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.

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!

Kanopy Streaming Video Trial

The Ort Library is conducting a trial of Kanopy, an on-demand streaming video service of educational films, from September 12, 2016 through October 15, 2016.  Kanopy’s collection includes more than 26,000 films, including award-winning documentaries, training videos and theatrical releases.

You may access the Kanopy trial at http://goo.gl/9Br1sm.  Off-campus users must login by entering the 14 digit barcode number from their FSU ID card.

The Kanopy collection includes films from many leading producers, such as the Criterion Collection, PBS, Kino Lorber, New Day Films, The Great Courses, Media Education Foundation, and many others. Independent filmmakers are also included.

Films are licensed for educational use and can be easily shared.  Kanopy provides the ability to create clips, create teaching playlists, and embed films into Blackboard.

New online resources are regularly evaluated by the Library.  Your input is a very important factor, along with budgetary and licensing considerations, in helping the Library determine which resources are most useful to FSU students, faculty and staff.  Please feel free to provide your opinions, questions and comments about Kanopy by completing a brief voluntary, anonymous survey at located at https://goo.gl/forms/PYcAnVYSoSNUlckp2.  Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Additional information about Kanopy may be found at https://www.kanopystreaming.com/about-us.  If you have further questions or would like additional information about Kanopy or this trial, please contact the Ort Library Reference Desk at 301-687-4424 or libref@frostburg.edu.

New Library Displays for September 2016

The Ort Library is pleased to announce 3 new displays for September 2016.

The first display, located on the 3rd floor of the library, highlights some of the resources that the library offers, including books, DVDs, periodicals (newspapers, magazines, journals).

The second display, located on the 4th floor of the library, highlights Constitution Day, which is held each year on September 17th. This display celebrates Constitution Day and provides an opportunity to learn more about the amendment process.

The third display, located on the 5th floor, highlights the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service. The introduction of the Park Service placed the protection of the national parks under one governing body. This display highlights several of the national parks including: Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and the C & O Canal.

The displays on the 4th and 5th floors will be up through the end of September. The display on the 3rd floor will be up through September 23.

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

Florence Young Retires September 1

Florence Young and Charlene Vassallo (pictured left to right) worked together in the Periodicals Office for 31 years. Florence retired September 1. Library staff gathered for a pizza lunch celebration on August 31.

Florence was presented with several gifts including a commemorative music box engraved with her name and years of service picturing the Ort Library from the library staff. 

In addition to working in the library, Florence has served as an organist for several churches in the community for over 50 years. She is also a frequent participant in local choral groups.