11.26.2008

Western Writers Series Digital Editions

A partnership between Albertsons Library Special Collections and the Boise State English Department - Western Writers Series is making 23 out-of-print titles available digitally for the first time. The Western Writers Series provides brief, authoritative introductions to writers and classic texts of the American west.

The purpose of the 50-60 page booklets is to deepen the understanding and appreciation for the literature of the American west. The Western Writers Series are written by scholars and intended for lay readers and fellow scholars alike.

In celebration of this undertaking, a launch event featuring readings by Brady Udall, Clay Morgan, Janet Homes, and Mitch Wieland will be held at The Cabin on Thursday December 4th at 6 pm. Further details can be read here.

Reference Librarian
Phone: (208) 426-1626

11.20.2008

Library hours during Thanksgiving week

Albertsons Library will be open limited hours during the Thanksgiving Holiday starting this Sunday, November 23rd:

Sun 11/23...... 10:00am-6:00pm
Mon-Tues 11/24-25... 8:00am-6:00pm
Wed 11/26.......8:00am-5:00pm
Thu-Fri 11/27-28..... CLOSED
Sat 11/29..........10:00am- 6:00pm
Sun 11/30.........10:00am- midnight

Please refer to the library's Hours web page for additional information. Have a great Thanksgiving holiday!

11.17.2008

Live reading of Three Cups of Tea

Once again Albertsons Library staff will perform a public reading of this year’s First-Year Read book, Three Cups of Tea, on November 18th starting at 9:00 am on the first floor of the Interactive Learning Center.

Information about the book, online resources, and where to get additional copies can be found at http://guides.boisestate.edu/fyread.

11.14.2008

Will you be spending the evening with Greg Mortenson? Learn more about him first

This year's First-Year Read book is Three Cups of Tea, a nonfiction tale about one man's quest to improve education for Pakistani children despite the perils of war and Islamic extremism, written by Greg Mortenson and Oliver Relin. Mortenson is currently head of the Central Asia Institute, a nonprofit organization that is continuing his humanitarian work in the Middle East.

The big news is: Greg Mortenson is coming to the Morrison Center on November 18th! To read more about his visit, check out the press release.

If you're working on research related to the book, or just want to learn more about Mortenson and his efforts, check out our LibGuide on Three Cups. The guide includes recommended websites, video, and links to related books in the library.

11.13.2008

CLIO Notes added to America: History & Life and Historical Abstracts databases


Historical research just became a lot easier! We are pleased to announce the addition of CLIO Notes to America: History & Life and Historical Abstracts in the library's databases collection. CLIO is available via the EBSCOhost suite of databases:
CLIO Notes for America: History & Life will guide you through subjects in United States history, by allowing you to browse through chronologies and brief summaries of significant events and themes in American history. On the main screen, you will find a list of major time periods and events. Each of these is further divided into subtopics that display informative essays and suggestions for further research. Linked subject terms are also provided, which allow you to search the entire America: History and Life database for articles, book and media reviews, and dissertations.

CLIO Notes for Historical Abstracts will guide you through subjects in World History since 1450 (excluding the United States and Canada), by allowing you to browse through chronologies and brief summaries of significant events and themes in modern history. On the main screen, you will find a list of major time periods and events. Each of these is further divided into subtopics that display informative essays and suggestions for further research. Linked subject terms are also provided, which allow you to search the entire Historical Abstracts database for articles, book citations and dissertations.
Access to America: History & Life and scores of other databases is available via the Albertsons Library's Databases page. Please contact one of our helpful reference librarians if you would like to know more about this or any of the resources available to you at the library.

11.12.2008

Magnum Photos Coming to ARTstor

The ARTstor Digital Library, now at over 800,000 images, is growing monthly. A recent ARTstor announcement provides exciting news about the addition of Magnum photos in spring 2009:

Beginning this spring, Magnum will launch 80,000 high-quality photographs within the ARTstor Digital Library to share images of major events and personalities from the Spanish Civil War to Vietnam to the present day for scholarly purposes. Mark Lubell, Managing Director of Magnum’s New York office, says of the collaboration, "The ARTstor Digital Library is a wonderful way of providing students and the academic community with access to a selection of Magnum’s iconic photographs.

You can find ARTstor on the Library's 'Find Articles, Databases' page.

11.10.2008

Innovative Librarians Wanted

Boise State University seeks two proactive and innovative librarians, to become a part of our team to continue our quest toward becoming a Metropolitan Research University of Distinction.

The Reference Librarian positions will provide reference services; participate in collection development as the liaison to academic departments; and have responsibility for bibliographic instruction and orientation sessions. Interested? Take a look at the job description.

11.07.2008

Join us for International Connections: “Bridging Heritage and International Studies"

Please join us at 12:30 p.m. on November 13, 2008, in the SUB Hatch B Ballroom to hear from Nere Lete, Assistant Professor of Basque and Director of the Basque Studies Minor at Boise State. Lete, a native of Spain’s Basque country, grew up and attended school in Spain during the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco. She received her first Basque language teaching certificate from Euskaltzaindia when she was 15, and later studied Basque Philology.

While pursuing her studies, Lete worked for Basque television and film translating and adapting scripts. In 1994 she received her Master of Fine Arts degree in translation from the University of Iowa. She has taught Basque and Spanish in the Basque Country and in the United States at the University of Nevada, Reno, the University of Iowa, and Boise State University.

In her talk, “Bridging Heritage and International Studies,” Lete will discuss how Boise State University has embarked on the unprecedented journey to link the Basque Diaspora, the Basque Country and U.S. higher education. Boise State University joined forces in 2005 with the Treasure Valley’s vibrant Basque community, the U.S. Department of Education and the Basque Government to create the Basque Studies program. Three years later we have a strong program that is gaining prestige in the local, national and international spheres. Lete will also explain how Boise State is building a bridge between Heritage Studies and International Studies.

Light refreshments will be provided or feel free to bring your own lunch. The event is sponsored by the Albertsons Library and Boise State University International Programs. For more information, call 426-3652.

11.05.2008

Want better Grades? We can help!

Want to get better grades? Take University 106: Library Research (1 credit) and learn to find the information you need to succeed in course papers and projects. UNIV 106 will get you on the path to becoming an information ninja, able to slice through the web and maneuver the library’s rich information landscape to conquer projects.

New! Some sections will explore disciplinary research; one class will focus on Business & Marketing and another on Diversity Studies. All courses are one credit, pass fail and taught by Librarians. If you have any questions, please contact the instructor directly.

ENGLISH 102 & UNIV 106 are teaming up to help you get a jump-start on your research skills.You can take both courses simultaneously. Get the course schedule and learn more on this page.

11.04.2008

An American Librarian in Paris

If you are visiting Paris this Fall (Paris France not Paris Idaho) be sure to stop into the American Library in Paris, a few blocks from the Eiffel Tower, to see an exhibit of letters, photos, and memorabilia from Idaho librarian Ruth McBirney, who worked in the American Library for 6 years (1947-1953), before returning to her hometown of Boise to become head librarian of Boise Junior College.

When the Boise State University Library dedicated its McBirney Room in 2005, Special Collections created an exhibit in our display windows (and a website), about Miss McBirney's work and life in Paris. This summer the American Library in Paris asked if they could borrow the exhibit and we gladly complied.

Here is the notice from the American Library's e-newsletter announcing the McBirney exhibit in Paris:
Chère Mac: An American Librarian in Paris Now through 3 January 2009

"On February 5, 1947, twenty-nine-year-old Ruth McBirney set sail for Europe. Ahead of her was a great adventure: six years in Paris, the opportunity to witness the "City of Light" come back to life after the grim experience of German occupation during World War II and a new position at The American Library in Paris.

"With special thanks to the Boise State University Library's Special Collections Department, experience part of the Library's history through Ruth's photographs, words and memorabilia, on display through January 3rd. "
Alan Virta,
Head of Special Collections