Coe Etiquette Book 1941 - Theaters, Teas and Receptions

Thoughts on the etiquette advice for theaters?  What is out of date, still valid, or should be added advice for the 21st century? The most obvious 21st century addition would be a note about cell phones, any others?



I have come across photographs in the archives of teas held at Coe.  Interestingly enough all the women are usually wearing (or holding) gloves.  I never knew it was practically required!?  What do you think?  Do old fashioned teas sound fun or overly stuffy?

There is a good chance that you will end up at a reception at Coe.  They are frequently held after speaking events to allow the audience members to personally speak with the presenter for a few minutes.  Don't be afraid of attending if you are invited to one.

~Sara Pitcher, Archives Assistant

Coe Etiquette Book 1941 - Miscellaneous Suggestions

I actually laughed out loud at this one "You may be pinned to the boy, but this doesn't give you permission to be half carried to class".  What about you?  Anything particularly amusing?  Anything that is relevant advice today?

~Sara Pitcher, Archives Assistant

Upper Reading Room

 When I was a first year, it was difficult to get into the swing of appropriate study methods. In high school I always studied at home at the dining table, never in a library. Depending on what time of the day you are studying, Coe's library can be a very distracting place. It took probably the whole first semester to learn how to use the library to my advantage. It was a long semester of trial and error; studying at a table with other people, listening to music while studying, facing a window while studying, etc. None of those methods worked for me. I found that the best way for me to use the library is the second floor reading room. In those cubbies, I am removed from distraction and most of the time it is silent. There are plug ins in each cubbie so I am able to charge my laptop while working. I also believe it is the best spot to pick up WiFi in the library! ~Kallie

Coe Etiquette Book 1941 - Conversation

I think face to face conversation is a dying art form.  Do you agree?

~Sara Pitcher, Archives Assistant

Register to Vote!

For many Coe students, the upcoming election is one of the first opportunities that they have had to participate in a national election.  However, before one can vote, first you have to be registered.  Although the registration deadline has passed in some states, it's still open in others.  If you are unsure of whether or not the deadline in passed in the state in which you plan on voting, Rock the Vote (an organization devoted to getting out the youth vote) has a on registration deadlines.
Assuming you can still register, the next step is to get yourself signed up!  Then, once election day comes, you are all set when it comes to voting.  If you plan on registering within Iowa and voting here, but can't make it to the polls on election day, you have two options:

1) Vote early!  Iowa is one of several states that has early voting locations available to voters.

2)Request an absentee ballot from the Linn County Auditor's office (this is if you are registering at your Coe address. If you consider another address your home/permanent address, you will need to check in with the auditor in your home county.) Here is the link for the Linn County office.
The hope is that this post has clarified a few issues related to voting, but if not, feel free to post questions, OR check your Coe email for a message from Tom Hicks that has more information on voting locations and other relevant.  Have fun participating in democracy!
-The Reference Department

Neat Q and A on Internet Law

This is a neat blog post that I found earlier today on Lifehacker.  The site hosted a Q & A session with  Derek Bambauer, an associate professor of law at the University of Arizona, where he teaches about internet law and intellectual property. In the past, he was also involved OpenNet Initiative, which tested and studied censorship in countries such as China, Iran, and Vietnam. Although the session is now over,  you'll find lots of great questions in the comments on Internet behaviors and law that I think would be of interest to pretty much everyone who uses the Web

Resources (sometimes overlooked) in the Library

• First Floor East Side Computers: It never fails students will be gathered around the west end printer furiously grabbing papers the printer spits out at mad intervals, but there is another printer steps away. Use the east printer and save some time!


• The Reference Desk: It's these people's jobs to help you find information. They actually enjoy searching out a book for your research paper due tomorrow that you might have neglected. Bonus--if you procrastinate a little less and start thinking about that paper a few weeks in advance, they can help you get resources from other libraries across the country: articles, DVDs, books, you name it.


• The Isolated Computers on the Second and Third Floors: These computers are there to help you find resources here in the library. Go to the website and search the catalog. The call number will be present and voila! Numbers on the shelves will help guide you to that elusive book.


• The Books!: I see students scrambling all the time, struggling to find scholarly articles on Ebsco for a project, when there are countless resources right here. There are books on almost every subject! The library isn't just a place for studying and hanging out. It houses a wealth of information you may find helpful. ~Shanel

Coe Etiquette Book 1941 - Introductions

Would anyone in gender studies like to take a shot at this one?  This was written in 1941, so there are some views that are outdated.  Are there any nuggets of wisdom that apply today?

~Sara Pitcher, Archives Assistant

Study, Study, Study Part 2

So, you need to get some studying done and you’ve come to the library. Chances are you’ve gone done this path before and it has, of course, resulted in lots of finished homework (hooray!).  But there’s a twist- today you’re studying with someone else, maybe even a group of people, and you guys need somewhere to get some serious studying done without annoying the rest of the library.

Good thing Stewart Memorial Library has so many choices! If your group is small try one of the group study rooms on the 2^nd floor. They’re comfy, made for two or three people and have a whiteboard. The rooms are located on the left side and there are two, so it’s no sweat if one is occupied. Equally comfy,  there is a small group study room to the right of the stairs on the 2^nd floor and one in the basement.

If your group is a little bigger try the Eaton room on the 2^nd floor, to the left to the stairs. It’s almost impossible to miss and has lots of space, enough room for roughly four or five people, a whiteboard and a great view. On the right side is another room identical to the Eaton named the Bodey room. There’s also the Engle room on 2^nd, notably the biggest study room. Its historical feel makes for a great study atmosphere. In case you need a computer, there’s always the group study room in the basement, to the right of the stairs, which also has a whiteboard.

On 1^st floor there’s a quiet little nook in the Reading Room called the Knapp room. Although there’s no whiteboard it’s got plenty of space for a study group! Last but not least, there are the Dougie Peters (to the right) and Frank McDonald (to the left) study areas on 1^st floors. Both areas are open to the rest of the library, but have cozy couches and lamps to make for a great study atmosphere. No matter where you pick, we’re sure you and your friends will have a great and productive time! ~Whitni