Tuesday, January 29, 2013

We'll miss you Ellen!



Our uber fantastic Circulation Department supervisor, Ellen Royal-Ward will be leaving Holman Library next week.  

Our much much bereft library family will be missing a wild and fun-loving friend who cares deeply about the people she works with and those she serves.
Ellen with Pat Monahan from Train
Here are a few things that her friends and collegues have to say:


'Ellen is a very true and present person. I have always enjoyed talking to her about life and fun activities in and outside of Green River College. You always know she is listening, which is a wonderful trait. She’s also a kick…. I thought it was great to see her in the Flash mob Thriller dance in Seattle on the u-tube.  Most of all I’ll miss her laugh!'
Julie French
Health Services Coordinator


"Every time I walked into the library and Ellen was at the Circ desk, she would greet me with, “Hello, Darlin’.”  And deep down I know she meant it, although she probably said that to all her colleagues.  Ellen will be sorely missed.  She is irreplaceable, and I thank the goddess we are Facebook friends, or I’d have to stalk her!  Aloha, Ellen.  This is not goodbye."
Avis M. Adams
FACULTY



"I will definitely miss Ellen’s wonderful sense of humor and her all around good nature.  It is always a fun time when I stop by the library and get a chance to chat with Ellen – we always have a good laugh about something or other.  I will also miss giving Ellen a hard time about being a “crazy driver”, driving IN through what is clearly marked as a ONE WAY EXIT – I’ve used that against her a couple of times when I needed a favor from the library.  Ellen is great and is a big part of why I think our library is so great!  I will miss her lots!"

Adrienne Palmer
Math Learning Center Coordinator
Halloween was always wild!
"I always knew that I would have an interesting conversation with Ellen when I came to the library and it usually wasn’t on a predictable topic.  I will miss her friendly spirit, warm smile and sharp wit."
Mark Thomason
Faculty

 "I will miss her everyday smile and welcoming grandeur. Ellen is so well informed and willing to help- she will be missed!"
Paul Metivier
Faculty

"Ellen has a calm, professional demeanor even during the busiest of times at the Circulation Desk. Her sense of elegance and style is admired by faculty, staff and students."
Marji MacKenzie
Faculty Librarian

"I will miss the laughs.  I will miss her thoughtfulness.  I will miss her professionalism.  I will miss her."
Linda MacKenzie
Library Technician

"Now that Ellen is leaving, who will send sparkles through our blood?  Who will flash mob us with her smile?"

Vik Bahl
Faculty


“When the going gets tough, the tough gets a (Ellen) librarian.” –Joan Bauer
GRCC will greatly miss you!  Happy Trails…..
-Abby Biggerstaff
Salish Hall Secretary Lead



"I’ll miss Ellen’s great attitude and willingness to tackle any challenge, and also my crazy projects!"
Ann Lovell
Technical Services Library Paraprofessional



“I can’t believe that Ellen Royal-Ward is abdicating! Ellen is the Queen of circulation-  Long live the Queen!"
Mike Wood, Librarian.


Ellen, you will be sorely missed.  

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

The Death of News?


Library and Archives Paraprofessional Ann Lovell  watched it dying:

“During 2011 and 2012 I noticed that the Newsweek issues had diminished in size significantly. So much so that I could fit a whole year into one of the “pan files” in the periodical area (instead of two, which had always been the case). So, I guess you could say I saw it coming. The demise I mean.”

Newsweek was a hugely successful print magazine that was established in 1933 and grew to serve millions of readers who subscribed to it's print editions or purchased them weekly at any newsstand.
Newsweek Magazine was a fixture in the periodical racks of the Holman Library. Until now. The Dec. 31 2012 issue marked the end of this American media institution.

$40 million dollars in annual losses stopped the presses, and underlined the point that print magazines are increasingly being superseded by the Internet. As Newsweek editor Tina Brown said:

“You cannot actually change an era of enormous disruptive innovation…You can’t turn back what is an inexorable trend.”

For Newsweek to remain relevant, publishers decided that they had no choice but to adapt Newsweek to an all-digital format, called Newsweek Global, hoping readers will continue to pay for Newsweek as a digital magazine.

Goodbye printed edition of Newsweek. Rest in peace.

See our Holman Library subject guide for more on the changing landscape of news.




Monday, January 14, 2013

Holman Library's Silent Study Area

Holman Library is a popular spot on campus for both learning and socializing, and is a very busy and vibrant place. 
Maybe a little too vibrant at times for some tastes.

Some people thrive in a busy, active location and noise and distraction don't bother them when they study or do homework.
Others need a nice, quiet spot.

So, what to do if you are one who loves peace and quiet to do schoolwork?
Answer: Head straight to our Silent Study Area!




Located on the first floor of the library, the Silent Study Area (SSA) can accomodate up to 65 patrons and is available for individual, quiet study only. 

Filled with individual study carrels, the SSA gives you a semi-private place to study with no distractions.


Come on in for some peace and quiet!

Monday, January 7, 2013

Library Closed January 21st for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

A day on, not a day off

Fernandez, Benedict J. Dr. Spock, Dr. King and Rev. Rice Marching Down 5th Ave. NYC. April 15, 1967. 1967. The King Center Digital Archive. The King Center. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.

GRCC and Holman Library will be closed Monday January 21, 2013 for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. But this is no ordinary day off from school! Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said: 
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?"
It is to honor this spirit that we take a day in January to celebrate Dr. King through serving others. Visit http://www.mlkday.gov to find a volunteer opportunity where you live or to volunteer in King County visit the United Way's MLKDay website: http://www.uwkc.org/ways-to-volunteer/mlkday/

Can't volunteer that day? Honor Dr. King by reading a book or watching a documentary about his life and work. Many can be found at the Black History Month and MLK LibGuide: http://www.libguides.greenriver.edu/blackhistory

Books in the library:


The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Clayborne Carson









I May Not Get There With You: The True Martin Luther King, Jr.
Michael Eric Dyson










Documentaries in the library:


Roads to Memphis: The Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
PBS









Martin Luther King, Jr., Look Here
1957 television interview with MLK re-presented by NBC News







...and many, many more. See a librarian for help locating these and other materials and Happy Martin Luther King Day!