Monday, October 31, 2005

Open thread


Feel free to comment about anything, including the Library!

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Score at halftime

Maybe you're ahead at halftime - already know where to find good info, found some good materials and have decent leads on the rest. But if your team is trailing, and you need to put a few more points on the board before Thanksgiving, there are many ways find good research and ask for help

- at the library homepage, try Electronic Resources By Subject, to narrow your scope to relevant choices
- for quick help you can ASK ANDY, by email or IM
- to make an appointment with a librarian, you can fill this form
- and last (but not least!) you can visit librarians at the ASK ME desk

Warning: if you are counting on Google and Sparknotes, and the belief that "everything is on the Web," there is a good chance your team will not make it to playoffs!

Friday, October 14, 2005

Academy Room makeover


The Academy room, located on the second floor of the Shadek-Fackenthal Library, has recently been renovated. The room is named in honor of Franklin and Marshall Academy, a boys preparatory school affiliated with the College that operated from 1871-1943. The Academy room was originally dedicated in 1983 after renovations were completed to the old Fackenthal Library. At that time, Academy alumni donated funds for the renovation of the room in honor of the school whose original buildings on campus were razed in 1975 and 1977. The current renovation was planned by a committee consisting of Academy alumni, college employees, and an interior designer. The new look of the room is intended to more closely suggest the look and warm feel of the living area of the old Academy building (also known as Hartman Hall). Additional memorabilia displays will be added to complement the room.

On October 8th, Academy alumni met in the room to dedicate a new portrait of Academy alumnus Theodore H. Rupp, a 1931 graduate who has been instrumental in organizing reunions, documenting the Academy's history, and collecting memorabilia for the College Archives. Rupp's portrait hangs on the north wall. Now displayed prominently on the west wall are the reframed portraits of the Academy's long-time headmaster Edwin M. Hartman and his wife Helen Stahr Hartman. A new addition on the south wall is the original Hartman Hall-inscribed doorway lintel saved from the 1975 demolition by Academy alumnus Robert S. Wohlsen.

In addition to hosting Academy reunions, the Academy room is used for Friends of the Library events, and is a popular place for students to study.

Don't forget your FOB


Shadek-Fackenthal and Martin libraries are open to FOB-only access after 9pm. FOBs are available to F&M students from Facilities & Operations Monday - Friday, 8am - 4pm. Faculty and Professional Staff may obtain a FOB by submitting a key request, signed by the Department Chair or Supervisor, to the Service Response Center.

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Take 2 databases and call me in the morning

Sometimes doling out research advice by phone, email or IM can feel like an on-call doctor's diagnosis. You can go a long way towards finding good resources by narrowing choices By Subject. Also, think about all the synonymous and related terms that may be connected to your topic. You might do a general Google search, or search your topic in Encyclopedia Britanica to familiarize yourself. But, if symptoms persist, you can certainly make an appointment with a doctor (uh ... librarian!).