Book Sale!

Hey, Belmon(s)ters! Got a great book tucked away in your travel bag? If not, you should stop by Lila's house (okay, the library) and pick up a book sale treasure. $1 for hardbacks and $.50 for paperbacks, today through Friday morning. See you soon!

Who's in?

Do Nothing But Read Day is coming up. Fortunately it falls *after* finals and *before* much of the holiday hustle and bustle. Image a December 20th filled with the rustle of turning pages and the hum of churning thoughts...I don't know about you, but I just got goosebumps! Get in on the inaugural celebration of a holiday that is sure to catch on!!!

Thank-fall!

The fashionable folks at ModCloth--thanks to their Thanksgiving Thank-a-Thon Blog Contest-- have inspired Lila to identify some things that make her thankful.

1. The first is Thanksgiving Break. Lila is shuttering the library on Thursday and Friday, so don't even think about stopping by. At this point in the semester, we all need a break. Enjoy it! And the library will be open on Saturday (from noon - 4:30pm) and Sunday (from 5 - 11pm), so you'll be able to get back in the swing of things before classes begin.

2. Studious Belmonters. Nothing delights Lila more than hosting a full house of dilligent students. Keep up the good work! Remember if you need quiet space to do that readin' or to get your study on, the lower level (basement) is the place to be.

3. New books and stuff. They just keep coming...it's like TJ Maxx sez: [Bunch Library is] never the same place twice!

4. Unseasonably warm and sunny weather. You may think this is an excuse to avoid the library, but there are so many sunny window spots where you can take it all in AND be productive at the same time!!!

5. More computers. If all of the computers in the reference area are taken you can go into McWhorter and log on. Lila hates turning students away and now that McWhorter is open she doesn't have to (unless they want color or free printing...)!

6. Sensible shoes. Lila hates to perpetuate fuddy-duddy librarian stereotypes, but with so many leaves concealing so many cracks/holes/pits one has to take precautions.

What are you thankful for? Post-fall-break extended library hours? More soft chairs? Noiseless nooks and cozy crannies? Let Lila know!

Not just about the books?

This CNN article captures some of the current thought about the purpose of libraries and the role of librarians. We all know that libraries are places where you can get information (free!!!) and comfortably read, react, and respond to it. But libraries are increasingly taking on the role of community or social centers, where users can meet, discuss and debate this information. While Lila still loves books, nothing makes her happier than seeing a group of students collaborating on a project in one of the study rooms or helping a student find useful resources in one of the online databases. Whatever changes come, Lila will roll with the punches and continue to look out for the BU community's information needs!

Lila's Rival?

Lila likes to keep tabs on her local competition...Lipscomb's Beaman Library, Vanderbilt's Central Library, Nashville Public Library, etc. Nashville Public just made the City Paper with news about their downloadable audio books, eBooks, music and videos. Sufficient reason to get that Natty Public card? I agree. Take an ID and an official-ish letter with your current (i.e. Nashville) address to your branch and get started.

"Research" online?

One of the major problems of conducting research online is that we tend to scan and not critically read the content. Another is the huge amount of rubbish clogging up those internet tubes ... Lila can't really help you out with the former, but here's a pointer on the latter. RUSA (a branch of the American Library Association) just announced The Best Free Reference Web Sites 2009. You've no doubt heard of and used some of these web pages (BBC Country Profiles, FastWeb, Purdue Online Writing Lab) but many will be new to you. The list includes information on why the selected web sites are so amazingly useful, what kind of info you'll find, and who maintains the site. Check out the list and see what you think!

Extended Hours

As of Monday, October 19, the library will stay open until 12:30am on weeknights. That's right, an extra 1.5 hours of reading/meeting/studying enjoyment. I know, I know...you're so welcome.

Monday-Thursday 7:30am - 12:30am
Friday 7:30am - 7:00pm
Saturday 9:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm - 12:30am