Category Archives: Library News

Staff Profiles

Spotlight on the Library Staff

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What do you do at the library? I assist students at the Circulation Desk by answering basic computer and research questions, locating and checking out library materials, and helping with anything else they may need.  I also help our Materials Clerk by processing the new Baker & Taylor fiction books.  B&T books are a leased collection, ensuring that we have the newest popular fiction available to students and staff.  We receive new books every month by authors such as James Patterson, Sue Monk Kidd, John Grisham, Danielle Steel, J. D. Robb, Janet Evanovich, and manymore.  You can search the B&T collection by visiting our blog: http://ivytechlibraryftwnewfiction.blogspot.com/
I am also working on revamping our puppet collection.  We have over 400 puppets, finger puppets, and stuffed animals in our collection, several of which correspond to books that we have in the children’s section.  Our puppets are often checked out by Early Childhood Education students, but they can be checked out by all students and staff.  Look for an updated blog showcasing our puppet collection, coming soon!  In the meantime, you can search our puppets here: http://ivytechlibraryftwpuppets.wordpress.com/

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Where does your expertise come from? I have my BA in English Literature from Indiana University.  I have also worked in public libraries in Bloomington as well as here in Fort Wayne.  I am very familiar with how libraries operate because I love visiting libraries and I do so very often!
What is unique about you that could be of service to the Ivy Tech community?  I graduated in December from Ivy Tech with a degree in nursing, so I know what it’s like to be a student at Ivy Tech.  I’m able to answer questions about Blackboard, Campus Connect, and even questions specific to nursing school.  I have the student and staff perspective, which has come in handy when helping students in the library.
What’s your favorite thing to do outside the library? I love spending time with my friends and family.  I also enjoy reading, watching movies, and going to shows and events around Fort Wayne.
Recommend a book to us that you enjoyed. Bossy Pants by Tina Fey.  I’m sure it would be a great read, but I actually recommend listening to the audiobook.  It’s read by Tina Fey (bonus!) and it’s hilarious, smart, and relatable. (We have it in our collection, too! Call #: B FEY)
Share a website: For life’s tough questions: http://www.ask8ball.net/
Library News

Purchase Request Form (New!)

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Have a suggestion for an item to the Library’s collection of books, journals, or DVDs? Fill out our new online Purchase Request form located on the library home page (under For Faculty).

http://wwwcc.ivytech.edu/library/northeast/index.html

* Disclaimer: There is no guarantee the material suggested will be purchased. Decisions are made based on the budget availability, the quality of the content and fulfillment of academic curricular needs.

Events, Updates

Research Review Sessions

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Many faculty and staff members at Ivy Tech Northeast are currently working on their own college degrees. Next week the Ivy Tech Northeast Library will be holding two “Research Review Sessions” specifically tailored for our faculty and staff. It will be more than just reviewing database searching, presenting resources available outside of our library. Think of it as a refresher on the research practices that you already know and an opportunity to learn about tools or resources available to make your degree work easier. We would like to invite you to one of our first two  Research Review Sessions:

  • Thursday, February 13th at the Coliseum Campus Library at 3:30pm-5pm
  • Friday, February 14th at the Coliseum Campus Library at 9am-10am

If you have any questions about these review sessions, you may call or email Librarian Ward Price at 480-2033, cprice55@ivytech.edu.

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Staff Profiles

Spotlight on the Library Clerk: Monique Myers

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Have you noticed the eye-catching displays in the Library? Have you ever stopped to appreciate the brilliant 3-D window scenes in the hallway? Allow us to introduce you to the creator of these amazing decorations – part-time Library Clerk, Monique Myers. Come and check out Monique’s most recent display in the Library: Blind Date with the Book, dedicated to the upcoming Valentine’s Day. Books on Monique’s display are wrapped in paper, so you don’t know anything about it,  just the genre. Pick a “single” book looking for a companion without knowing its title and, who knows, you may discover your new love!

What do you do at the library?

My job title is Circulation Clerk, which involves checking materials out to students and staff, and manning the circulation desk, assisting students needing help with library resources. I also discharge the returned materials and I am in charge of the displays and bulletin boards in and around the library.

Where does your expertise come from?
I have worked in a library from the time I was 16. I started at the Tecumseh branch of ACPL, and have also worked in Genealogy, Children’s Services, and the Shawnee branch. I worked in an academic library while attending college in Indianapolis and I worked in a library while I lived in Georgia for a few years. I have an Associate degree and I am currently working towards a Bachelor degree in general studies. From there I plan on continuing to get a Masters in Library Science.
With my art and displays, I am self-taught, and have no formal training. I draw inspiration from everywhere. My kids are a major influence. I have a passion for animals and cultural artwork, Dia de
los Muertos being my favorite.
What is unique about you that could be of service to the Ivy Tech community?
Having kids and also having experience working in Children’s Services at the Main Library, I have knowledge about juvenile books and authors. Working in so many different libraries, I have gained experience in searching the library collections for what you need.
What’s your favorite thing to do outside of the library?
Outside of the library, I love spending time with my kids whenever possible. We enjoy going to the zoo, bowling, putt-putt, parks, taking our dogs on a walk, going letterboxing, and having movie nights to name a few. Once the kids go to bed (and if I‘m not working on homework), I enjoy reading, playing video games, or working on whatever art project I am currently in the middle of.
Recommend a book to us that you enjoyed.
One of my favorite books is the fantasy novel Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. I like the Harry Potter series and a lot of Chuck Palahniuk’s books like Fight Club and Invisible Monsters. The Elephant and Piggie books are a series of early readers by Mo Willems. It never get old and always bring giggles.
Share a website.
http://www.letterboxing.org
If you would like to learn more about one of my family’s favorite hobbies, this website explains letterboxing more.
http://www.pinterest.com/There are so many good ideas on this site. I can only let myself look if I have at least an hour to waste.
Staff Profiles

Spotlight on our new Librarians

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In this issue we would like to introduce to you our new part-time Librarians: Elizabeth Kerscher and Sarah Ellsworth-Hoffman. As you may well know by now,  library staff is one of our most valuable library resources. The knowledge and unique cultural background they bring in is in high demand when it comes to research and assistance to our patrons. If you like, you can share your thoughts under the post. We’d love to hear from you! (just click on the comments link under a post). Also, see a sample of the new DVDs,  popular Christmas reading, and new fiction and non-fiction books we have recently added to our collection.
Staff Profiles

Elizabeth Kerscher – Evening Librarian

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What do you do at the library?
A little of this, a little of that, and a little bit more over here. I am always ready to help students with assignments, research, or various computer problems. I’ve also been working extensively on resource lists for our juvenile collection and am starting to work with the Education and Early Childhood Education Faculty on various projects and resources.  

Where does your expertise come from?
I have a BA in Elementary Education from Purdue University and my MLS, with a focus on school/children’s librarianship from IUPUI. In addition to Ivy Tech, I’ve worked in several school and public libraries and have taught an after-school elementary study group, so I’ve got quite a bit of experience when it comes to children’s literature or education-related subjects. I am currently spending my mornings in an elementary school library before I come to Ivy Tech – and the experience is always enlightening.

What is unique about you that could be of service to the Ivy Tech community?
I’m familiar with juvenile and young adult fiction and authors, so I’m a good resource if you’re looking for something to share with children (or just want a good read for yourself). I know quite a bit about our juvenile collection, and what I don’t know, I’m usually able to find through a search. I also have experience planning storytimes – so I might have ideas about how you can use the books you check out.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside the library?
Reading, certainly. I read a lot of juvenile and young adult chapter books to keep up with the kids at the elementary school. When I look for adult books, I tend to gravitate towards science fiction or fantasy. I also enjoy playing computer and video games with my boyfriend, or baking and decorating something sweet to share. And I will drop just about anything when Doctor Who comes on the television.

Recommend a book to us that you enjoyed.
I have a minor addiction to checking books out of the library. I have a small mountain at home that I’m trying to get through! But some good ones I’ve read and would always recommend are:

If you’re looking for a picture book, I love The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (or anything else by William Joyce!), or for a more seasonal title, Willow and the Snow Day Dance by Denise Brennan Nelson is great and gives kids an entertaining activity.

A good children’s (4th-5th grade age, most likely) chapter book right now is A Hero for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi (the second book in a series that starts with The Search for WondLa).

For more adult reading, I really enjoyed Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One, with all of its references, and I’ve never been able to put down anything by Neil Gaiman, one of my most favorite authors ever.

And one non-fiction to round off the list: 3500: An Autistic Boy’s Ten-Year Romance with Snow White by Ron Miles. It’s a quick read, but a fascinating and heart-warming story.

Enjoy!

Share a website
http://www.mousecircus.com/

Mouse Circus is focused on Neil Gaiman’s works for children. Best of all, it has videos. Of Neil. Reading Coraline. Alright. To be fair, he just reads Chapters 1 and 13. He gets other amazing people to read the others for him.

Staff Profiles

Sarah Ellsworth-Hoffman – Morning Librarian

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Name: Sarah Ellsworth-Hoffman
Position Title:  Morning Librarian
Worked at the Library: Since September 2013
Contact Info: sellsworthhoffm@ivytech.eduor phone 260-480-4176
What do you do at the library?
Since I am still fairly new I feel that every day I am learning the nuances of the Northeast Library. I have to start somewhere, even the little things – such as finding printer paper – are elements of the job :).
Every day, I help students with their assignments and answer research questions. I have also taken on some of the previous librarian’s (Jen Traore) event responsibilities, such as helping organize library events like the Edible Books Festival.
Where does your expertise come from?
Two years after receiving my Master of Library Science degree, I now have my first real academic librarian position. Previously, I have worked in Information Services for a medical office, did cancer research and developed a web resource with Indiana University, and shadowed and interned at the University of Saint Francis and the Allen County Public Library. I have always worked in positions where I provide information and assistance to people.
What’s your favorite thing to do outside the library?
There is not one thing, but I can list a few. 🙂 I love hanging out with my husband, especially Sunday morning breakfast/brunch. We both work multiple part time jobs and Sunday morning is a time when nothing feels urgent. I am in a folk rock family band called CLUSTERFOLK, I sing and do a variety of percussion. And when there is time, I like arts and crafts projects. Last year for Christmas, my husband and I made 40+ piñatas for our family members as presents.

 

I am drawn to folk elements in Spanish and Mexican culture. I celebrate Dia de Los Muertos and I enjoy listening and dancing to Salsa and Flamenco music. For our first dance at our wedding, my husband and I did a Tango/Flamenco dance to “Bamboleo” by the Gipsy Kings.
Recommend a book to us that you enjoyed.
I graduated from Indiana University with two Bachelor degrees: one in English (focus on Creative Writing) and the other in Folklore, so I tend to lean towards fiction, folktales, and fantasy reading.
I am currently reading The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. It is witty for its age (originally written in 1894) and tells a more interesting story than Disney provided.
Sarah wants to share the a holiday recipe with you today:
These are fun to take to a party AND they are tasty.
 
 (No cooking required!)
Hamburger Cookies
You will need:
A Box of Vanilla Wafer Cookies
A Package Keebler Grasshopper Cookies or Girl Scout Thin Mints
A can of Cream Cheese Frosting
A small bag of Shaved or Shredded Coconut
Green, Red, and Yellow food dye
A small amount of Corn Starch
Sesame Seeds
Water
Tools:
Cookie sheet
Four small bowls
One plate
Basting brush or paper towel
A Fork
Rubber Spatula
This is an assembled cookie recipe so I suggest having all the elements ready:
 Making “Buns”: Separate out all the whole vanilla wafers into pairs of two. Pick the better looking cookies for the “top bun”. Sprinkle sesame seeds on wide plate. In a bowl, quickly mix corn starch and water with a fork to make a liquid-like paste. Take the “top bun” vanilla wafer cookie and lightly dab with a paper towel or brush on corn starch liquid on the rounded side. (Be careful not to over soak cookie!). Then dip “top bun” on sesame seed plate and rest on cookie sheet to dry. The corn starch liquid will help the seeds stick to cookie.
Making “Lettuce”: Put Shredded Coconut in a bowl and add ONE drop of green food coloring. This will go a long way. Mix dye and coconut with fork until all the coconut looks like iceberg lettuce. Set it aside.
Making “Cheese and Ketchup”: Divide cream cheese frosting into two bowls (you may not need to use all frosting). Decide on what “Condiments” you want to use and add appropriate dye. Some people just use one bowl and make a light orange “secret sauce” that is on a McDonald’s Big Mac.
Now to assemble burgers! This can get messy if you do not have enough room, so plan out your space.
“Bottom Bun” – use spatula to put small dollop of “condiment” on top.  “Burger Pattie” – Keebler Grasshopper/Girl Scout Thin Mint on top of “condiment”- so it sticks. Put a tiny dollop of “condiment” on top of “Burger Pattie”. Add “Lettuce”. Take “Top Bun” and use rubber spatula to put a dollop of “condiment” on the under side. Place on  top of lettuce. Gently press to make “Burger” elements stick together and give the image of oozy cheese and sauce. Place all finished burgers on cookie sheet in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving or transporting.
Databases, Updates

Database Updates

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Books 24X7 has added over 100 new titles in its IT and Business areas. If you haven’t used Books 24X7 before, register (for free) and see what it has to offer.

LexisNexis Academic is simplifying it’s interface, starting December 23rd. “Just type search terms into LexisNexis Academic’s simplified, single-search box for a complete set of results sorted by relevance and date… More enhancements include streamlined navigation for more intuitive, user-friendly research and improved advanced search options for more sophisticated queries.” Click here for a preview.

Mango Languages recently added videos to it’s language-learning platform. Next month it will add course placement tests, and a new interface.