Spooky Reads

In honor of the ghoulicious holiday, we've created a display of "spooky reads" for Halloween.

Located in front of the circulation desk, check out spine-tingling stories and fun-facts about the holiday.

For more spooktacular fun, visit the ghostcam at the Willard Library and see if you can catch a peek at the famous "Lady in Grey."

Confederate Army Maps Available at American Memory

The Hotchkiss Map Collection contains cartographic materials created by Mjr. Jedediah Hotchkiss (1828-1899), a topographic engineer in the Confederate Army. The most renowed work from this collection are the battle maps especially those of the Shenandoah Valley which were used by Gen. Robert E. Lee and Gen. Thomas J. "Stone Wall" Jackson. Besides civil war maps, Hotchkiss created post-war maps on the railroad industry, mineral and mining, and other geological features. The collection consists of 341 sketchbooks, manuscripts, annotated printed maps, and the cartographic originals.

Monk and Coltrane Recordings Found in Library of Congress

"Blue Note Records, in conjunction with Thelonious Records, will release Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall, a never-before-heard jazz classic that documents one of the most historically important working bands in the history of the music, a band that was both short-lived and, until now, thought to be frustratingly under-recorded. The concert, which took place at the famed New York hall on November 29, 1957, was preserved on newly-discovered tapes made by Voice of America for a later radio broadcast that were located at the Library of Congress in Washington DC earlier this year."

It just goes to show that you never now what's hiding in your library's basement!

Homecoming Weekend 2005

The Southwestern Room will be open on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2005 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. On display will be yearbooks, school newspapers, and other University publications. The Southwestern Room is located on the second floor of the Library. Come by and see how Al Harris Library has changed and visit the Southwestern Room to reminisce your college days.

Go DAWGS, beat the Texans!

Oklahoma Reads Oklahoma

"Oklahoma Reads Oklahoma' is a statewide activity which invites the people of Oklahoma to examine our state's unique history, experience it's diverse heritage, and explore its promising future by reading and discussing notable and important works about the Sooner State.

A special committe nominated 6 books (with Oklahoma content) written by Oklahomans. After perusing, please vote for your favorite book on the link below. See our display at the library today.

Teachers can find a discussion guide also located on the link below. Have some fun.. Read!

www.okreadsok.org

Can Laundry Be Done Online, Too?

This week's Newsweek reports that a number of college campuses are installing internet-based laundry systems.

No, you can't actually have your computer wash your dirty socks, but you can get an email or text message when your spin cycle is complete, or study a two-week usage chart to determine the best no-wait times for a machine.

Read the article here, or stop by the current periodicals section in the library's reference area to read the latest issue of Newsweek.

Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct 15)

In 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim a week in September as National Hispanic Heritage Week. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a monthlong celebration (Sept. 15-Oct. 15). During this month, America celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.

For some quick facts on the Hispanic culture, click here.

New Book by Elizabeth Kostova

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova is here at the Al Harris Library! This book has been on The New York Times Bestsellers List since it was published in August and is ranked #2 on the List this week. A retelling of the story of Dracula, this is the first book for Kostova who spent 10 years researching and writing it. Come and check it out to see why The Historian is so popular!

Interesting New Book in Gov Docs

One of the most interesting new books received each year in Government Documents in the Al Harris Library is "The World Factbook" by the Central Intelligence Agency. This little gem is packed with information about most countries of the world. Information for each country includes: maps, historical background, geographic coordinates, area, how much coastline, bordering countries, territorial claim of ocean (miles or km) from coast, climate, terrain, elevation extremes, natural resources, % arable land, % irrigated land, natural hazzards, current environmental issues & international agreements. People info includes: population, sex ratio, death rate, nationality, ethnic groups, religions, languages, and literacy. Data on government and economy includes: current account balance, fixed investment, public debt, and reserves of foreign exchange and gold. If you are planning on visiting a foreign country or writing a report - check this book out first. Click on the following to see the website: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS552

Organization Fair Winner!

The Organizational Fair was great this year! We talked to lots of students about the library and what we have to offer. We also had a drawing at the Organizational Fair for one lucky person to win two free weeks of tanning from Body Active (thanks to Body Active for their generous donation!). We are pleased to announce the winner, Ms. Vickie Dean! After the Organization Fair, library tours were offered to let students get to know the library better. If you missed out but are still interested in coming over for a tour, call Kristi at 774-7113 and we’ll show you around!

Constitution Day

To help celebrate Constitution Day (September 16), the Al Harris Library has a new display at the North end of the entryway. This display isn't big and splashy in a Hollywood way, but a replica of the United States Constitution and several library books on the subject are shown. There is also a booklet which lists questions and answers about the subject (which might be useful for teachers or teaching students). Take a look next time you're in the Library! An interesting link is an article on the Constitution in the National Archives: http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution.html

Women of Protest

View photos documenting women's struggle for the right to vote. The American Memory project, Women of Protest: Photos from the Records of the National Woman's Party, documents the pickets, parades, demonstrations, and hunger strikes that led to ratification of the 19th amendment.