Library Book Sale on Oct. 29 and 30th

Can't get enough of Harry

The adventures you go on with Harry and the gang are far more interesting than anything that happens in the ordinary world. We cling to all things fantastical; when Harry has to fight the dragon, or must confront Lord Voldemort face-to-face. These are the things I come back for every summer. I just can’t seem to get enough of that Harry Potter action. When you lead an ordinary life extraordinary things make it fun—even if they only happen on paper. You put yourself in the book; you live your life with Harry. What I think makes Harry’s story so relatable, is that—along with the extraordinary—they also face problems with things every teenager faces—relationships, school, friendships. While not many of us are being hunted by a dark wizard, many of us have faced feeling alone, in a new place or getting into a fight with our best friend. With these things that happen, it makes it easy to see yourself as Harry going through the craziness that is being a teenager. You slip into Harry’s world and fight battles with him. It is exciting, and nerve-wreaking; which makes the adventure so great. Every time I go back to the books and read them again, I read them from new perspectives and catch things that had happened, which I never realized before. It makes the journey seem new each time. Even if it is the same books, it is always a new me that gets to experience them. ~Brittany (Editor's note---all Harry Potter books and movies are available at the Stewart Memorial Library.)

I'm packing my bags.....

It has always been a dream of mine to go to a foreign country, especially one in Europe. I would hear of people’s experiences and see the numerous photos of places I could potentially travel to, which led me to become impatient sometimes. It was not until this past spring semester (‘14) that my dream was becoming a reality. I searched for multiple exchange programs where speaking Spanish was common, and I saw two. One of the programs was in Costa Rica and the other was in Spain. I thought that my chances of going to Latin America were greater than Europe, so I chose the Spain exchange.

In the fall (‘14) I will be a student at James I University (UJI) in Castellon, Spain and living with a host family. The application process was a little long; I had to fill out an application, wait for the acceptance letter, apply for a visa, and make sure that my medical benefits would cover me while in Spain. Then, choosing a host family was also a tough process since all families sounded like wonderful people: I chose a family that lives in walking distance of UJI. My host parents are in their early 50s and have three daughters in their mid to late 20s. One of the neat things about the place where I will be staying is that I am only 2 miles from the Mediterranean Ocean!! The selection of classes I was told to choose from was wide-ranging and had to choose some from one specific field, so I picked five from the media and communications department. Hopefully my 20 years of speaking Spanish will be helpful.

I am excited to say the least, and cannot wait until August 28^th for my departure. The great thing about studying abroad in Spain is that there will be another student from Coe, whom I get along with fairly well. We have been communicating this summer composing a list of places to visit, and trying to figure out the little things before leaving (baggage, travel, etc.). It will be a fun filled experience, I cannot wait. ~Alexis (Editor's note---Alexis worked for the library this summer.  I hope this Kohawk has a wonderful experience in Spain.

Upcoming Book Sale

Coming up this fall the library will be having a book sale and would like to invite faculty students and members of the community to come and look though our collections of books donated by an assortment of people, with the chance of purchasing books for a great price. While looking briefly at some of the titles that will be in out upcoming sale; I have seen some of William Shakespeare’s classics, many books about travel and the world,  and quite a few books about art and art history. There are many other books that will be available during our sale and we hope to see you there. ~Gordon

Why Libraries Matter: A day in the New York Public Library system

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This fantastic short film helps capture the impact that libraries have on the lives of their users. If you have 10 minutes, it's definitely worth watching!

Google ads and you: want to opt out?

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="636"] Google's got a bright idea that users may not have heard about yet, if they missed the announcement last month[/caption]

Last month, Google announced an update to their Terms of Service (TOS) that allows them to use aspects of your Google+ profile for targeted ads.  Which means what?  It means that Google could use your name, picture, and reviews you've given in ads targeted to people in your Google contacts or Google+ circles.  It also means that if you're over 18, your face will start popping up in other folks' searches for "doing anything from leaving a YouTube comment to starring something in Google Play to giving it the +1 treatment."

So let's say you're not interested in the review of the local Thai joint popping up when an acquaintance you've emailed once or twice searches for good local Thai food. Can you avoid having your likeness used? The answer, fortunately, is "yes." All you have to do is opt out via this link while you are logged into your Google account. Then go ahead and click the option to not have aspects of your profile used in this way and SAVE.

Situations like this are why it's important to read the TOS set forth by websites and online communities in which you participate. Companies purposely try to make TOS long so that people avoid reading the whole thing; by making it more onerous to read, companies are betting that you will just click "I agree" in order to gain access to a resource, and are also betting that you won't care much about future changes due to your usage of the site/product at a future date. Make sure you take time to educate yourself on what companies are doing with data, and what rights you're signing away when clicking that agreement box on a TOS!

Lost – A TV Series Review

Chances are, you know someone (or know someone who knows someone) who watched Lost. Most likely, you’ve heard people complain about how confusing it is, how dumb it got near the end of the show, etc etc. Despite all of the problems Lost does have, I can tell you that it is one of the most artfully made shows of our generation.
In case you don’t know, the show revolves around a group of survivors of flight 815, who crash on a mysterious island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The island is far from ordinary and the survivors are faced with challenges extending far beyond the usual detail for one stuck on a tropical island. Flashbacks allow us to get the know characters backstory, and we become very closely acquainted with characters like Jack, a surgeon who quickly takes on a leadership role but is dealing with some deep seated family issues.
The show spans six seasons, jam packed full of new characters, new storylines and an unbelievable amount of plot twists. But what makes the show truly exceptional is the way the characters develop and change. Truly good television has the ability to show us that we are all capable of being “the bad guy” and “the good guy” sometimes at the same time. Lost displays the complexities of human nature, wrapped up with some very complex timey-wimey stuff and a lot of breaking the laws of physics. Also, it’s super addicting. Super, duper addicting. If your curiosity is getting the best of you and you’re dying to watch, you’re in luck- the library owns all six seasons! Good luck and happy watching! Whitni S.

Reading Day Massages

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="566"] Doesn't this look like a great way to take a break?[/caption]

As the end of the semester approaches, and it starts to finally feel like spring, library staff would like to announce that the library will be offering chair massages as a stress-buster for students as they prepare for their finals on Reading Day. The chair massages will be Friday, May 2, from 10 AM-3 PM. Massages will each be 10 minutes long, and they will be free! So how do you get one, and what’s the catch?

-Sign up will start at 9 AM on Tuesday, April 29.
-You go to the Reference Desk to sign up.
-Only current Coe students are eligible to receive a free massage
-You must come in person to sign up (no signing up for a group of friends, or by phone/email.)
-The day of the massages, you must check in 5 minutes prior to your massage. If you do not check in prior to your massage, you are liable to lose your spot to students on the waiting list.

If this appeals to you as you wind down the semester, come by the library to sign up on Tuesday. Odds are your muscles could use some pampering, after a year of hauling around heavy books. We'll miss you this summer while you're gone (even if you don't necessarily miss us.) Have a wonderful summer!

-Katelyn, Head of Reference

Remembering VHS

Many of the students at Coe seem to forget about our wonderful AV department. To me, this place has and always will occupy a special place in my heart. You don’t just browse through films in the AV department but rather you browse through history. Looking through the VHS tapes, personally, brings back fond childhood memories of rewinding a tape before watching it or the pure frustration of renting un-re-winded movie. To many this experience is foreign but to me, and surely many others, it takes me back to simpler times I dearly miss. Unfortunately, technology has made places like the AV Theater more obsolete, since with a click of a mouse you could find any thing you desire. However, I would like to challenge everyone to take a moment and walk through the aisles of not just film but history, before it is too late. Yafet M.

Computers

Computers. Super important here at Coe and I'm glad the library has so many. Last semester, my computer was broken so I spent a LOT of time in the library at one of the computers. The library also seems to be immune to whatever seems to be going on with Coe's wi-fi (most of the time). Even though the library isn't open all day, there's usually a good bet that you can use a computer when you need one. ~Angela A.

Accused--Book Review

Ever just want to sit down and get lost in a book? The Stewart Memorial Library has many books that can transport you to a different place; we have thrillers, romance, and mysteries. If you are looking for a thriller I would recommend the book Accused by Lisa Scottoline. It is a thriller about three women in the law firm, Rosato & Associates. They are given a case by a thirteen year old, Allegra Gardner; this young girl’s sister was murdered six years prior. The case at the time was solid, the man who was accused, Lonnie Stall, was seen fleeing the scene; his blood was found on the sister and her blood was on him. He also plead guilty at the trial. Open and shut, right? But there is a twist, Allegra does not believe that he is guilty and wants Rosato & Associates to reopen the case. Now the question is whether or not they should take the case; Allegra’s family is powerful and influential so taking this case would be risky. But was justice really served those 6 years ago? These three women and a thirteen-year-old will find out.

Does this book interest you? Come check it out! Located in the browsing section on the first floor of the library, the call number is PS 3569 .C725 .A65 2013. ~Ashley K.

Adventures of working at the library

When I first started working at the library last year I thought I was going to be very productive and get a lot of homework accomplished while working at the Circulation Desk. The opposite could not have been truer. Instead of working on my academics at work I learned a lot of other new things, most importantly improving my social life. When I walk into the library I always see a friendly face and that is what I love about Coe College; there is always a friend wherever I go, whether it is at the library, in the cafeteria or workout.
Working at the circulation desk there is never a dull moment, there is always someone to greet when someone walks in the door or say bye to when leaving. I am constantly learning new things about books and authors because everyone likes to share a story about their favorite book or author when checking a book out. There is always something to explore when shelving books or dusting. Sometimes when I am straightening the books on the shelves or doing inventory I pull out an interesting book just take a few minutes to read the back out of curiosity.
People not only come to the library to study and do their homework but some people come to the library to be social. I have seen many friends sit in a study room or at a study table chatting or playing card games. I have also seen people napping at a desk or sleeping on a couch. Many people bring food into the library as a snack; I have even seen Jimmy John’s and Pizza Hut being delivered here for dinner. There is always something interesting going on in the library and a great place to be! ~Taylor W.

Fault in our Stars--Book Review

Two weeks ago during my shift I was browsing the library catalog and saw that The Fault in our Stars was downstairs in the Youth section. I was quite excited because I had been on hold for it the whole four weeks of my winter break at my library back home. I had heard so many good things about the book so I started it right after my shift ended. Well now as I sit here, two weeks later, with the book finished I am saddened to say that I think it is probably one of the most overrated books I've ever read.


The book is about Hazel, a teenager living with cancer who knows that she only has a few years left at best. She has pretty much come to terms with her diagnosis and is just taking life day-to-day. At a cancer support group, she meets Augustus Waters who is another very charismatic teen cancer survivor. As you can assume, the two end up falling for each other and there is a lot of conflict about allowing themselves to get close to another person and make their lives meaningful given their short time that they have left. I've read my fair share of romance/ terminal illness books and frankly this just seemed like every other one. Other than a sub-plot about corresponding with an author who they both idolize (a storyline which in my opinion felt very unlikely, forced, and a little over the top), the plot was pretty predictable. While I liked the character of Hazel and connected with her views on life and it's meaning, I never warmed up to Augustus. And I get that he wasn't always supposed to be the most likeable character but I just never developed a strong yearning that he and Hazel were meant to be.

While I appreciated John Green's attempt to try to throw a twist on your typical cancer romance novel, I just don't think it worked for me. I'm sure a lot of my opinion on this book was influenced by the mass amount of hype that it got. I probably set my expectations way too high and expected way too much. I would like to state that it wasn't a bad book, it definitely kept my focus and I was motivated to finish it, it just wasn't very memorable. If you're into teen romance novels, there's a good chance you might like this book. As for me, I think I'm all teen romance-ed out and will be sticking with adventure/ mystery books for the forseeable future. ~Bellamy

Did Monkeys Invent the Monkey Wrench-Book Review

Ever wonder what it's like to visit an old hardware store? Ever wonder how rubber came to be or who invented the Vice Grips? Look no further than the book, Did Monkeys Invent the Monkey Wrench, by Vince Staten. This book is chalk full of witty humor along with quite an insight into the world of selling nuts and bolts. Believe me, this is not a book that will bore you to sleep. It may just keep you up in the wee hours of the night, just like the running toilet did in your home. This easy to read book is perfect for those that like tinkering with hand tools, even if you are not very successful. Even the author claims to not be a handyman, but he has a plethora of knowledge on the tools handy persons use. Pick up this book and get a glimpse into a culture that may one day be gone. Tyler G.

Hidden Nooks and Crannies of SML

While working in the library, I have come to know the building's secrets pretty well. I’ve learned that the top floor is kept at just above freezing practically year round, the Whipple sticker means that this book is brand new, and where to find the Grant Wood paintings. But what I have found most useful and interesting is the kept secret study areas found abundantly on each floor.

Working from the bottom up, the basement level holds not only a hidden space but a wonderful asset. The Archives are found down the main stairs and to the left. Here I have found not only some of the comfiest armchairs the library has to offer but an irreplaceable asset in Rob DeSpain, and his knowledge of Coe College and its past students. The next floor up contains the most abundant overlooked spaces. In the Joanne M. Pochobradsky Reading Room, located to the right of the main staircase when entering through the main doors, caters to both the groups and the individual. In this wing of the library there is both a medium-sized room for group meetings tucked behind the shelves of magazines, and a L-shaped couch positioned perfectly in front of a large window and is made complete with lamps to read by. Next time you go to the second floor seek out these other hidden study spaces, specifically the two smaller galleries found to the left and right of the Perrine Gallery. There are plenty of comfy leather armchairs, illuminating golden light to read by, and the doors can close so you can control the sound. The largest hidden secret of the library would have to be the illusive third floor. Few people realize that this top floor even exists because it can only be accessed by the side staircases. The noise level is kept at a chilling whisper and is the perfect spot if you need to hunker down, focus, and get stuff done.

So go out at explorer these mysterious niches the library has to offer and good luck with your studies! Katie K.

Freebies at the Library

Free VHS tapes available in the Circulation Area of the library.  Located on the first floor and on an orange double-sided cart.  Take as many as you wish.

Brothers in Hope--Book Review

The Stewart Memorial Library is the heart of Coe College. Here at the library our staff is committed to ensuring your needs are met in a quick and appropriate manner. We accommodate majors of all sorts. For example, if you are majoring in elementary education a book you may use in helping to construct a lesson plan would be Brothers In Hope by Mary Williams . This book is about a young boy in Sudan who fled from his village, and later found other boys who had done the same. Together, the boys face numerous hardships and dangers along the way to finding a new home. Through mutual support and faith in each other, the boys were able to find a new home. The book is located in the Browsing Area on the first floor of the library. The call # is Youth Picture PZ7 W66699 Br 2005.
If you are unsure about books pertaining to your major, then don't hesitate to come by and ask, we’ll be waiting just for you! Nathan B.

Time Away

These last couple of semesters I have spent less time in the library, and more time over in Dows keeping up with art projects, as well as in Eby and the Racquet Center for track. But now every time that I am here things look different and even new. As I walk from computer to printer I see these paintings that I must have seen a hundred times and stop to re-examine them. While I am putting books back on shelves one catches my eye and I open it to see what it’s about, and catch myself reading it later that night. I have worked here for 3 and a half semesters, and am realizing how awesome it is to see all the new faces come in and ask questions, the stillness of the 11pm to 1 am shift, and excitement of finding a book that I will read(not just for class). I remember just starting this work study job thinking that this could be an awful job, but now I barely think of it as a job at all, I come to Stewart Memorial Library because I work here, but I stay because I just don’t want to leave. Gordon R.

Bones of Paris--Book Review

The Stewart Memorial Library has much to offer to people with all types of interests. For example, if someone is just looking for something to read for leisure and have an interest in suspenseful fiction and like France, and more specifically Paris, they may be interested in The Bones of Paris by Laurie King. This book involves a little bit of history, especially about the lives of those famous writers and artists that made up the infamous Jazz Age of the 1920's. In this book you will be following an investigator from the United States who was hired by an American family from Boston who's daughter moved to Paris to pursue her dreams of being an actor/model, but then suddenly lost all contact with her family who began to worry. The investigator, Harris Struyvesant, was more than happy to take the job and have the opportunity to walk the streets of Paris and sit in all the wonderful cafes and bars. He saw this as more of a vacation because he felt that he would find the young woman in the arms of some up and coming artist, which happens to many. But as his search continues it takes a turn he wasn't expecting because now the trail leads him in search of a....murderer.

If this book sounds interesting to you then don't hesitate to come check it out, it'll be waiting just for you! It is located in the Browsing Area on the first floor of the library. The call # is PS3561 I4813 B66 2013.

If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask, anyone from the Circulation or Reference desk would more than willing to assist you! Rachel S.

Library FAQs

Working in the library, I get many questions on the rules and general knowledge of the library. Why is it so loud in the library? You aren’t allowed to eat in there are you? Do they have any books that I could check out to read just for fun? These are some questions I get asked frequently. So why not write them all down and answer them for the masses?
In regards to the first—and most frequently discussed—question, it may be your location. The library has four floors, and there is an unspoken rule that the farther up you go the quieter you should be. So if you would like some silence, third floor is the place for you. If you have a project to work on with others try the basement, or a study room on second floor. As far as eating in the library goes, go for it. People have gone as far as to order a pizza, and have it delivered to the library. If you ever need to just spend the day in the library and crack out some hard core studying, don’t be shy bring as much or as little food and beverage as you desire.
For the last question there are indeed many different books that you can check out just for fun. We have the Whipple section right on the main floor, which is full of books that are popular now. It’s always worth a look. We also have young adult, and children book sections in the basement. You can find Harry Potter, Divergent, or even Dr. Seuss. Brittany B.

New JSTOR Collection: Arts & Sciences XII

Good news. The library just subscribed JSTOR Arts & Sciences XII to expand its JSTOR collection. At this time, 58 new titles have been added to the library catalog and are also accessible through Coe Journals on the library website. There will be a minimum of 125 titles in Arts & Sciences XII at completion by the end of 2015.

The focus of JSTOR Arts & Sciences XII  is the social sciences and humanities. Subjects covered include law, political science, education, criminology and criminal justice, history, social work, psychology, sociology, African studies, Asian studies, and Middle East studies.

Some notable titles include: add

ABA Journal,

Educational Psychology Review,

Group,

Journal of Haitian Studies.

For a complete list of titles of this collection, please follow the link –

http://www.jstor.org/action/showJournals?browseType=collectionInfoPage&selectCollection=asxii

Zoho Chat: Another Way to get Answers

Welcome back to Coe for the spring semester (not that it feels much like springtime yet!)  As people settle back into the routine of studying, attending class, and all the other parts of a normal day, we wanted to make sure that the campus community is aware of all the different way that they can get help with research and get questions answered.  Although the reference desk staff is always willing to help, sometimes you're studying outside of the library and can't easily come ask a question; other times, you may just not feel like speaking to someone in person.  Although emailing the reference staff (either Katelyn or Harlene) can come in handy, there might be times when you would like a more immediate answer.  These situations are when Zoho comes in handy.

If you're unfamiliar with Zoho, it's a chat program that replaces Meebo, our previous chat widget embedded in the library's website.  We had to replace Meebo after it was purchased Google; after much research and evaluation, Zoho was found to be the optimal replacement option.  Zoho can be found on the library's main page, in essentially the same spot as Meebo; however, the main difference is that Zoho pops out into a new window in order to allow the user to send and receive messages.  Other than that, it operates much the same way that Meebo did.  Also, it's important that Zoho is only operating when the full-time staff is here (Monday-Friday, 8 AM-4:30 PM) and in the evening 8-10:30 PM Sunday-Wednesday.  If you have any issues using Zoho, feel free to let us know, either via email or in the library's virtual suggestion box located on the website's main page.  Zoho is just another way in which we hope to reach and help more of the Coe community, give it a try next time you have a question!

-Katelyn, Head of Reference