Choosing Wonderland

Like many of you, I stood in line for what seemed like hours to see the movie “Alice in Wonderland”. In the movie, Alice (now 19) is trapped in a world of Victorian etiquette and social norms. She attends an event that she learns is an engagement party for her. When Alice is proposed to, amidst many spectators, she is distracted and follows a white rabbit to the whimsical world she once knew as a young child—only to emerge a stronger person.

Nearly four years ago, my son James was born. I became a stay-at-home dad and I began working part-time at Western Seminary. Last summer, my daughter Geneva was born. With two kids, a wife, errands to run, a house to clean, and a yard to manicure, life has become increasingly hectic and my priorities have changed.

At the conclusion of this semester I am stepping down as your campus librarian. Like Alice, I am choosing to follow my heart—putting my career on hold, making my wife and children a priority, and trusting in God. In the end, I know I will look back and say, “I did the right thing.”

One chapter ends, and another begins. I can't wait to turn the next page!

Who cares about privacy?

Over the past couple of months, advocates have lamented over the demise of online privacy. In January 2010, Eric Schmidt (Chairman and CEO of Google, Inc.) announced, “If you have something that you don’t want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn’t be doing it in the first place.”1 The same month, Mark Zuckerberg (co-founder and CEO of Facebook, Inc.) stated that no expectation of privacy is part of current social norms.2 In February 2010, other than a rumor of an announcement the day before, Gmail users had their personal information shared with their email contacts through a service called “Google Buzz”. For seven days, Google was swamped with complaints that they had failed to account for personal privacy requirements. Then, just two weeks ago, Eric Schmidt revealed that "the company misjudged public reaction to its decision to automatically load its Twitter, Facebook-like Buzz service into Gmail."3
At Western-Arcade Library, we take your privacy seriously. We have never, nor will ever, share your checkout history with anyone. Your reference and research questions are kept confidential. Your personal records (e.g. name, address, phone numbers ...etc.) are restricted to official seminary use only.
Unlike online mega players like Google and Facebook, the library will never experiment with your privacy rights. End of chapter.

1. http://tinyurl.com/ya7nh22
2. http://tinyurl.com/yl5dvjc
3. http://tinyurl.com/ykcf7w2

The longest overdue book in United States history

On June 11, 1864, a Union soldier named C.S. Gates checked out a library book from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. Soon after that, the university, then known as Washington College, was sacked by the Union Army at the beginning of the Civil War. Over the years, the book was passed down through the generations of the Gates family until it ended up in the hands of a small-town college football coach. The book was returned to the university library in 2009--145 years later! The fine? $5, 292.50!

At Western-Arcade Library, we’ve never charged a single overdue fine. Our overdue policy is simple. Books are checked out for three weeks. If you don’t renew your books and keep them one week past the due date, we’ll call you. If you don’t return your books after one month, we’ll send you a bill. And if you return your books after we bill you, all is forgiven. There’s no re-stocking fee, no processing fee, nothin’! We’re not in the business of making money, but modeling grace. So please return your books. Your fellow students will appreciate it.

Search multiple libraries—at once!

Did you know there is a site that represents more than 1.4 billion materials held in libraries worldwide? Did you know Western-Arcade Library is part of this incredible system? Now you can go to Worldcat.org and search thousands of libraries at the same time. Once you find a title you are interested in, simply enter your zip code and the nearest library to you that owns the item will be displayed. You can also link to Worldcat.org when you want to talk about a resource online, like in a blog, email or Web page. Even more, once you create a profile on Worldcat.org, you can make lists of materials you want to read or have read, write reviews, rate and tag items and much, much, more. The resources in Worldcat.org are as close as your nearest local public and/or academic library. You may also request resources in libraries further away be delivered to you at no cost. Free interlibrary loan service is available to all currently enrolled students, faculty and staff at Western Seminary. For more information, visit the library homepage and click the link “Interlibrary Loan”.

Coffee and cookies! Oh, my!

Once again, Western-Arcade Library is hosting its annual holiday coffee and cookie faire. Now thru December 19th, your friendly library staff will be serving up piping hot coffee and homemade cookies, free of charge, weekdays 6pm-8pm.

And while you’re at the library, be sure to check out the many resources available to you—including your hardworking library staff. We can assist you in locating hard to find materials within and outside the walls of the library. We can provide you access to thousands of academic journals, all of which can be access from your home, office and mobile device. Need a resource that’s not on the shelf? Ask about our interlibrary loan service. “Yes, Virginia, you can get that book from the Library of Congress!” Want to talk to a librarian LIVE from the comfort of your sofa? Check out our reference chat service. And don’t forget about our gently used books, audios and videos for sale. Soft backs are only $1. Hard backs are $2. Audios/videos are $2. It’s the perfect holiday gift.

So stop by, grab a cup of Joe, and get to know the library and librarians. You might be surprised what we can offer you.

Merry Christmas!

And the winner is…

October was Theological Libraries Month. Western Seminary, along with other seminaries across the country, helped to promote the importance and value of libraries and archives in theological education.

Many of you celebrated with us. Throughout the month, we offered a free $50 gas card to anyone who could guess the total number of library catalog cards in a container. 46 individuals participated in the contest. Guesses ranged from 439 to 10,349!

The total number of cards in the container was 806. And the winner was…Stephanie Rafdal. Stephanie’s guess was 850. Way to go, Stephanie!

Throughout the year, Western-Arcade Library offers many ways for the seminary community to come together in fellowship. Through events like Theological Libraries Month, the Holiday Coffee & Cookie Faire, Spring Book Sale, and Summer Soda Nights, the librarians and staff are here to help you thrive! Let us know how we’re doing by sending us your questions, thoughts, and/or suggestions. Contact us anytime. We want to hear from you!

Our goal at the library is to help you succeed at Western.

Theological Libraries Month

October is Theological Libraries Month. Once again, Western-Arcade Library will participate with seminaries across the country to promote the importance and value of libraries in theological education.

We invite you to visit the Library and celebrate with us. On the circulation desk you will find a large plastic container containing some dusty, old, archaic library catalog cards. Yes, there was an era before computers! Guess how many cards are in the container and if you are the closest “guestimator”, you will win a $50 gas card. (One entry per person, please). The contest will end Oct. 27th and the winner will be announced in next month’s newsletter.

And while you are at the Library, check out our expanding collection of academic full text electronic books, journals, bible studies, and language resources. Allow us to also assist you with your information and research needs. In addition to traditional research and reference service, we also offer virtual reference. Call or visit the Library, or feel free to email us anytime.

Our goal is to help you succeed at Western!