News from Egypt

At a historic but turbulent time in world events, here's a dispatch from Egypt. The nation may be in chaos, but the Library is safe.

From bibalex, the new Library of Alexandria

To our friends around the world: The Events in Egypt
30 Jan 2011


The world has witnessed an unprecedented popular action in the streets of Egypt. Led by Egypt’s youth, with their justified demands for more freedom, more democracy, lower prices for necessities and more employment opportunities. These youths demanded immediate and far-reaching changes. This was met by violent conflicts with the police, who were routed. The army was called in and was welcomed by the demonstrators, but initially their presence was more symbolic than active. Events deteriorated as lawless bands of thugs, and maybe agents provocateurs, appeared and looting began. The young people organized themselves into groups that directed traffic, protected neighborhoods and guarded public buildings of value such as the Egyptian Museum and the Library of Alexandria. They are collaborating with the army. This makeshift arrangement is in place until full public order returns.

The library is safe thanks to Egypt’s youth, whether they be the staff of the Library or the representatives of the demonstrators, who are joining us in guarding the building from potential vandals and looters. I am there daily within the bounds of the curfew hours. However, the Library will be closed to the public for the next few days until the curfew is lifted and events unfold towards an end to the lawlessness and a move towards the resolution of the political issues that triggered the demonstrations.
Ismail Serageldin
Librarian of Alexandria
Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Friday Funnies

Q. Do you know how many librarians it takes to screw in a light bulb?
A. No, but I know where you can look it up!

Q. How many reference librarians does it take to change a light bulb?
A. Well, what kind of light bulb were you thinking about?

Why did the librarian slip and fall on the library floor?
Because she was in the non-friction section.

Customer: I am looking for a globe of the earth.
Librarian: We have a table-top model over here.
Customer: No, that's not good enough. Don't you have a life-size?
Librarian: [pauses] Yes, but it's in use right now.'

Marion [none too bright] walks into the library and says to the librarian, 'Can I have a burger and fries?'
Librarian [whispering]: 'Ssssh…Sorry, this is a library.'
Marion: [whispering also] 'Oh, may I have a burger and fries.'

And for my fellow Star Wars fans..
Dark Side of the Library

* Adventure. Heh! Remuneration. Heh! A librarian craves not these things.
* You must learn the ways of the MARC.
* AACR can have a strong influence on the weak-minded.
* Sir, the possibility of successfully negotiating a pay rise is approximately 3,720 to 1.
* When ten years long service you reach, look as good you will not.
* If this is the the diplomatic section where is your copy of Statesmans Yearbook?
* You are a member of the vandal alliance and a traitor. Take her away.
* The Wheel has turned full circle. When we last met I was but a library assistant. Now I am a librarian.
Only a Librarian of Evil, Darth.
* I see you have constructed a new Marc Record. Now your skills are complete.
* The Cataloguer will show you the true nature of Dewey.
* And now Mrs Abathnot we will discuss the location of the missing library books.
* Fear will keep the outlying patrons in line. Fear of this work station.
* This was your Fathers card catalogue. Not as clumsy or as random as an OPAC. A more civilised catalogue for a more elegant age.
* That's no small branch library.

Year of Oceania Movie Today

If you're looking for some entertainment this afternoon, don't forget today's Year of Oceania movie, "The Year of Living Dangerously," starring Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver. The movie will be shown today at 2 pm in Tarpley 213.

This 1982 Peter Weir film is set in Indonesia in 1965. Journalist Guy Hamilton (Gibson) is a foreign correspondent on his first assignment. He makes key contacts in the form of a Chinese-Australian photographer named Billy Kwan (a male character portrayed by a female actor, Linda Hunt) and a British diplomat named Jill Bryant (Weaver). Bryant and Hamilton fall in love. When Bryant learns that the Communist Party of Indonesia (the PKI) are planning to overthrow the government with the help of Communist China, she warns Hamilton so he can escape before the bloodshed. Hamilton instead wants to stay and cover the rebellion and the overthrow of President Sukarno.

Linda Hunt won an Academy award for her portrayal of Kwan. The movie was banned from being shown in Indonesia until 1999.

Dr. Theresa Ast will be on hand to lead discussion of the film and answer any questions.

This is an excellent opportunity to enter the Year of Oceania essay contest! All you need to do is read any "Year Of" book (available in the library), see any "Year Of" film or attend any "Year Of" event. Write a brief review of the book, movie or event and submit it to Stephanie Olsen or Michael Martinez in the library. One winner will be chosen each month to receive a free "Year of Oceania" t-shirt with the turtle logo.

Another way to win a t-shirt is by entering our monthly trivia contest. This month's question:

New Zealand has a healthy population of marine mammals, thanks to its extensive coastline. What are the three main groups?

Stop by the library to fill out a form with your answer. All correct answers will be put into a drawing. Don't forget to include your phone number! Good luck.

Hello,

Just wanted to remind everyone of two of our newer databases! I know many of you, particularly faculty and staff, come to the library to read The Chronicle of Higher Education, and with good reason. The Chronicle is a premier source of news, information and advice about the world of academia.The journal is a nine-time finalist for the National Magazine Awards, and one of its columnists was a finalist for a 2005 Pulitzer Prize. In 2007, an Erdos & Morgan survey ranked The Chronicle among the 10 most credible news sources. Recently, the library purchased a site license for
The Chronicle of Higher Education online. This gives you online access to all Chronicle content, plus daily news and advice columns, job listings, active discussion forums, and career-building tools such as online CV management, salary databases and more.

We have also added a site license to The Chronicle of Philanthropy. This is a news source for nonprofit leaders, fund raisers, grant makers, and others involved in the philanthropic world. It offers such service features as lists of grants, fundraising ideas and techniques, statistics, reports on tax and court rulings, summaries of books, and a calendar of events.

Check them both out!

This date in history: Georgia secedes

One hundred and fifty years ago today, a special Georgia state convention met in Milledgeville, which was then the state capital. The convention had debated for three days before voting 208-89 to leave the Union, becoming the fifth state to do so (the first four were South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama).

The following Articles of Secession were adopted:

""We, the people of the State of Georgia, in Convention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained: "That the ordinance adopted by the people of the State of Georgia in Convention on the second day of January in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and eight-eight, whereby the Constitution of the United States of America was assented to, ratified and adopted; and also all acts and parts of acts of the General Assembly of this State ratifying and adopting amendments of the said Constitution are hereby repealed, rescinded and abrogated. "We do further declare and ordain, That the Union now subsisting between the State of Georgia and other States, under the name of the "United States of America," is hereby dissolved, and that the State of Georgia is in full possession and exercise of all those rights of sovereignty which belong and appertain to a free and independent State."

This would be a great day to come to the library and check out our Triplett Memorial Military History Collection. We have more than 3,000 materials in this collection on the shelves, with more being added every day, and almost a third of them focus on various aspects of the Civil War. I think you'll find it quite impressive! We'll be planning a number of events in conjunction with the war's sesquicentennial, so be on the lookout!

Sources: The Georgia Historical Society, History.com, Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Photo: The old state capital building in Milledgeville. The building is now part of the campus of the Georgia Military College, and serves as a museum. Image source: Library of Congress

Yes, we're open today! Finally!

Hello, Reinhardt folks, did you enjoy your unexpected week off? I sure did! It's back to business as usual in snowy Waleska today. The library is warm, the computers are functioning, and our stacks of books are inviting, so come on in and take the chill off! I would advise you to watch your step, though, especially if you're attempting to navigate the rear entrance near the first floor study area. The last time I checked, that was still pretty icy. The front entrance looks to be a little safer (and check out those beautiful icicles on the crape myrtle just to the right)!

Congratulations are due for PHOEBE BUDD! Phoebe is the winner of this month's Year of Oceania essay contest. Her prize is an Oceania t-shirt and a 4-gig flash drive.

There are still several chances to win! To enter, all you have to do is read any book or watch any movie about the Oceania region (located near the service desk on the 2nd floor of the library) or attend any "Year Of" event. Then write a 2- or 3-paragraph summary of the movie, book, or event. Turn it in at the library to either Michael Martinez or Stephanie Olsen by the 28th of each month for your chance to win.

In case you're wondering, we do encourage "double-dipping." If you read a book or watch a movie about Oceania for one of your classes this year, we will accept the work you did for that class as an entry. There's no reason not to enter!

Good luck!

Check out Cherokee Tribune 1/6/11

Check out today's issue of the Cherokee Tribune, either online (at cherokeetribune.com) or at the library for a couple of interesting front-page articles.

Your eye will first be drawn to a great picture of chemistry major Cam Rosenfeld hard at work in the stacks of the Hill Freeman Library. There's an accompanying article by Kristal Dixon discussing Reinhardt University's plans for the near future, including new graduate programs in Education and in Spanish and the possibility of fielding our own football team. (College football in Waleska? I have to admit, I'm rooting for a "yes" decision from the Board of Trustees this May).

After you check that article out, be sure to read the lead story about Cherokee County's 2011 budget. The good news is the budget has been balanced without the need to cut county government staff or government-provided services--but outside agencies that receive county funding--including the Sequoyah Regional Library System--may see a shortfall.

Check it out.

(Photograph by Todd Hull of the Cherokee Tribune)

Library now open on SATURDAYS!

Welcome back, students! I hope you all had a nice break, with whatever appropriate winter holidays and a happy new year's included! Now, you're all nice and rested, recharged and ready for a new semester, RIGHT?

Well, we've got some great news for you! This semester, for the first time, we've added SATURDAY hours to our schedule! The library will be open from 1 pm until 6 pm on Saturdays all semester long (excluding holiday weekends and school breaks).

We also got a lot of positive feedback for our 24-hour study days during finals last semester, so you can look forward to more of those around finals time in April.

Of course, as always, students have access 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to our after-hours area. All you need is your Eagle card to gain entry.

Good luck to all of you! We at your library are here to support you and help make Spring 2011 your best semester yet at Reinhardt!

Oceania in the News: Killer Flood in Rockhampton, Australia

NPR story here