Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Library Closed December 22 - January 2

The Lewis J. Ort Library will be closed from Thursday, December 22, 2016 through Monday, January 2, 2017 for Winter Recess.

The Library will reopen on Tuesday January 3, 2017 for Winter Intersession Hours.

Intersession Hours:
  • Monday - Friday: 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm 
As always, access to electronic databases are available 24/7. In addition, if you need reference assistance, you can chat with a librarian 24/7 using MD AskUsNow! chat service.

http://www.questionpoint.org/crs/servlet/org.oclc.admin.BuildForm?&page=frame&institution=13572&type=2&language=1

The Lewis J. Ort Library wishes all students, faculty, and staff a safe and happy Winter Recess.

Monday, December 19, 2016

Featured Online Resource: The End of Term Presidential Archive


Photo by diannehope at Morguefile.com

The End of Term Presidential Harvest has existed since 2008.  The Harvest is a cooperative project involving several Federal depository libraries who archive copies of government (and other) web sites just before transitions to a new presidential administration.  

Once archived, the information can be browse or searched.  The previous End of Term archives can be found here: http://eotarchive.cdlib.org/.

Web sites are vulnerable information resources since information can so easily be altered or removed over time.  According to the web site, "This harvest is intended to document federal agencies' presence on the World Wide Web during the transition of Presidential administrations and to enhance the existing collections of the partner institutions."

While participating libraries are managing the project, anybody may submit the address to a web page which they would like to see archived. To nominate an address, go to this link.   If you think you will be nominating many web sites, then you can also install a bookmarklet to your browser. Find the bookmarklets and instructions near the end of this page.

You may learn more about the End of Term Presidential Harvest here or through this New York Times article!

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Extended Library Hours for End of Classes and Final Exams

Extended Library Hours for the Last Week of Classes and Final Exams:
  • Sunday: December 4: 1:00 pm to 2:00 am
  • Monday - Thursday: December 5 - 8: 7:00 am to 2:00 am
  • Friday: December 9: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • Saturday: December 10: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • Sunday: December 11: 11:00 am to 2:00 am
  • Monday - Thursday: December 12 - 15: 7:00 am to 2:00 am
  • Friday: December 16: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • Saturday: December 17: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • Sunday: December 18: 11:00 am to 2:00 am
  • Monday: December 19: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
Library Hours for Commencement and Winter Recess:
  • Tuesday: December 20: Commencement: 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday: December 21: 7:30 am to 5:00 pm
​The Library will close on Thursday, December 22 and remain closed through Monday, January 2, 2017. The Library will reopen for the Winter Session on Tuesday, January, 3, 2017 at 7:30 am

If you have any questions, please contact the Circulation Desk at 301-687-4395.

Monday, December 5, 2016

New Library Displays for December 2016



The Lewis J. Ort Library is pleased to present new displays for the month of December.

The display on the 5th floor of the library highlights the 75th Anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This display was put together by Charles Courtney, who has an interest in military history. Some of the items in the display are from his personal collection. Additionally, this display includes many resources that the library offers on the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, 75 years ago.

The display on the 4th floor highlights the changing times in two areas of our lives and continues from November.  The first display case has a set of china used when Dr. Compton was President, 1945 - 1954, and a set on loan from Chartwell's that is used today.  It is interesting to see the difference in the patterns. The second display case has china/porcelain dishes painted by Dr. Compton after her retirement from Frostburg State Teachers College.  The items were donated by a friend of Dr. Compton's to the Lewis J. Ort Library at Frostburg State University. Also included in the display are photographs of teas and social events which can be compared to our events today.  Do we prefer the fast, easy way to socialize or long for the more formal, slower past?

The first display on the 3rd floor, highlights Kwanzaa. The display provides a brief history of the holiday and introduces Nguzo Saba, or the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa.  Additional information about the holiday includes information on the seven basic symbols of Kwanzaa that represent the values and concepts reflective of African Culture.

The second display on the 3rd floor highlights the Children’s Literature Centre Storybook Holiday that is held every December. The display highlights some of the holiday themed children’s books the library offers and includes other holiday decorations.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Theresa Mastrodonato (tmmastrodonato@frostburg.edu or 301-687-4425).

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Library Hours for Thanksgiving Holiday

The Lewis J. Ort Library will close at 5:00 pm on Tuesday November 22 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. The Library will be closed Wednesday, November 23 through Saturday, November 26.

The Library will re-open for normal hours on Sunday, November 27 at 1:00 pm.

As always, the Library's databases and catalog are available to utilize from off-campus. In order to access resources from off-campus, you will need to know your 14-digit barcode (found on your FSU ID).

If you need reference assistance, you can contact MD AskUsNow!, our 24/7 chat reference service. Click HERE to chat with a librarian.

The staff of the Lewis J. Ort Library wishes you a safe and happy Thanksgiving Holiday.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Featured Online Resource: Short of the Week


Looking for something different to watch this week, then this week’s Featured Online Resource is for you. The website Short of the Week (https://www.shortoftheweek.com/) provides the opportunity to watch a new short film each week. These films may range from 1 minute to more than 20 minutes.

Categories for these short films include documentaries, animation, sci-fi, comedy, and drama. Additionally, over 50 countries are represented on the Short of the Week site, including South Africa, Vietnam, Serbia, Austria, Greece, and Iceland.

Each month the site also highlights the best short films of the month. For example, here is the link for the best 3 short films for October 2016: https://www.shortoftheweek.com/news/best-films-of-the-month-october/

So, if you are looking to find some of the newest filmmakers and new experimental films, Short of the Week is the place to try.


Friday, November 11, 2016

Multimedia Presentation Room Available on the 2nd Floor of the Ort Library


Need to practice an upcoming group presentation? The Ort Library offers the Multimedia Presentation Room on the 2nd Floor of the library to assist you with practicing for your presentation.

The Multimedia Presentation Room allows students to practice a presentation utilizing the same equipment you would see in the classrooms on campus.

The Multimedia Presentation Room is also available for students to watch DVDs or VHS tapes that the library has available. The room is equipped with a large LCD monitor for watching DVDs or VHS tapes.

To access the Multimedia Presentation Room, please check out the key from the Circulation Desk.





New Library Displays for November 2016


The Lewis J. Ort Library is pleased to present new displays for the month of November.

The display on the 5th floor of the library highlights Native American History Month. This display includes many resources that the library offers on the Native American Experience.

The display on the 4th floor highlights the changing times in two areas of our lives.  The first display case has a set of china used when Dr. Compton was President, 1945 - 1954, and a set on loan from Chartwell's that is used today.  It is interesting to see the difference in the patterns. The second display case has china/porcelain dishes painted by Dr. Compton after her retirement from Frostburg State Teachers College.  The items were donated by a friend of Dr. Compton's to the Lewis J. Ort Library at Frostburg State University. Also included in the display are photographs of teas and social events which can be compared to our events today.  Do we prefer the fast, easy way to socialize or long for the more formal, slower past?

The first display on the 3rd floor, was developed to complement the Speaking Out: Queer Youth in Focus exhibit that is being held in the Stephanie Ann Roper Gallery through November 16th. This display highlights some of the resources that focus on LGBT issues.

The second display on the 3rd floor is a continuation of the Political Cartoons display from October.

These displays will be up through the end of November.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Featured Online Resource: Vote411.org

The Vote411.org web site is provided by the League of Women Voters, and includes a variety of information related to elections.

Of particular note is the Search by State and Topic option. This lets you find information such as early or absentee voting, ID requirements, polling places, and more that are specific to each state.

Know your Candidates and Understand the Ballot Measures

Another feature that is very helpful is the Candidate and Ballot Measure Information  Often, it is easy to find information about candidates for state and Federal offices, but local candidates can be more challenging.

Go to Candidate and Ballot Measure Information. Enter your address. (You must enter and address that exactly matches one of the suggestions that appear as you type, so be sure to click one of these options when you see a match.) Then, select the Show My Races button.  At this point, you can choose a particular office, and then compare 2 candidates at a time.  Some candidates may not have responded to the League of Women Voters questionnaire, and so their pages will be empty.

If there is a ballot measure on your ticket, information is often provided about the pros and cons for voting for or against that measure.

Save your selections!
This tool also provides check-boxes that allow you to make selections for future reference.  Use the Finish button at the top of the page if you would like to print or email yourself a list of your selections which you can bring with you when you vote! (If you don't see the Finish  button, click on View my Races.)

This tool provides straightforward, balanced information to help you make an educated choice when you vote. It is a little tricky to work with, but with patience, you should feel much more prepared when you go to your polling place!

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

New Library Displays for October 2016

The library is pleased to provide several new displays in the library for October 2016.

5th floor - Display celebrating the 135th birthday of Pablo Picasso. The display discusses his different artistic periods and has examples of books we have on Picasso in the library.

4th floor - Display celebrating National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.This display highlights some tools for people to be aware of when online and has examples of some of the resources available in the library on cybersecurity.

3rd floor -
  • Display highlighting the history of political cartoons. Political cartoons have been in America since before we were first a country. Ben Franklin is credited with penning the first political cartoon in America. This display also highlights Dr. Seuss, who during World War II was a prolific political cartoonist. You can see some of his cartoons on display as well as other examples of political cartoons.
  • Display highlighting the Independent Lit Festival that is being held October 14 and 15. This festival is sponsored by FSU's Center for Literary Arts.
  • FSU has great faculty and staff working for the university. Besides begin great educators, they are also researchers and authors. The display highlights some of the faculty and staff who have written books or produced other works that are available in Special Collections. 
These displays will be up through October.

Ort Library Hosts Banned Book Reading

Thirty participants listened to readings of selections from banned books in the Ort Library on October 4. The event was co-sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta, FSU's English Honor Society and the Ort Library.


Readings included excerpts from titles: The Amityville Horror, Scary Stories, The Grapes of Wrath, Harry Potter and Huckleberry Finn.

Dr. Mary Anne Lutz, Honor Society Adviser, is pictured below with Bailey Kight, Kat Wharton, Katie Duddridge, Nick Gray, Niki Folk, Megan Alvarez and Marshall Sandifer.

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Banned Books Week Reading in Library - October 4, 7 pm

Frostburg State University’s English Honors Society Sigma Tau Delta and the Ort Library will host a banned books reading on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. on the third floor of the Ort Library on campus. Members of the campus and local community are invited to attend and read excerpts from books deemed controversial enough to be banned or challenged.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available. For further information contact Dr. Mary Anne Lutz of the FSU Department of English at mlutz@frostburg.edu or Dr. Lea Messman-Mandicott of the Ort Library at lmessman@frostburg.edu.

Friday, September 23, 2016

Banned Books Week - Sept. 25 - Oct. 1



The Lewis J. Ort Library Celebrates Banned Books Week 2016

Banned Books Week runs from September 25 through October 1. Banned Books Week began in 1982 when libraries began to notice that a large number of books were being challenged and/or removed from libraries, schools, and bookstores. Since 1982, libraries and other organizations have taken an active role in making sure the public is aware of the books that are being challenged and to make sure everyone has the “FREEDOM TO READ”. This year’s theme for Banned Books Week is Diversity. Stop by the Ort Library to see a display on Banned Books and check out some of the books that have been challenged (those that people have asked to have banned).

The American Library Association is asking that during Banned Books Week you ask yourself the following questions:

  • Who in your life has most influenced your love of books and your right to read?
  • Which banned book character would you want to have lunch with?
  • Which book would you go to jail defending?
  • Which banned book would you memorize to prevent being lost to the sands of time?
  • If you could go back in time, which book would you give your younger self?

The display for Banned Books Week will be up through October 4.



Friday, September 16, 2016

Celebrate Constitution Day! Sept 17, 1787 (Observed Friday, Sept 16, 2016)

Join us today as we celebrate the 229th anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution (Sept. 17, 1787).  Since it falls on a Saturday this year, we are observing the anniversary a day early on Friday, Sept 16, 2016!


Every year on this date, we commemorate this occasion and honor the Founding Fathers who signed this important document by celebrating Constitution Day!

We have a limited number of pocket Constitutions and the booklet,  The U.S. Constitution and Fascinating Facts About It.  These are available at the library's circulation desk on the main floor (3rd floor) of the library.  These will be available while they last, and are limited to one per person.

Please join us in the celebration by visiting our online library guide as well as our display cases.  This year, we are featuring additional information on the amendment process.

The display cases with additional information and library resources about the Constitution can be found on the 4th floor of the Ort Library.




The library guide is available at http://libguides.frostburg.edu/constitution.  This year, we are including a tab with samples of informative videos about the Constitution from Kanopy.  We have temporary access to these videos until October 15, 2016.  Enjoy them, and let us know what you think!    The guide also provides information about the amendment process, a link to the National Constitution Center's Interactive Constitution, and much more.


 
Please take some time today to learn a little more about the Constitution with these resources today!

Happy Constitution Day!