Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Library Open Extended Hours for Finals

Hunter Library will be open extended hours from noon, November 29, to 6p.m., December 11, for students working on research assignments or studying for final exams.  Detailed hours are listed below.

 
Free coffee and other hot beverages will be available around midnight while the library is operating on the expanded schedule.

Check out the library's new Silent Corner for super quiet study on the ground floor.

Friday, November 20, 2015

Library Honors Graduating Assistant

Hunter Library is honoring our December 2015 graduating library assistant by adding a book of her choice to our collections.

Kyra Huffsmith has worked as an Acquisitions Assistant for 3 ½ years, processing the library’s new books, government documents, newspapers, and magazines.  She will graduate from WCU with a B.S.B.A. in Computer Information Systems and hopes to develop software for the field of psychology after graduation.  Kyra is from Gastonia, NC, and is the daughter of Mercy Huffsmith.
Kyra’s book selection is The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom by Jonathan Haidt (Visit our online catalog for more information.)  A label recognizing Kyra’s service to the library is displayed inside the book cover.
Congratulations and best wishes for the future!
 
 

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Check Out a National Book Award Winner

The National Book Award Winners were announced on November 18.


The winners:

Fortune Smiles by Adam Johnson (fiction)
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (nonfiction)
Voyage of the Sable Venus by Robin Coste Lewis

Browse the winners and nominees available at Hunter Library (click on the book cover to get location information):

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Maps Talk-and-Tour Event, Tuesday, November 17, at 3:30pm

In honor of Geography Awareness Week, GIS Day, and International Map Year, Hunter Library is holding a Maps Talk-and-Tour event on Tuesday, November 17 at 3:30 pm in Hunter Library 186. The event will be begin with a talk by Rebecca Dobbs, PhD. Dr. Dobbs teaches human geography in the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources, has published numerous maps, and has taught about maps as well as the art of cartography. In her talk, Maps and the Human World: Beauty, Power, and Promise, Dr. Dobbs will present an overview of cross-cultural map diversity and beauty, consider maps as objects of power that perform work, and discuss participatory mapping as an increasingly important tool of empowerment for communities. In recognition of WCU’s current theme “Africa” and the university’s location within traditional Cherokee territory, examples will emphasize maps as tools of colonialism and empire in Africa and western NC, and the promise of participatory mapping in Indigenous communities.


After the talk, Elizabeth Skene, Digital Initiatives Librarian, will share Hunter Library’s newest collection of Western North Carolina Regional maps. This new digital collection allows users to view maps based on location or by type, such as road maps, topographic maps, and plat maps. Maps in this collection span from the 1800s to the 1970s. This collections also features historic maps of Western Carolina University. Finally, Krista Schmidt, Maps Collection Librarian, will give attendees a tour of Hunter Library’s physical map collection which is over 60,000 items strong and includes standard topographic maps, regional area maps, international maps, oversized atlases, and historical gazetteers.   Of particular interest to event attendees may be the historic maps of the western North Carolina area, including Jackson and surrounding counties, that include aerial views, historic place names, and community changes.

For more information, visit the event website at http://researchguides.wcu.edu/talkandTour.

Tuesday, November 03, 2015

New Books & Films received in October 2015

Here's a sampling of some of the new books and films 
that have arrived at Hunter Library in October 2015. 


 
Sexy baby [videorecording]  
A documentary about sexiness & the cyber age 
Two to Tangle Productions in association with Fork Films presents
Miami Beach, FL: Two to Tangle Productions [2012]


William Jason Peters,
The relationship between anxiety, personality 
characteristics, and working memory performance 
Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest LLC, 2015


Bilingual visual dictionary  
New York: DK Pub, 2008


Traci Buckner and Brian Boyd, 
STEM leadership: how do I create a STEM culture in my school?   
Alexandria, Virginia, USA: ASCD, 2015


Antonio Vivaldi
Concerti per mandolini: RV 93, 425, 532, 558 [sound recording] 
France: Erato, [1984]

Monday, November 02, 2015

Long Night Against Procrastination (LNAP), Monday, November 9, 8pm-2am


What is the LNAP? The Long Night Against Procrastination (LNAP) is a special event to help students accomplish some of their academic goals. Here's what you can expect:

  • Help! WALC writing tutors and Hunter Library’s reference librarians will be available well beyond their normal business hours to help you with writing and research! 
  • Extra quiet study space to prepare for an exam or to work on a research project 
  • Collaborative work spaces. 
  • Stress relieving activities, including a visit from Buddy the therapy dog.
  • Snacks! Food and drink will be provided throughout the evening

What time does it start? 8:00 p.m., but you can register anytime between 8 p.m. and midnight.

What time does it end? 2:00 a.m.! The library normally closes at midnight, but we will be open two extra hours for LNAP participants.

What do I need to bring? Bring a project you are working on--whether it be a research paper or notes to study for an exam. You will be encouraged to make specific goals for the evening. Wear comfy clothes and bring your laptop, if you wish. We will have some computers available. Also, bring your questions for writing tutors and reference librarians.

Do I have to stay the whole time? No. This is an event to help you accomplish your goals--you may leave anytime you are ready.

Will there be food? Yes! Free snacks are available while supplies last!

Do I have to register? Yes please! Sign in when you arrive if you want to take advantage of writing assistance, snacks, or some of the other study break opportunities.

Why are you doing this? This week in November is one the busiest times at Hunter Library--the building and the reference desk. We thought this would be a good time to bring in extra support.
Snuggle your stress away with Buddy, the therapy dog.