October 1, 2007 – 10:19 am
In recognition of Banned Books Week 2007, Lamson Library is featuring a series of books that challenge our beliefs and test our commitment to free speech.
An Inconvenient Truth: the Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It by Al Gore. In the former Vice President’s second book on global warming, Gore writes, “…there is at least one absolutely indisputable fact: Not only does human caused global warming exist, but it is also growing more and more dangerous, and at a pace that has now made it a planetary emergency.”
The Politically Incorrect Guide to Global Warming (and Environmentalism) by Christopher C. Horner. Horner, an attorney and senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, claims in this 2007 publication that “…although Al Gore and his cronies among the media elites and UN globalists endless bleat that ‘global warming’ is an unprecedented crisis, they really think of it as a dream come true. It’s the ideal scare campaign for those who hate capitalism and love big government.”
bbw2007, Christopher C. Horner, Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, The Politically Incorrect Guide to Global Warming, global warming, environmental change, debate, controversy
September 28, 2007 – 3:20 pm
In recognition of Banned Books Week 2007, Lamson Library is featuring a series of books that challenge our beliefs and test our commitment to free speech.
Treason: Liberal Treachery from the Cold War to the War on Terror by Ann Coulter. In her 2003 book, the Conservative commentator writes, “Liberals have a preternatural gift for always striking a position on the side of treason. Everyone says liberals love America, too. No, they don’t.”
Fahrenheit 9/11, a film by Michael Moore. In this 2004 documentary, Moore blames the Bush presidency for corporate corruption, senseless death, unnecessary war, and political favoritism toward Osama Bin Laden’s family and Saudi oil partners following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Would you read or watch the one to which you are totally opposed? Why or why not? Click on the comments link below!
bbw2007, fahrenheit 9/11, treason, Michael Moore, Anne Coulter, politics, appeal to political base, war on terror
September 28, 2007 – 3:18 pm
Each September, the American Library Association and several other organizations celebrate Banned Books Week. In addition, we provide you with a list of the Top Challenged Books for the year. Take a look at the list; there are both old and new favorites.
But for Banned Books Week 2007, we want to try something different. Using two diametrically opposite publications (each with relatively known flaws), we want to challenge you to think about your freedom to read and what it REALLY means! As the writer and activist, Noam Chomsky, once said “If we don’t believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don’t believe in it at all.”
Would you read or watch the one to which you are totally opposed? Why or why not? We want to read YOUR comments!
banned books week, library, plymouth state university, displays, bbw2007
September 17, 2007 – 4:25 pm
The Library and Lamson Learning Commons is pleased to announce the complete online collection of two national newspapers: The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Dates included for both newspapers are 1981-present.
These publications may be searched by clicking on Databases found on the left hand side of this screen under Find.
Researchers who need articles older than 1981 should consider using The New York Times Digital Archive 1851-2004.
For more information, Ask a Librarian, or visit us at the Research/Reference Desk on the Main Level.
library, lamson learning commons, newspapers, new york times, wall street journal, plymouth state university
September 14, 2007 – 11:22 am
Each year on September 17th, all educational institutions in the United States pause to celebrate the oldest, active Constitution in the world today. English professor, Scott Coykendall, coordinator of PSU campus events this year, has focused on the First Amendment and the five freedoms it guarantees:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech; or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble; and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Events on campus planned for Monday September 17th at the HUB include:
A reading of banned literature at the Fireplace Lounge from 4-5:30 pm
An exhibit of sculptures on the Alumni Green
A Student Senate table with sample essays and protest poetry and FREE Pocket Constitutions (supplies limited!)
Sidore Lecture by John Hutson The Old and New Faces of War at 7 pm in the Smith Recital Hall, Silver Cultural Arts Center
To learn more about The Constitution in the United States today read The Knight Foundation 2006 Follow-up Survey. This study of high school students found both support and skepticism. While students supported the freedom of the press and their rights to publish what they want in student newspapers, they also believed that the First Amendment, in general, went too far in the rights it guarantees. This follow up survey of a more extensive 2004 Future of the First Amendment Study, showed an increase in the number of students taking classes in the Constitution, and a greater understanding of the rights it grants to United States citizens.
constitution day, library, plymouth state university, first amendment
September 11, 2007 – 8:12 pm
The Library is pleased to announce the arrival of Literature Criticism Online as one of the newest members of our growing family of databases.
The database offers access to thousands of articles on centuries of well known (and not so well known!) authors and titles. Imagine centuries of analysis — the scholarly and popular commentary from broadsheets, pamphlets, encyclopedias, books and periodicals — delivered in an easy-to-use 24/7 online format that matches the exact look and feel of the print originals.
Titles included in the database are Contemporary Literary Criticism, Literature Criticism from 1400 to 1800, Nineteenth-Century Literature Criticism, Shakespearean Criticism, and Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism.
library, literature criticism, literature criticism online, databases, CLC, litcrit, lit crit
September 11, 2007 – 4:59 pm
The Lamson Library and Learning Commons welcomes the work of Illinois printmaker, Kurt Brian Webb, and his woodcut series War — Dance of Death in Black, White and Blood Red All Over.
Webb’s woodcuts create social commentary that provokes the viewer through humor, satire, and cynicism. This particular display uses images of soldiers unknowingly intermingling with malevolent skeletal figures. Each two-color print is printed directly from a woodblock onto Japanese paper and is superimposed over a contemporary news story relating to death and the war in Iraq.
Mr. Webb visited the Art Department to share thoughts about his work, subjects, process, and content.
September 6, 2007 – 9:26 am
On Tuesday September 4, the Class of 2011 toured the Library and Lamson Learning Commons. Over 30 Orientation Leaders and Lamson staff led first year students through the building including stops at the Information and Research Desks, as well as PASS and the Writing Center.
An online tour is available for those wishing more detailed information on the building and services. For a personal tour contact Outreach Librarian Anne Kulig.
On behalf of the Library and Lamson Learning Commons, WELCOME CLASS OF 2011!
lamson learning commons, library, plymouth state university, orientation
August 30, 2007 – 4:14 pm
There is a new look to our website! We are implementing open source software called Scriblio, created by our library’s information architect, Casey Bisson. Give us your feedback. There are places below almost every library webpage to comment on its effectiveness or to bring our attention to any concern or problem you may have with that current page. In the spirit of open-source software, please help us enhance this software for future users with your comments—specific or general—that you can also choose to keep private or public.
In addition:
We added 12 new databases last year that offer a growing selection of online full-text journals and many of these databases allow you to setup email alerts and RSS feeds on your favorite subject.
We offer research assistance in our Ask a Librarian service that includes IM as well as the more traditional email, voice, and face-to-face interaction with a librarian.
And finally, look forward to many new services this Fall including:
RSS feeds for the activation of alerts for new books, DVDs, music scores and other items in our library based on your particular interests.
Best wishes in the coming academic year,
David A. Beronä
Library Director
scriblio, lamson learning commons, library, plymouth state university, welcome, changes
Long before children earned Happy Meal prizes or game tokens in a summer reading program, I was a young summer reader in St. Joseph, Missouri, patiently wating in line while a volunteer would color 5 U.S.states (one for each book I had read) on my book reading poster. That was it….my final reward….a United States map with all the states colored in bright hues and designs. I proudly pasted that map in my scrapbook where it still remains to this day.
In an era of cell phones, palms, laptop compters and ipods (I own most of these!), the magic of reading is still a major part of life in the summer. It may be that silly novel you picked up at a used book store, or a book in your field of interest or professional study…..either way, it’s a way to unwind, disconnect, and relax. Check out a few links below or ask us for help finding something FUN to read this summer!
Tell us about YOUR favorite summer reading book and/or memory.
library, summer reading, summer reading lists, pleasure reading
From July 4 through July 26, 2007, Pakistani educational administrators will arrive at Plymouth State for a three-week institute on program assessment and master plan development. This project, now in its fourth year, entitled the Pakistani Educational Leadership Institute is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
More information on the Institute may be found on the project’s Website. More information on Pakistan may be found by exploring the links below:
General Information
News from Pakistan
- The Nation - This Pakistani publication has been touted “as the most respected publication in English……since its inception in 2000.”
- Online International News Network (OINN) - Pakistan’s leading independent news/photo agency dedicated to issues neglected by the mainstream media.
Check out the library catalog for materials on Pakistan. Ask the Reference Desk for assistance.
Pakistan, education, pelinstitute, Pakistani Educational Leadership Institute, leadership
Lamson Library is hosting a variety of events during Alumni Weekend June 22-24, 2007.
On Saturday, June 23rd, members of the Classes of 1966, 1967 and 1968 are invited to reunite with old friends and classmates in the Tower Room 202.
Special events are scheduled from 2 pm to 4 pm.
Open House in the Spinelli Archives - Upper Level
Archives and Special Collections Librarian, Alice Staples, will offer tours of the newly established University Archives.
Remembering Plymouth State, 1940-1975 - Main Level
Dr. Marcia Blaine will be available to discuss this student-created exhibit based on interviews with alumni.
“myPlymouth….Make It Yours” - Room 102
Information Technology Manager, Ken Kochien, will demonstrate how easy it is to stay connected to PSU even when life takes you elsewhere.
plymouth state university, alumni weekend, library, events
Connect to Beyond Brown Paper.
Beyond Brown Paper is a multi-phased project that involves three collaborative departments at Plymouth State University — Lamson Library’s Michael J. Spinelli Jr. Center for University Archives and Special Collections, Karl Drerup Art Gallery, and the Center for Rural Partnerships.
In this first stage, funded by a grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, 250 of the 11,000 photographs will be scanned with preservation quality resolution. This ensures all subsequent work is done with digital images rather than manipulation of the fragile photographs. These images, which are accessible from this website, will allow users to input written content related to the photographs, or communicate orally directly over a phone via a toll-free number. A computer workstation will be purchased and setup in Berlin. This computer will provide internet access to these images and the capacity for users to provide information on the images in whatever means users feels comfortable with — either by phone or computer. The Arts Alliance of Northern New Hampshire will work as a partner in making connections with Berlin-area community organizations and volunteers and in linking this project to a variety of local cultural initiatives.
The Brown Paper Company Photographic Collection, which is located in Lamson Library’s Michael J. Spinelli Jr. Center for University Archives and Special Collections, documents much of the history of the Brown Paper Company of Berlin, New Hampshire from the late nineteenth century through the mid-1960s. Among the subjects depicted in considerable detail are the varieties of work activity from the felling of trees to the final manufacture of pulp and paper in Berlin and Gorham. Also shown in detail are engineering projects, the construction of mills, and the installation of new equipment and machinery. A significant portion of the collection chronicles the social, cultural, and recreational lives of the workers, their families, and the place of these people in the life of Berlin itself.
scrib:subj=New Hampshire, scrib:subj=Berlin, scrib:format=internet, scrib:format=Learning Object, scrib:hint=Beyond Brown Paper
We’ve got a fancy new myPlymouth, fresh paint on the university website, and now a beta of the new library website.
The site now features new searching technology that makes it easier (hopefully) to find what you’re looking for, and a breeze to explore the collection. Find yourself a novel for the beach or keep up to date with new works covering the 20th Century (browse further and you’ll find an interesting looking book titled Mr. Lincoln’s T-mails).
And if you’re not exactly sure what you’re looking for, just try a simple search. “Anthropology,” for example, brings up the research guide to get you started, and in the right column of the search page you’ll see a list of links that let you further narrow the search. Click around and you might find that we have a few dozen online resources in that area, including three on ethnomusicology.
But this is a beta. That means some…a lot of things don’t work yet, and the whole site might fall apart while we’re working on it. Don’t hesitate to tell us about what’s broken or what you like in the comment forms at the bottom of almost every page (or tell me directly, if you’d like). This is an exciting new step for us, and we want to make it right.
beta, scriblio, website
