Please Log Off Reference Computers

This is a dinky detail to keep our system working efficiently for all.  When you finish your shift at the desk computers, please be sure to log off from your profile.  In that way the CISCO NAC agent will clear and be ready for the next person to log on.
On occasion, thankfully not too often, the NAC agent will get hung up when a profile is idle too long.  When that happens OIT needs to intervene--just as we sometimes need to terminate a session in Pharos so a student may use another computer. 
I don't pretend to understand all the technical aspects, but I do know that problems won't happen if we follow the simple rule:  Log in when you arrive and log out when you leave.

Thanks!

Primary Document Research

It's prime time for assignments, and students in history classes are on the hunt for primary documents.  Here are some of the great reference sets on our shelves:

• Milestone Documents of World Religions    BL74 .M56 2011
• Daily Life through World  History in Primary Documents     CB69 . D35 2009
• Milestone Documents in World History     D5 . M54 2010
• The Annals of American History     E173 .A793
• Milestone Documents in American History     E173 .M63
• Milestone Documents of American Leaders     E173 .M632
• Milestone Documents in African American History     E184.6 .M55 2010

Several databases also have good collections of primary documents.  In the following databases, it's possible to execute a search and then narrow results to primary documents:   Ancient and Medieval World History; Modern World History; Opposing Viewpoints in Context, Salem History. In the History Reference Center, it's possible to use "Primary Source Document" as a pre-search limiter when using Advanced Search. And remember that American History in Video has many primary sources in non-print form. Preselect interview or newsreel in the advanced search.

Faculty are increasingly guiding their students to excellent online archives on the deep web. Some of these are easily browsed.  Some are a trip down the rabbit hole, with wonders in store for those willing to take the journey.  You might enjoy exploring a few of the following:

• American Memory Project   http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html
• Internet History Sourcebooks (Fordham U)   http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ 
• National Archives   http://www.archives.gov/index.html
• National History Day US History Primary Sources   http://www.nhd.org/USHistoryPrimarySources.htm 
• National History Day World History Primary Sources   http://www.nhd.org/WorldHistoryPrimarySources.htm
• Perseus Digital Library http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/

There is an amazing research guide from Newton Gresham Library on US History at http://shsulibraryguides.org/usprimary  and one on World History at
http://shsulibraryguides.org/worldprimary

If you have some other great resources to add to this list, please send them and we'll have a "Part 2."

Baby Sweepstakes

Welcome back from spring break, everyone!  The library was just like Lake Wobegon (quiet week), expect for the Thursday afternoon excitement of Carmel's baby shower. The party room looked beautiful thanks to flowers from Lora and decorating by Akiko and Barbara N. We had  yummy treats--both savories and sweets-- and a beautiful cake ordered by Aviva.  We played one silly game to see how many new baby names could be made combining the letters in mom and dad's names. (25 was the tops.) And we got to "oo" and "ah" at many adorable baby gifts.  Thank you to all who contributed in any way!

I'm sorry that many of you couldn't attend because of your day jobs.  There is, however, still a way you can join in the fun.  On the workroom table there is a calendar where you can enter a guess as to the actual day Baby Brunson will arrive and his/her gender.  No cost to enter this lottery, but there will be a prize for the closest guess!  (I've heard rumor it involves chocolate!) So make your guess when you come in this week. And we'll all wait for happy news.

Carmel's last day before maternity leave is March 22.  She'll be out for a couple of months of very important family bonding, leaving us to hold down the fort.... err desk! Luckily we have a super-duper part-time staff!

BLS for Healthcare Providers - On Reserve

Yesterday I had requests for this title (using multiple confusing words) including:
AHA BLS cardiac study guide;
American heart Association,
Basic life support

There is a brief record in GIL:

BLS for Healthcare Providers: Student Manual
Call Number: Dunwoody Reserves/PHED 2006/Texts


5 copies are on Dunwoody Reserves and all copies were circulated yesterday. 

Head Count for Exhibit

We are charged with keeping a head count of those who view the Lincoln Exhibit. Because the panels will be out on the library floor, reference staff can help provide the most accurate numbers. Here's how:

1.  Keep your radar alert to people viewing the panels. 
2. When you see individuals there, please make a hash mark for each person in the appropriate hour block on the tally sheet at the desk. 
3. If a group (i.e. a history class) comes in together, estimate the number in the group and record it in parentheses in the corresponding hour block. 

We appreciate your help with this project. Of course, our primary responsibility is still to the students who need reference or technical assistance, but librarians are great multi-taskers. Our counts may not be 100% accurate, but we'll do what we can. Thanks!

Lincoln's Arrival

We do not know for sure when he'll get here, but today on his 204th birthday, I can assure you that he will arrive.  Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War will open on Thursday, February 21st and run through April 3rd.  This is an exhibit curated by the National Constitution Center, funded by the NEH, with the tour coordinated through the ALA and brought to us by Lora Mirza.  She has also arranged several related special events to which you are all invited.

Opening night begins at 6:00 in the auditorium (C1100) with a lecture by History Professor Paul Hudson entitled "Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation."  Greg McLean and the Abe Lincoln Brass Quartet then perform Civil War era music.  The festivities then move to a reception here at the LRC for the official opening of the exhibit. (Snacks provided by Student Life.) 

So, expect some excitement as the panels arrive and Don Dougal works to arrange them. If you'd like to see a preview with narration by Steven Frank, the exhibit's curator, have a look at this YouTube video.

What a Gas!

We've probably all been through fire drills and tornado warnings, but staff on duty Tuesday night had a new and different kind of excitement.  At about 6:30 students in the lower level of the LRC reported a terrible smell.  The stench, which was similar to sewer odor, quickly permeated the rest of the building.  Public Safety was called and the decision made to evaluate the building. Akiko scurried around to secure all the valuables; Juanita and Emmy quickly but calmly made sure that the students got out.  Lora was notified, as were the DeKalb County Fire Department and the gas company.  Gio, our wonderful plant ops man, traced the source of the gas to a generator near the loading dock, and he shut that machine down. The staff went home after Officer Lowe told us that there was  no way an "All Clear" would be issued in time to reopen the library.  Emmy, whose car was parked near the generator, was relieved that her ignition didn't cause an explosion.

Reports from Atlanta Gas Light and a HAZMAT team from the FD indicated that there was no measurable natural gas present, but there was a sulfur leak from that back-up generator. We were never in danger of blowing up! Maintenance order issued, end of story; except to say that I'm proud of our library staff who behaved in such a professional and caring way. And I have great confidence in the professionalism and efficiency of our Public Safety officers as well.

Which leads me to the general topic of public safety in emergency situations.  Remember that there are reference guides outlining emergency procedures at the Ref Desk.  (See picture)  I would also recommend that each of us add the Public Safety Emergency (770-274-5315) and Non-Emergency (770-274-5500) numbers to our cell phones contacts, just in case.