Summer Is Approaching
May in the Pesky Library opens with a display for Choose Privacy Week. It is a national campaign that seeks to deepen public awareness about personal privacy rights and the need to insure those rights in an era of pervasive surveillance. This year Choose Privacy Week is celebrated from May 1st to May 7th.
May is, of course, also exams month. Students will soon be taking AP exams, and the dreaded finals are fast approaching. In the midst of studying (or correcting exams), there should be also time for relaxing. Sometimes the best way to refresh your mind is to take a break and do something completely different. Whether you want to delight your eyes on a display, or check out books or DVDs, we are here to help you.
This month, the first of our hallway displays draw your attention to the fast approaching summer with the Three Bs: Biking, Boating, and Barbeque. The second draws from history of fashion to talk about the 140th anniversary of the patenting of riveted blue jeans. In recognition of the National Photo Month, we highlight photography books. We also display a selection of summer books to get everyone into a spring state of mind!
Gazing at the Skies
Welcome back from spring break! We hope everyone is re-energized and ready to tackle the rest of the semester.
During the break, library staff was not idle. Ms. Slater put together an intriguing display on headmaster Ted Eames and the Cold War era at Governor's Academy.
Our hallway display cases draw your gaze toward the skies. The cloud display presents thought-provoking points of view on this weather phenomenon. The constellations display features some basic information on stars and stargazing, including two popular constellations, Leo and Ursa Major.
As usual, smaller displays throughout the library educate and entertain. Our daily displays concentrate on women and issues that affect their daily lives.
Last but certainly not least, this spring’s common book author Dennis Lehane will visit the school on April 23rd. Mr. Lehane is scheduled to give a talk and reading. When he was here last, he gave us a preview of Live by Night, and we’re sure he will entertain us again.
Before Break
If you have wandered through the library lately, you probably noticed our display on Eating Disorders in the lobby. You may also find information about this topic in the Infotrac database in the Health and Wellness Resource Center. Our Eating Disorders research guide highlights some article databases and books from our library, as well as useful websites.
We also would like to bring to your attention that some students have been requesting audiobooks. If you have a need to listen to your book, please stop by the circulation desk or see Ms. Allen in the Learning Center so we can help you.
Our graphic novels have been getting some attention lately in their new location in the Glass Room. Remember, if there is something you would like to read, you should let us know! Also, as a part of your preparations for the spring break, please stop at the front desk to renew or return items. We would be happy to renew them so that you will not get overdue notices over the break.
Second Semester Already!
The school year is flying by. It is hard to believe, but second semester is already upon us.
To help Cupid in his mission, the library will once again bring back the popular valentine-making station. (Photos of past Valentine’s stations can be found on our Flickr account.) Stop by and construct something special to woo that someone special with on Valentine’s Day.
The library will also be participating in V-Day events to help end violence against women and girls. Go to onebillionrising.org for more information.
During February, one display case in the hallway will be highlighting President’s Day. As we celebrate the school’s 250th anniversary, we thought it would be interesting to link presidential history with the Academy’s past anniversaries. Another display invites you to explore the rich literary history of Concord, MA, where the transcendentalist movement began.
A New Year Begins
Welcome back! Whether you are in to pick up a book, movie, or a documentary, or to spend a quiet moment studying, we look forward to seeing all of you again.
This month we highlight The National Geographic magazine, which celebrates its 125th anniversary, in a large hallway display. Did you know that the library has issues of the magazine dating back to 1900? Another notable anniversary is celebrated by Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. Miss Austen first published her beloved novel 200 years ago. Please stop in to see these and our other, smaller displays. We strive to feature various topics from our collection, and are always happy to help you find items of interest to you.
Celebrating the Season
Preparations for the end of year holidays are underway on campus and in the library. Students, staff, and faculty are gearing up for exams and holiday parties.
We set out a selection of spiritual reading on the front desk display stand and refreshed the new books stand in the lobby with a new selection. Ms. Slater used the archives holdings to build a wonderful display of past Archons and vintage greeting cards in one of the hallway cases. All sorts of wintery critters have appeared everywhere in the library to delight us.
The end of the calendar year does not mark the end of semester, however. In the midst of holiday cheer, work goes on as usual until the very last afternoon.
We wish everyone a very happy and refreshing holiday season!
Busy November
The first quarter is over. The new academic schedule has changed how both students and adults on campus carry out their work. At this point, both students and adults of the community seem to have a better idea of how to navigate the day.
As the second quarter rolls on, we in the library see increasing numbers of students checking out laptops or textbooks to get an early start on homework, or picking up books to fulfill their outside reading requirement. We continue to meet with juniors about their history thesis research, and to add to our brand new research portal on LibGuides.
This November, our hallway display cases highlight Special Olympics and the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. Special Olympics is an event that the Governor’s community has participated in for 25 years and that many members of our community are passionate about.
Please visit us to see the displays, take advantage of our selection, or just to have a chat. We love to hear from you.
Eye-Catching October
The fall semester is in full swing by now. Many juniors have already met with librarians to discuss their history thesis research. As usual, textbooks and laptops are the items most in demand throughout the day. Many also take advantage of our magazine and DVD collection to while away an otherwise empty moment.
A new set of colorful displays is out for October. We strive to make past as well as current events relevant to the school and the library collection. The Cuban Missile Crisis display does just that with a photograph from the school archives. It shows President Kennedy – a congressman at the time – visiting our campus. Our Halloween display tickles everyone’s intellectual curiosity with a wide range of dystopias. In addition, Ms. Struck has brought in the first round of Objects of the Week – everyday items that her art students transform.
On your way in, please also check out the daily display on the lobby table. Ms. Marnell always manages to find such interesting facts and accompanies them with something from our collection. We encourage you to visit these and our other, smaller displays.
Welcome Back to Another School Year!
In addition to the changes around campus, there have been quite a few changes in the library. First of all, if you haven’t already, please stop by to see the mural depicting our school’s history in the reference room on the first floor. The mural was painted over the summer break by artists David Fichter and Joshua Winer.
Also, just inside the front door (between the door and the elevator), there is a little nook that has a couple of computer workstations for a quick email check or printing something for class. Furthermore, you now have the capability of printing (both color and black and white) to the library copier, so please send your jobs there – and remember to pick them up!
Another big change is the introduction of the new Center for Teaching and Learning on the second floor. Manning the center will be Ms. McGraw, Ms. Gold, and Ms. Paszko in addition to Ms. Allen and Mr. Quigley. Please stop by to greet them, too.
Our history book collection was moved downstairs to make room for the learning center, which in turn set off a domino effect in other areas of the library. If you need help finding materials, please refer to the Quick Guide to Locations (posted around the library) or ask us. We’re here to help!
Happy Summer
We cannot believe it is the end of semester! Even though students are done with their papers and projects, there are still so many things to wrap up for the academic year.
We need to follow up on all loans and see that they are returned before the summer. The budget and our final book and DVD orders need to be followed up on, too. Next year's text books need to be ordered and processed. Supplies need to be replenished. Our physical materials have to be in good shape for next fall, which means that the book repair supplies are getting a lot of use.
In addition to the next academic year, our sights are on summer as well. We prepared a display about beach reading. The summer programs notice board is chock full of ideas and information - check it out by the copier room.
The library will also be open during most of the summer. A staff member will be here to assist local staff, faculty, and students and the summer programs on campus. If you are staying in the area, pop in to say hello. If not, we will see you next fall. We wish everyone a fantastic, relaxing, and refreshing summer!
