Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Information Commons

University of Minnesota
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee








The information commons concept is popular in academic libraries throughout the nation. It involves transforming library spaces to meet the multifaceted needs of learners.  The libraries at UW-Milwaukee, the University of Minnesota, California State Polytechnic University, and Northwestern University have adopted the model.  The three year process to transform the Reference Area (1st Floor) into an Information Commons was completed this past summer.  Its goal is to support student collaboration and learning with unique and varied study spaces.  Changes include the addition of a new centralized Reference Desk, movable tablet-arm “soft” chair furniture groupings, new study tables providing varied student work spaces allowing for individual and group study, a wireless access upgrade, improved access to power outlets, computers loaded with campus software and located in pod-style arrangements, laptop stations, scanners, printing, all in an open arrangement. In response to learner preference of online reference resources, the Reference collection was reduced to allow for expansion of collaborative learning areas.

Loyola Univesity
John Peace Library

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Image Quest – New from Encyclopedia Britannica!

Simplify and improve your search for images with Image Quest. Now you can access two million rights-cleared images for educational use from over 50 of the best collections in the world. Dorling Kindersley Images, Getty Images, the National Portrait Gallery of London, the National Geographic Society, Oxford Scientific, and other leading names have joined with Britannica to provide the best and broadest collection of proprietary educational imagery. Instructors can use the images in their lesson plans and classroom activities while students will turn to the site as they work on assignments or course projects. Free of advertising and from trustworthy sources, Image Quest provides safe and fast access to high quality images on all topics and for all ages. Britannica has done the work of finding the best photos—most of which are not freely available on the Web—you can trust the source and be certain that you're using an accurate photo.

Images can be downloaded, printed, or saved in jpeg format. To access the images go to Encyclopedia Britannica on the library’s Database A-Z list (http://tinyurl.com/4y7wzb4), search a subject and then click on an image. A larger version of the image will appear. To print, email or share the image, follow the prompts in the right column.

Questions or comments, please contact Lelah Lugo,
lugola@uwstout.edu or phone: 715-232-1552.

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

August Browsing Books--Business as (Un)usual

Cornered: The new Monopoly Capitalism and the Economics of Destruction by Barry C. Lynn, Library Call #:HD2757.2.L96 2010.
In his study of American business, Lynn writes, ”Consolidation of power by financiers over the basic institutions of our political economy has resulted in the dreangement not merely of our financial systems but also of our industrial systems and political systems.  Most terrifying of all is that this consolidation of power—and the political actions taken to achieve it—appears to have impaired our ability to comprehend the dangers we face and to react in an organized and coherent manner.” In looking at the unprecedented rise of monopolies over the past 30 years, Lynn finds the causes of much of the economic turmoil of today.
The Next Generation of Women Leaders: What You Need to Lead but won’t Learn in Business school by Selena Rezvani. Library Call #: HD6054.3.R49 2010.
            With information gleaned from interviewing more than 30 female executives, Rezvani gives a pep talk and supplies tools and information for women who want to make it to the top in business.  Identifying areas of strength in the female executive, the author shows why women may have new-found advantages in 21st century business.
Fordlandia: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford’s Forgotten Jungle City by Greg Grandin. Library Call # F2651.F55G72 2009.
            The epic story of Henry Ford’s great social experiment.  In 1927, Ford puchased land in the Amazon twice the size of Delaware, and attempted to grow both rubber and a new American outpost in the jungle.  Ice cream stands, Model T’s bandstands and communities for the workers sprang up and Ford’s assembly-line philosophy was applied to the native plantation workers.  The results were a startling and grave clash of environments, cultures and mind-sets that make for a fascinating history.
13 Bankers: The Wall Street Takeover and the Next financial Meltdown by Simon Johnson and James Kwak. Library Call #: HG2491.J646 2010.
 Johnson, former chief economist for the IMF and MIT professor of Entrepreneurship, and Kwak argue that the banks that are “too big to fail” are practicing an economic socialism that lets them profit in good years and allows them to use Federal money to cover their losses in lean.  The authors make a compelling case for regulation and a return to banks that small enough to suffer failure.

Look for these books in the 4th floor Browsing Area of the University Library.

August Videos-Family Matters

(All synopses from Amazon Product descriptions)
Mother and Child, starring Naomi Watts, Annette Bening and Samuel L. Jackson, directed by Rodrigo Garcia. Call Number: PN1995.5.M63M68 2010.

     Three women's lives share a common core of being profoundly affected by adoption. At age fourteen, Karen placed a baby for adoption, and has been haunted ever since by the daughter she never knew. Elizabeth grew up as an adopted child. Even though she is a bright and ambitious lawyer, she is a flinty loner in her personal life. Lucy and her husband are just embarking on the adoption odyssey, hoping for the opportunity to become parents.

  Beeswax, starring Tilly and Maggie Hatcher, directed by Andrew Bujalski.  Call Number: PN1995.9.S55B44 2010.
A marvelous film from Andrew Bujalski, Beeswax revolves around the personal and professional lives of twin sisters Jeannie and Lauren.  Jeannie co-owns a vintage clothing store with Amanda, a semi-estranged friend who may be ending their partnership. Lauren leads a looser, less tethered existence and is thinking of getting out of the country altogether. When Amanda threatens Jeannie with a lawsuit, she calls her law student ex-boyfriend for help. Eager for distraction from his own problems, he begins helping the sisters with theirs. Imbued with an innate charm, the film is a story about family, friends and lovers and those awkward moments that bring all of them together.

Eat, Pray, Love, starring Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem, dir. by Ryan Murphy. Call Number: PN1995.9.T728 E38 2010.
   Out of a bad marriage, and seeing her affair with an actor going comfortable, Liz Gilbert steps outside the zone and books passage to Italy, where she learns the joy of food while she experiences the unusual sense of being alone; India, where she learns the joys of meditation and prayer; and Bali, where she adds peace and the balance of love to her experiences. Along the way, she discovers she’s built a family of friends.

Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Library Services Rated Highest!

The ACT Student Opinion Survey was conducted in spring 2011 to determine the level of satisfaction with certain services and the overall college environment at UW-Stout.


There were 22 college services listed on the survey.  The service with the highest average rating of 4.24 was Library Facilities and Services. Results for the 2011 ACT Student Opinion Survey are available at http://www2.uwstout.edu/content/bpa/ir/act/studopin11.pdf

University Library staff are committed to providing quality service and resources to students and faculty. We are honored, and proud, that you are satisfied with our services!