OverDrive Updates

I am excited to announce several updates to our OverDrive digital library website that are now live.

• Narrated (embedded audio) eBooks and enhanced audiobooks are identified by special text on the cover image, in addition to information on the details page.

• You can now renew digital titles.
  
  If there are no existing holds on a title, the renew option appears on your digital library bookshelf three days before the title expires. Renewing a title does not extend the lending period, but allows the you to borrow the title again right after the lending period expires by placing a hold on the title.
   

1. After clicking renew:
   Note: Anyone that has not previously placed a hold on a title will be asked to enter their birth date before proceeding.
   • Users 13 and over enter their email address and can select to automatically borrow the title at renewal.
   • Users 12 and under receive a message that the title is renewed. An alert icon on the user’s account at the digital library will indicate when the title is available.
2. Once borrowed, you must download the title again or select Read (in your browser) to continue reading.

If a title has holds, the request again option will appear, allowing the user (of any age) to join the holds list to borrow the title again as soon as it’s available.

Information has been added to your digital library help page to help you with the new feature.

If you have any questions, please contact a librarian.

Metaphysical Markers

by Alex Kasperkiewicz

Has anyone seen the ruler? Or the headphones? Or just one of the countless pens that are missing? I never once thought the most unpredictable thing about working in the library would be the location of the scissors, or the sharpies, or the phone charger. How can so many objects be constantly changing positions within the school? Maybe they come alive and move about, like some especially uninteresting version of Toy Story starring office supplies.

I guess I should be delighted that the library resources are being used to their full extent, but at the same time I just want my tape dispenser back.  I wonder what over-the-top solution exists to solve this problem. Perhaps I barcode absolutely everything and insist that everything must be checked out. Post-its to paperclips, three weeks or it’s the apocalypse.

Missing office items aside, every request that comes through the doors of the library is a puzzle. It can be a barebones economics research topic or a sudden calculus problem being placed on my desk with a confused student standing behind it. Helping students with their academics is incredibly rewarding not only because I impress myself by remembering calculus from two years ago, but also because I am thrilled that they won't be handing in a blank math assignment.

Working in the library has been a blast! However, it is important to zoom out and realize that it's not just the missing markers, staplers and glue sticks I will be missing, but also the staff and students who have made the last four months an unforgettable experience.

Final Lecture of the Year on May 4th

Did you ever wonder if there are native speakers of Klingon or Esperanto? How can babies talk before they can make words with their mouths? Discover this and other language mysteries at the final library lecture of the year. Visit the Savoy Library on Monday, May 4 to see Dr. Paul Magnuson's Language & Linguistics class present the language awareness exercises they developed for the book they wrote: Language Awareness. Check out the cover below.

The presentation will be fun and interactive. Be ready to get aware!

Final Book Giveaway of the Year!

The last book giveaway of the year is on Wednesday, April 29 in both Belle Époque and Savoy libraries. Stop by and take home books covering psychology, language, learning, and more. Check it out @ LAS Libraries!

Artist Keegan Luttrell to Speak at next LAS Libraries Lecture on April 27th

Come to the Savoy Library on April 27th at 7:30 p.m. to hear artist Keegan Luttrell talk about her artwork, practice and inspirations at the next LAS Libraries Lecture Series event. Some of her artwork will also be available for viewing. More information about Ms. Luttrell and her work can be found on her website. Check it out @ LAS Libraries!

LAS Libraries Lecture Series Event on April 20th!

Ah, the advantages of learning skills as a youth! The challenges of learning a new language as a linguistically untalented adult can be formidable. The most obvious predictable discovery, however, is that it takes some effort and commitment to succeed. Come hear how Dr. Ira Bigelow dealt with the challenge of learning a new language in the next LAS Libraries lecture series event "My Journey with Conversational Spanish." There will be videos, snacks, and more in the Savoy Library on Monday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. Check it out @ LAS Libraries!