SOMETHING TO CHECK OUT! If you have NOT been to the Kennedy Library website you must go RIGHT NOW. They have added a tabbing system to the navigation page that makes getting around the site ten times easier. You might even want to add the page to you favorites bar…that’s how impressive it is.

This is a big year for the library. The leadership at the library is implementing changes and plans made last year for this year. For example, you will soon be able to see if there are computers available in the Polyconnect Lab through LCD screens and possibly even the internet (Library people, correct me if I am wrong). That is going to be extremely helpful. I don’t know about you, but i’m one of those people wandering around the computer lab looking over shoulders to see if people are wrapping their stuff up and i usually get swooped. I guess that’s just another reason to check out a laptop!

A Meaningful World by Benjamin Wiker sparks interest in the unanswered questions of the universe…or really the one question we all feel the need to know: Is there meaning in this world?

The book journey’s through different sorts of evidence looking at the evolution theory, creation theory, and scenarios of what some see as random and others see as purpose.  An example would be this: It is possible for a monkey to sit down and write a sonnet by Shakespeare. It would be very random of him to do so, but it IS possible for his pen to move in certain ways writing down the words of Shakespeare…but it wouldn’t mean anything. They would be just scratches on the paper and the statistics of that happening are improbable…and close to impossible.

This book explores the divine and attempts to create a new perspective of the world we live in. Don’t read this book expecting to have your every question answered but  read this book if you’re looking for some meaning in your life.

If this book interests you, you can pick up a book at any bookstore and you can also acquire it through Link + by using your Cal Poly I.D.!

And yes, when i say a book, i MEAN a BOOK. Not a Kindle, or a Nook, or an Audio Book. Don’t get me wrong; those are all great options for The Commuter, The Regular Traveller and Engineers (because then they can “read” or listen to the book while they do they’re crazy smart math/science business). But for those of us that do  have time on our hands this summer, or want to make time and SLO it down, a book is the best tool to do so.

You can physically see how far you are til the end and there’s that smell, whether it be an old or a new book, that reminds us of a simpler time. Don’t get me wrong, I am in almost every way “pro-technology”. But reading a physical book lets me pretend i don’t need the internet or cell phones or email or any of that.

Each week i’ll try to post a new book i have read or another college student has read with a short review of it to say if it’s “read-worthy” or not.

Any of these books can be found at the Library and if they don’t have it, order it through Link+!

 The Help

Based in the Jackson, Mississippi during the early 1960′s, a 23-year-old girl right out of college with dreams of becoming a journalist/publisher finds herself in the middle of a controversial project with the local black maids who work for her friends. The story is told through three different perspectives: The girl’s, and two of the black maids. The women have to keep their project a secret and they do so terrifyingly and comicly as well. This book is full of secrets and twists and kept me reading every bit of my spare time. Iseriously could not put it down. It did a GREAT job of portraying the trials and triumphs for blacks and black women during the heighth of the civil rights movement.

**it’s also becoming a movie directed by Steven Spielberg. Yes, it was that good.

Although the fee for impounding a bike is only $10.00, it’s not really worth the inconvenience to relinquish 50 more steps, or a 5 second bike ride to find bike parking on the south side of the library, where there is always at least one spot for your bike.

Yes, bike parking can be a problem during dead week and finals week and that might be something the library should look at in the future. For now, just take the extra 50 feet to find a parking spot and not have to pay to study at the Library.

Since the Library seems to be a hot spot for tickets, here are some other facts given by the Mustang Daily on other fees for bike violations.

if you can’t read the text in the picture, it says:

Stop sign: $146.00
Failure to obey traffic direction: $146.00
Evading of Police: $2,000.00
Riding on sidewalk: $32.00
Headphones: $126.00
No headlights: $108.00
Impound: $10.00
Seize: $20.00

Now, the purpose of the next point in legality is not to insult your intelligence, but to simply remind you of something that I’m sure you already know. This point is for those who don’t know that Resnet can see you anywhere.

It’s easy to procrastinate while you’re at the library. If you’re anything like me, you like to check out the Best of Youtube, or spend an unhealthy amount of time on MLIA, or maybe check out what new music is out there. For the music people…please… i repeat please, DO NOT DOWNLOAD MUSIC from limewire while at the library. Resnet can and will see that you are downloading and they will restrict your use of internet on Cal Poly’s campus by restricting your username/password when signing on to Cisco. There is a chance you haven’t been caught yet, so let this be your warning…You are at risk. For the record, I could care less what you do at home with limewire.

Again, I do not mean to insult anyone’s intelligence, I just care for your well-being and you being able to use the library as effectively as possible!

Here are some helpful links to learn more about Special Collections:

Special Collections website

About SC

Services and Policies

You can find more links on the website. SC hours end at 4pm every day during the week.

The walls of the library say a lot about “the other side” of Cal Poly. As a polytechnic university, there isn’t much talk about the art department. However, at the Kennedy Library there are numerous amounts of art features such as paintings and sculptures that you may or may not notice. Maybe you notice that the masterpiece is there, but have no idea why or what it is.
 
You are bombarded with a giant sculpture when you first come into the lobby area on the first floor of the library called “Popcorn Fantasy”. This sculpture was made by Bonne Scott and Crissa Hewitt who were Art professors at Cal Poly and is made out of Copper, Oak, Enamel and Stoneware. The sculpture is made to look like giant popcorn kernels; hence the name.
 

On the second floor by Julian’s there are two signs donated to the library by George Hasslein. The signs were once a part of the old campus powerhouse. When the school of Architecture and Environmental design took over the building, the machinery was disposed of to make use of office space for the departments. The signs were donated in order to represent some of Cal Poly’s historical background.
 

If you’re ever on the 5th floor you are sure to notice the “Wally Mark Herbarium” on the south side of the library. You know, all those pressed and dried plants? Those are all apart of Dr. Walter Mark’s (a former Associate Dean at Cal Poly) Herbarium. Dr. Mark’s main interests include Forest Entomology and Pathology, Forest Protection, Integrated Pest Management. He received his degree in Forest Management and his Master’s in Forest science at Utah State University before becoming the associate dean (1992-1996). Some of his other professional involvement includes:

• Certified Forester, Society of American Foresters
• Co-Chair, Monitoring Committee, California Oak Mortality Task Force, 2001-Present.
• Member, Board of Directors, Save-the-Redwoods League, 2001-Present
• Member, Executive Committee, California Oak Mortality Task Force, 2001-Present.
• Member, Pitch Canker Task Force, 1998-Present.
• Member, Research Committee, California Oak Mortality Task Force, 2000-Present.
• Registered Professional Forester, California, RPF #1250

  Make sure to check out the collection of flora next time you’re up on the fifth floor.

This piece of work is self explanatory. You can find this lively sculpture of Albert Einstein by Thuy Rauhut in the 2^nd floor lounge of the library.

The Adaptive Technology Center: located on the 2nd floor

Disability Resource Center (DRC) teams up with the Kennedy library to provide services for those who can not access the technology they need.  

There is technology available for everyone and just because people have different abilities, that doesn’t mean they should have different and limited access to the technological tools the library offers.    

Meet “Joe”. “Joe” played basketball since he was 5 and just received a scholarship to play in college. “Joe” was the star of the basketball team at his school. One day the team had practice and “Joe” fell and cracked his pelvis. This put ”Joe” in a wheelchair.    

Meet “Cindy”. ”Cindy” was born blind. All her life “Cindy” had to go to special libraries to get the books she really needed and wanted so that she could read books that everyone else was; only in braille. In college, it wasn’t that easy to request articles, journals, and other various research documents to be printed in braille.     

These are two very different scenarios that both require special assistance. Both “Joe” and “Cindy” can readily use the Adaptive Technology Center located on the second floor of the Library in rooms H & J.    

The Adaptive Technology Center provides students with the technology they need to regulate their research and study habits. Some of the various technology that is found readily available are:    

• Voice activated computer system (Dragon Dictate)
• Screenreading program (Jaws)
• Screen enlarging program (Zoom Text)
• Closed circuit T.V. (print enlarger)
• Kurzweil 1000 & 3000 (reading technology)
• A Self-Serve Station, including a printer, scanner and computer with the following software: Abby(character recognition), Text Aloud (text to audio conversion) and Roxio (burns audio to disc in wav or mp3 formats).

 These different programs turn the hassle of researching into something easy as 1, 2, 3 for students with different abilities. Now “Cindy” doesn’t have to worry if the article she ordered is in Braille; she can convert it to audio and listen to it! And “Joe” doesn’t have to get someone to help him with the printer while he is in his wheelchair because of the self-help station ready for DRC students.    

Things you will NEED in order to use the Adaptive Technology Center are:    

Even if you are not a DRC student, it’s good to know options in case something happens to you or your friends. The Library is making it’s resources available to everyone and anyone that craves knowledge.    

Please feel free to contact me with any questions!