Information and Library Services http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/ en Copyright 2012 Tue, 08 May 2012 10:48:08 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Maurice Sendak, 1928-2012 sendak_PBS.jpg

Beloved children's book author Maurice Sendak has passed away at age 83. Here is a tribute to his life and work, in the New York Times.

A small measure of Sendak's prominence in the literary landscape can be seen by doing a quick search on his name in UMUC Library OneSearch: numerous interviews, biographies, book reviews, and critical interpretations of his work have been published and are available through the library.

Maurice Sendak will be missed by children of all ages! Luckily, we will always have his books.

Image source: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/maurice-sendak/about-maurice-sendak/701/


]]> http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/05/rip-maurice-sendak.html http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/05/rip-maurice-sendak.html authors books children's books Maurice Sendak obituaries Tue, 08 May 2012 10:48:08 -0500 Winners Announced: 5th Annual UMUC Social Science Essay Contest
(Click on an essay title to read the essay in the UMUC Digital Repository.)

1st Prize
Giles Oji
"Benefits and Implications of Globalization and Post Modernization on the Operations of Multinational corporations in the United States and Abroad"

2nd Prize
Kelly Hurn
"Madagascar and Globalization: Take the Good with the Bad?"

3rd Prize
Megan Kluge
"Childhood Obesity: Relationship to Fast Food"

The essay contest is open to all UMUC students and invites them to demonstrate their social science knowledge and critical thinking skills. Essays must examine a contemporary social problem or issue and analyze it from a theoretical perspective or approach of one or more disciplines in the social sciences.

A panel of UMUC faculty chooses the winning essays. This year's winners received the following prizes:

First place: A student membership in the academic organization of his or her choice (up to $100), a plaque and a $100 prize
Second place: Social science book(s), a certificate and a $50 prize
Third place: Social science book(s), a certificate and a $25 prize
 
The contest is proudly sponsored by Maryland Theta, UMUC's chapter of Pi Gamma Mu, the International Honor Society for the Social Sciences. The winning authors are encouraged to submit their essays to Pi Gamma Mu's flagship journal, International Social Science Review, for publication.

The Library joins the entire UMUC community in congratulating this year's winners!
]]> http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/05/congratuations-essay-contest-w.html http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/05/congratuations-essay-contest-w.html essay contest social science students UMUC Mon, 07 May 2012 14:43:48 -0500 It Makes You Want to Scream Scream.jpg
Edvard Munch's "The Scream," which many call the most recognizable image in Western art along with the Mona Lisa, sold at auction recently for $119,922,500, the highest price ever paid for a painting.

Munch created the work in 1895, using a swirling, fiery sky and ghostly, screaming face to depict an inner state of extreme anxiety, depression, and fear.

To learn more about Munch and "The Scream," use our library databases Oxford Art Online and JSTOR, where you will find authoritative information on the Norwegian artist, whose work continues to captivate and haunt our imaginations today.

(Image source: http://www.csmonitor.com)
]]> http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/05/it-makes-you-want-to-scream.html http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/05/it-makes-you-want-to-scream.html art art history JSTOR library databases Munch Oxford Art Online painting The Scream Thu, 03 May 2012 09:25:06 -0500 25 Most Beautiful Public Libraries in the World images of extraordinary public-library architecture at the Web site Flavorwire.

With UMUC students, faculty, and staff living all over the world, we wouldn't be surprised if some of you have seen these amazing libraries in person!

library26.jpg
Kanazawa Umimirai Library, Kanazawa City, Japan
Image source: http://flavorwire.com/280318/the-25-most-beautiful-public-libraries-in-the-world#3
]]> http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/04/25-most-beautiful-public-libra.html http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/04/25-most-beautiful-public-libra.html architecture libraries photography public libraries Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:35:42 -0500 May Day May Day are provided by the University of Kansas Medical Center
thumbnail[1].jpgcourtesy of http://www.theholidayspot.com/mayday/

]]> http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/04/may-day.html http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/04/may-day.html Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:41:09 -0500 Rare, First-edition King James Bible at Stevenson University Stevenson University Archives and the Maryland Bible Society for their partnership in curating a collection of the Society's Bibles, most significantly a rare first edition of the King James Bible, dated 1611, of which only 175 copies exist worldwide.

Copies of the first edition are typically valued at six figures, though they seldom go on the market for sale. A first edition can be identified because it contains an error in the Book of Ruth, where Ruth is referred to as "he" rather than "she." That is why these rare first-editions are known as "He" Bibles.

KJB.jpg

Image source: www.kingjamesbibleonline.org
 

]]> http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/04/rare-firstedition-king-james-b.html http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/04/rare-firstedition-king-james-b.html archives Bible books Maryland rare books Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:58:36 -0500 It's National Library Week! National Library Week Web site.

Activities include:

We hope that you take the time to celebrate all that libraries do, everyday, for children, teens, and adults, providing so many services--from good old-fashioned books to computer access to community programming--that enrich our lives through enjoyment and education. And it's all for the price of a library card, that is, for free!

]]> http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/04/its-national-library-week.html http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/04/its-national-library-week.html American Library Association libraries National Library Week Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:28:39 -0500 Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote . . . NPM_LOGO_2008_final.gifThat is the opening line of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, arguably the greatest poem in the English language. Chaucer celebrates the reawakening of nature in April, when "folk long to go on pilgrimages."

April is also the time for you to celebrate your favorite poetry. The Academy of American Poets originated National Poetry Month 16 years ago, and they've come up with 30 fun ways to help us make the beauty of poetry more a part of our everyday lives.

Researching your favorite poem or poet? Try the UMUC Library's Guide to Literature Resources, where you will find recommended databases and other great resources.
]]> http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/04/whan-that-aprill-with-his-shou.html http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/04/whan-that-aprill-with-his-shou.html Chaucer National Poetry Month poems poetry poets Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:19:23 -0500 1940 Census Goes Online USA Today has an informative article about the 1940 U.S. Census. The Census contains a wealth of data that will be publicly available for the first time on Monday, April 2.

Genealogists, historians, and curious family members looking for info on loved ones from 72 years ago are sure to be digging through the records at a special National Archives Web site.

The type of information that will be available--people's addresses, occupations, income, marital status, etc.--is protected by law for 72 years after the census is taken. Detailed records of the latest census, taken in 2010, will not become public until 2082!
]]> http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/03/1940-census-goes-online.html http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/03/1940-census-goes-online.html census government information Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:03:24 -0500 Historic Baltimore Photos Hughes Company Glass Negatives Collection. The collection offers a unique view on Baltimore history, with images of people, buildings, industry, and more. As you peruse the photos, if you recognize a person, place, or thing, you can contact the library to share your knowledge and contribute to this lively history project.

actors.jpg
Image source: The Photography Collections, University of Maryland, Baltimore County,
Hughes Company Glass Negatives Collection, Accession no. P75-54-1254g

]]> http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/03/historic-baltimore-photos.html http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/03/historic-baltimore-photos.html Baltimore history libraries photography UMBC Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:43:10 -0500 March is Women's History Month Women's_History.jpg
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of women whose commitment to nature and the planet have proved invaluable to society.

If you are researching topics in Women's Studies, make sure to check out the resources provided by the U.S. government at http://womenshistorymonth.gov/

The UMUC library also has excellent resources for researching topics in Women's Studies.  The databases Gender Watch and Contemporary Women's Issues, along with numerous other resources, can be found in the Women's Studies subject guide.

*Image source: Middletown Thrall Library, http://www.thrall.org/whm/

]]> http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/02/march-is-womens-history-month-1.html http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/02/march-is-womens-history-month-1.html Tue, 28 Feb 2012 11:57:24 -0500 Take a Book, Leave a Book this story in USA Today, little free libraries are springing up on front lawns across the United States and elsewhere around the world. It's a community-building, literacy-enriching phenomenon that makes people smile . . . and read!



Image source: USA Today, http://mediagallery.usatoday.com/Little+Free+Libraries+around+Wisconsin/G3391
 

]]> http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/02/take-a-book-leave-a-book.html http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/02/take-a-book-leave-a-book.html books libraries Mon, 27 Feb 2012 08:35:55 -0500 Phishing Scams in Tax Season IRS has issued warnings about fraudulent emails, disguised as emails from the IRS, that are really identity-theft scams.

According to the IRS Web site, the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers via email or any online social-media tool.

The IRS offers further tips on protecting yourself from identity theft.
]]> http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/02/phishing-scams-in-tax-season.html http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/02/phishing-scams-in-tax-season.html email government scams Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:29:30 -0500 Happy Valentine's Day library_heart.jpg
The US Census Bureau brings us fun facts for Valentine's Day.

Did you know that:

  • on average, each American eats about 25 pounds of candy per year?
  • approximately 5,800 marriages take place in the US every day?
  • romantic-sounding places in the US include Romeo, CO; Darling, MN; and Valentine, TX.

Happy Valentine's Day!

]]> http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/02/happy-valentines-day.html http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/02/happy-valentines-day.html Census Bureau holidays Valentine's Day Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:58:50 -0500 African American History Month SojournerTruth.jpgThe Library of Congress and other government agencies help us celebrate African American History Month with a Web site full of inspiring, educational content.

As the Web site explains, this year's theme is "Black Women in American Culture and History," honoring "African American women and the myriad of roles they played in the shaping of our nation. The theme, chosen by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History urges all Americans to study and reflect on the value of their contribution to the nation."

The photograph at right, of Sojourner Truth, is from the Library of Congress Web site.

UMUC's Office of Diversity Initiatives is honoring African American History Month as part of the Office's Heritage Month Series.




]]> http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/02/african-american-history-month-2.html http://www-apps.umuc.edu/blog/library/2012/02/african-american-history-month-2.html African American History Month African Americans history Library of Congress Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:28:39 -0500