Armacost Library: More Than Just Books!

I’ve worked here in the Library for four years now. In that time, I have discovered there is more to a library than just books.  

Sure, patrons come in to check out books, search our wide array of databases, and get research help.  But they also come in to see our beautiful displays in the lobby that continually change and  show everything from student art, upcoming library events, local history, and other aspects of campus life you might not be aware of.  Our study lounges are inviting and conducive to learning and collaboration.  If you're looking for quiet and a space to de-stress, we have those too.  

And then there’s our wonderful staff,  always available and always happy to help.  Whether you need a library card, help locating materials, or have questions about anything in the library or on campus, our staff is here to help. 

Debbie Alban

Administrative Assistant

Armacost Library, University of Redlands

x8092

Bridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys @ Armacost Library

The University of Redlands Armacost Library is one of 840 libraries and state humanities councils across the country selected to receive the Bridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the American Library Association (ALA). The program aims to familiarize public audiences in the United States with the people, places, history, faith and cultures of Muslims in the United States and around the world.

The Bridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys is a project of the National Endowment for the Humanities, conducted in cooperation with the American Library Association. Major support for the Muslim Journeys Bookshelf was provided by a grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York. Additional support for the arts and media components was provided by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art. Local support is provided by University of Redlands Campus Diversity & Inclusion and Redlands Peace Academy.

For information about these new materials and programming associated with the Muslim Journeys project, please visit Armacost Library's website or contact Melissa Cardenas-Dow, Outreach Librarian, at 909-748-8089 or Melissa_Cardenasdow@redlands.edu.

Expressing Soul Through World Book Night

The deadline for World Book Night book giver applications is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 25, 2013. Armacost Library is a pick-up location for World Book Night 2013.

My decision to become a World Book Night book giver was not a difficult one to make. I am a librarian, after all. The hard part came in choosing which book titles to give, at which location to distribute books, and in saying why. Much like selecting a gift, I selected my book title as a means of demonstrating my hopes, dreams, and wishes for the receiver.

But in 2012, this was an easy decision to make. Among WBN’s titles was Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. The book is one of my favorite texts. At the time I needed to decide which books to select, it had been on my mind because I had just finished organizing University of Redlands’ first Banned Books Week read-out. A reader chose to read out loud from The Absolutely True Diary. If no one had chosen to read from the book, I was prepared to do so.

I originally wanted to give out The Absolutely True Diary at a local senior center in Redlands, California. I thought seniors could benefit greatly from the truths within its pages, despite the book's young-adult intended audience. This is what I wrote in my 2012 WBN book giver application, so I was fairly comfortable with my decision. But after more thought and reflection, I went to Micah House and the Redlands Community Center and gave books to youth and teens I found there. My change of heart stirred after I talked to my oldest daughter about a shooting that occurred in our neighborhood in early 2011. My decision became set after I reread Sherman Alexie’s Wall Street Journal article on young adult literature. I sought the article out after a chance conversation with a friend. In the article, Alexie states, “I write to give them [teenagers] weapons—in the form of words and ideas—that will help them fight their monsters.”  Alexie’s words resonated with something deep and strong inside me. Facilitating that sort of self-empowerment, through words and ideas, is what makes my career as a librarian a vocation.

For WBN 2013, I have chosen to give away Norton Juster’s The Phantom Tollbooth as my first choice. I will be returning to Micah House and, again, focusing my book giving on youth and teens. And, like last year, one of my greatest hopes and wishes is for young people to realize their own power, to find solace, comfort, and strength in words and ideas.


Melissa I. Cardenas-Dow
Outreach/Behavioral Sciences Librarian
Armacost Library, University of Redlands
909.748.8089
Melissa_Cardenasdow@redlands.edu

Does your library have eBooks?

Well, does it? My hope is that you responded with a confident YES, however, if you doubted yourself for a second never fear and rest at ease as I will make searching for eBooks as easy as 1, 2, 3. 

Why eBooks?  According to a survey conducted by the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) in the summer of 2011, eBooks will be the preferred format for reading material in the future.  So here is to a New Year’s resolution to reading more-electronically that is (go figure!).  Did I mention its available 24/7?  YES, during those times when the library is closed, our eBook collection is available to you. So if you choose to download a new book late Friday or Saturday evening or early morning (2 a.m.) you can!  

How? Here comes the 1, 2, 3.

1.    Click on Advanced Search on the library’s homepage in the tab “Find Information”

2.    Enter a search term in any field and (here’s the trickiest part of all) in “Add Limits (Optional)” under “Material Type:”– Click EBOOKS.  Don’t forget to hit Submit.

3.    Find a title that interests you, click on the link under “Online Content” and Happy Reading! It's that simple!

Want to browse by category?

Check out our database EBSCO Ebook Collection to easily browse by category.  Simply click

on the “eBooks” tab on the top left corner to get the list of categories.   

World Book Night USA 2013 extends giver deadline to January 25!

Armacost Library is again signed up to be a pick-up location for World Book Night USA (WBN-USA). This means givers can choose Armacost Library as a location to receive their free WBN books to give away.

What do you need to do to be a book giver through WBN? Select 3 books you have personally read, choose the location where you intend to distribute books, and submit an application through WBN’s official site by Friday, January 25, 2013.

This year, groups of 10 or more individuals are encouraged to send a single application by emailing a proposal at April23@WorldBookNight.org. Please include the following information in your group proposal:

1.       Top three book choices OR why you would like a selection of several titles.

2.       Where do you intend to give away the books?

3.       To whom do you intend to giveaway books to?

4.       Why do you want to give books away?

5.       Why do you want to give the books out as a group? How many givers are in your group?

Through WBN, book givers pledge to distribute books on April 23, 2013. For additional information about World Book Night, please contact Melissa Cardenas-Dow, Outreach Librarian, at Melissa_Cardenasdow@redlands.edu or 909-748-8089.

Our Story: 2011-2012 Armacost Library Annual Report

Welcome 2013.  With every new chapter, it's good to remember the proud accomplishments and successes we endeavored in the past year.  The year that ran from July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012, was another extraordinary year for the Armacost Library.  As we prepare ourselves for another exciting year ahead of us, let us take this time to relive the past by taking a look at our inaugural annual report.  Our annual report has been put together to tell our story about the great and remarkable resources, services and collections the library offers the students, faculty, staff and community of the University of Redlands. 

We hope you enjoy the report and continue to support the library and its mission and vision to play an integral role in the intellectual and cultural life of the University of Redlands by facilitating the transformation of information into knowledge.

We invite you to visit us physically or virtually to learn more about our dynamic work as we respond to the information needs of the present and prepare for the future.

Learn more about Armacost Library @ http://library.redlands.edu/aboutus

Happy New Year!

A Really Easy New Year’s Resolution

Happy New Year and welcome back to school. Have you made a list of resolutions for the new year? Things that could improve your life, make you healthier, get you to a better place in life?

I’d like to make a recommendation for you. It’s easy, lots of fun and will definitely improve your life, your grades and your ability to succeed in college.

Is all that possible? ABSOLUTELY – Add this to your list:

I WILL GET TO KNOW MY LIBRARIAN!

What? Yes! Start by going to the library homepage to see who that person may be. Click here for more information: http://library.redlands.edu/mylibrarian

Then:

• Stop by during their office hours, just to say hi.
• Make an appointment when you get those assignments that look overwhelming.
• Send a chat message when you have a quick question or send an email and get your answers in no time!

What could be better? That librarian will work with you through all your time here to make sure you are getting the right information for your research papers and projects. They will be there when you organize that thesis proposal or gather your wits around the senior capstone project. And they will be there to applaud your success when you walk across the stage to receive your diploma.

Just do it! Get to know your librarian this New Year and make your life much easier and much better.  

– Gabriela Sonntag, Armacost Library Director (909-748-8096)