A Veteran and His Daughter

With Veterans Day approaching it is a fitting time to highlight Crow Call; JF L, a picture book by the Newbery award-winner, Lois Lowry.

Lois Lowry’s skills as a writer are evident in this picture book, her first ever according to her website, about a girl named Liz reconnecting with her father after his return from WWII. While Liz practices remembering to call the man who is her father, “Daddy,” her father learns that Liz’s favorite food is cherry pie. The two get reacquainted as they set out to hunt the crows which destroy the family’s crop, and by the end of their trip they are holding hands. Ibatoulline’s sepia-toned illustrations match well with the story’s setting and its nostalgic nature. Some of his illustrations are so well-rendered that I felt like I was looking at a photograph. At the very end of the book, in the note to readers, I found out that this story was autobiographical, and I was quite pleased to get to see a photograph of Lowry in the shirt Liz wears in the book.

The book can be found in the library's juvenile book section. If you need any help locating it or you want to check it out, please ask one of the librarians. We will be glad to assist you.

Check the blog next week for another post related to Veterans Day.

Happy Birthday, Chef Escoffier

Before Thomas Keller and Alice Waters worked their culinary magic, the French chef Auguste Escoffier, made his mark on the gastronomic world. Chef Escoffier lived from 1846-1935, and during his lifetime he served both socialites and royalty.

To learn more about Chef Escoffier, come by the library and check out his biography, Escoffier: The King of Chefs, 641.5092 J27e, or some of his cookbooks.

Even though today is Escoffier’s birthday, you may be interested to know about other famous chefs from around the world. The library has books and DVDs featuring a variety of different chefs and their cookbooks. Click on this link to see some of the materials available at your Sullivan University Library and Learning Resource Center. One of the librarians will be glad to help you find any of the books or DVDs.

Remembering a Nobel Prize Winner

Though it has been almost a month since her passing, it is still appropriate to remember the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Wangari Maathai.

Dr. Maathai was a professor of veterinary anatomy, an environmental activist, and a human rights activist. In 2004, she was awarded the Nobel Peace prize for her efforts to improve the lives of women and the land by planting trees in her native Kenya.

The Sullivan University Library has three books which hightlight Dr. Maathai's life and her work, and any student is welcome to borrow these titles from the library.

Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya; JF N (Lexington campus)

Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai; JF N (Lexington campus)

Unbowed: A Memoir; 333.72 M111u (Louisville campus)

To learn even more about Dr. Maathai, visit the Nobel Prize website, which has a biography of Dr. Maathai.

Here are two obituaries for Dr. Maathai that contain photographs and further information about her extraordinary life.

New York Times obituary

The Guardian obituary

Please let us know if you have any questions about how Dr. Maathai or how to locate the featured library books. One of the librarians will be glad to help you.

Source: N.A. (2011, October 20). Wangari Maathai-Biography. Retrieved from http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2004/maathai-bio.html

Banned Books Week-Show Me the Titles

Now that we've talked a little about what Banned Books Week is and how titles get banned or challenged, here is a selected list of some of the banned and challenged titles available at the Sullivan University Library and Learning Resource Center. Click on the title to learn more about it.

1984 by George Orwell; 824.912 O79n

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain; DVD 813.4 T969a

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell; JF R

Beloved by Toni Morrison; DVD 791.43 B452

Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger; 813.54 S165c

The Color Purple by Alice Walker; 813.54 W759c and DVD 791.43 C719

The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler; JF M

Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going; JF G

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck; 813.52 S819g

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling; JF R

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair; 813.52 S616j

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov; 813.54 N117l

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien; 823.912 T649l

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil; DVD 791.43 M6296

Olive’s Ocean by Kevin Henkes; JF H

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor; JF T

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison; 813.54 M882s

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway; 813.52 H488s

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee; 813 L478 and DVD 813.54 T627

This is just a representative list, so if you want to find more titles that have been banned or challenged search in the library's catalog for banned books. If you need any assistance finding these titles or if you want more information about any of the titles, please don't hesitate to ask one of the librarians for help.

Banned Books Week-Are Books Still Being Banned and Challenged?

In short, yes, books are still being banned and challenged, and the American Library Association, along with others in the book industry, sets aside a week each year to promote the freedom to read books. The week is known as Banned Books Week, and this year it occurs from September 24-October 1, 2011.

Are librarians really banning books? No. The books that have been banned or challenged were banned by people and organizations who thought the books were inappropriate for one reason or another.

According to the American Library association, a banned book is a book that has been removed from a library because of complaints by an individual or group. A challenged book is one that a person or a group has attempted to remove from a library or to restrict its use. Due to the dedication of librarians and other individuals, most challenges are unsuccessful and books are still available to be read.

Come to the library during the next few weeks to see our display of titles that have been banned or challenged. You can also check out and read any of the books that are on display. Stay tuned to the library's Facebook page and our Twitter account for more information about banned and challenged books.

The Library staff would like to welcome all new and returning students to Sullivan University.  To help you get oriented  (or just remember where things are) we will be offering drop-in tours of the library during Week 2.  Stop by at any of these times for a walkthrough of the library. 

If you would like a tour and can’t make these times, we will be happy to schedule a time that works for you – talk to a librarian at the desk anytime!

September Break Hours

Hours for the Fall Break are below.  The library will also be closed in observance of Labor Day on September 5th.

A Photobiography of a President

Using a photobiography format, Martin Sandler presents the life of John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States. Sandler pairs black and white and color photographs with his own commentary and quotes from President Kennedy. From images of Kennedy’s formative years through the poignant and horrific pictures surrounding his assassination, Sandler documents the president’s life in an engaging way. He deftly navigates the touchy subjects of the President’s physical ailments and his personal indiscretions without glamorizing them. While substantial enough to use for a research paper, the general reader may simply enjoy browsing through it. Those who are interested in learning more about President Kennedy, can refer to the list of recommended books and websites that the author provides.

See the catalog record for Kennedy Through the Lens to learn more about the book.

Click on this link to see the additional library resources about the turbulent 1960s. Be sure to ask one of the librarians if you need assistance locating Kennedy Through the Lens or anything else of interest.

Tiny Kitchen? No Excuses.

Gourmet Meals in Crappy Little Kitchens by Jennifer Schaertl


In her debut cookbook, Schaertl tackles 2 myths of gourmet cooking—one doesn’t need lots of space or a host of appliances. For example, she points out that Chantilly Cream was invented without an electric mixer. She writes from experience too. Her first job, as a dishwasher & working her way up to sous chef, was in a professional crappy little kitchen (CLK). Not only does she include useful advice on tools, techniques, layouts and pantries for CLKs, she also presents 130 recipes geared to preparation in CLKs. This book is recommended to anyone who has or may be working in a crappy little kitchen in the future. Reviewed by Wendell Barnett, Collection Management Librarian

If you want more information about the title or if you'd like to borrow it from the library, here is the book's call number, 641.5 S295g, and a link to the book's catalog record. Any of the librarians will be glad to help you find the book too.

REMINDER: Harrodsburg Road closing this weekend!

Don't forget that a portion of Harrodsburg Road from Beaumont Center to Pasadena Drive will be closed from 7 PM August 12th to 5 AM August 15th. If you will be on campus for Friday evening courses, Saturday courses or to use the library, please make alternate arrangements.

For more information see articles from the Herald-Leader dated August 3 and August 12.  

Framing a Great Paper

Do you have a research paper to do this quarter? Are you stressing out about where to find information for your topic since your teacher said you can’t use Wikipedia?

Cast your worries aside and come to the Sullivan Library. The librarians are here to help you find great resources, and right now we have a display in the library about how to do research and cite your sources using the APA format.

Here are links to some helpful sites if you can’t stop by the library.

APA Citation Guides

How to Do Great Research Fast

Research Basics

4th of July Holiday

The library will be closed Monday, July 4th to observe Independence Day.

2011 Student Survey Results

During May the library conducted its annual student survey, asking students to rate and comment on the library services and collections. Results from the survey are used to determine how well student needs are being met by the library.

According to survey results, 98% of students rated the library as Good or Excellent overall. The following areas were also rated very highly by student participants in the survey:

91% of respondents said that the electronic databases are Good or Excellent.
97% of respondents rated the e-books collection as Good or Excellent.
90% of respondents rated the research guides as Good or Excellent.
98% of respondents reported that the library collection was Mostly Adequate or Always Adequate at meeting their research needs.
96% of respondents reported that the on-site library resources are Good or Excellent.

The Library staff would like to thank all of the students and faculty who participated in the survey. Over the next few weeks the survey results will be tabulated and analyzed for areas needing improvement. Special attention will be paid to areas in which we can improve our services including maintaining a studious atmosphere, offering up-to-date, dependable technology resources, and providing excellent customer service.

Please feel free to share any additional comments with the library by sending us an e-mail.

Congratulations to the winners of our giveaway drawings:
Jeff Walsh – Kennedy Through the Lens book
Lisa O’Hara – Food Network, Feasting on Waves Sunhat
Jeremy Kelly – USB drive
Ralph Woolums – USB drive
Shannon Thomas - $25 Sullivan Bookstore certificate
Liz Denham – Zuni Café Cookbook

8th Annual Library Student Satisfaction Survey

ANNUAL LIBRARY SURVEY
Your opinion is important to us!

As a valued member of the Sullivan University library user community, we want to hear from you about your library. Please take a few minutes between the dates of May 9th and May 21th to complete a library survey at http://library.sullivan.edu/survey.htm. Your input will be kept anonymous and your feedback helps the library to enhance collections and services.
In addition, this year’s survey also includes questions about Career Services and the Tutoring Center. By completing a survey you will be entered into a drawing to win a $25.00 bookstore gift certificate as well as other great prizes.

Thank you for your help in improving your library!