EVENT: Free coffee and snacks for finals

Ease the stress of finals week and keep your energy up. Join us for FREE coffee and snacks from 6-close, Mon-Thu of finals week. It will be set up on the first floor of the library in the Tower Room. Don't forget to bring your own mug.

NEWS: LCDs in 3rd floor study rooms

We recently installed 2 LCDs in MIC 303 and 304 to enable collaboration on group projects. You can plug in your laptop (or one of ours) and work on presentations, code, media or whatever else. Check them out or stop by the front desk and reserve one of the rooms today!

DISPLAY: November is National Aviation Month

Come check out our library display this month, as we celebrate Aviation! From Amelia Earhardt to the Wright Brothers, we have a diverse collection on aviation. So spread your wings and read about the wonderful world of aviation this month!

DISPLAY: Famous and Infamous Mustachioed Men

Gentlemen of the 'stache had a hand in shaping the world into what it is today. Read about their inspiring, fascinating, shameful, and sometimes terrifying exploits today!

AGLS Award presented to Champlain

NEWS: Earlier this month, the Association for General and Liberal Studies (AGLS) honored Champlain College with the 2010 Exemplary Program Award. This award recognizes institutions that improve learning through collaborative efforts to gather results, use the results to develop systematic learning improvement projects, and then verify those improvements.

In presenting the award, AGLS wrote: "The Champlain College application appealed to the judges because it describes an information literacy assessment program built on a collaborative relationship between faculty and librarians described as 'a partnership for learning.' The partnership grew out of an effort to define information literacy outcomes and find assessment methods that faculty would support. The effort resulted in embedded student assessments across the curriculum and support for an e-portfolio initiative that allows for assessment of students’ skills developed through the completion of the four-year Core curriculum. Administrative support, professional development, and the commitment of both teaching librarians and faculty have led to demonstrated improvement of information literacy skills."

The award was accepted on behalf of the college by Betsy Beaulieu, Dean of the Core Division, Janet Cottrell, Director of the Library, and Michelle Miller, Senior Associate Provost, at the AGLS National Conference held October 6-9, 2010 in Austin, TX.

DISPLAY: October Birthdays and Anniversaries

October is a great month! Many famous people were born in October and many events happened in the month of October. We have put a display together celebrating the birth of two great Presidents: John Adams and Teddy Roosevelt. Educator John Dewey, born in Burlington, Vermont was also born in October. The United Nations celebrates its 65th Anniversary this year. October is also the month that the Cuban Missile Crisis took place. Come and explore the great books we have on these people and events. Happy October!

EVENT: Harry Potter's World--Improv Mystery Theater

Improv Mystery Theater
Thursday, October 14, 6-8 pm
Miller Information Commons
Directed by: Eric Ronis

During this Impov Mystery theater event, actors will portray characters from the Harry Potter universe and guide audience members through this treasure hunt/haunted house/murder mystery mash up! Thirty minute long mystery tours leaving on the half hour.

EVENT: Harry Potter's World Brown Bag Talk at noon

Harry Potter-esque Brown Bag Talk 4
Thursday October 7, 12-1:30 pm, Alumni Auditorium
Hosted by: Steve Wehmeyer

“My Daemon can beat up your Patronus!” -- Visions of the magical “Second Self” in Western fantasy literature, art, mythology, and folklore.

This presentation explores the deep cultural roots of one of the most compelling concepts in recent fantasy literature – J.K, Rowling’s protective Patronuses and Phillip Pullman’s shape-shifting animal Daemons have their origins in ancient Western mythic traditions like that of the Roman Genius, the Greek Daimon, the Icelandic Fylgja, and the Anglo-Scottish Fetch. Through a multi-media presentation, we’ll examine some of these lesser known traditions which modern fantasy authors have mined for inspiration, and explore some of the reasons this idea of a “Double Self” continues to fascinate and intrigue us.

This presentation, while intended to appeal to a wide general audience, is particularly suited as a compliment to the questions being raised in COR 110 – “Concepts of the Self.”

Display: Constantly Connected

A new book display is up at the front desk of the library examining the internet and how it relates to ourselves and society. Check one out today!

Event: "Mandrakes, Nightshades, and More"

Mandrakes, Nightshades, and More
Wednesday, September 29, 7-9 pm, Morgan Room

Speaker: Katharine Anderson

Experience first-hand (minus screaming mandrakes), Harry's Herbology class as Katharine Anderson traces the science behind the folklore of nightshades that include the botany and chemistry that account for the family's notorious reputation.

Katharine is an ethnobotanist and cultural geographer who teaches in the Environmental Program at UVM. As an undergraduate botany major at UVM, she became fascinated with the stories of human interactions with the plant world. Her dissertation became a book titled Nature, Culture and Big Old Trees. At UVM she teaches Ethnobotany, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and Religion and Ecology. Four years ago she taught a seminar called Mandrakes, Magic and Medicine, which led to her being part of the Harry Potter's World events.

Event: "Re-connecting to Magic"

Re-connecting to Magic
Wednesday, September 22, 7-9 pm Morgan Room Speaker: Ivan McBeth
Ivan McBeth discovered early on in life that magic is a state we were all born into, a state of wonder and grace. He is excited to give a talk about this awesome mystery that exists, at the same time, inside us all, and all around us. After the talk he will conduct a ceremony to reconnect the children of the world with the magical realms that are their birthright. You are invited to help Ivan make this happen.
Ivan is the founder and head teacher of the Green Mountain Druid Order, a school of magic based in Worcester, Vermont. He builds stone circles such as the 'Earth Clock' in Oakledge Park, Burlington, and is the author of a book called The Crystal Journey. He plays the dijereedoo, throws a mean boomerang, and wears silly hats.

Event: "Reading Harry Potter"

If you love Harry Potter or even just like Harry Potter, then come join the Children's Club at the library's Harry Potter's World exhibit featuring a costume contest and a read-aloud. Prizes will be given for creativity and authenticity. Refreshments!

Monday, September 20, 4-6 pm, MIC Tower Room, Presented by the Champlain College Children's Club.

EXHIBIT: Harry Potter's World!

The Harry Potter’s World Exhibit will be on display in the Champlain College Library from September 6 through October 15, 2010. Stop by to see the exhibit and accompanying book displays, and check out the events listed on the exhibit website.

Library hours

Miller Information Commons is open over 106 hours each week during the semester! See the library's hours.

DISPLAY: What Will You Do This Summer?

Summer is a great time of year to try something new! We have put a display together of books about gardening, drawing, cooking, etc... Maybe you will feel inspired to try something new this summer and pick up a book at the library to help you with your new summertime adventure. Enjoy your summer!

NEWS: NextGen Librarian Award

Andrew Burkhardt, Champlain College's Emerging Technologies Librarian, has been named a recipient of the Lyrasis 2010 NextGen Librarian Award.

This award honors three librarians new to the library profession who demonstrate an innovative and fresh approach to the profession and are leaders in our rapidly changing world. In selecting Andy, the award committee commended his ability to stay current to new technologies while valuing the importance of in-person connections. In their nomination materials, Andy's campus colleagues praised him as "a dynamic force" and "a key player in expanding the effective use of technologies within the library and on our campus" but also emphasized his sense of balance: "He brings innovative, fresh ideas, and fun to our library, but he also brings a seriousness of purpose and a genuine respect for others." "From his first day," one nominator wrote, "Andy has represented a dynamic force for positive changes, and has made the Miller Information Commons an even more integral part of the college environment."

As one of the three winners, Andy will receive an honorarium to cover registration and hotel accommodations to a library conference of his choice, and he will be interviewed for an article in the LYRASIS Newsletter and featured on the LYRASIS website. The award will be presented at the American Library Association 2010 Annual Conference in Washington, DC.

LYRASIS, the award's sponsor, is the nation’s largest regional library consortium, fostering collaboration and cooperation among member libraries and facilitating their success through networking, programming, innovative solutions, and group purchasing for products and services.

DISPLAY: In observation of Memorial Day

Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, is observed on the last Monday of May to remember and honor American women and men who have died while serving their country. This national holiday was first observed following the end of the Civil War. A collection of books in commemoration of the Memorial Day holiday is on display at the library circulation desk in the MIC.

DISPLAY: May is Latino & Hispanic Authors Month

May is a great month to check out books by and about Latinos and Hispanics. We have created a display at the Library circulation desk of some wonderful books by Latinos and Hispanics as well as books about those cultures. All books are available for check out. Enjoy!

FREE Coffee and Snacks!

From 4/22 - 4/29 the library will have snacks and coffee available on the first floor of the library for free from 8pm - close every night. We know it's a stressful time so the Provost's Office, the library, and generous community members have teamed up to keep student energy up and stress down when studying for finals and writing last minute papers. Help yourself to coffee, tea, and snacks while they last. Good luck on finals!

Books on Photography and World Cultures

Books on Photography and World Cultures come together in this library exhibit assembled in conjunction with the 3rd Annual International Photo Contest being held at the Miller Information Commons

April is National Poetry Month

Celebrate the month of April by reading some great poetry! We have created a great display of poetry books in the display case in the foyer of the Miller Information Commons. Enjoy!

NEWS: MANGO Languages

We are happy to announce that Champlain has recently licensed a product called Mango to provide on-line language learning support. Mango includes conversational language instruction for a variety of languages such as Arabic, French, Irish Gaelic, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Greek, Japanese, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, Vietnamese, Hindi and many others. For some languages, ESL support is also available. Mango is web-based and accessible to Champlain students, faculty, and staff through the library website (under "M" in the "All Databases A-Z" link), or you can enter it directly using this URL: http://bit.ly/ava6h3

While Mango is not meant to replace traditional classroom instruction, it is a great starting point if you want to "try out" or brush up on a language, and an excellent resource for students, faculty, or staff who will be traveling. If you are using a computer with a microphone, you can even record yourself and compare your pronunciation with the instructor's.

Give Mango a try!

NEWS: Harry Potter exhibit

“There was a lot more to magic, as Harry quickly found out, than waving your wand and saying a few funny words.”
---Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, J. K. Rowling

The Champlain College Library is happy to announce that the exhibit "Harry Potter's World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine" will be coming to Miller Information Commons early this Fall, 2010.

This exhibition, made available by the National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health, is a fascinating look at Renaissance science, magic, and medicine, all in the context of J. K. Rowling's renowned Harry Potter series. The exhibit explores Harry Potter’s world with its roots in Renaissance science, and examines important ethical topics such as the desire for knowledge, the effects of prejudice, and the responsibility that comes with power.

Of course, the Library is planning an exciting series of events and activities to accompany the exhibit! Project Coordinators Marie Kascus and Paula Olsen are planning a creative set of speakers and events, and are working with collaborators from all over campus and beyond to make this an exhibit to remember. The themes and interest level of the exhibit make it a natural tie-in for many subject areas from the Core to the arts to the sciences, so you can expect several intriguing accompaniments to the exhibit itself.

"Harry Potter's World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine" will be on display in the main floor Tower room in Miller Information Commons from the end of August into mid-October, 2010 (precise dates to be announced). If you are interested in learning more about the exhibit or using it to further your courses, please contact Marie Kascus (kascus@champlain.edu or x2712) or Paula Olsen (olsen@champlain.edu or x6486).

For a sneak peak at the exhibit, view http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/harrypottersworld/exhibition.html

See you at the exhibit this Fall!

DISPLAY:Celebrate: Black History Month!

Black History Month started as a month long celebration in February 1976. The Library has a wonderful collection of books on Black History and we have created a display at the circulation desk for your enjoyment. If you have a moment please stop by and check it out!

DISPLAY: J. D. Salinger

Jerome David "J. D." Salinger, January 1, 1919-January 27, 2010, was an American author best known for his book The Catcher in the Rye. He was 91 years of age, and, according to Wikipedia, his last published work was in 1965, and his last interview in 1980. If you are passing through the MIC in the next couple of days, take an opportunity to look at our display honoring Mr. Salinger.

Champlain joins NITLE

Champlain College is now an institutional member of the National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education (NITLE), a community-based, non-profit initiative that helps colleges and universities explore and implement digital technologies. NITLE's mission is to catalyze innovation to advance liberal education in the digital age. As their website describes, "We are centrally concerned with the integration of technology into teaching and learning, strategic approaches to managing technology infrastructure on small campuses, and the impact and implications of emerging technologies for liberal education."
Champlain faculty and staff members can take advantage of Champlain's NITLE membership in several ways:

1. Join an online community and share ideas about teaching with colleagues at other schools. Sample communities include: Advancing pedagogical uses of technology on campus,... Teaching about North Africa, the Middle East, and Islam ...Teaching and supporting teaching of languages and cultures (see details)


2. Follow NITLE's blogs


3. Participate in online sessions held in the "virtual auditorium" on topics such as "Teaching with Mobile Devices: Mapwalks" or "Using Technology to Teach Contemporary Political Conflicts" (see more information on virtual as well as F2F events)


4. Learn more about NITLE via the NITLE website

Martin Luther King Jr.Display

In honor and remembrance of MLK Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement, we have created a display of books at the Library Circulation desk. We have a wonderful collection of books on MLK Jr. and have hand picked some of our favorites. Come by the library and check it out! All books are available for borrowing.