It's time to say goodbyes again. Some goodbyes we know will be short - only over the summer! - but others may be for years or, as far as we know, for good.
Class of 2013: Heartfelt congratulations! Students, staff, and faculty departing Govs: We wish you well in your future endeavors. Returning students, staff, and faculty: Welcome back in the fall!
We hope everyone will have a fantastic, enjoyable summer!
As a personal note: As you may remember, at end of next week I will leave the Academy to head for new adventures. I leave with very fond memories of the people at Govs. The caring community fostered here is quite remarkable. I hope you will always cherish it. Goodbye, good luck - and thanks for all the fish! -Eppu
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
Silent Study Everywhere
Yes, it is that time of the year again. Exams week means, as before, that the entire library building is reserved for silent study. This also mean the library study rooms!
Students who need or want to work in groups can use the collaboration spaces elsewhere on campus - there is a list available in the library.
Good luck!
Students who need or want to work in groups can use the collaboration spaces elsewhere on campus - there is a list available in the library.
Good luck!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
For the Class of 2013
You dreamt, and you strived. Now you are there. Congratulations on your graduation. Well done.
Best of luck in your future endeavors; may you achieve more success ahead. Thank you for the good times!
Best of luck in your future endeavors; may you achieve more success ahead. Thank you for the good times!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Overdue Library Books Wanted!
The end of semester is near. Have you returned your library books and DVDs?
Now is the perfect time to check your desk, your closet, your shelf, and your backpack for library treasures you have not returned yet and get them back to the library. (Check under your desk and bed, too!)
Thank you!
Now is the perfect time to check your desk, your closet, your shelf, and your backpack for library treasures you have not returned yet and get them back to the library. (Check under your desk and bed, too!)
Thank you!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
National Etiquette Week
National Etiquette Week is the national recognition of etiquette and protocol in all areas of life. The week will raise awareness of all people to act with courtesy, civility, kindness, respect and manners as well as rally people to act with good manners in their everyday lives.
Inflammatory comments and jokes may amount to harassment or bullying charges, and are, of course, inappropriate, as is plagiarism, cheating, lying, and stealing. In addition, the school rules include several smaller points that boil down to a matter of courtesy and respect to others. Examples include removing your hat while indoors and forgoing public displays of affection that are overly physical or explicit. Keeping your feet off chairs or tables and picking up trash around your work area when leaving may not be written down, but are definite signs of consideration towards others.
Stop by the library to look at the famous book on etiquette by Emily Post (Emily Post's Etiquette, shelved upstairs at 393 POS), or read more at emilypost.com. We also encourage you to relax, breathe, and smile at people around you!
Inflammatory comments and jokes may amount to harassment or bullying charges, and are, of course, inappropriate, as is plagiarism, cheating, lying, and stealing. In addition, the school rules include several smaller points that boil down to a matter of courtesy and respect to others. Examples include removing your hat while indoors and forgoing public displays of affection that are overly physical or explicit. Keeping your feet off chairs or tables and picking up trash around your work area when leaving may not be written down, but are definite signs of consideration towards others.
Stop by the library to look at the famous book on etiquette by Emily Post (Emily Post's Etiquette, shelved upstairs at 393 POS), or read more at emilypost.com. We also encourage you to relax, breathe, and smile at people around you!
Monday, May 13, 2013
Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam Allows High-Def Art Mashups
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, one of the world's leading museums, has launched a ground-breaking online collection sharing tool, Rijks Studio.
The museum invites the public to create and share their own favorites sets, and use the high-resolution images in creative ways, free of copyright. You can even zoom in on the images and save a detail of a larger work in your set. With 125,000 masterpieces to browse, from Rembrandt to Vermeer to lesser known or unknown artists, the museum's web site offers a breathtaking selection.
According to Artdaily.org, the museum's Director of Collections, Taco Dibbits, says:
According to Artdaily.org, the museum's Director of Collections, Taco Dibbits, says:
"The Rijksmuseum is a museum for and of everyone, and with the launch of Rijks Studio we are excited to share the extensive collection with art lovers around the world using the latest digital technology. We created Rijks Studio based on the belief that the collection of the Rijksmuseum belongs to us all."Read more at Artdaily.org!
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
Women's Sports through the Archives' Eyes
This year, our archivist highlights different aspects of the new mural in her monthly displays. For May, Ms. Slater found a selection of images of the girl's athletic teams from the archives. Among the treasures are photos of the first women's basketball, lacrosse, and hockey teams at Governor's Academy. As contrast, she posted a number of current photos.
It's a truly fascinating glimpse back in time. Come on in to take a look!
It's a truly fascinating glimpse back in time. Come on in to take a look!
Monday, May 06, 2013
Latest Reviews: May 2013
Below you can find links to reviews of just some of the books recently read by our staff. Why not look in our LibraryThing collection for both fiction and non-fiction to read, either before or during summer.
The latest reviews in our "virtual collection" include Taxes in America by Leonard Burman and Joel Slemrod, and The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi.
You can always find even more reviews through our LibraryThing profile.
The latest reviews in our "virtual collection" include Taxes in America by Leonard Burman and Joel Slemrod, and The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi.
You can always find even more reviews through our LibraryThing profile.
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Choose Privacy Week, May 1-7
Choose Privacy Week is a national public awareness campaign that seeks to deepen public awareness about personal privacy rights and the need to insure those rights in an era of pervasive surveillance.
We live in an age when knowledge is power. New technologies give us unprecedented access to information. They also facilitate surveillance, with the power to collect and mine personal information. Whether it's your location, your phone calls, your Facebook posts, your purchases or the websites you visit, your daily activities are monitored, recorded, collected and stored.
Visit the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom pages for more information, or read about how to safeguard your information when using public computers and/or wi-fi. And don't forget to check out our display in the lobby!
We live in an age when knowledge is power. New technologies give us unprecedented access to information. They also facilitate surveillance, with the power to collect and mine personal information. Whether it's your location, your phone calls, your Facebook posts, your purchases or the websites you visit, your daily activities are monitored, recorded, collected and stored.
Visit the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom pages for more information, or read about how to safeguard your information when using public computers and/or wi-fi. And don't forget to check out our display in the lobby!
Monday, April 29, 2013
New Happiness Board for May
We use the flipside of our library rules board in the lobby as a happiness board. The happiness board is a place to display funny, cheerful, and interesting images, cartoons, and thoughts.
Now that spring has finally sprung, the latest version of the happiness board acknowledges how close the end of semester is - and with that, graduation and summer. Objects in calendar are closer than they appear, indeed!
Now that spring has finally sprung, the latest version of the happiness board acknowledges how close the end of semester is - and with that, graduation and summer. Objects in calendar are closer than they appear, indeed!
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Digital Public Library of America
The newest of the new in cultural online materials is the Digital Public Library of America. The beta version went live just last week, on April 18, 2013.
The site brings together a wealth of already digitized material from America’s libraries, archives, and museums into a freely accessible portal. Millions of items have already been added: photographs, manuscripts, books, sounds, moving images, and more. Regional collections are linked to make them available throughout the U.S. For instance, content from a few major institutional collections (like Harvard University and the National Archive) are included.
The data included is also as open as possible. Specific restrictions notwithstanding, the materials are available for bulk download, and the DPLA code is available as open source for users to develop their own discovery tools and apps.
And that is just the beginning! There are already seven digital exhibitions and two discovery apps available. The DPLA is also collaborating with Europeana, the multi-lingual online collection of millions of digitized items from European museums, libraries, archives and multi-media collections. And besides public domain materials, the DPLA is working to make in-copyright items available (see John Palfrey's article in the April 15, 2013, issue of Libray Journal).
The site brings together a wealth of already digitized material from America’s libraries, archives, and museums into a freely accessible portal. Millions of items have already been added: photographs, manuscripts, books, sounds, moving images, and more. Regional collections are linked to make them available throughout the U.S. For instance, content from a few major institutional collections (like Harvard University and the National Archive) are included.
The data included is also as open as possible. Specific restrictions notwithstanding, the materials are available for bulk download, and the DPLA code is available as open source for users to develop their own discovery tools and apps.
And that is just the beginning! There are already seven digital exhibitions and two discovery apps available. The DPLA is also collaborating with Europeana, the multi-lingual online collection of millions of digitized items from European museums, libraries, archives and multi-media collections. And besides public domain materials, the DPLA is working to make in-copyright items available (see John Palfrey's article in the April 15, 2013, issue of Libray Journal).
Monday, April 22, 2013
April 22, 2013 - Earth Day
The first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed.
Growing out of the first Earth Day, Earth Day Network (EDN) works with over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.
We hope you saw the Do the Math! movie on campus last night and were inspired by it. You can also visit the Earth Day 2013 website, or our library display, for more inspiration and ideas!
Growing out of the first Earth Day, Earth Day Network (EDN) works with over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.
We hope you saw the Do the Math! movie on campus last night and were inspired by it. You can also visit the Earth Day 2013 website, or our library display, for more inspiration and ideas!
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Common Book Day Approaches Fast
This spring's common book author is Dennis Lehane. Mr. Lehane is the author of noted novels such as Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone, and Shutter Island. He is also an award winning short story writer. He will visit the campus next Tuesday, April 23rd.
You have just under a week to visit the library to take a look at the display we created with Mr. Lehane's works. Or get your copy of the common book, Live by Night, either in the library (shelved at FIC LEH) or the book store.
You have just under a week to visit the library to take a look at the display we created with Mr. Lehane's works. Or get your copy of the common book, Live by Night, either in the library (shelved at FIC LEH) or the book store.
Monday, April 15, 2013
News Haiku by The New York Times
Do you read The New York Times regularly? What about their new haiku?
The New York Times started a Tumblr blog for their haiku. These three-line poems are found on the newspaper's home page with the help of an algorithm. Jacob Harris, the senior software architect at The New York Times, describes the project:
Read more at The Times haiku blog!
"[The algorithm] periodically checks the New York Times home page for newly published articles. Then it scans each sentence looking for potential haikus by using an electronic dictionary containing syllable counts. We started with a basic rhyming lexicon, but over time we've added syllable counts for words like 'Rihanna' or 'terroir' to keep pace with the broad vocabulary of The Times."
"Not every haiku our computer finds is a good one. The algorithm discards some potential poems if they are awkwardly constructed and it does not scan articles covering sensitive topics. Furthermore, the machine has no aesthetic sense. It can't distinguish between an elegant verse and a plodding one. But, when it does stumble across something beautiful or funny or just a gem of a haiku, human journalists select it and post it on this blog."
Read more at The Times haiku blog!
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Two Free Culture Resources Online
The search giant Google has stepped into the cultural arena with two online services. The Cultural Institute "helps preserve and promote culture online." In a similar vein, the Art Project highlights almost 50,000 works of art.
You can browse the Art Project by artist, artwork, or art collection, or search and refine your search results by medium. Details of each work of art are provided, along with links to other works by the same artist. In addition, you can browse partial collections of the participating institutions - an impressive number of renowned institutions worldwide have signed up so far. You can also see the works of art in their current indoor location, much like the Google Maps street view.
The Cultural Institute's site is filled with imagery. You can read background info and original manuscripts, view photos, graphs, and maps, plus watch videos. According to Google, they want to have a "visually rich and interactive online experience for telling cultural stories in new ways." For example, you can find artifacts and events by era, project (theme, more or less), or Google's collaborative partner. Search results can be refined by source, event, place, person, media, or date, and arranged by relevance or age. A subproject called the World Wonders Project enables the exploration ancient, modern, and natural wonders, like the Great Barrier Reef or Pompei.
We have only begun to play around with both services, but so far we're very impressed with them. Happy exploration!
You can browse the Art Project by artist, artwork, or art collection, or search and refine your search results by medium. Details of each work of art are provided, along with links to other works by the same artist. In addition, you can browse partial collections of the participating institutions - an impressive number of renowned institutions worldwide have signed up so far. You can also see the works of art in their current indoor location, much like the Google Maps street view.
The Cultural Institute's site is filled with imagery. You can read background info and original manuscripts, view photos, graphs, and maps, plus watch videos. According to Google, they want to have a "visually rich and interactive online experience for telling cultural stories in new ways." For example, you can find artifacts and events by era, project (theme, more or less), or Google's collaborative partner. Search results can be refined by source, event, place, person, media, or date, and arranged by relevance or age. A subproject called the World Wonders Project enables the exploration ancient, modern, and natural wonders, like the Great Barrier Reef or Pompei.
We have only begun to play around with both services, but so far we're very impressed with them. Happy exploration!
Monday, April 08, 2013
Audio Books Guide Now Available!
Lately, some students have been requesting audio books. We try to provide help to students of all learning styles. 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. We also made a brief audio book guide on our research guides site. Links to outside audio book resources are also provided in this guide.
Also note that all Massachusetts State residents can sign up for a Boston Public Library eCard via the web! Just follow the prompts on the registration form and your eCard number will be emailed to you. (Use the school's address if you are an out-of-state or foreign boarder.)
BPL eCards are virtual library cards that allow users immediate entry to all of Boston Public Library's remotely-accessible electronic resources, including magazine databases, downloadable audio, video, eBooks, and music.
Also note that all Massachusetts State residents can sign up for a Boston Public Library eCard via the web! Just follow the prompts on the registration form and your eCard number will be emailed to you. (Use the school's address if you are an out-of-state or foreign boarder.)
BPL eCards are virtual library cards that allow users immediate entry to all of Boston Public Library's remotely-accessible electronic resources, including magazine databases, downloadable audio, video, eBooks, and music.
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
Naturalist and Illustrator: Maria Sibylla Merian
Maria Sibylla Merian, 1647-1717, was a naturalist and illustrator. She was born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, to an etcher and book publisher father. After her marriage and the birth of her first daughter, she began methodically to explore and paint nature.
From early on, she was interested in insects. Her first objects of illustration were silkworms and caterpillars. Merian's work had a significant influence on the development of entomology.
On April 02, 2013, Google marked the 366th anniversary of Merian's birth with a Google Doodle. Read more on Maria Sibylla Merian in the book Our Hidden Heritage: Five Centuries of Women Artists by Eleanor Tufts (shelved at 709 TUF), or visit the display in the lobby!
From early on, she was interested in insects. Her first objects of illustration were silkworms and caterpillars. Merian's work had a significant influence on the development of entomology.
On April 02, 2013, Google marked the 366th anniversary of Merian's birth with a Google Doodle. Read more on Maria Sibylla Merian in the book Our Hidden Heritage: Five Centuries of Women Artists by Eleanor Tufts (shelved at 709 TUF), or visit the display in the lobby!
Monday, April 01, 2013
Latest Reviews: April 2013
Below you can find links to reviews of just some of the
books recently read by our staff. Why not look in our LibraryThing collection
for both fiction and non-fiction to read.
The latest reviews in our "virtual collection"
include 172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad, and The Drowned Cities by Paolo
Bacigalupi.
You can always find even more reviews through our LibraryThing profile.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
New Headmaster Display
Welcome back from spring break! We hope everyone is re-energized and ready to tackle the rest of the spring semester.
During the break, library staff has not been idle. Ms. Slater, our archivist, put together this intriguing display on headmaster Ted Eames and the Cold War era at Governor's Academy.
It includes the dedication speech for the Alumni Gymnasium made by Admiral Halsey, Commander of Naval Forces in the South Pacific during WWII. Other interesting reproductions include a follow-up sheet for study hall behavior. Did you know that grinning or dropping his pencil were things a student was held accountable for during study hall?
Please also read Ms. Slater's fascinating blog post on loyalty oaths faculty members were required to make!
During the break, library staff has not been idle. Ms. Slater, our archivist, put together this intriguing display on headmaster Ted Eames and the Cold War era at Governor's Academy.
It includes the dedication speech for the Alumni Gymnasium made by Admiral Halsey, Commander of Naval Forces in the South Pacific during WWII. Other interesting reproductions include a follow-up sheet for study hall behavior. Did you know that grinning or dropping his pencil were things a student was held accountable for during study hall?
Please also read Ms. Slater's fascinating blog post on loyalty oaths faculty members were required to make!
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Author Blog: Neil Gaiman
Do you read any blogs? How about any author blogs?
Blogs are a nifty, informal way for anyone to get their thoughts out and create conversation with people from all over the world. Writers have, naturally enough, also taken to this new medium. They share not only their thoughts on writing and their works, they also highlight the creative process. That can be a really fun way for non-writers or aspiring writers to experience the joys and challenges of writing.
One of the truly prolific author bloggers is Neil Gaiman. He started blogging well over 10 years ago - just click on the Archives link to access this wealth of thought. Blogs are also increasingly a serious avenue of publication. In a recent blog post, Neil Gaiman provides a link to a free .pdf file with 12 brand new stories by him. Also links and FAQs of Gaiman's work are just a click away. Happy reading!
Blogs are a nifty, informal way for anyone to get their thoughts out and create conversation with people from all over the world. Writers have, naturally enough, also taken to this new medium. They share not only their thoughts on writing and their works, they also highlight the creative process. That can be a really fun way for non-writers or aspiring writers to experience the joys and challenges of writing.
One of the truly prolific author bloggers is Neil Gaiman. He started blogging well over 10 years ago - just click on the Archives link to access this wealth of thought. Blogs are also increasingly a serious avenue of publication. In a recent blog post, Neil Gaiman provides a link to a free .pdf file with 12 brand new stories by him. Also links and FAQs of Gaiman's work are just a click away. Happy reading!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)