Baron-Forness Library: news & events

Baron-Forness Library Spring Break Hours

2015-03-01T19:38:00.001-05:00

Baron-Forness Library: Winter Break Hours

2014-12-08T16:58:00.000-05:00

For more hours: http://edinboro.libcal.com/calendar.php?cid=1899#!/month/2014/12

Extended Library Hours

2014-12-01T11:09:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving Break Hours

2014-11-24T11:48:00.000-05:00

Have A Great Thanksgiving Break!

Coming Attractions: New DVDs!

2014-11-07T09:21:00.000-05:00

The library used book sale proceeds from last Spring to order popular DVDs for our circulating collection. DVDs can be borrowed free of charge and are located on the rear wall of the reference area. Some of our newest titles include:

12 Years a Slave
Divergent
Games of Thrones (I-3)
Grand Budapest Hotel
Gravity
The Great Gatsby
The Help
Inception
Jersey Boys
Memento
Oblivion
Pan’s Labyrinth
Philomena
Sherlock Holmes (1-3)
Up
Wall-E
Warm Blood
World War Z

Check back often; new movies and TV series are donated regularly. Who needs Netflix when we have BFLix?

Potterfest!

2014-10-10T09:56:00.004-04:00

The library is featuring a Harry Potter display in conjunction with Potterfest 2014 which runs from Oct. 13-18. Potter memorabilia, books and game pieces are displayed in cases on the first and second floors of the library. A full program o...f events has been posted on both floors. This year’s display features the new publication Ravenclaw Chronicles, a collection of essays and fan fiction compiled by Dr. Corbin Fowler, an EUP Philosophy Professor. For more information on Potterfest 2014 visit http://potterfest.cs.edinboro.edu/Schedule.html.

Books on Global Warming for Homecoming Events

2014-09-27T13:47:00.003-04:00

Edinboro's Homecoming Weekend features keynote speaker Bill McKibben on October 2, and the film Disruption. Baron-Forness Library will provide a display of McKibben's books, as well as current works on the issue of global warming. Here are some online books you may want to "check out" too.

Book List

Now Showing: Movies and TV Shows on DVD

2014-09-14T15:36:00.000-04:00

The Baron-Forness Library has hundreds of popular feature films, documentaries and television shows on DVD. These discs can now be found in the rear of the library computer area. All DVDs can be checked out like other library materials.

Enjoy the Library Butterfly Garden in Bloom!

2014-08-26T11:59:00.004-04:00

Members of the Baron-Forness Library Butterfly Garden Committee have been tending to our garden in front of the library. The garden contains shrubs, perennials and annuals that are attractive to butterflies either for their nectar or as food for larva. Plants are donated by our gardeners. Butterflies are beautiful pollinators that are losing habitat with the American emphasis on grass lawns. Anyone interested in creating a Butterfly garden should check out resources on the topic available at the Baron-Forness Library or Erie County Library, or talk to one of our committee members the next time you see us in the garden!

New ebooks and streaming videos added to library catalog

2014-08-11T16:56:00.001-04:00

The Baron-Forness Library has greatly expanded its selection of online books and videos. Edinboro University students, faculty and staff can now choose from almost 25,000 ebook titles and 15,000 streaming video files. All titles can be found in the library's catalog and through Discovery Search.

K-12 Textbooks Refreshed and Reclassified

2014-08-11T16:47:00.001-04:00

Over the summer the Baron-Forness Library faculty and staff added many new titles to the library's K-12 textbook collection for Education majors. In addition, the entire collection was switched to the Library of Congress classification system, the same one used for the rest of the books. They are still shelved in the library's curriculum materials room. So, for example, if you are looking for mathematics textbooks for your student teaching, you can now find them with the call number beginning with QA, just like the college-level math books.

Some new Web tools you might find useful for research

2014-08-08T13:58:00.003-04:00

New & old tools on the Web for better searching

Finding good sources on the Web while conducting research is always difficult; often it seems that any web search will yield millions of hits, and it's difficult to sometimes determine what's useful and what's useless.

Some new & interesting tools can simplify that quest; some others have been around but perhaps you have not searched them of late Here are some recent finds that you might find useful.

Zanran.com

We live in a world of "big data," have you heard?

From the Sciences to the Social Sciences to the Humanities, both government and private and public organizations produce some kind of 'data' that we think will be valuable for our research needs. But the question has always been where to find it? Most people will still say "google it" which has become a verb now.

Enter Zanran. This search tool searches data sources; it often has data in excel or other kinds of spreadsheets. It retrieves both government and other sources of information. It also offers a preview of the data source by hovering your mouse pointer over the image on the left column. Zanran isn't Google or anyone else; at least so far.

First time users will have to register an email address to download the data. Zanran claims it will not give out your address, nor does it use it to send you anything. So why do they want it? Maybe they are collecting data too! Give Zanran any address you wish. After that, you'll be able to download the results you find.

MillionShort.com

Everyone knows that Google retrieves millions of results. Do you ever go past a few pages before giving up? Millionshort promises you it will remove up to the first million of results of a Google search. Does that mean you will behold websites you have never encountered? Keep in mind that when Google searches, thousands if not more retrievals are from the same site, just different pages. Try the two next to each other and compare results. It all depends on what you are looking for, of course, but millionshort is worth trying.

DOI Resolver

The Social Sciences know that the APA style for citation is pushing the use of a DOI as a replacement to listing a database source; DOI (digital object identifier) is gaining ground in the publishing industry. Popular databases may display a doi in a reference, but not always. There are still problems with uniqueness, but doi's are making headways into the citation rules. If you are a Chrome user, you can download a "doi resolver" right on your toolbar. Copy and paste a a doi you find, and the resolver contacts crossref.org to deliver a citation. It's too bad that it is not delivered in proper format for APA, but then the world is not yet ready for that. Are you a Firefox user? There's a doi extension there that is available to you by simply right-clicking the web page you are on. Search for it in your extensions under 'tools' and you'll be on your way.

Archive Grid

There's a place.... where to find an archive that might hold collections, papers, historical, scientific, etc. of all kinds of topics. Archive Grid, part of the Online Computer Libraries, or OCLC, has made Archive grid free for searching. Use it to identify a collection that you might want to visit later; unless the library has virtual access to materials, you will likely find Archive Grid helpful for simply identifying a collection which you will have to contact or visit later.

Re-Fresh Yourself! Refresh your browser if Chat is not available

2014-08-08T13:26:00.002-04:00

Got a question? You're working on a computer and you need help.

Look on the library's homepage in the upper right; does it say "Sorry chat is offline"??

Re-fresh yourself!

Refresh your browser; we may be changing who's monitoring the chat service. If we are on, a refresh will reload the page and the chat service will be live again.

It's quick, as quick as we can be. Just start typing

your question; you don't have to put a name in. We monitor the chat during regular academic hours in the fall

spring and summer. We will respond as quickly as we can; sometimes we're busy and

sometimes we are switching who's monitoring the service.

Re-fresh Yourself!

We monitor chat from 8AM to 7PM Monday thru Friday, Saturday 9-4:30PM,

and Sunday 1:30-9PM during fall & spring terms.

Autism Awareness...Autism Education...Autism Acceptance

2014-04-02T15:33:00.000-04:00

April is Autism Awareness Month! With the rate of autism diagnoses increasing (see CNN's recent article and video of noted autistic Temple Grandin), it stands to reason that we will continue to see more and more students on campus with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnoses in the coming years, as well as encounter more individuals on the spectrum in the workplace. Autism Awareness Month is a time for those who are affected by ASD to shine a light on it so others might not just become aware, but educate themselves and better learn to accept those individuals on the spectrum.

Baron-Forness Library has a wonderful collection of materials on a variety of topics concerning ASD, for both research and personal education. Whether you are a student who anticipates working with children or adults on the spectrum, an instructor who currently teaches students on the spectrum, a parent or family member of someone on the spectrum, or simply interested in learning more about ASD, join us this month as we celebrate Autism Awareness, Education, and Acceptance. You can view our display of some of the titles found in our collection on the 2nd floor near the elevators, as well as common autism myths debunked throughout the entire library. And keep a lookout for faculty and staff rocking their Autism Awareness ribbons all month as we demonstrate our acceptance of students on the spectrum, as well as our support for those students who will go on to work with individuals with ASD in the future.

Baron-Forness library used book sale: April 17 and 18

2014-04-01T13:38:00.001-04:00

Gently Used Book Sale

April 17 & 18, 2014

Celebrating National Library Week!

Baron-Forness Library is sponsoring a used book sale in honor of National Library Week 2014. The proceeds will be used to acquire new books for the library.

The sale will be held in Room 715 on the 7^th floor of the library. The items for sale include gently used fiction, non-fiction, paperbacks and media

(CDs, DVD, VHS). There are many art and history books, as well as books on other academic subjects. These are books which were donated but not added to the library because they were duplicates or older editions of items already owned. All the books are in good condition, and many are like new. The public is welcome to attend.

Sale Hours:

Thursday April 17 10am-4 pm

Friday April 18 10am – 4 pm

$ a bag Friday 2-4pm

Pricing:

CDs & VHS…. $.25

DVDs………….$.50

paperbacks..$.50

hardcover….$1.00

Library Faculty to Give Talk at Millcreek Public Library

2014-04-01T10:09:00.001-04:00

Do women and men experience travel differently? Do they write about their journeys from different perspectives? Can they explore the same place and have distinctive viewpoints? Barry Gray, Technical Services Librarian at Baron-Forness Library of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, has researched those questions. He will be giving a presentation on Monday, April 21 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM at the Millcreek Branch Library Community Room, on his findings. His presentation is free and open to the public. No reservations are needed.

For over one hundred years, women have documented their travels across America by car. This presentation describes several representative road books by women authors and compares them to accounts by male travelers. It contrasts themes of escape and empowerment to show how different authors approach the experience of cross country travel and describe it in their narratives. These works are important primary sources for the cultural and intellectual history of the United States, because the development of cars, the automobile industry, and highways have greatly influenced American history in the past century. If you like to travel, please journey to Millcreek Branch Library, to learn how much others do, too.

New E book Collections Here!: Multicultural Diversity Collection & Nursing Collection

2014-03-25T16:19:00.001-04:00

The library recently acquired two new ebook collections that include about 140 titles in each area. The Multicultural Diversity Collection includes books on ethnic and cultural studies, and women’s studies and each of America’s major ethnic groups are included in the collection. The Nursing Collection includes books on advanced practice nursing, nurse practitioners, specialty areas such as pediatric nursing, and some nursing reference handbooks.

These titles can be located by using Discovery Search orby searching EBSCOHOST. The individual titles are now being added to PILOT, so subject or subject heading searching in PILOT will soon retrieve these titles. These e books can be accessed 24/7, from on or off campus and the books are downloadable. The books in these two collections are all current, most have been published with the last 1-2 years.

New semi-private rooms for group work!

2014-02-06T11:30:00.001-05:00

We're pleased to unveil the latest additions to the library in the form of two new "Group Technology Rooms." The rooms are located on the second floor of the library with access available via the computer lab in Room 232. The spaces are designed to be used by groups of students who would like to work in a semi-private space and are equipped with technology that enables group members to plug in their laptop computers (or laptops borrowed from the library) and share their desktops on a large screen monitor. Comfortable seating, large conference tables, and a fresh coat of paint complete the transformation of what once were a storage closet and an outmoded multimedia lab.

The rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and during regular computer lab hours. Please note the rooms are not available when classes are scheduled in the lab -- a list of scheduled classes is available on the online calendar and is also posted at the entrance to the lab.

Freedom Writers display: opening September 5th

2013-09-04T09:01:00.000-04:00

The library will feature a Freedom Writers display showcasing the books and movie inspired by educator Erin Gruwell’s work with inner-city high school students in Los Angeles. Erin Gruwell, an internationally known author and educator adopted innovative teaching methods for a Los Angeles high school and became the basis of a national bestseller and inspired the movie, “The Freedom Writers Diary” starring Hillary Swank. Gruwell will be the keynote speaker for Homecoming 2013. The display will run September 5 through Homecoming Weekend.

July 4 holiday hours

2013-06-19T12:29:00.002-04:00

In addition to being closed on Thursday July 4, the library will also be closed for business Friday July 5 through Sunday July 7. We will reopen on Monday, July 8 at 8 AM.

Band scrapbooks added to library's Digital Reading Room

2013-02-20T11:35:00.001-05:00

The Baron-Forness Library's Archives & Special Collections department has added three new Edinboro band scrapbooks to the library's Digital Reading Room. The scrapbooks contain newspaper clippings of perfomances, programs, photographs and more from 1964-1975. Highlights of these years include trips to Three Rivers Stadium to play during the Steeler half-time and a trip to play in the Harrisburg Capitol Rotunda. The scrapbooks are part of the Music Department's record group.

Valentines of Yesteryear Display on display February 1-28, 2013

2013-01-29T16:09:00.003-05:00

During the month of February the library will feature a display of antique valentines presented to teachers by their students during the early years of the last century. These valentines were given to relatives of Loralyn Whitney, acquisitions librarian, and passed down through the family. Other personal effects owned by the teachers will also be on display. The recipients of the valentines include two great-aunts who taught elementary school in Streetsboro, Ohio, a rural community South of Cleveland; the third was her grandfather, Arthur Lee Whitney, a school principal and graduate of Edinboro Normal School, class of 1909. Some of the valentines are very elaborate examples. The display includes an antique inkwell, school bell, and items of clothing worn by the women. The public is invited to view this exhibit. The exhibit will be of interest to collectors and students and faculty in graphic arts.

Heating with Coal in Pennsylvania

2013-01-09T16:22:00.001-05:00

During World War II, many Pennsylvanian’s heated their homes with coal. Coal was (and in some counties still is) a major natural resource in our state. After the war, natural gas became the first choice of most Pennsylvanians for heating. In my hometown, where gas was not available, most homes turned to oil. When my father retired and moved back to our hometown, he bought a furnace which could heat with either oil or coal.

In 1973, the United States had its first fuel crisis. Because of our involvement with Israel, the Gulf States refused to ship oil. The price of heating with oil rose from 5 cents a gallon to over 1 dollar. My father began heating with coal. He did this until he died. When my parents went away, they switched the heating to oil.

Do people in Pennsylvania still heat their homes with coal? There are a surprising number who still do. The Pennsylvania Data Center’s Map-of-the-Month is
“Coal as the Primary Heating Source, Pennsylvania Counties: 2007-2011” - online at:

http://pasdc.hbg.psu.edu/sdc/pasdc_files/mapsofthemonth/CoalHeat_PaCounties_07-11.pdf

Take a look, my home county is one of those in black.

New full-text resources from EBSCOhost

2012-11-06T16:42:00.000-05:00

We're pleased to announce trial access to a collection of new EBSCOhost resources covering topics in education, humanities, sciences, law, and more. Try them out and let us know what you think by emailing refdesk@edinboro.edu

Applied Science & Technology Source
Education Source
Humanities Source
Legal Source
Library & Information Science Source

89,004 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN U.S.

2012-09-17T14:17:00.000-04:00

Census Bureau Reports There Are 89,004 Local

Governments in the United States

The U.S. Census Bureau today released preliminary counts of local governments as the first component of the 2010 Census of Governments.

In 2012, 89,004 local governments existed in the United States, down from 89,476 in the last census of governments conducted in 2007. Local governments included 3,031 counties (down from 3,033 in 2007), 19,522 municipalities (up from 19,492 in 2007), 16,364 townships (down from 16,519 in 2007), 37,203 special districts (down from 37,381 in 2007) and 12,884 independent school districts (down from 13,051 in 2007).

Conducted every five years (for years ending in “2” and “7”), the census of governments provides the only uniform source of statistics for all of the nation’s state and local governments. These statistics allow for in-depth trend analysis of all individual governments and provide a complete, comprehensive and authoritative benchmark of state and local government activity.

Other Key Findings
Among the key findings in the 2012 Census of Governments preliminary counts:

- Illinois leads the nation with 6,968 local governments — approximately 2,000 more than second-place Pennsylvania.

- Hawaii has 21 local governments, the fewest of any state.

- Texas remains first in the nation with the most independent school districts at 1,079. Closely behind is California, with 1,025 independent school districts.

- Seventeen states had more special districts compared with 2007, and 29 had fewer. Five states (including the District of Columbia) had no change.

- Ten states had fewer townships because of mergers and consolidations. Kansas decreased the most, moving from 1,353 in 2007 to 1,268 in 2012, a decrease of 85.

History of Special Districts and School Districts in the United States

Every five years since 1952, the Census Bureau has completed a comprehensive count of all local governments in the country. The most dramatic changes have been the decline in independent school districts and the notable increase in special districts. An interactive history of the counts of special districts and school districts from 1952 to 2012 can be accessed at <http://www.census.gov/govs/go/>.

Special districts are organized local entities other than county, municipal, township or school district governments that are authorized by state law to provide only one or a limited number of designated functions. Fire districts, water districts, library districts and transit authorities are examples of special districts.

       School districts are created to provide elementary, secondary and/or higher education services and have sufficient administrative and fiscal autonomy to qualify as independent governments. They exclude school systems that are “dependent” on a county, municipal, township or state government.

Accessing the Information for the 2012 Census of Governments

      The preliminary counts for the first component of the 2012 Census of Governments can be found on the Census Bureau’s Governments Division website at <http://www.census.gov/govs/go/>. Final counts will be issued in September 2013. For more information on the Government Units Survey, which produces these counts, go to <http://www.census.gov/govs/cog2012/>.

       The employment component of the 2012 Census of Governments, which began in March of 2012, collects information on the number of state and local government civilian employees and their payrolls. In October 2012, the finance component will collect information on revenues, expenditures, assets, debt and pensions. For more information on the 2012 Census of Governments and statistics about governments, go to <http://www.census.gov/govs/cog2012/>.