Author Archives: Amanda McLellan

Join us tomorrow for a poetry reading with Dr. Craig Challender

On Tuesday, February 26, at 3:30 p.m. Greenwood Library will host a poetry reading by esteemed Longwood professor, Dr. Craig Challender. Dr. Challender, who teaches undergraduate and graduate-level American Literature and Creative Writing courses, is the author of three full-length collections of poetry including Familiar Things, As Details Become Available, and Dancing on Water. A fourth manuscript, So Far: New and Selected Poems, was recently selected as a finalist for the John Ciardi Prize for Poetry, sponsored by New Letters and BkMk Press.  His poems and reviews have appeared in South Dakota Review, Connecticut Review, Tar River Poetry, The Midwest Quarterly, The Paterson Library Literary Review and Chelsea.

Following his reading, Dr. Challender will be signing his books, which will be available for purchase.  An event in a series of ongoing programs related to the Library’s Special Collections and Archives, attendees will have an opportunity to win one of three Barnes and Noble gift cards and light refreshments will be served.  Make plans to attend this event to be held on Tuesday, February 26 at 3:30 p.m. in the Atrium of the Greenwood Library. We hope to see you there!

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Special Collections Spotlight: Trickster

Trickster

 

 

Trickster: Native American tales : a graphic collection / edited by Matt Dembicki

In the Inscribed Collection; signed by the author

Link to the catalog: http://readpac.longwood.edu//record=b1371825

 

 

 

Student assistant Chandler Pascale chose to highlight Trickster. He writes:

While in Special Collections, a book in the Inscribed section entitled “Trickster” stood out from the rest. Compiled and edited by Matt Dembicki, it tells American Indian stories through the use of illustrations. It’s a graphic novel, presented like a comic book. However, the subject matter is more serious, and the book begins with a tale describing how the stars were made and why coyotes howl.

This book is in Special Collections because it’s signed. It is interesting to read because it grants a different aspect to viewing an often-ignored culture. Also, it might be useful for younger readers who have trouble visualizing written or spoken allegories.

Special Collections Spotlight will periodically feature material that can be found the Longwood University Special Collections and Archives. If you have questions or would like to request an item to be featured, please contact Amanda Hartman at hartmanar@longwood.edu

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Blind Date with a Book!

Let the Library play matchmaker this Valentine’s Day!  Instead of finding your perfect love match, we can help you find a book to make you laugh, cry, or keep you on the edge of your seat.  You’ll find our ‘Blind Date with a Book’ display in the Recreational Reading area in the Library Atrium.  Each book is individually wrapped with words and phrases on the cover that will entice you to check it out and give it a read.  If it turns out to be a bad match, return it and try again!  A book may break your heart, but it will never stand you up!  Come by soon and check out our display!

Special Collections Spotlight: Dead Run

Dead Run

 

 

Dead Run: The Untold Story of Dennis Stockton and America’s Only Mass Escape from Death Row

In the Virginia Authors Collection; signed by the author

Link to the catalog: http://readpac.longwood.edu//record=b1306666

 

Student assistant Kim Honor chose to highlight Dead Run. She writes:

 “It is part of the Virginia Authors Collection and tells the story of Dennis Stockton who plots an ingenious escape plan from Mecklenburg Correctional Center. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to die. The book tells of all scandal surrounding his trial as well as his time in prison. Using his diary as a primary source, readers learn of the conditions of the prison and how the plot came to life as well as who was involved. A total of six prisoners escaped Death Row because of his plan. This book caught my eye as was going through the Virginia Authors Collection. I had no idea that Virginia supported the death penalty and I definitely never knew that there had been as mass escape from the system. This book is now on my ‘to-read’ list!”

Special Collections Spotlight will periodically feature material that can be found the Longwood University Special Collections and Archives. If you have questions or would like to request an item to be featured, please contact Amanda Hartman at hartmanar@longwood.edu

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Take a Study Break in the Library!

Are you starting to “camp out” in the Library to prepare for finals?  Take a study break with us!  Extended hours start Monday, November 26th.  To kick things off, we’ll host our first ever ‘Fort Finals’ event Monday, November 26th – Wednesday, November 28th.  We’ll be offering a variety of snacks, beverages, Writing Center Assistance, and activities in the Library’s Atrium to make this time less stressful and more productive for you.  Cookie breaks will be on the evenings of November 27th, 29th, and December 2nd – 6th.

Monday, November 26th:

Candy and apple cider (8 p.m. – 11 p.m. or when snacks run out!)

Writing Center tutor stationed in Library Atrium (8 p.m. – 10 p.m.)

Tuesday, November 27th:

Lemonade and chips (2 p.m. – 5 p.m. or when snacks run out!)

Wednesday, November 28th:

Cookies, cake pops, fruit, and trail mix (8 p.m. – 11 p.m. or when snacks run out!)

Writing Center tutor stationed in Library Atrium (8 p.m.-10 p.m.)

Tuesday, Nov. 27th, Thursday 29th, and Sun. – Thur., Dec. 2nd – 6th.

Cookie breaks in the evening

Additionally, take a puzzle or game break from your studies to relax under the canopy and send your family and friends ‘Greetings from Greenwood’ postcards to ensure them that you are working hard, compliments of the Library!

Thanks to the Janet D. Greenwood Library, Longwood Dining Services, the Office of Enrollment Management and Student Success, the Wellness Center, the Writing Center, Printing Services, and Alumni Relations for sponsoring this event.

Ebook Academic Collection on your Computer, Laptop, E-reader, or Mobile Device!

Access and download over 70,000 e-books in the Greenwood Library’s Ebsco E-Book Collection, a comprehensive selection of nearly 70,000 e-book titles in all core subject areas including social sciences, humanities, science, technology, medicine, and the arts.

Finding E-Books

  • With OneSearch, limit your search to e-books using the “Source Type” option on the left-hand side.  Or browse only the Ebsco E-Book Collection.
  • Any books that have the links seen below are available for online access or download to computers, laptops, Nooks and some mobile devices.
  • For more information about downloading, please see the E-Books guide.
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All I want for the Holidays is a Kindle from the Library!

Kindle DX

‘Tis the season for Kindle reading!  We are launching our holiday reading campaign on Tuesday, December 10.  If you are an LU student, faculty, or staff, you can check out a Kindle from the Library that isn’t due back until after Winter Break! We’ve preloaded each Kindle with popular and bestselling books from genres that you requested:

Come by the Circulation/Reserves desk and ask for a Kindle in the genre of your choice.  Would you like to suggest an author or a title to be loaded on a Library Kindle? Suggestions will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis as funding permits. Make a request here.

Click here to see Kindle availability.

 

Kindle DX Titles Sample

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Library System Downtime October 25

On October 25th, we have scheduled maintenance to our Library system and it will thus be down for most of the day.  This means that Self Checkout kiosks and the Library Catalog will be unavailable during this time.  However, you may still check out materials at the Circulation Desk or search the catalog through OneSearch.

This maintenance is the first phase in migrating the existing Library system to an improved version, which we hope will help us serve you better.

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Text a Librarian Improved

We’ve upgraded our text a librarian service and made it even better. Now your texts will be sent and received instantly and the service has much improved stability. Note that this upgrade required us to change our texting number to 434.264.5755. However, texts sent to the previous number will still reach us for the time being.

Texting a Librarian on an iPhone

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“Wild” in the Library!

LSEM Survivalists in Action

If you ever watch an episode of “Man vs. Wild” on the Discovery Channel, you’ll see Bear Grylls, adventurer and survivalist, scale slippery glaciers, trudge through rainforests, and eat various critters with a high nutritional content.  What does all of this have to do with Longwood Seminar (LSEM) students who come to the Library?  Believe it or not, our students and Bear have much in common!  Instead of encountering the outdoor wilderness, first year students are faced with the “information wild,” an uncharted landscape of new research and library-related terminology that is potentially tricky to navigate. To get them ready, we have hundreds of LSEM students participating in our mobile Library iPod challenge, Library vs. Wild.  By answering a series of questions to build core research skills and orient themselves to the Library, students build confidence while learning to be flexible and adaptable in order to meet demanding research scenarios.

How does it all work?  Students use iPod Touch devices to record answers in Evernote, an app that enables users to create, organize, and access notes and pictures on multiple synchronized devices.  While students are trekking through the Library during class, members of the Library’s instructional staff are monitoring their answers (both text and photo) in real time in the classroom. Many challenges ask students to utilize several of our mobile services, including our Library website, OneSearch, and Research Guides.  Upon completion of the challenge, we discuss student responses, answer questions, and enjoy the creativity of students!

Greenwood Library adapted this activity from North Carolina State University Libraries.  Also thanks to the Longwood Seminar students for all the great photos.

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