Old Dominion University Libraries - Library Information - Publications

Faculty, staff, GTAs Invited

Get familiar with new resources and services by attending one of our popular, informative sessions in Perry Library 151 on Thursday, August 24, at 2:00 PM or on Friday, August 25, at 10:00 AM. In one hour you will see and learn about

Digital services
Access to databases and electronic journals
Ordering materials for purchase
Interlibrary loan

Also, you will have an opportunity to enjoy light refreshments and ask questions. To register your interest in attending (registration is not mandatory, but it is helpful), please contact Cynthia Wright Swaine at 4185 or cswaine@odu.edu.

Grad Assistants: workshops for you

Are you a graduate assistant with questions about the many tasks you’ve been assigned, such as obtaining materials not owned by the library, charging photocopies to grants or departments, and placing materials on course reserve? Attend a very helpful workshop in Perry Library 163 on either September 6 or 9 at 10:00 AM. For more information or to register, contact Steve Litherland at slitherl@odu.edu or 683-5908.

Don't miss exhibit of faculty favorites

Faculty members from the various colleges were asked which books had the biggest influence on their lives and also which books were their favorites. Here are just a few of the titles mentioned:

Out of Africa
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
The Importance of Living
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat
Walden
Peoplemaking
The Rhetoric of Aristotle
A Wrinkle in Time
Let Us Now Praise Famous Men
My Antonia

Can you guess who chose them? For the answers and many fascinating accounts of why these and other books were chosen, visit Perry Library to see this exhibit, which closes on August 31.

Surf 'n' Turf in Perry Library

Want an informative tour of Perry Library? A quick introduction to using the library’s web pages to find articles, media, etc.? Then come to Perry Library for Surf ‘n’ Turf. Held during Activity Hour in September, these short sessions are ideal for students, staff and faculty. See the calendar below for dates and times, and meet the librarian in the lobby.

Recent E-book acquisitions for you

The University Libraries continue to acquire, through VIVA—the Virtual Library of Virginia, electronic access to books. Some of the most recent sets include Oxford Reference Online and the Gale Virtual Reference Library. From dictionaries on African and Asian mythology to a variety of medical reference books, these collections offer a wealth of authoritative information online. To see all the books available, enter the name of either collection as a title search in the library catalog.

E-reserve materials? use Blackboard

With the implementation of Blackboard Academic Suite, the University Libraries will end the electronic reserves program as of August 26, 2006. Blackboard includes the ability to post materials and aids in copyright compliance by limiting access only to students enrolled in a particular course. Digital Services staff in Perry Library will assist faculty members with issues that may arise in making the transition from library-based electronic reserves to the Blackboard environment. The move to Blackboard will have no effect on the reserve book collection and operation in Perry Library.

Distance Learning Corner

Copies of library handbooks for distance learners were mailed to Teletechnet sites and higher education centers in late June. Copies have also been sent as email attachments to site directors. The Web version is available at http://www.lib.odu.edu/distance/index.htm. Included are tips for searching online resources, contact information for the library and much more. In addition, we have sent leaflets for distribution to students at these sites. If you need additional copies, contact Cynthia Wright Swaine at cswaine@odu.edu.

Another library success story

A student came to the reference desk to ask whether the library owns a copy of the Colonial Williamsburg Cookbook. She needed the recipe for Chowning’s Tavern Brunswick Stew, and her own copy of the cookbook was in storage in another city. Science librarian Renee Davis determined that the library did not own a copy of the cookbook, but Renee did have the cookbook at home, and she offered to photocopy the recipe for the student and bring it in the next day. The student happily accepted the offer.

A few weeks later, the student reappeared at the reference desk right before lunchtime with a steaming bowl of Brunswick stew (well disguised by a pristine white tea towel worthy of Chowning’s itself), which Renee happily accepted. She also offered to help the student with any other information needs of a culinary nature.

Awards announced

In May, Nancy Schafer was named the ODU Librarian of the Year, and Carole Ray was named Library Staff Member of the Year. Congratulations to these two people who help make the library a truly service-oriented place to visit.

CALENDAR

Library Update is published four times a year by the library for the Old Dominion University community. Its purpose is to inform users of new and existing services, policies and procedures.