Greenwood Library receives a Muslim Journeys Bookshelf grant

Greenwood Library has been selected to receive a Muslim Journeys Bookshelf grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association.  According to a press release from the National Endowment for the Humanities, “the Muslim Journeys Bookshelf is intended to address both the need and desire of the American public for trustworthy and accessible resources about Muslim beliefs and practices and the cultural heritage associated with Islamic civilizations.”  The grant includes 25 books, three DVDs, and one year of access to Oxford Islamic Studies Online. For more information about the individual titles included in the grant, click here.

Mold in the Basement

As you may know, the Library recently found mold on books in the basement storage room. The cause of the mold is unknown; there was no leak or other noteworthy cause. Basements are never ideal places for book or paper storage, and the HVAC unit in that room has had a series of troubles the past few years.

An example of mold found in the library

Since the discovery last month, we’ve quarantined the room and had visits from an environmental hygienist and disaster remedial experts to obtain an action plan and cost estimates.  The mold is currently dormant, and our main concerns are making sure: no one with compromised immune systems or sensitivities is affected; the mold does not spread; and that we follow protocol designed by the hygienist to effectively fix the problem.

Attached are the report from the hygienist and two estimates from the remedial experts. The first estimate reflects the price to clean every item, and the second estimate is the price to clean approximately 2,000 items. The fewer items we clean, the more the price goes down; we’re looking at a cost of between $25,000 and $45,000. Since we shouldn’t return items to the storage area once it has been cleaned, we will also need to think creatively about where any cleaned items would go.

Attached are 3 excel spreadsheets that break down the approximately 50,000 items by call number. They show titles previously housed in juvenile stacks, main stacks part 1 & part 2, and reference. You’ll see that a majority of these items were placed in the basement because they have not been used often in the past five to ten years. If you would please take a moment to review the titles in your areas of expertise and make a note of any we should investigate saving, we would truly appreciate your help. It may be more cost effective to replace damaged items with a print or online copy, but we will consider restoring the item we have if it is rare or valuable in its current condition. We will happily consider all requests, though budget may dictate which items can be restored or replaced.

We deeply regret any inconvenience this situation creates. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Amanda Hartman, Head of Special Collections and Digital Initiatives, or Suzy Szasz Palmer, Dean of the Library.

Candice Ransom coming to Greenwood Library!

Please join us on Thursday, March 21 at 4:00pm in the Library Atrium for a talk by Candice Ransom, popular author of children’s and young adult literature.  Ransom has published over 100 books that combine history, biography, fantasy, mystery, and adventure.  She has written 18 titles in the Boxcar Children series, and the chapter book series, Time Spies.  Her books have been recognized by several national lists, including: the New York Times 10 Best Illustrated Books, New York Public Library Best 100 Books, Virginia Young Readers List, and Smithsonian Notable Book.  Candice received her MFA in Writing from Vermont College and her MA in Children’s Writing from Hollins University, and now teaches in the MA/MFA program at Hollins University.  For more information, please visit the Candice Ransom website.

The talk is sponsored by the Friends of the Janet D. Greenwood Library.  A reception will begin at 3:30pm.  The event is free and open to the public.  If you are planning on attending, please contact Keary Mariannino at (434) 395-2431 or marianninokm@longwood.edu.

New Criminal Justice Database

If you are looking for information on crime trends, juvenile delinquency, courts or any other criminal justice topic go to Criminal Justice Abstracts with Full Text, which you can locate from the library’s home page>databases a-z. Give it a try and let us know what you think!

Homepage slider image from Boston Public Library | CC licensed.

Your feedback helps us make the Library better

Starting March 18th, Greenwood Library will be conducting the LibQUAL survey of library service quality.  Longwood students, faculty, and staff will receive emails with a link to participate in this nationally recognized survey.  Participants may choose to enter a drawing to win an iPad with Retina display or Solo headphones by Beats by Dre.  The survey will close on April 5th.

By participating in this five-minute survey, you will:

• Let us know what services work best, and where to target improvements

• Help us better understand how the Longwood community rates library services

• Allow us to benchmark results against other libraries to determine best practices

If you participate, your responses will be kept confidential. No identifying links between responses and the individual responding will be retained. Only combined data will be reported.

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Mark Lenker, Librarian for Instruction and Research Services, at lenkermn@longwood.edu or 395-2257.

We look forward to your feedback!

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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.