Old librarians don't retire...

...they just check out!
Jill Brax's and Susan Taylor's last day in Miller Library will be May 29. Jill has worked at MC for 25 years, Susan for 30.
We've enjoyed serving our patrons, and we wish you the best.

Poem In Your Pocket Day

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

Lunch Time PIYP – Carry a poem in your pocket and read it to a PIYP Official in the cafeteria between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., and get a FREE candy bar.

4 P.M. Miller Library
Poetry Reading – bring a poem to read aloud. Winners of the McPherson College English Department’s 5th Annual Poetry Contest will be announced. Refreshments will be served.

Limerick Contest – be a contestant in our limerick contest and win coffee from Java Johns and free Sonic coupons. Fill in the last word (which rhymes with the last word of the first two lines); an example is provided below. Our apologizes to NPR’s Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me radio show.

Final Drawing – Have you been signing up all year? Then you’re in the running for the $200 cash prize


It’s Poem in Your Pocket Day
And the poets will have their say.
Limericks, our name
Rhyming, our game
So come to the library and play

National Library Week & Poetry Month

Miller Library thanks you for your patronage this year! We'll delay our celebration of National Library Week and conclude Poetry Month with the return of our Poem in Your Pocket Day contest on April 30. Also on April 30 we will have the Grand Prize drawing for $200; be sure to sign up each time you come to Miller!

Museum Roadshow

2nd Annual Museum Roadshow
Saturday, April 25, 6 p.m. Cedars Wellness Center
Bring an antique, collectible or work of art for oral evaluations.
Tickets ($30) include dinner and one assessment.
Contact the McPherson Museum and Arts Foundation for more information, 241-8464.

Rick Robbins on Jeopardy

Rick Robbins, Miller Library assistant, 2006-2008, will appear on Jeopardy sometime the week of April 4. Catch him on Channel 3, 4 p.m.

Easter Break hours

Thursday, 4/9 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Friday–Sunday, 4/10-12 Closed

Monday, 4/13 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Happy Easter!

Desoto Taxi

Our newest puzzle is a photo of a DeSoto Taxi; can anyone tell me what year? This 1,500 piece puzzle, gift of Gary Entz and Ocie Kilgus, is going to take awhile so drop by and put a piece or two in for us.

We thank Michael Kirkman, Kristen's father, for supplying us with the three American history puzzles just completed. Now we know more about U.S. presidents, the Civil War, and aircraft history.

Spring Break Hours

Please note our hours over Spring Break:

CLOSED Sat-Sun March 21-22

OPEN Mon-Fri March 23-27 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (note change in hours)

CLOSED Sat March 28

OPEN Sunday, March 29 6 – 10 p.m.

Libraries During Hard Times

Newspapers are carrying articles about the benefits of libraries when dollars are short. Miller Library is no exception.
Check out our collection of movies, music, and leisure reading titles. Also, our online databases and those of the State Library of Kansas offer information on everything from health to fine arts, horticulture to culinary arts, home improvement to travel and leisure, and a collection of popular magazines. McPherson College students and staff may access these through our Online Resources page for Gale/Cengage: http://find.galegroup.com/menu/commonmenu.do?userGroupName=klnb_mcphercol.

Black History Month

February is Black History Month. Celebrate by reading one of our recent acquisitions related to African Americans.

Historical titles include: Harlem Speaks: a Living History of the Harlem Renaissance; The Hemingses of Monticello; Race and Reunion: the Civil War in American Memory; The Reel Civil War: Mythmaking in American Film; Closer to the Truth than Any Fact: Memoir, Memory, and Jim Crow; and Black Americans in Congress, 1870-2007.

Related to race relations, we now have Can We Now Talk about Race? and Other Conversations in an Era of School Resegregation; and Diversity and Social Justice in College Sports.

Don't miss the delightful children's book I Love My Hair!

Presidents' Month

February is the month we celebrate the birthdays of U.S. presidents, and our new jigsaw puzzle has photos of the presidents plus info about their libraries/museums and other historical information. Take a study break and learn something about U.S. history while working this puzzle.

Miniature Tin Cars

It's January and time for our annual automobile-related display. This year we are featuring miniature tin cars from the collection of Luke Chennell. Come by and see the Bugatti T-35 racer, Sir Ian's Bluebird, and more toy gems.

Extra Hours

Miller Library will stay open until 12 midnight on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Dec. 14-17, as you prepare for your final exams. We wish you the best!

Christmas Party

Miller Library's Christmas Party is Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 7:30 - 10 p.m.

We will draw for the $50 cash prize! Other giveaways and gift certificates as well.

Donate a new or gently used children's book and receive another ticket.

Games, caroling, movie trivia, puzzles, cookies and hot chocolate.

Join Rick Tyler, Kim Stanley, Connie Kramer and Susan Taylor plus students from the Advertising Class for a fun evening.

Snacks...and now cocoa

It's cold outside, but warm up inside the library with a cup of cocoa or cider (25 cents). And snacks--candy, crackers, chips--are available for 50 cents. Coffee, as always, is free.

Election Information

For those voting in Kansas, learn how, when, and where to vote:

Step 1. To find your district for Congressional leaders, State Board of Education, and state officials go to http://www.ipsr.ku.edu/ksdata/vote/ . Type in your address and your current elected officials will pop up as well as your districts.

Step 2. Once you know your districts you can find out who is running in your districts at the Secretary of State’s candidate list: http://www.kssos.org/elections/elections_upcoming_candidate_display.asp and select Featured Link – Official 2008 General Candidate List (lower left side of page)

Step 3. To find out where you need to go to vote, access your personal voter registration information. This will name your polling site. You can find that at https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/

Need help knowing how to vote on judges? Performance evaluations may be found at: http://www.kansasjudicialperformance.org/judgeevaluations.cfm

Don't forget to vote on Nov. 4!

Happy Halloween

Tomorrow's Halloween...did you know
--An old magical belief says if persons hold a mirror on Halloween and walk backward down the stairs to the basement, the face that appears in the mirror will be their next lover?
--Magician Harry Houdini died on Halloween in 1926?
--According to the Kansas Census of Agriculture, in 2002 102 Kansas farms harvested 705 acres of pumpkins for eating and carving?

Read ghost stories of Kansas at:
http://www.prairieghosts.com/haunts.html/

Or check out these movies and books from Miller Library:
Rocky Mountain Horror Picture Show DVD
Phantom of the Opera VHS and sound recording
Little Shop of Horrors VHS
Haunted Kansas: Ghost Stories and Other Eerie Tales book by Lisa Heitz
The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe
Famous Ghost Stories book by Bennett Cerf
Horror Literature: A Core Collection and Reference Guide
Children's Books: Arthur's Halloween, Shy Mama's Halloween, Hallow-Wiener, Cinderhazel, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Happy Halloween

Our puzzle finished

On our first game night, we started a 1,500 piece puzzle, which was finished recently. Wednesday night, Oct. 29, we'll break out a new puzzle, featuring the Kansas City Chiefs (I know, they need all the help they can get this year!). We'll have treats, a movie, and games. Take a study break and put in a piece of the puzzle.

Smithsonian Exhibit and Special Activities

The Smithsonian exhibit, New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music, opens with a reception for members today, Oct. 2, and for the public Oct. 3, beginning at 7 p.m. at The Mcpherson Museum and Arts Foundation, 1130 E. Euclid . Come for free food, live music, and a companion exhibit on local music. The exhibit runs through Nov. 9.

Miller Library’s exhibit Sweetening the Voice of the Harp: Brethren Hymnody in America also opens Oct. 3 and features many old hymnals, some in German dating from the 18th century, and music up to 2008, including the piece commissioned for the 300th anniversary of the Church of the Brethren and sung by the McPherson College Choir in Schwarzenau, Germany, this summer.
Many events in the community are being held in conjunction with this exhibit. They include the McPherson College Choir concert on Oct. 12 and Theatre Department’s production of Quilters Nov. 6, 7, 8, 9. A complete list is available in the library.

If you get a passport and attend five events, you are eligible for a drawing for the complete DVD set of American Roots Music. Passports are available at Miller Library, and our exhibit counts as one event.

Another musical event features the FreeStaters on Thursday, Oct. 9, downtown at the Community Building at 7 p.m. These authentic 1850s musical re-enactors will take you back to another era! Tickets are $5 and are available from Susan Taylor in the library.

Model T anniversary

Miller Library celebrates the Model T centennial with a book display outside the automotive special collection. Included are two new books, including Robert Casey's The Model T: A Centennial History and The Ford Model T: The Car That Put the World on Wheels by Lindsay Brooke. Also, see a photo of a Tourer bearing a McPherson College pennant parked outside the Ford factory ; if anyone knows the history behind this, we'd be eager to hear it!

Friday night in MIller

Connie Kramer's advertising class hosted a games night in Miller on Friday night. Here Ms. Kramer cuts the ribbon, signaling the start of the fun. Winners of the drawing were Joe Bader, Garry Deason, Cody Compton, Mira Coulter, Duisty Kithou, David Kraft, Audrey McTaggert, and Zack White.

Marker Top Tables

Our new marker top tables are great for studying, as this chemistry group discovered this week. And, we're enjoying the art work MC students are leaving us to enjoy!

Novelist

Looking for a novel to read? Or want to discover books similar to ones you've already read?
Try NoveList. This database helps you find more to read based on what you already know and also includes feature articles, book discussion guides, reviews, and sometimes the first chapter. There are over 150,000 fiction titles, 50,000 nonfiction titles and over 4000 custom created articles and lists.
Our campus community can access it at at our online resources page. Go to EbscoHost K-12, and select NoveList. Or, access it and other databases at the State Library of Kansas website, page: http://skyways.lib.ks.us/KSL/ and Explore Our Resources.

Group Study Room

Our Group Study Room (Miller 104) with two computers, a printer, and seating for eight is ready. Drop by or reserve the room by calling x2487.

Poker Run

First-Seminar Seminar students came to Miller Library on Thursday, Sept. 18, for the annual Poker Run. In addition to learning how to find books and magazine articles, each group drew a poker hand. The winner, with a full house, was Mel Wright's 1:30 class. Shown are Herb Smith and some of his seminar group getting instructions.

New in Miller Library

Miller Library welcomes new and returning students!
To better serve you, we now have a media viewing room (106) and group study room (104) with computers! Both can be reserved, or use them anytime they are free.
On our Main Level we have added a snack machine and some tables with marker board tops.
Laptops are available for check-out for in-library use, and we also have digital cameras available.

For the resources you need, or a study space to match your learning style, come to Miller.

Faculty Feed & Weed

Faculty came to Miller Library on Tuesday of Faculty Workshop week to help weed the collection and enjoy refreshments.

Weeding out-of-date materials helps keep our collection up-to-date.

Thanks, faculty, for your participation.

Summer Hours

Miller Library's summer hours will be:

June 2-6 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday - Friday

June 9-Aug. 8 9 a.m. – 12 noon Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

Aug. 11-29 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday - Friday

Finals Week

We will be open until midnight Sunday - Wednesday, May 18-21, and the coffee will be on. Good luck with finals!
Please remember to return all your library materials before you leave. If you need materials past May 16, check with Susan.
Happy Graduation, seniors, and see the rest of you next fall!

National Library Week

Join the Circle of Knowledge @ your library during National Library Week, April 13-19.
Did you know academic librarians answer 72.8 million reference questions each year - that's almost twice the attendance at college football games!
You can ask reference questions at Miller Library by coming in, phoning ext. 2487, emailing library@mcpherson.edu, finding Susan Taylor on Facebook, IM (instant messaging) Susan Taylor on Windows Messenger, using the AskMac links on the library webpage and/or EbscoHost Database page.

Announcing PIYP Day

Miller Library will host Poem in Your Pocket Day on Tuesday, April 29, to celebrate National Poetry Month.

First, we encourage you to carry a poem in your pocket to share with others that day. We will have some poems available in Miller Library, if you’d like one of our selections.

Second, we will be having a PIYP contest. A list of ten poems will be announced through e-mail (with hard copies available at the library) at 8 a.m. on April 29. Your task is to discover who in our campus community is carrying each poem in his/her pocket. For example, a poem entitled “Egypt Poem” by Suzy Vidal might be carried by Herb Smith, who is leading an Interterm trip to Egypt, or the poem “The Library” by Albert Goldbarth might be in the pocket of Miller Library employee Rick Robbins.
The first person who identifies all ten correctly, or the person who identifies the most by 5 p.m., will receive a $25 Amazon gift certificate.

Third, the library will host a poetry reading (time TBA) where the winners of the McPherson College English Department’s 5th Annual Poetry Contest will be announced.

More detailed contest rules will follow.

Jazz Appreciation Month

April is Jazz Appreciation Month. Stop by Miller to pick up a jazz CD…we have Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Dave Brubeck, Jelly Roll Morton, Diana Krall, Woodie Herman, and more. Can’t find your favorite jazz musician? Let us know, and we’ll try to add something by your favorite artist. And check out the Smithsonian’s jazz webpage for more resources: http://www.smithsonianjazz.org/.

Women's History Month

It’s March, Women’s History Month, and we have a display on “The Dreaded F-Word.” Yes, Feminism. Come learn about the three waves of the movement’s history and the contributions of some key women leaders.
Also, Britannica is celebrating Women's History Month, highlighting women whose actions and ideas influenced history. Follow the illustrated timeline to identify developments in the lives of women since antiquity in Encyclopaedia Britannica's Profiles, 300 Women Who Changed The World.
Read quotes, essays and speeches. Enjoy biographies about Women's Rights luminaries such as Joan of Arc, Jane Adams, Phillis Wheatley and Sandra Day O'Connor. Watch video clips, use the learning activities to take an in-depth view of women's achievements, or read articles on topics such as feminism and the history of Mother's Day.