Thursday, September 30, 2010

Wisconsin Solar Tour (Oct 2)

Open the door to renewable energy...

If you are interested in exploring alternative energy solutions, come take of tour of area (south-central region) homes and businesses that have incorporated wind, solar and geothermal technologies into their design and energy production--electricity, space and water heating.

On Saturday, October 2, business and home sites will be open from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

(All tour sites are free and open to the public; stop by and chat with business and home owners about how they have made that transition to renewable solutions to their energy needs).

For more information, visit the Midwest Renewable Energy Association Solar Tour Web site.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

World Dairy Expo (Sept 28-Oct 2)

"Crowning Achievements - Golden Opportunities"

The annual World Dairy Expo, hosted at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, provides an opportunity for producers, industry representatives, and members of academic and professional organizations to meet, compete, showcase and exchange ideas regarding the dairy sector.

Information, for all dairy enthusiasts who wish to attend this unique event, can be found at the Expo’s General Information page.

Congratulations are also extended to UW-Madison’s Dairy Judging Team who received top honors in the 90th Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest! See the news release. The team, coached by Ted Halbach and Brian Kelroy, includes: Kelly Sime, Brian Coyne, Chelsea Holschbach, and Ben Sarbacker.

Madison ZineFest (Oct 2)

College Library will play host this Saturday (October 2) to three events in conjunction with the Wisconsin Book Festival.

Check out the annual Madison ZineFest--a day devoted to selling, trading and sharing self-published works of art and literature. The Zine Fest will run from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM in the Open Book Cafe. There will more than 40 exhibitors from across the country with samples of their zines. For more information, see the "About" page.

At 12:30, graphic novelist Barbara Slate will present the "Barbara Slate Workshop for Teens: You Can Do a Graphic Novel!" To register for the workshop, click here.

At 3:00 PM, she will meet with teachers to discuss how to incorporate graphic novels into the classroom curriculum.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Friends Book Sale (Sept 29-Oct 2)

In conjunction with the Wisconsin Book Festival, the Friends of UW-Madison Libraries will host a used book sale, September 29 - October 2, in Room 116 of Memorial Library.

A preview sale, with $5.00 admission, will be held from 5:00 until 9:00 PM, Wednesday, September 29. The regular sale, which is open to all at no charge, will be held from 10:30 AM until 7:00 PM on Thursday and Friday, September 30 - October 1.

On Saturday, October 2 (10:30 AM – 2:00 PM), you can bring a bag and fill it for $3.00.

For more information on the sales, including how to donate books or volunteer for the spring book sale, please call 608-265-2505, e-mail the Friends, or visit the Friends book sale page.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Wisconsin Book Festival (Sept 29-Oct 3)

Need an opportunity to feed the mind and to stir the soul? If so, consider taking a break to sample the bountiful harvest of author presentations and book discussion forums that comprise the annual, fall Wisconsin Book Festival.

The theme for the book festival this year is that of "beliefs" and what that may connote for writers and their readers--as they step outside their comfort zones to examine a world of ideas, to articulate and to share what they hold dear, and to honor and to appreciate the other--be it a place, an experience, or a point-of-view.

Featured speakers include: Deborah Blum, Fabu, Lauren Groff, Michele Norris, Mukoma wa Ngugi, Gary Shteyngart, Monique Truong, among many others.

See the full list of presenters.

View the schedule of events.

The Friends of UW-Madison Libraries is among the festival sponsors.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Banned Books Week (Sept 25-Oct 2)

"Think for Yourself and Let Others Do the Same!"

Celebrate your freedom to read during Banned Books Week 2010.

Some of the most profound and inspiring works of literature have faced challenges to their access from groups or individuals who have felt threatened by their content. How many have you read?

Check out the lists of the most-banned or challenged books by year or by decade (2000-2009). This data has been compiled by the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Food for Thought Festival (Sept 24-25)

The 12th annual Food for Thought Festival, sponsored by the REAP Food Group, will celebrate healthy food traditions and the quest to eat pleasurably (of course!) and sustainably.

During the Food for Thought Forum on Friday, special guest Ann Cooper (the Renegade Lunch Lady) will deliver a keynote address, "Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed Our Children" to be followed by a discussion panel with area school and food service professionals.

Saturday festival events will be held just off the Capitol Square on Martin Luther King Blvd. from 8:00 AM until 1:30 PM. Enjoy cooking demonstrations, information tables, tasty samples, activities and raffle prize opportunities. Ann Cooper will also appear in the Main Tent for a presentation and book-signing.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Research Tips & Tricks

Visit the Research Tips & Tricks page to explore a five step path to finding, evaluating and citing the information you use to complete your papers and projects. Visit each research step sequentially or select the step that best addresses what you may wish to know or to review about that particular process. Content within the steps is often supplemented by a short video clip.

A link to the Research Tips & Tricks page can be found from the UW-Madison Libraries home page in the lower, center Help column.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

More Books, More DVDs, More Library Access!

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month--a fine occasion to visit the Madison Public Library.

Madison Public Library invites all Madison residents to sign up for its free library card. This additional library card will give you access to the public library system’s materials and resources which include its research databases, job and business resources, magazines, media, and popular reading collections.

While campus and public library systems are not set up for mutual book retrieval and return, there are many public branch libraries throughout the city to make for a convenient visit. The public library system is a great way to extend your reach to library materials and to supplement that which you obtain from the campus system.

For more information on signing up for a library card, visit one of Madison’s nine public branch libraries or visit its FAQ page for borrowing materials.

PubMed for the Life Sciences (Workshop, Sept 17)

Learn to successfully search PubMed (MEDLINE) by using its signature features--Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), limits, citation matcher, and My NCBI from where you will be able to save searches and search results and to customize topic/journal alerts.

No registration is necessary in order to attend; workshops are free to students, faculty and staff and include time for hands-on practice.

PubMed for the Life Sciences
Friday, September 17 (1:00-2:00 PM)
Room 105 (first floor, Steenbock Library)

Monday, September 13, 2010

Library Drop-In Workshops--Free!

Steenbock Library offers free tours and drop-in workshops for students and staff!

Come learn about library resources and services that can make your work easier. We offer a variety of workshops to satisfy many interests, whether that is to harness a citation management product or to search more effectively using Google or the MadCat Catalog.

Plan to attend any of the workshops on the current fall schedule (printable PDF). If you cannot attend one of these particular workshops, we can arrange individual or small group sessions. Send us your request using our online form.

All workshops are free and include hands-on time to explore the resource. No reservations are necessary. We look forward to seeing you there!

Book Retrieval, At Your Service with MadCat

Campus libraries can deliver books to the library locations that are most convenient for you. Search the MadCat catalog for the book(s) you need. From each item record, click the "Place Requests" link (at the top of page) in order to generate the request.

Once you have logged in with your NetID or campus ID number and last name, select "retrieve from shelf." On the following screen, you will be prompted to select a library pick-up location.

Please allow 1-3 days for items to reach their destination. You may check the status of your request by logging in to "My MadCat Account." An email message will be sent when your items are available for pick-up.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Compiling a Lit Review in the Life Sciences (Today!)

Drop by Steenbock Library this Friday (noon-1:15) for a workshop designed for those beginning their literature review for a research project, proposal, dissertation, or publication. Specifically, this workshop will focus upon resources and techniques useful for seeking and retrieving the life sciences literature.

Participants will learn the key steps for conducting a search and have an opportunity to explore the core databases that are important for mining the academic literature in these fields.

Compiling a Lit Review in the Life Sciences
Friday, September 10 (noon-1:15 PM)
Room 105, Steenbock Library

No registration is necessary in order to attend; all workshops are free to students, faculty and staff.

This workshop is part of the Graduate Support Series.

Pyramid of Conservation

The state of Minnesota’s power utility, Minnesota Power, maintains an online guide to improving home energy efficiency—a "Pyramid of Conservation". As a useful construct on its Power of One; One Home site, the Pyramid demonstrates the principles guiding wise energy use and steps one can take, with increasing attentions and investments, to achieve its apex where alternative energy solutions may be put in place.

Of related and local interest, Madison Gas & Electric and Focus on Energy supply guides and tip-sheets for home and workplace energy-saving efforts.

And, should you wish to get started on assessing your own home energy use, be sure to check-out one of the portable energy meters available from Steenbock Library. While there has been considerable demand, please do not hesitate to add your request to the queue by using the "Place Request" feature from the MadCat record.

Friday, September 03, 2010

Wisconsin Welcome

Welcome to UW-Madison! There is a lot happening on and near campus this weekend and throughout the month of September. Check out the schedule of campus events, tours and meet-ups.

Should you be in Madison during the Labor Day weekend, you may wish to take in the Dane County Farmers’ Market at the capitol square on Saturday morning then hang around for the annual Taste of Madison (which will start at 2:00PM, Saturday, and run through Sunday).

Lots of food and live entertainment--what more can you ask?!

Helen C House Party (Sept 9)

Campus libraries are the place to be--not only as spaces for serious study, but as interesting social spaces for group work and the occasional party.

Check out the fun when College Library (Helen C. White) hosts its house party, September 9 (7:00-11:00PM).

The schedule of events includes a courtyard carnival, arts and crafts, student group performances, Ninja Tag and more--with plenty of free snacks on the side.

(And, be sure to keep an eye out for some of your Steenbock librarians who are happy and willing volunteers for the occasion).

Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Go Big Read, Get Your Copy!

"Go Big Read" is UW-Madison’s common book program where students, staff and the community are invited to read the same book, then participate in a variety of related programs in-and-out of the classroom.

Your options for obtaining a copy of this year’s title, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks include the following:

Library Copies:

Campus Libraries and Madison Public Library have ordered additional copies for check-out.

Student Copies:

First Year Students who wish to participate can get a free copy. Copies will be available following the Chancellor's Convocation on September 1st at the Kohl Center. Any First Year Student not attending the Convocation can pick up a copy at the office for the Center for the First Year Experience.

Students enrolled in courses that are using the book will get free copies. Students in these courses will receive a coupon that can be redeemed for a free copy of the book at participating libraries (see back of coupon--Chemistry, College, Ebling, Memorial, Steenbock and Wendt libraries).

University Community Copies:

Campus and community bookstores offer the title for purchase (many at a discounted rate).

Other formats/accessible copies:

Should you need an alternative format for the book, do note that there are options via ITunes Audiobook, RFB&D and Amazon Kindle. Special requests for accessible editions can be made by contacting the Go Big Read program (email: gobigread@library.wisc.edu)

Mindset List (Class of 2014)

Welcome to college, Class of 2014!

Beloit College has released its annual Mindset list. While it is important to note that this list does not wholly account for knowledge and experience, it does serve to capture a state of affairs--be it from popular culture, technology or political situation--within the lifespan of the traditional, incoming college student.

It certainly lends itself well to discussion and to reflection upon where we’ve been and where we may be heading.

And, for this incoming class of students, it may be worth noting that "library catalogs have always been online." Be sure to visit UW-Madison's online catalog, MadCat, to find those resources you need for amusement and academic purposes!