Reminder: GRE Preparation

Bloomsburg University is offering a computer-based GRE Practice Test on Saturday, April 14th 11am to 2pm. To register for this practice test and learn about other resources for GRE preparation, check out http://guides.library.bloomu.edu/gre.

Friends don't let friends leave items unattended

There have been several thefts reported in the library over the last few weeks.  Please don't leave your personal items unattended, including book bags, text books, phones, and laptops.   Thank you for your cooperation.

Spotlight on... Christina Walter

This is the next installment in a series of blog posts to help you get acquainted with some of the people who work in the library.  Today we introduce you to one of our student workers.

 

What is your name? Christina M. Walter

What is your major?  Secondary Education English

What do you do in the library?  I am a work study student for the Reference Unit of the library.  I take care of the Reference Collection, making sure that the books are all shelved as well as adding new editions and taking away the older editions.  I also help shelf read the Curriculum and Juvenile section, making sure that the books are in order.  I check the library’s databases to make sure that people can get into them and search them properly, and I take care of any tasks that the reference librarians need done.

What do you enjoy most about your job? The thing I enjoy most about my job is the atmosphere.  Before this job I worked at a very loud and busy restaurant which felt very chaotic, especially since I had worked there while attending school; so the peacefulness of the library I can really appreciate.

What’s the best class you’ve taken at BU? So far my favorite class would have to be, Studies in American Literature, which I am currently taking this semester with Dr. Entzminger.

What else do you want people to know about you?  I really like my job at the library working as a work study student and the people I get to work with.  Also getting to see a lot of interesting books I might have never came across if it was not for working at the library!

Sunshine Week essays posted

The winner of this year's Sunshine Week essay contest was published in The Press Enterprise on Saturday, March 17th.  If you missed it, you can still read all of the winning essays online at the Sunshine Week website.

Here are links to the essays:

• 1st place, by Tammy Stonecypher
• 2nd place, by Kelly Dumrauf
• 3rd place, by Jennifer Smith

Thanks again to all of those who entered. 

Check out our new database, PolicyMap!

PolicyMap is an online GIS mapping tool that gives users access to over 10,000 indicators including census data, crime statistics and city crime rates, health data, IRS migration data, mortgage trends, real estate data, school performance scores, unemployment, and more. It's listed on the Library website > Articles/databases > PolicyMap. Check out the PolicyMap blog for ideas and examples of how to use.

PolicyMap is funded by a 2-year grant from the Department of Community & Economic Development of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, beginning Feb. 2012.

As always, if you have questions please contact your librarian liaison or the Research Center.

Search the new 'test' version of PILOT, the Library Catalog

VuFind Beta, now available on our website, searches the Bloomsburg University's Library Catalog, PILOT.

What is VuFind? VuFind is a new, user-friendly library resource portal, designed and developed for libraries by libraries. It provides features that make searching for books and other library resources easier and more fun to do, like the following:

• clear, easy-to-read records with book covers
• easy-to-apply filters, for topic, format, language, date, genre and more
• capability to send a record by email or by text message
• capability to export a record to RefWorks or EndNote Web 
• 'Cite This' feature for each resource, in both APA and MLA style

Coming soon will be 'shopping cart' features and the ability to tag and share records, so stay tuned!

VuFind is still under construction. Give us your feedback to improve VuFind!

12th Annual Book Sale March 24 - March 26!

The Friends of the Bloomsburg University Library Association (FOBULA) will be holding their 12th Annual Book Sale, which begins March 24 and runs to Monday, March 26 in the Andruss Library Schweiker Room.  The book sale is their largest fundraiser, bringing in $22,000 in the first eleven years, which has gone toward a number of special projects, two of which are the digitization and preservation of local and university historic materials and providing textbook scholarships to deserving students.

FOBULA is accepting donations of books, CDs, DVDs, video tapes, cassettes and even records.  The items can be brought to the Andruss Library Circulation Desk, and if you have a large number that need to be picked up please contact Bob Dunkelberger at 389-4210 or by email (rdunkelb {at} bloomu {dot} edu).  The Friends are looking for all types of books, both fiction and nonfiction, in GOOD condition, that would appeal to a general audience, in addition to movies and music.  Items that do not sell well they would like to discourage include old textbooks (before 2000), magazines, journals, encyclopedias and Reader's Digest condensed books.

The pre-sale for members only is Saturday, March 24 from noon-1, with the regular sale from 1-5.  Come to the Friends’ reception at 11:30 or join at the door (only $30 for 3 years)!

A special thanks to Art and Art History Faculty Emeritus Gary Clark for the design of this year’s flyer.

Guide to Gas Drilling and Groundwater

There's been a lot of talk on campus lately about natural gas drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and its impacts.  To help those interested in the subject, the library has a guide that focuses on these and related subjects.  Visit the guide to find books, articles, and websites. 

Spotlight on... Michael Coffta

This is the next installment in a series of blog posts to help you get acquainted with some of the people who work in the library.  Today we introduce you to one of our research librarians.

What is your name?  Michael Coffta

What is your title?  Research Librarian / Business Subject Specialist

What is a typical day like for you?  My day is often spent helping business students find specific pieces of information, such as economic data.  This is often a challenge, as students often have very specific needs for their data, such as a need for monthly data from a specialized industry.   I develop subject guides and animated tutorials to help students understand research principles and guide them through one or more processes.  I also devote a great deal of time and energy to campus committees.  I am particularly pleased to serve on the BUCC, where we are working on the new General Education Program.

What else should people know about you?  I help people learn.  I help learners get to information to make the world better.  I cannot build a rocket ship, but I can help someone who can build a rocket ship find information to build a better rocket ship.  This sounds gushy but it is the core of why I am a research librarian. 

How can people get in contact with you? My office is Andruss Library 219.  Phone: 570-389-4124. Email:  mcoffta@bloomu.edu