Current news at the WSU Libraries.
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Happy 2013! January's reference item of the month is Patrick Moore's Data Book of Astronomy, a rich and compelling resource for anyone interested in exploring the mysteries of the universe! For more about this book an other reference items of the month, check out our website: http://libguides.wsulibs.wsu.edu/refitemofthemonth.
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The WSU Libraries are launching a photo contest called Love Your WSU Libraries from December 3, 2012 to January 31, 2013 to encourage student involvement. The Love Your WSU Libraries campaign is a contest open to all Washington State University students. Contestants are invited to take pictures of themselves “loving” or showing their appreciation for WSU Libraries and submit their image on our Love Your WSU Libraries webpage: loveyourlibs.wsu.edu
The reviewed and approved submissions will be posted to the WSU Libraries Pullman Twitter account and Holland and Terrell Libraries Facebook wall. All students have the opportunity to vote for their favorite image and the winners will be awarded prizes and have their picture featured on the contest’s results posters. Upon submission, students will have agreed to allow for their picture to be property of WSU Libraries. The Libraries may use these photos for promotional purposes.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this contest, please contact Anna Wheatley at awheatley@wsu.edu or 509-335-6205.
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• Starting on Monday November 26th, Terrell 111/113 (The group study rooms closest to the Reference desk in the Holland and Terrell Library) will be available for booking through our LibCal Calendaring Service (check it out here http://wsulibs.wsu.libcal.com/rooms.php?i=102 ). We hope to expand the calendaring service to all of the HAT study rooms by next semester.
• Access Services will be checking out two SMART Board Adapters from the Satellite Circulation Desk (Formerly Front Desk CUB). These can be used in conjunction with most any laptop.
•Basic instructions on how to install and the use the software will be in the rooms with more in depth instructions on use to follow.
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Every year libraries on the Palouse sponsor a regional author. This year the book is Border Songs by Jim Lynch. Williamette Week noted of the book that it is "A fascinating look at the confluence of small-town life, the global drug trade and illegal immigration, and it places Jim Lynch at the forefront of Northwest writers to watch." Lynch will be reading at the Holland and Terrell Libraries at noon on Tuesday November 13th in the Quiet Study Lounge. Please come, and tell your friends! More about the book and the rest of the Palouse-area library events can be found at http://everybody-reads.org/
More Reviews:
“Wonderful…tender, sad and leavened with wit, Border Songs reads like something written by a more efficient Richard Russo." — Ron Charles, book editor for The Washington Post
"Border Songs" is one of the more inventive and unique novels of recent years. Lynch's dexterous handling of multiple voices and storylines makes Border Songs a book that goes by all too quickly." — Rege Behe, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"Lynch's comic borderland is not only palpable, it is richly metaphoric. Comparisons with Ken Kesey and Tom Robbins are not only inevitable, they are welcome." — The Globe and Mail (Canada)
"Lynch observes like a journalist and writes like a poet. ... Brandon is one of the most remarkable characters created by a Northwest author in recent memory." — Mary Ann Gwinn, Seattle Times book editor
"Enthralling ... Lynch plays exquisitely with his theme of division and its consequences." — Maclean's (Canada)
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LibQUAL+ 2012
WSU Libraries Seek Student and Faculty Feedback on Service Quality
On November 2, 2012, a randomly selected group of Washington State University undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty will receive an email message from the Dean of Libraries, inviting them to participate in a web-based survey designed to measure library service effectiveness from the perspective of the library user.
The results of this survey will be used in establishing priorities for the WSU Libraries. The combination of local survey results with those of other participating research libraries will allow the WSU Libraries to identify “best practices” in providing service to the WSU community.
Jay Starratt, Dean of Libraries, says to those invited to participate, “You are part of a random sample chosen to represent all WSU students and faculty. A strong response rate is very important to the accuracy of this survey.” Invitation notices will be sent to email addresses in the WSU campus online directory. Email addresses may be updated at the Information Technology Email Forwarding site at http://infotech.wsu.edu/help/HowTo/Misc/emailfwd.html.
Incentive to participate will also be provided. A randomly selected participant from WSU respondents will receive an I-Pad 2.
The survey, called LibQUAL+, is a large-scale, user-based library service effectiveness tool developed by Texas A&M University in conjunction with the Association of Research Libraries. The Washington State University Libraries participated in a LibQUAL+ pilot study conducted in 2001, and have continued to use this tool on a regular basis to measure library user opinions, with the goal of providing excellent service and support for the WSU community. For more information about LibQUAL+, visit http://www.libqual.org.
CONTACT: Steve Borrelli, Assessment Team Leader, sborrelli@wsu.edu, (509) 335-8628