Welcome to our second edition. Here is what's currently happening at the Library
WHAT’S NEW
New Reference Titles:
We have enhanced our Reference collection this semester and we invite you to stop by and browse through the new titles. The new reference titles are shelved behind the Reference desk for a short time before they are shelved with the rest of the reference collection.
Government Document News:
Extra copies of the 7.5 minute topo maps of Magdalena, Water Canyon, Socorro, Luis Lopez, Lemitar are being purchased - these popular maps and their plastic hiking folders can be checked out. Visit the map collection on the Library's lower level, near the elevator.
A current favorite web site is the New Mexico Ecological Services of the US Fish and Wildlife: http://ifw2es.fws.gov/NewMexico/ of special interest is the "contaminants" and "species list" links.
The ever popular "Mineral Industry Surveys" are online.
See: http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals
New Government Documents of interest include:
*. The Quality of our nation's waters: nutrients and pesticides ( I 19.4/2:1225)
*. Hydrology and simulation of the ground water flow system in Tooele Valley, Utah ( I 19.42/4: 99-4014)
*. Ground-water quality in alluvial basins that have minimal urban development, south central Arizona ( I 19.42/4: 99-4005)
* Ground-water quality in the Sierra Vista subbasin, Arizona, 1996-97 ( I 19.42/4: 99-4056)
* Agriculture fact book 1998 ( A 1.38/2:998)
Snack Room Update
The copiers and microfiche cabinets and machines have been moved, the tables are in place and the snack room is in operation. The vending machines offer bottled water, fruit drinks and nuts, chips and cookies, and some chocolate! You can bring your own bottled drinks and lunch into the snack room. While you can take your bottled water or other closed drink containers anywhere in the library, we ask that you consume food only in the snack room.
New Resources:
A list of new books is available monthly on the Library Web page. Just click on the link listed under "Tech Library Information", or go to:
http://www.nmt.edu/~nmtlib/ACQUISITIONS/report.html
Map Collection:
Please visit the Map Room on the Garden Level to see the growing collection of National Geographic maps. As with all National Geographic publications, the maps are beautiful and informative. Maps may be checked out for three weeks.
The "Retro Library"
Government Documents Librarian Louise Dano has created a display on the main level containing artifacts, photographs and documents from the "old days." Please stop by!
LIBRARY HOURS
Library hours have been expanded to accommodate student schedules.
During the regular session Tech Library will be open 8 a.m.-midnight, Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday, and 9 a.m.-midnight on Sunday. The Library is closed on legal holidays unless classes are scheduled on those days.
JOBS
The library employs a large number of student workers. Please ask for an application at the Circulation desk if you are interested. If we don't have any openings we will keep your applications on file. We offer State and Federal Workstudy employment as well as non-workstudy student employment.
Into Thin Air, by Jon Krakauer.
A gripping, no-nonsense, factual account of the 1996 Mt. Everest tragedy. Highly recommended, especially for anyone who has thoughts of climbing this mountain. This book will make you think twice; you may want to have a blanket and some extra oxygen nearby when you read this book.
--Brigitte Schimek, Technical Services Librarian
Angela's Ashes, by Frank McCort.
An autobiographical account of the abject poverty of a young man growing up in Ireland, and how he escaped it to come to America. Frank McCort's follow-up to Angela's Ashes is being release this month and is titled Tis. It begins when McCort arrives in America.
-- Joy Thompson, Acquisitions Librarian
The Cat Who Sang for the Birds, by Lillian Jackson Braun
Another in the charming series of "The Cat Who" books, set in Moose County, Alaska. The cat is Koko, a mystery solving Siamese. Koko and Yum Yum, Jim Qwilleran’s sleek Siamese felines are usually content to spend their days eating tasty tidbits playing cat games and napping. But when murder and mystery set the stage, Jim’s mustache starts twitching and Koko’s extrasensory perception solves the mystery and unmasks the bad guy every time.
Charming Billy, by Alice McDermott
This bittersweet story of love lost and found was a National Award Winner and NY Times Bestseller. Billy Lynch’s life as an alcoholic in an Irish-American community is told in reverse. His humor and charm are celebrated at his funeral, and as the story progresses, his life is played out in a captivating, riveting story of love, grief, secret dreams, betrayal, and finally, hope.
The Reader, by Bernhard Schink
In postwar Germany, 15 year old Michael is befriended by middle aged Hannah. Their relationship grows into love, until they betray one another through a misunderstanding. Years later they find themselves thrown together when Hannah is accused of war crimes. A disturbing and enthralling love story that includes passion, regret and finally understanding and forgiveness.
Rose Madder, by Stephen King
The first half of this book deals with an abused wife’s attempt at escaping her brutal marriage. King adds some supernatural twists as the husband closes in on his unsuspecting wife. I couldn’t put it down.
-- Marty Jonas, Circulation Supervisor
Care of the Soul: A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Lives by, Thomas Moore
Because of the profundity of the subject matter contained in this book, I have had to read it at a slow pace, then stop to digest the info. So far, I have understood the author to illustrate that, "we as a people are all well on the way toward soul when we feel an attachment to the world and the people around us, and when we live as much from the heart as from the head".
-- Jeannette Baca, Interlibrary Loan Librarian
FROM OUR SUGGESTION BOX
LIBROS is down again! This library NEEDS a card catalog like every other library.
Response:
We understand how frustrating it can be when the online resources you depend on are not working. However, there are many advantages to online catalogs such as LIBROS. You can access LIBROS when the library is closed or from the comfort of your home or office. You can also export records via email, allowing you to request items via Interlibrary Loan or enabling you to use the information in a bibliography. Online catalogs also make it possible for libraries across the country and even around the world to cooperate in sharing resources.
Most libraries with online capability no longer keep a paper card catalog. The process of typing and filing cards was very labor intensive, and compared with online catalogs, was unproductive.
We will soon have a weekend staff member to help patrons locate materials in the library, even when LIBROS is down.
Since we are not allowed to bring drinks downstairs in the library, I think that the drinking fountain (up & downstairs) should have filters and coolers. It gets hot downstairs and warm, foul-tasting water doesn't help. This is the reason why most students are tempted to bring their own sodas, etc…
Response:
One of the reasons we reconsidered our "No food/No drink" policy was that the water in our water fountains tastes awful! We do allow travel mugs, water bottles, and other non-spill beverage containers to be used in the library. We ask that you keep open containers such as cans of soda in the new snack room. Soda bottles with lids are allowed beyond the snack room.
However, we do ask you to be careful with drinks – we want to keep the library a clean and pleasant place for all users. In fact, this is one reason that the food and drink policy was so stringent. In the old library (located in the Speare building) food and drink was allowed, and the carpet and furnishings became stained and unpleasant.
The decision not to have chilled water fountains was made in 1990, when the library was being planned. Cost was the deciding factor. We agree that the water is unpleasant, and have considered changing the water fountains to provide chilled water, which would improve the taste considerably. At the same time, there is a cost involved and the cost must be weighed against other needs.
I noticed you put Xerox machines on the first floor where study tables used to be. Now there seems to be less large tables in the library. This [sic] tables are nice because students can spread their work out on the tables. Also students usually study in groups and now there is less places to go. Also the little individual booths along the walls are too small to spread out and the lighting is poor with shadows being cast on the reading surface. You also rearranged the second floor so there are less tables but more sitting (lounging area). We need more large tables.
Response:
We have noticed that students like to use tables to study. The tables that used to be located where the copiers are now (on the first floor) have been relocated to the north. It did take some time to get the furniture moved around after creating the snack room. We did put smaller tables in what used to be the copy room so students can eat while they study. This is a big change in a library that used to prohibit consumption of any food or drink.
The number of tables on the second floor has not changed. We have discussed ordering more tables and study carrels for the library. We appreciate your input.
Patron Suggestions
We welcome your suggestions! There are several ways that you may let us know:
Please stop by the library for assistance in sending an online suggestion. Suggestions and responses will be posted on the library bulletin board near the entrance.