Holiday hours Wednesday, November 11

The Library will be open from 1 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

If you watched the Boston Bruins play over the weekend, you may have noticed the coaches wearing red flower pins on their lapels. Learn how poppies became a symbol of Veterans Day by reading In Flanders fields: the story of the poem by John McCrae. For an in-depth look at World War I, including a detailed timeline, see G.J. Meyer's A world undone: the story of the Great War, 1914 to 1918.

Rare Books Digitized

Earlier this year, the Wheelock College Archives began to scan rare volumes from our special books collection. By visiting the Archives web page, you will find links to some of these materials.

Included is a digitized copy of Lucy Wheelock’s My Life Story, an autobiography in which she describes her childhood in Vermont, her professional work nationally and internationally, and finally, the founding of the kindergarten training school that would become Wheelock College. While never formally published, this manuscript is a compelling contribution to the history of childhood education in the United States.

You will also find Miss Wheelock’s Talks to Mothers – part of the Kindergarten Children’s Hour series that she edited for the Houghton Mifflin Company in the 1920s.

Visit the Wheelock College Archives to learn more about our collections.

What was that white stuff?

Wondering what all that white stuff covering the quad was? Chemical & Engineering News has the answer. Curious about the faux snow industry? Check out British company Snow Business to learn about the different ways winter scenes can be staged.

If you missed the filming itself, the Boston Globe has a photo of "The Social Network" star Jesse Eisenberg dashing through the quad. Official information about the movie is sparse, but check imdb.com for articles and updates.

And of course, we would be remiss if we didn't tell you that the movie is based on the book The Accidental Billionaires: The founding of Facebook, a tale of sex, money, genius, and betrayal by Ben Mezrich. While Wheelock does not own this title, you can borrow a copy from libraries statewide using the Massachusetts Virtual Catalog, linked through the Library's online FLO catalog.

Holiday hours Monday, October 12

In observance of the College's autumn holiday, the Library will be open from 1 to 11 p.m. on Monday, October 12. We will be open regular hours Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11.

Your comments needed!

The Library is planning a renovation project and we want your input. Three different proposals for the space on the first floor have been put on display on the information table in the Library foyer, along with plans showing the current configuration for your reference.

Take a look at these proposals, then grab a comment sheet and let us know what you think! The comment sheets also have the three proposals printed on them, so feel free to write notes right by the specific plans, draw in other ideas, or otherwise express your opinions. Then drop your comment sheets off at the Circulation Desk on the first floor. We'll take your ideas into consideration as we work toward the final plans for the renovation.

Thanks in advance for your help on this important project!

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!

September 15th-October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month. According to the website factmonster.com,

"Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18.

The term Hispanic, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, refers to Spanish-speaking people in the United States of any race. On the 2000 Census form, people of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin could identify themselves as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or "other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino." More than 35 million people identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino on the 2000 Census. "

Check out factmonster or the Hispanic Heritage Month pages on scholastic.com and educationworld.com for more information, as well as fun lesson plan ideas for celebrating in the classroom.

Also, stop by the Library and check out our foyer display case for more resources about Hispanic culture, literature and history!

NEW in the Library: All-in-one Printer/Scanner/Copy Machines

Starting this fall, the Library is featuring brand new all-in-one printer, scanner and copy machines. The old standalone printers and copiers have been removed. The machines are located on the following floors:

• Lower level
• Floor 1
• Floor 1M
• Floor 2
• Floor 3

You will need a Fenway card, loaded with Fenway cash, to access these machines. If you are a Wheelock alum, we will soon offer guest cards for your printing and copying needs.

Black and white print-outs and copies are 10 cents each. Color print-outs and copies are 50 cents each. You may also scan electronic copies from the machines to an email address free of charge.

All current Wheelock students have a quota of 200 free black & white print-outs. Once this quota is exceeded, you will need to pay Fenway cash to print.

Stay tuned for detailed instructions on using the new machines! There are also "How to Print" pdf documents on all Library computer desk tops, and paper copies floating around throughout the building.

Library website redesigned

If you haven't been to our home page since you left in May, you've probably noticed we've made lots of changes! The page has been redesigned to help you find the information you need more efficiently. A few of the highlights:

• Quick Links to some of the most frequently-used pages, including the full-text journal finder and the A to Z list of databases.
• Research Tools pull-down menus for resources by subject area, course guides for selected classes, and database and e-book collections
• Daily operating hours right at the top of the page
• Flickr photostream of some of the many photos in the College's Archives, housed at the Library

The home page also features a link to our Talk Back feature. Explore the new site and let us know what you think!

Fall hours begin Wednesday, September 2

Welcome to all our new and returning students, faculty and staff! We hope that you will take advantage of the many resources and services the Library offers to the Wheelock community.

Our regular semester hours begin Wednesday, September 2, and will be as follows:

Monday -Thursday, 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Friday - Saturday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday, 12 p.m. - 11 p.m.

In observance of the Labor Day holiday, the Library will be open from 1 to 11 p.m. on Monday, September 7.

Please check this blog or the Library's website, www.wheelock.edu/library, for any changes to the hours as the semester progresses. We wish everyone the best of luck as we begin a new academic year and hope to see you all in the Library soon!

August hours

The Library will operate on the following schedule in the month of August:

August 3 to 6: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
August 7-9: Closed
August 10-31: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, closed.

Please note that the Library will be closed on Friday, August 7, in observance of the College's summer holiday.

Fall semester hours will be announced as September nears.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

July hours update

The Library will be open until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays in July starting tomorrow, July 1. Our hours will now be Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Library is closed on Sundays for the summer.

This week, however, the Library will be closed Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday. We will reopen Monday, July 6, at 9 a.m.

Library offers lawn chairs!

There's something new to “check out” at the Wheelock College Library.

Lawn chairs and seat cushions are now being offered for recreational use. Come to the library, pick out a summer read, check out a lawn chair, relax and enjoy the weather on the new Campus Center and Student Residence lawn. Chairs and seat cushions may be checked out for 2 hours.

Summer hours change

The Library announces a change in summer hours. We will now be open until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays in July! And don't forget, we start Saturday hours tomorrow, May 30.

Our schedule will be as follows for the remainder of the summer:

May 29 to June 30: Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, closed

July 1 to 31: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, closed

August 1 to 6: Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, closed

August 9-September 1: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, closed

We will be closed July 3 to 5 for the Independence Day holiday, and August 7 to 9 for the College's summer holiday.

Watch this space or the Library's home page for updates. We hope to see you here this summer!

Memorial Day Closing

The library will be closed from Friday, May 22nd through Monday, May 25th in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. We will reopen on Tuesday, May 26th at 9am.

Closing early May 15

The Library will close at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 15, in honor of the Wheelock College Commencement. We will remain closed for the weekend and will reopen Monday, May 18, at 9 a.m.

For more information on our hours or to access the Library's online resources, please visit our website. Congratulations to all the graduates!

Intersession and summer session hours

As the 2008-2009 academic year comes to a close, the Library announces its schedule for intersession and summer session as follows:

Intersession: May 12 to 21, August 9 to September 1
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, closed

Summer Session: May 26 to August 6
Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, closed

The Library will be closed May 22 to 25 for Memorial Day, July 3 to 5 for Independence Day, and August 7 to 9 for the College's summer holiday.

Check the website or this blog for other changes to the schedule as needed.

Library lobby display: match the events and artifacts

Below are the matchups of the dates and the artifacts in the Library lobby display.
For descriptions and explanations go the the Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations Subject Guide from the Library's home page.


G   April Cow Fights

P   April, May, June Tako-Age

O   April 2 International Children’s Book Day

H   April 6 North Pole discovered

D   April 8 Vesak

Q   April 15 Tax Day

B   April 23 Shakespeare’s birthday

L   April 24 Library of Congress created

F   April 26 Frederick Law Olmstead’s Birthday

M   April 30 Walpurgis Night

I   April National Whistler’s Convention

J   April Cynonfardd Eisteddfod

E   May 1 May Day

K   May 9 Lemuralia

C   May 10 Transcontinental Railroad

A   May 15 Commencement

N   May Emmet Kelly Clown Festival

Extended hours April 26 to May 10

The Library will once again be open for end-of-semester extended hours. Our schedule will be as follows:

Sunday, April 26: 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Monday, April 27 — Thursday, April 30: 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Friday, May 1 — Saturday, May 2: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday, May 3: 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Monday, May 4 — Thursday, May 7: 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Friday, May 8 — Saturday, May 9: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 10: 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Monday, May 11: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Library doors will be locked after 10 p.m. nightly. You must use your Wheelock ID or call x2220 to be let in after 10 p.m.

Best of luck to you all as the 2008-09 academic year comes to a close!

Boolify to the Rescue!

Are you tired of doing research and finding irrelevant results? Can’t figure out why your search brings nothing but more frustration? Boolify to the rescue! Boolify is a fun and interactive tool designed to help you understand Boolean logic behind your web and database searches. Click and drag Boolean search operators (and, or, and not) between search words, and instantly see how your search results change.

New Website, Rooms, Equipment, and Staff!

Library Hours
A concern was raised that the Library has been closing earlier than the posted hours. I have worked with Security to resolve this problem. The front door will continue to be automatically locked at 15 minutes before the closing time. The posted hours by the door and on the Library webpage now accurately reflect this. Students inside the building will be reminded at that time of the closing by Library staff; however, lights will not be shut off and the building cleared and secured until the scheduled closing time.

New Media Equipment & Technology
We are adding four new Canon Powershot A470 digital cameras and four new Canon ZR950 digital video cameras to our collection. These will be available to be borrowed from the Circulation Desk very shortly. You will find this equipment a vast improvement over the old media equipment!

There will shortly be ten new iMacs in the Reference area on floor 1M for student use. No more waiting for the PCs to load!

Student-Use Library Rooms
There are two new rooms on the second floor available for student use. One is designated as a Group Study Room and it may be reserved through the Circulation Desk. If no one has reserved it, then it is available for anyone to use. The room contains a table, four chairs, and a whiteboard. The other room is a Media Room with a TV/VCR/DVD setup and a couple of soft chairs. There is no need to reserve this room.

Updated Library Website
The Library website (http://www2.wheelock.edu/wheelock/x1038.xml) has been updated. We hope that you will find the cleaner presentation easier to use. Amy Basque, our Systems Librarian, is looking for students to help with usability testing of the new site. If you are interested (you will be rewarded for your time), please contact her at x2296 or abasque@wheelock.edu.

Please note the Talk Back link on the right side of the Library page. This is an area where you can post any questions or comments (not research questions—contact Library staff with those!) you may have about the Library and its operation, and the question and response will be posted on the site.

New Staff
We are very pleased to have a new Access Services Librarian starting in mid-May. You will most likely see her at the Circulation Desk area. Our student staff have done a great job of running the Circulation operation in the absence of a librarian. Once the new librarian starts, she will review and revise policies and procedures to help ensure that everything runs smoothly for the summer term and beyond.

Reminder
Please return all library materials you have borrowed by May 11!

Survey
I am working with Jeannie Blazar, Director of the Resource Center, on future planning for the Resource Center. As part of that planning, we will conduct a survey to gather usage information. Please take the time to complete the survey after you receive it, even if you have never used the Resource Center. It is important to have the input of as wide a cross-section of students as possible.

Communications
I am very interested in ensuring that the Library and Resource Center work to support all your needs. If you feel there is an issue that needs to be addressed, please bring it to my attention. I can be reached by phone at x2225 or email at becsedy@wheelock.edu, or just stop by my office on the second floor of the Library. I am working with SGA to maintain communications through that group also.

Best of luck to you all as the semester winds down!

Brenda Ecsedy
Director of Academic Resources & Library Services
x2225

Search Flickr by sketching with Retrievr

Hey everyone!

Looking for a fun study break? This cool tool lets you explore Flickr by sketching a picture in a box on the left side of the page. The site takes your rough sketch of colors and shapes and compares it to some of the most interesting pics found on Flickr.

Go ahead. Give your brain a little break from the stresses of homework!

Vote for your favorite picture books!

New York Public Library children's librarian Elizabeth Bird is conducting a poll of the top 100 picture books of all time on her blog on the School Library Journal site, A Fuse #8 Production. Through March 31, everyone is invited to submit their top 10 picture books, and in April the top 100 will be counted down. Complete details are available in this post.

What are some of your favorites? We're not conducting an official poll, but we'd love to hear from you just the same. Who knows, maybe you'll find a new favorite in someone else's old favorite?

Spring break hours Friday, March 6, through Sunday, March 15

Spring break is upon us, and the Library will be open on the following schedule:

Friday, March 6: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note the early closing time to correspond with the closing of the residence halls.

Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8: Closed

Monday, March 9, to Friday, March 13: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 14: Closed

Sunday, March 15: Noon to 11 p.m. These are the regular Sunday hours.

Don't forget, you can find electronic reference books, databases and thousands of full-text journals online from anywhere you can access the Internet through links on the Library's home page. Have a safe, restful break!

Holiday hours Monday, February 16

In observance of Presidents' Day, the Library will be open for holiday hours from 1 to 11 p.m. on Monday, February 16.

Good reads for good eats

Have you been eating at the new dining hall in the Campus Center and Student Residence and wondering, "Where did they come up with the names for the stations? Wickedly Scrumptious? Pete's a Pizza? Those are some unusual names."

Well, wonder no more. The stations are all named for children's books, and the Library is proud to announce that all the books are currently on display in our foyer and are available to check out. Find out how Grill Pan Eddy makes his mark. Learn 10-year-old author Aja King's "recipe" for a Three Grin Salad. Have a side of puns with your Jamaica Sandwich.

To check out one of the books, ask for assistance at the Circulation Desk. Just don't read them while you're eating!

Need an item on reserve? Here's how to get it

We can tell that you are starting to get down to the business of learning based on the number of requests we've had for items on reserve. To help the staff help you more efficiently, we ask that you come to the Circulation Desk armed with the call number of the reserve title you need.

"But I don't know how to find the call number," you say.

It's easy. Here's how:

From the Library's home page, click on Library Catalog (FLO) under Find Books and Other Materials. Click on the Course Reserve tab at the top of the search box. This brings you to the Course Reserve Data Page, where you have several ways to locate the item you're looking for: by instructor, department, or course. Choose your search term and click the search button on the right-hand side of the page. Once you retrieve the list of items from your search term, find the one you need, jot down the call number and head to the Circulation Desk to get your item.

If you have any questions, or if you still can't find what you're looking for, the Circulation Desk staff is happy to assist you.

Holiday hours Monday, January 19

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Library will be open from 1 to 11 p.m. on Monday, January 19. Regular hours resume Tuesday, January 20.

Welcome back!

Welcome back for the start of another new semester! We hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable break. We're now open for regular semester hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 11 p.m.

There have been several changes at the Library while you were gone. Here are just a few:

• There are now faculty offices in the Lower Level, as well as new offices on Floor 2. One of the office spaces on Floor 2 has been designated as a group study room, complete with white board.
• The curriculum textbooks with call number T that formerly were shelved on Floor 2 now reside on Floor 3M.
• The video/DVD preview station has been moved to the conference room on Floor 2M.
• Soft seating chairs and sofas have been rearranged throughout the building.

We hope that you will take advantage of all the Library has to offer - especially now that we are just steps from the dining hall and coffee shop! Stop by, see what we've done with the place, and check out our wide range of resources and services.

Change in Library entrance

The main entrance to the Library will be closed off as crews complete the work on the Campus Center and Student Residence. Entrance to the Library will be from the door on the Riverway. This entrance is not handicap accessible. If you require assistance, please call the Circulation Desk at 617-879-2220.

While the main entrance is closed off, the book drop for after-hours return of materials will be inaccessible. Please DO NOT leave materials outside the door, where they will be susceptible to damage or theft. Patrons are responsible for the cost of replacing items that are damaged or lost. Materials should be returned during Library operating hours only. No fines will be charged for Wheelock items returned late during this time.

Please see the Intersession Hours post for the Library's schedule during the winter break. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

Closing at noon on December 19

The Library will close at noon on Friday, December 19, due to the coming inclement weather. We will reopen Monday, December 22, at 9 a.m.

Intersession hours

The Library will be open on the following schedule during Intersession:

Wednesday, December 17, to Friday, December 19: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, December 20, and Sunday, December 21: Closed

Monday, December 22, and Tuesday, December 23: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday, December 23, to Sunday, January 4: Closed

Monday, January 5, to Friday, January 9: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, January 10, and Sunday, January 11: Closed

Monday, January 12, and Tuesday, January 13: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Regular semester hours start Wednesday, January 14.

Enjoy the break!