Digitizing History

The Library of Congress offers a peek into their historic photo collection. This project launched January 2008. Through a collaborative effort between Library of Congress and online photo sharing service Flickr, photos from the "Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information" to "the George Grantham Bain News Service, selected panoramic photographs, and other photos from the collections..." can be viewed. The photos can be found at the Library of Congress' photostream.

Nielsen Library also has hundreds if not thousands of rare and beautiful photos of people and places in the San Luis Valley. Reference Librarian Paul Mascarenas and Adams State College Student Bedawi Gomez have begun scanning these photos and posting them to Flickr. There are photos donated from local historian Ruth Marie Colville to pictures that have been stored in the archives for well over 25 years. Photos date from late 1800's & early 20th century. Pictures of downtown Alamosa in 1919 to Old La Veta Pass are now available on Flickr. This is a culturally significant project that gives the community of the San Luis Valley an opportunity to view, comment, and tag photos that might not otherwise be seen. Photos can be seen at Nielsen Library's photostream.

Paul

Summer reading...Summer romance

Although the weather does not indicate that summer is near, we can take comfort in curling up with a good book. The problem is deciding on what to read. Should you visit your library and peruse the shelves, read book reviews, ask your co-worker what she/he is reading, Oprah?

Allow me to toss my two cents into this reading conundrum. Recently NPR aired a story about the publishing industry, more specifically: Romance Novels. You may be chuckling to yourself or you may be tempted to add a steamy novel to your summer reading list. The report was specific to author Elsie Washington, under the pen name Rosalind Welles, who is touted as the first African-American romance novelist. If you have noticed the book covers up to this point have been filled with bare chested men and enraptured women, "Lots of passion, zilch diversity." This would be Washington's only romance novel but it set the tone for aspiring "ethnic novelists" and readers. Her novel is entitled Entwined Destinies.

Another article on CNN discusses the impact romance novels has on the publishing industry. After many successful years of hard bodies and plot lines that may even make me blush, romance novels are responsible for $1.375 billion dollars in book sales each year.

Paul

Continued Support for Libraries

"If the government can bail out the banks that are so deeply implicated in our current troubles-and is about to give them another huge helping of cash...why can't it support libraries and schools and publishing by stocking the public bookshelves with inviting new books and hiring staff to keep the doors open?" This quote from columnist Katha Pollitt referring to stimulus funding in the January 22, 2009 copy of The Nation.

With all of this money going to rebuild our infrastructure, shouldn't our institutions of education benefit? There is a bill currently in legislation that has yet to receive the support of our senators. If you could take 10 minutes out of your day and call them to sign the "Dear Colleagues" letter being ciruclated by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) in support of funding for Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program.

Both of our senators are new this year and may have yet to hear how important it is to support our libraries and schools through continued LSTA funding. ASC Nielsen Library has received two LSTA grants in order to purchase 20 laptops for our students, staff, and faculty to check out as well as take them into our community and teach basic computer classes. We know first hand how beneficial this legislation is to both our campus community and neighboring communities.

Please contact our senators and ask them to sign the Reed/Snowe "Dear Colleagues" letter for libraries.

Mark Udall: 202-224-5941 || Michael Bennett: 202-244-5852

For more information about the letter, and for an e-mail option to voice your , please visit:

http://capwiz.com/ala/issues/alert/?alertid=13189976&PROCESS=Take+Action

What do boxing cats, Google, & Library of Congress have in common?

They can all be found on NPR's new blog. Learn about Google and how they scan millions of library books. Find out how the online photo sharing service Flickr has now influenced YouTube to partner with the Library of Congress to post not only rare photos, but now videos. Yes, you guess it...of cats boxing.

Take a look at the wealth of information available on National Public Radio's Library blog. It can be accessed at www.npr.org/blogs/library

Blog entitled "...as a matter of fact" reports on topics ranging from Google's book scanning patent to recent news about the Swine Flu or what is now being referred to as H1N1 virus.

Enjoy

Mobile Lab presented at LOEX in Albuquerque

Librarians Nancy Trimm and Paul Mascarenas recently presented a poster session at LOEX Conference, Blazing Trails: On the Path to Information Literacy in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The session, Librarians Without Borders: Techie Spaces, highlights programs developed by Public Services-Instruction Librarian Brooke Andrade; Public Services-Reference Librarian Paul Mascarenas & Reference & Instruction Librarian from Mesa County Public Library Nancy Trimm.

In the session, librarians Trimm & Mascarenas discussed their respective community outreach programs wherein they take laptops to neighboring communities and teach basic computer classes. The response was overwhelmingly positive from local librarians hosting classes in their communities. The response from today's LOEX poster session was well received. Trimm & Mascarenas were able to share this unique project with librarians from across the states. Former Nielsen Library Reference Librarian Phil Jones stopped by to say 'Hi' and learn about Mobile Laptops. Also stopped by for a visit was Fort Lewis College Reed Library Director Ben Wakashige.

For more information about this project visit www.techtraining.weebly.com

What is President Obama Reading?

According to a report in The New Yorker, the President is reading a novel to take his mind off of all that executive branch business. Netherland, a 2008 novel by Joseph O'Neill, is about a Dutch man in New York City after September 11. The book was a bestseller in the United States and won the 2009 Pen/Faulkner Award for Fiction.

Are you interested in checking out the novel that the most powerful man in the world is reading? Although Nielsen Library does not own a copy (yet!), it can be borrowed in Marmot via a patron placed hold. Come to the 2nd floor reference desk or call 719-587-7879 for more information.

Introducing the Nielsen Library Information Commons

Malenfant (2006) states that "the best way to keep the Library a vital and effective resource for students..." is the "transformation of the Library into an Information Commons." Nielsen Library at Adams State College has been working on the second floor Information Commons for over a year. The process began last year with a complete overhaul of the second floor. The great staff of ASC students and librarians worked tirelessly to weed the government document collection, paint, and move shelving and furniture, completely transforming the second floor.

The plan is to meet the challenges of the 21st century student. Not only that, but to provide a space for students to study, collaborate, and work on projects in a comfortable environment.

The IC at Nielsen Library has added 14 tables with electrical capacity built in the table. Also added to the second floor are cozy, plush arm chairs and a bar installed on the north wall overlooking the ASC football field and a stunning view of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. The periodical area also has comfortable sling chair seating with access to the technology friendly tables. Wireless is available throughout the building so you can bring your own laptop or check out one of ours.

Also coming to the library is coffee! That Coffee Guy will be providing ASC students, staff, and faculty with cups of fresh brewed coffee, lattes, and mochas! This service will be officially open August 17 but plans are in motion to open the cart for the week of finals starting May 4-7, 5pm-8pm.

Reference desk hours are still from 9am-9pm Monday-Thursday; Friday 9am-5pm; Saturday 1pm-6pm; Sunday 1pm-9pm.

So come pay a visit to your Information Commons on the second floor of Nielsen Library.

~Paul