Western-Arcade Library

Choosing Wonderland

2010-04-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

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?

2010-03-01T17:50:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-02T19:31:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-01-05T20:31:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-12-05T10:54:00.000-08:00

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…

2009-10-30T10:24:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-26T14:51:00.000-07:00

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!

Sarah Romanov: Arcade Church Librarian

2009-07-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

For nearly 20 years, Western Seminary and Arcade Church have joined forces to provide quality library services to students, faculty, and staff. This month, I would like to introduce to you Sarah Romanov, Arcade Church Librarian.

Hello,

I’m happy to serve in the library as the Library Director for Arcade Church. I have volunteered in the library for about five years now, and have been the Library Director for almost a year. My love of books and reading as well as my eye for detail and organization make this ministry a perfect fit for me!

My husband Andrew and I live just about a mile away from Arcade Church. We have been married for 14 years, and although we do not yet have children, we have two very cute cats named Skipper and Gilligan! Andrew and I enjoy opening our home to others, traveling, and serving God in our various ministries. Andrew is originally from Russia, and we are involved in ministry to Russian-speaking people at Arcade Church.

I usually work in the library one day per week and every other Sunday morning. I am happy to help you find whatever you need if you are in the library while I am there! The Arcade Church – Western Seminary Library is a wonderful resource, and I enjoy helping to make it the best that it can be!

Find It Fast! Accessing Full-Text Research Articles

2009-06-26T22:06:00.000-07:00

I would like to take a moment to let you know about the Western research databases, a valuable online research tool you can access free of charge via the library web site. Available campus-wide or remotely (with user ID and password), the Western research databases provide an easy and efficient way to find scholarly resources you need to complete your written research assignments.

This month, the library staff will be offering free workshops on ministry and counseling resources, including all APA and ATLA digital content. Each workshop presents one library research component in a 30 minute tutorial. It’s short, focused, and best of all, there’s no need to sign up for summer sessions. Instruction is offered at the top of each hour (8am to 3pm) every Saturday.

Bring a list of topics you would like to research, or come and find out how to cite your research appropriately. All classes are conducted in a supportive and non-threatening environment.

Workshops will be offered on the following weekends in July (pick one):
•Western Research Databases (EBSCOhost): July 11, 18, 25

See you at the library!

MLA and APA refresher course

2009-05-28T22:36:00.000-07:00

Do you need to dust off your old computer and brush up on your research skills? Would you like to re-acquaint yourself with the Western research databases? Do you have an assignment due this semester that requires you to use MLA or APA format?

The Library’s "Research on the Go!" workshops can help you. Each workshop presents one library research component in a 30 minute tutorial. It’s short, focused, and best of all, there’s no need to sign up for summer sessions. Instruction is offered at the top of each hour 8am to 3pm on Saturdays.

Bring a list of topics you would like to research, or come and find out how to cite your research appropriately. All classes are conducted in a supportive and non-threatening environment.

"Research on the Go!" workshops will be offered on the following weekends in June:

• MLA and APA Citation Style (Functional): June 13, 20

I look forward to seeing you at the library.

Text A Librarian

2009-04-25T09:29:00.000-07:00

The staff at Western-Arcade Library offers research and reference services to all currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff. Librarians are available to assist with learning how to locate books, use the Western research databases, and find authoritative resources on the Internet. We can also help streamline research topics or find materials not available in the Library.

One-on-one reference assistance is available during normal business hours. If you need assistance, just ask a librarian. If a librarian is not available, a Western Seminary staff member will gladly assist you.

In addition to providing traditional research and reference services, the staff at Western-Arcade Library also provides assistance with reference questions via phone, e-mail, chat and now text messaging. Our goal is to respond to all inquiries within 24 hours. Send your request(s) to: dholifield@westernseminary.edu or call the library at 916.488.3720 x7. Chat reference assistance is available Wednesdays 6pm-9pm, Thursdays 6pm-9pm and Saturdays 8am-4:30pm.. Send your request(s) to:

Yahoo Messenger: monographguy
AIM: monographman
ICQ: 381981242
Windows Live Messenger: monographman

Text messaging reference service is available Wednesdays and Thursdays 6pm-9pm and Saturdays 8am-4:30pm. The Library text message phone number is 916.303.6277.
See you online (and at the library)!

Library Hours Expand…again

2009-03-28T15:46:00.000-07:00

You spoke and we listened.

Western-Arcade Library is now open 7 days a week, a total of 74 hours per week!

The library is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. The library is also open nights and weekends as posted.

Use of the library will determine if future expansion is needed. So stop by the library! The library collection contains more than 12,000 titles and we subscribe to hundreds of academic theological and counseling journals all of which are accessible from your home or office. Combined with the Portland campus library collection, our total print volumes exceed 103,000 titles!

The Library is a member of the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), a global cooperative providing you access to more than one million titles at more than 71,000 institutions worldwide via interlibrary loan. You also have access to the American Theological Library Association and American Psychological Association research databases, as well as several other discipline specific programs in ministry and counseling.

For further information on these and other resources, please call or visit the library, or feel free to email me anytime at dholifield@westernseminary.edu .

GIGANTIC Book Sale

2009-02-25T23:07:00.000-08:00

Western-Arcade Library generates a portion of its operating and acquisitions budget through library book sales. Books and other resources are donated by local area pastors, therapists, educators, members of Arcade Church and students, faculty, and staff of Western Seminary. Some of these items go directly to the shelves; others are set aside for the library book sale.

The Library will hold its spring book sale March 26-29. Fiction and non-fiction titles (hardcover and paperback), CDs, cassettes, VHS tapes, DVDs, children’s literature and more will be offered at bargain prices – $5 per bag! Check your campus mailbox for more information.

Western-Arcade Library is open every day. The library is also open nights and weekends as posted in the classrooms, main office, library, and online.

Come early! The best selections will go fast!

(Donations are always welcome at the library. Materials may be dropped off at the library, at the Arcade Church office (off of Becerra Way), or at the Western Seminary main office. All donations are tax deductable. Receipts are available upon request.)

Library Upgrades

2009-01-22T20:38:00.000-08:00

In our ongoing effort to meet the information needs of our students, faculty, and staff--Western-Arcade Library recently upgraded its IT infrastructure. Our new Dell Vostros run on Intel Pentium Core 2 Dual technology with 4 GB of RAM (memory), which means you’ll wait less for web pages to load. Each new workstation is tethered to a 19” widescreen flat panel display, DVD and CD write and rewritable drives are available, and multiple USB ports are provided to support a wide variety of multi-media applications. Each workstation is also loaded with Internet Explorer 7, Windows Vista, and Word 2007.

Western-Arcade Library is committed to making your library experience pleasurable. We invite you to consider letting us know how we’re doing by sending us your questions, thoughts, and any purchase or withdraw suggestions. Your opinions are important to us and your identity will be kept confidential. (If you wish to be contacted directly about your suggestion(s), include your name and contact information.)

To access the library online suggestion box:
• Visit www.westernseminary.edu/sacramento
• Click “Libraries Resources” on the far left pane.
• Click “Suggestion Box” at the bottom of the page.

We want to hear from you…always!

A new face at the library.

2008-12-20T10:54:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Your friendly staff at Western-Arcade Library welcomes you back to school. For your convenience, the library is open daily, including Saturdays and Sundays. We offer reference and document delivery services, as well as writing and research workshops throughout the academic year.

This month, we welcome our newest member of the library team, Miriam Saaeed. Miriam was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. Two years ago she immigrated to the United States to study Christian counseling. Miriam is a first year student at Western Seminary and plans to return to her home country to help others through their pain and personal struggles. When you visit the library, be sure to stop by the service desk and say hello.

And while you’re at the library, check out our expanding collection of full text electronic books, journals, bible study, and language resources. For more information about how we might assist you with your information and research needs, please call or visit the library, or feel free to email us anytime.

Our goal is to equip you to succeed.

Free coffee and cookies

2008-11-29T10:05:00.000-08:00

Once again, Western-Arcade Library is hosting its annual eat ‘n’ drink holiday faire. Now thru December 20th, your friendly library staff will be serving up piping hot coffee and cookies, free of charge, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings (6pm-8:30pm) and all day on Saturdays (8:30am-8:30pm).

And while you’re at the library, be sure to check out the many resources available to you. 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 or office. Need a book that’s not on the shelf? Check out our interlibrary loan service. “Yes, Virginia, you can get that book from Oxford!” Want to talk to a librarian LIVE from the comfort of your sofa? Check out our new reference chat service. And don’t forget about our gently used books for sale. Soft backs are only $1. Hard backs are $2. It’s the perfect holiday gift!

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

Accessing scholarly E-books

2008-10-30T15:54:00.000-07:00

Did you know Western-Arcade Library subscribes to thousands of electronic books in ministry and counseling? This month, I would like to highlight SeminaryLibrary.com, a massive online library containing more than 8,000 books. SeminaryLibrary.com is the perfect companion to your present Bible software and print library collection. Topics covered include Bible study, missions, church history, apologetics, prayer, and many other topics in the form of commentaries, devotionals, dictionaries, encyclopedias, lexicons, journals, sermons, and biographies.

Contents may be searched by keyword. SeminaryLibrary.com also has a “My Collections” tool which allows you to easily manage your favorite books. Locating and viewing titles is easy too. With a familiar web-styled interface, you can locate books by author, title, and subject. It’s also easy to group books into your own custom collections for later use.

Everyone should have received a username and temporary password. (If you have not received your personal login instructions, contact the main office.) Detailed instructions for searching and building your personalized library collection are found on the SeminaryLibrary.com home page or see the frequently asked questions (FAQ) link for more information.

If you have any general questions about SeminaryLibrary.com, feel free to call or stop by Western-Arcade Library or email me at dholifield@westernseminary.edu .

Theological Libraries Month

2008-09-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

In October, Western-Arcade Library will celebrate Theological Libraries Month.

It’s a common belief that, any day now, the Internet will replace the library. Well, it’s not happening here at Western Seminary, nor is it happening anywhere else. That’s why the American Theological Library Association (ATLA) launched this special month to highlight the vital role libraries play in your education.

Western-Arcade Library is becoming increasingly pivotal as a crucial information broker. Whether on-site in the library building or remotely, via email or instant messaging, we’re here to save you—faculty, students, staff, administrators and even alumni--frustration and time. We provide expert guidance you can’t find anywhere else on how to navigate the newly available sources which are multiplying exponentially every year.

Far from being obsolete, theological libraries are at your service, offering you more than you ever imagined.

As part of Theological Libraries Month, Western-Arcade Library will be hosting several useful workshops including APA style for beginners and digital research using the Western research databases. Check your campus mailbox for further details.

Welcome

2008-09-01T13:37:00.000-07:00

Welcome back students and instructors! Fall is an exciting time for everyone. Your librarians and staff at Western-Arcade Library are ready to assist you with your research and information needs. During the fall semester, the library is open Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm. The library is also open nights and weekends as posted on the library doors, seminary classrooms, and online. For those of you who need to return books after hours, drop slots (173-177) are located near the student mailboxes. CLL and hybrid students, as well as all on campus Western Seminary Sacramento students, faculty, and staff will continue to have 24/7 access to the library’s expanding collection of electronic resources including thousands of peer reviewed academic journal articles and full-text electronic books.

For more information about Western-Arcade Library, the services we offer, and print and electronic resources available to you, please call or visit the library, or feel free to contact us anytime.

Library Privileges for Alumni

2008-08-07T14:49:00.000-07:00

Western-Arcade Library exists to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff of Western Seminary Sacramento. The library also welcomes use by alumni.

After you graduate, your privileges at Western-Arcade Library continue. Western Seminary Sacramento graduates may use the library and borrow materials from the collection for free. Alumni may borrow up to 15 books at one time. There are no overdue fines and you may renew books at anytime. This is a lifetime privilege.

While visiting the library, Western Seminary Sacramento alumni also have access to all of the electronic resources available on site. These resources include full text access to thousands of electronic books and journals including the ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, Religion and Philosophy Collection, PsycARTICLES, and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Stand alone products such as SeminaryLibrary, Logos Bible Software, and Bible Works are also available on site. Best of all…Western-Arcade Library is a wireless information center and all of our resources are accessible via any mobile device.

Professional reference service is also available. Be sure to check out the library website for additional information which can help you find information on your research subject www.westernseminary.edu/Library/SAC/index.htm.

We look forward to servicing you at the library.

Libraries: The Next Generation

2008-07-03T23:32:00.000-07:00

You might think the library is a dinosaur, pushed out of existence by free web-based resources and the growing popularity of social networking sites. But the library at Western Seminary Sacramento has been quietly reinventing itself to stay relevant in the digital age – opening up its contents to online access via the web-based library catalog and research databases (magazines, journals and e-books), leveraging Web 2.0 software tools like RSS feeds, user comments, reader forums, online reference chat, and mobile access to information you need at your fingertips. Did I mention the library is wireless?

We ARE the “little library that could”. If it’s been a while since you’ve visited the library, I invite you to stop by. Once the classrooms move, we’ll literally be one step away. So there’s no reason not to visit.

This is not your parent’s library any more!

Online library catalog upgrade

2008-06-07T15:13:00.001-07:00

The Library at Western Seminary Sacramento is pleased to announce that the library catalog is now available via an easy-to-use Web interface available at http://www.westernseminary.edu/Library/SAC . Searching options include the ability to identify items by author, title, subject, call number, or keywords.

The new library software offers improved searching convenience and power. For example, you now have the ability to view your personal account information (checkouts, fines, holds…etc.) using your library barcode and your first name (password). Advance search features (limiting, sorting, book marking, printing, saving, FAQs…etc.) are also available. Additional capabilities will be added over time.

Western-Arcade Library contains 12,000 holdings including fiction and non-fiction resources for adults and children (by age group), audio books and sermon series (on cassette and CD), VHS and DVD movies (feature films, kid's videos, and documentaries), and reference resources.

Did you know?

2008-05-06T16:18:00.000-07:00

Did you know Western-Arcade Library houses a joint collection maintained by Western Seminary and Arcade Church? This unique partnership enables us to offer an excellent academic collection, as well as Christian fiction and resources for children ages 0-18, selected by the church for their Christian education value and the nurture of our seminary students’ families. The Library contains more than 12,000 titles and subscribes to hundreds of academic theological and counseling journals; all of which are accessible from your home or office. Combined with the Portland campus library, total print volumes exceed 103,000 titles!

The Library makes full use of technology that aids faculty and students in pursuit of their research and study goals. The Library is a member of the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), a national library network with gives patrons access to more than one million titles at more than 60,000 institutions worldwide via interlibrary loan. Likewise, patrons have access to the American Theological Library Association and American Psychological Association research databases, as well as several other discipline specific programs.

For more information about the Library, please call or visit us, or feel free to email me at dholifield@westernseminary.edu.

New chat service

2008-04-14T20:36:00.000-07:00

In addition to providing traditional reference service (in-person, phone, email), Western-Arcade Library now provides assistance with reference questions via chat. This service is available to all currently enrolled Western Seminary Sacramento students, faculty and staff.

Chat reference assistance is available during evening and weekend hours. Send your request(s) to:
Yahoo Messenger- monographguy
AIM- monographman
ICQ- 381981242
Windows Live Messenger- monographman

For more information about reference assistance, please visit the library at www.westernseminary/sac/library and click the link labled "Research Services".

Library book sale

2008-04-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

Western-Arcade Library will hold its spring book sale on Wednesday, April 23 through Sunday, April 27. Items for sale include fiction and non-fiction titles (hardcover and paperback), CDs, cassettes, VHS tapes, DVDs, and selected maps . Bargain prices. $5 per bag!

· Commentaries
· Concordances
· Clinical case studies
· Children literature
· Lexicons….and much more.

The library is open M-F 9am to 5pm. The library is also open nights and weekends as posted online https://mail.westernseminary.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.google.com/calendar/feeds/monographman%2540gmail.com/public/basic

New books and videos link

2008-04-06T16:31:00.000-07:00

The library website has been updated to include new book and video purchases. Visit the library homepage at www.westernseminary.edu/library/sac and click the link "New books and videos".

We're blogging!

2008-03-31T09:47:00.000-07:00

The library is now maintaining a blog that will be updated on a regular basis. To access the blog, visit the library resources page located at http://www.westernseminary.edu/Library/SAC and click the link labled "Library Blog".