AU Library Newsletter

Library to award undergraduate research prizes

The library has received support and encouragement from our academic community partners to award a set of research prizes recognizing high quality undergraduate papers and projects that demonstrate strong library research skills.  Two prizes, potentially named the University Library Prize for Best Undergraduate Paper and the University Library Prize for Best College Writing Paper, are expected to be announced at the start of the Spring 2010 semester.  Based on faculty-nominated submissions and nominated students’ supporting essays, a review committee will vote on the paper or project that best demonstrates exceptional use of the library’s resources and collections and information literacy competencies.

The Undergraduate Research Prize initiative will support the university’s strategic direction by enhancing the undergraduate education and experience (Goal #2) through emphasis on integrated inquiry based learning, while also generating renewed emphasis on research.  The visibility of the award process would also increase awareness of the library’s role in the education process and position librarians as active collaborators.  Publicity about the program may also boost donor interest in the library and student research.

Award winners may receive a certificate and a monetary or other prize and official acknowledgement in library publications and other venues.  Winning submissions may also be held in the digital repository.

For more information about the undergraduate research prizes, please contact Diana Vogelsong.

with contributions by D. Vogelsong

World music for hipsters

Are you curious about what kind of music people are listening in India, Zimbabwe, Bali, Madagascar, Lebanon and Brazil?  The music library added some albums from the Putumayo World Music label to its collection.   They are hip and funky contemporary music collections that use exotic local instruments, unique rhythms and melodies to showcase the influence of their own traditional cultures.  Compare with Smithsonian Folkways recordings (traditional music of the world) or just listen to the Putumayo series for fun!

CD 5024 Asian Lounge

http://catalog.wrlc.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=7743427

CD5025 Asian Groove

http://catalog.wrlc.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=7743428

CD5026 Arabic Groove

http://catalog.wrlc.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=7743429

CD5027 Acoustic Brazil

http://catalog.wrlc.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=7743425

CD5028 Women of Africa

http://catalog.wrlc.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=7743426

CD5029 Turkish Groove

http://catalog.wrlc.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=7743424

contributed by N. Matsuoka-Motley

What’s new with the GRC?

This past summer, some of you may have enjoyed the exclusive tours of the SIS construction site and specifically, the space that will become the library’s Graduate Research Center when the project is completed in May of 2010.  Sign up if you would like a chance to see how things are developing and how much has transformed since the summer.  The final tour before year’s end will take place on Thursday, November 19 at 3:00 p.m.  Group size is max. 12 participants on a first-come, first-served basis.  Email Tiffany to sign up.

Helpful heads up on Today@AU announcements

Planning to publicize an event, service update, or other library-related announcement in Today@AU?  Help establish a smooth publicity workflow (and avoid duplication of effort) by first taking a moment to communicate your planned announcement internally.  Just send a quick FYI email to LibPUR@american.edu noting your announcement and when you’ve requested it to run (including if it will run on multiple dates).  Then you’re finished– thanks!

Service updates

• The stand-alone hand sanitizer in the front lobby has been removed as vendors comply with a government order that they only sell to hospitals, health care centers, etc.  Library administration will relate updated information once provided by Aramark.  Refills are still available for non-stand-alone sanitizing stations.

• The library will revise and implement its own individual patron records retention policy, taking into account the importance of measures to protect user privacy and security and deleting those Voyager records that have been retained for over three years which have no active fines.  If adopted, the plan will be submitted as a change in the American University Records Retention Schedule under circulation system user records, where the duration is currently permanent.

• Inventory is complete for letters D – GH. 3,000 items with problems were found, ranging from items not appearing in the catalog to not being able to read the call number.  Out of these and with collection manager review, there were 450 discards and 175 items shipped to storage.