this day retains what is said to be the longest held phone number in New York City and was the inspiration behind Glen Miller's song PEnnsylvania 6-5000. The answer is The Hotel Pennsylvania across from Madison Square Garden in midtown Manhattan.

Congratulations to campus jazz enthusiasts Anne Kenne and Peter Erickson for playing along!

Thank you very much!

Posted by Andrea Hudson at 06:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Music in the Library presents UST music students in a free concert on Tuesday, May 6 from Noon - 1pm in the O'Shaughnessy Room of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library. The program will include pianists, a flutist, and a vocalist performing a number of classical works by Handel, Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven, Debussy, and others. Take some time out from your busy end of the semester schedule to listen to this springtime serenade! Bring your lunch if you wish; light refreshments will be provided.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 05:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

UST Libraries article in Bulletin Today describes features of LexisNexis Congressional Research. If you have any difficulty please speak with a reference librarian at 651-962-5001.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 02:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You are all invited to a publication reading celebrating the 2008 Summit Avenue Review, the student-edited art and literary magazine of the University of St. Thomas. The reading will take place at 4:00 pm on Friday, May 2 in the O'Shaughnessy Room of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library on the St. Paul campus. Refreshments will be provided and all are welcome!

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 01:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This week in 1940 the Glenn Miller Orchestra released this signature song. Can you give me the name and location of this landmark that has this famous phone number to this day. If you can drop me a message.

If you don't know the answer off your head and/or want a research 'project' to work on for the rest of the week might I recommend using a library database like Proquest Newsstand Complete? You can search individual publication titles like the New York Times (hint, hint) for this or any news item.

Last week's question was basically a two parter. First you had to know that Manfred von Richthofen was none other than the infamous Red Baron. Then you could have gone the serious route to look up the names of valiant British flyers who engaged him in battle....or....you could have remembered the name of the most famous WW I flying ace... Snoopy! I suggest going the second route because that is who I had in mind. These campus military experts got at least part of the answer correct -

Marianne Hageman
Janice Kragness
Peter Erickson
Kathie Connor

Thanks for playing!

Posted by Andrea Hudson at 09:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

You are all cordially invited to the 10th annual Poetry on the Patio reading, hosted by library director, Dan Gjelten. It will take place from Noon to 1pm on Tuesday, April 29 on the terrace of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library. Members of the UST community will read their favorite poems while we listen and enjoy. This year our readers include Sherrie Maze, Lawrence Potter, Julia Risser, Denise Dieffenbach, Kory Kutz, Dejen Tesfagiorgis, John Bannigan, Kathleen Keller, and Jessica Webb. Read today's article in the Bulletin Today for complete information on Poetry on the Patio. Bring your lunch and take part in a fun and very popular noon hour event. If the weather is especially cold or rainy, come inside the library to Room 102. We'll be there - hope you wil too.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 04:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You are cordially invited to join us on Tuesday, April 29, at Noon on the terrace of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library. Members from across the St. Thomas community - faculty, students, staff members - will share their love of poetry and read one or two of their favorites over the noon hour. This year is the 10th anniversary of this popular event and you are all invited to attend. If the weather is very cold and rainy, we will go inside the library to Room 102. Hope you can join us!

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 04:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The UST Media Resources Collection recently obtained several business and technology related DVDs to update its collection. Bulletin Today article lists these new dvds. You are invited to come to Room 309, O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library and view them.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 04:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Using Ralph W. Franklin's The Poems of Emily Dickinson readers from the UST community will take a turn with a poem and read all 1,789 poems of Emily Dickinson. This marathon reading is hosted by the English department and everyone is invited to help bring the words of the poet to life. The marathon will take place on Friday, April 25 beginning at 8am and go until 8pm in the O'Shaughnessy Room of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library. Please read Bulletin Today article for more information. If you would like to join the readers and schedule a time, contact Dr. Erika Scheurer at 651-962-5669. Or just drop by when you can!

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 08:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Please plan to come to Music in the Library on Tuesday, April 22 at Noon in the O'Shaughnessy Room (Rm 108). You'll hear the UST Guitar Ensemble, directed by music faculty member, Joan Griffith, perform a variety of works, including Renaissance lute songs, transcriptions of classical pieces by Mozart and Gounod, Gypsy jazz, and music by jazz guitar legend, Wes Montgomery.
Bring your lunch - light refreshments will be provided.
Music in the Library provides opportunities for musicians in the UST community to perform in an informal, friendly atmosphere. If you would like to participate in future Music in the Library events, or have any other questions, please contact Cathy Lutz (651-962-5459), or Conie Borchardt (651-962-6874).

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 08:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Manfred von Richthofen who was one of the deadliest flying aces in World War I was shot down in France on April 21st 1918. He had over 80 air combat victories to his name and therefore it is hardly surprising that he ratcheted quite a few enemies in his lifetime. One foe in particular pursued him with such dogged determination that he too became famous for it. Can you name this very famous flyer?

If you can send me a message. Remember no prizes will be involved, just the kind of recognition throughout the campus that you can not buy in any store.

Last week was Library Week and we had a lot of fun with daily trivia questions along with other events like book sales, author events and a mini golf tournament in Minneapolis. If you would like to see the questions (and answers) from last week please click here.

This is the part of the message where I gently beseech you all not to use Google but one of our many fine library databases to answer this question. However if anyone finds the answer to the question in one of databases I would be very surprised and I would be love to hear about it. Please feel free to Google this one.

Posted by Andrea Hudson at 08:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Come shop the Library Week Book Sale Friday, April 18, at the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library. Open to all - fill up a grocery bag with books and pay $3.00! The sale begins at Noon and ends at 6:00 pm!

Saturday and Sunday, April 19 and 20, all during library hours, all remaining books from the book sale are free for the taking. Thank you all for helping make our Library Week a fun one.

Call Julie at 962-5014 if any questions.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 05:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Daily onlineTrivia Contests - Daily online voting for the winner of the Trip my Truck book cart contest - Used Book Sales - Mini Golf Bookend Classic on the Mpls campus - Author Reading with Kirsten Dierking - Senior Citizens on Campus visit the library - Faculty Open House showcasing their publications from the past year - and more! Library Week holds many opportunities for fun and we hope you will join us. Read details in Bulletin Today article.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 07:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Of course you do, and would you like to share a few thoughts about that book?

For Library Week (April 14 – 18) the UST Libraries will create a site to collect a list of favorite books submitted by UST students, staff and faculty. If you want to participate and see your name ‘up in lights’ on our website please respond back to me with the title of a book (or two, or three) along with a few comments.

Thank you very much!

Posted by Andrea Hudson at 01:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Preparations are underway for this year's Library Week book sales in the UST Libraries. If you have books you no longer wish to keep, please consider donating them to the libraries. We will gratefully accept your literary classics, novels, biographies, self-help books, cookbooks, children's books, theology, history, travel, mystery, etc!
Please bring them to the Circulation Desk at the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library any time between now and April 11. Mark your calendars and plan to shop the Library Week book sales at our libraries during the week of April 14 - 18. Library Week details to follow soon. If you have questions, please call Julie at 962-5014.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 09:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Music in the Library presents a musical preview of the upcoming CSC/UST production of Guys and Dolls on Thursday, February 28, Noon - 1pm in the O'Shaughnessy Room of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library. Members of the cast, under the direction of UST alumnus Gregg Sawyer and Rob Strusinski (Music Dept) will perform a number of selections from this award-winning Broadway musical by Frank Loesser. Based on short stories by Damon Runyon, the plot depicts the lives of lovers, gamblers, and a Salvation Army-style mission on the gritty streets of mid-120th century New York. Bring your lunch; light refreshments will be provided.

Music in the Library provides opportunities for musicians in the UST community to perform in an informal, friendly atmosphere. Any student, faculty, or staff member interested in participating in future musical offerings is invited to contact Cathny Lutz (2-5459) or Conie Borchardt (x-6874).

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bring your lunch and join fellow faculty members in viewing and discussing the live EduCAUSE webinar, "Powerful But Not a Panacea: Virtual Worlds as a Tool for Situational Learning." This event will be held at noon, Tuesday, February 19, in room 303 of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center. Cookies and beverages will be provided.
Register for this event at the Faculty Center for eLearning registration page and you'll be entered into a drawing to win an official 1GB Faculty Center for eLearning USB "thumb drive." You must be present to win.
Read on for more information.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 09:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The UST Libraries provide access to a wide range of electronic and print infomation resources, and is now in the process of creating video tutorials to help patrons learn tips and the skills needed to effectively search these resources. Read today's Library Today article from the Bulletin Today, February 14 issue, for more information on what you can expect, and for a list of video tutorials that are already available!

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 08:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While love may be in the air this week bullets were also in the air in Chicago on February 14th 1929 when seven people were gunned down in what is now called the Saint Valentine's Day massacre. Ironically enough this tragic event was the kick off of a very funny movie with Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis. Name the movie with no Googling! If you don't know the title off your head I am sure there is a friendly librarian who would be more than happy to help you with this query; and when you have an answer send it to arhudson@stthomas.edu

Last week I wondered about the name of the world chess champion beating computer who head to head with Garry Kasparov. The answer was IBM's Deep Blue and the campus chess experts with the correct answers are

Eric Jorgensen and Holly Schultz

Thanks for playing!

Posted by Andrea Hudson at 05:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Come to the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center and you will find a new look in several areas of the library:
* The reference desk and the IRT tech desk on Level 1 are now combined - please stop by whenever you need help with your research and/or technology questions.
* Some tall shelves in the Level 1 Reference Room were removed and replaced with comfortable furniture to provide a home for New Books, as well as a nice group study space.
* The O'Shaughnessy Room has new carpeting and some of the bookshelves have been removed, making it even more spacious and welcoming than it always had been. New window treatments are on their way - and yes, the big leather chairs are still there for you!
* Some of the shelving on Level 2 has been removed, providing easier access to the Great Hall.

Read on to see the complete article in January 31 Bulletin Today.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We're aware that RefWorks was unavailable from about 2 AM to 10 AM this morning. We apologize for the inconvenience, and users should be able to access their RefWorks materials now.

Posted by John Heintz at 09:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You are all invited to a reception formally introducing the Winter 2007 issue of the New Hibernia Review this Wednesday, January 9, from 3 - 4pm, in the O'Shaughnessy Room of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library. A short program at 3:30 pm will discuss the issue and its particular features of interest. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome; no reservation is needed. For more information please read the complete article from January 7, Monday's Bulletin Today.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 01:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last week I asked which museum was the primary beneficiary of Joesph Mallord Turner's works. The answer is the Tate museum in London and the campus art historian who knew that fact was Roderick Teh

A new week and a new trivia question.

This week is primary week in New Hampshire and international attention is once again focused on the granite state. So important is that state in national politics that a fictional two term governor of New Hampshire was eventually elected president of the United States. Can you name this fictional POTUS?

Send guesses to arhudson@stthomas.edu As always there are no prizes for winners, exept for the thrill of seeing your name up in lights.

Posted by Andrea Hudson at 07:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Public Safety Office reminds the UST community about safety guidelines concerning the end-of-semester book buybacks at the St. Paul and Mpls campus bookstores. Each semester, Public Safety receives reports of stolen textbooks, primarily from students studying in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center. These textbooks are often sold back to the Bookstore during this buy back period

Due to past thefts of textbooks and book bags, patrons are asked to be watchful of their property at all times. Do not leave your property unattended or out of your sight. It is recommended that you mark your books and property in such a way that will be identifiable only by you. Marking property may assist with recovery of stolen property. One method is to highlight certain words on specific pages in a book, or write a word or words that have meaning only to you.

While Public Safety increases patrol and surveillance during this time of year, you can help by notifying the department immediately if you see suspicious activity or people on or near campus. You may report crime confidentially or anonymously by e-mail: PSTIPS@stthomas.edu, or by calling 651-962-TIPS.

Call 651-962-5100 for more campus crime prevention information.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 09:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

To prepare for the launch of a redesigned web interface for the ILLiad Interlibrary Loan System, ILLiad will be down Tuesday morning until Noon on December 18, 2007. You will be unable to access your account during this downtime, but please call the Interlibrary Loan Department at 651-962-5409 if you need help during this period.

The ILLiad link for requesting from our online databases will be down all day Tuesday, but should be restored by Wednesday, the 19th.

In addition to a fresh new look, ILLiad users will now be able to view a record of the email notifications sent to them by the ILLiad system.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 02:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There is a major retrospective of Joseph Mallord Turner's works on display at the National Gallery in Washington D.C. and it makes me wonder out loud which gallery originally received the majority of paintings that Turner famously bequeathed.

Got an answer to share? Send it to arhudson@stthomas.edu

Speaking of answers, last week I asked which member of the executive branch was the first American to receive the Nobel Peach Prize. The answer is Theodore Roosevelt for helping to negotiate the end of the Russo-Japanese war. Other executive branch Nobel Peace Prize winners were Woodrow Wilson and Jimmy Carter along with Al Gore.

The campus presidential historians who knew the answer are

Roderick Teh
Bill Landherr

Thanks for playing along!

Posted by Andrea Hudson at 01:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

UST Libraries recently received a gift from Dr. Thomas D. Redshaw, Department of English, of more than 100 books and exhibit catalogs documenting Irish art and artists. Many rare and unique titles are included, which significantly enhances the library's collection. This donation is the latest of a series of gifts given by Dr. Redshaw to support the Celtic Collection and library holdings in the area of Irish Studies.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You'll be able to study later than usual in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library this week. Friday and Saturday, December 14 and 15, we will be open until 10:00 pm. (During regular hours in fall semester, we close at 8pm on Fridays, and 6pm on Saturdays.) Be sure to check with a reference librarian if you need assistance finding your way through the many helpful resources in the library. Study hard -- and good luck to all during finals week.

UST Libraries Hours for the end of December are listed in this Bulletin Today article. Please check to be sure you know about specific hours at each of the libraries so you won't be disappointed by finding them closed due to the Christmas and New Year's Holidays.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Al Gore going to Oslo Norway at this moment to pick up his Nobel Peace Prize got me wondering about who was the first American to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize. Hint, the winner was also a member of the executive branch of government. Double hint - there are lots of terrific resources about him in the library's online reference collection.

Can you name him? Please submit your answers to arhudson@stthomas.edu by this Friday.

Last week I wanted to know the name of the artist who is associated with the southwest but who was born in Wisconsin. The answer is of course Georgia O'Keeffe (count 'em two f's) whose works adorn more than a few offices on campus and who also has her own museum in Santa Fe New Mexico.

The campus art historians with the correct answers are

Roderick Teh
Romain Lorentz
Kellen O'Grady
Master Stierman

Thanks for responding!

Posted by Andrea Hudson at 07:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

All members of the UST community are invited to enjoy a Holiday Poetry and Fiction Reading, featuring stories and poems from diverse holiday traditions, read by students, faculty, and staff of the UST English Department. This event is sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta, the UST English honor society and literary club, and will take place on Friday, December 7 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm in the O'Shaughnessy Room of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library (Room 108). In addition to the readings you'll be treated to cookies, hot drinks, and good cheer.

As part of this event, Sigma Tau Delta has organized a charitable book drive. When attending the holiday reading on December 7, you are all invited to bring copies of any new or gently used children's book that you would like to donate. The books will go to the children's library at the Sheila Wellstone Center in Bloomington, which is part of the National Library Initiative. Read on for more information about the book drive.

Hope to see you Friday afternoon!

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 09:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sigma Tau Delta, the UST English honor society, is hosting a charitable book drive in December. Members of the UST community are invited to donate new or gently used children's books to be given to the children's library at the Sheila Wellstone Center in Bloomington, a part of the National Library Initiative.

Founded by Jewish Women International, the National Library Initiative works to collect books for battered women's shelters so that mothers and children have a place to read and spend time together while they rebuild their lives.

Collection boxes are located at the Reference Desk of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center; Murray-Herrick Campus Center; and the third floor of John R. Roach Center for the Liberal Arts on the St. Paul campus; and in the Charles J. Keffer Library in Opus Hall on ther Mpls campus.

Sigma Tau Delta is hoping to collect many, many books by the end of this drive. Thank you in advance for any contribution you are able to make!

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 02:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Get into the holiday spirit with carols and cookies at the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library. The singing begins at Noon and continues through the lunch hour until 1pm on Thursday, November 29. The Women's Chorus, directed by Dr. Angie Broeker, will perform in the library's main floor rotunda area. You will have the opportunity to sing along with the familiar carols as well as listen to works performed by the choir. Refreshments will be served. If you would like more information, please contact Susan Price at 962-5011.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 03:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Two weeks ago, the university introduced its "Opening Doors" campaign to support scholarships, endowments for academic needs, and several building projects. The university libraries have a proposed project in the campaign that seeks funding for an improved Information Commons in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center. The Information Commons will blend technology and digital content with traditional print collections to provide high-quality research and services for both students and faculty. You'll find background on our proposal at the "Opening Doors" Information Commons web page.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 04:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Congratulations to Dan Gjelten, Director of UST Libraries on being named 2007 Minnesota Academic Librarian of the Year. On October 25 at the 2007 Awards Banquet of the Minnesota Library Association conference in Mankato, Minnesota, his years of library experience and professionalism were recognized. In his nomination, colleagues identified him as a "big-picture thinker" and "community builder." Read the complete article from Bulletin Today.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 02:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Music in the Library opens its eighth season this Thursday, November 8, with a free concert open to all featuring the Show'd Up Band. The performance will be held from noon to 1pm in the O'Shaughnessy Room of the O'Shaughnessy Frey Library Center.
The Show'd Up Band, a traditional string band made up of UST faculty and staff, plays an eclectic mix of bluegrass, old-time, Celtic and other traditional music, all enhanced with sparkling repartee. The band normally can be found in the Campus Square playing informal jam sessions over the noon hour on Thursdays.
Take time of out of your busy day and listen to this toe-tapping music. Bring your lunch; light refreshments will be provided.
Music in the Library provides opportunities for musicians in the UST community to perform in an informal, friendly atmosphere. Any student, faculty or staff member who is interested in participating in future musical offerings is invited to contact Cathy Lutz (651) 962-5459 or Conie Borchardt (651) 962-6874.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Welcome Bulletin linkers and regluar UST Libraries blog readers. I am in a musical mood and it makes me wonder -

According to Mojo Nixon who is everywhere?

Please send your guess to arhudson@stthomas.edu

As always no prizes will be awarded to winners, just the opportunity to add your $.02 to the blogosphere.

Thankyouverymuch

Posted by Andrea Hudson at 07:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Your UST ID card wears a 14-digit barcode on its back and you can use this number in many ways: checkout books, software, equipment and media; request books from other CLIC libraries via the CLICnet catalog; checkout books at other CLIC libraries; request ILLiad accounts and interlibrary loans. Your Banner number on the front of your UST ID card can be used to make photocopies on library copy and microfiche machines when you enter the Banner number, plus the two-digit month and the two-digit day of your birthday. Copies are 10 cents and will be deducted from your 400-page print-and-copy allotment for the semester. New replacement IDs are available at the Card Office on the St. Paul campus or the 24-hour Public Safety Desk on the Mpls campus.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 03:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You are invited to stop by the School of Divinity lobby and view a new display, October 22 through October 26, that highlights the professional work and creative endeavors of faculty from the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity. Betsy Polakowski and Judith Michalski of the Ireland Library have worked to place items on display that celebrate faculty scholarship, creative activity, and community service from the years 2001- 2007. Brochures detailing the display are available. If you have any questions please contact Sheila Hague at 962-5454.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 01:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It begins Monday, October 15! The French Section of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages at the University of St. Thomas is pleased to announce that they will be hosting the 2007 Tournees Festival of French Films October 15 - November 15 on the UST St. Paul campus. All students and teachers of French, as well as the entire UST community, are welcome to attend the free showings of these films:
Monday, October 15 Fauteuils d’orchestre
Monday, October 22 La Moustache
Monday, October 29 Indigenes
Tuesday, November 6 Bamaka (note change of day)
Tuesday, November 13 Chats perches

All films will be shown in OEC (O'Shaughnessy Educational Center) auditorium at 7:00 pm and are free to the public.

There will be a panel discussion after the films on October 22, October 29, and November 6. Refreshmetns will be served on November 13. Read the Bulletin Today article for more details and descriptions of each film.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 10:30 AM | Permalink

While quite a few of you all knew the name of the governor I had in mind was Harold Stassen, only a handful of the few of you knew that Stassen ran not once not twice but nine, count 'em nine times for president of the United States. Please join me in congratulating Minnesotan historians -

Kevin West
Laurie Dimond

It's a new week and a new trivia question!

A dismal day warrants a question about the Dismal Science

Winners of the Nobel Prize in Economics were announced this morning and included on the list of three American recipients was Leonid Hurwicz from the University of Minnesota. What is interesting about the economics prize is that it is the only Nobel prize that was not specified in the will of Alfred Nobel.

What year was the Nobel Prize in Economics first awarded?

If you don't know the answer off your head (I sure didn't) why not search one of the many online encyclopedias and dictionaries in the library collection. Need more help? Ask a friendly librarian.

Please send guesses to arhudson@stthomas.edu by noon Friday. As always no Nobel prizes or any other prizes will be awarded for correct answers, only the satisfaction of a job well done and your name on this blog.

Posted by Andrea Hudson at 03:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You are all cordially invited to the 34th presentation in the Ireland Memorial Lecture Series. This year our speaker is Christopher J. Thompson, Ph.D., Academic Dean for The St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity. Dr. Thompson's topic is: "Preliminary Reflections on the Church and the Environment."
Date: Monday, October 22, 2007
Time: 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm - followed by an informal reception
Place: The 3M Auditorium in the Owens Science Hall
For directions, call 651-962-5450, or visit the UST website and find Owens Science Hall, Building #39, near the southwest corner of Cretin and Summit. Free parking for the evening is available in lots N and M, south and west of the Owens Science Hall.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 05:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This week, Archbishop Ireland Memorial Library has put up a display about the Index of Prohibited Books, published for centuries by the Catholic Church. Beginning in 1557 and issued regularly until 1948 (officially abolished in 1966), the purpose of The Index was to protect Catholics from books deemed dangerous to their faith and morals.

Displayed at Ireland Library are different editions of The Index and some interesting books that were on the list. Among the notables writers appearing on The Index were Galileo, Erasmus, Gibbon, Kant, Voltaire, Flaubert, Swedenborg, Descartes, Locke, Sartre, Balzac.

In the aftermath of Vatican II, the Church’s position had evolved and The Index was eventually discontinued. Canon Law 212 (section 3) now obtains:

They [the faithful] have the right, indeed at times the duty … to manifest to the sacred Pastors their views on matters which concern the good of the Church. They have the right also to make their views known to others of Christ's faithful, but in doing so they must always respect the integrity of faith and morals, show due reverence to the Pastors and take into account both the common good and the dignity of individuals.

Some trivia:
No American novelist (and very few American non fiction works) was ever on The Index.

Jean Steinmann’s La Vie de Jesus had the distinction of being the last work ever prohibited (1959). This book is on display at Ireland Library, this week.

Posted by Jan Malcheski at 12:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You are all invited to hear Teresa Nelson on Wednesday, October 3, at Noon in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library. Ms. Nelson is legal counsel for the Minnesota ACLU and will host a conversation on the topic of censorship. Her talk is titled "Intellectual freedom is a right and that's why banning books is wrong." You are welcome to join us in Room 108 of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library and bring a bag lunch if you like. Beverages and treats will be provided. Please read Monday's Bulletin Today article for more details.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Please join the UST Libraries in congratulating trivia winners and campus pomologists

Roderick Teh
Mary Edel-Joyce
Lindsey Hines
Henry Bishop

They knew the name of the notorious fruit I was looking for is a Durian. One responder noted that the durian smells like 'rank cheese' and is so potent that even an unopened fruit smells like a 'decomposing zebra.' Needless to say I am dying to exerience this first hand.

In the meantime if you are looking for more trivia I would like to point you to the UST Libraries Banned Books Week page set up to commemorate Banned Books Week starting Monday, October 1st. There will be a daily book related trivia question and an actual prize for one correct answer every day.

Good luck!

Posted by Andrea Hudson at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Julie McCarty, UST alum, will discuss and read from her new book: A Pearl of Great Price: Gospel Wisdom for Christian Marriage (Liturgical Press) on Monday night, October 1, from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. All are invited to attend -- please plan to meet at the Archbishop Ireland Memorial Library for this free event. Please ask a librarian for a parking permit.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 04:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Julie McCarty, UST alum, will discuss and read from her new book: A Pearl of Great Price: Gospel Wisdom for Christian Marriage (Liturgical Press) on Monday night, October 1, from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. All are invited to attend -- please plan to meet at the Archbishop Ireland Memorial Library for this free event. Please ask a librarian for a parking permit.

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 04:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Have you wanted to put your course materials on reserve for your students but were not sure how to do it? Read more for help.

Continue reading "Course Reserves "How To" for Faculty" »

Posted by Julie Kimlinger at 04:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The question last week revolved old time Broadway shows and a great classic movie with John Barrymore and Carole Lombard

What classic play and movie written by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur was recently revived on Broadway in 2004?

The answer is Twentieth Century and the new version starred Alec Baldwin and Anne Heche.

Congratulations to winners and theater scholars Marianne Hageman, Linda Hulbert and Laurie Dimond!

It's a new week and a new question!

What notoriously stinky fruit indigenous to South East Asia was given its own festival this year in Bukit Gantang Malaysia?

If you can't find it in Google try to find the answer in Quicksearch or ask a librarian. Send your guesses to arhudson@stthomas.edu

Good luck!

Posted by Andrea Hudson at 02:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We invite the campus community to review and comment on the recommendations we have for cancellations. We take our role as stewards of the university’s resources very seriously. In making our collection development decisions for the coming year, we have considered many factors, including usage, costs, full-text availability, among others.

We propose canceling 31 titles for which there will be no exact counterpart available on campus. Please, take a moment to examine the list to ensure that we have precisely identified the least used resources for the campus.

Please see the Bulletin Today article from September 10, 2007 for more information.

Posted by John Heintz at 03:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

You are all invited to Library Smart Start - a 30 minute tour of the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library and introduction to the UST Libraries new webpage! We offer many opportunities to stop by and take part - choose the time that suits your schedule best Wednesday, Sept 5; Thursday, Sept 6; or Friday, Sept 7. Meet in the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library main floor infocommons area at Noon or at 4pm each day. Questions? Please call Earl Belisle at 962-5004.

Posted by John Heintz at 08:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You are invited to take advantage of many opportunities to learn about various instructional technologies, including numerous workshops on aspects of using Blackboard; an Introduction to RefWorks; Faculty Research Tools; and others. See the Bulletin article from July 16th, or faculty and staff can register via the HR Department's Leadership Academy--Training Online web site.

Posted by John Heintz at 04:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Summer Reading recommendations of library staff are listed here for you!

Posted by John Heintz at 04:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Please note that the federal government and the state of Minnesota no longer provide print copies of income tax forms for distribution in UST libraries. The 2006 income tax forms and instructions may be printed from the Internal Revenue Service and Minnesota Department of Revenue web sites.

Posted by John Heintz at 01:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)