As some of you may be aware, Sabrina is currently staring in The Wiz, as the Wiz. The Wiz is a musical adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. The Star Tribune ran a review of show in today's paper. Read the review here:http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/onstage/17825639.html
A great link list of online manuscript collections has been compiled by The Classical Bookworm. Click the manuscript page to see a lot of really cool medieval illuminations!
mini-quiz question: what's the fancy word for the earliest books produced by the printing press?
Name the seven different types of materials found in the Periodicals Room
Here is a kind-a Valentines day trivia.
1. What is the best selling Valentines candy?
2. What are the 8 original flavors of the wafers made by the same company?
3. What does the company name stand for?
Are you more right brain or left brain?
Find out here: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22535838-5012895,00.html
Part 1: What are the four states that have a city or town named Berkeley?
Part 2: In which of these states did the Berkeley Public Library open in 1893?
Part 3: That library was broken into branches due to a population boost, one of the branches had very unique non-book items that could be borrowed, what unique items could you borrow from this branch?
If you have never heard it, Billy Joel's "Piano Man" is a narrative song about a man who plays piano in a piano bar and the various characters he interacts with on a regular Saturday night. You can find the lyrics at his official website, here.
The characters in the "story" of the song include:
Manager (who gives him a smile)
Waitress (who is practicing politics)
Paul (a real-estate novelist)
Davy (a lifer in the navy)
John (get him his drinks for free)
Old man (making love to his tonic and gin)
Businessmen (getting stoned)
and, of course, the Piano Man himself.
Using famous literary figures (anyone from Plato to Grisham), cast these roles with whomever you think appropriate. The most creative answer will win a prize.
Good luck!
Here's a movie trivia picture challenge that is a different kind of pre-Halloween horror. Because this one is so difficult, I will give you a couple of clues: Viet Nam, Motion Pictures Association of America ratings controversy, and this was one of the first films made by the female lead, who went on to become a very popular tv series star (and no, the female lead is not K. D. Lang, and that's a man in the picture).
If no one gets it, I will give you another clue later on.
Good luck!
I'm blogging for a couple reasons (1. I just figured out how. So hopefully this works, and 2. I just think this is awesome)
http://www.freerice.com/index.php
Go to the website above and you can improve vocabulary (Don't do it the month before the GRE like me, but make it part of your college career and the GRE won't be painful). And, you can also, through playing, donate rice to starving people.
According to UThink:Blogs at the U, our blog is number 15 in blogs with the most comments.
The University Libraries is setting up a series of photo shoots that will be used in publicity and publications and are in need of students to appear in the pictures. Students will be paid for their time.
Details are as follows:
Days - Monday through Wednesday (October 8 -10)
Time - Monday and Tuesday from 8:30 - 4:30pm and Wednesday from 8:30am - 12:30pm.
Staff needed: Up to three students at one time for anywhere from 1 - 3 hour blocks of time.
Information needed: Name, times and days available, and campus location of where they will prior to this time (St Paul, East bank, West bank). Knowing where the student will be located will help with the scheduling. Shots will be taken throughout the libraries and in various locations.
Any student interested should contact Jerrie Bayer at j-baye@umn.edu with the information as soon as possible.
While I completely agree with Kyle that few, if any, movies have surpassed the mastery, techincal achievement, brilliant story telling, and compelling characters that 1997's "Titanic" brought into our lives; there is another facet of our movie going experience; nay, our lives; that makes our world a brighter, happier place. I write, of course, of Disney. The joy of this amazing corporation that has found a way to improve every part of our lives. Who hasn't grown up loving the artistry, songs, and story telling in our favorite Disney animated features. Who hasn't gone to Disneyland/Disney World and had the time of their lives? Who hasn't posed for a picture with Mickey or Minnie, only to frame it later? Who hasn't learned all they need to know about love from the Disney princesses? Who hasn't watched the Disney Channel, listened to Radio Disney, wanted to be a Disney Channel star? No one I know or want to know, that's for sure. Let's all take a moment to appreciate the wonder that is Disney and thank it for illuminating what would otherwise be dull, listless lives.
Help the environment by using blackle.com as your search engine. Blackle is a black background version of google that helps by saving over 750 mega watts/hour per year.
While surfing the internet today I discovered something interesting and library related. Author Ernest Vincent Wright wrote a novel, "Gadsby" which contains over 50,000 words and never once does he use the letter "E." You can read about it and a few of the chapters at http://www.spinelessbooks.com/gadsby/
As all of you know, this Friday will be my last day with the University Libraries.
As I prepare to move on from the University, I wanted to thank all of you for creating such a wonderful & welcoming work environment each and every day. The experience of working with so many fabulous student employees has truly enriched my life. The co-workers I've been honored to to work with in our unit and throughout the Libraries have likewise been amazing. The experiences I've had over the past year and seven months at the University are treasures that I will carry with me.
Thank you!
Congratulations to our Outstanding Library Student Employee Award Winners, Charlie Heinz and Oanh Nguyen. This award is presented to two students each year by the Friends of the Libraries.
Charlie has been a valued part of the University Libraries student work force since October 2004, including his current position at Wilson Library Periodicals & Course Reserve. As noted in his nomination, “Charlie models the most positive and proactive customer service skills.”
Oanh has been working in the Business Library since 2005. Her nomination included this high praise, “Her enthusiasm, dedication, and competence make her a great asset to the University Libraries.”
Please join us in congratulating Charlie on this honor.
Horray, horray! Shelfreading of the Art Exhibition Catalog has been completed. This is the first time this collection has been shelfread in over 20 years (we think).
BIG THANKS to Brandon, Kyle, Marge and Adam who helped chip away at this project since October 2006.
In all, 146 items were found to be misshelved -- that's 3.5% of the Art Exhibition materials. 32 items were so seriously misshelved that we probably would not have found them in a typical search. Patrons in need of these items will now have a better chance of getting what they need, when they need it.
Congratulations on a job well done, and thank you for your hard work.
Our very own employee, Joe, was featured with a letter to the editor in today's Minnesota Daily. Check it out at:
http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2007/03/02/71006
Yesterday, the Libraries had to shut down quickly, and so many people helped to make this work. Thank you!
Thanks to Maggie who faithfully attended to the Reserve desk til the end yesterday and Brandon who valiantly scoured teh basement to make sure each and every patron knew about the closing. Thanks to Charlie and Darin V. who were here bright and early on this blustery morning to greet patrons. I am so proud of how everyone has contributed to providing great service over this past week of severe weather.
The following is a note from Jerrie Bayer, conveying all our appreciation:
I wanted to thank our student workers for the assistance you provided yesterday in notifying staff and students of the official closing and in clearing the buildings. While some of us anticipated that an announcement would be made, in reality we had only a short period of time between the official announcement and the time the buildings needed to be cleared and staff notified to leave or not come into work.
Thank you for staying until the end to help out. We pulled together and got everything shut down and the buildings cleared. I appreciate all you did.
Thanks. And, thank you to all of you who made it into work this morning to ensure our services opened and available to our users.
-- Jerrie
Here is an important message from the Vice Provost for Student Affairs. This may be valuable information to you or a friend.
The new Student Mental Health web site www.mentalhealth.umn.edu is a web resource designed for students, their parents, faculty, and staff who are looking for student mental health information and related resources at the University of Minnesota. We recommend that you bookmark this site.
According to a recent survey, nearly half of all college students report feeling so depressed that they have trouble functioning, and 15 percent meet the criteria for clinical depression. Untreated depression can lead to suicide, which is the second leading cause of death among college students. Students can access mental
health services at:
• Boynton Health Service (http://www.bhs.umn.edu/services/mentalhealth.htm), and
• University Counseling and Consulting Services (http://www.ucs.umn.edu/).
Disability Services (http://ds.umn.edu) provides assistance with academic accommodations for students with diagnosed mental health conditions.
One day you will tell your grandchildren about card catalogs. They may not believe you, but I have a feeling there will be plenty of archeological evidence hanging around, even then to prove their existance.
Visit: cArtalog for another one of those fun card catalog recycling projects!
The Universirty of Iowa has pulled together this project in which students, teachers, community artists and storytellers have worked together to create a lasting memorial to this bygone library technology.
Check out the gallery, adopt a card of your own, or read the history of the catalog (especially for those of you who may be thinking: yeah, I heard about those things but never used one).
It is that time again that many of you have been waiting for. Yes, Girl Scout cookies are available for ordering.
This year you can order the cookies right here in the library. They are $3.50 a box and the choices are: Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Shortbread, Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Reduced Fat Cartwheels (oatmeal & cinnamon), Thanks-A-Lot (shortbread dipped in fudge), and Lemonades.
If interested, contact Lanaya Stangret in 499 Wilson Library at either 612-624-9339, or stangret@umn.edu
Don’t wait - orders must be placed by February 1.
Jerrie
I am curious what everyone is up to...
How has the break been for you?
What are your plans?
Do you want school to start again, or are you (like me) saying, "Not yet...I'm still digesting that last helping." :)
Which movie (if any) are you most interested in seeing over break?
Post at your leisure!
Augustine said, "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."
Over Winter Break, look for daily posts by guest bloggers. They'll bring you fun, hilarities, excitement and a break from my "business-as-usual" posts :)
The food drive for the U's Month of Kindness has wrapped up. Thanks to everyone who made this such a success. We collected 62 food items and $28 to donate to Open Arms of Minnesota.
Happy holidays one and all!
The unit's Food Drive is happening through this Friday, December 8.
So far, we have collected 40 items to donate. A change box is also available if you want to make a cash donation.
Remember, every little bit counts. Consider bringing in just one food item, or donating your pocket change.
Click here for more information about the Food Drive and month of kindness.
This week’s fun facts are courtesy of Gourmet.
Ronald McDonald is second only to Santa Claus among fictional figures familiar to American schoolchildren, with a 96% recognition rate.
The Aztecs were making peanut butter 1,000 years ago, but they used it as toothpaste not food.
Last summer, the Norwegian government and the Global Crop Diversity Trust began construction on an international repository carved out of ice and rock that will eventually hold 3 million seeds. It is expected that the seeds will remain frozen for at least 100 years.
Enjoy your week.
Last week's question was Do other places in the world besides the Great Lakes experience lake-effect snow?
If you like snow and a lot of it, yes there are other areas in the world that experience lake-effect snow. These narrow very intense bands of precipitation occur off bodies of water such as the Great Lakes and Hudson Bay. Additionally, some parts of Japan, Korea and Scandinavia also experience this phenomenon.
Thanks to Jacey for her answer.
This week's trivia will be posted shortly.
This week’s trivia is for those who cannot wait for snow and a lot of it. Send your answers to Jerrie at: j-baye@umn.edu
Do other places in the world besides the Great Lakes experience lake-effect snow?
Answer posted at the end of the week.
Hello,
Below is an email sent from Boynton Health Service. If you can safely receive a vaccination, please do. In our jobs, we are all in contact with the public. Shots are free to University students and staff.
This year, due to the high volume of vaccine produced, public health
officials are strongly urging everyone who can safely receive an influenza
vaccination to do so. Keep in mind that by receiving a vaccination you
are not only protecting yourself from a serious respiratory infection
but you are also protecting those close to you. Do it for the herd!
The last walk in flu clinics are being held on:
November 27 10 am - 4 pm Boynton Health Service
November 29 10 am - 6 pm Coffman Union Great Hall
November 30th 10 am - 4 pm Boynton Health Service
These clinics are open to all University students, staff and faculty.
This is a free service to all University students, staff and faculty.
There is a $25 charge for all non-university patients.
Clinics this year have been provided through Boynton Health Service,
Employee Benefits, School of Nursing and College of Pharmacy.
Thanks for both Jacey and Charlie for their responses.
1) What country was ranked by the United Nations as the best country to live in? This country has won the honor for the sixth consecutive year, prompting one government minister to tell its citizens to quit whining about wanting more.
2) What other counties make up the top five?
Based on criteria that included life expectancy, education and income, the U.N. human development index listed Norway as the best place to live for the sixth consecutive year.
Numbers two – five are Iceland, Australia, Ireland, and Sweden. The United Sates came in seventh following Canada and Japan.
Due to the holiday, there will be no trivia question next week. Jerrie
After graduation are you
• Thinking of moving to another state and saving some money?
• Wanting to purchase books that are not required for a course?
• Going fishing somewhere in the Great Lakes?
• Possibly taking some steps to become more “green” in your life?
If so, you may want to consider the following fun facts courtesy of the Sierra Club.
The Bank of America has begun handing out checks of $3,000 to employees in Boston, Los Angeles, and Charlotte, North Carolina who buy a hybrid car. In doing so, the company joins other go-green companies such as Timberland ($3,000 per hybrid driving employees) and Google ($5,000 to employees when they buy any vehicle that gets 45 miles or more to the gallon).
Random House (largest publishing company in the U.S.) has announced that by 2010, 30 percent of the paper in its books will be recycled. The company controls 13 percent of the adult trade book market. Yippee for the trees!
Michigan has taken matters into its own hands and has set new rules that will cut mercury emissions from coal fired powered plants by 90 percent by the year 2015. Illinois and Minnesota are among other states that plan to take similar action. Go ahead – plan a future fishing trip for Lake Michigan. You can eat what you catch without worrying about losing brain cells!
Looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind holiday gift?
The University of Minnesota Arts Quarter is hosting its first annual Holiday Art Sale in the West Building of the Regis Center for Art, Thursday December 7th and Friday December 8th, 2006, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. A wide variety of original student artwork will be available for purchase, including ceramics, prints, photographs, paintings, and more. Arts Quarter is a student arts organization and proceeds not only benefit the student artists but will go towards future shows and different art events held on the West Bank Arts Quarter. Cash and check will be accepted. All sales are final.
Jerrie
Wilson Reserve & Periodicals will celebrating the U's "Month of Kindness" by collecting non-perishable food items. If we meet our goal of at least 50 items (that's around 2 per person), students and staff will receive a surprise treat Dec. 6 - 8. Donations will be accepted at Jerrie's desk through Dec 10, and we will also have a donation jar if you choose to contribute change or cash -- every little bit counts!
Some ideas of what to donate:
* Breakfast bars & other breakfast foods
* Snacks like microwave popcorn, nuts, candy
* High protein foods like canned beans, chili, jerky, canned meats
* Must be non-perishable
* Must be at least 6 months to a year from the expiration date
* Pocket change
The food and cash we collect will be donated to Open Arms of Minnesota, a charitable organization that delivers meals to people in the metro area who are living with chronic illnesses - HIV/AIDS, Breast Cancer, ALS and MS. Many are not able to leave their homes, and Open Arms is their sole source of food and nutrition. Volunteers deliver meals on a daily basis, also bringing cheer and warmth into each person's life.
From the Open Arms website, here is further information about what they accomplish:
"We are proud and excited to be able to provide more than 500 meals to clients each weekday. We delivered nearly 112,000 meals in 2005. In the first six months of 2006, we prepared 66,815 meals, which is 15,000 more meals than in the same period of 2005. Thanks for your support as we deliver food, support and hope to people with HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, MS and ALS in the metro area. With your help, we continue to meet the need."
November is celebrated as the "Month of Kindness" at the University of Minnesota. Students, faculty & staff across the University have spread kindness through service projects, fundraisers, food drives, and clothing drives. Visit Month of Kindness at the U of MN for more information.
Following last week’s trend, we have another question related to current events.
This week we have a two-part question.
1) What country was ranked by the United Nations as the best country to live in? This country has won the honor for the sixth consecutive year, prompting one government minister to tell its citizens to quit whining about wanting more.
2) What other counties make up the top five?
Once again, please send your answers to Jerrie at j-baye@umn.edu
What crucial test did the incoming U.N secretary-general recently pass with much praise from the president of a western European nation?
Parlez-vous francais? If you want to be the U.N secretary-general, the answer better be – mais oui !
French and English are both working languages of the U.N. and France insists that all U.N. secretary-generals speak the diplomatic language of French. After detailed research, Charlie provided the correct answer. Way to go Charlie !
Next week’s trivia will be posted later today. Be sure to check back.
au revoir. Jerrie
What crucial test did the incoming U.N secretary-general recently pass with praise from the president of a western European nation?
Email your answer to Jerrie at j-baye@umn.edu
The answer (according to the Associated Press) will be posted at the end of the week.
QUAIL MAN, cartoon character Doug's superhero alterego.
Interesting....he bears a striking resemblance to our own student worker Kyle....
"Doug's primary superhero and alter-ego, Quailman (along with sidekick, Quaildog AKA Porkchop) rescued the world on numerous occasions. Seen often wearing a cape, clean underwear over his pants, and a belt around his head, Quailman was a match for any evildoer using his three 'powers' -- patience, intelligence and speed."
Read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug
Email Margaret your scariest or funnest Halloween costume pics for posting to the Blog. Let's have fun!
Take a picture of your Halloween costume, or better yet, wear one to work (if you work Tuesday). We'll post all of your fabulous Halloween costumes to the blog....just email Margaret the file.
Rumor has it that two people are dressing up as Willie Wonka and a certain character from Top Gun. Hope to see the pics next week to prove this rumor true!
Welcome back to John and Brent who are back after summer break.
We also have four new students who have started this week: Marie, Shaylee, Justin and Daryn (that's right, we now have two Darin/Daryn's!).
Make sure to welcome these new faces that you will see and help them out as they are learning the ropes.
I read a bit of library humor in the Onion today... check it out!
I'm going to be out of the office, leaving today (Friday) at 3 pm. I'll be back next Wednesday August 2. I'll be in Chicago at a family event. You can consult the white board and check in with Meg about Periodicals tasks in my absence.
