Author Archives: Doug Bolden

Exciting changes coming to Interlibrary Loan on November 1st!

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Do you frequently request books and journal articles via Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?  We are pleased to announce an exciting change to our ILL system!  Starting Thursday, November 1, 2012, we will begin using ILLiad software which is used by more than 1,100 libraries throughout the United States.

To access ILLiad you will be prompted for your Charger ID and password (the same as your Angel account login information).  The first time that you access ILLiad you will register by inputting your name, email and status at UAHuntsville.  The good news is that you will not need to enter that information again when placing additional ILL requests.

Here is a list of just some of the features ILLiad provides over our former system:

  1. You will be able to check the status of your ILL requests.
  2. You will be able to electronically receive your articles by accessing ILLiad
  3. You will be able to see cancelled requests.
  4. You will be able to see the history of your past requests.
  5. You will be able to all your requests (new, cancelled, in process, finished, and delivered).
  6. You will be able to see a list of notifications (emails) that you have received for your requests.

We will be changing the ILL links on the library homepage and in our LibGuides by November 1, 2012.  If you have bookmarked the current location of the Interlibrary Loan page, please remember update your links.

If you have any problems or questions when accessing ILLiad do not hesitate to contact us either by phone 256-824-6124 or email.  We are excited about this transition, and please don’t hesitate to let us know what you think!

Cyber Security Tip: Create Strong Passwords

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Caption: A word cloud display of the most common passwords used.  Please note some of the words displayed may be inappropriate or offensive to some readers.

 

October is National Cyber Security Month, and an important part of practicing safe online habits is to pick strong passwords!  Often times, people fall into the trap of selecting generic words, such as password, 123456, and 12345678.  Here are some guidelines for selecting strong and secure passwords:

  • Length. Make your passwords long with eight or more characters.
  • Complexity. Include letters, punctuation, symbols, and numbers.  The greater the variety of characters in your password, the better. But remember:  password hacking software automatically checks for common letter-to-symbol conversions, such as changing “and” to “&” or “to” to “2.”
  • Variation. To keep strong passwords effective, change them often. Set an automatic reminder for yourself to change your passwords on your email, banking, and credit card websites about every three months.
  • Variety. Don’t use the same password for everything. Cybercriminals steal passwords on websites that have very little security, and then they use that same password and user name in more secure environments, such as banking websites.

Please visit UAH i.t.solutions to learn more about practicing safe cyber security habits.

Anne Coleman presents at 63rd International Astronautical Congress!

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Our very own Anne Coleman represented Salmon Library at the 63rd International Astronautical Congress!  Her paper titled “Willy Ley:  Rocket Scientist and Book Collector” was about the unique Willy Ley Collection held at the UAHuntsville Salmon Library Archives and Special Collections.

The 63rd International Astronautical Congress, themed “Space Science and Technology for the Needs of All”, took place in Naples, Italy between October 1-5, 2012.  There were more than 3,300 attendees, including 34 UAHuntsville student researchers!  These students were selected by the International Astronautical Federation to give 42 oral presentations and 5 poster presentations in the full technical sessions of the regular congress.  The conference also included appearances by second man on the Moon Buzz Aldrin and first Chinese woman in space Liu Yang.  We are so proud of Anne and the student researchers for representing UAHuntsville on an international stage!  See below for a few pictures from Anne’s trip to Italy.

Salmon Library Lunch and Lecture with Dr. Sundar Christopher

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Please join us on Thursday, November 1st from 11:30-1:00pm for the kickoff of our Fall Lunch and Lecture Series!  Dr. Sundar Christopher, professor and chair of the Atmospheric Sciences department, is the author of Navigating Graduate School and Beyond, which outlines important steps and skills necessary to succeed in graduate school and in your career.  Dr. Christopher’s “insider tips” help students better understand their advisors, leading to more productive advisor/student relationships.  This event is open to everybody and will take place in the Faculty Resource Center, Room 233 of Salmon Library.  Free lunch will be provided.  We look forward to seeing you!

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month

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This year, President Obama issued a presidential proclamation declaring October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month.  We lead Web-based, digital lives. From personal computers, smartphones, and tablets, e-book readers, to working, shopping, and social networking, virtually every aspect of our lives touches the digital world. Even when we are not directly connected to the Internet, this vast worldwide connection of computers, data, and websites supports our everyday lives through financial transactions, transportation systems, healthcare records, emergency response systems, personal communications, and more.

Everyone has a role in securing their part of cyberspace, including the devices and networks they use. Individual actions have a collective impact and when we use the Internet safely we make it more secure for everyone. If each of us does our part—implementing stronger security practices, raising community awareness, educating young people, training employees—together we will be a more resilient and safer digital society.

STOP. THINK. CONNECT.

Cyber Security begins with STOP. THINK. CONNECT. These three simple concepts are the starting point for staying safer and more secure online.

  • STOP:    Before you use the Internet, take time to understand the risks and learn how to spot potential problems.
  • THINK:  Take a moment to be certain the path ahead is clear. Watch for warning signs and consider how your online actions could impact your safety or your family’s.
  • CONNECT:  Enjoy the Internet with greater confidence, knowing you’ve taken the right steps to safeguard yourself and your computer.

Interested in learning more?  Visit the Department of Homeland Security and Stay Safe Online.  If you are interested in learning more about cyber security practices at UAH, email i.t.solutions and they can assist you by providing collateral materials or present to your group about cyber security.

History Database trials

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We have a one month trial to the following history databases through EBSCOhost, check them out and let us know what you think!  This trial will expire November 4, 2012.  Here’s some more information about each one:

Gateway to North America: People, Places, and Organizations of 19th-Century New York from the New-York Historical Society, features over 1500 residential and business directories, organization records, urban guidebooks, and other sources rich in names and places that present a history of the people of New York City from the late eighteenth through the early twentieth century. New York was long the country’s focal point of industry, trade, commerce and immigration, and this collection features materials that track the city’s inhabitants over time and place, where they lived, where they worked, and what they did. It also includes residential, trade, and occupational directories, membership lists for churches, professional groups, philanthropic and governmental institutions, ethnic organizations, and leisure clubs.

Revolutionary War Era Orderly Books from the New-York Historical Society, represents a collection of over 30,000 pages of historically unique material from more than 200 orderly books spanning from 1748 to 1817. The collection includes both British and American orderly books, a form of manuscript journals kept by military units containing their orders from higher-ranking officers in addition to other information essential to military operations, dating from the French and Indian War through the War of 1812, with the bulk representing the activities of American forces during the Revolutionary War.

African American Archives provides over one million pages of original historical documents pertaining to the African American experience over several centuries, and is richly-detailed with narratives and quantitative data alike. The earliest materials in this collection come from Essential Records Concerning Slavery and Emancipation from the Danish West Indies (1672-1917).   There are several other slavery-related collections, including letters, account books, annual reports, and news clippings. Files contain detailed narrative accounts of subjects’ activities and include information about families, occupations, and general activities. There are also related manuscripts from the American Colonization Society, an organization best known for its role in establishing Liberia, a colony in Africa for free people of color from the United States.

Please contact us at 256-824-6529 or email us at erefq@uah.edu if you want the login information for these database trials.

 

Fall 2012 Coffeehouse Writers Series at Salmon Library!

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Women’s Studies and Salmon Library are excited to continue the popular Coffeehouse Writers Series with programs featuring local writers reading their work.  The first Coffeehouse Writers program of the season is this coming Friday night, October 12th at 6:30, titled “Freedom to Imagine.” A special VIP guest poet will open the program, performing a short poem honoring women.  Featured poets and writers on the program in order will be as follows:
1. Carey Link (UAH alumnus and HLA board member)
2. Dr. Virginia Gilbert (Professor Emerita AAMU)
3. LaVerne Morgan Roxby (UAH Retired English Teacher)
4. Gatlianne (Writer, Artist and Vagabond Poet)
5. Melonie M. King (Artist, Poet, Teacher)

On Friday, November 16, at 6:30 p.m., Best Writing Friends Forever (BWFFs) return with poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction.  BWFFs include Betty Clemens, Erin Reid, Heather Kilgore, Kathie Butler, LaWanda Siniard, Marylyn Coffey, Val Lotz, Rose Norman, Sandra Shattuck, Susan Gorrell, Susan Phelan, Sue Barbara, and Vikki Glynn.

Please note, the December 11th event has been cancelled.  On Tuesday, December 11, 6:30 p.m., high school students who will have competed in November to represent UAHuntsville and North Alabama at the Poetry Out Loud state competition will perform original poetry and poetry by famous writers.

Readings last about an hour and are held in the Salmon Library Art Gallery on the ground floor.  Admission is free, and Charger Brew will be open before the Tuesday night reading.

For information or to suggest a program, contact Marylyn Coffey at marylyn.coffey@uah.edu or (256) 824-6114.  We look forward to seeing you here!

International Festival Performances on September 29th!

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We look forward to seeing you September 29th in Spragins Hall for the 3rd Annual International Festival.  Here is a schedule of the variety of diverse, fun, and entertaining performances you can expect to see:

  • 10:00AM – Fashion Show representing all countries
  • 10:40AM – Little Champs of Madison Montessori:  kids aged 2-5 years old in traditional country garments performing simple dance moves & sign language to song “We are the world, we are the children.” To celebrate diversity & coming together for positive change.
  • 10:55AM – Bachata Bama: UAH dance students performing a traditional Bachata dance.
  • 11:05AM – China Performances
  • Jasmine Dance Ensemble: nonprofit dance group performing 3 dances: “There is a beautiful Place”, “The charm of Calligraphy” & “The beautiful grassland is my home”; from Birmingham, AL.
  • Chinese Students and Scholars Association of UAH: UAH Chinese students performing 2 dances – “Kangding Love Song” (a traditional Chinese love song) & Taijiquan performance with 10 people wearing traditional Chinese dresses.
  • Chinese Tai Chi Kung Fu: Tai’chi Kung Fu Fan was compiled to support the Beijing application for the Olympic Sponsorship. It is based on movements on many families of Chinese Martial Art, combined with Peking Opera and dances.  The actions are designed to match the lyrics & rhythm of the song “Chinese Kung Fu.”
  • 11:50AM – Soft Note Combo: see their website for additional information www.softnotecombo.com
  • 12:35PM – Jim Parker: see his website for additional info: www.jimparkermusic.com
  • 1:15PM – The Sullivan’s: see their website for additional info: www.sullivansmusic.com
  • 2:00PM – Fitness Arts Center Irish Dancers: traditional Irish dancing ages 7-15 years old.
  • 2:30PM – AshaKiran: Dance groups/solos performing energetic Bollywood/Fusion/Folk dances in colorful garments.
  • 3:05PM – Huntsville Taiwanese American Association: Taiwan tribal dance that “represents the people whom inhabit the island with appreciation of their receiving from the heaven.”
  • 3:25PM – Heidi Kaeding: 10 years old & Chinese born, will be playing the “Erhu”, a Chinese 2-stringed instrument, and performing two songs.
  • 3:35PM – Little German Band: specializing in music from Germany & Austria, particularly music composed between the 18th & 19th centuries.  They’ll be playing mainly military & classical marches, Viennese waltzes & polka, their performance will highlight musical traditions of continental Europe & how the music was brought to America by immigrants; Randy Taylor– drums; Mark Hixson – accordion; Werner Smock – trumpet.
  • 4:20PM – Philippine American Association of Alabama: dance group performing Philippine regional folk dances & Polynesian/Tahitian/Hawaiian dances.
  •  4:48PM – Ira Leitner

 

Fall 2012 Open House Winners

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Congratulations to our door prize winners from our September 6th Open House!  Our runners up received library polo shirts and a flash drive.  Sabiha Runa was the grand prize winner of a Nook Color!  For more pictures, please like us on Facebook and peruse the Fall 2012 Open House album.  Thank you so much for attending Open House and we look forward to seeing you at the Spring Open House in January 2013!