Odum Library Blog

If you thought Odum Library was just a big building full of dusty, boring books, you’d be wrong. If you thought it was just a computer lab where you can update your Facebook status, you’d be wrong again. It’s a building full of curious objects and helpful (and yes, curious) people.

Did you know that we have…

• DVDs like the Big Lebowski?
• Puppets galore?! If you feel like hiding in your shell, you’re not alone. Check out our snail puppet today!
• A book on beginning banjo? You know you’ve always wanted to try your hand(s) at that twangy chordophone.
• Graphic novels? Read one and you’ll be hooked!
• Young adult literature like the wildly-popular Hunger Games? Why should teens get these great reads to themselves?
• A Lego farm set?

You get the picture. Yes, we have great resources that help you in your studies. You may be surprised to learn that all the strange items listed above support VSU’s curriculum, too! Come explore what we have to offer, and if you need help finding our puppets, just ask!

It’s a little late, but… welcome, GHP! Just when Odum Library was starting to look a little empty, we are happy to welcome the Governor’s Honors Program students to campus. Please make yourselves at home.

We don’t get out of the library much…

Image courtesy of http://scienceblogs.com/confessions/2010/07/thursday_zombie_fun_braaaiiiin.php

…  and we’re curious: how is Odum Library different from your school library? Which do you prefer, and why?

If you need help, feel free to stop by the reference desk with your questions. You keep us on our toes, and we enjoy working with you!

Did you know that Odum Library has over 20 group study rooms available on the first and third floors of the library? You no longer have to check these rooms out- instead, they’re unlocked and available to the first taker. Unlike the great Oklahoma Land Run of 1889, you don’t have to stake your claim. Just find a room and hit the books.

We can’t guarantee that the study rooms will always be quiet. Sometimes groups need a place to get together to discuss a project or presentation. Maybe you’d like to quiz your friends about the differences between certain philosopohers’ theories. Whatever the topic, study rooms are a great place for you to get together with a group and talk it out. Even if you don’t need to hold a discussion, maybe you’d like to get together with your friends to study quietly together. If you’d rather be Tweeting than reading your textbook, studying in a group is a great way to stay focused. At least you know that your best pals aren’t out shopping or checking their Facebook, either.

Finals are almost here and the end is in sight. Keep studying- you’ll be glad you did!

April is right around the corner, and with it comes the term paper blues. It’s a busy month in the library as our students are scrambling to find enough resources to cite in their research papers.

If you’re feeling frustrated and can’t find what you need, we’re here to help.

Why not stop by the reference desk on the second floor of the library? Reference Librarians and Peer Reference Counselors are here until 10PM most days to help you with your research questions. We’ll gladly show you how to find books in our catalog, how to find peer-reviewed journal articles, how to request things that Odum Library doesn’t have, and how to cite your sources.

You can get help online, too. Maybe you’re shy, maybe you don’t want your friends to see you talking to a Librarian, or maybe you just want to stay in your dorm room and work on your paper in your pajamas. You can chat with us or send us an email at http://www.valdosta.edu/library/ask.php.

The choice is yours. You can try to figure it all out on your own, or you can save yourself some time and talk to a Librarian. We want to help you find the information you need, and we definitely don’t want you to have the term paper blues!

[Image from doctortext-info.blogspot.com]

Believe it or not, librarians love e-books. We like being able to tell students on campus or off that a book is immediately available to them. They don’t have to be reshelved or repaired. They don’t go missing.

Many of you have probably “borrowed” an e-book from your public library. Services such as Overdrive let users from many public libraries check out an e-book to read on their own mobile device (such as a Nook or iPad) for a set period of time. After the time is up the e-book expires- no need to physically return anything to the library.

E-book publishers have noticed that we love e-books, and they are trying to figure out ways they can increase their revenue. Harper Collins in particular recently decided to limit the circulation of its e-books to 26 lends. That means that after an e-book reaches the 26-loan limit it isn’t accessible to readers anymore and the library has to buy it again.

Why is this such a big problem for libraries? Many libraries rely on taxpayer money, tuition, and other public funding sources so they can purchase materials. These libraries have policies in place that require them to make fiscally sound decisions about what to buy. As an example, a hardback copy of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline costs about $8. You buy it once and that hardback will last a long, long time. What if you had to keep buying the book every year? That wouldn’t seem like nearly as good an investment, would it?

Libraries already struggle to make the most of budgets that are getting smaller or, at best, staying stagnant. Meanwhile, the prices of our materials (especially electronic resources) continue to rise. What are we to do? There is no easy answer.

The New York Times ran an article about the e-book debacle you can read here. You might also want to watch the video the Pioneer Library System made about the 26-lends rule. Librarian-bloggers like Kate Sheehan and Andy Woodworth have had a lot to say about it. Finally, you can read the American Library Association’s statement on e-book lending restrictions here.

What do you think about limiting the number of times libraries can lend an e-book?

Odum Library keeps getting busier and busier these days, and I think I know why. Midterms are approaching and papers are due soon. You’re working on group projects, annotated bibliographies, argumentative essays, and much more. This may be hard for you to believe, but your librarians were students once, too. (I think the ink on my Master’s diploma is finally dry now!) We want you to have a relaxing Spring Break, and we don’t want you to have to think about homework at all that week.

Here is a bit of advice that will go against everything in your last-minute, all-nighter nature: start writing your papers early.

No, I’m not joking. I know it’s hard to do, but getting ahead on your papers will not only free you up when you’re heading to Atlanta or Miami for Spring Break, but it might even help you get better grades, too. You’ll have more time to think about things like how you want to structure your ideas andwhat kind of resources you will need. When you’re digging through articles in Academic Search Complete, you won’t have to limit yourself to full text articles because you will have time to request the ones that are just perfect for your topic through Interlibrary Loan.

We’ve created dozens of guides that will help you with your research. If you’re stumped, our librarians are always happy to help. Come see us at the Reference Desk if you can (it’s the one by the printers on the 2nd floor) or ask us a question online. Remember, research takes time. Be patient with yourself, and ask for help when you need it.

Have a fun, restful break!

Are you a music lover? There are many reasons you might not be able to make it to campus to enjoy a concert. Maybe you’re at home watching the kids, you don’t have a car, you’re a distance student living up in Jasper.. the list could go on and on.

Now VSU is bringing the music home to you! You’ll be able to watch concerts online at http://www.useducationtv.com/default.aspx?sid=286

Why not check out a saxophone recital by Associate Professor Joren Cain? Watch it live on Sunday, February 27th at 7:30 PM.

Do you love Latin-American music? You might enjoy the Pan American concert at 7:30 PM on April 17th. This concert will feature a couple of the talented librarians from your own Odum Library.

You can watch the concerts live or check back in a few days to watch the archived performance. Contact the VSU Department of Music for more details: http://www.valdosta.edu/music/

UPDATE: 1/26/2011

The City of Valdosta has announced that all tests for harmful bacteria in city water came back negative. It is safe to use city water for drinking, brushing teeth, and cooking once again.

________________________________________________________

From http://www.valdostacity.com
Posted Date: 1/22/2011
City Water Services Affected by Power Failure

Due to a power failure at the City of Valdosta Water Treatment Plant on Guest Road, all city water customers are currently without water services until further notice. Georgia Power is working with local contractors at the plant site to resolve this situation as quickly as possible. Updates will be posted to the City of Valdosta website at www.valdostacity.com Citizens are encouraged NOT to call 9-1-1 about this situation unless they have an emergency, but instead may call the city’s Utilities Department to receive additional information and updates at (229) 259-3592.

Maybe you need one more credit hour to graduate. Maybe you’re new to VSU and you need to brush up on your research skills.

Whatever the reason, we’ve got the perfect class for you: LIBS 1000: Introduction to Library Resources.

This online class is designed to familiarize you with doing college-level research.  You’ll learn how to find the information you need to write your papers, how to know if you should trust what you read on the web, and much more.

The CRN is 22536.  If you have any questions about the class, send an email to ghwilliams@valdosta.edu

The end of the semester is near! Before you leave town, don’t forget to return any books you’ve checked out. You might also want to pick up one of our many popular titles to take home for the holidays.

You can browse our popular collection online through our Shelfari page here. Once you see a book you want, check our online catalog to find out if it’s available. If you want to stop by the library and peruse the shelves in person, you’ll want to check out the popular books collection. You’ll find it on the second floor by the copy room.

Have a safe and happy holiday, and read something fun for a change!