Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Ship Resources: Digital Theatre Plus



Digital Theatre Plus is one of the new databases added to the library collection this year.

This database contains “an extensive repertoire of award-winning, acclaimed theatre, music and dance performances. Behind the scenes interviews on acting, directing, design and the technical elements of contemporary theatre practice. Detailed historical, social and political context guides that encourage engagement with the language, form and structure of plays and interactive drama techniques and exercises that are curriculum linked and encourage engagement.”

This resource provides a wide variety of content. You can stream a recorded performance of a live play, watch an actor or producer talk about their creative process, study the background of significant plays or learn strategies for enhancing your own theatrical skills. 

Whether you prefer music, theatre or dance.. whether you'd rather be out in front or behind the scenes.. if you love the arts this resource is for you!

Check out the Databases A to Z list on the library website to access Digital Theatre Plus.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

#TBT in the Archives 9/24/15

Happy autumn! Many of you are probably gearing up to get your sweaters and hoodies out of the closet for the impending drop in temperature, or perhaps you already have. Since yesterday was the first day of fall, we thought it would be fun to showcase some fall fashions of Ship students from years past. Perhaps you'll recognize some clothing items in these photos that you still see on campus today.

Two students meet under a tree amidst fallen leaves (circa late 1980s)
A track jacket and comfy pants are the quintessential casual outfit for the modern student (circa late 1980s/early 1990s)
These students are sporting a jean jacket, hoodies, and a flannel. These outerwear options are still popular on campus today (circa late 1970s)
In 1987, fringe was definitely in! This student musician is rocking the double fringe on her jacket and boots.
This student's outfit is timeless with a crew neck sweater, slacks, and lace-up shoes (circa late 1980s)
Students walking between classes have their sweaters and light jackets on hand (circa late 1980s/early 1990s)
SU hoodies will never go out of style!
Maybe you noticed that these photos are all from after 1970. But did you notice that all of the students are casually dressed? Prior to the 1970s, campus style was very conservative and students wearing blazers and dress pants blended in with faculty and staff. Read this post on campus fashion to learn more about when casual style arrived at Ship and what exactly sparked this change.

Want to learn more about Ship's history? No need to wait for the next Throwback Thursday! Contact Archives & Special Collections via e-mail: specialcollections@ship.edu or phone: 717-477-1516.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Ship Resources : Calling all Marketing and Business students!

Here at Lehman Library, we strive to partner with your professors to make high quality and relevant resources available to you. During the Fall semester we are working with the business department to provide trial access through the library to eMarketer.com. 



This resource provides businesses with “hundreds of reports and forecasts, thousands of charts, briefs, and interviews” on “virtually every major topic related to digital marketing”

According to their website, “Our mission is simple. We want to be the first place to look for information that will help you make better decisions about being more effective in a digital world – no matter what business or profession you’re in.

Check out the Databases A to Z list on the library website for a link to this trial.

And if you like this resource, be sure to give feedback to your professors or a librarian.

Monday, September 21, 2015

Online PA Voter Registration, It's Easy

Remember to Register to Vote!

Registering to vote is a lot easier than it's ever been before, plus you get to weigh in on your representation in national, state, and local government and policy-making.

Remember the #MyEducationMattersToMe postcard signing in front of the library last week?

Do more than send a postcard, express your opinion, register to vote in the upcoming elections!

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Did You Know? Banned Books Week

What is banned & challenged books week?

Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community –- librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types –- in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

The American Library Association promotes the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinions even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular, and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those viewpoints to all who wish to read them. The following is a list of frequently asked questions on banned and challenged books:

What is the difference between a challenge or banning?

A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group.  A banning is the removal of those materials.  Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others.  Due to the commitment of librarians, teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens, most challenges are unsuccessful and most materials are retained in the school curriculum or library collection.
Credit: American Library Association http://www.ala.org/bbooks/bannedbooksweek

Visit Lehman Library, lower level lobby, to see what titles have been on the list of banned & challenged books. How many of them you have read? 



Check out the list of frequently challenged books to explore the issues and controversies around book challenges and book banning. The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted with removal or restrictions in U.S. libraries and schools. While books have been and continue to be banned, part of the Banned Books Week celebration is the fact that, in a majority of cases, the books have remained available. 

Thursday, September 17, 2015

#TBT in the Archives 9/17/15

Did you know that the Ezra Lehman Memorial Library has a Shippensburg University Authors Collection? This collection contains books published by Shippensburg University faculty, students, staff, administrators, coaches, and alumni. For this week's Throwback Thursday, we thought we would take a break from focusing on Ship history to highlight a few publications written by members of the SU community.

Perhaps one of the most widely recognized SU authors in the collection is the award-winning novelist Dean Koontz, a 1967 graduate of Shippensburg known for his suspense thrillers such as Odd Thomas and Demon Seed. After graduating with a BA in English, Koontz went on to become a bestselling novelist.

Demon Seed (1973)

Are you a fan of the Daily Show or Stephen Colbert? You might enjoy this book about modern political humor! In A Conservative Walks Into a Bar: The Politics of Political Humor, Alison Dagnes, Professor of Political Science, explores the idea that contemporary political satire has a liberal bent. With campaign season kicking into high gear, this read would certainly be timely as the next Presidential election draws near.

A Conservative Walks Into a Bar: The Politics of Political Humor (2012)


Drs. Catherine Clay, Chandrika Paul, and Christine Senecal, faculty members in the History Department, collaborated on a project to describe the history of early womankind in Envisioning Women in World History: Prehistory-1500, Volume 1. From the days when history was passed down verbally, to ancient civilizations, and the Middle Ages, Envisioning Women in World History reveals that women all over the world have held significant roles within the family, economy, and political sphere across time.

Envisioning Women in World History: Prehistory -1500, Volume 1 (2009)

Dr. Corrine Bertram, Associate Professor of Psychology, co-edited Beyond Progress and Marginalization: LGBTQ Youth in Educational Contexts, which explores the experiences of the LGBTQ youth community in educational settings. By focusing on LGBTQ youths' own expressions and representations, Beyond Progress reveals how both oppression and opportunity influence these young peoples' identities as they grow and learn.

Beyond Progress and Marginalization: LGBTQ Youth in Educational Contexts (2010)


Have you ever wondered why you always end up procrastinating on your huge term paper or neglect to study for tests? In Passive Addiction or Why We Hate to Work, Drs. Xin-An Lucian Lu and Matthew Ramsey from the Human Communication Studies Department explore problems in organization that contribute to this phenomenon of procrastination that so many of us face on a daily basis.

Passive Addiction or Why We Hate to Work: An Investigation of Problems in Organizational Communication (2013)

All of these titles, and many more, are available in the SU Authors Collection, located on the main level of the Ezra Lehman Memorial Library. Check one out today!

Have questions about the SU Authors Collection? Contact Ship's University Archives & Special Collections by e-mail: cmfic@ship.edu or phone: 717-477-1516.

International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Arrr, mateys!

International Talk Like a Pirate Day is upon us, September 19th every year - a Saturday, this year!

What? You don't know how to speak pirate? Here are the very basics:
  • Ahoy! - "Hello!"
  • Avast! - Stop and give attention. It can be used in a sense of surprise, "Whoa! Get a load of that!" which today makes it more of a "Check it out" or "No way!" or "Get off!"
  • Aye! - "Why yes, I agree most heartily with everything you just said or did."
  • Aye aye! - "I'll get right on that sir, as soon as my break is over."
  • Arrr! - This one is often confused with arrrgh, which is of course the sound you make when you sit on a belaying pin. "Arrr!" can mean, variously, "yes," "I agree," "I'm happy," "I'm enjoying this beer," "My team is going to win it all," "I saw that television show, it sucked!" and "That was a clever remark you or I just made." And those are just a few of the myriad possibilities of Arrr!


Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Ship Resources: More than meets the eye


When you think of the library, what comes to mind? A place to check out books? A study space? A stop for Starbucks on the way to class?

It is all of that, and more!

The library can also be a gateway to a vast amount of online resources that have been chosen and purchased especially for you! For example, you know that the library has lots of books available for your use...
...but did you know that there are also thousands of ebooks that you can use through the library?

Here are some reasons to check out the ebook collections at Lehman Library:
  • We have over 50,000 ebooks available for your use!
  • We have ebooks in all subject areas, from History and English to Chemistry and Computer Science and everything in between!
  • You can use ebooks anywhere, from your dorm room to your classroom and even off-campus.
  • Many ebooks can be downloaded, and you can take notes and highlight digitally.

To find out more about ebooks at Lehman Library, visit our website or ask a librarian.


We want to hear from you!


According to a recent article in the Washington Post, college students prefer reading print books over ebooks.

How do Shippensburg University students compare?

Would you rather use a print book or an ebook?

Is there a difference for you between using an ebook for an assignment vs. reading an ebook for fun? 

Tell us in the comments below!



Tuesday, September 15, 2015

EBL Down Sept 15 @ 6-9pm

EBL


EBL, one of our ebook databases, will be down for maintenance on Tuesday, September 15 from 6:00-9:00pm .





Discovery Search
To find ebooks, use the Ship Discovery Search on the library homepage. This resource will provide you with access to our other ebook collections.




If you run into trouble, shoot us a quick email, or give us a call at 717-477-1474.


Sunday, September 13, 2015

Did You Know? U.S. Constitution Day & Citizenship Day

Sept. 17 is recognized as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day to commemorate the creation and signing of the supreme law of the land and to honor and celebrate the privileges and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship for both native-born and naturalized citizens. Federal law requires that all schools receiving federal funds hold an educational program for their students on Sept. 17 of each year.

10 Fast Facts on the Constitution

  1. The U.S. Constitution was written in the same Pennsylvania State House where the Declaration of Independence was signed and where George Washington received his commission as Commander of the Continental Army. Now called Independence Hall, the building still stands today on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, directly across from the National Constitution Center.
  2. Written in 1787, the Constitution was signed on September 17th. But it wasn’t until 1788 that it was ratified by the necessary nine states.
  3. The U.S. Constitution was prepared in secret, behind locked doors that were guarded by sentries.
  4. Some of the original framers and many delegates in the state ratifying conventions were very troubled that the original Constitution lacked a description of individual rights. In 1791, Americans added a list of rights to the Constitution. The first ten amendments became known as The Bill of Rights
  5. Of the 55 delegates attending the Constitutional Convention, 39 signed and 3 delegates dissented. Two of America’s “founding fathers” didn’t sign the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson was representing his country in France and John Adams was doing the same in Great Britain.
  6. Established on November 26, 1789, the first national “Thanksgiving Day” was originally created by George Washington as a way of “giving thanks” for the Constitution.
  7. Of the written national constitutions, the U.S. Constitution is the oldest and shortest.
  8. At 81, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention and at 26, Jonathon Dayton of New Jersey was the youngest.
  9. The original Constitution is on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, it was moved to Fort Knox for safekeeping.
  10. More than 11,000 amendments have been introduced in Congress. Thirty three have gone to the states to be ratified and twenty seven have received the necessary approval from the states to actually become amendments to the Constitution. 

Thursday, September 10, 2015

#TBT in the Archives 9/10/15

On Tuesday, we asked our Facebook followers if they knew when Ship began to undergo massive expansion in order to keep up with increasing student enrollment--and why. By the early 1960s the Baby Boomer generation began entering colleges and universities and this was one factor that contributed to the dramatic increase in enrollment. Here at Ship, the 1964-1965 academic year topped 2150 students with a 19% increase the following school year (2600 students).

On January 8, 1964, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for three new buildings--Reisner Dining Hall, and Naugle and Harley Halls. In the fall of that year Lackhove, Harley, and Kieffer Halls opened for the influx of first year students, with Naugle and Reisner opening in fall 1965.

Lackhove Hall under construction, 1963

Lackhove Hall after competion

Naugle Hall under construction, circa 1964-1965
Naugle Hall after completion

A campus utility plant was also built in 1964 and construction began in 1966 on the Ezra Lehman Memorial Library, which was opened in 1968. Student and faculty volunteers helped transport books from the old library to the new in what was known as Shippensburg's "Book Walk," which you can read about here.


1968 Book Walk after completion of Ezra Lehman Memorial Library

Female students walking out of Kieffer Hall, circa 1964

Aside from the first of the Baby Boomers reaching adulthood, many other factors such as changing social norms, the Women's movement, and the Civil Rights movement contributed to an increase in college enrollment across the country. More women began to aspire to hold professional positions and entered into colleges and universities to earn the necessary degrees for employment. The first year student population for the 1965-1966 school year was 52% women and 48% men. Kieffer was a new residence hall built to house Ship's increasing female student population. Campuses also became more racially diverse during this time as more minority students enrolled in colleges across the nation after the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Ship's campus today continues to keep up with the demands for modern residence halls to meet the needs of 21st century students.

Want to learn more about Ship's history? No need to wait for the next Throwback Thursday! Contact Archives & Special Collections via e-mail: specialcollections@ship.edu or phone: 717-477-1516.


Secondary Sources Consulted:
Brock, Thomas. "Young Adults and Higher Education: Barriers and Breakthroughs to Success." The Future of Children 20, no. 1 (Spring 2010): 109-132.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Got Questions? Ask Us Anything!


Hey, Ship students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, community:

Got Questions? The Library's Ask Us Anything service can give you a quick peek into common questions asked & answered at Shippensburg University.


The library went around and asked university departments to give us their most common questions asked & answered. So, do you have a question for Admissions? Financial Aid? Bursar? Library research? Printing? Something else?

Type the main idea of your question into the Instant Answers box on the library home page and see if it's already been answered!

Friday, September 4, 2015

Library Hours during Labor Day Weekend

image by Bill

Happiness is a 3-day weekend!

Library Labor Day Weekend Hours are:

  • Friday 9/4 7:30am - 4:00pm
  • Saturday 9/5 Noon - 5:00pm
  • Sunday 9/6 Noon - 5:00pm
  • Monday 9/7 CLOSED
  • Tuesday 9/8 7:30am - midnight

Remember, library resources are available from off-campus. If you have research to do this weekend, use library resources from the Library Homepage!

Thursday, September 3, 2015

#TBT in the Archives 9/3/15

Casually dressed Ship students walk across campus, circa 1970s
On Tuesday we posed a question on our Facebook page about when American college students began to dress more casually on campus, and what sparked this big change. Casual dress evolved out of athletic wear worn in gym classes in the early 1900s and was essentially a product of practicality--students wanted low-heeled oxford shoes to walk long distances across campus and cardigan sweaters to keep warm in drafty dorms. By the 1950s, young men began to ditch their suits for sport coats and young women began to wear slacks. Many historical milestones triggered this shift. Can you think of any?

Ship gym class, circa early 1900s. Casual wear was inspired by early 20th century athletic wear worn in gym class and by athletes.
The transition from conservative to casual did not hit our campus until the mid-1960s. Yes, some women could be found sporting slacks and shorts and men refused to cut their long hair, but these trends did not become the norm at Ship until the mid-1970s, years after the hippie subculture movement began to sweep the country.

The Raider Club photo from the 1969 yearbook provides some insight into individual choices of dress. Although women did wear pants on campus, the majority continued to wear dresses and skirts, maintaining their conservatism. The gentleman in the back row in the letterman jacket, however, was not shy to sport his casual style.
It was not until the mid-1970s that it became the norm to see everyone in blue jeans and slacks, depicted in this 1976 Math Club yearbook photo. This reveals that Ship adopted the casual wear trend later than many other campuses across the country.
One thing to consider is that gender differences in clothing regulations existed on campuses nationwide long into the 1960s. To read about women's clothing regulations and how Ship's dress code was abolished, check out this previous post: http://shiplibrary.blogspot.com/2015/03/tbt-in-archives-31915.html.

American casual style was a marker of liberation and individuality and varied by campus, decade, and individual. What factors do you think contributed to casual dress arriving at Ship later that the rest of the nation? Let us know in the comments!

To read more about how casual style evolved on college campuses and contributed to American identity, check out Deirdre Clemente's Dress Casual: How College Students Redefined American Style, available in the library!

Want to learn more about Ship's history? No need to wait for the next Throwback Thursday! Contact Archives & Special Collections via e-mail: specialcollections@ship.edu or phone: 717-477-1516.


Secondary Sources Consulted:
Clemente, Deirdre. Dress Casual: How College Students Redefined American Style. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 2014.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Did You Know? Facts about Labor Day

The first observance of Labor Day was likely on Sept. 5, 1882, when some 10,000 workers assembled in New York City for a parade. That celebration inspired similar events across the country, and by 1894 more than half the states were observing a “workingmen’s holiday” on one day or another. Later that year, with Congress passing legislation and President Grover Cleveland signing the bill on June 29, the first Monday in September was designated “Labor Day.” This national holiday is a creation of the labor movement in the late 19th century — and pays tribute to the social and economic achievements of American workers. 


Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer and the start of the back-to-school season.
Credit: United States Census Bureau, Facts for Features



Who Are We Celebrating?

157 million
Number of people 16 and over in the nation’s labor force in June 2015.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Table A-1
<http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf>

Fastest Growing Jobs

53%
Projected percentage growth from 2012 to 2022 in the number of industrial-organizational psychologists (1,600 jobs in 2012), the projected fastest-growing occupation. Meanwhile, the occupation expected to add the greatest number of positions over this period is personal care aides (580,800).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
<http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecopro.pdf>