Wikipedia’s Blackout – Did it work?

On Wednesday, January 18,  some of the Internet’s largest entities blacked out their websites — or their logos or some of their content — in a protest against the SOPA and PIPA anti-piracy bills making their way through Congress. If you’re wondering whether all of this had an effect, the answer is yes. Big time. This article from the Los Angeles Times explains the impact of the one day protest.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2012/01/wikipedia-sopa-blackout-congressional-representatives.html

Don’t Lecture Me

From National Public Radio (NPR) about rethinking the way college students learn. College students spend a lot of time listening to lectures. But research shows there are better ways to learn. And experts say students need to learn better because the 21st century economy demands more well-educated workers.

http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/tomorrows-college/lectures/

Library Hours Extended During Exams

The library is pleased to accommodate student requests for extended hours during the exam period.  The Library will be open Sundays December 11 and 18 from 1PM to midnight. Monday through Thursday December 12-15 and the following week Monday to Wednesday, December 19-21 from 8AM to midnight. IT will make arrangements for the open lab in L-310 to be available for student printing during those hours as well.

Honor Your Campus Library

Inside Higher Ed urges readers to celebrate their academic libraries and librarians, and highlights the reasons why they are the heart of what college represents.

http://www.insidehighered.com/advice/a_kinder_campus/stewart_essay_on_celebrating_the_campus_library_and_librarian?channel=Eloqua&elq_mid=1293&elq_cid=60322

The Library and the Research Essay

From the Citation Project, a recent study about first-year research essays that found “research papers written in first-year composition courses at 15 colleges … simply copy chunks of text from the sources they cite without truly grasping the underlying argument, quality or context.” Many educators are therefore arguing that the first year research paper should be abandoned.  Read about it on the Princeton University blog:

https://blogs.princeton.edu/librarian/2011/04/the_library_and_the_research_essay.html

Library, or the Internet?

Despite increased demand for library services, the notion persists with some that the internet makes libraries irrelevant. Sure, the internet has changed the way people search for information, but many people do not realize that libraries have changed as well. Here then, are the top 10 reasons that the internet is no substitute for a library.

http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/features/01202010/10-reasons-why-internet-no-substitute-library

Jongo, ergo sum – I link, therefore I am

From their perspective, 21st-century students are likely to throw caution to the wind and sail straight ahead without second-guessing a device, service, site, or an app.  Although this substantial blog entry addresses secondary school librarians, it has some important insights that help us find common cause with today’s linked and connected students and their growing expertise in using technology and social media. 

http://whatworks.wholechildeducation.org/blog/learning-and-the-jungonauts/

National Library Week 2011

What isn’t great about libraries? In this video (2:49), librarians talk about the value of libraries as community centers, places to develop skills and interests, and as tools for democracy and society. Celebrate National Library Week  April 10-16, 2011 by watching this short video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziWqxlxVZLc&feature=related

Why you should read with a dictionary

An interesting post from the World’s Strongest Librarian blog – why the humble dictionary is the most important tool to build your knowledge of words and their meanings.  http://worldsstrongestlibrarian.com/2224/why-you-should-read-with-a-dictionary/

What do students remember?

David Head asked this question in his classes and considers what he learned.

http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2011/03/01/essay_on_what_college_students_remember