Toshiko Takaezu

"Endless Circle" Rededication Ceremony

Interested in learning more about Toshiko Takaezu and some of the history behind the Endless Circle ?  Andruss Library has added a new page on our website with links to books, articles, websites, films, interviews and historical photographs all about Toshiko Takaezu and her connection to Bloomsburg University:   http://guides.library.bloomu.edu/ToshikoTakaezu
 
On Thursday October 6^th, the BU College of Liberal Arts hosted a rededication ceremony for the reinstallation of the Endless Circle (1989) bronze bell on a new structure, a white oak Japanese Gate.   Bloomsburg University commissioned the ceramic artist, Toshiko Takaezu, in the mid 1980’s to fashion a cast bronze bell in memory of Dr. Percival Roberts, beloved chairperson of the Art Department and a good friend of the artist.  Endless Circle was created on campus in the old Simon Hall Sculpture Studios, using the lost wax bronze sculpture method and through a collaborative effort involving Toshiko Takaezu and Bloomsburg University ceramic arts faculty and students.  Dean Brown gave the opening remarks and Emeritus Professor Karl Beamer presented the keynote address in the Sculpture Garden outside the Andruss Library.   Emeritus Professor Beamer continued his talk about the history of the making of the Endless Circle on the third floor of the Andruss Library, where the ceramic art of Toshiko Takaezu is permanently displayed. 

Also located on the third floor is BU Archivist Bob Dunkelberger's exhibit Beautifying Bloomsburg: Outdoor Art on the University Campus  showcasing the history behind all of the beautiful sculpture located here on campus, including historical records and photos related to the Endless Circle. 

RemoteApp Access

We are aware of the issue with RemoteApp not connecting through the start menu. 

In the meantime, you can go to:

https://remoteapp.buad.bloomu.edu/RDWeb

then put in your credentials and you can still access the programs through IE

GRE Preparation

Want to conquer the GRE?  Want to reduce the stress of taking the GRE?  The University's GRE Preparation Program can help you. 

For more info, go to http://guides.library.bloomu.edu/gre

For info on test prep for other tests, such as the GMAT, go to http://guides.library.bloomu.edu/testprep

Where to print in the Library

For quick printing, go up to the 3rd or 4th floors and print from one of the many computers located on the floor (near the back and sides of the floor). The printing room is located in the same area as on the 1st and 2nd floor.

Did you know you can also print from any computer in the library to the 3rd or 4th floor using WebPrint? Here's how:

1. Launch an internet browser.
2. Go to this website: https://papercut.buad.bloomu.edu
3. Enter your HuskyID username and password and click “Log In.”
4. Click on “WebPrint”
5. Click on “Submit a Job >>”
6. Pick a printer. The choices include printers in the library and the Kehr Union Games Room.
7. Set your Options: (typically Copies:1)
8. Browse for the document you want to print and click “Upload & Complete.”
9. The Webprint service will now submit your job to the printer. You can go collect it when it says: “Finished: Queued for printing”.
10. When done, click “Log Out” on the menu.

National Survey of State Laws

The Andruss Library recently purchased the 7th edition of the National Survey of State Laws for the print Reference Collection, and as a 'perk' the publisher is providing online access to it. Like all our databases, it can only be accessed via the library website, http://library.bloomu.edu > Databases A-Z & By Subject, 'N'...

The online version provides the same content from the current 7th edition, as well as from the 6th and 5th editions, giving an overview of controversial legal topics in the U.S. and enabling users to make state-by-state comparisons of current state laws. Browse eight major legal categories, or browse laws by topic. For help, view this guide.

Legal research databases

Access to Westlaw Campus Research has been discontinued, effective 7/1/2016. Electronic resources are periodically evaluated in terms of their fit for the curriculum, usage, and cost, and the library's recent analysis of Westlaw Campus Research determined that access to Lexis-Nexis Academic: Legal Research was sufficient for the BU curriculum. 

To access Lexis-Nexis Academic: Legal Research, go to the library website > Databases A-Z & By Subject, and select 'L', scrolling until you reach the database. You may search for Federal and State Cases, Federal and State Statutes and Regulations, Landmark Cases, Legal Reference, Law Reviews, Patent Search, & Shepard's® Citations (click on 'Search by Subject or Topic' to view the different options for searching).

As always, if you have a question about library databases and resources, Ask A Librarian.

You Spoke: Group Study Rooms

Welcome to the second in a series of posts about the LibQual Survey results.  Today we are talking about group study rooms in the library.

You had a lot to say about the group study room situation!  Of the 664 comments that we received, 158 of them indicated we should have more group study rooms.   This was the #1 comment that we received.

Additional recurring comments (26) asked for library employees to monitor/enforce the number of people in the rooms or asked to have a reservation system (16).  Other comments suggested giving preference to larger groups in the rooms, putting a time limit on the rooms, and creating a system to let you know which rooms were taken.

Believe me, we have thought a lot about the group studies in the library.  The truth is that we are at the limit of group study rooms that we can have.  The library has 32 group study rooms.  This is the highest number of group study rooms in the entire PASSHE system.  Millersville University Library has the next highest number of group study rooms, with 14 (and they have 8,000 students compared to our 10,000 students).  We even have more group study rooms than much larger universities.  Towson University Library--with 22,500 students--provides only 1 group study room.

So, while we understand that the high number of group study rooms leads to correspondingly high expectations of finding one,  it’s not possible at this time to add additional rooms. 

What we can promise is this:

• While groups have priority in the rooms, we do want them to be used as much as possible.  So, a single person is welcome in the rooms but may be asked to leave if a group needs the space.  Be sure to ask at the Circulation Desk if you are a group in need of a room, and we will do our best to find a room for you.
• We know that study spaces are at a premium especially during midterms and finals.  Over the past two years, the Director of Library Services has worked with the Office of Student Affairs to make additional study spaces available during finals, in such places at Monty’s and the Student Union.  We will continue to work to make additional study spaces available outside of the library during finals, and are investigating ways to make additional study spaces available at other times during the semester. 

If you have questions about the LibQual survey comments, please contact Katie Yelinek.

You Spoke: LibQual Results

Welcome to the first in a series of posts about the 2015 LibQual Survey results.  Over this semester, these posts will go into some detail about the comments and ratings you left for us when you filled out the LibQual survey, and they will let you know how we in the library are responding to them. 

First, thanks to the over 1800 of you who took the time to complete the survey.  Your comments and ratings (both positive and negative) gave us a good snapshot of the feeling on campus about the library.

Now, a short summary of the results.  

The top three written comments we received were:
1) You need to have more group study rooms
2) I love the library/it is a nice place to be
3) Library employees are nice/helpful/do a good job

The three statements that were rated mostly highly (you thought we were doing well in these areas) were:
1) A community space for group learning and group study
2) Giving users individual attention
3) Quiet space for individual activities

The three statements that were rated lowest (you thought we weren't doing so well in these areas) were:
1) A community space for group learning and group study
2) Readiness to respond to users’ questions
3) Print and/or electronic journal collections I require for my work

How does "A community space for group learning and group study" end up as both rated high and rated low?  Undergraduate and graduate students rated us low on this category, but other user groups rated us high in this category.

Future blog posts will look more in depth at these results, as well as other written comments that we received.  If you have questions about the LibQual survey results, please contact Katie Yelinek.

Scheduled Maintenance

2016 National Survey of Student Engagement

Library's Newest Addition

Andruss Library renovations are now complete and the new alcove area through the arches is now open and available.

Come check it out!

(click the link "Read More" below for picture)