The news @ Western Libraries
Special Collections Re-opens Feb.16
Posted on Tue, 2010-06-01 10:00Special Collections Re-opens February 16
WWU Libraries Special Collections is pleased to announce that starting Tuesday, February 16, 2010, we will be open for business in our new home on the 6th floor of Wilson Library.
Hours will be 11 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday, or by appointment.
Access to Wilson 6th floor is by the southwest elevator or stairs, located near the south entrance to the microforms collections—if accessing from the Haggard side of the library, turn left down the hallway immediately after crossing the Skybridge; from the north entrance into Wilson, turn right immediately after passing the Media/Circulation Desk.
We look forward to welcoming all visitors to our new space!
Plans for Wilson Library 279
Posted on Tue, 2010-06-01 10:00Collaborative Study/Presentation Space Planned for Wilson Library 279
A collaborative study/presentation space is planned for Wilson 279, the former home of Special Collections on Wilson 2. With the move of Special Collections to new, more generous and more secure space on Wilson 6, Wilson 279 will be reconfigured to meet student demands for additional study space for group work and interaction, as well as additional presentation and performance space for the fruits of student and faculty research.
New carpet and windows have already been installed. New furniture, including upholstered chairs, study tables, and study booths will be installed later this year. The tables will be foldable so that the space can be reconfigured to easily accommodate presentations of faculty and student research, author readings, and other performances.
The Libraries have also been working with University Dining Services to install an Einstein Brothers’ Bagel kiosk in the space. While the menu and hours are still under discussion, the installation would serve coffee, freshly baked bagels, and other grab-and-go items. Wilson 279 will be open briefly during winter quarter and will close again in spring quarter for painting and installation of infrastructure needed for the Einstein Brothers’ Bagel kiosk. The newly renovated space will open officially beginning fall quarter, 2010.
The space fulfills a number of student and campus needs. Students have long asked for additional collaborative study spaces to work together on projects and study in groups. The presentation space offers an alternative to the popular Skybridge for faculty lectures, student research presentations and performances. It also provides a communal gathering place for the campus, creating a forum for students, faculty and staff to come together for intellectual discussion and debate – with food as a catalyst. We expect this will become a vibrant hub of activity. 
Special Collections Opens February 16
Posted on Tue, 2010-06-01 10:00
Special Collections Opens February 16!
We are nearing the final completion of this project after many years of planning, funding requests, funding adjustments, and design.
Construction itself began in June, 2009. The city inspectors have officially signed off on the project, thus allowing us to totally occupy the space.
This week Transport Services will be here to help relocate furniture items that are already stored on the 6th floor and to move other items up from lower floors.
The plan is to open the space to our users on Tuesday, February 16th. A gala grand opening is being targeted for April.
Oxford Language Dictionaries
Posted on Tue, 2010-06-01 10:00
What can you do with Oxford Language Dictionaries Online?
New @ the Western Libraries!
The innovative Oxford Language Dictionaries Online site offers essential language resources never before available online: fully searchable, completely comprehensive bilingual dictionaries, and unique study materials that provide extra help with learning and using an expanding range of languages.
You can...
* get accurate, up-to-date translations
* use contextual clues and examples to find the "right" word
* find translations fast
* search the full text, or limit search specific parts of speech, subject area, or language
* browse the dictionary
* get explanations of phonetic symbols & parts of speech
* insert accented characters (or letters from a different alphabet) using a handy virtual keyboard
* insert Chinese characters using a helpful pop-up Radical and Character Index
* use the "Did you mean" feature to help you find the entry you're looking for
* print, email, cite, or link all entries
PLUS
* Find language learning and usage tools and resources
* Get access to hundreds of correspondence templates including sample letters, emails, and CVs and
résumés to provide practical help with writing
All Shiny and New
Posted on Tue, 2010-06-01 10:00The main stairwell in Wilson is getting a makeover and the transformation will soon be completed! A fresh coat of paint, some new light fixtures and the removal of some old ugly tiles is really livening up the place wonderfully.
In addition to the updated stairwells, new light fixtures have been put in place on the landings on the upper floors of the Wilson side and the ceilings have also been repainted. More light fixtures will be replaced on the 2nd floor of Wilson in the very near future.
These much needed updates will really help to brighten up the formerly dark passageways on the Wilson side of the Library and help provide a safer environment for all of our patrons!
This project was funded out of the Capital Budget for the University. With all of the work done by Western's own crew of painters and electrians; this job is a completely "in-house" project. Thanks to the wonderful crew of hardworking campus folks who are doing a great job on this project!
Naxos Music Library
Posted on Tue, 2010-06-01 10:00
Naxos Music Library is a comprehensive collection of classical music available online. It includes the complete Naxos, Marco Polo and Dacapo catalogues of over 85,000 tracks, including Classical music, Blues, contemporary Jazz & Jazz legends, Pop & Rock, World, Folk and Chinese music. While listening, you can read notes on the works being played as well as biographical information on composers or artists in Naxos's extensive database. Find this database in the library's alphabetical list of databases on the Western Libraries homepage (see link below).
Important Change to the Naxos Music Library:
As of January 15th 2010, the Naxos Music Library will stream exclusively with Adobe Flash Player! If Adobe Flash Player 10 is not installed on your computer, please take a moment and install it (see link below).
GenderWatch
Posted on Tue, 2010-06-01 10:00
GenderWatch is a full text database of unique and diverse publications that focus on how gender impacts a broad spectrum of subject areas. GenderWatch is a repository of important historical perspectives on the evolution of the women's movement, men's studies, the transgendered community, and the changes in gender roles over the years. Publications include scholarly journals, magazines, newspapers, newsletters, regional publications, books, and NGO, government and special reports. Some archived material dates back to the 1970’s.
Find this database in the library's alphabetical list of databases on the Western Libraries homepage (see link below).
Special Collections Closed Until January 2010
Posted on Tue, 2010-06-01 10:00WWU Libraries Special Collections is now closed and in the process
of re-locating from Wilson Library 279 to its new home on Wilson 6th floor.
During the move, our ability to provide research assistance will be limited.
Visit us in our new home starting in January 2010!
URL for more information:
http://www.library.wwu.edu/specialcollections
Contact person:
Marian.Alexander@wwu.edu
Connected: News from Western Libraries Spring 2010
Posted on Wed, 2010-05-05 00:00Spring 2010
Open the attachment below to read our latest issue of Connected - News from The Western Libraries.
Connected: News from Western Libraries Winter 2010
Posted on Tue, 2010-02-09 01:00Winter 2010
Open attachment below to read Connected - News from The Western Libraries.
