On July 1, we of course welcomed Joe Hardenbrook  as our new Library Instruction Coordinator & Research/Instruction Librarian. (More about Joe in the Summer 2005 newsletter.) Joe and the other three librarians (Cindy Fuller, Amanda Pippitt, and Barb Bolser) are putting the final touches on the year's library research instruction programs for CWRR I and II, University Seminar, PACE, and discipline-specific sessions. 
 

For a few precious weeks in August then, the library has been at full staff.  However, on September 12, Catie Parish, 2003 Millikin graduate, will be resigning after having been part of the library staff since September 2001, first as a student assistant and then, since August 2003, as Archives & Research Associate. Catie will be pursuing freelance writing and, not co-incidentally, saving a bundle on gas by no longer commuting from Bloomington.

Summer projects: library space
Every summer we do some rearranging of space and furniture in the library, and so it was this year. Most of this summer's changes were in staff spaces, including moving our book mending space from behind the scenes to the Circulation Desk, where books can now be mended during slower times at the desk. (For pictures of this, see the Summer 2005 newsletter.)
 

More visibly, we have installed a new security gate  to replace the lately non-functional one that dated from the opening of Staley Library in 1968. The library entrance and exit are now in the same place, right in front of the exterior doors, and that might take some getting used to. On the other hand, ultimately this should prove more convenient for everyone; and also, we will now be able to better assure that library materials will not leave the building except when supposed to.

Our new microfilm reader is electronic and is attached to the campus network. You will find that not only is the print quality better for any copies you make from our microfilms, you can now also email those images to yourself.

New books and other materials
As always, be sure to check each month on the library's new acquisitions by clicking on this heading. July's new titles were added several weeks ago, and August titles will be added in early September.

Look at earlier newsletters for a mini-review of the just concluded academic year in the library as well as an overview of our summer activities.

Post-script: "Out-searching Google" is the title of an article in the August 15, 2005 issue of Forbes. "Can't find what you're looking for through your favorite search engine? Try the old-fashioned route: your public library." I would amend that: try your very own academic library!!  Where we of course subscribe to Forbes. (The article was pointed out by one of our most intrepid faculty library users, Clarence Josefson. Thank you Clarence!)

This year we are able to offer several new databases to increase our service to several of the University's academic programs and disciplines. This is particularly significant as PACE and other programs continue to grow, although it is our intent that all students and faculty should find these added resources useful.

SheetMusicNow.com is a database that allows Millikin on-campus users to download and print their own copies of sheet music from a growing catalogue of over 10,000 classical and jazz works. This database will significantly increase our already large circulating collection of sheet music. This database is also available from all on-campus network connections.

Although we have subscribed to the CINAHL nursing database for many years, this fall we have expanded that to CINAHL with Full Text. This adds hundreds of full text journals and PDF retrospective files back to 1982. Available to Millikin users from both on and off-campus.

Reinstated this fall to our database line-up, SPORTDiscus is a very comprehensive database covering a broad range of sports-related subjects The database contains over 650,000 records with coverage going back to 1800; and the range of resources covered include periodicals articles in 60 different languages, books and book chapters, over 20,000 dissertations, conference proceedings and more. Available to Millikin users from both on and off-campus.

For International Programs, I have spent significant time this summer preparing the second Millikin London semester abroad for seventeen Millikin students and two Millikin faculty. We also have students in New Zealand, in Taiwan at Tunghai University, in Rome, in the Dominican Republic student teaching, as well as on a ship in the ocean with the Semester at Sea.

For the Spring 2006 semester abroad, the application deadline to the International Programs Office, all paperwork completed, is October 1, 2005.

And, I have a new boss! Jamie Comstock VP for Academic Affairs

Karin Borei University Librarian and Director of International Programs kborei@mail.millikin.edu